Sometimes you can’t tell if a mango is rotten unless you cut it open. They could just sit there in your basket with the rest of the mangoes, looking perfect, fresh, unproblematic, but once you get to cut it, they turn out to be rotten right to the core… just like the rotten people in all those true crime stories. Maybe this is exactly why Stephanie Soo named her famous true crime podcast ‘Rotten Mango’.
It’s a weekly podcast that usually captivates listeners with its emotionally intelligent storytelling and chilling global cases. Rotten Mango approaches the darkest corners of human behavior with an empathetic, suspenseful, and conversational tone, making even the most horrifying stories feel personal and eerily relatable.
This said, there are countless true crime podcasts out there, so what makes Rotten Mango so special, with millions of people all over the world not missing a single episode?
Let’s uncover the deepest, maybe darkest secrets of the Rotten Mango podcast and see what’s so unique about it.
Table of Contents
– What’s Rotten Mango About
– Why Listen to Rotten Mango
– Best Rotten Mango Episodes
– Rotten Mango Reviews
– Where can I listen to Rotten Mango?
– About Stephanie Soo
What’s Rotten Mango About?
Rotten Mango is a true crime podcast that combines chilling narratives with emotions, offering listeners a unique experience into some of the world's most horrifying criminal cases. Hosted by Stephanie Soo, a YouTuber and digital storyteller, the podcast delves deep into the psychology of killers, strange cold cases, and unsettling mysteries from around the globe.
While the subjects are mostly dark and disturbing, Stephanie's empathetic narration and occasional humor provide moments of amusement, making the content more digestible without undermining the importance of the cases discussed.
Stephanie's storytelling is complemented by her co-host and husband, "Mr. Mangobutt," who often adds reactions and questions that sometimes mirror the listener's thoughts. Even though the listeners and viewers know how he sounds, after so many years, no one still knows the face behind the voice. Mr. Mangobutt remains a mystery himself.
Unlike many true crime podcasts that mostly focus on Western cases, Rotten Mango spotlights lesser-known international stories too, ensuring a diverse and inclusive narrative.
Most episodes of Rotten Mango are around 45–75 minutes long, and each is meticulously researched, often based on court documents, news reports, and firsthand accounts to provide as much information about the case at hand as possible. Stephanie has mentioned countless times that she is working with a team of researchers and translators to deliver the stories with as many details as possible and to always present high-quality episodes.
Why Listen to Rotten Mango?
There’s something about true crime that draws us in like moths to a flame. Maybe it’s the mystery, the psychology, or the chilling reminder that danger can hide in plain sight and sometimes go unnoticed. In the ever-growing world of true crime podcasts, listeners aren’t just tuning in for facts, they’re looking for stories that haunt, provoke, and linger. And Rotten Mango is one of the podcasts that perfectly delivers all of this.
The first episode of the Rotten Mango podcast was released on July 1, 2020. Since then, there have been around 450 episodes, many of them with millions of listens and YouTube views.
Based on the recent statistics of Rotten Mango, there are now approximately 3 million U.S. monthly downloads, 14 million global monthly YouTube views, 5 million YouTube subscribers, and 9.8M total social media followers.
With all these numbers, it’s not much of a surprise that Rotten Mango constantly appears in the Top 10 Podcasts lists in the U.S., both on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The podcast's unique blend of true crime storytelling appeals to a demographic that values both informative content and engaging presentation, particularly to Gen Z and millennial listeners.
What makes the podcast more engaging is probably the feeling of being a part of it. There are several ways to do it, such as by suggesting a case or becoming a part of the team as an in-person researcher or translator. The podcast website constantly updates the positions you can apply for, and even chooses some cases offered by its listeners. They also encourage their followers to share any misinformation they find in any of their episodes, so the team can make the appropriate corrections as quickly as possible.
Receiving so much attention from the true crime lovers doesn’t go unnoticed by the Rotten Mango podcast team, so they try to give back by making a positive impact. A portion of the podcast's revenue is always donated to various charities worldwide, including organizations like “Sanctuary for Families” and the “Joyful Heart Foundation”. This philanthropic approach resonates with the podcast's audience, many of whom value social responsibility and advocacy.
Best Rotten Mango Episodes
Each episode of Rotten Mango stands out in the crowded true crime podcast landscape by offering deeply researched, globally inclusive stories presented with empathy and a touch of humor.
Here are some of the most famous and shocking episodes of the Rotten Mango podcast that can become your favorites too:
#148: The Mysterious Vidocq Society
The FBI agent walked into the warehouse. It was exactly what he expected… A concrete fortress, barely any natural light, and then he saw it. The walls. The walls were filled with rows and rows of decapitated heads, skulls, and bones. He came face to face with the man. He was shirtless, barefoot, and stirring a giant pot with a head inside. “I wasn’t expecting you today,” the man said…
#262: Killer Breaks Down Crying After 8-Year-Old Victim is Found ALIVE (Case of Jennifer Schuett)
For two decades, Dennis Bradford concealed a haunting secret, a secret so sinister that it remained hidden from every soul on this planet—his ex-wife, his current wife, his own children. The only person who knew died with his secret 20 years ago. Except she’s alive, and she’s been hunting him down every single day for the past 20 years.
#313: The Beast Of Colombia That Literally Sold His Soul To The Devil & Sacrificed 221 Children
He had sold his soul, and now, to keep the devil happy, he needed to make sacrifices with dead bodies and his Ouija board. 200+ bodies were found in Colombia, brutally assaulted, tortured, and dismembered. This is about the world’s deadliest serial killer…
#332: What Really Happened On Jeffrey Epstein’s Private Island? Secret Sex Parties & Rituals of Ultra Rich
What do rich men desire when they know they can buy almost everything in the world? They want what they can’t have. For Epstein that was young girls, illegally young girls, inexperienced young girls, his desires weren’t uncommon by any means either. Epstein was a multi-millionaire rubbing shoulders with princes, socialites, tycoons, magnates, all over the world who had exactly the same desires. How far would the rich go to get something they couldn’t buy?
#366: The Korean “Junko Furuta” Case - 26 Days Of Torture, SA, Then Sealed In Concrete
Standing in the middle of an orchard is a group of high schoolers and young 20-something year olds just huddled in a circle. They kick their shovels aside, start pouring the concrete into the hole, and watch as it covers first the hand, then the torso, and now the face. The face of the 15-year-old girl that they held captive for a month and tortured. This episode is about a case that everyone in South Korea has been calling: The Korean Junko Furuta case.
Rotten Mango Reviews
Rotten Mango has a 4.8‑star average rating across major platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts, praised for its in-depth international case coverage, empathetic narration, and host chemistry. Not all the reviews are positive, of course, many complaining about the voice of the host. But, well, everyone has a preference when it comes to voices.
Here are some reviews that can give you an idea about what people actually think about the podcast:
I love love love! this podcast, she is fantastic at explaining these cases and I can create a perfect picture in my head! I always look forward to new episodes! - Ms. Loving
I really like the stories they are so so good but i don’t like how redundant you are. Half of the podcast is you repeating what you already said. “and she would leave the table dripped in jewels and jewelry. OK dripped in fur in jewelry, yes indeed.” I love the podcasts and the story but it’s hard and frustrating to follow along when you keep repeating yourself. Like just say something once and get to the next part of the story. - Maggie1816
They can be a bit insensitive at times, but the amount of research done + the order of telling(?) makes it one of my fave podcasts. Also, I don't really mind her voice. - saraxsadiq
What People Love About Rotten Mango
Listeners come back to Rotten Mango for Stephanie’s storytelling. Her voice is calm but expressive, and she lays out each case in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there with her. People appreciate how much research she puts in, and how she explains each case in a way that’s easy to follow without dumbing anything down. The production is polished, but it still feels personal.
Many fans also say they feel seen by her. Stephanie doesn’t shy away from showing emotion or pausing to reflect, and in many cases, she’s reacting like a real person would. That honesty is a big part of why people keep listening.
What People Dislike About Rotten Mango
Some listeners have pointed out that Stephanie occasionally mispronounces names or uses incorrect grammar, which can be distracting in a podcast focused on serious topics. A few have also raised concerns about how sources are used or credited. There have been Reddit threads discussing whether her research methods are transparent enough.
Tone is another thing that’s come up. Because she pairs crime stories with a conversational style, some people feel the shift between humor and horror can be a little jarring or insensitive. While many fans love the personal touches, others feel the format doesn’t always strike the right balance.
Where Can I Listen to Rotten Mango?
You can listen to Rotten Mango episodes on all major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and through SiriusXM Podcasts+ (where new episodes can be heard ad‑free).
And if you are more into watching than listening, most of the episodes are also available on YouTube in a video format with real-life footage included.
About Stephanie Soo
Stephanie Soo first became known for her mukbang videos, but her content has shifted a lot over the years. These days, she’s better known for her true crime content and social commentary. On her main channel, she doesn’t eat on camera much anymore. Instead, she breaks down complex topics, shares her thoughts on controversial stories, and reflects on things happening in the world around her.
Her storytelling has always been what draws people in, since she takes time to explain the background, question the motives, and reflect on how it all connects. She’s thoughtful, curious, and not afraid to show emotion. That mix has helped her build a huge, loyal audience across YouTube and beyond.
Stephanie’s content might look different now, but she’s still doing what made her popular in the first place: telling stories that make people think and feel something.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money does the Rotten Mango podcast make?
Estimates suggest the podcast brings in between $400,000 and $700,000 per month from YouTube alone. That includes YouTube revenue and brand deals, though the exact numbers aren’t public.
How many channels does Stephanie Soo have?
Stephanie runs several channels, each with a different focus.
Her main YouTube channel, Stephanie Soo, is where she first gained traction. It originally featured true crime mukbangs, but the content has shifted. Now, she focuses more on long-form commentary and storytelling, often covering disturbing real-life cases with a calm, reflective tone.
Then there’s MissMangoButt, her second YouTube channel. This one is more casual and personal. She vlogs, films with her husband, and does something called BAMs, which are retellings of books, shows, or movies that she breaks down in her signature storytelling style. It’s where fans go for lighter content, day-in-the-life updates, or fun deep dives into fiction.
She also hosts a podcast called Rotten Mango, available on Spotify and Apple. These episodes tend to cover darker, more intense crime stories that may be too graphic for YouTube. For visual learners, there’s also a Rotten Mango YouTube channel, which features the same cases but includes maps, photos, and other visuals to help bring each case to life.
Lastly, there’s the BAM podcast (Baking a Murder), an audio version of the book and show recaps she shares on MissMangoButt. It’s made for people who want to listen on the go.
How did Stephanie Soo become famous?
She started with mukbang videos on YouTube, adding personal stories to make them more engaging. As her storytelling grew stronger and she branched into true crime, her audience exploded. The mix of food, emotion, and storytelling helped her stand out.
Is Rotten Mango a true crime podcast?
Yes, it focuses on real-life crime stories, often psychological in nature. Stephanie covers everything from famous cases to lesser-known events, usually taking a deep dive into the people involved and what may have led them to do what they did.
