Tales of Taboo

Latest Episodes:

Death & Grief Confessions Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

The only topic more taboo than money or sex is death. It's inevitable for all of us, yet nobody wants to talk about it - even behind closed doors. The fact that so few of us know how to confront it in a healthy way is shocking.

I asked listeners who have lost a close family member or friend to share how they dealt with grief, the best ways to support someone who's grieving, and how they wish their own support system would have behaved differently (or not failed them altogether).

To start, I share my own story about losing one of my best friends (2:35) and another best friend who just lost his dad, then read written submissions (10:46). Audio notes begin at 25:14, and we finish with some brief words of wisdom (1:18:15) from professional death-confronters I interviewed during my April USA trip: the owners of Dysfunctional Grace in Tampa, and the "shaman" of Neptune Memorial Reef in Miami.

~ 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.

Growing Up Wealthy Confessions Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

Especially in our current climate, few topics trigger as strong (and polarizing) of a reaction as money; and the only thing more triggering than earned money is family money which someone’s born into. That's why we're going to talk about it. Despite its inarguable ability to provide comfort, money does NOT buy happiness. Oftentimes - especially when inherited - it actually creates destructive mental health problems and a complete lack of self identity. Because in a capitalist Western society where “life purpose” revolves around pursuing money, who are you if you don’t have to?

This week, we hear from men and women who grew up in the 1% of the 1%. For every story about $16,000 plane tickets, diamond & ruby family heirlooms, shopping sprees and lunches with celebrities, there’s one about insurmountable pressure to succeed, toxic relationships with parents, forced religion-based marriages (!), and existential, incurable sadness. In the words of Biggie, “mo money, mo problems?” That’s for you to decide. (Written submissions start at 14:48, voice notes at 38:00)

Working for the Wealthy Confessions Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

The Swarovski private chef! Personal assistants to the owner of the Bucks and the Bronfmans! A Polo groom for royals! OH MY!

Every wonder about the habits of people rich and powerful enough to actually make real change (or just, like, go to space)? Me too, so with the help of Deuxmoi, I found some of their ex employees. We’ll learn which CEO had a cell phone specifically to talk to Jon Bon Jovi; which design legend kept a pistol strapped to his ankle 24/7; and who punched a prostitute in the boob and burst her implant, just to name a few.

As for our anonymous worker bees? They flew alone on G5s, spent $15,000 on room service, and regularly changed their numbers after getting stalked by paparazzi. But they were also emotionally and physically abused, crying themselves to sleep, and begging for enough money to make their rent. (Written submissions start at 7:40, audio notes at 33:13)

SoulCycle Confessions Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Thanks to the help of @deuxmoi and all of my amazing contributors, I’ve collected a ton of scalding hot, third degree burn-worthy tea on SoulCycle.

I start by reading email letters from two ‘famous’ former instructors. One details tons of employee drug usage (including during class!), instructor and client deaths, emotional abuse, fat-shaming, hyper-sexualization and homophobia during training, and the secret methodology taught in order to manipulate riders into coming back for more. The other instructor talks about bullying from clients, pay inequality between men & women, and how disgustingly SoulCycle treated her when she was publicly cheated on by her boyfriend - another famous instructor - and thrown into an intense media scandal. A former member of the corporate team also spills the beans on the way company PR is handled internally.

(41:42) Voice notes from front desk peeps tell stories of hellish celebrity clients, the Stephen Ross scandal, size discrimination, SoulCycle forbidding their employees to eat fast food, and what “wafflestomping” is. There are voice notes from clients whose eating disorders were made worse by Soul, too. And lastly, we hear from women bravely accusing Connor Kelly and Mike Press of psychological and sexual abuse.

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