Conspirituality Brief: The Man Who Lives With 16 Cats
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Oct 25, 2025 The podcast dives into the intriguing life of Curtis Sliwa, the NYC mayoral candidate known for living in a tiny apartment with 16 cats. It explores his controversial past, roaring into public consciousness with a mix of bravado and startling comments. The hosts discuss how Sliwa built his reputation through the Guardian Angels and the challenges he faces from political adversaries. They analyze his unconventional approach to politics and social media, revealing how his candid style resonates with voters amid the complex landscape of modern campaigning.
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Familiar Figure, Not A Social Media Mystery
- Curtis Sliwa has a long history of inflammatory remarks but remains a familiar New York character rather than a social-media fabrication.
- Derek Barris argues Sliwa's notoriety is hometown notoriety that predates online outrage culture.
From McDonald's To Guardian Angels
- Curtis Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels after leaving a McDonald's job and built street-cred combating 1980s NYC crime waves.
- He later admitted to embellishing some heroics but also performed genuine patrols during a real public-safety crisis.
The 16-Cat Campaign Persona
- Sliwa lives in a 320-square-foot apartment with his wife and 16 rescued street cats and uses that persona politically.
- He even brought cats to Eric Adams' home claiming they'd help control rats as a campaign stunt.