Why January 25th Still Matters Today
On January 25th, 1917, 300 sex workers stormed the Central Methodist Church in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district to protest the closure of their brothels.
Lizzie Lape: The Most Prolific Madam in Ohio
Lizzie Lape was a prolific businesswoman and Madam in the Midwest during the 19th century. She owned numerous brothels and saloons throughout Ohio.
The Maimie Papers with Ruth Rosen
The Maimie Papers was written by historian Ruth Rosen, an award-winning journalist and Professor Emerita at University of California Davis.
Mae West: Unapologetic Sex Symbol
Mae West was an actress, writer, and unapologetic sex symbol. She enchanted the American stage with unabashed humor and demand for social change.
Madison Phillips on Old Pros (Sex Work) in Raleigh, North Carolina
Based on her thesis research, Madison Phillips contributed to this episode about the history of sex work in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Infamous Madams of Water Street in Portsmouth, NH
The infamous madams of Water Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, were dear friends and colleagues, Mary Baker (1859-1930) and Alta Roberts (1855-1940).
Lulu White: Storyville’s “Diamond Queen of the Demi–Monde”
Lulu White was one of the most notorious and financially successful madams of Storyville, New Orleans, and known as the Diamond Queen of the Demi–Monde.
Madam Fan Jones of Bangor, Maine
Madam Fan Jones successfully ran Bangor, Maine’s most popular and longest running brothel called the Sky Blue House of Pleasure.
Who was Jezebel?
Who was Jezebel? How did her legacy become synonymous with loose, misfit, morally depraved, wicked women?
The Everleigh Sisters’ Best Brothel in Chicago
The Everleigh Sisters successfully ran the best brothel Chicago had ever seen from 1900 to 1911. Why did the mayor force them to shut down?
Stella Darby: Beloved Madam of Pendelton, Oregon
Stella Darby, beloved madam of Pendelton, Oregon, had a heart of gold. She is now remembered with a bronze statue and Underground Pendleton Tours.
The Age-Old Stigma of Mary Magdalene
The stigma of Mary Magdalene has endured throughout biblical times into the current era. How did she become aligned with sex workers?
Brothel Owner Mrs. Lake’s Secrets Revealed in Boston’s “Big Dig”
Thanks to Boston’s “Big Dig,” artifacts from a 19th century brothel were unearthed, shedding light on the life of brothel owner Mrs. Lake.
Ella “Cattle Kate” Watson: Trailblazer of the Wild West
Ella “Cattle Kate” Watson was a Western trailblazer. An independent and industrious woman, she sought to challenge gender norms to live life her own way.
Lycoris the Mime was the Most Influential Courtesan in Ancient Rome
Evidence of the oldest profession can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. Lycoris the Mime is among the oldest and most influential pros in history.
The Legend of Punk Rockstar & Hustler Dee Dee Ramone
Hustler Dee Dee Ramone, bassist and founding member of the Ramones, pioneered punk rock and side hustled as a sex worker to pay for his heroin addiction.
Belle Brezing Was Lexington, Kentucky’s Most Successful Madam
With razor sharp wit and dogged determination, Belle Brezing claimed her space as Lexington, Kentucky’s most successful Madam.
Maya Angelou: Sex Worker History is Part of Her Esteemed Legacy
The Oldest Profession Podcast: Maya Angelou – sex worker past matters, and to ignore her experience does a disservice to her legacy.
Nevada Brothels and the Truth About Legalized Prostitution
The Oldest Profession Podcast: Nevada brothels house the only legal prostitution in the US; then why the highest arrest rate per capita? Nevada brothels model doesn’t work.
Sex Work Coming Out Stories
Sharing sex work coming out stories; some are funny, some are sad, and they all remind us this holiday season that we are never alone.
thotscholar & The Scarlot Harlot: Perspectives on Language
An intergenerational conversation between thotscholar (Moses) and The Scarlet Harlot (Carol Leigh) exploring language in the sex worker movement.
International Whores’ Day: In Conversation with Ceyenne Doroshow
This episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast about International Whores’ Day (June 2) is hosted by Kaytlin Bailey and Ceyenne Doroshow.
A Special Tribute to Margo St. James
As a tribute to Margo St. James, we have the great pleasure of speaking with living legends of the early sex worker rights movement.
Tina Horn on SfSx & We Too
Tina Horn is the creator and writer of the sci-fi sex-rebel comic book series SfSx and the co-editor of the feminist essay collection We Too.
Jack the Ripper’s Victims
Stories of five of Jack the Ripper’s Victims: Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Kate, and Mary Jane. Whatever you do, don’t just Google “Jack the Ripper’s victims” — trust us on this, that search leads to dark places.
Annie Sprinkle & Beth Stephens: Remembering Margo St. James
Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens join Kaytlin Bailey and Dr. Charlene J. Fletcher to remember Margo St. James and to discuss the oldest profession.
#OldProProject & Why January 25th Matters
#OldProProject & Why January 25th Matters iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify On January 25th, 1917, 300 sex workers in San Francisco marched to protest the imminent closure of their brothels. #OldProProject is an annual event that builds towards this anniversary, and...
A Special Collaboration With Peepshow Media: Coming Out As A Sex Worker
COMING OUT AS A SEX WORKER IN COLLABORATION WITH PEEPSHOW MEDIA iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify A collection of coming out stories from sex workers, in celebration of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on December 17th, and in solidarity with all...
Lilith
Lilith Apple Podcasts | Spotify Lilith: The First Woman and First Feminist The story of Eve tempting Adam in the Garden of Eden is a patriarchal fairy tale that most of us learn at an early age. But Eve wasn’t the first wife or the first woman. Her predecessor,...
Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera
The category is… revolutionary love. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were the vanguard of the modern LGBTQ Rights Movement.
Melania Trump
Born to tax evaders in Slovenia, Melania Trump is the 45th First Lady of the United States, model, and an old pro.
Victoria Woodhull
Soothsayer, suffragette, stockbroker, sex worker, and candidate for US President, Victoria Woodhull lived a vibrant, controversial life.
Lou Graham
Madam Lou Graham was so rich that she served as an alternative to banks, giving loans to business propositions deemed too risky by bankers.
Cardi B
The most famous sex worker of today’s music industry, Cardi B unabashedly flaunts her past as a stripper in her songs, videos, and social media.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Best known for his paintings of the moulin rouge, French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was also a john who (literally) lived in brothels.
Ching Shih
Ching Shih went from working as a full service sex worker to becoming the one of the most successful pirate captains in the history of the world.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe’s undeniable charisma, comedic genius, and iconic sensuality enchant and resonate with old pros and civilians alike.
Anais Nin
Anaïs Nin was one of the first prominent modern western women known to explore and take part in erotic writing.