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
Old Pro Panel: Jack the Ripper's Victims [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:33
To conclude our series on Jack the Ripper's victims, our Old Pro historian Dr. Charlene J. Fletcher hosts a panel discussion with Charlotte, a spokeswoman for the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) and AK Saini, a c…
Tina Horn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:00
Recorded during the release of our series on Jack the Ripper's victims, Kaytlin and Dr. Fletcher had the great pleasure of speaking with Tina Horn. Tina is the creator and writer of the sci-fi sex-rebel comic book series…
Mary Jane: Jack the Ripper Victim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:13
This is the final episode of our series on the women murdered by Jack the Ripper. Mary Jane Kelly, generally considered the fifth and final victim, was found dead on November 9, 1888. Stock Media provided by sounddogs /…
Kate: Jack the Ripper Victim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:53
This is the fourth episode of our series on the women murdered by Jack the Ripper. Catherine Eddowes, also known as Kate (which is how we reference her) was found mutilated in the southernmost corner of Mitre Square on S…
Elisabeth: Jack the Ripper Victim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:16
Continuing our series on the women murdered by Jack the Ripper, this episode focuses on his third known victim. Elisabeth, an immigrant from Sweden, was found murdered on September 30th, 1888. Stock Media provided by sou…
Annie: Jack the Ripper Victim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:16
Continuing our series on the victims of Jack the Ripper, this episode is about Annie, who was brutally murdered in London's East End on September 8, 1888. Stock Media provided by sounddogs / Pond5
Polly: Jack the Ripper Victim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:49
Late in the summer of 1888, a serial killer murdered at least five women in London's East End. The press at the time was quick to paint his victims as prostitutes, punished for their promiscuity. This series tells the fu…