Business, always business
🕑 Added 2021-08-26 16:11:56 +0000 UTCThings are going pretty well since the show returned, in no small part because of you, my killas, and your continued support for this show. I was very surprised to hit 100 subs without paywalling anything, and now we're into the 200s. For a show with a release schedule that used to be as patchy as Ghost Stories... , and considering I disappeared for 6 months this year, I am truly touched people stuck with me and brought their friends along for the ride when our operations resumed.
I figured I'd give you my thoughts on where I see the show going in the next 12 months. I think I previously sketched out what is left of the Haunted Amerika phase (plenty, and another Halloween special is in the works!) so let's go beyond that.
Our time in America is wrapping up early next year. I miss Europe. I miss the outlaws of the Italian Years of Lead, I wanna talk about Germany in the Cold War, and I think I'm ready to travel to Britain and finally plunge into the murk of the Anglo deep state. Hopefully I will be able to connect with some British comrades at that point and really break down for international listeners all the ways in which this hermit kingdom is fucked. There is so much to cover elsewhere, too, and so little time. I am currently bulking up my Belgian "X Files" with a view to completely overhauling the first three episodes and expanding them into a much larger, meaner series. I also have a stack of research on Russia, Yugoslavia, Turkey, you name it. It's time to bring it all home. (I mean, I am home, I never physically left Britain, but, you know, in podcast terms).
Once we hit 500 subs, we also begin the Patreon-only Sicilian Mafia history show. The beauty of this is it's essentially also a political history of Italy, because the two are so closely entwined. This'll be a real labour of love - it was actually what this show was going to be initially - and I can't wait to get started (I have already written a soundtrack, little bumper pieces, for the first fifteen episodes or so). I'm thrilled that there's a steady trickle of new subscribers and I'm hoping I can do that story justice.
There have been some demands (polite requests, really) for merch. I'm mulling it over - I think if I went there, then union shops are a must and the majority of the profits ought to go to charity really, so when I have more time I'll make the necessary enquiries.
It's an exciting period, and I hope you'll stick with us.
Thanks, as ever.
DGC
Comments
Tristram Shandy
What are the plans to cover the murky side of the UK state, especially in Northern Ireland? Will we hear about the Special Reconnaissance Unit (14 Field Security and Intelligence Company), Robert Nairac, Stakeknife, the dismissal of Ned Garvey as Garda Commissioner in the Republic of Ireland etc.
pinballa
You do too, you're helping me keep this show going
Bon
You sir will be my hero. Such a dark tale that I’ve yet to hear covered in depth in the podcast world. Thank you!
you rule
pinballa
It's second on the list
Bon
Please cover Kincora.
Nice. I’ll have a look into it thank you!
pinballa
I will check that out, it sounds good. I finally snagged myself a copy of Spycatcher, the memoir by MI5 agent Peter Wright. The story of how they tried to ban it here in the UK is as fascinating/vexing as what the book actually contains.
Amazing. Can’t wait! Yeah it’s a wild story you’re right yet so few people here even question it. I’ve been flicking through a new book called “Spinning the secrets of state: Politics and Intelligence in Australia “ by Justin T. McPhee. Recommend if you’ve got the time for another book. Loving the show and the soundtrack keep it up!
pinballa
100% talking Australia at some point. I was reading a lot about Nugen Hand during lockdown, was actually skimming some stuff earlier today so this is a bit of serendipity. It's such a big story I wanna make sure I do it right. And the Family murders too, that's another one I will be covering. Whitlam will be part of our look at Britain, because it's a great example of how this dying island can fool people into thinking it doesn't have the bite it used to, and then boom, suddenly they've overthrown *the Australian prime minister*. Absolutely wild story.
Huge. Looking forward to it. I was wondering if you would ever consider heading down under in the future? Would love to hear your take on the Whitlam dismissal or more on the Nugen hand bank.
Michael David
Pumped
_Foxaru
"it's not all pedos, we have some fraud & murder too!"
pinballa
Wondering if people will still have the stones for it after the opening 30 episodes covering the various child abuse scandals. "Please don't leave, after another 10 episodes of this we'll be able to move on to other areas of British politics".
_Foxaru
hell yeah brother
king shit as ever, can't wait for the series on this cursed isle
pinballa
I'd be interested in an answer to this myself, I know the broad outline of the history but the particulars of Greece in the cold war is a blank spot in my knowledge, to my shame. I'll have a look around for both of us when I have some time.
Timothy
Do you have any suggestions of books about the Greek Generals coup or Gladio in Greece generally? Trying to find some more substantive stuff like the Claudio Pavone book about the Italian Civil War but drawing a blank
pinballa
It'll be the one that probably causes the most shit but whatever, there is so much to talk about there
Dumb Bastard
Yes! Looking forward to a Yugoslav ep!