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PODCAST

Oh, Malort!

Alyssa Dyksterhouse, Chicago tour guide, history lover and research extraordinaire, walks her friends through her favorite well-known and lesser-known moments in Chicago’s quirky past while exploring each story"s parallels to current affairs.

history places & travel

All Episodes

52:09

Tom Freaking Skilling: The Star in the "Broadway of...

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/02/26

In this episode Alyssa is joined by John Zinn to discuss Chicago's beloved weather man but first we have some updates on Oh Malort! characters including Ed Burke and Ray Lopez. We do some follow the money.Digressions include: Chicago Rat Hole, Tamale Guy, Chance the Snappers, and Alyssa's jobs. Chicago Tribune: ‘Doozy’ of a career: After nearly a half century on air, Tom Skilling nears his final forecast WGN: Colleagues Pay Tribute WBEZ: Tom Skilling has spent seven decades studying the

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77:07

Oscar DePriest: Chicago's First Black Alderman

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/02/19

Alyssa is joined by Nikki Patin from R.A.G.E to discuss Oscar DePriest: Chicago's First Black Alderman. Digressions include: Tucker goes grocery shopping for the first time. Canadian family moves to Russia Alyssa is an idiot Indiana's Gonna Indiana Respectability Politics Show Notes: US House Archive White House History: Pathbreakers: Oscar Stanton DePriest and Jessie L. Williams DePriest Chicago Tribune: De Priest served as 1st black Congress member from North in Jim Crow era Block Club Chicago:

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69:28

St. Valentine's Massacre: Get Capone

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/02/12

Alyssa is joined by Vanessa from Reel Relationship Podcast to discuss The St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Which has more layers and elements than either expected. Follow: Twitter IG TikTok Email Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: The St. Valentine's Day Massacre and Al Capone—Excerpt from Get Capone WTTW: ST. VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE FBI: The Vault PBS: History Detectives: At. Valentines Day Murder Chicago Tonight: St. Valentine's Day Massacre Whitmer Plot Podcast FBI: Al Capone History: St. Valentine’s

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93:44

Operation Greylord: Suckers and Losers

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/02/05

In this episode Alyssa tells Morgan Stringer from Hot Dockets about bat shit crazy corruption happening on Cook County Courts. Alyssa cannot actually put into word the ick she feels about this but they talk it out. Morgan wonders if she is a sucker and loser. Digressions include: Senators grilling social media companies Alex Jones Elon Musk Alina Habba Who does PCP? Tom Girardi/Erika Jayne Taylor Swift. Dominion Voting Systems. Show Notes: Most of what I quote here is available via public

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47:01

1977 "l" Derailment: Red Historically Means Stop!

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/01/29

Overall this episode is about transportation. Alyssa tells Cap't Scoot about a 1977 "L" train derailment which leads to the time Rahm wanted to dig a high-speed tunnel to O'Hare. Digressions include: Hot Tub Boats Neo-Nazis do not understand turnstiles. The gals discuss Civil War fashion and Alyssa contemplate a safety plan. Is the Cyber Truck a boat? Show Notes: NYT: U.S. Inquiry Backs Chicago on Finding In Crash of Train NYT: ‘Nudging’ of Fatal Chicago Train May Have Neutralized Safety

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51:53

Disco Demolition: Holy Cow! or Burn Baby Burn.

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/01/22

Alyssa tells John about Disco Demolition. Show Notes: Do you Think I'm Disco? Countdown with Keith Olberman Steve Dahl's Notorious Disco Demolition Remembering 1979’s ugly Disco Demolition Night MLB: Remember Disco Demolition Disco Demolition revisited with Steve Dahl BBC: The 1979 riot that 'killed' disco Chicago Tribune: Commentary: Disco and the Bee Gees are beloved today. But as Disco Demolition Night and a new HBO documentary demonstrate, that wasn’t true 40 years ago NPR: July 12, 1979: 'The

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58:56

Blizzard of 1979: Rage Against the Machine

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/01/13

Forty-five years ago, between January 12-13 Chicago experienced a snow fall that not only inconvenienced residents but impacted an election. Alyssa tells Risen Lady Heathen of Boomer Rex tonight about the blizzard of 1979. Outside conversations include Ivy League plagiarism. Other thoughts: DeSantis sends migrants. Chicago sent snow. Royko doxed Alderman. We also talk about Dibs. Show Notes: Chicago Sun-Times Scrapbook WBEZ: The Great LSD Gridlock: Blizzard of 1979 redux? Chicago Tribune:

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42:54

Anton Cermak: Hope you can Stomach it.

Oh, Malort! ·

2024/01/08

Alyssa is joined by David Baxter to discuss Mayor Anton Cermak and conspiracy theories surrounding his death. Alyssa missed out on the most obvious musical theatre reference. SHOW NOTES: NYT: High Court Breaks Chicago Tax Strike Chicago Tribune: 90 years ago, the father of Chicago’s political machine died after being struck by an assassin’s bullet intended for FDR Reason: The Forgotten Tax Rebels of the Great Depression Time: National Affairs: Chicago, Worse Than Ever WTTW: The 150th Birthday of

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61:27

Ed Burke: A Chicago Tragedy

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/12/28

John Zinn drops in the hear about the verdict and its aftermath. Some of the takes are infuriating. They discuss how this is akin to a Greek Tragedy which allows Alyssa to do a dramaturgy and employs the word Hubris. Alyssa is still trying to make Burke a verb. SHOW NOTES: CST: All Things USA VS. Ed Burke CST: Ed Burke’s conviction ‘sad’ and ‘a tragedy,’ City Council colleagues say Chicago Tribune: In 14th Ward, where former Ald. Ed Burke was lord, conviction greeted with both shrugs and

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76:03

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: A Chicago Creation

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/12/22

In this Episode Alyssa tells Molly McAleer the history of a Christmas Icon. Digressions include: Malort Pearl Davis Are Vixen and Prancer gay? Tucker The Nutcracker Show Notes: Dartmouth: Rudolph’s Story: Dear to Many, Year After Year WBEZ: What’s That Building? Where Rudolph Got His Red Nose Wards.com The Week: The origin story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer NPR: The History Of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Snopes: The Origins of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Time: The Surprisingly Sad True

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87:18

The Everleigh Sisters: Best Lil Whorehouse in the World.

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/12/18

In this prefect Christmas episode Alyssa is joined by Jeff Barrett from the "It's No Fluke" podcast to discuss the most successful Madams about which you have never heard. In the early 1900's Minna and Ada Everleigh ran the best brothel in the world. Jeff points out why this is a bad idea. Digressions include: Elon Alex Jones George Santos The piss heard around Twitter Space The Golden Age of Serial Killers The State Street Evangelist Fyre Fest Two Being Dutch Show Notes: Madams, Mayors, and

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61:15

Pay Bathrooms: It Only Cost a Dime

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/12/11

Once upon a time, people had to pay to use a public toilet. In this episode we discuss the history, Chicago's role, and the current narratives. Show Notes: DNA Info: How Chicago's Fight To Ban Pay Toilets Relates To Today's City Protests Northwestern: Chicago considers installing public restrooms with revenue from company that manages bus stops WSJ: The Villain Behind America’s Public-Restroom Calamity WSJ: When Chicago Flushed the Toilet Tax JSTOR: The Rise and Fall of Pay Toilets Pacific

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57:06

Ed Burke: Trial Takes

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/12/04

Ed Burke's trial as underway and it has been both tedious and wacky. In this episode Alyssa tell John her favorite moments in the trial. From jury selection to sick emotional support dogs this has been a wild ride. This would be too much for a Lifetime Movie. This is separate from the in-depth episode we will do when all is said and done. Show Notes: CST: The one that got away? Burke comes up empty after yearslong pursuit of the ‘tuna,’ jurors hear CST: Landing a ‘tuna,’ lobbing an F-bomb —

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65:15

William Hale "Big Bill" Thompson: Illinois Most...

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/11/27

In this episode, Alyssa Tells David Baxter about William Hale “Big Bill Thompson” who is considered to be the most corrupt politician in Illinois History. This is a wild story about an Anglophobe prone to crazy rants, name-calling, and PR stunts. SHOW NOTES: Chicago Tribune: 'Big Bill' Thompson: Chicago's unfiltered mayor WTTW: Original Chicago Cocktail: Crooked Cowboy NBC Chicago: The Most Corrupt Public Official In Illinois History: William Hale Thompson CST: Before The Donald, there was Big

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90:50

The Reversal on the Chicago River: Sending it Downstream

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/11/20

In this episode, Alyssa tells Cap’n Scoot about the reversal on the Chicago River. An alternative title could be “A River Runs with It.” An undertaking brought about by necessity is considered to be one of the top structural engineering accomplishments. Take a listen and learn. Digressions include: Taking shots at politicians Jet Skis, boaters, and kayakers Brushing your teeth Police Scanner Twitter We want to hear from you. SOCIALS: Oh Malort IG Oh Malort Twitter Email SHOW NOTES: MWRD: A

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62:18

Some Lighter Fare: Wrigley Chewing Gum

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/11/13

Welcome to Juicyverse! In this episode Alyssa tells Vanessa Murphy from Reel Relationships about the marketing mastermind behind the Gum empire. SHOW NOTES: The Vintage News: The story of William Wrigley Jr.- soap salesman who became the world’s best gum manufacturer NYT : P. K. Wrigley, 82, Owner of Cubs And Chewing Gum Company Head Saturday Evening Post: Vintage Advertising: Chew on This! Chicago Tribune: Wrigley plans consolidation of advertising About the Toddler Letter CNN: Doubleminting Money

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74:48

1919 Race Riots; Summer of Rage

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/11/06

In this episode Alyssa tells Pat about the 1919 Race Riots which are considered to be, simultaneously, amongst the least known and the bloodiest in US history. I am not going to lie it is unpleasant but important. Also, expletives employed. Alyssa is working on something fun for next week. Show Notes: History Channel: The Red Summer of 1919 NPR: Red Summer In Chicago: 100 Years After The Race Riots Chicago Tribune: ‘Ready to explode’: How a black teen’s drifting raft triggered a deadly week of

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64:24

Ed Burke Episode 5: An Indictment

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/10/30

Ultimately this episode is about Ed Burke's current, and long time coming, legal woes. We also talk about all the things he tried ban as well as his time as Trump's property tax appeals attorney. Down ballot votes and local media matters. Alyssa tries to make "Burke" a verb. You should too. It's the new "dibs." We also talk about dramaturgy. Socials: Alyssa's Twitter Oh Malort! Twitter Alyssa's IG Oh Malort! IG Oh Malort! TikTok POTUS at Steppenwolf Email Oh Malort! Show Notes: Chicago Tribune:

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52:24

Ed Burke Episode 4: You Can't Fight City Hall

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/10/23

In this Episode Alyssa tells John about the long and bitter custody battle for "Baby T." The only digression is potty training and writing the script made Alyssa "stabby ragey." SHOW NOTES: CST: Rebuilt life not enough for DCFS CST: DCFS unfit to judge Baby T case CST: Divine secrets and profane lies CST: Baby T's `condition' also known as being a toddler CST: DCFS again ends up on wrong side of issue CST: Father's Day honors go to dads of all sorts CST: DCFS drops ball in Olison case CST:

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55:41

Ed Burke Episode 3: Chicago Fraud, 1990's Style

Oh, Malort! ·

2023/10/16

In Chicago Politics there are people who benefit from graft and those people who investigate it. These are their stories. This week Alyssa tells John about Alderman Ed Burke’s corruption. They decide in the Dick Wolf Chicago series needs to add “Fraud” to the lineup. John likens it to mobster movies—he isn’t wrong. They share an inside joke where they laugh until they cry. Alyssa updates John on Ray Lopez. A weird R. Kelly digression which involves Trump Tower A lot of names from the past. Show

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145 results

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