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Artwork for The Underworld Podcast

The Underworld Podcast

The Underworld Podcast
World War II
Mafia
German U-Boats
Lucky Luciano
Naval Intelligence
CIA
Navy
El Salvador
Tijuana
Methamphetamine
Drug Trafficking
Sinaloa Cartel
Ms-13
18th Street Gang
Merchant Marines
Ecuador
Wa State
Toni Musulin
Heroin Trade
Air America

Underworld exposes the secret world of transnational criminal networks that have flourished since there were banks to bust, drugs to smuggle, and scams to run. Journalists Danny Gold and Sean Williams bring their experience reporting on dangerous people and organizations to take listeners on a global tour of mobsters, warlords and crooks - from Brooklyn to Beijing, from the streets to the boardroo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes319Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Underworld Podcast

Latest Episodes

Starting in the mid 2010's, Sweden’s gang wars transformed from neighborhood disputes into a national crisis, driven by splintered immigrant-area crews who now recruit teenage hitmen willing to kill for a few thousand dollars. At the center of the ch... more

With gunboats parked in the Caribbean, fast boats blown up, and the White House threatening to invade, we unpick some of the narratives surrounding Venezuela’s regime — and its gangs. Is the Tren de Aragua really exporting fentanyl to the US? Is Nic... more

YouTube

In this special Thanksgiving episode, the guys are in the studio together and do a deep dive on the insane Louvre Heist of the French Crown Jewels. They also get to the bottom of the Mafia rigged poker games and the absolutely insane NBA gambling sca... more

When feds convicted Honduran cocaine kingpin Juan Matta Ballesteros in 1990, authorities hoped it would spell an end to the Central American nation’s growing reputation as a narco state — a status that had caused havoc across the region.

Those hopes... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Michael Pahlberg
Political science professor
Episode: War in Venezuela?!?! Narcoterrorism, Maduro and Trump
Phil Gunson
Crisis Group's man in Caracas
Episode: War in Venezuela?!?! Narcoterrorism, Maduro and Trump
Ian Frisch
Journalist, writer, and author of 'Inside the Cartel'
Co-author of 'Inside the Cartel'
Episode: The Cartel World's Donnie Brasco w/ Ian Frisch
Peter Barth
Investigative journalist with Bellingcat, researched the Dixie Mafia and its impact on Texas murders.
Bellingcat
Episode: The Dixie Mafia's Texas Millionaire Murders
Evan Ratliff
New York-based writer, reporter, podcaster, author of The Mastermind about Crazy Crime Boss Paul Le Roux
WIRED Magazine
Episode: The Wild, Murderous Rampage of the Zizians
Kurt Calabrese
Son of infamous mobster Frank Calabrese Sr., and key figure in the Family Secrets trial.
Episode: Meet The Chicago Outfit's Most Infamous Hitman
Joe Lopez
Legendary Chicago defense attorney who represented Frank Calabrese Sr. during the Family Secrets trial.
Episode: Meet The Chicago Outfit's Most Infamous Hitman
Damon Charonas
Criminal defense attorney who represented one of Frank's co-defendants.
Episode: Meet The Chicago Outfit's Most Infamous Hitman
Will Grant
BBC's Mexico, Central America, and Cuba correspondent
BBC
Episode: Jalisco’s Death Camp, El Salvador's Mega-prison and Mexico’s Cartel Extraditions

Hosts

Danny Gold
Co-host and journalist known for his investigative work on organized crime and societal issues.
Sean Williams
Co-host and former journalist known for his insights into crime and culture.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Jumped The Shark

    Used to be interesting and edgy, now it’s just two guys going through the motions. Not as good as they think they are, plus the Anglo-American sports references are tiresome.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ACooper6973
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Solid cast

    I even appreciate the banter, though I loath it on most podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thePeacePirate
    United Statesa month ago
  • Outstanding

    I signed up for patreon and the extra episodes are so worth it! Unbelievable stories!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mumadigi
    Australiaa month ago
  • Banter is part of the fun

    I like the subject matter, though I do think they play a little fast and loose with facts, like less positing. Overall, their research is solid. I happen to like their banter. When you look at ugly stuff all the time, to make us, the public, a podcast, how could the humor not be a bid morbid sometimes. I happen to appreciate the international perspective as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ItsThETran
    United Statesa month ago
  • Cool subjects but terrible storytelling

    I’m really interested in the topics this show tackles, but it’s impossible to actually follow what the story is. Constant digressions, no wrangling of interviewees to stay on topic, and every interesting takeaway is dragged out to the point of being bland or no longer relevant. Plus the intros are so long and disjointed, I can’t tell where the story even starts. There’s no conclusions or gain had.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CatalystBurple
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critics point out occasional lapses in journalistic integrity and political bias in discussions, while many continue to support the critical insights offered by the hosts.
Listeners appreciate the depth of research and storytelling combined with humor, making it engaging even when addressing grim topics.
Some feel that the banter can lead to digressions that detract from the overall narrative strength.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Tijuana Cartel's Bloody Rise and Fall
Q: What was the relationship between the Tijuana cartel and the Sinaloa cartel?
Initially, they started as friends and allies, but tensions rose over territory disputes and tax payments, leading to violent confrontations.
Burmese Warlords, Gangsters & A Scam Utopia
Q: Why do the gangs target actors like Wang Xing?
It's believed that they target actors because of previous connections in the movie business, which allows the gangs to manipulate the actors into compromising situations.
The Dixie Mafia's Texas Millionaire Murders
Q: Can you explain the nature of the Dixie Mafia?
Peter characterizes the Dixie Mafia not as a structured organization but a loosely connected group of Southern gangsters that emerged after Prohibition, engaging in various criminal activities.
The Dixie Mafia's Texas Millionaire Murders
Q: How did you get involved in this story?
Peter shares that he heard of the killings decades ago while visiting family in Corpus Christi, and it sparked his interest in organized crime journalism.
The Dixie Mafia: Gone South w/Jed Lipinski
Q: How did Kirksey Nix get connected to the Dixie Mafia?
Kirksey Nix, born into a prominent family, became associated with the Dixie Mafia through petty crimes, leading to his involvement in significant criminal activities and eventually murder.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Underworld Podcast

What is The Underworld Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the world of transnational crime, unraveling the intricate stories of mobsters, warlords, and various criminals around the globe. Through a mix of investigative journalism and engaging narratives, the hosts take the audience on a journey from Brooklyn to Beijing, discussing notorious activities including drug trafficking, organized crime, and economic conspiracies. The content stands out as it not only highlights the criminal aspects but also weaves in the implications and interconnectedness of global criminal networks, making it relevant to societal issues that affect listeners daily.

Noteworthy is the duo's background as journalists, which likely lends a layer of depth and authenticity to their storytelling. They br... more

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How many listeners does The Underworld Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Underworld Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Underworld Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Underworld Podcast:

1. Original Gangsters Podcast
2. Gangland Wire
3. The Sit Down: A Crime History Podcast
4. The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell
5. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics

How many episodes of The Underworld Podcast are there?

The Underworld Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 319 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Underworld Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Underworld Podcast?

Recent guests on The Underworld Podcast include:

1. Michael Pahlberg
2. Phil Gunson
3. Ian Frisch
4. Peter Barth
5. Evan Ratliff
6. Kurt Calabrese
7. Joe Lopez
8. Damon Charonas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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