About this episodeThe hosts discuss a comedy gig in Reading, Pennsylvania, detailing its history as a city completely taken over…AI summary
The hosts discuss a comedy gig in Reading, Pennsylvania, detailing its history as a city completely taken over by the mob in the 1930s-60s, where gambling and prostitution were rampant and local government was fully corrupted. The conversation also includes personal anecdotes about Puerto Rican folk remedies for illness, a trainer's dangerous weight-cutting methods involving oregano pills, and sponsor shoutouts for Sri Lanka relief efforts and local businesses.
Key takeaways 5
Reading, Pennsylvania's history: The city was effectively run by the mob (led by Abe Minkler) from the 1930s to the 1960s. The mayor was an employee of the mob, police were paid off, and there were no public fire or trash services, forcing residents to pay private companies.
Economic impact of organized crime: The mob leader reportedly made $60 million a year (equivalent to billions today) from gambling, prostitution, and other rackets, turning a once-thriving industrial textile city into a 'hell hole' of vice.
Puerto Rican folk remedies: The hosts suggest that for a sick or fainting Puerto Rican friend, the first line of defense is coconut cookies and pork rinds; if that fails, a mango; and if they still don't respond, playing 'Despacito' is the final test for life.
Dangerous weight-cutting practices: A boxing trainer named Paulie Gassie passed out after taking oregano pills while wearing a sauna suit with heaters running in an illegally wired gym, highlighting extreme and unsafe methods used to 'make weight'.
Demographic shifts in Rust Belt cities: Reading, PA is now majority Hispanic due to lower property values compared to NYC areas like Brooklyn, attracting Dominican, Mexican, and Puerto Rican communities seeking affordable housing.
Notable quotes 4AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“In Reading Pennsylvania it was a complete [mob] takeover so the city was basically run by the mob from in like the 30s 40s and 50s... cops were completely Anarchy they were all paid off.”
▶ 40:11Yanni describing the extent of corruption in Reading, Pennsylvania, where the mayor was essentially an employee of the mob.
“If you ever if you're ever on a Puerto Rican person and they pass out and you think they're dead just play despacito and if they don't start dancing then they are dead then it's over.”
▶ 16:08A humorous tip from Yanni on how to determine if a Puerto Rican friend is truly unconscious or just resting.
“The term is more uh Pennsylvania German because the so-called Pennsylvania Dutch have nothing to do with Holland... these settlers originally came from germane speaking areas of Europe and spoke a dialect of German they referred to as deuts so... Deutsch became Dutch yeah.”
▶ 38:03Yanni explaining the etymological error behind the term 'Pennsylvania Dutch'.
“He goes reach up in the cabin he goes and get me my oregano pills and I said what and he goes get me my oregano pills they cure everything yeah so he pops an oregano P pill and then the kid just goes down.”
▶ 20:46Zach recounting how his trainer Paulie Gassie passed out after taking oregano pills while trying to cut weight in a sauna suit.
Chapters & Sections (56)▼
0:00Family Thanksgiving and Podcast Discussionchapter3
0:00Family Thanksgiving and Podcast Discussion
2:14Friend's Self-Awareness and Humor about Physical Appearance
4:09Discussion about Upcoming Wedding and Reading Pennsylvania
6:19Sponsor Shoutout and Sri Lanka Relief Effortschapter2
6:19Sponsor Shoutout and Sri Lanka Relief Efforts
8:54Racist and Inappropriate Comments Made Publicly
11:18Rant about Reading Pennsylvania and Personal Anecdoteschapter2
11:18Argumentative Conversation about Queen Cersei and Cities
14:01Sergio's Medical Emergency and Hotel Incident
15:25Puerto Rican Cultural Traditions and Folk Remedieschapter3
15:25Puerto Rican Cultural Stereotypes and Humor
16:57Podcast Discussion and Patreon Update
18:21Carnivore Diet and Gym Conversation
20:46Paulie's Oregano Pill Incidentchapter3
20:46Paulie's Oregano Pill Incident
22:36Con Artist Selling Fake Vitamins in City
24:44Discussion about Marriage and Family Ties
25:55Anxiety and Nervousness on a Car Ridechapter3
1h 17m⏭ 3
1h 14m⏭ 5
1h 11m⏭ 1
1h 7m⏭ 1
1h 12m⏭ 4
49m
1h 12m⏭ 1
1h 10m⏭ 1
1h 17m⏭ 3
45m⏭ 1
1h 12m⏭ 3
1h 17m⏭ 3
57m
1h 6m
24m⏭ 1
1h 23m
29m⏭ 1
57m⏭ 1
1h 0m⏭ 2
1h 22m
3h 2m
1h 29m
2h 50m
2h 26m⏭ 1
1h 43m⏭ 4
1h 0m⏭ 1
11h 54m
11h 54m⏭ 8
6h 26m
33m
3h 54m⏭ 7
3h 59m⏭ 5
9h 11m
46m
54m⏭ 1
7h 50m