What happens when a city on the verge of collapse tries to reinvent itself? How much will it cost? Who will pay the price? Reporter David Weinberg spent years following one city in California’s Mojave desert as it tried to transform itself from a city of prisons to a city of pot. And it worked…for a while. Until it, spectacularly, didn’t. From Croo…

As the 1970s come to a close, so does Viva’s run as one of America’s first feminist porn magazines. We explore what the legacy of Viva magazine tells us about issues of female sexuality and sexual autonomy, and how many of these battles are still being fought today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

As a last Hail Mary to save Viva, Bob and Kathy hire a young, up-and-coming fashion director — none other than a fresh-faced, pre-Vogue Anna Wintour. But will she be enough to save the floundering publication? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم Crooked Media and iHeartPodcasts

As Viva reaches the third of its six-year run, it’s having its own version of a midlife crisis, and the editors have to make some tough decisions about what kind of magazine Viva needs to be to survive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم Crooked Media and iHeartPodcasts

As Viva continues to stumble along and figure itself out, so does seemingly everyone else in the 1970s. In the midst of the sexual revolution and the rise of “Porno Chic,” there’s a chorus of anti-porn feminists attacking Bob Guccione’s publishing empire, and Viva’s caught in the middle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

The Viva staff have hit their stride and are finally publishing smart, progressive, feminist content alongside the magazine’s male nudes, and their latest issue is about to be their most revolutionary – and controversial – one to date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم Crooked Media and iHeartPodcasts

On the one-year anniversary of Viva’s publication, there’s a big, exciting change — a woman is now at the top of the masthead: Bob’s wife and business partner Kathy Keeton. And she’s about to push the magazine in a much more “revealing” direction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم Crooked Media and iHeartPodcasts

After critics skewer Viva’s first issue, Bob Guccione decides to double down on his flawed vision for the magazine. Meanwhile, his feminist editorial staff finds a secret window into making the content they actually desire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم Crooked Media and iHeartPodcasts

Coming off the massive success of his men's sex magazine Penthouse, porn publishing king Bob Guccione has a new project… but for women this time. Enter Viva, one of the first erotic magazines for women. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم Crooked Media and iHeartPodcasts

What happens when a group of scrappy feminist journalists teams up with a porn king? The true story of Bob Guccione, VIVA magazine, and 1970s feminist porn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم Crooked Media and iHeartPodcasts

This week our theme is Sex in the Workplace. Sometimes you catch people having sex in the booth, by the kegs, or in the bathroom. Today Jesse talks to Jess and Pat. Jess tells the many tales of people she has caught having sex in her place of work. THEN Pat talks about some interesting events he witnessed at work in Florida. Find Straw Hut Media at…

This week our theme is Winding Down. It's not surprise that us industry workers tend to drink more than most. We get off work, it's 4am, and our night IS JUST GETTING STARTED! Our first story, Michael Amico, co-host of another Straw Hut podcast called So I Heard This Interesting Podcast, interviews Jesse about a drunken run-in with an unknown famil…

This week we dive into the world of poor management. Danny is invited to the studio to talk about a time he took a job only to find it was a front. Hookers, blow and more. Then Cheyenne was in a similar situation only to find that her "hostess" job was much more than what she signed up for. Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on I…

This week we talk tipping. Jesse hears two tales of tipping disasters and we learn the best behavior, the worst behavior, and completely unacceptable behavior. How can private tours at Disneyland go so wrong? And what happens when someone walks out? Tune in to find out! Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://w…

To conclude our Minisode sage, in part 3 we return with Mike and Salina! This is time Salina speaks. She is a certified masseuse. Turns out listing that on Craigslist isn't always the best idea! Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/strawhutmedia/. Follow Jesse on Instagram, https://www.inst…

Part 2 of our 3 part Minisodes. In part 2 we return with our friends Justin and Ava! Ava talks about the aggressive man that is convinced SHE wants to marry him AND have his children. And Justin tells all about the what happens when an entire staff says PEACE at once. Ava hosts her own podcast!! Tune in to Graceful Savage Studio! Find Straw Hut Med…

Part 1 of our 3 part Minisodes. In part 1 we return with THE MOOSE! Moose is back to talk about life as a pitchman! How he got into it, what made him stay, and what happens when you bring your little boy to work when you're trying to sell some mops at the fair! Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instag…

This week's show we hear tales from two people that have been roofied. 1st, Mike talks about his strange and insane journey of three friends who all got roofied on the same night. THEN Jess is back to talk about the thing that people often question when they leave an unattended beverage, "Did someone do something to my drink?" Find Straw Hut Media …

This week's show tackles the tricky subject of racism. The Moose is back. He talks about an encounter with very unpleasant women who attacked him with a pork roast! Corrections to the story:1. Quorn is NOT spelled with and “i”2. Quorn is from Yorkshire, not Cornwall Then Jess describes some accusations that lead to crying on the job. Check out The …

Valentines Day is upon us! Have you ever gotten fell in love with a co-worker? Justin co-hosts with Jesse on this episode. This week we hear from Mallory! She talks with us about a lovely man she started crushing on at work! Then Ava, Justin and Jesse play a few rounds of Eat, Serve, Toss! Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on In…

This week we hear two tales about poop in the workplace. Have you ever been incredibly desperate to take a crap? Like 2 weeks desperate? Or conversely, have you ever had to deal with another person's poop that may or may not be haunted? This week's show we delve into these sad and desperate stories. First Mike tells us of a particularly panic fuele…

This week Jesse talks with four different women to get a different perspective on behavior in the workplace. It's 2019. Every voice matters, especially in an industry so prone to ignoring them. Whether it be owners, managers, or patrons it's no shock to say men and women are treated differently in the service industry. To find more great shows vist…

This weeks show we delve into these sadly reoccurring stories. I have a couple rants of my own before Justin has to deal with a very drunk and confused lady and then Mike reminds us why working retail at a novelty shop in the mall isn’t always ideal. Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/str…

This week's episode is all about strange things and accusations that customers give you! Why would you keep trying to dye your hair in a public bathroom? And it’s not everyday you’re accused of kicking someone’s baby! This week we have two stories of surreal customers. Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://ww…

This week's episode is all about the positive things that can happen when working in the service industry. They aren't all gross! Have you ever had a total stranger leave a very undeserved tip? This week we have two positive stories. In our first story Eric Boles, aka Moose, tells about his acting career, working in The Groundlings with Phil Hartma…

This week's episode is all about a fight. Have you ever been the only employee at work? Ben tells us about this time he was working all alone and had to fight 3 people at once! This week we have our first call in story from Ben! Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/strawhutmedia/. Follow Cr…

This week's episode is all about REVENGE. Have you ever had a customer that just deserved testicles dipped in their drink or crotch pastrami? This week we have two stories all about frustrated employees coping with patrons. In our first story Jess tells us about a Tokyo Tea she was witness to, and then T tells us a romance revenge story. Find Straw…

This week's episode is all about ridiculous mandates passed down from on high. Have you ever had a direction or order from a boss that was just some dumb you felt dumber for doing it and following orders? This week we have two stories all about frustrated employees dealing with their ridiculous mandates from their bosses! In our first story Justin …

This week's episode is all about physical confrontation. What's it when you are behind the bar and all the patrons are chanting "KILL THE BARTENDERS"? And what happens when a stranger makes eye contact through the window while peeing on your building? Sometimes a typical day goes quickly astray! Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or…

Jesse got fired. Because of his own podcast. Fellow Straw Hut podcaster William Sterling, host of The Motivation Report, sits down with him to unravel the tale of his recent discharge and why he's the true hero of this story. Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/strawhutmedia/. Follow Jesse…

Have you ever been stuck to a mouse trap? Waking up early and being the first at work isn’t always easy. This week Jesse talks to fellow Straw Hut Media host, Michael Amico, about a particular opening shift that left him feeling a bit under the weather. PLUS we hear about the adventures of opening a Starbucks at 4am only to find they had been broke…

Some people have poor excuses for bad behavior. This week Jesse talks to fellow Straw Hut Media host, Rachel Michelle Fernandes about an interesting run-in with some fine young ladies at the, now defunct, Juke Joint, who stiffed her on their bill. PLUS Jesse shares his own story about a man who strongly believes the government is paying for his alc…

Pyromania at 1 o'clock on a Tuesday afternoon, a burning shirt parade, dedicated to drinking lots of wine, and free lobster. What kind of shenanigans do service industry workers get into when the homeless come into the restaurant? Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/strawhutmedia/. Follow …

This week's episode is all about conflicts...with little emphasis on resolution. What's it like to get sucker punched while in the Chuck E. Cheese costume? Why would a bouncer pepper spray an entire crowd in a bar? When people get violent in the workplace we all lose. Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www…

Pee in the play place and on pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's? Blood all over the bathroom? A cascade of vomit at the most magical place on earth? This is stiffed. And we're talking bodily fluids in the workplace. Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/strawhutmedia/. Follow Jesse on Instagram, htt…

Everyone has a story about service. If you've ever worked in the industry, you know it's rarely pretty. Think of this as your reverse Yelp. We'll be sharing stories of humor, and horror, from the service industry. Find Straw Hut Media at https://strawhutmedia.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/strawhutmedia/. Follow Jesse on Instagra…