Bootleggers, speakeasies and the rise of the mob — the story of America's failed ban on alcohol.
Prohibition
Claim This Podcastby Podra Network
13 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Bootleggers, speakeasies and the rise of the mob — the story of America's failed ban on alcohol.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/8/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Prohibition
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
July 14, 2026
Lasting Legacy: How Prohibition Still Shapes America Today
In this episode of Prohibition, host James Hartley explores the lasting impact of America's thirteen-year experiment with alcohol prohibition on modern society. Discover how Prohibition-era enforcement mechanisms evolved into contemporary drug policy frameworks and shaped federal law enforcement approaches still used today. Learn about the three-tier alcohol distribution system that emerged post-Prohibition and continues to regulate alcohol sales across America. Explore the hundreds of dry counties that remain throughout the United States as living remnants of Prohibition-era thinking. Hartley examines how Prohibition fundamentally altered the relationship between federal government authority and personal behavior, establishing precedents that influence policy debates today. The episode covers Prohibition's transformation of law enforcement through unprecedented inter-agency cooperation and new investigative techniques. Discover how speakeasy culture permanently influenced American business practices in hospitality and retail industries. The discussion includes analysis of how Prohibition changed American perspectives on unintended policy consequences, creating awareness that continues to inform contemporary legislative debates. Hartley also explores the international implications of America's Prohibition experience as a case study for governments worldwide. This comprehensive examination reveals how a nearly century-old policy experiment continues shaping American legal systems, cultural attitudes, geographic regulations, and governmental approaches to personal behavior regulation in surprising and significant ways.
July 7, 2026
The Great Repeal: Why America Gave Up on Its Noble Experiment
In this episode of Prohibition, host James Hartley examines the dramatic repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1933, ending America's 13-year experiment with banning alcohol. Discover why the 'noble experiment' failed and how the Great Depression accelerated public demand for repeal. We explore the economic factors that made Prohibition unsustainable, from massive enforcement costs to lost tax revenue totaling 40% of federal income. Learn about key figures like Pauline Sabin and the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform, and how Franklin Roosevelt leveraged repeal as part of his New Deal strategy. The episode covers the swift ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment - the only constitutional amendment to completely repeal a previous one - and examines the lasting impact on American law enforcement and federal regulatory power. From speakeasies to gang violence, bootleggers to corruption, this episode reveals how Prohibition's unintended consequences ultimately led to its downfall. Perfect for history enthusiasts, policy students, and anyone interested in understanding how major social experiments can fail. Explore the lessons of Prohibition that continue to inform American policy debates about regulation, enforcement, and the limits of federal authority in modern society.
June 30, 2026
Women, Jazz, and Social Revolution: How Prohibition Changed American Culture
Explore how Prohibition transformed American society beyond just banning alcohol. This episode examines the cultural revolution of the 1920s, focusing on women's liberation through speakeasy culture, the explosion of jazz music, and the breakdown of traditional social boundaries. Discover how the Eighteenth Amendment inadvertently created integrated spaces, empowered women as entrepreneurs and social participants, and accelerated the decline of Victorian moral standards. Learn about figures like Texas Guinan and the role of speakeasies in spreading jazz music from New Orleans across America. The episode analyzes how illegal drinking establishments became catalysts for social change, creating new opportunities for women, fostering racial integration in entertainment, and democratizing social drinking across class lines. Understand the unintended consequences of the Noble Experiment and how attempts to legislate morality instead accelerated social revolution. Perfect for history enthusiasts interested in 1920s culture, women's rights history, jazz music origins, and the sociological impacts of Prohibition on American society.
13 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for Prohibition
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Prohibition?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.