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Artwork for The Chinatown Sting

The Chinatown Sting

Pushkin Industries
Chinatown
Heroin Smuggling
Johnny Eng
Mahjong
Flying Dragons
Federal Prosecution
Beryl Howell
1980s Drug Busts
Heroin
Character Dynamics
Gangs
Revisionist History
New York City
Friendship
Addiction
Legal Proceedings
Northeastern Blackout
The Alabama Murders
Tina Wong
Drug Bust

In the late 1980s, a group of women connected through the mahjong parlors in Manhattan’s Chinatown were caught in a massive undercover drug bust. This bust was just the beginning of an even bigger case. Host Lidia Jean Kott and co-reporter Shuyu Wang interview sources who’ve never spoken on record before, including witnesses, defendants, and federal prosecutors, to reconstruct a case that still ha... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes10Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Chinatown Sting

Latest Episodes

Here's a preview from the new season of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History podcast, The Alabama Murders. Florence, Alabama. 1988. A preacher has an affair. A woman is murdered. One death cascades into more, stretching across decades and leaving n... more

Judge Denny Chin serves on the US Court of Appeals in New York and he’s an expert on Asian Americans and the law. Every year, he helps to stage reenactments of landmark cases in which Asian Americans fought for their legal and civil rights. Judge Chi... more

Cowboy, now known as CB, was once a member of the powerful Flying Dragons gang, led by Johnny Eng, aka Onionhead. CB speaks with Lidia Jean Kott about why he joined the gang, about street-violence PTSD, and how he wound up in prison for 16 years. He ... more

After five days of deliberation, a jury finally returns a verdict in the case of Johnny Eng. Its ultimate meaning depends on whom you ask — and the lessons it taught the justice system may already be forgotten.

For more:

Mike Moy’s memoir book Ba... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sam Callahan
Caretaker of the Double Eagle firearms training facility and shooting instructor.
Episode: Episode 4: A Ghost Hand
Henry Chang
Author and native of Chinatown familiar with the local criminal landscape
Episode: Episode 2: Onionhead
Mike Moy
Former gang member and activist
Episode: Episode 2: Onionhead
Kid Jai
Former gang member who became a leader of a rival gang
Episode: Episode 2: Onionhead
Tina Wong
A woman intricately involved in the heroin importation scheme, whose experiences shed light on the drug trade in Chinatown.
Episode: Episode 1: Lucky Bird
Beryl Howell
Federal prosecutor involved in the case, providing a view from the legal side of the investigation.
Episode: Episode 1: Lucky Bird

Host

Lidia Jean Kott
Host and journalist

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 101 ratings
  • Great serial storytelling

    This is another gem of a limited run series at Pushkin. It is true crime, it is documentary, it is perfect for a long travel day for binging. To all the reviewers complaining about the voice of the narrator, there is nothing wrong with the voice. There is nothing even worth remarking about the voice. It is a perfectly normal narration: focus on the content and reporting, set your biases about women’s voices aside, you’ll get used to it in minutes, that’s how the brain works.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ProfBarry
    United States12 days ago
  • Rather plodding

    Having come to enjoy high quality Pushkin podcasts. This one seems half baked. A plodding narrative, mostly fed from a mother in law, and a chatty co-host. It’s not really all that captivating. Save your time for something else.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Evan_can
    Canada13 days ago
  • The Chinatown Sting

    Lydia Jean Kott has truly brought the cause and effect of this tumultuous drug gang’s downfall, and brought to life all the players, pushers, and homemakers involved in a brilliant way. She is so good because everyone wants to be a part of any conversation she is in, including participants that are generally hard to interview.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hanque2222
    United States16 days ago
  • Unbearable

    I honestly don’t know how this show ever got greenlighted… It is poorly presented and acoustically unbearable. Michael Lewis has clearly delegated all quality control. Avoid.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Kurtz73
    United States18 days ago
  • Interesting if you can stand the host’s voice

    Interesting story, but the host is one of those adults who sounds like a teenager. Like Mindy from The Office. It is difficult for me to take seriously or respect other women who maintain this sort of immature tone and speech pattern after high school. It’s annoying, not endearing.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    TalkLikeAnAdult
    United States18 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Reviews highlight the engaging narratives that intertwine personal accounts with broader societal issues.
The quality of reporting and presentation is frequently praised, with many noting the emotional depth of the stories told.
Listeners commend the podcast for its thorough research and compelling storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#103
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#126
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#215
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#156
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#33
Israel/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#76
Spain/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Life as a Flying Dragon
Q: Looking back, do you regret bringing drugs into the country and being in a gang?
CB suggests that there was a systemic way of doing business in Chinatown and emphasizes that it was a mutual understanding rather than pure extortion.
Life as a Flying Dragon
Q: How did the leadership style change under Onionhead compared to Michael Chen?
CB mentions that while Michael had strict rules, Onionhead was more casual and focused on making money rather than maintaining control.
Life as a Flying Dragon
Q: Why did you join the gang in the first place?
CB explains that he joined due to early bullying and the desire to belong, as well as the gang's moral foundation to protect the Chinese community.
Episode 3: What’s a Friend?
Q: Why do you like gambling?
It's my adrenaline rush. That's my excitement; when you bet, you place money, your heart beats.
Episode 3: What’s a Friend?
Q: What was your guys' reputation?
We were the cool girls for the poor girls because we all didn't really have money.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Chinatown Sting

What is The Chinatown Sting about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast centers on a significant undercover drug operation from the late 1980s, which entangled a group of women in Manhattan's Chinatown drawn into the heroin trade through social connections and gambling debts. With a focus on the intricate web of crime and community, episodes bring to light personal narratives from both the individuals involved and the legal authorities trying to navigate the complexities of the case. The narratives often explore themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and the challenges faced by those living in the criminal underbelly of urban life, providing a rich tapestry of stories that highlight the socio-economic dynamics at play. Notably, the unique perspective of interviewing people who have never spoken publicly... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Chinatown Sting?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Chinatown Sting:

1. Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise
2. Incels
3. Wisecrack
4. Bone Valley
5. Stop Rewind: The Lost Boy

How many episodes of The Chinatown Sting are there?

The Chinatown Sting launched 2 months ago and published 10 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 The Chinatown Sting?

Recent guests on The Chinatown Sting include:

1. Sam Callahan
2. Henry Chang
3. Mike Moy
4. Kid Jai
5. Tina Wong
6. Beryl Howell

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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