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.
Tlazōlteōtl
Mesoamerican Goddess, Tlazōlteōtl, symbolically pardoned her followers’ sin in a never ending circle of life, sex, and death.
Aileen Wuornos
Infamous misandrist and queer icon Aileen Wuornos killed seven men while working as a hitch hiking sex worker in Florida.
Holiday Special: Sex Worker Coming Out Stories
A very special episode of compiled heartbreaking and heartwarming coming out stories from Coyote Fawn, Allie Oops, and many more.
International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers
Commemorating the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on December 17th, Ceyenne Doroshow interviews JyAsia Kylee.
Stormy Daniels
Stormy Daniels is an incredible self made woman and sex worker who had the audacity to tell her own story.
Big Nosed Kate
Big Nosed Kate worked as a full service sex worker and eventually became the wife and companion of Old West gunfighter Doc Holiday.
Sylvester Stallone
Unbeknownst to most, six years before writing and starring in Rocky, Sylvester Stallone was the lead in a soft core porn film.
Bettie Page
Bettie Page, iconic pin-up and bondage model of the 20th century, had an on-and-off again relationship with Evangelical Christianity.
Linda Lovelace and Andrea Dworkin
Powerhouses of the “Porn Wars”; Linda Lovelace (star of Deep Throat) who later in life joined Andrea Dworkin in the campaign against porn.
Congressional Election Blues
In this special episode, Kaytlin talks about losing the NY12 Democratic Primary and next steps in the fight for sex worker rights.
Julie D’Aubigny
In 17th century France, Julie D’Aubigny seduced aristocratic men and women, did some grave robbing, and burned a nunnery. A bisexual legend.
Gypsy Rose Lee
Special guest Jacq the Stripper joins Kaytlin Bailey to talk about American icon and patron saint of strippers, Gypsy Rose Lee.
Valerie Solanas
Ceyenne Doroshow co-hosts a discussion of the life and work of an unrepentant hustler, author, and attempted murderer, Valerie Solanas.
Maggie Meller
French courtesan Marguerite Marie Alibert, otherwise known as Maggie Meller, was the lover of Edward the VII.
Dorian Corey
As documented in the film Paris Is Burning, Dorian Corey was one of the queens of the New York City Ball Culture.
Elizabeth Moryng
A 13th Century madame who tricked the system, Elizabeth Moryng serviced the religious clergy under the guise of an embroidery business.
Sharmus Outlaw
Sharmus Outlaw’s legacy lives on through harm reduction and outreach efforts of the people who loved and were inspired by her vibrant spirit.
Timarchus
Timarchus was a sex worker in his youth and was later shunned and outcast by his fellow politicians in ancient Greece.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy participated in the Stonewall Riots and founded the The Griffin-Gracy Educational Retreat & Historical Center.
Flawless Sabrina
Arrested over a hundred times, Flawless Sabrina mothered and mentored countless young trans women in the New York City ballroom scene.
Georgina Beyer
Georgina Beyer went from survival sex worker to radio host, and ultimately took her place as the first trans politician in New Zealand.
FOSTA / SESTA
FOSTA / SESTA were introduced as bills to stop sex trafficking, however legislators fail to distinguish adult, consensual sex work.
Jenna Jameson
An absolute legend in the adult film world, Jenna Jameson took her success in the sex industry and started an empire.
Yoshiwara
Yoshiwara was the infamous red light district in 17th century Edo, current day Tokyo, Japan. The original hoe-topia, if you will.
Der Pranger
Der Pranger was a German communist publication by whores for whores, attempting fair treatment and laws for sex workers and their patrons.
Salon Kitty
While running a brothel in Berlin, Nazis threatened to throw Salon Kitty into a concentration camp unless she cooperated with them.
Operation Midnight Climax
The US government forced sex workers to administer LSD tests on their unsuspecting clients, a.k.a. Operation Midnight Climax.
Yu Husuan-Chi
Yu Husuan-Chi had a reputation of being sexually adventurous, and is thought to be China’s first openly bisexual historical figure.
Heidi Fleiss
Heidi Fleiss ran an upscale prostitution ring based in Los Angeles, California in the 1990s and was known as the “Hollywood Madam.”
Santa Claus (Nicholas of Myra)
You may know him as Santa Claus or Old Saint Nick, but Nicholas of Myra has an untold history of relationships with sex workers.
Wu Zeitan
From an impoverished child to the concubine of a powerful Emperor, Wu Zeitan became a powerful Empress who really knew how to run it all.
Sex Worker Witch Hunt
Are sex worker witch hunts being subtly implemented by law enforcement agencies in an attempt to criminally punish sex workers?
Joanna of Naples
Queen of Naples, Countess of Provence, and Princess of Achaea… the epic story of Joanna of Naples lives up to the hype of her titles.
Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith was labeled a white trash gold digger throughout her career, all for capitalizing on her sexuality and good looks.
Phryne
Phryne was a renowned courtesan in Athens at the height of the civilization’s power in ancient Greece, around the 4th century B.C.E.
Mary Jones
The life of Mary Jones gives us a glimpse into the lives of old pros, transgender, and queer experiences in the early 19th century.
Harriet Hicks & The Contagious Diseases Act
Harriet Hicks worked as a prostitute during inception of the Contagious Diseases Act (CDA) in 19th century England.
Ah Toy
Ah Toy was a Chinese American prostitute and madam who dominated the booming sex work industry in San Francisco during the Gold Rush.
Veronica Franco
Courtesan, poet, and author Veronica Franco endured public shaming during the 16th Century in Venice, Italy.
Ishtar
The goddess of romantic love and fertility, Ishtar was worshipped through the bodies of church-sanctioned prostitutes.