Show overview
Crime Waves launched in 2023 and has put out 19 episodes, alongside 2 trailers or bonus episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 2nd season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 33 min and 43 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language True Crime show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 1.9 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. Published by QCODE Media, Inc..
From the publisher
Crime Waves dives into the strangest true crime stories you've never heard of, investigating real cases that defy belief. Each season is a deep dive into a compelling, season-long mystery, focusing on narratives that feel ripped from a conspiracy thriller but are chillingly real. Hear the stories told by the people who were there: the witnesses, the investigators, and the ones who were left to pick up the pieces. Season 1: Cold Truth - Hosted by award-winning journalist and author David Kushner, this season follows the life, violent death, and legacy of Dr. Eugene Mallove, a fierce advocate for the controversial energy known as cold fusion. His murder investigation unravels a dark web of conspiracy, passion, and how his dream of a brighter future ultimately caught up with him. Season 2: Renaissance, TX - The Texas Renaissance Festival is the largest—and rowdiest—ren fair in the nation. Investigate the murders, assaults, and other crimes that have occurred on the fairgrounds over the years, and uncover how a place built for fantasy could become so dangerous. Crime Waves is developed and produced by Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
Latest Episodes
S2 Ep 9A Health to the Company | Episode 9
In the series finale, we try to help one of our sources find answers — and we’re met with a microcosm of the issues at play here. Then it becomes even clearer how hard it’s been for anyone to find answers. What will it take for this place to change? Can it? ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On X @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 8Hillbilly Game of Thrones | Episode 8
After finding several people with behind-the-scenes knowledge of the ren fair, we uncover a toxic environment that’s led to alleged mistreatment and abuses, lawsuits, and a place that has transformed into a dangerous, profit-driven spectacle. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On x @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 7Change of Venue | Episode 7
In 2019, one patron’s life was turned upside down in the ren fair campgrounds. What ensued was a legal case that — while not criminal in nature itself — helps us better understand just how “ren fair Disneyland” keeps becoming a crime scene. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 6Dali Meets Hobby Lobby | Episode 6
As we return from the gonzo ren fair trip with our heads still spinning, we dig deeper into the king’s past — now from afar. The image we get from our investigations is very different from the picture of an almighty ruler that he portrays publicly. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On X @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 5Ever Seen a Mad Hog Charge You? | Episode 5
After the festival ends, we explore Todd Mission and Grimes County. And that’s when things really get weird. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 4Royal Pursuit | Episode 4
An attempt to find the king of the fair — who is also the mayor of the town — exposes an intricate web of festival and municipal politics. Sean slowly begins to see a community that is tightly woven by secrecy and fear, where speaking out against its ruler comes with unseen risks. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 3The Poison Witch | Episode 3
Thousands see the fair as a place for fantasy and freedom. But a closer look at the crimes of power that’ve occurred here reveals a more sinister story: One of pain and suffering, as the victims hope for answers while the fair appears unmoved. Warning: This episode contains traumatic events and discusses aggression against women and trans people. Listener discretion is advised. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 2Stars, Hide Your Fires | Episode 2
Expectations are quickly overthrown the moment Sean steps through the gates of the ren fair. As day gives way to night, it becomes clear that — in this place dedicated to one man’s quest for freedom — trouble can find you easily. But what kind of trouble, exactly? Please note that this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S2 Ep 1Mad Kingdom | Episode 1
The Texas Renaissance Festival may host half a million patrons indulging in whimsy and fantasy each year, but it also has a seedy underbelly. After journalist and Peabody Award winner Sean Cannon hears about the kingdom’s dark side from a colleague, he’s plunged into a gonzo journey to understand how these things could happen at a place that its eccentric owner likens to Disneyland. Please note that this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Season 2: Renaissance, TX | Trailer
trailerSeason 2 of Crime Waves tells the story of The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest — and rowdiest — ren fair in the nation. A place where reality and fantasy are blurred. You may think it’s all tights and turkey legs, but what if we told you that the festival has a dark side, too? Over the years, this ren fair has been the scene of murders, assaults, and other assorted crimes. We went to the fair to investigate this place where people live out their carnal fantasies and figure out just exactly how that could become so dangerous. But we didn't expect to find danger for us. ~~~ Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 8Cold Truth | Flying Pigs and Starry Skies | Episode 8
Once police receive a confession for Dr. Mallove’s murder, and the case seems like a slam dunk. But it might not be that simple. Meanwhile, cold fusion languishes in obscurity — until now. Maybe. A listener note: this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold truth is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 7Cold Truth | The Coldest Case | Episode 7
When Dr. Mallove’s murder case goes cold, authorities bring on a new team of investigators. As they re-examine evidence and find new leads, it looks like they’ve finally uncovered the true story behind the brutal crime. A listener note: this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold truth is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 6Cold Truth | The Driveway | Episode 6
Dr. Eugene Mallove’s body is found in the driveway of his childhood home. Some wonder if shadowy forces are at work in Dr. Mallove’s murder. Police frantically search for answers and catch a break in the case. Or so it seems. A listener note: this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold truth is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 5Cold Truth | Vindication?! | Episode 5
Dr. Mallove’s endeavors begin to falter, and an obsession with secretive inventors alienates him from his friends and colleagues. Then just as cold fusion receives an unexpected lifeline from the government, tragedy strikes. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold truth is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 4Cold Truth | Devil’s Tower | Episode 4
Dr. Mallove becomes the poster boy for cold fusion, befriends a sci-fi superstar, and receives funding for his infinite energy crusade. As he ventures further out into the fringes though, some wonder if he’s gone too far. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 3Cold Truth | Infinite Energy | Episode 3
After resigning from MIT in disgust, Dr. Mallove strikes out on his own with big hopes and dreams. He encounters the strange underbelly of the free energy world and meets a man whose death inspires conspiracy theories for years to come. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 2Cold Truth | Fire From Ice | Episode 2
Digging deeper into the cold fusion drama at MIT, Dr. Mallove realizes that the treachery of his colleagues is worse than he could’ve imagined. Now he’s faced with a choice that will alter the course of his life. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 Ep 1Cold Truth | Miracle or Mistake? | Episode 1
Free energy crusader Dr. Eugene Mallove’s murder continues to inspire conspiracy theories. But the real conspiracy begins 15 years before his death, when Dr. Mallove witnesses a suppression campaign against the budding science of cold fusion — a potential source of cheap, clean, near-infinite energy. A listener note: this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Crime Waves: Cold Truth | Trailer
trailerHow far would you go to save the world from itself? Dr. Eugene Mallove believed that a new form of world-changing free energy — cold fusion — was just around the corner. Even when his work was pushed to the fringes, he dreamed of a brighter future. But before Dr. Mallove could usher in that future, he was found dead in the driveway of his childhood home. Everyone had their own ideas of who killed him, and investigators were looking in all the wrong places. Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a story about one man's quest to expose the truth, the lengths he would go to save the world, and how his dream caught up with him. ~~~ Crime Waves: Cold Truth is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. ~~~ Follow us On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices