Profiles In Eccentricity

This week Johnboy shares the story of celebrity Irish criminal Martin Cahill and his exploits in stealing from a young age to becoming the greatest thief in Irish history and cultivating an image that showed his absolute disdain for authority from the bedroom to the courtroom before a bid with paramilitaries led to his demise!

Ada and Minna Everleigh, high class brothel owners, are the guests on the show. Topics discussed include the luxurious Everleigh Club, superstitions and practices of sex workers, Chicago's corrupt aldermen and bathhouse owners, white slavery, reverse marketing, courtesan marriage and a notable ball, challenges faced by women in brothels, the Mann Act and the closure of vice districts, shifting attitudes towards raunchiness and sexual expression over time, and the exploitation and power dynamics at play in the story of Ada and Minna Everleigh.

Guest James A Harden-Hickey's wild journey to becoming king of a tiny island, his French aristocracy roots, and his revenge plot against the British. The podcast covers his guide to suicide, eccentric adventures, island conquest plans, and the bizarre world of disputed island inheritance.

This week Matt brings us the tale of an unofficial American colonial expedition - then known as a filibuster - and how it's original popularity led to some domestic and foreign legitimacy, before the man at the helm destroyed it all by through greed, tyranny, and enslavement.

Johann Unterweger, an Austrian criminal turned writer, is the topic of this episode. Unterweger, who became a star after being released from prison, continued his killing spree. The podcast explores his troubled upbringing, gruesome murders, and mindset, as well as delving into themes of humanity and justice.

Dive into the chaotic life of Timothy Leary, exploring his roles as a cult leader and drug dealer. Discover his encounters with infamous figures like Manson and Reagan, alongside the complexities of revolutionary language. The discussion on psychedelics delves into their regulation versus criminalization, reflecting on 1960s drug culture. Hear about Leary's glamorous prison life, his escape plans, and the absurdity of fame, all while balancing humor with the poignant aspects of his legacy and existential musings.

Dive into the fascinating life of Timothy Leary, once dubbed 'the most dangerous man in America.' Discover his transformation from a conservative upbringing to a psychedelic pioneer. Explore the chaotic 60s, where life at Millbrook and the phrase 'turn on, tune in, drop out' reshaped culture. Hear about the humorous misadventures in drug culture and the controversial prison experiments with psychedelics. Unravel the impact of consciousness expansion on society and the colorful interplay between art, rebellion, and mental health.

Matt delivers a maniacal portrait of a woman who left the Catholic church in Spain in the 16th century only to become a marauding menace to colonial South America, all while dressed as a man. She escapes death, incredibly meets family members a world away, and achieves glory and worldwide fame before death! Holy shit!

This week Johnboy shares the bizarre and tragic saga of a cultish stable of "pups" who's "master" led them to drastically alter their bodies to cartoonish levels any way he wanted - from their muscles to their testicles - ultimately leading the greater queer community to shun the group before a member lost his life in pursuit of their insane fetish goals!

Ken 'Tokyo Joe' Eto, a Japanese-American, rose from internment camps to the heights of organized crime in Chicago, running gambling operations and executing rivals. The podcast explores his extraordinary survival after a shooting, disassembling The Outfit, witness protection, loyalty, and power dynamics within the mob.