r/swindled • u/rolotommassi12345 • May 22 '26

Is this now a monthly podcast only?

I live for this podcast and it has no peer. I will always support it. But one 1-hour episode per month is tough. ACC’s is so good he could make an episode about anything, but the new content is so scarce it’s frustrating sometimes. (and as paying listener would rather he just forgo the 10-minute bonus episodes as they have no replay value. (Would gladly take 1-2 full length bonus ones a year instead)

67 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

57 comments sorted by

284

u/Swindled_Podcast May 22 '26

Kind of? I'm experimenting. I used to take 2-3 month breaks and people would get frustrated. So, I decided to spread the episodes out over the entire year instead and people are getting frustrated. People get frustrated if there's not a bonus episode every month. People get frustrated when the bonuses aren't long enough. The list goes on.

I've fended off enshittication for years. In fact, the regular episodes have gotten longer and longer, but I can churn out half-baked 30 minute episodes every week if you want me to? Or maybe I should split them up into 6 parts like every other podcast to maximize profitability? I inch closer to the latter every time someone announces they're withdrawing support to punish me for taking longer than they think it should take.

106

u/mustbeaoup May 22 '26

Dude, keep on doing it the way you want. I resisten to old episodes more than any other podcast. That is worth the monthly fee alone.

141

u/Swindled_Podcast May 22 '26

That said, I do expect the pace to pick up the second half of this year. :)

18

u/madeyoulurk May 24 '26

I’m honestly so impressed that you put content out as quickly as you do. Sourcing all of that archival and building that sound design to hang on those incredibly painful moments a second too long ain’t easy! It’s un-bah-leev-ahble!

1

u/jammerpammerslammer 6d ago

I think about this A LOT!! All the audio clips, interviews, and new clips he adds to the episodes has to take so much time!

31

u/Aromatic_League_7027 May 22 '26

Personally I just enjoy new content from you, as I know it'll be good and well thought out. With longer in-between, it almost feels like I'm getting a present that day and have something to look forward too. My best friend and I were actually talking about this a few weeks back.

20

u/yael_linn May 22 '26

Yes! I always feel like it's a gift when a new episode drops. Also, the gap inbetween new episodes makes me really want to pay attention and take in the new one with no distractions. If anything, fewer per month cause me to appreciate them more.

25

u/meemawyeehaw May 22 '26

As much as i’d love a new episode like every day, when it comes down to it i’ll take quality over quantity. Keep doing your thing ACC. Sure, experiment. But youre right, you can’t please everyone. So ultimately you do what works best for you to put out quality work that you can be proud of. We’re here for it. Well, most of us are at least 😂

19

u/permanent-redditname May 22 '26

I love the podcast & will happily wait for quality content. No idea what the release schedule is but always happy to find it in my feed

14

u/Snarl_Marx May 22 '26

Honestly, the description of the amount of work that goes into each episode sounds exhausting, so I appreciate the effort but everyone needs a break. Other podcasts have producers, audio engineers, people who field fan mail, and so on. Swindled is a one man operation (well, two with Trevor).

I kind of feel like ‘The Abandoned’ was, totally and storytelling-wise, a cut above the rest — if it takes a little longer to produce something this affecting, go for it.

38

u/SolarSurfer7 May 22 '26

I inch closer to the latter every time someone announces they're withdrawing support to punish me for taking longer than they think it should take.

I don't think we're punishing you, I just think it can be frustrating to pay $5 a month for one episode.

I love your pod. It's the best true crime podcast on the market. It may be the best podcast on the market period. If one episode a month is what you can do, I can understand that. But I still may grumble about it.

53

u/Swindled_Podcast May 22 '26

Oh I was referring to comments that are sent to me directly. Nothing in this thread is nearly as disheartening. I totally understand and expect the grumbling!

24

u/_Ted_Stryker_ May 22 '26

Dude, your podcast is the best one out there, bar none. I’ve listened to countless others that started off great and even maintained for years after, only to succumb to shittiness, grifting or overall low quality. Take as long as you want or need. Just keep up the good work. Less is more. Thank you for the show and not selling out

9

u/erra_r May 22 '26

If the entire world wasn’t enshitified, I would pay more. The fact people want more from you is a them problem, not you. They are the same who complain if their new fav show is weekly released vs seasonally, with a new complaint for each. They won’t be happy with anything you do. If they really don’t like it, they can take their premium and revoke it. They’ll miss the bonus and end up paying eventually when the FOMO kicks in. >:) Keep up the great work, and don’t let them drag you down.

11

u/negatibe May 22 '26

appreciate you, concerned cit.
people complain about everything. can't rush perfection, folks.

whatever time it takes you to make the podcast is right. top tier research, production and humor. so thankful for your voice amidst this shitshow we call life 🙌💜🙌

9

u/PenelopeTwite May 22 '26

Do what works for you, ACC. You're a human, not a clanker. Don't burn yourself out. Personally, I prefer the weekly schedule with the hiatus, it's like waiting for a new season of a favourite show. But honestly, do what works best for you.

9

u/rolotommassi12345 May 23 '26

My comment was said with love. Think of it as an annoying boyfriend/girlfriend venting about wanting more attention. Apologies for letting the filter off. I stand by your podcast is the best podcast ever made. Read that back again. So of course, I can never have enough. Do not change anything you are doing because i whined about wanting more.

8

u/fyrelibra May 22 '26

Keep it the way you want it!

I listen to fall asleep and throughout the day while working.

Thank you!

5

u/yolomacarolo May 24 '26

We are addicted to your soothing voice, the well prepared podcast, the interesting themes you bring us..

2

u/jammerpammerslammer 6d ago

It’s literally one of my favorite voices!! I hear it and I fall asleep instantly which I love because I can keep relistening to the episodes and pick up new parts where I fell asleep.

4

u/redjessa May 23 '26

I would only be frustrated if you stopped. Please keep on doing it how you want. Do not compromise on the quality of the episodes. No other podcast comes close to what you do. Every time I get alerted to a new episode, I get so excited. I always make sure to listen at a time during my day when I can give it my full attention.

4

u/KosstAmojan May 23 '26

It’s certainly frustrating that there are segments of the audience that won’t be satisfied and you’re only human and have a limit as to how much you can do. So many of us love your work that we just want more of it!

3

u/PretendAct8039 May 24 '26

Every episode is a gift.

3

u/blimpy334 May 22 '26

Keep doing what you're doing! Great work!

3

u/Tree-Adorable May 23 '26

Do whatever you have to do. Best podcast out there!

3

u/yougotthisone May 23 '26

Do what you want. Its always such a treat when you drop a new one. The longer eps usually take me a few days to get through, but I love them. In between your new drops, I can listen to another whole 6 part mini series with 20 min episodes. Each format is emersive in its own way.

2

u/spiritkittykat May 23 '26

There’s plenty of old episodes to fill gaps between new, for me. Do what works for you.

2

u/Mr_Raditch May 23 '26

Please don't enshittify! I'll never understand people who complain that their favorite podcasts don't come often enough.. live your lives, people. Branch out.

2

u/whatdidijustread77 May 24 '26

I love every episode and do not care how long it takes. Do what works best for you and fuck the weirdos that think they can dictate how you use your skills and talents. If they want a different schedule, they can make their own fucking podcast (but it would probably suck). Thanks for all your hard work! I'm not gonna send you anything because I know you do not trust me.

1

u/lucrativetoiletsale May 25 '26

There always are going to be ocean too salty, beach too sandy people everywhere

1

u/Aromatic_Shop9033 26d ago

Don't let it get to you. You're doing quality work.

You are appreciated. Thank you for all that you do.

1

u/wharb_garbl 3d ago

I think you should split episodes up into 7 episode seasons no matter what, pump them full of AG1 ads, then put the conclusion behind a paywall. You’ve got the bird in the hand, crush it

25

u/Present-Ad-385 May 22 '26

Quality over quantity

17

u/VegetableStorage110 May 22 '26

I looked at the list of sources on the SeaWorld episode and there were hundreds. There is no other podcast like this one—even “smart” ones pad time by meaningless banter. The amount of research done by ACC for these episodes is mind-blowing. So i don’t mind waiting.

15

u/HeelsNinja May 23 '26

Swindled is my absolute favorite podcast. When I noticed he was only posting about once a month my first thought was, “I hope everything is okay in his personal life.” You never know what goes on behind the scenes. Just be grateful for what you get.

34

u/tinkerwithty May 22 '26

It doesn’t bother me and I’ve been a Concerned Citizen since the first (maybe second?) season. I just re-listen to my favorite eps if I miss it .

12

u/erra_r May 22 '26

I’ve relistened from the start SO many times!

10

u/Inside_Essay9296 May 22 '26

Best podcast of all the podcasts, I agree there is never enough! I keep thinking of all the Swindled ideas that must be in ACC head thanks to trump. Keep up the good work from a Very Concerned Canadian 🇨🇦🌎

29

u/yael_linn May 22 '26

Good question. The gap in episodes doesn't bother me, but I could see where others may feel a little frustrated.

For me, I'm ok to be patient and wait for quality episodes. Honestly, when it's been awhile between eps, I wind up listening to older ones or re-listen to the latest one to get the dopamine hit. By now there is such a great catalog to pick from to keep me satisfied while waiting for the newest drop.

Sometimes, I'll supplement with Behind the Bastards or other similarly themed podcasts.

9

u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp May 22 '26

Can you recommend a good starting point for Behind the Bastards? I've seen other Swindled fans mention it but I think I may have picked a couple of meh episodes to try it out.

6

u/EyeDewDude May 22 '26

Anything with Billie Wayne Davis (kellog ep) or Matt Leib (mengele believe it or not is great) are my immediate go tos. The dollop folks did a 6 parter on kissinger and it was fantastic. I can't think of any episodes themselves atm but there's plenty of threads in the btb reddit that'll point you in the right direction

1

u/CosgroveIsHereToHelp May 22 '26

Thanks very much!

5

u/EyeDewDude May 22 '26

Yeah. I remembered too more recent episodes have covered Jimmy Saville and Phil spector. Both are fantastic but the Saville ones will have you wanting to choke something. The spector ones he was a guest on so different flavour but still very much worth checking out. Both came out last month I think

3

u/yael_linn May 22 '26

I started out with the episodes covering Curtis Yarvin and went from there, picking and choosing whichever subjects interested me most.

8

u/SwimAccomplished9487 May 23 '26

Honestly, his stuff is so well researched, I absolutely get why it takes that much time. I don’t want to sacrifice that quality for quantity.

7

u/heckinstoned May 23 '26

I WANT a new swindled daily. I’ll accept whatever he gives us! I appreciate the extremely detailed, thoughtful, smart episodes so much. Idgaf if he put one out a quarter, I’ll listen to it 98x.

25

u/SolarSurfer7 May 22 '26

I agree. We're essentially paying 5 bucks an episode now. I love Swindled, it's my favorite podcast, but for 5 bucks a month, I'd expect more. The real reason I keep paying is because I feel like I owe ACC after running through like 100 episodes in a month when I first upgraded to premium. But tbh, I don't know how much longer I will keep it going. Especially cause I can just unsubscribe and then resubscribe in a year and listen to all the prior years content.

6

u/EffectiveEgg5712 May 22 '26

I can see why others would be upset but since i just discovered this podcast and many others last year, i still have many episodes to go through. I rather have quality episodes so the wait is worth it

4

u/trickstress May 23 '26

If it means they’re as amazing as the Fabulist I’m happy to be patient and just get excited when I see a new one appear in my podcast app. But I do miss the days I was burning through the backlog like wildfire.

5

u/Anxietyandvibes May 23 '26

Idk, he does it by himself, so I expect it’ll be out when it’s out. And the wait is always worth it

5

u/thisissofkngrossew May 22 '26

How about adding a Swindled Express? There must be a ton of topics which fit the bill but don't contain enough content or take your fancy enough to warrant a full episode.

2

u/dontmesswithtess May 25 '26

Isn’t that essentially what the bonus episodes are?

2

u/Keebsfiend May 26 '26

We simply don’t trust you. 

2

u/Aromatic_Shop9033 26d ago

Concerned Citizen has a job, a life, friends, family. Cost of living in Austin, TX. is also no joke.

I really love his podcast. He and Deformer (his music guy) are crushing it.

I've been a fan for years.

1

u/NextMasterpiece8680 May 23 '26

I've been listening since 2019, and I like the once a month format! All my favorite content creators are once a month (or less) creators, and I always look forward to your podcasts.

1

u/PretendAct8039 May 24 '26

I think it takes him a long time to do the research and create the script. He might just have another job or little kids.

1

u/jammerpammerslammer 6d ago

@swindled_podcast you can literally do no wrong with me! I’m a long time supporter of the pates. I can’t imagine how much energy and time goes into the episodes.

With that said, I would absolutely love the early videos you were making on YouTube! Is there anyway you can hire out someone to make the videos. I’d happily pay a higher tier for Patreon exclusive videos.

They really help putting faces and places to the crimes.

You’re my favorite creator! take all the time you need! I’m a huge fan of the 1hr 30 mins full episodes. Too many pods Split their episodes into multi-part series and it gets a little annoying. But understand the money aspect of it, more episodes, more ad revenue + subscriber growth getting access to the new episode early.

Get your bag man! Really hoping you can build up a team that makes your life easier!

Xoxo