Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities: "Trust the Process" - Detailed Summary
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "Trust the Process" from Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities, listeners are taken on a fascinating journey through two extraordinary historical figures whose unconventional methods and eccentricities led to remarkable outcomes. Hosted by Aaron Mahnke and produced by iHeartPodcasts in collaboration with Grim & Mild, this episode delves deep into the lives of Arthur Craven, a pioneering performance artist in boxing, and Victor Hugo, the literary giant known for masterpieces like Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Arthur Craven: The First Professional Boxing Troll
Timestamp: [01:10] - [05:32]
Aaron Mahnke opens the first tale by introducing Arthur Craven, a multifaceted individual born in 1887. Craven is depicted as a man of many titles, humorously listing himself as "the world's shortest-haired poet, boxer, hotel rat, muleteer, snake charmer, chauffeur, ailurophile, gold prospector, grandson of the queen's chancellor, nephew of Oscar Wilde." Mahnke quips, “Yeah, put that one on a tombstone. Oh, and if you're wondering what an ailurophile is, it's someone who loves cats.”
Key Highlights:
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Early Life and Boxing Career: Craven grew up in Switzerland but found it stifling, leading him to travel Europe and take up boxing. His large stature suited the sport, but it was his flair for the dramatic that set him apart.
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Performance Art in the Ring: Beyond trading punches, Craven infused his matches with theatrical elements—delivering impassioned speeches on art, trash-talking opponents, threatening suicide, firing guns into the air, and even throwing his briefcase into the audience. Mahnke notes, “He liked to troll the crowd. It's like he only ever felt alive if everyone in the room hated him.”
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The Infamous Match with Jack Johnson: Craven's bout against the world champion Jack Johnson ended controversially in the sixth round with Craven's knockout. The aftermath was chaotic, resulting in a riot that forced Craven to flee to New York.
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Life in New York and Relationship with Mina Loy: In New York, Craven shifted his focus from boxing to performance art, continuing his antagonistic antics by writing insulting articles and making provocative speeches. Despite his abrasive exterior, he developed a soft spot for the poet Mina Loy. Their relationship led them to Mexico in 1917 to escape the Great War, marry, and plan a family.
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Mysterious Disappearance: Struggling financially in Mexico, the couple moved to Buenos Aires. In a perplexing act that Mahnke describes as possibly another performance stunt, Craven attempted to sail South America in a small rowboat, disappearing after Mina saw him off. Theories about his fate range from drowning to starting a new life elsewhere. Mina remained fond of him, stating, “her happiest years were the ones she spent with him,” despite his vanishing act.
Notable Quotes:
- “He liked to troll the crowd. It's like he only ever felt alive if everyone in the room hated him.” — Aaron Mahnke [02:30]
- “As despicable as he could be at times, he set a bold example of living life to the fullest and refusing to bow to the expectations of others.” — Aaron Mahnke [05:00]
Victor Hugo: Stripping Away Distractions
Timestamp: [06:39] - [11:10]
Transitioning from the theatrical to the literary, Mahnke narrates the story of Victor Hugo, a titan of French literature, and his unique approach to overcoming procrastination.
Key Highlights:
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Early Success and Social Life: Born in 1802, Hugo quickly gained recognition for his poetic talents. By 1831, he was a prominent figure in Parisian high society, frequenting parties, balls, and operas. This vibrant social life, however, began to impede his writing productivity.
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The Shawl Strategy: Facing a looming deadline for his novel, Hugo devised an extreme method to curb his social distractions. He purchased a large gray shawl, had his clothes locked away by a servant, and effectively immobilized himself. “He made it so that he could never leave,” Mahnke explains.
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A Period of Intense Creativity: Wrapped in his shawl and unable to attend social gatherings, Hugo immersed himself in writing. This period of enforced seclusion led to the creation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Mahnke remarks, “They say great work requires stripping away the distractions, and it seems in the case of Victor Hugo, he took that quite literally.”
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Legacy and Later Years: Hugo's innovative approach not only produced literary masterpieces but also spurred him into political activism. His works such as Les Misérables highlighted social inequalities and human struggles. After opposing Napoleon III, Hugo was exiled to Guernsey for 15 years, during which he continued his prolific writing, likely still employing his unique methods.
Notable Quotes:
- “They say great work requires stripping away the distractions, and it seems in the case of Victor Hugo, he took that quite literally.” — Aaron Mahnke [09:45]
- “Victor Hugo had a huge impact on French culture... embracing social reforms like free education, universal suffrage, and an end to the death penalty.” — Aaron Mahnke [10:30]
Conclusion
In "Trust the Process," Aaron Mahnke masterfully intertwines the lives of two enigmatic figures who employed unorthodox methods to navigate their personal and professional challenges. Arthur Craven's blend of performance art and boxing, though controversial, left a lasting impression on the world of sports and entertainment. Meanwhile, Victor Hugo's literal stripping away of distractions serves as a testament to the lengths one might go to achieve creative greatness.
The episode not only entertains with its rich storytelling but also inspires listeners to consider the diverse ways individuals overcome obstacles and pursue their passions with relentless curiosity.
Additional Information
For those captivated by the tales in this episode, Aaron Mahnke invites you to explore further by ordering the official Cabinet of Curiosities book here. Dive deeper into history’s most unbelievable, unsettling, and bizarre stories, and join the community of curious minds eager to uncover the hidden corners of our world.
Subscribe to Cabinet of Curiosities on Apple Podcasts or visit curiositiespodcast.com to stay updated with the latest episodes and exclusive content.
Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the enlightening narratives presented in the episode.