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The Oldest Profession Podcast

by Old Pros

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Latest episodes

Old Pro Panel: Melania Trump

February 17, 2026 · 1 hr 44 min

On the historic Election Night of 2020, Kaytlin Bailey and Dr. Charlene Fletcher of The Oldest Profession Podcast sat down for a candid discussion about Melania Trump. The conversation explored whether or not Melania can be considered an…
Shirley Cavanaugh

January 3, 2026 · 37 min

Shirley Cavanaugh, a down on her luck sex worker, blew the lid off a corrupt police department in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. By chance she was falsely accused of shooting a cop, but instead of backing down, she fought back. What happened to…
Holiday Special: Coming Out Stories

December 16, 2025 · 49 min

Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicidal thoughts. Coming out as a sex worker can be an act of courage, a moment of rupture, or a slow, ongoing negotiation with the world. In this holiday special of The Oldest Profession…
Decriminalization in Rhode Island

December 2, 2025 · 53 min

For decades, Rhode Island effectively decriminalized indoor, consensual sex work—and the sky didn't fall. It got safer. Kaytlin traces the legal fight, the raids, and the politics, then digs into new evidence: a ~40% drop in gonorrhea…
History of Decriminalization in Australia: Part 2

November 25, 2025 · 43 min

In this second and final episode on the decriminalization of sex work in Australia, host Kaytlin Bailey picks up where we left off: the 1995 vote to decriminalize sex work in New South Wales. We look at what happened after decrim passed…

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History of Decriminalization in Australia: Part 1

November 18, 2025 · 49 min

In 1995, New South Wales, Australia became the first place on earth to fully decriminalize adult consensual sex work. How did that happen – and what can today's decrim campaigns learn from it? In this first of two episodes, host Kaytlin…
Decriminalization in New Zealand

November 4, 2025 · 53 min

New Zealand became the first country to decriminalize sex work in 2003. NZPC leaders Catherine Healy and Annah Pickering tell the story of how it happened—and what came after. For more information, including a complete list of sources…
Georgina Beyer

October 21, 2025 · 50 min

Georgina Beyer made global history as the world's first openly transgender mayor and member of parliament. In this episode, host Kaytlin Bailey traces Beyer's path from boarding schools and strip clubs to the halls of power. We explore how…
Carmen Rupe

October 7, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

Carmen Rupe was many things—drag queen, sex worker, business owner, activist, icon—and almost the mayor of Wellington. This week, Kaytlin Bailey tells the story of New Zealand's most beloved old pro, tracing her journey from hula dancer to…
Legalization in Nevada

September 23, 2025 · 53 min

Nevada is the only U.S. state with legal brothels—but is it working for sex workers? In this episode, Kaytlin Bailey sits down with Jupiter Jetson, who works in a legal brothel, Dr. Barbara Brents, sociologist and expert on legal brothels…
Candida Royalle

September 9, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min

Candida Royalle was a 1970's porn star who went on to found Femme Productions, the first feminist production company that made porn for women. In this episode, Kaytlin Bailey tells Candida's extraordinary story covering her art, activism…
End Demand in Sweden, Norway, & Iceland

August 26, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min

The End Demand model, also called the Nordic model, claims to protect sex workers by criminalizing clients. The evidence is in; this model doesn't keep sex workers safe. In fact, it makes things worse. Kaytlin Bailey sits down with sex…

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About the show

The Oldest Profession Podcast reminds listeners that sex workers have always been part of the story. Each episode focuses on an "old pro" from history, contextualizing that figure in their own time and connecting their story to the ongoing struggle for sex worker rights. Your host, Kaytlin Bailey, is a nationally touring stand up comic, notorious old pro, and sex worker rights advocate. She's partnered with the whole team at Old Pros to create an accessible and entertaining resource for anyone who wants to learn more about sex workers and our place in history. https://oldprosonline.org/the-oldest-profession-podcast