Profiles In Eccentricity

A Chinese woman rose from prostitution to control the Eastern seas with a fleet of men. Topics include train robberies, dark comedy, amputation, and a Cantonese prostitute-turned-madam named Ching Shih. They discuss her rise to power, her rules and punishments, and her integration into the Chinese government.

Subbing for the fetching Aaron Pita we are joined by the gorgeous queen Laura Crawford, as Matt brings the tale of one Irish woman who braved endless war to find her husband -IN DRAG - and another who used their filicide to become a legendary executioner!

Guest Radiston Zahariev shares the story of a tough guy from London who became a gang leader, drug dealer, and bank robber, terrifying police while also being an amateur UFC fighter. The podcast also discusses the controversial launch of New Coke by Coca-Cola and the obsession with dead celebrities.

Renegade rocket scientist Jack Parsons is the focus of this episode. From his early life and interests in chemistry and rockets to his addiction and complicated personal life, Parsons lived an unconventional life. The hosts discuss his moral stances, libertarian beliefs, and the controversy surrounding his dangerous experimentation with rockets and the occult. They express their fascination with his eccentricity and hint at future episodes featuring other intriguing individuals.

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.