Introducing..."The Outfit," Dan O'Sullivan's Mafia Podcast!
Hello friends. It's been a long time, in no small part because I have been working hard on my next project, which I am so pleased I am finally able to announce: "THE OUTFIT," an organized crime podcast I am co-hosting with the venerable Alana Hope Levinson, on behalf of Headgum (home of "Doughboys" and "Hollywood Handbook") and Higher Ground Audio!
The premise of "The Outfit" is simple: as I've written before, I believe organized crime explains America--explains our whole political system, our economy, our culture. I view the history of the mob a kind of skeleton key for unlocking all sorts of mysteries in this world--why powerful people behave the way they do, why our society rewards some but punishes others, how corruption and complacency corrode democracy and its ability to administer justice. Perhaps this reminds you of some notable newsmakers.
Each week, we tell a new story about the history of organized crime, and what it says about the world we live in--a kind of secret, underworld narrative of life. From Ken Eto, the mafiosi who was subject of my award-winning Chicago Magazine profile, we trace the immigrant experience of hatred and incarceration, resulting in the creation of the sole Japanese-American member of the Chicago Outfit--their regional term for "crime family." From Chicago to Moscow, Cuba to Las Vegas, the East End of London to the Golden Triangle of Asia, we explore how this underground system makes and remakes our world. I hope you'll join us for the ride--because if you can believe it, I also happen to think it's very funny.
You can follow me on BlueSky and Instagram for the latest episodes and updates, ahead of our first episode premiere on Thursday, August 14th, 2025, available wherever podcasts are found, on Headgum, and, in full episode video form, on YouTube. I'll be updating you with more links and promotion as episodes roll out. I'm so thankful for your continued support and hope you enjoy listening and watching "The Outfit" as much as I have enjoyed researching and recording it.
The Outfit is coming August 14th, wherever podcasts are found!