Sordid SF

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. Follow us @sordidsf!

Whitty Mansion

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!

10-18
36:52

The spookiest films based in San Francisco.

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.

10-03
31:47

Rotten, Rotten Row

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.

09-26
08:06

Mary Ellen Pleasant, a Friend of John Brown

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".

09-19
15:13

San Francisco's Preparedness Day Bombing

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.

09-11
25:43

Deaf Punk

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.

05-08
29:06

Bob Lee and the Dangers of Tech

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.

04-24
16:32

San Francisco & Edward Cullen

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.

04-18
10:54

Satan was a con man. The origin story of the Church of Satan.

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.

04-03
25:48

What even is this place? A brief timeline of San Francisco.

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.

03-07
16:53

Justice for Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle

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.

02-21
17:50

The Original Sugar Baby

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.

02-07
41:19

Ding Dong Daddy

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.

01-31
11:45

Gloria Holes

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.

01-24
32:22

Jim Jones used Flavor Aid: The story of the People's Temple & Jonestown.

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.

01-10
19:12

Bill Friggin' Graham

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!

01-03
35:18

Alligator? Hardly Know her!

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.

12-26
19:30

Fajitagate

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.

12-20
34:02

Will the Cops Walk?

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!

06-18
16:47

The Castro Gets Gay

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.

06-10
21:59

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