Sex, Drugs & Sly-Grog Pt. 1: Kate Leigh

Sex, Drugs & Sly-Grog Pt. 1: Kate Leigh

Author: Parcast Network January 19, 2022 Duration: 38:12
In the 1920s and ‘30s, two crime bosses dominated Sydney’s criminal underworld. Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine were queens of vice, building their empires on alcohol, cocaine, and sex. They were also fierce rivals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind every headline, there’s a deeper story waiting to be unraveled. The Female Criminals podcast from Parcast Network steps into that space, moving beyond sensational news clips to examine the lives and choices of women who have committed serious crimes. Host Elizabeth Millner guides each episode with a focus on context, exploring how history, societal pressures, and personal psychology intersect to create a compelling and often tragic narrative. This isn't just about what they did, but about the complex circumstances that led there. You’ll hear detailed accounts of famous and lesser-known cases, each one challenging simplistic notions of guilt and innocence. The analysis delves into the hidden motives and the startling twists that define these legal stories, all while treating the subject with a necessary depth. As a series that sits at the crossroads of true crime, history, and cultural study, this podcast provides a nuanced reexamination of a frequently misunderstood world. It’s an engaging listen for anyone curious about the human stories behind the crime logs, presented with thorough research and narrative care. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of the shadows cast by these figures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Female Criminals
Podcast Episodes
“Typhoid Mary” Mary Mallon Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:49
Confronted with her status as an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever, Mary Mallon was disbelieving and hostile. She was captured, tested, and quarantined nonetheless. Her legacy includes deaths and debilitation — but w…
"Typhoid Mary" Mary Mallon Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:27
In the late 1800s, an Irish immigrant in New York City made ends meet by working as a cook for wealthy families. But wherever Mary Mallon went, typhoid fever followed. As more people succumbed to the deadly illness, a ma…
“The Cannibal Cook” Katherine Knight Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:20
Katherine Knight was in her last relationship. Of that she was sure. Because if one more man left her, she was going to lose it. But then she realized her partner John couldn't leave her if she struck first. The final sa…
“The Cannibal Cook” Katherine Knight Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:24
In Australia, a young Katherine Knight had a volatile childhood marked by parental abuse and a short fuse. Things didn't improve as she got older. But what Katherine never had a problem with was finding men — she fell in…
“Queen of Fences” Marm Mandelbaum Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:03
By 1875, the Queen of Thieves was wealthy, fashionable, and nearly untouchable. But New York was changing. Marm Mandelbaum became the target of a relentless district attorney and the famed Pinkerton Detective Agency. Des…
“Queen of Fences” Marm Mandelbaum Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:33
One of New York’s shrewdest criminals in the late 19th century was a German Jewish immigrant with a knack for buying and reselling stolen goods. But Fredericka “Marm” Mandelbaum wasn’t just any thief. Before long, she wo…
"The Murder Farm" Belle Gunness Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
There's still so much mystery surrounding the fate of Belle Gunness, and what exactly happened on her now-infamous murder farm. The truth may be just as terrifying as the rumors… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m…
"The Murder Farm" Belle Gunness Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:26
Belle Gunness never wanted much from her life: a fresh start in the USA, a nice husband, and maybe some children. But after a chance fire burned down her family home, an idea sparked in her — one that would lead to count…
“The Guru's Secretary” Sheela Birnstiel Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:55
With her relationship with Bhagwan strained and her power slipping away, Sheela Birnstiel knew she had to do something drastic to make him happy and gain it all back. So in 1984, assisted by a group of loyal followers, B…
“The Guru's Secretary” Sheela Birnstiel Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:25
She first met the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh as a teenager and was instantly enamored. Sheela Birnstie vowed to spend her life helping him achieve his goals, including building a city for his loyal followers. And the be…