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September 8, 2025 67 mins

A limo to Atlantic City. Pizzerias with back rooms. Garbage bags vanishing across boroughs.


Comedian Barry Rothbart grew up believing his dad didn’t just live large—he made life larger. Then the tapes surfaced.


This isn’t a mob story. It’s what happens when your identity is forged from someone else’s legend—only to discover the legend was a lie. As Barry unravels the mythology, his father’s world curdles into something darker… and uncomfortably familiar to our show.


For the full, uncut conversation, hop over to our Patreon.


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SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Barry’s dad kept his money in stacks above the bed. We prefer Patreon. If this episode hit you—or made you think twice about charisma, cons, or cult leaders—share it and then leave a review (but take the cannoli). 


A huge thank you to our Patreon members—your support keeps us making episodes like this one. Want ad-free shows & exclusive extras? → Join our Patreon.


CHECK OUT BARRY:

Barry Rothbart’s investigative series Searching for Allan Rothbart is exclusively on Audible. It’s equal parts mob tale, family reckoning, and cult-like indoctrination story. Don’t miss it.


You can also follow Barry on social media → @barryrothbart


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