Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Communications
Committee Chair/Advisor
James Gilmore
Committee Member
Erin Ash
Committee Member
Virginia Harrison
Abstract
This study examines the linguistic patterns of true crime podcast hosts, as well as what potential impacts these language choices have on audiences. Through an analysis of literature regarding true crime media, listener motivations, and the effects of true crime media consumption on listeners, themes of apathy and desensitization, female pain as entertainment, and commodification of harm against women were found. This serves as a case study of the popular true crime podcast Crime Junkie, observing the language patterns used by the hosts before and after their involvement in a controversy that included accusations of plagiarism, commodification, and unethical journalistic practices. Then emerged themes of victim blaming, sensationalized language, commodification, victim advocacy among others. To conclude we tied together how true crime podcast creator language choices have the ability to reinforce harmful narratives that may result in aforementioned issues such as apathy and commodification. However these host have the power to alter their language to potentially mitigate these effects
Recommended Citation
Lewis, Alaysia, "Commodified Suffering: True Crime Podcasting, Gendered Violence, and the Culture of Apathy”" (2026). All Theses. 4709.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4709