While most popular mob stories tend to take place in big cities like New York and Chicago, the power of small-town mobs can’t be underestimated—like in Springfield, Massachusetts. In this episode, Elie Honig speaks with journalist and historian Russell Shorto, the author of Smalltime: The Story of My Family and the Mob. They discuss the big time influence of the small-town Mafia.

This is part of a series of exclusive CAFE Insider bonus episodes of Up Against the Mob, a show that takes you inside law enforcement’s battles with the Mafia. If you haven’t listened to the main episode, head over to the Up Against the Mob feed, and then come back here to listen to the bonus.

Thank you for being a member of the CAFE Insider community. Email us your questions, comments, and reactions at letters@cafe.com.

Up Against the Mob is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hosted by @eliehonig. Follow us on Twitter.

Check out other CAFE podcasts: Now & Then and Stay Tuned with Preet.

Up Against The Mob – Bonus Episode 03