Robin Byrd

Robin Byrd

Author: Old Pros August 12, 2025 Duration: 41:49

Robin Byrd was more than a porn star—she was a pioneer creating one of Manhattan's most iconic cable shows, The Robin Byrd Show which she produced and starred in from 1977-1998.  In this episode Kaytlin Bailey dives deep into the story of a woman who built her own stage and invited the world to join her. This episode explores Byrd's sex-positive activism, her quiet role in the AIDS crisis, her battles against censorship, and the enduring legacy of her red-lit studio.

We want to thank Jyllian Gunther and Stephanie Schwam for all their research and help shaping this episode. And thank you to Robin Byrd for telling and preserving her story and for sitting down with the team at Old Pros and answering all of our questions. You can still watch episodes of The Robin Byrd Show twice a day (at 10pm and 5am) on channel 1820 on Spectrum cable NYC! 

Follow Robin Byrd on Instagram.

For more information, and sources visit our website. You can see much more on Robin Byrd's website

The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization that uses storytelling to advocate for sex worker rights.

If you value our mission, please consider making a tax deductible donation. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop support our work at Old Pros.

This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We'd also like to thank our Season 6 sponsors M e g a P e r s o n a l s, Assembly Four, Tryst, A Great Idea, and the  New Moon Network.


History is often told through the lens of the powerful, but what about those who operated in the shadows? The Oldest Profession Podcast turns the spotlight on the figures who shaped culture from the margins. Hosted by Kaytlin Bailey-a stand-up comic, advocate, and self-described notorious old pro-this series digs into the lives of specific sex workers from the past, placing them firmly within the context of their era. You’ll hear about courtesans who influenced politics, brothel owners who built empires, and street-based workers who fought back against oppression, all while drawing clear lines to the modern movement for rights and dignity. It’s a blend of rigorous historical research and the kind of candid, often humorous perspective that only someone with Bailey’s unique background can provide. Created in partnership with the team at Old Pros, this podcast doesn't just recount anecdotes; it argues that understanding these "old pros" is essential to understanding our collective story. The tone is engaging and accessible, merging the depth of a history lesson with the relatable punch of comedy. For anyone curious about the untold chapters of social history, this show offers a compelling, humanizing, and surprisingly funny journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Oldest Profession Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Belle Brezing Was Lexington, Kentucky's Most Successful Madam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:57
With razor sharp wit and a keen eye for business, Belle Brezing (1860 – 1940) clawed her way out of humble beginnings and eventually claimed her space as Lexington's most successful Madam. Belle Brezing's reputation was…
Old Pro News (Coming February 11) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:24
Welcome to Old Pro News, your source for the latest in politics and culture affecting sex workers and everyone who supports our movement. Hosted by longtime human rights activist and former sex worker Lakeesha Harris, Ol…
Maya Angelou: Sex Worker History is Part of Her Esteemed Legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:50
This week our host Kaytlin Bailey is joined by Old Pros historian, Dr. Charlene Fletcher for a powerful conversation about Maya Angelou's unapologetic past as a sex worker. To ignore this part of Maya Angelou's personal…
Nevada Brothels and the Truth About Legalized Prostitution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:27
Nevada brothels house the only legal prostitution in the United States. Why then does Nevada have the highest arrest rate per capita? Join The Oldest Profession Podcast host, Kaytlin Bailey, to learn why the legalization…
Coming Out Stories with Jessie Sage + Melrose Michaels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:24
Kaytlin Bailey sits down with Jessie Sage and Melrose Michaels from On the Whorizon Podcast. We all asked you to send in your stories about coming out, and being outed as a sex worker. Some of these stories are funny, so…
thotscholar & The Scarlot Harlot: Perspectives on Language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:50
What is gained or lost by the language we use to define ourselves and our community? Where does this language come from and who gets to use it? In this season finale, two influential thinkers (thotscholar aka Moses and T…
Part 5 - A Tribute to Margo St. James w/ Miss Vera and Annie Sprinkle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:44
Margo St. James, who founded the prostitutes' rights organization COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics) and later the St. James Infirmary, passed away this year on January 11, 2021. As a tribute to Margo, we have the g…
Part 4 - A Tribute to Margo St. James w/ Miss Vera and Annie Sprinkle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:21
Margo St. James, who founded the prostitutes' rights organization COYOTE (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics) and later the St. James Infirmary, passed away this year on January 11, 2021. As a tribute to Margo, we have the g…
International Whores' Day (Re-Release) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:57
June 2nd is International Whores' Day! To celebrate, we are re-releasing an episode from Season Two featuring Kaytlin Bailey & Ceyenne Doroshow. By doing this, we hope to draw attention to how far the sex worker rights m…