The Oldest Profession Podcast

The Oldest Profession Podcast reminds listeners that sex workers have always been part of the story. Each episode focuses on an “old pro” from history, contextualizing that figure in their own time and connecting their story to the ongoing struggle for sex worker rights. Your host, Kaytlin Bailey, is a nationally touring stand up comic, notorious old pro, and sex worker rights advocate. She’s partnered with the whole team at Old Pros to create an accessible and entertaining resource for anyone who wants to learn more about sex workers and our place in history. https://oldprosonline.org/the-oldest-profession-podcast

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Episodes

Santa Claus (Nicholas of Myra)

Is this phrase “Ho, ho, ho!” just the joyful expression of a jolly fat man OR the outcry of the original Captain Save-a-Ho?!? This week, the ladies discuss the legend of Patron Saint Nicholas, his relationships with sex workers and the transformation to his most popular incarnation, Santa Claus! The girls also stress the importance of setting boundaries, the delicate issue of breaking ties with a client AND easy tips to help you look your very best in the event of a police department booking pho...

Dec 25, 2017•1 hr 2 min

Wu Zeitan

The ladies come out of the gate swinging, taking aim at abusive men and starting their very own whisper network to help keep fellow sex workers safe in the sometimes treacherous world of the oldest profession. After Wendi (@wendibird82) suggests that they double check the lock on Kaytlin’s (@kaytlinbailey) front door, they bring you the story of Wu Zeitan and outline her rise from an impoverished child to concubine of a powerful Emperor, and finally, to her ultimate destiny as a powerful Empress...

Dec 18, 2017•1 hr 7 min

Witchhunt!

Accusing women of witchcraft and condemning them to death was just one of sadistic methods in the systematic disempowerment of women. But have those seemingly archaic practices and patterns gone to the wayside in today’s society, or are they being subtly implemented by law enforcement agencies in an attempt to criminally punish sex workers? The ladies break down specific cases and draw parallels between historic and present day horror stories, while addressing lighter issues like what to do when...

Dec 03, 2017•1 hr 4 min

Joanna of Naples

Incest, murder, lepers and a masked man locked away in a metal cage… the story of Joanna of Naples plays out like an episode of Game of Thrones just with MORE testicular abuse! The women get into the hypocrisy of morally ‘superior’ legislators trying to ‘save’ sex workers while simultaneously (and very vocally) objectifying and harassing women. They also break down the latest in the dismantling of Eros PLUS how is it possible that Kaytlin (@kaytlinbailey) feels more like a kept woman in a tradit...

Nov 27, 2017•52 min

Anna Nicole Smith

We’re in the midst of what feels like a societal seachange and the ladies are FIRED UP. In addition to ranting about the latest public sexual assault allegations, they dig into the sordid and tragically exploitative story of stripper, model and media target, Anna Nicole Smith. A larger than life bombshell, Smith was labeled a white trash, gold-digging whore throughout her career then died of a drug overdose at the age of 39. But was she a gold-digger OR was she actually in a loving relationship ...

Nov 19, 2017•1 hr 14 min

Phryne

With Kaytlin (@kaytlinbailey) back at the helm, the ladies dive into the story of Phryne, infamously powerful courtesan during the ancient Greek Empire. They also detail the shift in Grecian society that streamlined all sex workers and essentially morphed Athens into the Walmart of prostitution. The girls then tackle the issue of women being sexy vs. strong. Does our society still view female sensuality as a mystical, destabilizing force that strips men of all self control? Why in the world woul...

Nov 12, 2017•1 hr 5 min

Mary Jones aka Beefsteak Pete

What exactly does a Wednesday feel like? When will it finally be cashmere weather?!? The ladies address the tough questions before getting to their woman of the hour: Mary Jones aka Beefsteak Pete. Mary was a 33 year old black trans sex worker who has the literal & proverbial balls to show up in court in full drag in New York City in 1836. She was charged with larceny NOT with prostitution or sodomy because her clients refused to admit knowingly hooking up with a trans woman. After they delv...

Oct 30, 2017•1 hr 11 min

Harriet Hicks

It’s a hot one outta the gate because Kaytlin (@kaytlinbailey) invites Wendi (@wendibird82) into her bedroom for a surprisingly unsexy reason! Then, after discussing their favorite, overpriced reusable containers, they dive into the sordid tale and love story of Harriet Hicks, one of the few documented cases of harassment and abuse of women by the government along with a gaggle of well-meaning but ill-informed feminists. Harriet worked as a prostitute during inception of the CDA (Contagious Dise...

Oct 23, 2017•1 hr 10 min

Ishtar

The ladies are going waaaay back with this episode’s historic whore, the goddess of romantic love and fertility, Ishtar. She was worshipped through the bodies of church-sanctioned prostitutes who were trained in arts of tantra, healing AND they are rumored to have started the halloween tradition of the slutty nun costume. In addition to breaking down the tragic shift of women being treated like people to property, Kaytlin recalls the time she aided in a soldier’s reentry into polite society and ...

Oct 15, 2017•1 hr 5 min

Veronica Franco

One of most difficult aspects of engaging in sex work is dealing with the judgement of friends, family and the general public if and when you decide to come out. With our technological advances, it’s easier than ever for internet trolls to hide behind an anonymous persona and attack strangers through multiple platforms. It’s nightmarish and it’s been going on since the dawn of man. During the 16th Century in Venice, Italy, courtesan Veronica Franco endured public shaming that attempted to strip ...

Oct 15, 2017•1 hr 1 min

Ah Toy

It’s the very FIRST episode of The Oldest Profession with comedians and unapologetic sex workers, Kaytlin Bailey and Wendi Starling and the ladies are coming out strong by putting the modern brothel system on blast AND recounting the life and times of historic bad bitch, Ah Toy. One of the first Chinese women to settle in the burgeoning city of San Francisco way back in 1849. In addition to recounting Ah Toy’s rise to becoming a famous prostitute and her battles against the increasingly racist j...

Oct 15, 2017•54 min

Pilot

Kaytlin Bailey and Wendi Starling are mouthy comedians and unapologetic former sex workers. Instead of shamefully hiding their pasts as pussy peddlers, these two broads are enthusiastically examining and celebrating the storied history of the world’s oldest profession and the heroic whores that had a hand (or at least a pinky finger) in shaping society as we know it today. Funky One Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons...

Oct 14, 2017•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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