Sword and Scale

58,497
All Genres #107True Crime #30

Sword and Scale is a true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the seedy underbelly of human nature and so-called civilized society. Told from an everyman's point of view, Sword and Scale goes beyond the news clips and the sensationalist headlines to hold up a mirror to the audience and ask, "Is it us versus them? Or are we just like 'them' too?" Sword and scale proves that the worst monsters are real.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sword-and-scale--5895676/support.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • dude12245680797432
    Great show
    Regardless of what you think about Mike, his work ethic is amazing. He continues to put out a top-notch quality podcast that I’ve listened to now for over four years, and I look forward to the new show each week. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Mike.
  • Luvurpets
    The Best
    The Absolute Best Crime Podcast ! Mike does a Great Job. The only podcast I pay for and always will. I Love Sword & Scale!!! Still my favorite after all these years !!! Mike is the Master at telling True Crime !!! Love you Mike
  • Tebabtenejd
    Best true crime series
    This is the best true crime podcast hands down, been listening to it for probably a decade now. Took away a star bc it’s obvious the host is a raging republican and likes to push her personal political views through snarky remarks the show could do without. Wonder who he voted for 🙄🙄
  • nleebisch
    Paywall???
    Paywall??
  • Arreks11
    Closed-minded & judgemental
    Been listening to this podcast for the last five years. Mike Boudet has progressively become harder and harder to listen to. I understand you’re covering murderers here, but why are you so judgmental and closed-minded? In one of the more recent episodes, he keeps harping on the murderer being a Wiccan and how “weird” that is. Touch some grass, buddy. Wiccan’s are about some of the nicest people I’ve met. Murderer’s don’t deserve sympathy, but why do you keep bringing up the dudes religion as if it’s the thing that turned him sick? Boudet also jokes at some of the worst times, totally revealing how unsympathetic he is towards the victims. An absolutely tone-deaf podcast, at this point. Pretty much garbage.
  • blk30
    Can’t do it anymore
    I’ve been a LONGTIME listening for many many years but I just can’t support you guys anymore. Listeners come for the stories, not Mikes irrelevant horrible opinions about literally everyone that has different beliefs than him. I stuck it out for a while but it’s just so ridiculous and a shame that you’ve lost so many loyal followers bc of that. Good riddance.
  • esteban2u
    Pretty good
    Although host can’t keep some of his ignorant, clown like at times opinion’s to himself. Still one of the best true crime I’ve listened to 🤷🏻‍♂️
  • KaeJeh
    Ripped me off
    Do not give them your credit card info!!!! I canceled my subscription last year. I was charged $50 anyways. I do not have access to episodes until it’s been out for a couple weeks. So what would I be paying for? NOTHING!! I have been emailing Sword And Sale over and over and over and over. They WILL NOT respond or refund my money. Do not give them your credit card info!!!!
  • Adrian James O
    I’d pay for a version without host’s personal opinions
    Obnoxious host, great show. I’d pay to not hear his horribly obnoxious and biased personal opinions.
  • RTR Kimmie
    Can’t get enough
    Weirdly addicting.
  • Black Cat Forge
    Mixed Bag
    This is a pretty decent true crime podcast that is well-researched. The problem is the host. He just CAN NOT help from interjecting his alt-Right opinions in at the most inopportune times. He has troubling attitudes about women, too, frequently offering antiquated and sometimes outright misogynist views. It really takes you out of the story. A recent episode had him opining the unsupported and unfounded view that the west coast states aren’t interested in holding people responsible for crimes, especially crimes against children. No stats or facts to back up the claim…just an off-the-cuff accusation. So if you can look past his smug, alt-Right nonsense you might enjoy the true crime aspect of the show.
  • paf781
    Episode 69
    All I can say is… this episode didn’t age well….
  • flow698
    The best of true crime
    I started to listening to Mike four years ago. His show is one of the best crime shows I ever listened to. Soren scale TV is the best never disappoint with any of his episodes.
  • LolaBlue13
    GOAT Podcast
    This is by far my most favorite podcast. Mike Boudet and his team deliver an exceptional episode EVERY time. It is the only podcast that I pay for because it is THAT good. The detail of the crime, the people involved & the underlying reason/story are always clearly laid out. The 911 calls, police interviews, Mike’s interviews with family, friends, witnesses & story links and photos are always meticulously factual & so informative. I appreciate the time and effort that was put into each episode. I love Mike’s voice, the side commentary & his thoughts. Listen, learn & enjoy - you will love it!!!
  • CrimePodLover
    Ignorant Comments
    I just stumbled upon this podcast as an avid true-crime listener, and I was really into the stories. A few episodes in, I heard one or two ignorant or misogynistic comments. I thought, “hm.. give him another chance, keep listening”, but the comments never ended. I like the work Mike Boulder does, but the comments and overall attitude surrounding victims is completely ignorant and uneducated.
  • Twoolbert
    The goat!!
    So happy I found you through my lash tech. Sword and scale is my favorite! Ive binged all your content. Please keep it up you’re the best!!
  • Betts1221
    Best true crime podcast
    Mike is an amazing story teller! He grabs you the second you hear his voice and takes you through dark, scary horrific stories, but he keeps you on the edge of your seat! I am a true crime fanatic and this is the best True Crime podcast around! Thanks Mike and crew!!!
  • Jason Trent
    The Best
    There is an ever growing list of true crime podcasts. The entire genre has exploded over the last decade. I’ve been listening to SaS since about 2015. Every true crime podcast I attempt to listen to simply don’t scratch the itch. Maybe I’ve been spoiled with SaS. When you’ve been listening to the best and you’re comparing everything to the best, nothing will satisfy. I started listening on Apple Podcasts. Now I use the Sword and Scale app and I pay for the service. I’m not at top tier so I don’t get the video episodes but the audio ones are awesome. Give it a listen, but I warn you: it’ll ruin all other true crime podcasts if you listen to others. There’s simply no comparison.
  • PharmDocAH
    The Best.
    My favorite true crime podcast. Love EVERYTHING else you do also. Keep it up. You’re doing great.
  • SashaThumper23
    Best True Crime Podcast
    I’ve been listening to S&S for a long time. Been a plus member for a while as well. Mike is absolutely one of the best voices out there. His ability to captivate an audience with his storytelling skills & his cadence is unmatched. S&S has been my number 1 for years & has not been bumped out of that number 1 spot for over 6 years. Do yourself a favor & download the S&S app. Love, A SaShole
  • Brope97
    Best ever!
    This is by far the best true crime podcast I’ve heard. I used to listen to a ton of true crime podcasts until I found Sword and Scale! Mike is a genius and the way he delivers content is like that you’ve never heard. You can tell that him and his team truly care about the stories they tell!! They are raw and gritty. I love it!!!! The tv also is the best I’ve seen. Keep it up Mike!!!
  • maynorsg
    S&S
    S&S 👍👏
  • Barly1
    Unmatched podcast
    I’ve been listening to this show for 11 years and nothing else comes close to the quality and storytelling of Mike and his team
  • Mbeezy311
    Phenomenal!
    By far the most incredible true crime podcast ever produced!!!
  • Manic Pixi
    Best true crime podcast
    I love Mike’s narration, and the stories are always done so well. Thank you for the + update. I Love S & S! Keep doing what you’re doing because it works!
  • AjSparky33
    Amazing True Crime Stories
    While I don’t always agree with Mike’s commentary, there’s no denying he’s a phenomenal storyteller. After 11 years of doing this, his ability to uncover and share some of the most compelling stories is impressive on its own. I know he gets a fair amount of criticism—and even I get frustrated by some of his rants—but to me, it’s worth it. He’s genuinely passionate about true crime and brings a lot of creativity to the genre. I always look forward to the weekly episode drop, and I fully support all of his side projects. Nightmares is such a cool concept—it reminds me of a more toned-down Monstruo. Sword and Scale is hands-down my favorite podcast. No one does it quite like Mike Boudet.
  • N-G-S
    Amazing! just amazing
    This podcast is absolutely captivating—I’m completely hooked! I love everything about it: the content, the energy, the voices, the stories… all of it! Truly incredible work.
  • HondaRep
    Best Podcast Ever!
    I’ve been listening to true crime podcasts as long as I can remember, yet I somehow just managed to find this one… like a week ago! How??! But it is now my absolute favorite! I love the stories and the narration! Mike does an amazing job at telling the story without getting off track and making this a talk show!
  • JayfromAK1
    Blah blah blah
    Just tell the story dude.
  • Onna Renn
    It’s alright
    The narrator is kind of a wierdo but his story telling is thorough. If you can get past unnecessary commentary give it a go. Invisible choir is basically that version of you can’t.
  • Jess7175
    This show used to be good
    The host is meh- Swindled is a much better option.
  • ow742
    Amazing Podcast Unbearable Host
    Hands down the best true crime podcast out there. I have been listening for at least 5 years. So much work is done by the team to get every detail that makes each episode so interesting, especially interviews which a lot of other podcasts miss. However, the host is so annoying throwing in degrading comments and unnecessary opinions that take away from the story and just make me roll my eyes. I get it, it’s his show he can say what he wants, but it makes me not want to listen even though the rest of the show is so well produced.
  • P.TwoBears
    Not Even in top 50 anymore
    I mean, morbid is literally at number three right now. Your show might technically be better, but nobody can stand your insufferable personality when you start talking about “how women are” and other red pill nonsense. It’s hard to believe your girlfriend is real when you sound this much like a red pill knob head. For God sakes get out of your own way until your ego to stand down and just tell the story. It’s more than nobody wants to hear about your personal politics – it’s that it’s stupid and makes us feel sorry for you. Please allow us to quit pitying you. Just tell the story.
  • Brendan 9988
    More story, less ignorance.
    Would appreciate less of your thoughts. Thanks
  • Sheaykristan
    I never miss an episode
    Mike is THE story teller of the true crime genre.
  • Mcpherli
    Sword and Scale Review
    I’ve really enjoyed this podcast. I discovered it over a year or so ago. I’m disappointed, though, that it’s now all for subscribers only. It’s also more expensive than most podcasts, too. What’s that about?
  • Personwholistens
    Good show - 1 small criticism
    It’s a great show and I like the detail and not dancing around the heavier topics. However, one thing I notice in each episode is the narrator can have some commentary that is unwarranted for lack of a better word. I think he just needs to rein it in sometimes. Otherwise, great listen.
  • JasBrickey
    Best podcast!
    I have been listening to sword and scale for years, since the beginning!! I love what Mike puts into these episodes. It’s nothing short of amazing. He pulls you in and keeps you on your toes. Keep it up!! I love it!!
  • Upset nurse here.
    Why change all episodes to….
    Subscribers only. I love love love your podcast and would love to be a member but can’t right now. I use to be in my car and able to listen more but I can’t now and don’t want to pay and not get to hear like I would like. I always go to your first and love to go back but now I can’t:(
  • Wesliey
    The Perfect Show
    Please ask the 911 callers to speak more clearly. I know it’s the worst moment of their life. I need the hear what’s happening though!! If you didn’t know this is a joke my now…. ,l,,
  • LMSJsp
    Love the podcast
    Highly recommend this podcast!
  • Lumosly
    Unnecessary
    The research and storytelling is great but I find myself more and more distracted with his unnecessary commentary on things like “must be because of that systemic racism right?” Or “they would probably be democrats” and really terrible times that deflect from the story and ruin the flow. Even if someone agreed with the statements, it’s in such juxtaposition to his narrative style and really just ruins episodes. I appreciate good storytelling and I respect people’s differing views but this is unnecessary to his stories and too frequent for me to continue or recommend this show. Bummer.
  • Zxpfdssa
    Far superior true crime!
    Always been my favorite show. The subscription is worth every cent. Thanks Mike and S&S crew. Your work is impeccable.
  • ShaniB561
    Best podcast ever!!!!
    Mike is the best! Stories are suspenseful and I love listening to the recordings of the ppl involved. I’m a documentary junkie and this is my go to when I want to listen to a podcast. Ohhhh and best part of the podcast are the listeners who leave Mike voice messages! lol the Karen’s and Ken’s who call are too funny and Mike always has the best responses.
  • JennyGarp
    Used to love this podcast
    I thought this was the greatest podcast when I first started listening. Maybe in the last 6 to 9 months I have noticed blatant sexist comments, when the host speaks directly to “Ladies,” mostly commenting on the stupid things we do to get ourselves killed. The most egregious comment happened in ep 281. when describing a victim of a horrific murder he referred to the victim to a ‘Blind B word.’ So I’m out if I wanted to hear a hateful sexist I’d watch the news.
  • RatJimmy
    Perfect for the right wing podcast enthusiast looking for things to be outraged about
    It appears that this idiot‘s only true talent is complaining….while complaining about other people complaining. A perpetual victim who occasionally has a good true crime episode. In a sea of true crime podcasts, I find this the most skippable.
  • Glo Bot
    Angry Host.
    I’ve been listening to the show for about 8/9 years and have found it to be consistently thorough and well produced with the exception of the most recent year. The host has both an objective and subjective narration, mostly stating the facts of the case but also sprinkling in his own thoughts through sarcasm, nuance, and straightforward opinions. At times he has also makes political statements but the current socio/political climate in the USA has apparently led everyone to believe they are a qualified political sounding board, so I take it all with a grain of salt and try to attend to the story. My recent reservation has been the closing segment of the show where the host plays voicemails from listeners. He will play both positive and negative voicemails and, of course, while he appreciates the positive voicemails, he reacts angrily unhinged to the negative voicemails. For someone who voluntarily puts himself in the public spotlight, his capacity to receive negative feedback appears to be undeveloped after all these years. Some of the language he uses toward the listener mirrors that of the very murderers he reports on, leaving one to wonder if all the years reporting on the depraved side of humanity has rubbed off or if since becoming his own production company, he now freely exposes his dark underbelly. The subject matter is angry and aggressive enough, the host’s added rage is superfluous and a bit disconcerting. All this to say, if I end up murdered, prime suspect might be Mike Boudet for this less than glowing review. Could still be a solid true crime show the host’s rage against his listeners puts a damper the quality listener experience. Maybe take up journaling for some of that pent up rage, Mike.
  • spaceykasey74
    Like No Other
    The experience of Sword and Scale from start to finish is like no other. Mike is equal parts sass and Intelligence. Keep it up sir genius!
  • Super irrelevant
    Amazing Show
    I love this show (hate the unfortunate outcomes, but still love the show), maybe I’m an idiot asking the question in this space, but does the move to the new podcast, “This Doesn’t Happen To People Like Me” replace this show altogether?
  • NickNameNanoo
    Whoa dude
    Was pretty into the story and approach and then dude went on an unprovoked wild angry rant about how sex work isn’t work in the middle of introducing a character … like real ANGRY tone shift. Jarring and totally misogynistic but definitely telling of what kind of person this is. The kind you don’t want to end up alone with n
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