Michael Franzese, Was Life Better Under Mafia Rule? | The Culture War with Tim Pool

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Host:
Tim Pool @Timcast (everywhere)
Guests:
Michael Franzese | michaelfranzes... | franzesewine.com/
Shane Cashman @ShaneCashman (everywhere)
Producers:
Lisa Elizabeth @LisaElizabeth (X)
Kellen Leeson @KellenPDL (X)
My Second Channel - / timcastnews
Podcast Channel - / timcastirl

[@GrahamGibbins]

Best Tim Cast episode ive ever watched and that including IRL. Amazing guest, important subjects, jokes and no lectures. Loved it.

[@JustJerryPodcast]

😮😮😮​@@waynealan3067

[@GrahamGibbins]

@@waynealan3067 Bore Off Waynetta. If you don't like him don't watch.

[@robertneville9606]

What a great surprise to see Michael Franzese on Tim Pool’s show today!

[@a330flyguy2]

FRANZESE 2028

[@loneskankster2242]

I love all these Russian talking points 😂😂😂

[@ibanezmaestro5630]

No way!! Michael Franzese's channel is one of my absolute favorites. I binge listen to his videos at work all the time. So cool to see him on Timcast!!

[@thenewjerseys]

I'm not supposed to agree with and see everything the exact same way as a mobster yet here we are.

[@umeng2002]

Says a lot about Democrat-ran cities and the DOJ.

[@DS.proudkiwi]

Allot of the time gangs and Mafia they start up when the law is failing to protect the people and the more extreme people in a community decide to do something. Well at least thats what it was back in the day

[@JackThelRipper]

Right! Just crazy, it’s like they knew something before everyone else does now

[@claytonjohnston25]

Agreed

[@TheTyrial86]

Mobsters came into power by protecting their own people. It isn't any different if we just decided not to take the crap anymore. Stuff like keeps society moving because, let's be honest. Police can't be expected to do the dirty work.

[@tuseroni6085]

you know things are bad when the mafia looks like the moral ones.

[@frankg5408]

Exactly

[@davidborboa77]

They have always had morals. You just didn't agree with them. To be honest with you, it starts getting worse here I am going to mexico the cartels have their code, and they stick to it. You don't bother them they don't bother you. If we keep going on the path we are on, it's going to become destopion nightmare fast.

[@Donner906]

Real moral......

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

@@davidborboa77 Cartels literally kidnap girls and sell them as sex slaves. They also bully young boys to join with threats to their families. You are hilarious

[@Gabthar]

1924: oh no! The mob is extorting me for protection money! 2024: I pay the mob to protect me.

[@Courier_Seven]

Better than paying a mob that doesnt protect you and will stop and prosecute you if you decide to defend yourself.

[@ritobug483]

I'd pay of it were an option still. Law enforcement is worthless.

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

​@@ritobug483the mafia beat you if you don't pay lol

[@joesuchy1157]

@@bjrnthebootybanditnot always but whatever

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

@joesuchy1157 always lol. They were violent bullies who terrorised the Italian community

[@esotericormentalillness]

This is the most interesting interviews I've seen all year. This was great.

[@jessejames5229]

The Mafia has been replaced by new rackets namely D.E.I. and the Teacher's Unions.

[@loneskankster2242]

Aww you fell for the culture war 😂😂😂😂 How cute 😂😂😂

[@DaedalusHelios]

​@@loneskankster2242 Harris bot NPCs are getting pretty bad.

[@bt8508]

Yea, replaced by the 3 letter gov agencies...

[@joesuchy1157]

@@loneskankster2242aww you sound mentally unstable how cute

[@dvulpis29]

Anarcho-Tyranny / Cartels

[@piperboy26]

Best guest ever

[@a330flyguy2]

FRANZESE 2028

[@darkstar92772]

I’ve been putting “Get Michael Franzese on” in the chat and comment section for years.

[@lisaelizabeth]

❤

[@LdOverkill1776]

73? Dude looks like he's in his 50's.

[@strategery101]

Seriously. I would think maybe 55 to 60

[@Puchacz81]

@@strategery101 His father lived 103 years. Seems like good genes :)

[@lavern007]

Sly Stallone in Tulsa King. A hard 75.

[@andrewplatt7076]

He's 13 years older than Tim Walz... lol

[@NapalmYourMom]

That's Italians for you! At least the ones who can stay away from the carbs, lmao.

[@tamilee9462]

I love Michael!!!! I live in a nice quiet Italian town and there is no fuckin around here! cuz everybodys watching and everyones talkin!

[@KrisTomich]

It's more relevant how many blacks live there.

[@ScottyDoesntKnow69]

No fuckin? What do yall do with your wives then??

[@KingDavidtheThird]

If there's no fucking how do you guys have kids?

[@tamilee9462]

@@KingDavidtheThird shh its in the sauce

[@dannyhanlon7070]

Need to know where this peace exists for real

[@davidmccraw2809]

The most dangerous thing is when the government no longer fears the governed.

[@thevulgarunicorn3543]

We still love you Michael I would prefer the mob to the democrat stormtroopers we have now

[@loneskankster2242]

Try not to storm the captiol over it little guy 😂😂😂😂

[@DS.proudkiwi]

At least you could make a deal to get your ass out of trouble....this leftist Mafia are clowns that make no sense so you can make no sense to them they just want violence

[@Marbles755]

​@loneskankster2242 just like June of 2016? When they burned down a church and guard post?

[@loneskankster2242]

@@Marbles755 Fake

[@Marbles755]

@@loneskankster2242 you're glowing with ignorance.

[@crou8040]

Best episode of Culture War I've ever seen. First time I've ever watched it from beginning to end.

[@Thysia-y3h]

And come back to rewatch, in my case.

[@jessejames5229]

This is the kind of conversation a gentlemen can sit down with a glass of whiskey and a cigar and enjoy.

[@DemandAlphabetBeBrokenUp]

My pop was born in Brooklyn 1938. Immigrant parents. He ran part of the NYC marine terminal. He always said "The largest Mafia on Ert is da Federal Gova -ment" I think he was a Bannano affiliate but I'm not positive. He passed when I was 12.

[@fabrixioable]

Don't wanna be that guy, but did you meant Bonanno? Or Bonano.

[@Donner906]

He was a dumbass

[@josephsharp5678]

​​@@fabrixioableYeah he obviously just misspelled Bonanno..

[@JRPLawyeress1]

I’m a huge Michael Franzese fan. Great sit down.

[@jmichaeljj]

I've been saying 70s New York was safer than New York today

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

2000 murders vs 400. SaFeR

[@proudgorilla]

This was an amazingly open & honest chat. Much appreciated men.

[@AdamMS1384]

Awesome interview. There’s a reason why the mafia is so romanticized in culture. They weren’t inherently evil, malicious, etc. And there is zero doubt that in those days, it was MUCH safer. Bring back the mafia 😅

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

They were insanely evil idiot. Some of those dudes have double digit homicides. Literally serial killers

[@scottsetzke7967]

All my friends parents talk about how the gangs were kept in line by the outfit in Chicago

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

@AdamMS1384 the mafia flooded America with Heroine, killed a president and bullied civilians

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

@scottsetzke7967 No the gangs weren't really around until the 70s which coincided with the outfit losing power

[@notclueless371]

Years ago when I was living in Brooklyn, I was told that they protected us from common criminals. With their strict code of conduct and principles, they were 10 times more honorable than today's alphabet agencies and current WH administration.

[@wesleyhryszczuk9442]

Didn’t see this one coming but I love it!!! Good call bringing Michael on! 👍🏼 great episode

[@legionofrome883]

Been wanting Michael on for a long time this episode is a dream come true

[@jessejames5229]

Not to sound sexist, but one of the best things about this talk is no females. Sorry ladies, but this is a gentlemen's conversation.

[@Nylon_riot]

I know more about these people than you do. If you watched the sopranos and came away thinking they were the good guys, you watched it incorrectly. The women are part of it. That is the secret. It's just an unofficial form of fascism. Americans don't know what olive oil tastes like because they swap it out for seed oils. Remember that they next time you pay $20 for junk oil and wonder if "it is cool."

[@trequor]

The mafia is a gentleman's industry. It only functioned at all because it ran on masculine principles

[@brian-my7ym]

I got to say this was one of the more interesting and fun conversations I have heard for this show

[@StephenScray]

Probably one of the most interesting conversations yet for TCW. I have a personal bias towards the more spiritual stuff but this guy is really great to have on and the counterweight guest to ask directed questions just nails it.

[@Kolateak_]

This episode is one of the greats of this show

[@melbelle2049]

Govt thugs or mafia. Ill take the mafia

[@DS.proudkiwi]

There is something to be said for honor, loyalty and integrity....things the mafia made law in there ranks , but that can't be found in allot of government

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

​@DS.proudkiwi cap. The mob were treacherous and would turn on their own in a heartbeat. They whack a dude and then tell his wife "he ran away"

[@Donner906]

Says someone who has not dealt with the mob or any gang. Clearly.

[@liammorgans7329]

Ill take neither

[@melbelle2049]

@@Donner906 clearly you do not know my ethnic background.

[@jamescendrowski4844]

I may be an ignoramus but, from how he's describing how the business works, I don't see much of a gap between it and government. Sounds like the government just wanted to eliminate the competition.

[@dannygoog9654]

Yelp and wanted the control of the unions I believe

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

Except the mafia kill you if you don't pay

[@tonycamaj7243]

Exactly what they wanted. Guys went to jail for numbers which is now known as the lottery lol.

[@scottsetzke7967]

Ding ding ding

[@Ain_soph]

Read Whitney Webb's recent book, "one nation under blackmail". It explains this, more or less

[@nKm-2023]

"Now yous cant leave 🔨🤨"

[@chrisonthedrums9955]

I've been a fan of Michael Fanzese for a few years now. What a great redemption story he has. Glad you brought him on the show.

[@JustJerryPodcast]

I fuckn love Michael so much knowledge and experience would love to see him on the evening show

[@tamilee9462]

Omg that would be great!!!!!

[@Toast-cc7gr]

The fact that the headline is even a discussion at all says more about the state of things then anything else.

[@cookymioni6544]

I grew up in 1950s New Kensington, Pa. Sam Mannerino’s home town. Big Mafia boss. Our town was safe like this guy says Read “Little Chicago, organized crime history of New Kensington, Pa.

[@cookymioni6544]

You did not get hurt unless you crossed the Mob

[@tamilee9462]

I live in a nice organized town and I ain't leavin!

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

Mafia are a joke

[@tamilee9462]

This was such a great episode. I've never seen Tim so enthralled and...quiet? Great Episode.

[@bradpaden3073]

Haa..true and was great show. Bring this dude back again

[@latvieshupuika2232]

Man, this was an EXCELLENT show !!!

[@MadeByChinkee]

Maybe Trump will be much safer under the mafia’s protection instead of the security service. 😅😅😅

[@russell22222]

Who knows,maybe,the New York will approve of that,but they will ask for the cash....

[@scottsetzke7967]

Michael and Sammy the bull said Trump couldn't be shook down. He was stone cold

[@Nylon_riot]

Apparently you missed the part about who Nancy is, which I have been saying for a while. Look at how Little Italy in Baltimore looks compared to the rest of the city. If you are a crime syndicate, which party do you think they align with.

[@2steps1ceps38]

TYT tonight: TIM POOL LIKES THE MOB

[@Sigrafix]

"Right Wing Extremist Tim Pool joins the Mob, orders hit on Democrats." 😂

[@1Jason]

Anna Kasparian got robbed recently. I believe that woke her up and changed some of her views.

[@josephsharp5678]

Unhinged Chunk Yogurt.

[@twominuteshate7885]

Great show today! If only we could go back to the the prosperity we knew when the mob was in charge.

[@J.CagleMMA]

Never seen this guy before. Amazing guest, could listen to his stories all day

[@danithedime]

he has a great channel, uploads often.

[@_hesha_7092]

This is such an amazing interview. I wasn't sure about it going in because I'm not really into gangsters or the mob, but it was so interesting.

[@moosechuckle]

With the exception of a few episodes I’ve watched every Friday. This is the single best episode I’ve seen of the culture war. I was vaguely familiar with Michael prior to this, but this was truly eye opening.

[@briandarazs6620]

He has his own YT channel. It's very good. He conducts interviews with some very interesting people, he also has some great stories of his days with " the family ". He once had a fuel tax scam going on, he was making 30 million a month. He was single-handedly the highest mob earner in mob history. I strongly recommend his channel.

[@Jamesbondsmom]

My husband and I grew up in the Northeast, in areas where Michael was working at the time. We were very aware of activities happening at the time. Michael’s stories are fascinating because of that. I am so glad that Michael is a believer in Jesus Christ now and really wants to create a community for believers and non-believers. His thoughts on today’s political realm were fascinating to hear. This is my favorite show so far and I really learn so much from all of them. Thank you for this conversation!

[@DingleBerryschnapps]

Most Mafia people are devout Catholics. What do you mean a believer in Jesus Christ "now"?

[@tamilee9462]

It is great to see

[@krisa8969]

I really enjoyed this episode! When I saw that Michael was the guest, I knew this would be good!

[@gustavofring766]

Probably my favorite CW episode to date. Dude is fucking awesome and the full on accent is gold lol

[@cardiac71]

To someone who grew up like Michael the things the he and the mob did were normal. Most of us can't relate in that way. For all we knew our family members were straight shooters. It's easy for a normal person to romanticize that lifestyle but I would imagine that life is very stressful. Imagine your job requires you to break the law. You could go to work one day and never come home because you got caught.

[@Dancingokapi]

I grew up hearing how clean and safe Rochester was back in the day when the mob ran the show. My dad wasn't involved but worked at some bars they owned and knew peripherally what was up. I've thought about how much I'd love to bring them back so many times over the years. If you kept your nose clean, you were good.

[@tamilee9462]

A friend of the family "won" a golf trip to Florida. He was shot in the head. He had molested someone's kid.

[@chrisquiett1776]

I wish Rudy was on this episode. That would have been an interesting group. Only about 1/2 way but I'm loving this one

[@illinoisboy8577]

Mike has several episodes with Rudy as a guest

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Rudy was actually on Michael's podcast

[@leefennema]

This was a very interesting chat, I really enjoyed it.

[@Cammi-Cat-XIII]

I remember watching this guy on a documentary called Fear City on Netflix several years ago. Check it out if you like this interview.

[@eamakesart]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Probably my favorite one yet. Michael is a great story teller! Always loved listening to him.

[@ForceFedFetusFillet]

Michael Franzese is legit. It'd be cool to get Larry Lawton on here too.

[@Jack-M1113]

I'm about 20 mins in and this is refreshing to hear people speak plainly. Not going to lie, wouldn't mind them making a come-back lol

[@a.d.4536]

Excellent Show today. One of the best

[@paulsheldon905]

I love this episode. Michael is awesome, I learned a lot about what I didn't know today.

[@rhast57]

What an great guest. God bless him and his wife. If I have to live with gangs, I guess I'd rather live with the mafia. What an unfortunate thing to have to say...

[@charlesdavis3923]

Reminds me of the joke, government hates competition

[@frankg5408]

True

[@1Jason]

Joke?

[@charlesdavis3923]

@@1Jason good point, I guess statement would be more accurate to be honest

[@coltondodger]

I've been saying it for a while, but this lawlessness is going to resurrect "protection payments" If the neighborhoods reject the nice cops, they may have to work with much less nice orginized criminals.

[@johnrigs6540]

Grew up in Queens during the prime time for this stuff - and what Michael is saying is absolutely 100% True. We ALWAYS felt safe at all times when these guys were around. As bad as they may have been, they really did keep our neighborhood safe. Not sure how it is now though, because I had always heard their main business was sports gambling ,which was illegal back then. Now that it’s legal - we have commercials 24/7 promoting sports gambling that could all easily be done from everybody’s phones in 5 minutes! So it’s a very different time now,that’s for sure. But I would still take those guys over todays bad guys and todays dirty corrupt politicians ANY DAY.

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

Mafia extorted small businesses and hurt you if you didn't pay. How does that compare to the government?

[@Donner906]

Trusting in the mob. Very stupid.

[@patriotamerican3426]

My grandfather grew up in Corona Queens he was a truck driver he was some what affiliated with the Gambino Family for some extra money he’d run numbers for one of their numbers racket apparently despite being an associate in their terms he brought my father my uncle and my aunt over to Carlo Gambino’s house on Long Island to swim off his dock he was also friends with Tough Tony Federici Genovese soldier ran the Parkside Restaurant in Corona because they both owned pigeons

[@Donner906]

@@patriotamerican3426 So he was a dirty criminal? You must be proud.

[@christophjohnson3777]

Every time they talk about the guy beating up bikers in a Bronx tale I think of Jackie Chan in rumble in the Bronx. 😂

[@Americanoligarchy]

Amazing episode. I could listen to this man talk all day long. What a storyteller!

[@cindysweeney7705]

Excellent Tim & Crew! Thank you!

[@DustinManke]

I’ve been waiting for this guest!

[@AndyWallace-bi6vx]

I used to live in Sunset Park Brooklyn and that was Latin King turf. I was a retail worker in NYC and they knew I lived in the neighborhood. Didn’t matter that I was different from them. I could come home at 2am and feel protected because they knew I was from there and they looked out for us.

[@Lex_Koncord]

To answer the the title question... compare 1940-1990 economic situation, community health and government corruption vs 1990-2024 economic situation, community health and government corruption Seems obvious...

[@tamilee9462]

My late Husband would watch Michael every week!!

[@buckmeister9860]

Sorry for your loss.

[@tamilee9462]

@@buckmeister9860 thank you. It will be one year since I lost my big Goomba 💔

[@aa-dv1pt]

This is quickly becoming my favorite show to watch. This is two outstanding guests and shows in a row.

[@jessejames5229]

"As far back as I can remember I wanted to be a gangster"....

[@briandarazs6620]

Ha Ha, that's a great line. I just watched that, again, the other night.

[@abefroman8821]

His character is in Goodfellas

[@frankg5408]

Better then being a politician

[@kaytlynwallace9567]

thats funny, i ALWAYS wanted to be a "hit" girl

[@rosmarin2438]

Have this guy on as a regular guest

[@morganxavier]

From one of my favorite movies..."Manners maketh man." And then Colin Firth kicks ass. 😍

[@serpephone]

This segment has been very interesting! I usually lose interest in the Friday specials but this was a real treat!

[@lavern007]

I suppose the rural areas will be the first to stand up to crime if the police are not the criminals. Molesters, murderers, and drug traffickers can disappear into a pasture somewhere if the will is there and the police appreciate the assist.

[@Thysia-y3h]

So the thing is that they are looking for a long hole. If you bury it vertical the hole is the wrong shape to find 🧐

[@lavern007]

@@Thysia-y3h there are augers that can make several 60 ft holes.

[@Thysia-y3h]

@@lavern007 send me a link or just give me search terms

[@lavern007]

@@Thysia-y3h I’ve thought about it, you can auger a number of 30 ft deep holes and when the time comes, plant a fruit tree. Build your orchard.

[@crazydrummerofdoom]

ALL OF YOU NEED TO LOOK UP THE BATTLE OF ATHENS TENNESSEE, OR MCMINN COUNTY. That happened in the 1940s lots of lessons for conservatives.

[@lisakennedy1599]

This was a great interview! Probably my favorite.. even got my husband out of his office for a listen! Also, very handsome, put together man! I remember the mob hits of the 60s & 70s. Pretty brutal. Great guest!

[@opossum632]

Me and my fiancé just finished the sopranos for the 3rd time lol

[@DAP-1776]

Easily the best guest and interview in the history of this podcast. Bravo!👏

[@FloridaDumpling]

Love Michael Franzese! I remember him from the 1980’s, in the NY Post & Daily News. He was always so handsome. They called him “the Yuppie Don”.

[@andrewmondeik4728]

I am looking forward to this show, I listen to both of your podcasts.

[@armandoriveraiii2619]

I had looked forward to seeing Mr. Michael Franzese on a Tim Pool podcast. This was one of the best episodes! Thank you for the podcast and God Bless!

[@Mrbobpurple]

they beat people up who owe them money to set an example for others of what will happen if they dont pay

[@bjrnthebootybandit]

They were bullies

[@Thysia-y3h]

Yeah I know the irs does that. Did you know they endorsed kamala?

[@M42Cullen]

Heave and thrust Roll and crash Ill fated men Cursing the sea Cry in vain toil Dire lack at sail Fool at the helm Better we with pirate Then a noble's fey seed

[@jsonmedia]

Excellent conversation! Mr. Franzese is right. When you are getting your morals from a mob guy, things are really messed up.

[@frankg5408]

Men of honor!

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Remember most of these guys had a very great sense of Honor.

[@FloridaDumpling]

Yup. My neighborhood in Brooklyn, Marine Park, Flatlands, was very safe.

[@cheri_inspired]

Things are pretty bad when we are waxing poetic of the days of the Mafia. But there seems to be forces far darker than they ever dreamt of being. Inconceivable. Matthew 7:13-14 New International Version The Narrow and Wide Gates 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

[@EmmettConrecode]

Michael you need to run for Newport Beach City Council. I'll vote for you and recommend my Tennants to do so too.

[@josefhoromia]

Tim Pool and Michael Franzese were not on my 2024 bingo card..

[@FloridaDumpling]

In the 1980’s I walked past The Gemini Lounge every day on the way to work (on the other side of the street, of course). It was at the corner of Troy Ave & Flatlands. Didn’t know anything about the place, just that it was bad. Roy DeMeo went to St. Thomas Aquinas school, I believe.

[@jimblack5153]

Tim...one of your best interviews yet!

[@northcoast40nine]

Hands down the guest of the year for '24 👌💪👍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@NextGenNate]

Im 29 and i watched the entire sopranos series over the summer, i actually finished it up a couple weeks ago, so coming out of that and getting to listen this while my mind was still in that mafia space and curiosity was a real treat! I love hearing the old stories of how things use to be.

[@michaelwilber774]

Hell yeah Michael! Never thought I'd see you two guys together

[@BornAHawkEye]

When he said he was 73 holy moly😮😮😮😮😮😮😮 Lord you look good my sir😂😂

[@WardSpose]

Excellent conversation thank you

[@SATSUIelwood]

One of the best CW episodes to date. Great stuff.

[@kingultramaga5182]

It would be great if he was on IRL tonight.

[@lisaelizabeth]

He will be back!

[@marcisilberstein3400]

Really enjoyed this episode. First time I have actually shared an episode I believe

[@roxdarmurray6634]

GREAT watch! So interesting! Mad respect!! In my top 5 favorite book: The Ice Man. I may or may not be obsessed with mobsters.😁

[@robertomorales1297]

This is a great episode!!

[@ryanh7161]

Wow loved Michael. The talk was entertaining.

[@nealprice6262]

This guy's awesome should have him back for the daily show

[@_Solaris]

Fascinating. I never comment on any Pool channels, but I'll make an exception here.

[@EmmettConrecode]

My brother was a. 1%er. The clubs have rules, too. After Vietnam, he would rob the mod of their collections in the ORD area. He had to come west and join the clubs. 😂