11 episodes
Time Capsule: The Silver Chain Diversity Hire Ltd | CYSA
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- Society & Culture
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4.7 • 153 Ratings
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In the early 1990s, a cache of abandoned newsletters found its way from a safety deposit box in Minneapolis, Minnesota to the state’s historical society, where they were left to gather dust. The newsletters detailed the inner workings of a secret 1970s swingers society: The Silver Chain Social Club.
Fifty years later, TV writer and host Paul Ditty tracks down the club’s surviving members to uncover the group’s mysterious history and the ties that connected its members long after the swingers club closed its doors for good.
For a deeper look inside Time Capsule, read Paul's newsletter.
Learn more about Time Capsule here.
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Bonus Episode (8.5): Jack Bonner
A discussion with Dr. Keith Henry sets Paul on a search for an out-of-print book about The Silver Chain, detailing the club’s final days.Paul meets with show producer Marcel Malekebu to share his findings, which include the story of a Minneapolis swinger who returns from a year-long trip around the world, months after the club’s closure.
Links:
Time Capsule Substack
TimeCapsulePodcast.com
Jack El-Hai's Article
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Episode 8: Gloria
A visit to the Minnesota Historical Society unearths the name of the safe deposit box’s owner, and a restricted document aids Paul in discovering the reason behind the newsletters’ preservation.
Links:
Time Capsule Substack
TimeCapsulePodcast.com
Jack El-Hai's Article
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Episode 7: A Not-So-Minnesota Goodbye
A luau party at The Thunderbird Motel unexpectedly becomes The Silver Chain’s last dance. Paul pieces together the story of what ultimately led to the cherished club’s demise.
Links:
Time Capsule Substack
TimeCapsulePodcast.com
Jack El-Hai's Article
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Episode 6: I Was Usually Pretty High
After an interview with Judi, the daughter of another Silver Chain member, Paul receives a document that sends his investigation in an unexpected and revealing direction.
Links:
Time Capsule Substack
TimeCapsulePodcast.com
Jack El-Hai's Article
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Episode 5: The Little General
Kimmer and the daughter of another Silver Chain founder, Nola, tell Paul about how their families functioned at times as one family unit, and even celebrated Christmas together. They paint a picture of Nola's mother, Cheryl, as a control freak they nicknamed "The Little General."
Paul learns more about Cheryl and her husband Jerry when he interviews Nola's younger sister Pam, who lives on a houseboat on the Mississippi, where Pam rocks Paul with the story of how she first realized her parents were swingers.
Links:
Time Capsule Substack
TimeCapsulePodcast.com
Jack El-Hai's Article
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Bonus Episode (4.5) - A Guy Screwed Me; I Was Bored
An email from Kimmer reveals that Carol, George, and George's girlfriend Marilyn were interviewed for a book titled "Threesomes" in the late 1980s.
Paul finds the book on eBay and shares with Nora the story of Carol and George's first days of swinging, how The Silver Chain really got its start, and the lasting impact Marilyn had on their marriage, told in their own words.To hear more Bonus Episodes, check out our Time Capsule Substack.
To learn more about the show or listen to other episodes, go to TimeCapsulePodcast.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Customer Reviews
Hooked!
I’ve never listened to a podcast series before. I’ve only ever listened to interviews of comedians or celebrities I like. This series was outstanding!
What an interesting topic. And I love how Paul said “You’ll never know someone’s story unless you ask”. It’s so true! Thank you for this well-produced and thoughtful show. Bravo!
Jimmy Carter
In answer to the source of the comment on Jimmy Carter “lusting in his heart.” Jimmy Carter is the source. It’s in the history books.
Perfect Ending
Very well done! I really enjoyed the journey of getting to know ALL of the people. In-depth storytelling really made me feel connected and the interviews with the now adult children made me invested in the outcome.