Hosts of the 'Wine & Crime' podcast bring a blend of wit and dark storytelling to live show

The “Wine & Crime” podcast, a show that pairs true crime with humor and curated cocktails, is making its first-ever stop in New Mexico. On Saturday, March 15, hosts Amanda Jacobson and Lucy Fitzgerald will take the stage at Albuquerque’s Historic Lobo Theater for a live performance featuring local crime stories, audience interaction and their signature blend of wit and dark storytelling.

When “Wine & Crime” debuted in 2017, it was little more than an excuse for two friends to stay in touch. Jacobson and Fitzgerald were living in different cities, navigating full-time careers, and looking for a creative outlet.

“We started the podcast way back in February of 2017, after the election really had us feeling like we needed some sort of creative outlet,” Fitzgerald said.

The idea came while watching “Forensic Files” and making jokes, and they thought what if they recorded their conversations?

What began as a passion project quickly grew into a full-fledged business. “That was over eight years ago, which is hard to believe,” she said. “We’ve gone through many different phases and iterations, not only as a show but as a small business.”

Today, Jacobson and Fitzgerald work on the show full-time, with a busy live show schedule and a dedicated fan base.

Each live performance features cases selected specifically for the city they’re visiting. The goal is to find crimes that will resonate locally, while avoiding those that have already been covered extensively.

“We like to think of a topic for live shows that relates to the geographic location we’re in, while also digging up some cases that the audience is hopefully not too tired of hearing about,” Fitzgerald said.

Finding the right balance often means hours of online research. While the team sometimes chooses high-profile cases, they prefer stories with unexpected twists, ones that allow for humor without diminishing the seriousness of the crime itself.

Unlike a standard podcast episode, the live show offers a more immersive experience. A projected slideshow will give the audience a visual aid to the storytelling, and audience interaction will play a big role as well. VIP ticket holders get access to an after-show Q&A, where they can ask questions and take pictures with the hosts.

The podcast also acknowledges the concerns of true crime as an entertainment genre. “We try our best to talk about the victims beyond just that label of ‘victim,’” said Fitzgerald.

The hosts usually incorporate discussions on social justice, prison reform and victim advocacy, giving audiences more perspectives on the cases they cover.

The Albuquerque show will feature ties to New Mexico, though the details remain a surprise. “We don’t want to give everything away just yet,” Fitzgerald said. “But I can say that aliens are involved, and we are extremely excited about that. You can expect costumes.”

Hosts of the 'Wine & Crime' podcast bring a blend of wit and dark storytelling to live show