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21: Ashley Mathews (aka Riley Reid) - The mogul and brains behind America's Sweetheart
Historically, fighting obscenity and indecency charges has always been a central part of the free speech movement. Jim Morrison, Mae West, Lenny Bruce and George Carlin have all been arrested for exciting the public in ways that authorities have found threatening. Recently, however, the erotic and comedic arts have undergone more cryptic attacks via Operation Chokepoint, "cancellation", "no platforming", and inadequate press coverage given to cases of legal intimidation (e.g. the federal case under Miller v California standards brought against director John Stagliano). In this episode, Eric sits down with the business woman who created the enduring character of the unlikely top pornstar Riley Reid. Continuing the theme of the DISC (Distributed Idea Suppression Complex) we discuss issues like Operation Chokepoint and obscenity law as well more subtle issues like the difficulty of finding vendors willing to cross the Rubicon to work with legal erotic businesses. Ashley, in the role of the Riley Reid character, has defied all pornographic convention by embracing body positivity, forgoing plastic surgery and opting for natural body hair at times. Additionally she has made a social statement by doing a popular artistic scene which makes a political and business case for greater transsexual acceptance. Her main tool appears to be a palpable human decency and sweetness coupled to an uncanny ability to assess, manage and survive extreme business risk within a poorly understood industry that has confounded all expectations. While this episode is generally not explicit, it is not for everyone given the content and so listener discretion is advised. Our Sponsors Athletic Greens: Get 20 FREE Athletic Greens Travel Packs, valued at $79, with your first purchase athleticgreens.com/portal Blinkist: try it FREE for 7 days AND save 25% off your new subscription Blinkist.com/portal Quip: Join over THREE MILLION healthy mouths and get your first refill FREE today Quip.com/portal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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