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The First Degree

The First Degree

Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek and Billy Jensen

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be friends with a murderer? Or escape a kidnapping? Or have a father who was a serial killer? Join Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter on a chilling ride into the darkest corners of your worst nightmares. Murders, cults, kidnappings, and conspiracies—all told through the eyes of a guest who is one degree of separation from the story itself. From infamous serial killers to the unbelievable unknown murder in your own backyard, The First Degree delivers a new perspective to the already fascinating true crime landscape. And who knows... you may be our next guest. (Plus, join them every Thursday for Killing Time, the light-hearted, true crime-adjacent aftershow!)

  • 45 minutes 39 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: HUMAN BRAIN COMPUTERS

    Things are starting to get creepy over here. This week we’re talking about computers made with ALIVE human brain cells that need to be fed to stay alive, a dude swallowing $800k worth of Tiffany’s diamond earrings (and the police having to wait for him to shit them out), the FORBES 30 Under 30 to prison pipeline, and we’re back with more Kelly Clarkson / Brooklyn toy controversy conspiracy theories!

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    5 November 2026, 1:58 pm
  • 37 minutes 37 seconds
    Episode 427: Darkness In Dawson Creek

    By 2024, there are 11 unsolved murders in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. All committed in the previous three years. Families of the murdered and missing are desperate for answers about their loved ones' deaths and whereabouts. The quiet, small town is dealing with the consequences of a natural resource boom, where workers flood into town to make big money, as well as to spend it. Before long, the insidious nature of drug addiction has many locals in its grip. But the other, far more dangerous and frightening consequence is the power wielded by local dealers. The resulting violence sets reporter Timothy Sawa on a quest to explore why residents are afraid to speak out. In episode 427, Jac and Alexis detail the string of mysterious disappearances and unsolved murders in Dawson Creek and Timothy’s journey towards the truth, which he chronicles in his compelling podcast, The Mile Zero Murders.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    4 November 2026, 11:00 am
  • 44 minutes 46 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: CAMP LOOKSMAXING

    Another weird week over here on the deep dive! We get a good look into Clavicular’s new Camp Looksmaxing where a bunch of losers pay $5k to have him tell them they’re ugly. Also, Laura Owen’s / Clayton Echard updates, new bombshell evidence that Stockton Rush planned the Ocean Gate implosion, and we finally find out what skinwalkers really look like.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    29 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 43 minutes 38 seconds
    Episode 426: We Were Never Alone

    Some encounters with the unexplained are terrifying. Others offer an unexpected sense of comfort. But all leave us wondering what, if anything, exists beyond death. In this special Halloween episode, Lex and Jac share more extraordinary stories from Firsties, including disturbing encounters, mysterious apparitions, and chilling evidence captured on camera. Are these coincidences, tricks of the mind, or glimpses of something we don't yet understand? Enjoy this year’s final Halloween tribute episode, because we’re back to the traditional format next week. 

    Join Jac and Lex on Talk Shop Live to dish about Lex’s book, Between the Devil and the Tide. Link to join below. You can also get your signed copy using the same link. 

    Date/ time- Thursday, October 29th at 3pm PST/ 6pm EST

    Join Jac & Lex on TalkShop Live for the Between the Devil and the Tide livestream

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 45 minutes 55 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: SECRET PIZZA PARTY?

    Jac pulls the string of the Kelly Clarkson / $15K mechanical bird drama and (SHOCKER!) it leads to Epstein adjacent children’s books about secret pizza parties??? Plus, the girls chat about Jonestown opening for tourists, Kate Gosselin’s alleged abuse, and not being able to get away from the Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    22 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 38 minutes 56 seconds
    Episode 425: The Things That Haunt Us

    This week, Firstober continues with a collection of chilling listener stories, unexplained encounters, and a real-life Halloween nightmare. From eerie apparitions to a mysterious death on Halloween night, Lex and Jac explore the things that haunt us, both supernatural and all too human.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    21 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 46 minutes 10 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: WHAT IS SUSAN DELL?

    The world is going crazy and we’re just trying to keep up. This week we are talking about a woman sneaking into high school to pretend to be a substitute teacher just to talk shit to students, a possible serial killer in Michigan, a brand new cute Trump statue, a new cat species, and what the hell is Susan Dell?

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    15 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 46 minutes 46 seconds
    Episode 424: The Dead Speak

    In this special Halloween episode, Lex and Jac share chilling paranormal encounters from Firsties who swear they’ve experienced something they can’t explain. Then, they unravel the incredible true story of a murdered woman who may have found a way to identify her own killer from beyond the grave.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    14 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 51 minutes 12 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: CALEB FLYNN

    You asked for it, you got it. This week we are going down the rabbit hole that is the atrocious man named Caleb Flynn. Alexis’ new obsession has been courtroom tv, and she has been watching the entire trial in real time. We go through texts with his mistress, the embarrassing AI songs he wrote for her, and how one man can go from hot to Frankenstein in less than a year. Plus, we discuss Erika Kirk’s new bizarre photoshoot, Gypsy Rose’s husband’s untimely death, and another Epstein whistleblower found dead by *suicide*.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    8 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 47 minutes 15 seconds
    Episode 423: Spooky Stories & Strange Crimes

    Today, Jac and Lex are taking us on a spooky adventure into the places where true crime and the paranormal collide. From chilling listener encounters to a historic murder case with a supernatural twist, they’re leaning all the way into spooky season. Plus, they unpack the bizarre story of a true-crime author whose unexpected encounter with police quickly spiraled into a case of its own.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    7 October 2026, 10:00 am
  • 45 minutes 41 seconds
    DEEP DIVE: DR. TOMASZ KOSOWSKI

    This week we are diving into one of the most bizarre cases of the year, Dr. Tomasz Kosowski. You may have seen clips circulating online of his insane courtroom behavior, or maybe of him trying to suck DNA off his fingers in the back of a cop car. No matter what you’ve seen so far, it only gets weirder the more you go down the rabbit hole. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride.

    🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

    patreon.com/thefirstdegree

    🎥 Youtube youtube.com/@thefirstdegreepodcast

    📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

    🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

    👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 October 2026, 10:00 am
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