The podcast empire behind the popular "Crime Junkie" show, founded by Ashley Flowers, is reportedly experiencing significant internal turmoil. Approximately 30% of Audiochuck's workforce, about 30 out of 100 employees, have departed over the last year, including key leadership positions such as the chief executive, chief legal officer, and chief growth officer. This exodus coincides with a sharp decline in employee satisfaction, with internal surveys showing a drop from a score of 27 in April 2025 to negative 34 by the second quarter of this year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Employees have reportedly chafed under Flowers' demanding management style, with some complaining of working early mornings, weekends, and late nights to meet what are described as "uncompromising expectations." One former employee recounted experiencing extreme stress, to the point of vomiting before presenting ideas to Flowers. Audiochuck acknowledged these challenges, stating that as the company has grown rapidly, its systems and processes have not always kept pace, and that the company has been working to address these issues.
This internal friction stands in contrast to the continued success of the "Crime Junkie" podcast itself. The show remains one of the top-ranked podcasts, with average weekly unique listeners up 71% year over year, YouTube views soaring 400%, and downloads per episode at an all-time high. However, Flowers' drive to expand the franchise has reportedly led to friction. Instances cited include the removal of well-performing social media videos featuring employees, and a last-minute overhaul of a studio redesign after significant work had been completed.
In an effort to address employee concerns, then-CEO Matt Starker initiated an "ask me anything" session. However, after workers raised issues regarding human resources and other matters, and Starker responded emotionally, a planned second meeting was canceled. Flowers subsequently emailed employees, outlining her own work ethic and expectations, stating she works long hours, including early mornings, weekends, and while sick, because she cares deeply about the company.
Further contributing to the turmoil was Flowers' decision in June to cancel "The Deck," Audiochuck's second most popular show, which was generating over 300,000 downloads weekly. Flowers explained the decision stemmed from her young daughter's unhappiness due to her extensive work hours. Despite efforts to find a replacement host, no one met Flowers' standards, leading to the show's cancellation, which resulted in job losses and reduced programming for Audiochuck.
Flowers, who founded Audiochuck in 2017 with $13,000 of her savings, built "Crime Junkie" into a major podcasting success. The show's popularity led to a significant distribution and advertising agreement with SiriusXM. Despite the company's growth and market presence, it faces increasing competition, particularly in the video market. Flowers has indicated a strong commitment to her role, stating she is "in deep" and unwilling to relinquish control of the company.
The New York Post sought comment from Flowers and Audiochuck regarding these reports.