Tales of Taboo

Latest Episodes:

Addict Confessions Jan 28, 2022

Show notes

More often than not, addiction is dramatically portrayed in the media as a chaotic but chic side effect of wealth and power, or an inevitable circumstance of poverty. It’s not always black and white or economically driven, though: addiction is everywhere, nondiscriminatory, constantly shapeshifting. Much public talk of trauma, coping mechanisms, and self-medication exists in our post-pandemic world, but there’s a massive difference between occasionally overindulging in wine or Xanax after a long day and upending one’s entire life in pursuit of a high. The harsh day-to-day realities of addiction are rarely exposed, but secrets make us sick. So, Iet’s reveal them.

Our anonymous confessors are or have been addicted to alcohol, benzos, cocaine, crack, heroin, methamphetamines, and opiates. Their addictions took place everywhere from Wall Street to the street itself, Ivy League colleges to prison. They’ve sold books out of dumpsters for 40 oz beers and treasured family heirlooms for one hit. They've become prostitutes. They’ve bought pee off of sober people to pass drug tests, and overdosed in jail. They’ve been wrongfully diagnosed with severe mental illnesses by trusted doctors and shamed by family, friends, and society.

Their “whys” run the gamut from the unhealthy influence of the hospitality & finance industries to the effects of generational and sexual trauma, but almost all can agree: an unfair stigma surrounds addicts, especially women. And absolutely nothing about addiction is worth aspiring to.

~ Tales of Taboo is produced and narrated by Ali Weiss. Follow Ali on Instagram & TikTok @aliweissworld. Audio production by Zoe Kuhlkin. Theme song by Chris Stathopolous. Cover photo by Erika Flynn. Cover art by Kristen Montenegro. GOT A SECRET TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST? Share your own confession - or thoughts and feedback - at confessions@aliweissworld.com.

Nannies for the Wealthy Confessions Jan 28, 2022

Show notes

When casting last season’s ‘employees of the wealthy’ episode with DeuxMoi, I received multiple submissions from nannies. As a caretaker, you hold a very unique and often complicated view of being both an employee and a surrogate family member; I’m thrilled to share their stories to kick off Season 2. Our confessors worked for the Vanderbilts (yes - the ones you’re thinking of), controversial hedge fund manager Dan Loeb, the infamous 6666 Ranch family in Texas, and various other real estate, finance, and food industry titans I’ve been asked not to name. They drove $150,000 “nanny vehicles” but worked 100 hour weeks, coached teenage billionaires through existential crises and got physically abused by spoiled middle schoolers, and wiped Naomi Watt’s kid’s ass. They did drugs with their bosses and hooked up with their bosses’ friends. They even got cleared by Secret Service to spend time with Donald Trump. While our worker bees admit to the perks being great - even life changing - nearly all still suffer from serious psychological repercussions. It poses the ages-old question: more money, more problems?

Eating Disorder Confessions Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

What do you think when you hear "eating disorder?" Probably 'bored rich white women obsessed with being skinny'. But anorexia & bulimia are way more than just striving to be beautiful - and they can also affect people from any background. Mostly, they're about control. In the throes of the lonely and aggressively over-indulgent holiday season, this topic felt pertinent to explore. Our anonymous contributors detail wanting to exert control over their bodies as a way of grappling with the lack of it they have over mental illness (diagnosed or not), familial dysfunction, abusive partners, sexual trauma, addiction, and sky-high expectations. They describe the harsh realities of starving and binging, throwing and giving up, lying to people they love, and sacrificing personal relationships. Some are in recovery; others are still struggling. All are very blunt, and very brave.

SOLO: My Time at Barstool Sports Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

Before Alex Cooper, Sofia Franklyn, and Call Her Daddy, before Ellie Schnitt and Brianna LaPaglia (Chickenfry), before Ria Ciuffo & Fran Mariano had their show Chicks In The Office, there was one chick in the Barstool Sports offices...and it was me. In 2016/17, at 23, I was the only female contestant in "Barstool Idol." What was described as a competition-based search for the company's next big "talent" ended up being an exploitation fest live-streamed on Facebook & Periscope. I genuinely thought I'd be the perfect person to jumpstart their female-driven content - and had a thick enough skin to do it - but left (or, actually, got fired) feeling so humiliated that I swore I'd never talk about it again...until now. ~

Tales of Taboo is produced and narrated by Ali Weiss. Follow Ali on Instagram & TikTok @aliweissworld. Audio production by Zoe Kuhlkin. Theme song by Chris Stathopolous. Cover photo by Erika Flynn. Cover art by Kristen Montenegro. GOT A SECRET TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST? Share your own confession - or thoughts and feedback - at confessions@aliweissworld.com.

Paranormal Confessions Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Happy Halloween - my favorite time of year! To celebrate, this week we've got a fascinating collection of anonymous stories about our listeners' spooky, WILD encounters with the Paranormal. Ghosts, UFOs, suspicious rotating orbs, lanky men in black top hats (the Babadook?) - you name it, you'll hear about it. While I myself have never had an encounter with non-earthly beings, I fully support each contributor's experience. There's so much in this life that's beyond our understanding - who actually knows if aliens exist or something cool happens to our spirits when we die?! No one. So whether or not you believe in it all, I hope you'll listen with an open mind and heart. If nothing else, knock the lights off, grab some candy, and enjoy the ride :)

Raver & EDM Scene Confessions Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

I did artist interviews at a camping music festival last month, and it was the first time I’ve ever attended a multi-day rave. Truthfully? It freaked me out. I went to Ultra Music Festival in Miami for 2 years in high school and plenty of concerts and after hours parties since. But the older I get, the more baffled I become by how large-scale electronic music events, specifically engineered for drug usage, sensory overload, and escapism, have become multi-million dollar businesses in countries all over the world.

The age of our anonymous Raver contributors varies from teens to 40s; it’s a mixed bag of traditional folks with corporate jobs, escapees of repressive, sheltered, or painful childhoods, and “misfit” stereotypes of the subculture. Some say the slogan of Peace Love Unity Respect is total delusion, wearing off with the Molly and Acid; others say it’s brought them friends that have become family. Some attend to enrich their lives, others to commemorate deaths. Almost all admit that drugs are a central part of the experience.

While each contributor was asked the same question - are raves productive utopias, or dangerous alternate realities? - their answers, like their backgrounds and motivations, vary greatly. Strap in for a wild trip. (Written submissions start at 16:37, audio submissions at 32:47.)

Sorority Confessions Oct 02, 2021

Show notes

You heard my story, so now it's your turn: SORORITY CONFESSIONS. And they’re WAY juicier than mine.

First, we have written submissions (3:16), from the former Vice President of Recruitment from my sorority (!) dishing SO MUCH tea about how Rush really works and her blocked attempts at inclusivity; plus a former Delta Gamma from the University of Southern California and Alpha Sigma Alpha from University of Central Missouri.

Audio notes (22:49), in order - old world values and fraudulent identity at University of South Carolina; a bottom tier sorority member at an unnamed Southeastern Conference school; another bottom tier member at the equally massive and frat-fanatical University of Michigan; a mixed race girl in a white, blonde top house at Chapman; extreme hazing stories from an unnamed SUNY; fake hazing (and very real date rape drugging) at San Diego State; real-ass hazing at a liberal arts school in Upstate New York; anecdotes from a Rush chair at an unnamed Division 1 southern school; and a postgrad traveling “consultant” who oversaw rush across the nation - and can confirm that racism, classism, and discrimination in Greek Life trickles down from the very top.

Term Key: “PNM”= Potential New Member and is the same as a “Rushee.” Pref Day is the last day of the process where PNMs get matched with active members with (ideally) similar personalities, who try and convince them to choose that house. “Panhellenic” is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities throughout the United States and Canada.

SOLO: [Getting Kicked Out Of] My Sorority Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

THE RUMORS ARE TRUE. I, Princess of Taboo, professional rule breaker, and champion of individualism, am a former member of Alpha Phi: the hottest, blondest, whitest sorority on my California college campus. Even more shocking? I absolutely loved it.

That is, until I got kicked out. For my first solo episode, I take you through the highs and lows of my 2.5 years in Greek Life as the only New Yorker in a microcosm of "Trump's America." From rushing (in club clothes) and skyrocketing to the top of the social ladder overnight to crashing down in a school-wide scandal that ultimately got me terminated, it was never simple. And neither were - are - the ethics. My sorority showed me female love and loyalty that I never thought possible, but within a system that's classist, discriminatory, and exclusionary. In "finding a home," I lost myself, and became a part of a much larger societal problem.

Sugar Baby Confessions Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

What leads people to pay, and accept money, for physical and emotional intimacy? Are Sugar Babies sex workers, or are they just girlfriends of rich men who get “spoiled” as part of the courtship?

Our Babies met their Daddies on websites and in workplaces and backyards. One was involved with a foreign film producer who took her to Cannes and the famous AMFAR Gala; another got lured into the dating-for-pay game by the founder of Seeking Arrangements himself, Brandon Wade. One had a Daddy pay off $30,000 in credit card debt; another is currently getting $5,000 a date, JUST to tie guys to beds. We even hear from a Baby who’s currently engaged to her former Daddy!

Whether ultimately feeling empowered or ashamed, all of our contributors admit it’s an easy world to enter, and difficult to leave. Because yeah - the money, and the sex, are THAT good. (Written submissions start 9:15, audio submissions start 28:42)

Ask An Escort (with Vivienne Cole) Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Vivienne Cole is an independent New York-based escort. She's also hilarious, refreshingly honest, and a great friend. Join us as Viv answers YOUR burning questions about sex work, seduction, and self-worth, and dishes on everything from unusual client fetishes to the complicated nature of "feminism" and dating with a price tag. I think you should Call HER Daddy. Follow Vivienne on Instagram & Twitter at @viviennecolenyc.

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