Darknet Diaries

Jack Rhysider has built something genuinely special with Darknet Diaries. Each episode tells one complete story from the darker corners of the internet — real hacks, actual breaches, true cybercrime — and Rhysider's narration pulls you through like a good thriller novel. He started the show in 2017 and has released over 180 episodes since, covering everything from nation-state attacks to social engineering capers to penetration testers who got a little too good at their jobs. The format blends investigative journalism with narrative storytelling. Rhysider spends weeks researching each episode, then weaves together original interviews with the people who were actually there — the hackers, the defenders, the victims. His voice is calm and deliberate, which makes the wild stories hit even harder. One episode you're hearing from a former NSA operator, the next from someone who broke into a Fortune 500 company's building just to prove they could. What sets this apart from other security podcasts is that you do not need a technical background to follow along. Rhysider explains complex concepts without dumbing them down. The production quality is movie-grade, with sound design that makes you feel like you are listening to a documentary. Episodes run 30 to 60 minutes, released monthly. There is also a premium tier called Darknet Diaries+ with bonus content and ad-free listening. Rated 4.9 stars with nearly 8,000 ratings on Apple Podcasts — and honestly, it earns every one of them. This is the gold standard for cybersecurity storytelling.