The script doesn’t sound like a human wrote it. I’ve stopped on Season 2, Episode 1 because every few sentences had an air of artificiality to them. The language employs a lot of common elements found in artificially generated text; subject matter was overly dramatized in a way that seemed like they wanted it to have an emphasis, but fell squarely on its face.

I appreciate the care and respect that goes into this storytelling. The episodes are a perfect mix of honest prose, thoughtful interviews, responsible journalism, and deep dives on humanity. The many ways true crime podcasts can be off putting (a narrator who centers themselves, casually discussing tragedy, making twice as many episodes as necessary, disjointed storytelling, distracting voice/ music), these seasons have NONE. It’s rare and appreciated. Thank you for how fully you invest.

Good listen, but Justin was a complete idiot, sorry. Absolutely NOT a hero. Just thinking you and him used “hero” to describe or attribute to him makes me cringe. Sad.

I forced myself to finish this one, but I spent most of my time repeating back the repetitive inflection of the host’s delivery. It was absolutely laughable because you could perfectly predict how every other sentence would end with the same odd sweeping down-then-up of his voice, as if he’s riding in a car with someone who drives with both feet. 😂 It’s terribly distracting. I’ll stick to podcasts created by actual journalists from now on.

Listening to season one and so far it’s a very good listen. But I’m now to the point where they’re getting into his phone/email and I can’t get past how wrong this feels. Dude deserves his privacy even if his death left loose ends. I think you crossed a line.

People that are criticizing this podcast due to the stories featured being about white people traveling and “getting what they deserve” should be banned from reviewing. You missed the point. Liam, the narrator, actually traveled halfway around the world to bring this story to us and did an amazing job. Don’t listen to the haters. Cannot wait for the next season.

So basically, it’s just a podcast about white people going to foreign countries, trying to profit, play culture vulture, or step into the “white savior” role with indigenous communities—and of course ending up in messy situations because of their own ignorance. Honestly, not the most interesting subject. And it makes me wonder: what qualifications does this host even have to tell these stories? The way he frames it drifts into racist territory, and the script feels flat, missing the nuance a topic like this really needs.

At first I was interested because the reporting and investigating are good. They were able to find out more information which was admirable. But once I realized the subject of the story was involved with illegal drug selling in another country and connected with dangerous criminals, it’s not really a mystery any more. That’s where the story should end. A person wandering in remote areas for years takes obvious risks anyway, so that alone was enough for me to question why it was such a mystery, but add the criminal involvement, and it’s really not surprising that he disappeared. If he was murdered it’s really sad and not justifiable, but it’s not a big mystery.

If a womanizing, nomadic drug abuser is your hero, I think you’ve set the bar pretty low

This was interesting and kept me hooked. However, the host’s unnatural speaking cadence was really distracting.

This podcasts reeks of a bunch of mediocre white bros manufacturing a sense of mystery and danger to make themselves feel special.

This is a podcast about the American travellers the rest of the world finds repugnant. The entitlement and self absorption of those involved in this story is unbearable to listen to. I wish they had included literally any meaningful analysis of neocolonial travel; ie what it means for rich white bros to act like South Asia exists for their personal quest for "freedom."

Status Untraced is an absolute gem of a podcast that stands out not just for its gripping content, but for the way it captivates the listener from the very first episode. Whether you’re a fan of true crime, mysteries, or simply well-researched investigative journalism, this podcast delivers on all fronts. It’s clear that the creators have put their heart and soul into the production, and it shows in every carefully crafted episode. One of the standout aspects of Status Untraced is its commitment to uncovering the untold stories of missing persons, giving a voice to the voiceless and shedding light on cases that have often been forgotten or overlooked by the mainstream media. The hosts approach each case with empathy and sensitivity, never sensationalizing the tragedies but instead focusing on the human element behind every story. This level of respect for the victims and their families is something I deeply appreciate, and it adds a layer of emotional depth that makes the podcast all the more impactful. The research is thorough and meticulous, which is one of the reasons Status Untraced stands out from other true crime podcasts. You can tell that the hosts have done their homework, often presenting new angles or information that hasn’t been widely discussed elsewhere. They weave together facts, interviews, and expert opinions in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to learn more with every passing minute. The pacing is excellent, with just the right balance between factual reporting and storytelling that makes each episode engaging from start to finish.

just finished listening to Status: Untraced, and I have to say, this story was absolutely fascinating! The way you pieced everything together was masterful, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The suspense, the depth of the characters, and the mystery surrounding the storyline were incredible. You did such a great job building the tension and delivering the plot in a way that felt both thrilling and engaging. I’m already looking forward to your next story – amazing work!

This was an interesting podcast about an interesting if flawed human. Clearly a lot of effort went into this piece. What completely took me out of the story was that nearly every time a woman is referenced who was not Justin’s mom, she is referenced as a “girl.” Men are only referenced as boys when they are actual teenage boys. This basic lack of respect towards women makes me lose respect for the journalists/investigators involved. Think about the language you use, please, as it can truly undermine the efforts you took and lengths to which you went in telling this story.

One of the best this year!!

Lost in the valley of death is well written and dives deeper into his childhood.

I have mixed feelings about this podcast. On one hand it’s compelling, well told, very well produced, and the host is so earnest and genuine. However, the subject of the story is extremely unlikable and the host’s idolization of him is disconcerting. It is absolutely tragic that Justin was very possibly murdered, he didn’t deserve that and his loved ones don’t deserve to have him taken from them and without any answers. However, the host’s insistence that Justin was a “hero” (to use his word) and worthy of emulation and respect is honestly kind of gross. Justin was a womanizer with a white savior complex who engaged in illegal activities in a country that wasn’t his own. That’s not admirable or rare at all, the world is full of men like that. Putting all those resources to find someone who by his own words didn’t even want to be found while also idolizing him is misguided at best.

I really liked this podcast but not because of the subject of it. I lived this lifestyle a decade before Justin did and came across so many men like him. Lost, eternally unhappy and unfulfilled, with a problematic view of women, having a white savior complex and simultaneously seeking higher levels of consciousness through drugs and exploiting other cultures. Being comfortable in nature, whether it was sailing alone across the Pacific or trekking the Himalayas was not out of the norm. The idea of the “hero’s journey” is not specific to Justin in this group. His social media presence made his story more accessible than others who have lived similarly, which is likely why the host and others were so captivated by him. For someone who hasn’t really lived like this, such as Liam, Justin and his disappearance seem intriguing and mysterious. But like so many like him, Justin was unfortunately only focused on Justin and left a world of hurt in his wake. His poor mother, the Baba, the porter, the people of Khirganga. All forever damaged. People are complex and clearly he was loved, but Justin is one of many who have lived and died like this: someone who takes and only leaves pain. Having such a knee-jerk reaction is why I liked the podcast, despite disliking Justin. It left me thinking about it and stirred up old, uncomfortable feelings. Liam did a good job telling his journey of finding out what happened to Justin, which to me seemed pretty obvious. Thanks for the listen.

Well made podcast, but there is nothing strange about his disappearance. “Soul searching” does not include dealing and flaunting drugs in a third world country where you stand out like a sore thumb. I hoped they would’ve explored more of Justin’s mental health crises rather than trying to catch a killer. Another privileged white backpacker death where natives will be blamed. Worrisome that this is the host’s hero…

This “spiritual” guy lived for social media clicks. Neither an interesting person nor an interesting story. The admiration of the host is kinda sad. So many stories out there worthy of being told.

If you want to spend hours of your time listening to a story that brings no new details to a missing person case then this is the podcast for you. Just because he died in an exotic place doesn’t mean there is a big mystery to solve. He was a mentally ill drug dealer who fantasized about suicide.

For all the time and effort that went into producing this podcast, you have to think they’d at least try to discuss what seems to be the obvious narrative here: a mentally-ill, narcissistic American man went on a voyage of “self-discovery” (that was really a social-media powered ego trip) and caused extensive pain and suffering with his (likely) accidental death while hiking alone, including the eventual death of one local holy man who fell under suspicion for it. There’s even less analysis given to how much additional suffering the friends and family of this man caused when they came to look for him… probably because it would cast a harsh glare on the similarly privileged recklessness of the podcasters themselves.

I suspect the people complaining have not listened to a lot of podcasts focusing on Missing Persons. This podcast did a good job telling the story and trying to uncover clues. There is not always a clear answer in cases like this. I found the international aspect interesting, including the interviews with individuals involved who are from India. A lot of people who go missing lived lives that were somewhat complicated. I certainly have mixed feelings about Justin. What I do know is that there are people who care about him who would like to know what actually happened. I really enjoyed the host, the music, and the production that was as good as it could have been, particularly since a lot of it involved phone calls and meetings and locations where you could not have a full studio present to ensure the best possible sound quality. good work. These guys make a great team and I'm hoping they will team up for another investigation.

They ask questions and find no answers. Good set up, but no pay off.

Appreciated the podcast and thought it was very well done. I think the host mentions somewhere that he’s not an investigative journalist, but I think he told the story like a professional. He remained objective, respectful, and fair (as opposed to some other Tenderfoot shows).

Not only is the story fascinating and suspenseful but I also discovered my new favorite singer, Blanco White. Highly recommend the podcast and the singer!

Please save us from any more podcasts that cast the immature and irresponsible white boy as a hero who “broke the rules.” This drug dealer, unable to pay for his travels, rolls down a mountain, got an innocent man killed, got locals investigated and blaimed, and cast a pall over a region and country. The only thing this show got right was the woman who said she was angry for how this death reflected against her country. So many people trying to do good in the world die before their time or are killed unjustly. This child did not deserve the airtime.

I love this story. When is season 2 coming? You guys do a great job! Stay safe.

I think Justin either fell accidentally because he may have upset the Baba with their argument or he was pushed off the cliff side into the river by a rival local drug dealer or thief. I wanted to like and be concerned for Justin but once you read his diary I realized he may have been in over his head and just not a nice guy. Another review said his parents helped create this persona of his through their parenting and I believe so. He’s no hero, no super hero, he was a phony not some philanthropic helper or care giver. He was about himself and ultimately died by himself. I think he ruffled feathers of the locals and someone did him in or did nothing to really help when it was learned he was missing. I doubt highly he’d remain hidden, his ego wouldn’t allow that. I think Liam made a compelling podcast but it’s more of an entertaining story than something I would care about further. By the end of this I liked Justin less and less to the point of “what did he think was going to happen living like this?”

Amazing story very well told! Must listen for true crime enthusiasts!

The series starts strong with a great 1st episode but by the end of the series, no questions answered. The more I learned about Justin, the more I realized why other countries hate American tourists. Justin, the subject of the podcast, comes across as privileged with a white savior complex. The narrator clearly idolizes him and romanticizes Justin’s irresponsible behavior which makes it difficult to finish the podcast. I gave it 3 stars bc it was well produced.

I am loving this show so much but please, PLEASE DO NOT conduct interviews and have people mic’d up while eating! It is absolutely DISGUSTING. I had to fast forward through a bunch of conversation because of the nasty smacking noises and talking with a mouth full of food 🤮🤬 hopefully I didn’t miss any key details…

Some good storytelling that kept me interested. There were some threads that the creators should have pulled on more though. Liam seems interested in a heroic life, and he can explore how to speak out against things like police brutality (India or US) and white supremacy (only white foreigners get big search parties), and in doing so, become more heroic. Traveling alone isn’t heroic, it’s a luxury. Liam can look for more collective justice.

Is so sexy and has BDE

I really enjoyed most of it. There were some dull parts toward the end that felt like they existed solely to round out the episode total to 10 yet I was engaged nonetheless. If you’ve ever listened to the show Cold then that is the epitome of creating utter fluff for the sake of run time. This was much more concise and effective at creating a thrilling mystery.

Wished some episodes had the transcript cuz it’s hard to understand what the Indian people are saying half the time. Heavy accents and idk what they’re saying.

Missing person in a valley with a history of disappearing people? That alone makes for a potentially interesting story. Instead, we get 10 episodes of the host fetishizing the victim and constantly getting lost in painting this person as some kind of hero. Very strange and borderline icky to listen to.

WMB to find out what happened to his bro, a guy doing his WMB, wanderlust, little lost boy thing. YOU SHOULDN’T ACCUSE LOCALS OF ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY WHEN YOU HAVE ZERO UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CULTURE OUTSIDE OF FETISHIZATION.

The guys a drug dealer with mental issues He either 1- dropped acid and walked off a mountain; 2 bought sold drugs to the wrong people (unfortunate side effect of being a drug dealer); 3 is living in an effn cave not caring any of this is going on Moral of the story- don’t be a drug dealer loser

Gave 2 stars for being well-produced, and host's voice is nice. But I actually found the subject's story, Justin Alexander, MORE interesting before the podcast. This podcast just revealed him to be infantile, narcissistic, and completely enabled to be so by his parents and others around him. It's sad and honestly disgusting. Especially his desire to "find an Indian woman and settle down, have some kids, live a simple life. I provide for them and travel when I want to." His entire view of women throughout is that he wants to take care of them and be their hero - he sees them as objects, belongings, things to be idolized by. It's grotesque. Not to mention his white Savior complex issues. It's painful to listen to.

Heroes put their lives at risk to help others. Going to India to smoke and sell hash is not heroic. The saddest part is how unproductive and meaningless his life ended up being.

I was obsessed with this podcast and recommended it to all my friends. But it has a terrible non definitive end that makes you realize that they could have ended the series after his personal diary reveal instead of milking it out and keeping you engaged in a story that then becomes a waste of time. I felt tricked and disappointed.

The host and producers got too close to the idea of Justin, and turned him into a hero in their own minds and assumed listeners would too. Instead, this feels like a love letter to bro culture and a guy that, by his own words, was not great to women, using drugs and running away to avoid his problems/mental health issues, selling drugs and seeking out sketchy people in a country where he didn’t know the culture or speak the language. Spending so much time poetically waxing about admiring him while breezing past his dangerous choices doesn’t honor his memory or tell the full story. This is a sad story, not a hero’s journey. I hope his loved ones find peace. And why did they bring back the friend who was so outwardly racist toward the Indian people?

It started off so strong, interesting and full of potential. The entire middle portion was a slog and it felt like they were just milking it to get to ten episodes. The finale was disappointing and a bit corny. Not 'horrible' but not sure I'd recommend it.

I really enjoyed this whole series and found the host’s voice engaging. I don’t agree with other reviewers who claim the host has some obsession with the decedent. He is clearly an interested and professional podcaster but in no way a fanatic of the subject of his research. Thank you for an educational experience!

Into the Wild. But told with undeserved maudlin reverence and the sappiest undertones. Seems to follow a theme of white guys going on self aggrandizing trips to “discover themselves.” I don’t see how these men get turned into heroes??? They seem like such tragic figures in a broken patriarchal system.

Truly. Have any of these podcasts solved anything or done anything but exploit people’s tragedies?

I never feel this way about podcasts, but all of the bad reviews are being honest. Listen to the first episode and just guess what happened bc the story goes no further than the info in the first episode

10 episodes of a well produced podcast that could have been done in 2. A very long time to explain Justin is missing. No resolution.