What Came Next

202: [Kurt Calabrese] I Am Fighting // Part 4

What Came Next

Show Notes

Content warning: organized crime, murder, attempted murder, extortion, child abuse, physical, mental, emotional, and financial abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, mental illness, chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, 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: - ABC7. “I-Team Report: The Other Calabrese.” ABC7 San Francisco, 9 Mar. 2011, https://abc7news.com/archive/8004554/ -“Inside a Chicago Mob Family with Kurt Calabrese.” Apple Podcasts, https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/inside-a-chicago-mob-family-with-kurt-calabrese/id984020877?i=1000705238688 - “Son of a mobster - Kurt Calabrese.” YouTube, uploaded by [Channel Name], [Upload Date], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlRxsrc-Y-c -“Underbelly: Killing Kurt.” Apple Podcasts, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/underbelly-killing-kurt/id1680549673 Follow Kurt: Kurt's Website: https://www.kurtcalabrese.com/ Kurt on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kurt.calabrese/ Kurt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kurt.calabrese/

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 Jiyu Skin & Rula for sponsoring this episode. Jiyu Skin: the Korean skincare brand everyone is talking about. Our listeners get 20% off their entire order by using code WCN at jiyuskin.com/WCN #JIYU #ad And don't forget Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/wcn #rulapod

More from What Came Next

Oct 23, 2026

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:

Oct 16, 2026

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. 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

Oct 9, 2026

Content warning: organized crime, 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. 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 Rula for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget that Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/wcn #rulapod

Oct 2, 2026

Content Warning: sexual assault, rape, image-based sexual abuse, strangulation, domestic violence, and attempted murder. As shared in part one of her story, Kelly Sutliff is a survivor, founder of the nonprofit Kelly’s K-9’s: Tails of Courage, and a licensed professional counselor from New Jersey. In 2018, after a devastating grief journey, Kelly decided to return to her search for a life partner. It wouldn’t be long before she met a government contractor promising her the future she desired. However, her entire life changed on December 16th, 2019, when the loving relationship she had been cultivating with her new husband ended violently. After surviving an alleged attempted murder, Kelly has made it her mission to bring awareness and advocacy through her non-profit and sharing her story in the media. The Broken Cycle Media team is so very grateful for Kelly’s transparency, expertise, warmth, and listenership and support throughout the years. Kelly's K-9's: Tails of Courage https://www.kellysk9s.org/

Oct 2, 2026

Content Warning: sexual assault, rape, image-based sexual abuse, strangulation, domestic violence, and attempted murder. Kelly Sutliff is a survivor, founder of the nonprofit Kelly’s K-9’s: Tails of Courage, and a licensed professional counselor from New Jersey. In 2018, after a devastating grief journey, Kelly decided to return to her search for a life partner. It wouldn’t be long before she met a government contractor promising her the future she desired. However, her entire life changed on December 16th, 2019, when the loving relationship she had been cultivating with her new husband ended violently. After surviving an alleged attempted murder, Kelly has made it her mission to bring awareness and advocacy through her non-profit and sharing her story in the media. The Broken Cycle Media team is so very grateful for Kelly’s transparency, expertise, warmth, and listenership and support throughout the years. Kelly's K-9's: Tails of Courage https://www.kellysk9s.org/

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