Rephonic
Artwork for Underworlds
Organized Crime
Yakuza
Cocaine Trafficking
Illicit Economy
American Mafia
Sinaloa Cartel
Borgata: Rise Of Empire
Prohibition
Japan
Hezbollah
Kinahan Organized Crime Group
Politics
Violence In Organized Crime
Irish History
Drug Policy In Ireland
Celtic Tiger
DEA (drug Enforcement Administration)
Money Laundering
Terrorism
Transnational Crime

Welcome to Underworlds with Mark Shaw. Organized Crime is everywhere, hidden in plain sight. The stories from this world have been mythologised by Hollywood. But the reality can be even stranger and more exciting than fiction. From the golden age of the American mafia (La Cosa Nostra), to the modern-day cocaine empires, and from the shadowy links between organized crime and terrorism, to the twili... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes14Foundeda year ago
Categories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for Underworlds

Latest Episodes

Ransomware is a growing threat in our digital world, changing how cybercrime works. In this podcast, Mark talks to Max Smeets, an academic and author, about the rise of ransomware as detailed in his book Ransom War. The book zooms in on the infamous ... more

The global shipping industry, vital for international trade, is a hotbed for criminal activities like maritime fraud.

In this podcast episode, journalist and author Matthew Campbell, co-author of Dead in the Water, joins Mark to unravel the Brillan... more

Russia in Four Criminals: Exploring Russian Organized Crime with Federico Varese.

Join host Mark in a riveting episode of Underworlds as he interviews renowned academic and author Federico Varese about his book, Russia in Four Criminals. With over 3... more

Mafiopoli: Uncovering the ’Ndrangheta, Italy’s Most Powerful Mafia.

In this episode of Underworlds, host Mark interviews Dutch journalist and author Sanne De Boer about her book, Mafiopoli: Living Among the ’Ndrangheta – Italy’s Most Powerful Crime ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Miles Johnson
Author and investigative journalist specializing in organized crime
Episode: Chasing Shadows: A True Story of the Mafia, Drugs and Terrorism - Miles Johnson | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Nicola Tallant
Author of "Cocaine Cowboys" and expert on organized crime in Ireland
Episode: Cocaine Cowboys: The Deadly Rise of Ireland's Drug Lords - Nicola Tallant | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Jake Adelstein
American journalist and author, known for his work on the Yakuza and organized crime in Japan.
Episode: The Last Yakuza: A Life in the Japanese Underworld - Jake Adelstein | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Louis Ferrante
Former mafioso and author of 'Borgata: Rise of Empire'
Episode: Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia - Louis Ferrante | Underworlds with Mark Shaw

Host

Mark Shaw
Host and Director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, Mark Shaw brings a wealth of knowledge about organized crime and the illicit economy, exploring various themes related to authors and their works in this realm.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Fascinating kaleidoscope of organized crime

    These podcast episodes deliver a fascinating kaleidoscope of organized crime across different jurisdictions and illicit markets, explored in-depth with leading global authors in conversation with Mark Shaw. In terms of substance a rather outstanding experience in the crime podcast universe.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crime Analyst22
    Germanya year ago
  • I’m subscribing

    It’s nice to hear the stories you read in books come alive in these interviews. Fascinating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    crime news junkie
    Canadaa year ago
  • A great series

    Really enjoy this series. It hits on some really interesting topics in the ‘true crime’ genre. I’ve read some of these books and it’s fascinating to get the in depth perspective of the authors on their subject matter. Often expanding more widely on the contexts around their criminal subjects and their actions, the interviewer and authors provide extraordinary tales that make you want to grab a drink and listen longer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    S. Glencastle
    Canadaa year ago
  • Lots of hype for overplayed stories

    Lots of advertising on different podcast just to put out episode 1 on something everyone has already heard. There’s millions of American mob podcast. Please try and report on new information.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ryan garver
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fascinating stories!

    A riveting account of the empire of organised crime through the eyes of a former mobster. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anna.Isabel
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

The interviews with authors provide an enriching perspective, making the real stories behind organized crime come alive.
While some appreciate the depth of information, a few critiques mention a desire for fresher stories rather than well-known narratives.
Listeners find the content to be a captivating exploration of organized crime, shedding light on less dramatized accounts compared to media portrayals.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#55
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#151
Norway/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia - Louis Ferrante | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Q: What was the impact of Thomas Dewey on organized crime?
Louis describes Dewey as the first to launch a concentrated attack on organized crime but also notes his pragmatic turn towards the mob as he pursued political office.
Borgata: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia - Louis Ferrante | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Q: What qualifies you to write this history of the Mafia?
Louis explains that his early life involved criminal activities, including hijacking trucks and selling stolen auto parts, which eventually led him into deeper associations with organized crime.
The Last Yakuza: A Life in the Japanese Underworld - Jake Adelstein | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Q: What are the key differences between the Yakuza and other organized crime groups?
Jake highlights the unique relationship and historical interactions between the Yakuza and Japanese law enforcement, along with the Yakuza's public presence and community engagement.
The Last Yakuza: A Life in the Japanese Underworld - Jake Adelstein | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Q: How does an American become an expert on the Yakuza?
Jake explains that his experience covering the Organized Crime Task Force as a newspaper reporter in Japan opened the doors to understanding the Yakuza.
Cocaine Cowboys: The Deadly Rise of Ireland's Drug Lords - Nicola Tallant | Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Q: How have organized crime groups in Ireland responded to law enforcement pressure?
They have displayed an increase in violence and often engage in feuds, where paranoia leads them to eliminate perceived threats internally before law enforcement can act.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Underworlds

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

The content revolves around the complexities and realities of organized crime, presenting intricate narratives that often intertwine illicit activities with broader socio-political contexts. Notable discussions include the evolution of organized crime across various regions, from the American Mafia's historical roots to modern-day drug trafficking and the operations of the Yakuza in Japan. Each episode features in-depth interviews with authors, offering unique insights into their research and perspectives on the darker aspects of society, often challenging the dramatized portrayals seen in popular media. The podcast is characterized by its focus on factual accounts, making it a compelling listen for those interested in crime, history, and t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Underworlds?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Underworlds:

1. The Underworld Podcast
2. The Slow Newscast
3. UN and Organized Crime Podcast
4. Crime World
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of Underworlds are there?

Underworlds launched a year ago and published 14 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 Underworlds?

Recent guests on Underworlds include:

1. Miles Johnson
2. Nicola Tallant
3. Jake Adelstein
4. Louis Ferrante

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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