The Prosecutors – Episode 342: 2025 Year in Review

Podcast: The Prosecutors
Hosts: Brett & Alice
Date: December 30, 2025

Overview

In this annual "Year in Review" episode, Brett and Alice reflect on their fifth year of podcasting, sharing personal milestones, favorite cases, statistics about their audience, behind-the-scenes stories, and heartfelt tributes to pivotal community members lost in 2025. Their discussion balances lighthearted banter with insights on the challenges and triumphs of producing a true crime podcast, all while holding fast to their signature warmth, candor, and gratitude.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast & Personal Milestones

• Fifth Year Anniversary: Both hosts express surprise and gratitude over reaching this milestone and maintaining an engaged audience.
  • "This is our fifth year in Review. How is that even possible?" – Alice (02:06)
• Major Life Events: Both families welcomed new children in 2025, impacting podcast production but also providing personal growth.
  • "I did have another child, so that's a pretty big deal." – Brett (02:58)
• Podcasting Through Change: The show has persisted through professional and family transformations, continuing to serve as a "lifeline" for the hosts.
  • "It's kind of been the staying power and I'm so grateful for it." – Alice (02:18)

2. Favorite Cases Covered in 2025

Method of Selection

• The West Memphis Three (WM3) case dominated much of the year, and while pivotal, the hosts chose to highlight other standout episodes for variety.

Brett's Top 3 (excluding WM3):

• Aconcagua Disappearance
  • Intrigue about mountain mysteries with unexpected twists.
  • Importance of investigative journalism in bringing obscure cases to light.
  • "We Suck the Marrow out of the West Memphis three case... but Aconcagua... I highly recommend it." – Brett (06:51)
• Karen Silkwood
  • Satisfaction in achieving personal clarity through deep-dive research.
  • Explores themes of conspiracy and whistleblowing.
  • "By the time we finished, we knew what had happened." – Brett (12:03)
• Glenn and Bessie Hyde
  • Affinity for cases with historical contexts and cultural resonance.
  • "Any case that has some sort of historical hook to it, I just love." – Brett (18:05)
  • Honorable Mention: Polybius (and the concept of internet myths/moiral panics)

Alice's Top 3:

• Lake Oconee Murders
  • Explored both pre- and post-childbirth, providing insight into how life circumstances influence case analysis.
  • "The way my brain thought in those two different instances fascinated me..." – Alice (09:48)
• A Little Less Conversation: WM3 Discussion
  • An unscripted, candid conversation that emphasized Brett and Alice's real friendship and led to the creation of their "After Dark" series.
  • "No notes, no pre show, yet we talked forever and had a great time. That gave birth to After Dark." – Alice (15:35)
• Polybius / Slender Man
  • Fascination with how fictional narratives bleed into reality.
  • "Does that make Slender man less or more real? I think it has these, like, really metaphysical questions that are interesting to think about..." – Alice (19:52)

3. Reflections on Case Coverage

• Impact of Personal States on Analysis: The hosts discuss how mood, stress, and life events can change perception and interpretation of case facts.
• Human Factor in Crime Solving:
  • "It's not a science, it's an art. And it's done by humans. And we want it to be done by humans." – Alice (08:30)
• Control vs. Chaos: Some cases are more open-and-shut, but ongoing mysteries reveal the biases and assumptions inherent in all investigations.

4. The West Memphis Three (WM3): The "Everest" Year

• WM3 was a professional and personal challenge, occupying much of 2025's production schedule (~24 episodes).
• Features included notable interviews (e.g., Terry Hobbs, Julia Crowley, Justice Scott Morgan).
• The case brought significant audience engagement (and heated debate), showcased in the spontaneous, heavily-commented "A Little Less Conversation" episode.
  • "Spotify... tells you at the end of the year what your most commented on episode was. And it was a little less conversation." – Brett (17:14)

5. Most Disturbing Cases

• Some "super murdery" episodes (e.g., Robert Pickton, certain Halloween cases) were emotionally taxing; the hosts self-censored details for listeners' sake.

6. New Ventures in 2025

• Documentaries: Both hosts participated in filming two new documentary series, requiring travel and adding to a busy year.
• True Crime Times Substack:
  • Launched to provide in-depth written analysis and unfiltered true crime op-eds, initially spurred by mainstream media resistance to publishing a controversial piece.
  • Community contributors welcomed.
  • "So we started substack, where we could publish anything we want and have a lot of other people." – Brett (28:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Podcast’s Authenticity:
  • "If you want to know if we're really friends... that episode is incredibly genuine." – Alice (15:25)
• On Human Bias in True Crime:
  • "Don't get so invested in a theory... you don't even know what sort of unconscious things could be affecting the way you look at it." – Brett (11:15)
• On Listener Engagement:
  • "We don't do this to be successful. It's just completely random." – Brett (17:39)
• On Community Loss:
  • "We would not have done [the Adnan Syed case] as well without Rob. Rob was a massive source of information..." – Brett (48:42)
  • "It is just true. As long as there are people who are willing to listen, we are willing to continue to do this." – Brett (56:28)
• On the Human Cost of True Crime:
  • "You guys have been there for us in times of just some of the biggest parts of life. And we are not just online friends." – Alice (52:18)

Audience & Demographics (30:00–40:45)

• Gender: 79.7% female, 16.6% male, rest unreported
• Age Brackets: Largest group – 35-44 (35%); followed by 28–34 (22%)
• Geography:
  • Top countries: US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland
  • Top cities: Chicago, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Houston—NYC/Brooklyn combined is #1
  • Shout-out to lone listener in Antigua and Barbuda (39:18)
• Seasonal/Pop Culture References: Comparing podcast demographics to pop culture podcast tropes (e.g., Only Murders in the Building).
• Engagement: Spotify and Patreon features leveraged for listener feedback.
• International Reach: Noted with surprise and appreciation; aspirations for listener meet-ups worldwide.

Community Losses & Tributes (46:04–55:24)

• Rob Chadwick:
  • Described as brilliant, generous, and indispensable in case research (notably Adnan Syed).
  • Remembered for sharing information freely and fostering civil, informed online dialogue.
  • "He was constantly pouring out his knowledge and it will reverberate forever." – Alice (48:42)
• Jessica:
  • West Memphis Three expert, known for balanced thinking and open-minded debate.
  • Provided research for upcoming cases, ensuring her legacy continues through the podcast.
  • Both cited as pillars of the Prosecutors' extended community.

Looking Forward

• 2026 Plans:
  • Renewed for two more years with their network, the hosts reaffirm their commitment to podcasting for as long as listeners remain engaged.
  • Encouragement for continued listener case submissions.
  • Upcoming episodes will include a blooper reel, making way for a fresh year of investigations.
• Message to Listeners:
  • "Thank you... We are grateful to all of you. This is crazy for us. It really is." – Brett (56:28)
  • "We are not ending. I hope you keep listening, but if you don't, we'll still play music too loud, too long, and talk too much. That's who we are, and I'm grateful for that." – Alice (57:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Annual Reflection Begins: 01:29
• Personal milestones & gratitude: 02:06–03:47
• Favorite cases discussion: 04:30–22:41
• Most disturbing/impactful cases: 21:33–23:54
• Documentary & substack launches: 24:23, 28:11
• Demographics & listener stats: 30:04–45:24
• Global reach & fun city/country rankings: 36:01–45:24
• Tributes to Rob Chadwick & Jessica: 46:04–55:24
• Concluding remarks and future outlook: 56:28–57:37

Summary

This lively, introspective episode encapsulates why "The Prosecutors" enjoys durable popularity: Brett and Alice’s genuine friendship, professional insight, and community focus. The duo pays warm tribute to listeners and collaborators while candidly discussing hard cases, emotional tolls, and the unpredictable nature of true crime inquiry. Their focus on transparency, self-reflection, and growth—both professional and personal—foreshadows a promising future for the podcast and its global audience.