The Narc and the Nightingale

In this searing deep dive, The Never Ending Carousel of Cannabis Nonsense takes you back to the smoke and mirrors of America's first drug war. Host Sian Phillips unravels the chilling story of how Billie Holiday, the jazz icon with a voice like velvet and a spine of steel - became the personal target of Harry J. Anslinger, the man who turned bureaucratic paranoia into national policy.From the haunting notes of Strange Fruit to the cold handcuffs on her hospital bed, this episode exposes the rot at the heart of prohibition: racism, control, and the silencing of dissent. This isn’t just history, it’s a warning that still echoes through our broken drug laws today.Pull up a chair, light some outrage, and get ready for the twisted tale of The Narc and the Nightingale.Send us a messageSupport the showThe Never-Ending Carousel of Cannabis Nonsense is written and produced by Sian Phillips.Music by PlayDays2021, licensed royalty-free via Adobe.All opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and any guests, and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organisations.This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, regulatory, legal, or financial advice.You can find “The Never-Ending Carousel of Cannabis Nonsense” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music Podcasts. © 2025 Sian Phillips. All rights reserved.