Content warning: organized crime, murder, attempted murder, extortion, child abuse, physical, mental, emotional, and financial abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.
Kurt Calabrese is a survivor, father, grandfather, and Chicago native whose life and family history have become the subject of many media productions. Kurt has shared his firsthand story in such outlets as ABC7 Chicago, the Chicago Sun-Times, Soft White Underbelly, Gangland Wire, and the Underbelly: Killing Kurt podcast. It is Kurt’s goal to bring greater awareness to the lasting impact of childhood abuse and trauma, drawing from his own experiences to encourage conversations about healing, mental health, and breaking the cycle of abuse. His story offers a deeply personal perspective on the effects that violence within a family can have long after childhood ends, and also highlights the impact a larger social system of organized crime has. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply grateful for Kurt’s honesty, openness, and rawness over these next several episodes.
Sources:
- “Hoax Bomb Shakes Trial.” Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2007, https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/06/20/hoax-bomb-shakes-trial/
-“How a Son’s Betrayal Brought Down Chicago’s Mob.” NPR, 14 Mar. 2011, https://www.npr.org/2011/03/14/134425257/how-a-sons-betrayal-brought-down-chicagos-mob
- “Jurors Claim Defendant Threatened Prosecutor During Mob Trial.” Courthouse News Service, https://www.courthousenews.com/jurors-claim-defendant-threatened-prosecutor-during-mob-trial/
- “Frank Calabrese Jr: Mobster Who Shopped His Dad to the FBI.” The Guardian, 25 Nov. 2011, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/25/frank-calabrese-jr-mobster-shopped-dad
- “Verdict in ‘Family Secrets’ Trial: All Guilty.” ABA Journal, [publication date if available], https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/verdict_in_family_secrets_trial_all_guilty
If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, help is available. If you believe you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or contact your local authorities for emergency assistance. Local domestic violence programs, shelters, and crisis hotlines can also provide confidential support. Resources can be found via local agencies or thehotline.org
For a list of resources and non-profit organizations that can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources
Thank you again to Cash App & Mint Mobile for sponsoring this episode.
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