A stand-up comic, Kaytlin Bailey started season 1 of The Oldest Profession Podcast in 2017. The ethos of stand up comedy culture at that time in New York City was fearless antagonism and irreverence. Culture, and Kaytlin, have both changed. Co-hosted by Wendi Starling, listeners can expect a lot of oversharing, irreverent commentary, and funny jokes from two working comics who spent more time on partying than they did on researching old pros.

Kaytlin Bailey — Host

Old Pros Team Wendi Starling The Oldest Profession Podcast

Wendi Starling
Co-Host

Old Pros Team Mary Kelly The Oldest Profession Podcast

Mary Kelly — Producer & Audio Engineer

Leah Moon

Leah Moon — Website Developer & Designer

Anais Nin

Anais Nin

Anaïs Nin was one of the first prominent modern western women known to explore and take part in erotic writing.

Big Nosed Kate

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.

Maggie Meller

Maggie Meller

French courtesan Marguerite Marie Alibert, otherwise known as Maggie Meller, was the lover of Edward the VII.

Dorian Corey

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

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

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

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

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy participated in the Stonewall Riots and founded the The Griffin-Gracy Educational Retreat & Historical Center.

Flawless Sabrina

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

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

FOSTA / SESTA were introduced as bills to stop sex trafficking, however legislators fail to distinguish adult, consensual sex work.

Jenna Jameson

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

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

Der Pranger was a German communist publication by whores for whores, attempting fair treatment and laws for sex workers and their patrons.

Salon Kitty

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Anna Nicole Smith was labeled a white trash gold digger throughout her career, all for capitalizing on her sexuality and good looks.

Phryne

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

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.

Ah Toy

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

Veronica Franco

Courtesan, poet, and author Veronica Franco endured public shaming during the 16th Century in Venice, Italy.

Ishtar

Ishtar

The goddess of romantic love and fertility, Ishtar was worshipped through the bodies of church-sanctioned prostitutes.