Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations
Dakota Spotlight is a true crime podcast hosted by investigative journalist James Wolner, covering unsolved murders, cold cases and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest. The show has about 250 episodes, released weekly, with a median length near 42 minutes. Estimated downloads are 5,000 to 25,000 per episode, implying a host-read mid-roll rate of $90 to $630 per episode.
Weekly North Dakota true crime with a loyal, highly rated audience
- Apple Podcasts shows 879 ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5, with 784 five-star ratings.
- Roughly 250 episodes on a weekly cadence give sponsors a steady, long-running placement.
- Host-read ads are offered directly by James Wolner, who is named as the creator on the feed and website.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, investigative season, standalone episode
- Tone
- serious, respectful
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 35 to 50 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
The site links Spotlight PLUS subscriptions and a Patreon page as funding, and an advertise page invites host-read sponsorship without naming any sponsor.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Titles cover murders and disappearances such as 'The Mandan Murders' and 'Homicide at House of Bottles', so violence is medium; no explicit flags are set.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | dakotaspotlight.com/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1451783176 |
| RSS feed | feeds.megaphone.fm/EELCL3827885072 |
Benchmark score: 60 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going | 2026-10-08 | 24 min |
| You Killed Chris Update: Linda meets with the FBI | 2026-09-24 | 1 h 12 min |
| Call Me Shelly (9): Follow the Red Dirt Road | 2026-09-03 | 23 min |
| Call Me Shelly (8): Frightened, Followed, Harassed | 2026-08-27 | 39 min |
| Call Me Shelly (7): A Missing Mother’s Son | 2026-08-20 | 43 min |
| Call Me Shelly (6): Interview with Tony | 2026-08-13 | 39 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 11 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
Dakota Spotlight is a true crime series investigating unsolved murders, cold cases, and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest. Hosted by investigative journalist James Wolner, each season takes a deep dive into one case, from rural crime and small town murders to decades-old disappearances. Through meticulous research, exclusive interviews, and on-the-ground reporting, Dakota Spotlight…
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About Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations
Dakota Spotlight is a true crime podcast hosted by investigative journalist James Wolner, according to the feed and the show's website. It investigates unsolved murders, cold cases and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest, usually through multi-episode seasons with occasional standalone episodes. The feed lists about 250 episodes released weekly, with a median runtime of around 42 minutes.
The show's Apple Podcasts listing shows 879 ratings with an average of 4.8 out of 5. Estimated audience size is 5,000 to 25,000 downloads per episode; this is an estimate based on rating counts, not a published figure, and most listeners are likely based in the United States. The website invites host-read sponsorship, but the feed names no sponsors.
Brands seeking a host-read placement can expect an estimated rate of $90 to $630 per episode. The show suits regional and mature-audience brands rather than family products.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Dakota Spotlight: True Crime & Cold Case Investigations
How much does Dakota Spotlight charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 5,000 to 25,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll is estimated at $90 to $630 per episode. Actual pricing is set by the host and should be confirmed directly.
What is Dakota Spotlight about?
Dakota Spotlight is a true crime podcast by James Wolner investigating unsolved murders, cold cases and missing persons in North Dakota and the Midwest, released weekly.
How do I contact Dakota Spotlight about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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