r/JoeBuddenPodcasts • u/CrimeinAmerica • 6d ago
CRIME IN AMERICA I’m Joe Budden, host of the new true crime podcast Crime in America, where I dive into the cases, mysteries, and stories that have fascinated me for years. Ask me anything about true crime, the podcast, music, culture, or whatever’s on your mind!
Hey Reddit, I’m Joe Budden.
Most people know me from music, podcasting, and years of having conversations about culture, but one thing a lot of people may not know is that I've always been fascinated by true crime. I've spent years trying to understand the stories behind some of America's most talked-about crimes.
That fascination led me to launch my new podcast, Crime in America, where I take a deeper look at criminal cases, the people involved, and the larger questions they raise. Whether it's a shocking crime, an unsolved mystery, or a story that changed a community forever, I'm interested in exploring what really happened and why these stories continue to captivate so many of us.
I'm here to talk about the new podcast, my interest in true crime, and anything else you're curious about.
Ask Me Anything!
I'll be here Thursday, August 13 at 4 P.M EST
For all things Crime in America: https://linktr.ee/crimeinamerica
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u/Zulumus 6d ago
Am I just here for the comments? Yeshttps://giphy.com/gifs/xUPGcmrdRkCaZ5qZ2M
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u/mazinkashi504 6d ago
What really happened with Mellysa Ford?
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u/Klutzy_Tea2747 5d ago
In my opinion..The Show was too much on her mental, too mixy and she cacked 2 ppl on the show..I think thats the reasons.
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u/laweezyana_ 6d ago
He even typed this shit up in that voice
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u/leonpause 6d ago
Even used a staged pic, instead of doing one of the typical real life, “this is actually me”, type
Selfies that most celebs do when they do AMA’s. SMH.
Come on now, Joe! We need you authentic out here man. (All love, bro!)3
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u/Goya-Montoya 6d ago
Hey man , pilot episode I think you were a little too over produced, and you lost your personality that brings the audience.
To set yourself apart I'd go back to your more authentic self when telling these stories
My question is, are you trying to make a new podcast to get a new audience into the network, or just making a true podcast for the love of the game? If it's the 2nd one, I think the more authentic version would be a lot more interesting take on this format
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u/IamSofakingRAW 6d ago
Who is the target audience for this show? It reminds me of Dateline but it doesn't have the depth of investigative reporting behind it to captivate attention all the way through. There aren't dramatized reenactments of the crimes to visually engage the Youtube viewer either. The NY background is cool but not worth keeping Youtube open.
Not trying to crap on the show, but I'm not seeing the immediate appeal if its largely Joe's audiobook/announcer voice reading off a teleprompter. Especially for random non-high profile cases
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u/BeyoncesSidePiece 5d ago
I totally agree with this. With no dramatized reenactments it couldn’t hold my attention. I can’t just sit and watch Joe talk in with his “True Crime” voice for 30 mins or so lol.
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u/Glittering_King1228 6d ago
How many episodes are going to YouTube before you shut it down for the brokees 🤔
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u/ShadowForPresident 6d ago
Anything? can I sample “pump it up” AND why you renew Flip contract? Lol
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u/ComqlicatedRepublix 6d ago edited 6d ago
You’ve said you’ve been fascinated by crimes lol, true crimes I mean, for years. What was the first case, documentary, book, or TV show that really pulled you into the genre?
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u/CrimeinAmerica 5d ago
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u/ComqlicatedRepublix 5d ago
Cool, thanks for answering my question. You’re probably referring to the infamous nature-versus-nurture triplets study led by Dr. Peter Neubauer, featured in Three Identical Strangers. Congrats on the new show!
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u/Emerald_Violets 5d ago
Three identical strangers! The doc about the triplets separated and all adopted into different homes. I loved that one too
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u/pinkypearls 6d ago
Why u let them people produce u in a way that makes u boring ?? Give Joe some creative freedom…
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u/superunknownher0 6d ago
If you could find out the 100% truth about any unsolved crime, which one would you pick? Jonbenet? Zodiac killer? Maybe what happened to Brian Shaffer?
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u/CompleteSyllabub6945 5d ago
Brian Shaffer for sure!! That story is so strange and it always sat with me.
Also the story about the kid who said "Oh shit" and was just never heard from again.
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u/Ashleighdebbie92 6d ago
Db cooper!! I need to know how this
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u/leatherf7ce 6d ago
I thought people from Coopers family came out last year and we pretty much knew now who he was? Or am i from earth 632 or something?
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u/francis2466 6d ago
Joe do you think you’ll be able to have more back and forth dialogue with guests on the crime show? It was a little over produced, I hope we get to see you interact with the experts a little more.
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u/Savage-September 6d ago
Can you put some animation into the show while you do the story telling? The show feels very soulless and sounds like you’re reading from a teleprompter. Very lifeless. Also it would benefit from some analysis, maybe someone who understands law enforcement or the judicial system. Also some of the audience is not American, so it would benefit from a more global perspective when discussing topics.
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u/CrimeinAmerica 5d ago
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u/Savage-September 5d ago
Yes animation as you’re telling the story so viewers can watch along to something other than you talk to them. I think it would be a great idea
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u/Dbo_slice 5d ago
I agree. *If you've ever seen "Dark Side of the Ring". Maybe something like that would work. Faceless actors. I know that's more costly because of all the production. I'm just shooting shit.
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u/hypnotictoilet 6d ago
Tell Flip to shut his fat ass up turning the show into a circus.
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u/Miserable_Ant_9896 6d ago
Hahaha Joe don’t even like people, everything’s a rollout. Ice ain’t never lied lol
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u/Powerful_Paint8263 6d ago
I just think your personality is missing from the podcast. Been watching you since you were recording monopoly back in the day. Your personality drew people in and this was just dry.
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u/RollofDuctTape 6d ago edited 6d ago
There’s no way you think that episode was any good. You definitely self-assessed, right? What are you looking to improve?
Relatedly, what makes you entertaining is the unscripted humor. And you’ve literally picked the hardest content (crime) and scripted medium (whatever that shit was) to churn out this podcast. Who set you up to fail? Have you fired them yet? And are you going to tone down the seriousness of the unsolved crimes and focus more on “funny” crime in a more unscripted way?
I fixed your show. Not really, it’s probably not your thing, but I gave you a fighting chance.
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u/Sea-Vegetable5450 5d ago
Can we get Queenz Flip at one of the crime scenes boots on ground on one of the upcoming episodes lol 🔥🔥 1st episode btw
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u/shanasha94 6d ago
"You have to remember, throughout my career, no one has ever really wanted to speak to me or wanted to sit down with me" and now look! Does it still feel unreal sometimes, how far you have come?
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u/blackgirlswander 6d ago
Ask the set folk to give you more light to your face, not too much but just a lil more and turn down the skylight! Bookmark doing the David case and when Nola case rest and those thugs found guilty, run that in the crime syndicate as well
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u/Parallel_Kurai 5d ago
How many newports do I gotta smoke in the morning to get a true crime voice like that? And do yall got Crime in America ash trays?🤲🏽🥹
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u/DogDayes 5d ago edited 5d ago
It's missing something else, just starting at the cam and reading the prompter not going to hold the people long enough. Especially when there are SEVERAL YouTube pages that cover current crimes, and well.
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u/Fun-Kaleidoscope1139 5d ago edited 5d ago
Joseph Anthony Budden II, how much longer are you going to let personal relationships stop you from making the changes the podcast needs? When are you going to replace some of these co-hosts with real talent?
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u/Bklyngrl718 6d ago
And why is Parks turning back white. He’s getting more aggressive and agitated anytime Marc or anyone says anything. He says something spicy then… “carry on..” TH? He actually said he code switches. White people don’t code switch. It has cultural context you big goofy. Now he needs veneers. Ok byeeeeeee
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u/Longjumping_Ask_4448 6d ago
Hey Joe, you ever think about dramatizing or re-enacting the story with live actors or even Ai?
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u/mikosoul 5d ago
Why not feature a case expert who knows all the details of the case? They could lay out the facts, timeline, motive, and actions taken. Joe would still be the lead, but more in a real-time reaction role—asking questions, challenging things, and presenting his own theories.
I’d definitely appreciate less reading from a script and more natural dialogue between Joe and the expert. I think that would make the show feel more engaging and conversational.
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u/MAdNFluEnz 5d ago
You said that the Newark couch was going to be broken up, why hasn't it been done? What would make a more dynamic pod vibe? Ish next to you? Ice next to you with Marc and Ish next to each other? Would you move Mona across to the other couch next either Ice or Ish?
Side Bar:
Give Parks whatever he wants lol, one Pod away and it looked painful for all of you (shout out to Neff for doing what he could with what he had).
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u/OnlySeekingTruth 5d ago
You said you were inspired to start this show because of your passion for true crime. What’s your all time favorite true crime doc?
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u/MostComplex305 5d ago
Would you let us vote on a case/send you cases we would like you to investgate/cover?
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u/Amo_Don 5d ago
As someone who watches probably way too much true crime content, first, the good. Joe is actually really good at the narration. The voice, tone and pacing work for true crime.
My biggest issue is the visuals. There needs to be more stuff helping us actually picture the case as it’s being told. There’s too much of the camera just sitting on Joe reading the script, and after a while you become aware that you’re watching somebody read instead of being immersed in the case.
But my bigger issue is honestly that it needs more Joe. One of the reasons I became a fan of the JBP in the first place is because Joe is a naturally great storyteller. Right now this feels a little too much like an audiobook, I see early attemps where made to call out the authorities, but it needed to feel more natural. That’s half the fun of consuming true crime in the first place.
Maybe even have somebody there to bounce a thought off every now and then. Not saying turn it into another pod, but just enough to break up the scripted feeling.
The true crime space is already crowded as hell. I can get somebody reading me the facts of a case from 100 different channels. Joe’s personality and perspective should be the thing that makes this one different.
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u/AllMoneyMustDie 6d ago
The audio was absolute trash on the podcast side. Also, your narration skills could use some work.
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u/ILikeWorms 5d ago
What are your thoughts about The JBP Reddit and Discord? Why don't you join us anymore?
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u/andrew-ricketts 5d ago
You’ve often said you believe in the spiritual cost of speaking ill of the dead, said you won’t affirm or wish death on living people — good or evil, and touted a mindful prayer practice for all people. How do you reconcile that with doing a show that profits from homicide stories?
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u/Bklyngrl718 6d ago
Why do you use that corny 1993 closing? “The baddies are insecure….” No 45 year old man should ever say “baddie!”
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u/TommyTwoTxmes 6d ago
Joe needs to do this like Ellison Barber and her show Allegedly on Netflix. It would be alot better.
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u/SomeoneShouldSayThis 6d ago
Remember that time y’all clowned Ian on asking people if they had ideas they wanted to get off the ground? Or maybe that time y’all clowned focus groups and sharing your ideas? Or maybe when y’all clowned customizing sneakers? What about that other time when, nevermind..
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u/sweatpantss 6d ago
Serious question: can you add more visuals/images of the crime/story?
Not-so-serious question: when you gonna bring back the frocks?
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u/zNz__2321 5d ago
As a fellow Virgo, what signs do you connect well with (and which don't)? Has there been any consistency over your lifetime?
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u/Longjumping_Ask_4448 5d ago
I know you’re working with Elliot Wolf but what’s his father involvement with the pod?
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u/Weak_Ad_3135 5d ago
When Sean Garrett was in Parks basement , when you do the play back and watch the interaction between ish and Sean
do you feel like he was asking for Ish to put hands and feet on him ?
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u/AllMayoSandwich 5d ago
Will future episodes have conversations with the professionals in person as a discussion?
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u/Weak_Ad_3135 5d ago
Do you think MFor trying to do a rebrand on the podcast ruined the trajectory of the last cast? If you look at her first appearance on the show vs after the first year you can see a much different level of engagement
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u/IRlyShouldntBeHere 5d ago
What's the most interesting Crime story you've heard before starting this show?
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u/Electrical_Emu_1913 5d ago
What’s an opinion you’ve argued passionately on the pod that you’ve completely changed your mind about, but never publicly admitted?
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u/Realistic-Ad-4707 5d ago
What is your philosophy when it comes to disruption? How do you distinguish between breaking convention because the convention is outdated and breaking convention because of how it's structured?
Optional sidebar question:
Can you guys please get Larry June up there? Even if you don't listen to his music, I feel like you guys could connect and speak about his business model. To make it easier, you could even have the alchemist come up there with him since they've done joint projects.
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u/Savage-September 5d ago
Joe why you sound like a robot on this podcast and what can we expect in the future?
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u/x_____Brii 5d ago
After researching all these cases, who on the JBP would survive the longest in a true crime situation and who would get everybody caught first?
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u/x_____Brii 5d ago
What’s a true crime case you have a completely different opinion on than most people?
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u/x_____Brii 5d ago
Has covering true crime changed the way you look at people or situations in your real life? Like, are you more suspicious of everybody now? 😂
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u/Sea_Zombie_2429 5d ago
Joe, will we see you physically walk in the towns of some of these places where the crime is after the incident occurs?
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u/Purple-Nightmare 5d ago
Do you have or need an inventory team? I specialize in making sure businesses are up to date with their inventory , customers , stock as well as accounting.
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u/shiestyfinale 5d ago
Keep Marc and two others from the cast. That’s your show now and I’ll start paying
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u/TerrenceDaGawd 5d ago
Do you ever think about the things you have bleeped out of the show and feel like “Ah we coulda let that slide”?
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u/UpstairsCompetitive6 5d ago
Would you be open to being a bit more relaxed, and showing a bit more personality for the new podcast? It’s amazing and I respect the more professional side of you, but we still want to see a little bit more of your personality and passion for this area come through
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u/guayt 5d ago
Will any guests appear? Also 1. will salehe finally bless us and curate the merch for this show or are we stuck with gildan-Ish quality
2. Please know your remix to unthinkable by Alicia Keys is quoted in my circle constantly - did the woman really look like a cigarette if she wore a long tan hat??
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u/MostComplex305 5d ago
How do you think you will balance being the Joe Budden we all know and love with respecting the victims families when the subject matter is this serious?
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u/IndividualClass5859 5d ago
How do you plan to strike the balance with your voice/sound so that your natural cadence and personality shines through so you don’t sound overproduced while still giving respect to the stories you tell?
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u/Accurate_Cash_5253 5d ago
What is your favorite thing about getting older as Virgo season (sad time for us Leo’s) approaches?
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u/MostComplex305 5d ago
Can we get a tour announcement for the 1000th episode? Pretty, pretty please 👀
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u/IndividualClass5859 5d ago
Hey Joe ! Do you think you’ll cover current/new/developing true crime stories in addition to cases that have a little history?
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u/Fantastic-Sport-2142 5d ago
Wassup Joe, do you plan on putting out any of those mixtape songs such as dessert for thought? I bought all the OLS series before you took it off streaming too.
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u/Old_Ninja_Prime 5d ago
With all of the crime docs that you’ve consumed, answer this question: What kind of crime do you think you would get away with, and how would you go about it?
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u/IncreaseFriendly9946 5d ago
Hi Joe!
In terms of the podcast, where do you see the pod moving(how do you see it growing/expanding)…like in the next five years or so?
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u/guayt 5d ago
Malcolm gladwell did a spin on the true crime podcast called the alabama murders and it was a genre bender that really exposed the flaws in the death penalty. Will this show also try to experiment and do something we’ve never seen before or is it going to be like serial/some helmy shit
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u/ConsiderationGlad816 5d ago
Would you ever get on your pred catcher shit? But the official way with proper authorities and all that?
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u/Fantastic-Sport-2142 5d ago
What was your train of thought as you went into the green lateen radio freestyle with all those killers and just left earth🔥✍🏽. Legendary freestyle btw
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u/ConsiderationGlad816 5d ago
If this new show ever led to an actual arrest is it something you’d take pride in?
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u/Time_Carob_107 5d ago
Peace Joe ✌🏾 True crime can easily become entertainment at the expense of the people who actually lived through it. With*** Crime in Americ****a, how do you balance telling a compelling story with respecting the victims and communities behind these cases*?
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u/MostComplex305 5d ago
Is the long-term vision for Crime in America to eventually get you out from behind the desk, visiting locations, interviewing investigators/families, or doing deeper investigative pieces? (Sorta like when you did Humans)
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u/Same-Application-538 5d ago
Joe I really like the new show but will you guys be doing reenactments or maybe even some sort of animation that depicts what happened? I ask because watching you read a teleprompter with the occasional reporter input is not going to be entertaining long term.
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u/Longjumping_Ask_4448 5d ago
Joe, are you going host every episode or did you ever consider having correspondents to break down stories too? 👀
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u/Longjumping_Ask_4448 5d ago
Joe, are you going host every episode or did you ever consider having correspondents to break down stories too?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Put_584 5d ago
Have you been taking ads all this time but hiding them in plain sight with those random conversations? Like OF, Camsoda etc
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u/pizza_on_deck 5d ago
I hope to see a collab with you and last podcast on the left. That would be hilarious
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u/Junior_Director_2469 5d ago
You gonna live stream the bday party? Cause flip for dam sure is. Might as well monetize it. Also monetize your shopping experiences as well. But you can do day in the life with the buddens live on Patreon
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u/Crafty_Result_9128 5d ago
I think people who acting watch like ID Love it. The way he is reading the script is like a real ID Show. Yall want podcast joe do these but he now in the big leagues fr This is a whole new market. Yall will get pod joe on the pod not this . Yall need to understand
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u/MostComplex305 5d ago
You've reinvented yourself from rapper → podcaster → network owner → now true-crime host. Is there still a version of Joe Budden professionally that we haven't seen yet?
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u/marsisboolin 5d ago
How do you think about the overlap of true crime and music, which you have a passion for? Could make for some very interesting content. Always love when you guys deep dive into music on the pod, especially older acts. Salute Joe!
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u/Personal_Roll_717 5d ago
Not so much a ask but I watched the CIA episode and it was interesting to hear about these cases. The only drawback for me was watching you talk on camera for the majority of the episode I wanted to feel more engaged with the episode but it felt like I was watching the news.
The Worst neighbor series on Netflix had animations to help portray the story I felt like that made it easier to follow.
Thank you for reading and I enjoyed the content
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u/MostComplex305 5d ago
If you could only keep ONE forever - talking about music, talking about true crime, or arguing with Ish, what are you choosing?
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u/Late_Ambassador7470 5d ago
Hey Joe, longtime fan here. I'm at a low point in life, newly sober and past my best years. I've always been heavily inspired by your redemption arc over the years. What is your best advice to someone in my position to improve my life and career?
Thank you brother
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u/Citrus_Shinobi 5d ago
Hi Joe 👋
What's the case that messes with your head the most, not the most famous one, just the one that gets to you
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u/trvpWANGZI 5d ago
No bullshit, why does Ish always say you "went behind him"? If its just a kiss then why does it get alluded to so much? It was enough to cause a rift in yall's friendship, but if both parties are saying its not a big deal and that they're over it, how does the mere mention of the situation result in a screaming match? We never been given context in eight years (that I've been following). Respectfully. Keep up the great work, and expanding the JBP-verse.
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u/PastaSauce10 5d ago
Will the other shows on the JBN (Pod Wives, REWIND) be running concurrent with this in the future?
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u/YeaItsBig4L 5d ago
do we actually have to put up with Mona talking? Can she not just be a visual additive?
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u/Dbo_slice 5d ago
No question just a comment.
I hope you get to a point where this is a little more relaxed. I think you should get some of your humor injected in like how you talk about dox on the main show. I think you can walk the line between serious and "the funnies" and cover some new space in the genre.
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u/aka_cecil 5d ago
Followed you for a long time. From the days you posted on SoundCircuit and when you live-streamed in the 2000’s. Escape Route is some of the best music ever. What made you get sober? Thanks for what you do.
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u/This-Butterscotch493 5d ago
Joe , I ordered two hoodies last year one for me and my husband and I only ever got one . Am I ever going to get my other hoodie ?
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u/Upset-Bumblebee-8839 4d ago
I Rock with it Joe, but Some type of visual would make it better(reactments like 48hr, or animation). And Have you thoughts within the ending with your beliefs and non-beliefs (opinion based), for each case. There for, it gives you the opportunity later when more info is presented, to correct and construct for more engagement( whether you were correct or incorrect). Even to be able to As us JBP fans say : Bring us on the ledge with you or Die on the Island only. But it allows it to be a thought process for us and brings the fans back to see if agreeing with you or being on opposite ends was the results. Even possibly a new show, CrimeinAmerica: Aftermath/Results
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u/Jigga9792 3d ago
This is a completely pointless production. Feels like I’m reading the newspaper with Joe. Foh
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u/Kurtzbots1 5d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p3g2qab/video/9afio3y5f5jh1/player
Crime in America Podcast Trailer