Cabinet of Curiosities: “On the Job” (Sept 23, 2025)

Host: Aaron Mahnke | Production: iHeartPodcasts, Grim & Mild

Main Theme

This episode, "On the Job," delves into two tales of individuals whose work—often under extraordinary circumstances—had a profound impact. The first story explores the literary legacy forged behind prison walls by celebrated and infamous authors alike. The second recounts the remarkable story of Willie Kennard, a Black Civil War veteran, whose bravado and skill made him Colorado's first Black marshal after a deadly showdown in the Old West.

Story 1: Writing Behind Bars

[01:10 – 05:53]

Key Discussion Points

• Challenges of Finding Time to Write

  • The episode opens by noting that all writers struggle to find time and space for their craft, with prison offering an unexpectedly productive context.
  • “It’s always remarkable where, throughout history, people have found the time and space to record their thoughts. One of the most common places is in prison.” (Narrator, 01:23)

• Marco Polo & Rustichello da Pisa

  • In the 13th century, Marco Polo recounted his travels from a Genoan prison, with fellow inmate Rustichello da Pisa recording the tales.
  • Their collaboration produced “one of the most influential works of travel writing,” even if its authenticity is debated. (01:55)

• Sir Thomas Malory and Le Morte d’Arthur

  • 15th-century England: An enigmatic knight-prisoner produced the most famous version of King Arthur’s stories—“Le Morte d’Arthur.”
  • The author, presumed to be Sir Thomas Malory, left only cryptic references to his own incarceration and identity.
  • “What kind of knight would find himself in prison, yet still respected enough to publish a work while behind bars?” (02:58)

• Miguel de Cervantes and Don Quixote

  • In the late 16th century, Cervantes, captured by pirates and imprisoned in Algiers, conceived “Don Quixote” before returning to Spain to write it down.
  • “While his body remained in prison, his mind wandered far back to Spain, where he envisioned a nobleman who had a break with reality and decided to become a knight errant…” (03:59)

• Wider Spectrum: The Good and the Evil

  • Not all prison-authored books were as beloved; the Marquis de Sade and Adolf Hitler produced works ranging from controversial to monstrous while incarcerated.

• The Paradox of Prison as a Creative Space

  • “Prison is where we put people to isolate them from society...And yet culture happens behind bars as well.” (05:28)
  • The final insight: “Even if they don’t attempt to physically escape, a human being will always attempt an emotional escape from the cruelty and dehumanization of a penal institution. The pen, it seems, is not just mightier than the sword, it’s also a lot more flexible.” (05:42)

Story 2: Willie Kennard, Colorado’s First Black Marshal

[07:28 – 12:08]

Key Discussion Points

• Job Interviews—But Deadly

  • The trials of modern job hunting are compared with Willie Kennard’s literal life-or-death “interview” for town marshal in 1874 Yankee Hill, Colorado.
  • “He needed work and was eager to find something that played to his skill set. The problem was that he was an unusual candidate for his job at the time…” (07:32)

• The Test: Arrest an Infamous Outlaw

  • Kennard, Black and new in town, is told he can only have the job if he can arrest Barney Kasewitz, a violent outlaw who killed previous marshals—and a local’s father in defense of his daughter.
  • “He could have the job, but first he would need to arrest an outlaw named Barney Kasewitz.” (08:23)

• The Saloon Showdown

  • Kennard enters a saloon full of hostility. He confronts Barney: “He told Barney that he could choose either jail or hell. Now those were fighting words.” (09:34)

• Legendary Marksmanship

  • As Barney reaches for his gun, Kennard fires a shot that disables it before it leaves the holster. Two of Barney’s cronies try to draw on him but are shot dead by Kennard’s quick aim.
  • “Willie Kennard made an impossible shot. He fired a bullet into Kasewitz’s still-unholstered gun. The impact knocked the butt out of Barney’s hand and rendered the weapon useless.” (09:58)

• The Aftermath and Kennard’s Reputation

  • Kennard’s background is revealed: a Civil War corporal in an all-Black regiment, later an Army arms instructor and renowned gunslinger.
  • “He became Colorado’s first black marshal and by most accounts was well respected by the people of Yankee Hill…After all, Willie had ended a two year reign of terror and his new neighbors were forever grateful…” (11:25)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On prison as a fertile ground for creativity:

  • “The pen, it seems, is not just mightier than the sword, it’s also a lot more flexible.” (Narrator, 05:44)

• On Willie Kennard’s resolve:

  • “He told Barney that he could choose either jail or hell. Now those were fighting words.” (Narrator, 09:34)

• On the lasting impact of marginalized figures:

  • “He became Colorado’s first black marshal…his new neighbors were forever grateful to the man who freed them from Barney Kasewitz.” (Narrator, 11:25)

Episode Flow and Tone

Aaron Mahnke maintains a signature blend of warmth, historical curiosity, and wry observation throughout the episode. The stories are presented with brisk pacing, rich details, and an emphasis on both the extraordinary circumstances and the human will to persevere.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Episode Theme – 00:47–01:10
• Story 1: Writing in Prison (Marco Polo, Malory, Cervantes, etc.) – 01:10–05:53
• Story 2: Willie Kennard’s Showdown & Rise as Marshal – 07:28–12:08
• Closing & Credits – 12:08–12:41

“On the Job” is a reminder that creative genius and heroic resolve often emerge in the direst of circumstances—from prison cells to Wild West saloons. Whether wielding a pen or a six-shooter, extraordinary individuals can leave lasting marks on history—even when all odds are against them.