Holly Frey

Holly Frey, co-host of the award-winning podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class, joins to discuss the sensational life of Marm Mandelbaum, America's first female mob boss. They explore her transformation from a struggling German immigrant into a savvy criminal mastermind during the Panic of 1857. The conversation highlights her duality as a nurturing mother and a skilled negotiator, revealing her unique pickpocketing school and her audacious escapes. Frey shares insights into how Mandelbaum blurred the lines between crime and legitimacy.