Crime Junkie is one of America’s most downloaded podcasts, with over 500 million listens. Behind this true crime empire stands Ashley Flowers, a podcast host who turned her hobby into a business worth millions. So, how much has she made from it all?
Here’s a closer look at how Ashley Flowers built her wealth.
How Much is Ashley Flowers’ Net Worth?
Ashley Flowers’ net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million in 2025. Most of her money comes from podcasts, book sales, and merch.
What stands out is how fast she made her money. Just seven years ago, she was working a corporate job while podcasting as a side hustle. Today, she runs one of the most successful independent podcast networks in the industry.
Ashley earns from different sources, which keeps her business steady. The biggest chunk comes from podcast advertising. With Crime Junkie consistently ranking in the top 5 podcasts in America, advertisers pay premium rates—often $25,000 to $50,000 per episode—to reach her massive audience.
Beyond advertising, Ashley earns from Audiochuck’s listener-supported content model, where fans pay for bonus episodes and exclusive content. She also pulls in money from live shows, merchandise sales featuring popular Crime Junkie phrases, and her bestselling novel. Having money come from different places helps her stay steady, even if one slows down.
Podcaster Career
Ashley Flowers, born in 1989, grew up in Indiana with a fascination for true crime stories. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in biological sciences but found herself drawn to storytelling rather than science. Before launching Crime Junkie in 2017, Ashley worked in biotech and later at the marketing tech company Emarsys.
She got back into true crime after volunteering for Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana. With her childhood friend Brit Prawat, she started Crime Junkie as a hobby, recording in her bedroom closet. The show’s popularity exploded faster than anyone expected, allowing Ashley to quit her day job within a year.
Podcasts Ashley Hosts
Crime Junkie remains Ashley’s flagship show, where she and co-host Brit cover both famous and lesser-known true crime cases weekly. The show’s straightforward storytelling and “just the facts” approach resonates with millions of listeners who appreciate their respectful treatment of victims.
Here are Ashley’s most popular podcasts and notable episodes:
- Crime Junkie – Her original hit podcast with over 500 million downloads
- “The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam” – One of the most downloaded episodes ever
- “MURDERED: The Powell Family” – A Heartbreaking case that showcased Ashley’s compassionate storytelling
- “SERIAL KILLER: Israel Keyes” – A chilling deep dive that became a fan favorite
- The Deck – Focused on cold cases featured on playing cards in U.S. prisons
- “The 3 of Diamonds: Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman” – An episode that got people talking again in this cold case
- “The Queen of Hearts: Faith Hedgepeth” – Powerful storytelling that brought national attention to this unsolved murder
- The Deck Investigates – Deep-dive investigations into specific cases
- “The Whitehall Mystery” – Six-part series exploring a decades-old cold case
- “The Girl from Roxy’s” – An Investigation that uncovered new evidence
- Full Body Chills – Fictional horror stories released during the Halloween season
- “The Itch” – Spine-tingling episode that became a viral sensation
- “Don’t Follow the Lights” – Fan-favorite supernatural tale
Her style is easy to spot, helping her grow a brand beyond just Crime Junkie.
Audiochuck Network
Audiochuck, founded by Ashley in 2018, has grown from a single podcast to a network featuring over 20 shows. Notable productions include Counterclock, Park Predators, and Full Body Chills. The network specializes in true crime, mystery, and suspense storytelling.
What makes Audiochuck different is its focus on victim advocacy and ethical reporting. The network employs a team of researchers, writers, and producers working under Ashley’s creative direction. Based in Indianapolis rather than traditional media hubs like New York or Los Angeles, Audiochuck has become a major employer in the podcast industry, with staff growing from just Ashley to over 30 team members.
Crime Junkie Success
Crime Junkie’s big success comes from Ashley’s knack for storytelling and a laid-back, chatty style. Unlike more academic or journalistic crime shows, the show feels like a casual chat, easy to follow while doing chores or driving.
The show’s consistent release schedule—new episodes every Monday—has built listener habits over time. Ashley’s careful research and respectful approach to victims have earned her credibility with true crime fans who appreciate that she avoids sensationalizing tragedies. The podcast mixes big-name cases with ones most people haven’t heard of.
Crime Junkie’s Earnings
Crime Junkie likely brings in $8 to $12 million a year just from ads. With approximately 15 million monthly listeners, the show can command top-tier sponsorship rates. Each episode typically features 3-4 ad spots sold at premium prices due to the show’s highly engaged audience.
The way the podcast makes money has changed. Initially dependent solely on ads, Crime Junkie now offers fan club memberships at different price tiers, providing additional income. The show’s reliable audience demographics—primarily women aged 25-44 with disposable income—make it particularly attractive to advertisers in categories like meal delivery services, security products, and direct-to-consumer brands.
Her Book Success
Ashley’s debut novel, All Good People Here, published in 2022, became an instant New York Times bestseller, selling over 500,000 copies in its first year. The book deal reportedly included a seven-figure advance, significantly boosting her net worth.
Her book’s success added a new way to earn money. Ashley has mentioned in interviews that she’s working on her second novel, suggesting this could become an ongoing income source. The book’s success also demonstrates how effectively she’s used her podcast popularity in other media formats, expanding both her brand and income potential.
Merch and Live Events
Crime Junkie merchandise—featuring catchphrases like “Be Weird, Be Rude, Stay Alive”—brings in an estimated $1-2 million annually. The product line includes everything from t-shirts and hoodies to coffee mugs and phone cases, all sold through the Audiochuck website.
Before the pandemic, Crime Junkie live shows regularly sold out theaters across the country, with tickets priced between $30 and $75. After resuming in 2022, these tours have become even more profitable. A typical 20-city tour can generate over $1 million in ticket sales, plus additional merchandise revenue at venues.
TV and Movie Deals
Ashley signed a development deal with SunnyMarch and Viacom CBS in 2020 to adapt stories from her podcasts for television. While specific financial terms weren’t disclosed, similar deals in the industry typically include option payments, producer fees, and royalties that could reach into the millions over time.
Her book ‘All Good People Here’ might become a TV series, which could bring in more money. As streaming platforms continue competing for content, Ashley’s proven stories with built-in audiences represent valuable intellectual property that could significantly increase her wealth in the coming years.
Comparing Ashley’s Wealth to Other Podcasters
Ashley’s estimated $5-10 million net worth places her in the upper tier of podcast hosts, though still below industry giants like Joe Rogan (worth over $250 million after his Spotify deal) and Alex Cooper of Call Her Daddy (estimated at $20+ million).
Among true crime podcasters, Ashley compares favorably to Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark of My Favorite Murder, who each have estimated net worths of $7-10 million. What distinguishes Ashley is her ownership of her podcast network rather than just hosting shows, giving her a larger share of overall profits and more control over her intellectual property.
Ashley has interviewed or collaborated with several notable personalities across her podcasts:
- Paul Holes – The retired detective who helped solve the Golden State Killer case joined Ashley for a special Crime Junkie episode that drew 1.2 million listeners in its first 24 hours
- Billy Jensen, the investigative journalist, collaborated with Ashley on a two-part series examining unsolved murders that generated significant media attention
- Dr. Michelle Ward – The criminal psychologist made guest appearances analyzing offender behavior that became some of the most shared episodes
- Kelsi German – Sister of Delphi murder victim Libby German has been interviewed by Ashley multiple times, highlighting Ashley’s commitment to victim advocacy
- John Douglas – The legendary former FBI profiler who inspired the character in “Mindhunter” joined Ashley for a special interview episode that broke download records for the network
- James Patterson, the bestselling author, appeared on Ashley’s show to discuss his true crime work, bringing crossover appeal to new audiences
- David Ridgen, Creator of the popular CBC podcast “Someone Knows Something,” collaborated with Ashley on cold case investigations
These high-profile collaborations have not only boosted Ashley’s credibility in the true crime space but also significantly increased her audience reach and potential advertising revenue.
Another crucial factor is her content. Different ways of earning. Instead of relying solely on Crime Junkie, Ashley created multiple shows targeting different audience segments. This approach protects her business from algorithm changes or shifts in listener preferences that might affect any single show.
Perhaps most importantly, Ashley maintained creative control by building her network rather than signing exclusively with a major platform. While this required more upfront work, it allowed her to keep a much larger percentage of revenue and build long-term wealth through owning her intellectual property.
Conclusion
From recording in her closet to building a multi-million-dollar podcast empire, Ashley Flowers’s financial success story showcases the earning potential of modern digital media. Her estimated net worth of $5-10 million reflects not just her talent as a storyteller but also her business acumen in building a sustainable media company.
What makes Ashley’s wealth particularly impressive is how she’s built it independently, without major corporate backing or venture capital. By focusing on audience connection first and monetization second, she’s created a loyal fan base that supports multiple revenue streams. For aspiring content creators, her journey offers a masterclass in turning passion into profit while maintaining creative independence.
