Sordid SF: Recent Episodes
Monica Rodriguez
Take a peak into some of the more sordid, forgotten, and underground history and crime here in our beautiful San Francisco, each week with Sordid SF.
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We've got our very own Haunted Mansion, baby! Joined by special guest Shannon from San Francisco, come aboard for the story of the most interesting building in Pac Heights. Yeah, even more interesting than the Spreckles mansion!
It's hot out but it's still only autumn. San Francisco has been the subject of many movies including some scary ones so let's kick off October with some SF movies based out of SF. I think as a culture, we need to talk more about Interview with a Vampire more anyway.
SF's shoreline is fake, did you know that? It's all an illusion. Just kidding, it's landfill. Thanks to the Gold Rush, the SF Bay was inundated with old, shitty ships with no where else to go, until Rotten Row came to be. Join me for the world's shortest episode of Sordid SF.
Mary Ellen Pleasant was a lot of things, but a weak woman wasn't one. Mary Ellen came from the humblest of beginnings in the South during the time of slavery and through ingenuity and hustle, became not only one of the wealthiest women California had ever known, but more importantly the "Mother of civil rights in California".
San Francisco was victim to it's own act of terror back in 1916 right on Market Street. Before the US got involved in World War 1, there was a big movement - a preparedness movement to get the US ready to go engage in combat. Not everyone liked this...and so a plot of direct action unfolded resulting in multiple convictions, acquittals, and a lot of other drama. We're coming out swinging in Season 3 so buckle in and let's get going.
You might've seen that Vice video circulating around about San Francisco's deaf punk scene, so let's get into it a bit more. Here is your reminder that punk isn't dead and neither is San Francisco. Thanks to my wonderful friend Melissa for turning me on to this story.
The murder of Bob Lee by alleged killer Nima Momeni rocked the tech world. Many were quick to blame San Francisco's politics and drug epidemic on the murder, but of course, the truth is always stranger than fiction. The main suspect in this murder was someone Bob Lee knew, not an unhoused person in the midst of a drug fueled rage. This week we're covering the who's who of this case and going over the timeline of the murder. Let's speculate together.
Did you know there's SF vampire lore? Today's quickie will take you through Nob Hill and into the world of San Francisco's undead. Also, everyone go watch Renfield.
Did you know the Church of Satan had humble beginnings right here in SF? Join us for today's episode of Sordid SF where we learn about the founder of the Church of Satan, the Church's role in society's fabric, and uncover some lies. Spoiler alert, the church is a scam.
Have you ever wanted to hear a very brief, very surface level rundown of how San Francisco came to be? You're in the right place. When you're done listening to all the podcasts about the Murdaugh Murders, enjoy this palate cleanser and learn a thing or two about our very humble, but genocide filled, start.
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was THE star of the silent film era...until he was accused of manslaughter at the St. Francis Hotel. Spoiler alert/trigger warning - kind of a depressing story. Justice for Roscoe.
Ever wonder where the term "sugar baby" comes from? It comes from our very own Alma Spreckels, the Great Grandmother of San Francisco. Joined this week by the wonderful Katy from San Francisco.
Francis Van Wie loved to ring bells. Hop aboard the D Line street car and learn about the man that you probably would have married if you were hanging out in the Filmore back in the 1910s and 20s.
All aboard the sexy cable car! This week Sordid SF shares the story of the Cable Car Nymphomaniac, a wild tale of an innocent woman taken on a life altering ride.
Trigger warning for government sanctioned slut shaming.
This isn't an episode all about Jonestown, but about Jim Jones and his impact in San Francisco (and a little bit about Jonestown). Jim Jones had some noble ideals but in the end, was a scammer and murderer, and he can drown in a vat of Hell flavored Flavor Aid.
I'm joined this week with long time friend, Shannon from San Francisco and we unpack the absolutely incredible life of the one and only Bill Graham. You know his name from the venue named after him in Civic Center in San Francisco, but he was so much more.
We love you Bill Graham!
And as always, f*ck the nazis!
The Mountain Lake Monster brought some excitement to the city back in the 90s. So put on your cleanest pair of jeans, grab your scary treble hook, and buckle in for the tale of Trapper Jim and the hunt for the Mountain Lake Monster.
The story that inspired the podcast, welcome to Fajitagate. The only thing worse than a bad guy with a gun, is a "good" cop who wants a fajita. This is Season 2 of Sordid SF.
Did you know there's some drama around the SF Pride Parade, the SF Police Officers Pride Alliance, and Mayor London Breed? Well there is.
I'm here to tell you about it and offer up my uneducated and un-asked for opinions about it all. Happy Pride!
Ever wonder the ins and outs of how the Castro became the gay oasis? Look no further, I'm here to educate. Join me for week two of Pride Month and let's dive in to how the Castro became the culture centerpiece that it is.
Happy Pride! Follow me through a Sunday in the Tenderloin and North Beach visiting some of San Francisco's most historic watering holes. We're hitting up the Phoenix Hotel, Emperor Norton's Boozeland, Aunt Charlie's, and Specs. Turns out they all have some pretty sick (and LGBTQ+!) history.
Come hang out with me and let's learn some things.
Oops, been gone in a depression spiral but we're back, baby. Join me today to learn about some of the bodies found in John McLaren park.
Another episode of some underbelly goodness. This week we're hanging out in North Beach with Carol Doda at the Condor Club, made famous by Carol herself for being the first (legally) topless dancer in the United States!
Throw in a freak accident between dating coworkers and you've got a story.
Who doesn't love whiskey? Okay, fair, not everyone loves whiskey, myself included. But who doesn't love a story about booze! My mom, actually, but she doesn't listen to the podcast.
Today's episode is the story of Anson Hotaling, his whiskey empire, and his landmark building.
Dismemberment abound in the City by the Bay. This episode covers the tragic and brutal murders of Catano Perez and Brian Egg.
The oldest profession in the world takes a more PG-13 twist in the form of B Girls, San Francisco's lady scammers. Join Monica and today's guest co-host Hannah from Yuba City as they discuss B Girls and how they took the Tenderloin by storm in a quest to get theirs.
You've heard of Spiderman, but did you know San Francisco had our very own? The redemption story of Kristian Kwon Marine, the burglar who took the sunset by storm.