In the season two premiere of 'The Wicked Stage Pod,' hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia dive into the convoluted early life and career of infamous actor-turned-assassin, John Wilkes Booth. From his tumultuous family dynamics to his rise as a popular but controversial stage actor, Booth’s journey is explored in detail. The episode also examines his relationships, clandestine activities, and the events leading up to his fateful decision to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. The hosts blend a mix of historical context and modern analysis, integrating references from Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Assassins' to provide a comprehensive and engaging narrative. This episode is the first of a two-part exploration into the life of one of history's most notorious figures.   00:00 Listener Discretion Advised   00:15 Meet the Hosts   00:42 Season Two Begins   01:01 Celebrity Candles and Banter   03:06 Introducing John Wilkes Booth   03:47 The Infamous Assassination   05:27 Booth's Early Life and Family   31:57 Booth's Controversial Beliefs   38:52 Booth's Acting Career   46:35 John Wilkes Booth: The Theatrical Innovator   49:31 Booth's Romantic Entanglements   50:54 The Scandalous Correspondences   01:00:17 Booth's Rise to Fame   01:07:11 Booth's Confederate Ties   01:11:49 The Kidnapping Plot   01:27:59 The Decision to Assassinate Lincoln   01:31:04 Intermission and Cliffhanger