Podcast Empire Faces Internal Strife and Executive Departures
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Podcast Empire Faces Internal Strife and Executive Departures
- Audiochuck, the company behind the popular "Crime Junkie" podcast, has experienced significant executive and staff turnover, with approximately 30 of its 100 employees departing in the past year.
- In June 2026, Ashley Flowers, host of "Crime Junkie," announced the cancellation of "The Deck," Audiochuck's second most popular show, citing workload and work-life balance concerns.
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Audiochuck, the podcast company founded by Ashley Flowers in 2017 and known for its hit show “Crime Junkie,” has recently faced a period of internal turmoil. Over the past year, roughly 30 of the company’s 100 employees have reportedly left, including key executives such as the chief executive officer, chief legal officer, and chief growth officer. Internal surveys within the company also indicate a decline in employee morale.
In June 2026, Flowers announced the cancellation of “The Deck,” a cold case podcast that was Audiochuck’s second most popular show, consistently drawing over 300,000 downloads weekly. Flowers publicly attributed this decision to her workload and a desire for better work-life balance, following concerns expressed by her daughter. This cancellation reportedly occurred despite the show’s strong performance and after Flowers did not approve any replacement hosts who were auditioned to continue the program.
Adding to the company’s challenges, the hosts of another podcast, “Anatomy of Murder,” Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger, are suing Audiochuck in federal court for at least $20 million. They allege that Audiochuck withheld advertising revenue related to a distribution deal with SiriusXM, a claim that Audiochuck disputes. Questions have also been raised regarding potential conflicts of interest, as Flowers serves on the board of Season of Justice, a nonprofit she founded that funds DNA testing for cold cases, while Audiochuck’s shows frequently cover criminal investigations. These recent developments follow earlier plagiarism allegations in August 2019 concerning “Crime Junkie” episodes, which led to some content being removed.