Charley Locke
Culture

Gangster-Magicians and 4 More Perfect Post-Thanksgiving Podcasts

Featuring George Takei, Soapy Smith, Joey One-Arm, and Joey Bad Way.
Image may contain Clothing Apparel and Hat

The dishes are done, the leftovers finished: You won’t have to tune out your crazy uncle at the dinner table for a whole month! But there’s still a few cold weeks of work to go until the holiday break is truly here—or, as we prefer to think of it, until you have a few days off to watch Love Actually and Elf and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in footie pajamas.

So, what can you listen to in the meantime? Well, we’re glad you asked! Read on for a magician who became a gangster, a felon who became a mayor, and the guy who safely removes snakes from planes. Plus, the Chinese market of a million surfing Santas, and how internment camps influenced Japanese-American food.

  • Since Donald Trump’s election, many have compared his talk of a Muslim registry to Japanese internment camps during World War II. *Fugitive Waves* features Japanese-Americans who lived in the camps—including *Star Trek'*s George Takei—talking about how internment affected and influenced the foods they grew up with: fried bologna with soy sauce and sugar, for example, or the Weenie Royale—sliced hot dogs cooked with onion and eggs, eaten with soy sauce over rice.
  • After a felony conviction, Providence mayor Buddy Cianci resigned—and then got re-elected. *Crimetown* kicks off its season examining the life of Rhode Island’s most charismatic felon-in-office with a case from 40 years ago, when Cianci first developed a reputation as an anti-corruption lawyer while prosecuting famous mob boss Raymond Patriarca. Featuring Joey One-Arm, Joey Bad Way, and all the Rhode Island accents you hoped for.
  • Whit “Pop” Haydn sits in on seances that summon Harry Houdini and teaches police how to catch con men on the street, but the magician’s best sleight-of-hand is the shell game. Go behind the fake doors at The Magic Castle, Hollywood’s private club for magicians, and learn about Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith, the crime boss who made a fortune by hiding a pea under a shell and moving it around, inventing a trick that has confounded children’s birthday party attendees for a century.
  • Thanksgiving is over, and you know what that means. Time to buy a tree and decorate it with plastic baubles. *99% Invisible* goes beyond the Walgreens aisles and dollar stores to the wholesale market where it all begins: the Futian market, or China Commodity City. At 43 million square feet—that’s 10 times the size of the Mall of America—workers there sell plastic dolls, rubber ducks, vuvuzelas by the millions, and many, many Santas: climbing out of chimneys, riding motorcycles, surfing. It’s a testament to American consumerism, 200 miles southwest of Shanghai.
  • Image may contain Diagram Plan Plot and Text
    Slack

    Work in Progress, “Untethered”

    This holiday weekend, [49 million Americans](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/nearly-49-million-americans-planning-thanksgiving-travel/2016/11/14/18ee496a-aa8a-11e6-a31b-4b6397e625d0_story.html) took to the skies. Hopefully, not one of those planes had a snake aboard. But if it did, airport wildlife managers like Rob Shevalier could save the day. Shevalier worked on airport runways, until he decided to become a falconer and save passengers from errant creatures in the air. This episode of *Work in Progress* also features Mohamed Alborno, a stateless person who plans to create a country for himself—online. [Listen here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/6-untethered/id1161483779?i=1000378081991&mt=2).
Charley Locke writes about growing up and growing old for publications including The Atlantic, The New York Times Magazine, and WIRED. ... Read More
Writer
Topicspodcasts
Read More
20 Best Gifts for Men, Manly Men, and Menly Man Men
When you need something that’s as mannishly masculinized as you can get for the Man™ in your life, we have you covered.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best MagSafe and Qi2 Power Banks for Your Phone
Keep your iPhone or Qi2 Android phone topped up with one of the best portable chargers.
Simon Hill
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Handheld and Wearable Fans That Belong in Every Summer Bag
Whether you’re at a festival, tennis match, or wedding, these hand fans and wearable cooling devices will make the heat way more bearable.
Kristin Canning
The Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your Phone
Top up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.
Simon Hill
The Best Mushroom Coffee for an Alternative Buzz
“Coffee” made with functional mushrooms like lion’s mane and chaga is all the rage. We tried the most popular brands to find which were the most palatable.
Pete Cottell
The Best Drip Coffee Makers Now Rival Café Pour-Over
The old-fashioned drip coffee maker has come a long way. These impressive machines can turn your barista into a stranger.
Matthew Korfhage
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories—We’ve Tested More Than 100
Protect your expensive iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, or iPhone 17e with our favorite cases and screen protectors.
Julian Chokkattu
A Guided Tour of Donald Trump’s Renovated Washington, DC
Trump has remade the nation’s capitol in his own image. Ahead of the Fourth of July, WIRED guides you through the dizzying effects of DC’s makeover.
Hugo Lowell
Tim Heidecker Wants to Turn Infowars Into Adult Swim for the Internet
Infowars’ would-be creative director talks Sandy Hook, comedy’s MAGA turn, and why the future of satire may look more like a streaming startup than a late-night show.
Katie Drummond