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Artwork for Milwaukee Mafia

Milwaukee Mafia

Gavin Schmitt
Milwaukee Mafia
Frank Balistrieri
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
True Crime
Gambling
FBI
Organized Crime
Prohibition
John Balistrieri
Chicago Mafia
Mafia
Al Capone
Louis Fazio
Jimmy Hoffa
Ralph Capone
Robert Warren
1992 Wyawega Double Murder
Introverts
Thomas Sorce

Did you know Milwaukee had a Mafia? Many people don't realize how powerful the Milwaukee Mafia was - especially during Frank Balistrieri's impressive 30-year reign! Gavin Schmitt has been researching and writing published works on the Milwaukee Mafia for over a decade, and is considered the top expert on the subject. Join Gavin Schmitt and Eric Wulterkens as Gavin takes you through stories of the ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes196Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Milwaukee Mafia

Latest Episodes

We take a look at the 3 main mob bosses and discuss whether the one of the other bosses could have been more successful during Frank Balistrieri time as mob boss.

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In this episode we hear the story of celebrity Sid Ceasar and his adventures in prostitution while doing a show in Milwaukee

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In this discussion, Gavin explains for anyone who has seen them the strange car bombing posts he has made on facebook and a new project he is involved with

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Hear the sentencing results of last weeks episode

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Got a question about this episode? Email Gavin and Eric at milwa... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Gavin Schmitt
Author and expert on Milwaukee Mafia
Independent researcher/author
Episode: A Look at Milwaukee Mafia Bosses
Jason Lane
Special guest for the episode
Episode: D&D
Michail Takach
Author of LGBT Milwaukee and curator of the Wisconsin LGBT History Project
Episode: Rerun: Black Nite with Michail Takach
John Balistrieri
Former owner of The Shorecrest Hotel and son of Frank Balistrieri
Episode: The Shorecrest Hotel

Hosts

Eric Wulterkens
Co-host integrating Milwaukee Mafia storytelling with archival research.
Gavin Schmitt
Co-host and researcher focused on Milwaukee Mafia history and related Wisconsin true-crime.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • Mmmm

    These 2 guys know very little about Milwaukee. They also quite often don’t know what they are talking about, but they are honest about this. The research of court records is in depth. I do like the intro music.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Pod Afficianodo
    United Statesa month ago
  • the guys know their stuff. they def do endless research and i always enjoy listening

    Audible
    5
    Tony Wirtanen
    United States4 months ago
  • A pod cast about Milwaukee by 2 guys who know nothing about the city.

    These 2 guys know very little about Milwaukee. They also quite often don’t know what they are talking about.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Pod Afficianodo
    United States4 months ago
  • Is this Milwaukee Mafia or the community news, helpful hints and holistic wellness podcast?

    My question is what does the title Milwaukee Mafia mean to the podcast crew?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    VPGIV 4
    United Statesa year ago
  • So easy to listen to. Entertaining stories I don't hear anywhere else.

    Podchaser
    5
    likethewatch
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, listeners praise deep-dive history and storytelling by Gavin and Eric, with praise for narrative breadth.
Some listeners criticize audio quality and consistency in tone, suggesting improvements in mixing.
Audience appreciates credible sourcing and historical context, with mixed views on sensational elements.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Look at Milwaukee Mafia Bosses
Q: Is Frank Balistrieri's success due more to him or to the time he ran the mafia?
The hosts converge on the view that it is a combination, with the time providing a fertile context (prohibition era, media attention) and Balistrieri leveraging unique opportunities (Las Vegas casino connections) to achieve higher notoriety.
D&D
Q: Could you discuss if any possible occult crimes that could have happened in any groups, if any were active in Milwaukee from the Mancineers to the Satanic Panic Era?
There isn't any evidence of occult crimes found in Milwaukee, mainly just anecdotes and cultural fears tied to the Satanic Panic.
Black Family ties to the Mafia
Q: Do you have an opinion on where the Black Family failed?
Primarily, they couldn't gain the connections into politics and society that allowed the Mafia to become entrenched and respected.
Black Family ties to the Mafia
Q: Can you talk about the Black Family slash Brothers of the Struggle slash Walter Ellis?
The Black Family was an organization trying to recreate the Mafia in the black community, while Walter Ellis was connected to the Brothers of the Struggle as a member but later became a notorious serial killer.
Documentary Questions for Gavin
Q: Was Frank Balistrieri associated with the drug operations in the 80s?
No, there is no evidence to suggest he was involved in the drug dealings when he was in prison.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Milwaukee Mafia

What is Milwaukee Mafia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on the Milwaukee Mafia and Wisconsin's true-crime history, with hosts Gavin Schmitt and Eric Wulterkens unpacking stories from the mid-20th century to more recent investigations. Episodes blend archival research, interviews, and analysis of how organized crime intersected with unions, politics, and local business, often highlighting Frank Balistrieri's long reign and Milwaukee's unique crime landscape. Listeners can expect deep dives into case histories, biographical sketches, and the evolving narrative around Milwaukee's criminal past, along with thoughtful discussion on sources and credibility. A notable strength is the duo's commitment to context and storytelling, plus occasional explorations into broader archival topic... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Milwaukee Mafia?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Milwaukee Mafia:

1. Gangland Wire
2. Fox Cities Murder & Mayhem
3. The Sit Down: A Crime History Podcast
4. Tosh Show
5. Adam Carolla Show

How many episodes of Milwaukee Mafia are there?

Milwaukee Mafia launched 5 years ago and published 196 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Milwaukee Mafia?

Recent guests on Milwaukee Mafia include:

1. Gavin Schmitt
2. Jason Lane
3. Michail Takach
4. John Balistrieri

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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