Well, I Laughed

Welcome to week one of the Well, I Laughed Holiday Break. Today, based on audience votes, we're revisiting Episode 40, originally published 2-14-24.

Grant tells Maia about the rarest fish in the world, found in the strangest of places. An episode about the Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Devils Hole, located in Death Valley National Park. With wild conservation showdowns, unexpected legal dramas, and a touch of irreverent humor, this episode is your invitation to uncover nature’s most astonishing secrets. Join us as we peel back the layers of a hidden ecosystem whose delicate bala...

We’re so glad these listeners shot their shot because now we get to read their stories! Our friends from around the Well, I Laughed listener-verse had some fantastic tales. Sarah resorts to hiding in a bush. Clara’s dad redefines “family” multiple times. Savannah survives her artistic era and gets her happy ending. And Anna needs a shot on Christmas Eve after an eventful encounter. They shot, and next time you could too! It’s this theme’s Listener Episode!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:24:07 Sarah brings out the finger guns
00:42:01 Clara's dad is an animal
01:07:1...

Shoot your shot, take the leap, jump over a bunch of obstacles. This time, literally. Evel Knievel was a man that would only let one thing hold him down: gravity. But when a rebellious streak led to a wife and kids, Evel hopped on his bike and took off with the goal of supporting his family. His famous stunts and infamous wipeouts made him a household name. And his story is as interesting as his antics. The world knew him as the daredevil Evel Knievel, but we take a running jump at knowing Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel.

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What are the forces that make us who we are? Many people with hard childhoods grow up into adults with fulfilling lives and careers. Others... get kicked out of a sex cult. Charles Guiteau is the latter. A man destined for greatness if he was not so consistently bad at everything. And a liar. And crazed. But in America, even a loser can hit it big. This week on Well, I Laughed the incredible forgettable life of a man who changed the course of American history. A Life Long Loser.

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:24:04 Life Long Loser Duration: 02:42:14

These listeners were caught Red-Handed... with some fantastic stories for this week's episode! Reality Winner confronts a mug thief, Laura has a traumatic time in a gas station bathroom, Linden accidentally runs a sting operation, Annie study abroad friends have an eventful hookup in Thailand, and Luna doesn't find what she is looking for (thank god). All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:37:16 Reality's emotional support mugs
00:45:08 Laura has a bloody nose (AKA period)
01:06:42 Linden drives it like she stole it
01:18:54 Annie's friends have an eventful hookup Duration: 02:05:10

For more than two decades you had a better chance of winning the lottery than the McDonalds Monopoly Millions. Unless... you knew the right guy, who knew a guy, a shadowy figure named "Uncle Jerry." What started as one of McDonalds most successful promotional campaigns in it's history also managed to fund organize crime, exotic vacations, and at least one strip club/church in South Carolina. Burgers are sold, lives are ruined, any yet we have to ask... do you want to be a Millionaire?

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:33:29 Hamburgler
01:01:25 Birth of the Game
01:10:18 Who i...

Would you commit a crime if you thought you would never get caught? If you thought everyone was doing it? If there were no victims, just some light corruption? Maybe not, but what if the government compelled you to do it? This week, Maia dives into the anti-corruption operation the Federal government ran known as ABSCAM with the help of known con artist Melvin Weinberg. Dozens of politicians get swept up in corruption charges, and some were clearly better at committing crime than others. In an effort to root out corruption one has to ask... does this bribe make...

Stories funny enough to make you sick (with laughter)! Rachel updates us on a dodge threesome and Ashley reports back from the scene of the infamous peeing-your-pants-while-donating blood story. Polly gushes over Winter Formal while Casey finds herself - but not god - in Uganda. Brittney instills a “well” of fear into Grant. And Kate ruins field trips for her school forever. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:22:56 Updates from Previous Stories (Rachel and Ashley)
00:39:34 Polly goes to Winter Formal
00:49:42 Casey finds herself in Uganda
01:07:43 Brittney's famil...

If you’ve ever been driven to the edge of fury trying to open up a bottle of pills (making your headache worse in the process) this story is for you! Between the sprawling backdrop of the Chicago suburbs Maia takes on a journey that involves more than one unsolved murder and raises serious questions about the safety of America’s pharmaceutical system. The case is infamous, the Tylenol Murders, the resolution less so. Did James Lewis do it? Is Johnson & Johnson complicit? Will Michelle Rosen find the true answer? This week we try to swallow a “Bitter Pill” on Well...

How responsible are we for the consequences of our actions? This week, Grant and Maia dive into the story of a woman who has come to be known as a reckless, disease spreading cook. Mary Mallon, also known as “Typhoid Mary.” Mary spread typhoid to dozens, maybe even hundreds of people. Several of whom would die from the disease before she was finally caught and quarantined. But behind the sensational story and the oddities of her case lie complicated questions about what we owe each other and what our communities (and country) owe us. It’s “Typhoid for Two”, this week...

These stories will have you in a trance! It's stories from the Well, I Laughed universe! Emily survives a strange hook up, only to be haunted by it years later. Yael's tio takes a trip no one wants to go on. Malana's brother falls in love with an illegal turtle. Lily avoids being radicalized. And Addi visits a liminal (haunted) space. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:26:12 Emily accidentally goes missing
00:51:53 Yael's Tio falls in a manhole
01:03:34 Malana and the Turtle Fiasco
01:12:28 Lily gets redpilled ft. anxiety
01:22:39...

Can one person’s legend be another person's vicious rumor? This week, we try to separate fact from fiction as we look at the Mystic Monk himself - Rasputin. From humble beginnings and fervent religious belief Rasputin grows from peasant to powerful advisor in a stunningly short period of time. He was powerful, but was he evil? What was his relationship with the Queen? And how did he die? Man, myth, legend… Sex Martyr? This week, on Well, I Laughed.

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:31:36 Sex Martyr
00:43:54 Not a Regular Monk, a Cool Monk
01:04:28 Meeting the (Dumb) Monarchs Duration: 02:15:27

As someone once told Grant "See how men lie?" This week Maia entrances Grant with the life of a man as interesting as it was false. Ronald Dante. AKA Ronald Pellar, Dr. Dante, Phil Harris, Joseph Reuben, Mr. Fabian, and so, so many more aliases. But what can we learn from a liar? Turns out quite a bit, as long as you're able to believe. Today we find out we're all living in Ron's world. Join us as we all learn to become "Hypnotherapists", Perm-a-Derm dermologists, and how to run a degree mill like Columbia State University. And Who...

These stories hit close to home because they are Far From Home but near to our hearts (that's something, right?) AJ does not handle meeting a pope well. Kelsi gains and looses in Venezuela. Cedar rehomes some ducks. And Halie finds new friends in her new home. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:21:09 Catch-Up pt.2
00:33:49 Maia steals a car?
00:37:44 AJ in the Catacombs
00:51:07 Kelsi's Venezuelan Parasite
01:02:35 Cedar's Ducks
01:18:19 Olivia's Rando Roommate
01:29:28 Halie's Gay Best Friend

Connect with Us

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Would you trust love one more time... if you had to do it on a boat? Literally? This week we follow one man, Santiago Genovés, as he seeks to answer a few too many questions the easiest way he knows how. Forcing a dozen strangers to spend three months on a raft at sea. What happens when people drift far from home and into the arms of someone else? This week, The Acali "Sex Raft", on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:21:23 Pleasure Cruise
00:28:46 Ripe for Violence
00:37:24 The Raft
00:43:16 Social Controls
00:54:59 Me...

When our hero is stolen from his home, what will it take to get back? This week, we retrace the steps of Paquipquineo. The Native American and Algonquin speaker who was kidnapped by the Spanish from his home in modern Virginia. His journey took him throughout the Spanish empire and taught him a valuable lesson - be cautious of these Europeans. Paquipquineo's journey is at times heartbreaking and harrowing as he finds himself Far from Home.

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:30:45 Missing and Handsome
00:40:15 Paquiquineo
01:04:24 To Florida
01:06:15 Spain pt.2
01:16:32 Home Sweet Home
01:19:27 Queue t...

Word of Mouth is... that these stories came from listeners like you! This week, Nicole sees the dark underbelly of high school security. Hazel's brother defends her honor. Terra manages somehow to survive (you'll see), and Tony teaches empathy through bullying. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:30:48 Nicole the SRO
00:48:25 Hazel's Hijab Gossip
01:05:43 Terra's Questionable Housing
01:32:58 Tony's Jane Elliott Experience

Connect with Us

Love a good laugh? Stay in the loop with the Well, I Laughed Podcast! Hit up wellilaughed.com...

An episode that will leave you hungry for more! America's best food always comes from somewhere else, from people we actively discriminated against. Chinese immigrants are no exception. So how did this relatively small group of immigrants build a cuisine that is ubiquitous across America and uniquely are own? This week, we break out the cooking wear and Wok it Out as we learn the surprising history of American Chinese food.

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:24:49 Wok It Out
00:37:28 The First Chinese-Americans
00:55:38 Life After Exclusion
01:13:20 Two Women & Millions of Communists
01:31:13 General Tso Near You Duration: 01:50:31

The Greek Gods were deadly serious and wildly ridiculous. In this week's episode, Maia attempts to straighten out the wonky family tree of some of the most famous gods from ancient Greece. Vengeful, spirited, unpredictable, murderous, and more than a little flirtatious. The Pantheon of Greek Gods is an unlimited source of wild stories. But if you are looking for a truly wild time, one god reigns supreme. Grab a drink with us, courtesy of Dionysus, and dive into the god of wine and madness. This week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:27:51 Myths of Madness 00:41:32...

This week on Well, I Laughed - stories from around the listener universe! Maggie sees a beautiful woman on a wild night out. Madeleine’s roommate gets suspicious of her and her gummies. Stinson is saved by the powerful, blockbuster movie Chicken Little. Sarah catches the eye of a man on the bus (maybe). And McKenna gets trapped by a neighbor who is blind to her frustration. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:31:20 "Sarah's" Gym Crush Gone Wrong
00:48:48 Maggie's Drunken Italian Adventure
01:09:21 Chicken Little saves Stinson
01:30:02 Mad...

Love looks different for everyone, and for some men and women it can be a bit hairy. This week, Maia shares the fascinating history of "bearded ladies". Women born with an unusually large amount of facial and body hair - specifically Annie Jones (the inspiration for The Greatest Showman's Lettie Lutz) and Percilla Bejano. They captivated audiences while touring the country in traveling circuses and these women often found fame and love thanks to the... Whiskers on Women. This week, on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:25:35 Whiskers on Women
00:36:24 Annie Jones
00:41:04 The Kidnapping Duration: 01:58:33

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously spoke of his dream for a future America. A dream that was more progressive and radical than many people remember, but that included a future of racial equality. On the night of his assassination one teacher felt moved to continue to work towards his dream. Enter Jane Elliott. Educator, speaker, disrupter. A woman who will look you in your eye and deliver some hard truths. This week on Well, I Laughed we cover a woman who sees discrimination as black and white.

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:29:26 Black & White
00:37:06 What MLK S...

Stories from across the Well, I Laughed universe written in by listeners! Enrique finds out what all the teachers were gossiping about. Tommy meets a Prince and maybe a ghost. Katy questions the obvious in a quest for love. Emily learns a terrible lesson about trusting strangers. And Rachel fields heartbreak and an unusual offer all in the same phone call. That and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:21:44 Enrique's look into teacher drama

00:40:34 Tommy sees a star go "not crazy"

00:49:35 Katy's Classic Lesbian BS

00:58:29 E...

Few sex scandals are as infamous as President Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky. Overnight, a private young woman in her early twenties was almost as famous as the most powerful man in the world. But why was she so publicly humiliated while Clinton continued to enjoy public support? This week, we retrace the path to her public humiliation, find out what Monica Lewinsky has been up to since she became so notorious, and ask tough questions about the way we continue to treat women in the public eye for private acts. Will there ever be “That Women” again...

Today's episode challenges you with a simple yet complex question: what do you think you know about Amanda Knox? Many remember the attention grabbing headlines when it was reported that an American college student had savagely murdered her roommate, but what was the evidence and motives behind that initial ruling? This week we investigate what got lost in translation with the infamous Amanda Knox case.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:28:36 Lost In Translation

00:40:32 THE MEDIA

00:50:37 THE INVESTIGATORS

01:05:59 Headlines at the time

01:09:26 In Prison and the Diary

01:16:43 Three Weeks Later<...

Today on Well I Laughed, we read stories submitted by you, the listener! Cheyenne ends up swimming with the horses while deciding if they want to be Jesus' best friend FOREVER. Hannah takes us down another WOOFtastic trip that reminds the crew of their most loved/hated episode yet. Danica goes to war with the roaches and Becky reminds us that cheaters never win. Finally this week's show wraps up with Milly's petty revenge on a former friend turned frienemy.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:35:58 Cheyenne Swimming with Horse Hair

00:52:58 Hannah gets WWOOFed

01:23:44 Danica and...

We all love a little gossip. And these two ladies made sure everyone knew about it. These women were here for the drama, maybe even more than they were here for the truth. In an era where women were defined by the men in their lives, Hedda Hopper and Elda Furry rose by cutting others down. Complicated, conservative, prying, and oh so much fun. This week, meet the original Queens of Mean!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:22:37 Queens of Mean

00:27:52 Louella Parsons

01:03:29 Elda Furry "Hedda Hopper"

01:27:58 Famous Feud

01:47:55 Gatekeepers

02:13:44...

Has American politics always been so divided? Our current political system seems broken beyond repair, but where did it all start? This week Grant tells Maia about the history of the American political system and the political parties that have defined the eras. We discuss winning strategies, coalition building, and add some important framing and context to the current state of politics in America. In this country, we’re all Party Animals - out now!

Grant's Reccs:
Music Artist: CMAT
Books: Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:26:43 Party Animals

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Welcome back to the Well, I Laughed Extended Universe! Within These Walls of the studio, Grant and Maia read some listener stories! Whitney pranks her mom with a creepy old doll that might be watching all of us. Kyle has a bummer of a night that ruins more than a birthday. Willow watches the wrong movie with the right person. Vic finds a warm glow on her college campus. And Sandi survives - or inspires - a horror movie or two. All that and more, this week from Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:22:34 Whitney's Staged Haunting<...

Well behaved women rarely make history. In the case of Alice Roosevelt, they do make scandalous headlines. Alice’s life was marked early by tragedy but defined by her actions and in her own words. Born to a powerful family, Alice chose a life that fit her above all else. In the process she caused controversy and defied expectations. An advocate for style and an ally to many, her life was a series of Crowded Hours.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:19:40 Crowded Hours

00:24:54 Her Birth

00:37:25 Early Childhood

01:18:11 White House Years

01:38:51 A Me...

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi is confounding. How does a woman disappear so close to home? Especially when that home is Vatican City. Within these walls a tragedy unfolds and questions persist. Who took Emanuela? Why? What did her disappearance accomplish? And what role, if any, did organized crime and the Catholic Church play in the disappearance and potential cover up? This week, All Roads Lead to Rome.

A portion of the profits from June 2025 will be going to International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children Donation Page in honor of Emanuela Orlandi

  Duration: 02:38:58

Welcome back to the Well, I Laughed Extended Universe! This week Grant and Maia read stories that go Bump in the Night. Kendyl gets sent on a cheese scavenger hunt and Meredith has more than a stomach ache. Jen gets ghosted at college, literally. Audrey takes a few too many bumps. Katie’s joke doesn’t impress. And Reality Winner writes in with some added appreciation for Robert McNamara, a man who went bump in the night but for good things! All that and more, this week from Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:23:21 Kendyl's Hunt for Chee...

When something paranormal goes bump in the night, who are you going to call? This week we learn about Ed and Lorraine Warren! Famous for their involvement with both the Amityville Horror house and the events surrounding The Conjuring. But what are the credentials of these famous paranormal investigators? And how does one even investigate the paranormal to begin with? This week, we conjure up the truth!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:33:11 Conjuring the Truth

01:03:39 Amityville Today

01:10:15 The Warrens

01:40:00 Paranormal Cases

01:44:00 Memory Lane

01:51:15 Paranormal Cases pt.2

02:00:00 Skepticism<...

The 1970s was a turbulent time in America. Two episodes ago, Grant covered the draft board raids and the anti-war movement in response to Vietnam. This week, Grant returns to the era, this time to examine the downfall of President Nixon. What started as a strange break-in in the summer of 1972 would lead to one of the largest corruption and cover-up scandals in American history and would see the name "Watergate" become synonymous with scandal. This week, a timeline and exploration of the crime that would bring down a president, The Watergate Scandal.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:30:15 Water...

Welcome back to the Well, I Laughed Extended Universe! This week Mrant and Gaia catch-up following a ridiculously fun double header of an evening. Then it's time to go to our audience. You’ll meet Ryan, whose mom’s financial radar leads to a surprise wine surplus; Sam, whose identical twin gets blamed for a campus stalking accusation; Taylor, who survived a literal cremation mishap at work; Maggie, who loses a Firehouse sub to a faceless villain; and Casey, who shares birthday wisdom and life advice from the other side of 30. It’s ridiculous, it’s heartwarming, and it’s exactly...

Does non-violence include property damage? What if you feel God and faith are calling you to do it? What if it works? This week we dive into the anti-war movement and the unlikely group of resistance fighters who burned thousands of draft cards - priests and nuns. This week Grant teaches about the "Draft Board Office Raids", resistance in the face of political oppression, and uncovers a conspiracy... a conspiracy to save lives. This week, on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:26:45 Hit, Stay, Pray
00:36:45 History Lesson
00:43:23 How did the Draft Work?
01:12:52 It's All a...

Revenge is a dish best served cold, or sometimes through the mail. This week, Maia covers something we can only describe as "a story like Tiger King". Full of outlandish characters and incredible quotes. How could someone like Paul Kevin Curtis poison you through the mail? How does one make ricin? And how far will someone like James Everett Dutschke go to get back at an online bully? Join us as we uncover the world of Elvis Impersonators, Conspiracy Theories, and Southern Charm.

In this wildly unpredictable episode, Grant and Maia trace the slippery journey from castor...

This week on Well, I Laughed! Ashley goes on a girls trip and accidentally helps catch a criminal in the process. Jen shares that she might also be related to Napoleon (the general, not the dynamite). Cedar teaches a horrible coworker a wonderful lesson. Katelyn learns about supporting women's rights and wrongs during… a WWE style grocery brawl. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

Ever find yourself in a grocery store thinking, “This could turn into a crime scene”? You’re not alone. In this off-the-rails episode, Maia Warner and Grant Thomas dive into lis...

Jackie Chan’s best movie is hard to name. He’s been leaping off rooftops since the 1960s, but six decades of big‑screen magic still haven’t revealed his most gripping story: his family. This week we meet the Chans. While Jackie shoots the documentary Traces of a Dragon, he discovers the astonishing truth about his parents, Chan Chi‑Long “Charles” and Chan Lee‑Lee “Lily”: a Nationalist spy‑turned‑Shanghai gang boss and a blue‑flower‑wearing opium smuggler whose gambling savvy made her an underworld legend. Their saga of drug runs, Japanese air‑raids, abandoned half‑siblings and a war‑torn China sh...

This week, Grant and Maia attempt to answer a big question “why do we love Romcoms so much?”. Our episode takes us through the history of romantic comedies. From the Greeks to ways Shakespeare still influences the stories we tell today. We talk about how romantic comedies are some of our oldest stories and so much more than just “chick flicks”. Finally, we revel in our favorite romcoms and share in our delight of both Bridget Jones Diary and Jane Austen. Are you reading to avoid the news? Us too.

Ever feel like your life is one awkward...

Stories from the Well, I Laughed universe! Makayla reminisces on the time she had beef with a middle-aged, high school theater teacher. Emily learns of the pitfalls of “hell yeah girl, get your…” the hard way. Jane accidentally gets a production of a children’s play picketed. Alexandra doesn’t quite master a German accent. And Kylie finds out that three really is a crowd. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

It’s a triple threat, all right, but this time, you brought the drama. In this episode, we read off your wildest listener sto...

A woman who needs no introduction, but if she did she'd shout it! It's LIZA! With a Z! Born into stardom, the daughter of Judy Garland and Vicente Minnelli, Liza was born for greatness. From "Liza... in Cabaret!" to "Liza... in Chicago" to "Liza in... LIZA! LIZA!". Few know how difficult the life of the talented and famous can be better than Liza. Despite triumph and tragedy, Liza Outlives it all.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:25:01 Liza Outlives

00:38:56 Meet Liza

00:53:57 Let's Talk Cabaret

01:18:14 Music & Film Career

01:23:17 Television Career

01:27:47 Personal...

Frank Sinatra would say, "I did it my way," and we would agree. From an early age, he lived an unusual life, raised in a mob bar by a strong-willed mother, gifted with a voice that could melt hearts and a face that could charm anyone. But there’s a side to Sinatra that few people know. A member of the Rat Pack, famous for his many wives and girlfriends, and… a civil rights activist? His friendships stretched from Hollywood’s elite to the most dangerous figures in organized crime and even to the White House. But when his ties t...

Stories from the Well, I Laughed community as listeners write in! Shreya risks it all in the unknown depths. Rosie and Natasha fan girl over horse sized gorillas, Madi reveals her untamed family drama, Danielle faces down a flock of ring stealing geese, and Casey (no relation) learns a valuable lesson the hard way. Laugh along with your fellow listeners in this weeks Listener Episode!

Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughs and heart-pounding moments as we take you on a whirlwind journey through our recent travels! From wild wedding tales to a concert adventure that nearly...

"Wild monkeys escape" might feel like a concerning headline. But if you're one inventive business owner outside of New York City, it  might be the best thing to ever happen. This week, Maia covers the story of untamed monkeys who seek greener pastures on the other side of their enclosure. But once they're out, we have to ask "how do you catch a monkey?" This week, the story of Frank "Bring 'Em Back Alive" Buck and the Long Island Monkey Escape of 1935!!

When a routine zoo cleaning goes wrong, 175 monkeys decide to explore Long Island—and nothing wil...

The voice of Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove, a velvet-toned singer, passionate civil-rights crusader, and—per Orson Welles—“the most exciting woman in the world,” Eartha Kitt took a childhood of neglect and spun it into a life of adventure and advocacy. Fall in love all over again with this indomitable talent as Grant and Maia track her rise from share-cropper’s daughter to Catwoman, disco diva, and fearless anti-war firebrand who once made Lady Bird Johnson cry in the White House. Oh, and did we mention CIA surveillance? It’s all Down to Eartha!

...

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera were married lovers, rivals, and life long friends. In a life filled with pain, Frida Kahlo created art and beauty. Find out more about the artwork of Frida Kahlo, Casa Azul, and the work of the beloved Mexican artist. If you've ever wondered "who is Frida Kahlo" you're in luck! Join Grant and Maia as they journey into friendship, family, and identity humorously dissects the vulnerability behind how we present ourselves to others, and how those closest to us reveal the most absurd truths.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:16:00 Letters

00:29:31 Enemies & Lovers

The story of Wicked is a beautiful, complicated tale about love, regret, power, and friendship. If your only exposure comes from the Broadway stage, prepare to step through a far heavier door. In this episode Maia reconstructs Gregory Maguire’s novel in vivid detail, explaining how its plot veers into brutal territory such as the Philosophy Club and a very final fate for Fiyero. She traces the book’s birth to a spur-of-the-moment snorkeling trip in Hawai‘i, then follows its ideas through Matilda Gage’s feminism, the politics of Oz, and the moral knot at the center of Elphaba’...

Discover a women ahead of her time and instrumental to the women's rights movement. Discover who is Matilda Gage? From radical parents to radical children, Matilda dreamed of a better future. A future she did not live to see, but whose influence has been seen by millions this year. Learn more about the women who battled "Wicked" misogyny and how this impacted her son, L. Frank Baum and his later works in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

00:00:00 Catch-up

00:14:28 Matilda Electa Joslyn Gage

00:54:47 Matilda's Legacy

00:59:13 L. Frank Baum

01:26:50 Wr...

Stories from the people who listen to "Well, I Laughed"! In the final installment of Rumor Has It, Maia and Grant hand the mic over to their listeners, and what follows is a hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking rollercoaster of gossip, drama, and personal chaos. Grant's coach friend Bri writes in with a story about sibling love and rivalry. Katie uncovers fiction and fact from her family's stories. Lucas learns that few good deeds ever go unpunished. And Mala wins the lottery by making a friend on the internet who is actually who she says she is. All that and more...

Was Bridgerton's Lady Whisledown based on a real person? This week, Maia talks to us about the original Lady Whistledown, Mrs. Crackenthorpe, and whether her true identity is Thomas Baker, or, more likely, Delarivier Manley. Join us as we dive into the gossip pages that were all the rage during this period of whispers and intrigue. Women get published, reputations get ruined, and we attempt to seperate fact from fiction. Oh, and do you want to meet the real Lady Cowper? This week, on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:20:00 Dearest Reader

H...

This week, Grant asks a big question, "what is a chaos bisexual?". In our quest for an answer, we meet a swashbuckling, gossip-soaked tour of 17th-century icon Julie d’Aubigny—La Maupin—whose résumé reads: sword champion, opera sensation, probable convent-torcher, and certified “chaos bisexual.” He and Maia tease apart legend versus ledger, probing why the historical record keeps misplacing women this unruly and queer. But did she really commit arson in the name of love? Rumor has it, we try to find the truth in the drama.

00:22:24 Duel Interests

00:32:18 Meet La Maupin Duration: 02:44:59

Settle in for a listener-led joyride through holiday chaos, international crimes, and the kind of stories that make you say, “Wait, what?!” In this finale to our “Naughty or Nice” series, Grant and Maia hand over the reins to you, the listeners, and what unfolds is a delightful mess of porta-potty mishaps, stolen hairdryers, emotional damage via beta fish, and a surprise visit from the Russian mob (sort of). Emily manages to escape a truly awful man with more than one side to him. Sam’s brother tests the spirit of Christmas and his sister’s loyalty. Hannah witnesses a porta pott...

Grant talks love and relationships to ring in the New Year! Grant introduces Maia to Dr. Ruth Westheimer - Holocaust survivor, Israeli sniper, three-time bride, and America’s 4'7" sex-therapy powerhouse whose catch-phrase “Get some!” rewired radio, TV, and the national bedroom. The infamous sex therapist has a back story as famous and unpredictable as her advice. How does a Holocaust survivor become America's most famous sex therapist? "Who was Dr. Ruth"? and why do we love her so much! Expect cab-driver confessionals, Conan squirm-laughs, safe-sex sermons during the AIDS crisis, and two co-hosts ugly-crying into their mic socks. Naught...

It is time for some Christmas traditions around the world! Maia explores some crucial questions like "where did Santa come from?" and "who was St. Nicholas?". Along the way we learn about ancient drama and modern traditions in this very special Christmas podcast episode! We cover everything from the origins of a mid winter celebrations (Sleipnir the horse has how many legs?), to how Christianity affected various Christmas Cryptids as we know them now (Ugly and Beautiful Perchtas?), to traditions around the world (Iceland? How are you handling the Yule Cat and the 13 trolls?), and more! Happy Holidays, from...

Listener Chaos, Served Four Ways: Grant & Maia kick things off with Bermuda-Triangle banter before diving into a quartet of jaw-dropping listener tales, a stagehand ancestor who helped John Wilkes Booth, Holly’s Spanish beach-town grifter who faked her mum’s ashes, Noelle’s 23-hour travel day that ends in a 70 mph smash-up and a broken heart, and Chris’s projection-booth moment that finally humbles “Dick the Marine.” Add in protein-shake shrapnel, Broadway ear-worms, a car-park karaoke video that HR now owns, one savage 1-star iTunes review, and the eternal question: how many owls do you have to see before you know som...

In this jaw-dropping follow-up series, Maia and Grant peel back the layers of two wildly different but thematically linked disasters and rescues. First, they relive the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, a blaze so fierce it incinerated an entire business district, wiped out a million rodents, and forced the city to rebuild itself from brick up, even rerouting its streets into what’s now the famed Seattle Underground. Then, in a lightning-fast pivot, they transport you to northern Thailand, where twelve youth soccer players—the “Wild Boars”, and their coach became trapped five miles inside the flooded Tham Luang cave. Over ten...

"Where is the secret government underground cheese cave?" The question is simple enough, the answer has more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese.

In this first part, Grant leads us into the hidden infrastructure that holds America together and the weird, wild stories buried beneath our feet. From Milwaukee’s decaying sewer system to a president with a dairy obsession, this episode uncovers how literal underground systems mirror the unseen pressures of urban life, identity, and survival. With his usual mix of curiosity and chaos, Grant reveals the history of American cheese, why it is...

Grab your greasy quesadilla and your favorite headache cure—Grant and Maia are back post-election night, muddling through day-after chaos, crisis-level hangovers, and bar-crawl confessions (ever almost drown at six or get busted wrangling half-naked conference goers?). But things take a dark turn when a listener, “Willa” spills on her family’s ties to North Carolina’s Word of Faith Fellowship, complete with hidden satellite dishes, underground imprisonment, forced marriages, stolen passports, and child labor. Just when you need a palate-cleanser, Jaymes (aka “J”) reveals his stint running AV at the Museum of the Bible—powering QAnon-adjacent events, dodging propane-cannon m...

**Spoiler Alert This week's episode is about people and their eccentricities. It is about nepotism and vengeance and fame. It is about how truly dramatic theater people can be. This week, a deep-dive finale on America’s most infamous theatre kid, John Wilkes Booth. Who was the man who killed Lincoln? Why did Booth kill Lincoln? Who was John Wilkes Booth’s family? Grant and Maia untangle the Booth family’s glitter-and-grit dynasty, trace the chaotic manhunt that followed Lincoln’s murder, and reveal how one bullet reshaped Reconstruction, Black citizenship, and an entire century of civil-rights setbacks. Expect Shakespe...

There are some who elevate their craft. Musicians, cooks, artists. In the world of modern beef battles one man reigns supreme. Why does 50 Cent hate P Diddy so much? Who knew about P Diddy's dark secrets and private life? This week, Maia gives us an entire podcast on P Diddy and 50 Cent. We might not be "Hot 97", but we're looking for answers.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:19:22 Rapped Up

00:28:07 Legacy of the War

00:38:09 Kelvin’s Demise & Nickname

00:49:07 Get Rich or Die Tryin’

01:14:11 Feud 1

01:24:15 Feud 2

01:31:46 Feud 3

Is QAnon a cult or a conspiracy theory? How did so many people get sucked in and why don’t they walk back out? How does a single cryptic post metastasize into a movement that still warps millions of newsfeeds in 2024? In this second part of her two-part series, Maia plunges down the rabbit hole to trace Q’s murky origins, weigh the leading “Who is Q?” theories, and show how recommendation algorithms turn message-board fan-fic into political gospel.

We hear from parents who lost loved ones to the cause, ex-believers rebuilding their lives, current followers decoding “drops,” an...

How do secret Marxist cells and a “prosperity gospel” church in rural North Carolina share the same playbook of control and coercion as a cult? This week, in the first of a two-part episode, Maia dives deep into the world of cults and conspiracy theories. From high-control groups centered around political utopias (like Dr. Janja Lalich, a victim of the Democratic Workers Party) to religious salvation (like those involved in the Word of Faith Fellowship run by Jane Whaley).

In this episode, we'll hear survivor testimony and expert debriefs. You’ll hear survivor testimony, expert debriefs, how love-b...

Fasten your seatbelts and stow those tray tables, Grant’s taking us on the most infamous unsolved hijacking in U.S. history. In a classic Well, I Laughed episode, we ping-pong from bourbon-sipping sky-jackers and 1970s airport chaos to Maya’s righteous feminist rage and a Rolling Stone deep-dive on the only woman who spent the night with “D. B. Cooper.” You’ll leave knowing why this case still fuels Reddit threads, how cadaver dogs, clip-on ties, and $20 bills connect, and why Tina Mucklow deserves way more flowers than the internet’s given her. Plus, we compare the prime suspects, ro...

On this whirlwind listener-powered installment of Con Me Once, Grant and Maia kick things off with fan mail from the one and only Reality Winner (yes, that Reality Winner), uncovering her Lincoln-Winner family lore and sharing a good-natured roast. From there, the duo weaves through parental podcast peeks, horror-film trauma, tech-support nightmares, and a classroom mic-drop that’ll have you rethinking how and why we communicate. Then, seven fearless listeners step up with their own “con” stories: a fake Aussie accent that led to ghosting with Mary, Alexis's couch-surfing vacuum-MLM survivor, Gina's globe-trotting quest for Queen’s-garden gin, Dawn's sixth-gr...

An episode unlike any we’ve done before! Grant dives into the legacy of “NSA leaker” Reality Winner, revealing a story far more complicated and nuanced than the headlines ever suggested. Along the way, we wrestle with tough questions about patriotism, transparency, and what real service to the country looks like. You’ll even hear Reality’s own words, lifted straight from the candid emails she sent our inbox, so the saga unfolds in her voice, not just ours. Whether you’re a policy junkie, a true-crime buff, or simply love an underdog tale, you’ll leave with fresh angles. Grab y...

Who was the man that tried to sell the Eiffel Tower? This week, Maia takes us on a podcast journey to the Titanic (well, ships like the Titanic) and a man who knew how to sell. Maia, and Grant shift into full-on true-crime mode to unravel the unbelievable tale of Victor Lustig, the only man bold enough to sell the Eiffel Tower…twice. You’ll hear how he honed ocean-liner gambling scams with Nicky Arnstein, flirted with Al Capone, swindled metal tycoons out of millions, and danced around dozens of arrests—only to be finally cornered by counterfeit bonds in Tex...

A special guest! Jacob, friend of the pod, join us with a special story. "Why did it rain blobs in Oakville?" That is a very good question. One we will attempt to answer, or at least speculate on. Either way we can promise you were are having a good time and, well, we laughed. Enjoy!

P.S. Maia had too much Elk Creek Water and mixed up Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic - Prokaryotes are the ones without mitochondria.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:45:14 Outside Oakville

01:02:00 Lab Tests & Mysterious Disappearance

01:14:15 Theory #1 Jellyfish Bombs

01:26:30...

"What happened at the Dyatlov Pass?" Is one of the 20th centuries greatest historical mysteries. Dive into the chilling 1959 Dyatlov Pass saga. Picture nine seasoned hikers, led by Igor Dyatlov, slashing open their own tent in the dead of night, leaving frozen footprints, a still-glowing flashlight, and bodies ranging from textbook hypothermia to bomb-like rib breaks, singed socks, strangulation markings, missing tongues, and coffin-style snow graves. You’ll get heist-style team intros, spine-tingling diary excerpts, and a whirlwind tour of theories—paradoxical undressing, avalanches, covert Soviet weapons tests, ball lightning, UFOs, even Yeti attacks—plus no-nonsense insights from an ex-FBI...

Want to know more about the badass women of history? Before there was Joan of Arc, there was a Jeanne. Multiple Jeannes. Honestly, maybe too many Jeannes. Enter Jeanne de Clisson, a Breton noble who burned through estates, out-lasted three husbands, and forged a single, razor-sharp goal: annihilating France’s King Philip VI. After watching her third spouse lose his head on a Paris scaffold, Jeanne sold everything, bought a fleet, painted the hulls midnight-black and the sails blood-red, and roamed the Channel as the “Lioness of Brittany,” leaving one terrified survivor to spread her legend. From grieving widow to pir...

Need a laugh, a cry, and maybe a second helping of your favorite midnight snack? In this third installment of our "A Lover Scorned" listener series, Maia and Grant serve up a chaotic blend of moving-day madness, woodworking therapy, dive bar etiquette, and fall obsessions—before diving into some of the most jaw-dropping listener stories yet. From Hazel's bulldozer-police-station showdown and Betsy's post-house-fire sugar daddy prophecy to CJ's dating app, detour turned interstate romance, this episode is packed with heartbreak, hilarity, and more than a few prophetic dreams. Plus, we've got breakup etiquette debates, an "Am I the Asshole?" se...

Who killed Walter Wanderwell? Grant introduces us to a globe-trotting cast with entirely too many aliases, starting with the irreverent Nell Miller, continuing to the self-styled explorer Captain Walter Wanderwell, and detouring through the fabulously odd heiress Harriet White Fisher. Yet the true scene-stealer, in more ways than one, is Idris Hall, the six-foot Canadian teenager who reinvented herself as Aloha Wanderwell. A woman as singular as her adopted name, Aloha slid behind the wheel of a Ford Model T at sixteen, logged more miles than most men of her era, and turned the camera on every border she...

Think your breakup was messy? Wait till you meet Olga of Kiev. In this explosive (and only technically shorter) episode of Well, I Laughed, Grant and Maia dive into the blood-soaked legend of a woman scorned who didn’t just clap back—she burned entire cities to the ground. After her husband, Prince Igor I, is gruesomely executed by the Drevlians (spoiler: it involves birch trees and a “human hammock”), Olga goes full medieval mastermind. We’re talking trench burials, surprise bathhouse infernos, mead-soaked massacres, and a flaming pigeon airstrike that would make any war strategist weep. The chaos doesn’t st...

This week’s listener episode finds Grant and Maia christening their brand-new studio, complete with glitchy Wi-Fi, Denver heat, and a hilariously ill-timed breakup mid-opening credits, before diving into six wild listener stories. Stacy shares two painfully familiar dating disasters; Mimi flashes back to the infamous Lee episode “Falsely Imprisoned”; Jessica narrowly escapes being named “Frock”; and Gina’s horse-girl deep dive proves Panera-era obsessions run deep. Classroom chaos arrives courtesy of Kayla’s paper-clip fireball and an anonymous teacher whose super-helpful volunteer dad turns out to be a mafia kingpin. Toss in a queer-fiction book hunt that detours into grandma-a...

A true-crime saga that starts with a dressage horse and ends with a shooting. In this jaw-dropping episode, Maia and Grant unpack the wild and winding tale of a barn drama that spirals from elite-level horse training into Facebook call-outs, police showdowns, and a shocking act of violence. After Maia moves her prized mount to a prestigious facility run by ex-Olympian Michael Barone, tensions build with tenant Lauren Ack, whose relentless social media accusations ignite a firestorm that no one sees coming. What unfolds is a story of blurred boundaries, mental health crises, legal chaos, and reputations pushed to...

Who was the "Irish Hamilton"? Join us in learning the jaw-dropping saga of Richard Martin, a man of passion who was just as likely to shoot you in a duel as he was to defend an innocent animal. Dubbed “Hair-Trigger Dick” for the 100-plus duels he survived and “Humanity Dick” for dragging a battered donkey into court and writing the world’s first anti-cruelty law, Martin was an 18th-century Irish MP, ship-wreck magnet, and founding spirit behind what would become the ASPCA. Come for the gossip; stay to learn how one man could be both a crack-shot duelist and the patron...

A listener episode! Listeners of Well, I Laughed share their connections with this week's theme "Down to Business". Polly details an uncomfortably close connection with a man known as Dr. Death. Ashley emailed in about the dangers of donating blood in a story so funny, we almost passed out. Nicole writes in with a friend or foe, deal or no deal story about a high school romance gone wrong. And Warren shares about being the intimidating guy in the parking lot, completely accidentally. All that and more, this week, from Well, I Laughed podcast!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:32:49...

Grant takes the opportunity to share some "weird stories from Australia." He introduces us to an underground, deadly underwater cave system in the middle of a cow field known as "The Shaft" in Australia. Next, he covers the disappearance of Harold Holt. The Australian Prime Minister (and spear fisher) who was abducted by aliens, eaten by a shark, or something way more normal and boring. Finally, we learn about what happens when you try to take on mother nature. Specifically, when you launch "The Great Emu War". Along the way you’ll hear why Grant keeps getting recognized by fo...

Was Mulan real? Did Mulan exist? And, if so, how accurate is the movie Mulan? This week we get down to business to uncover the history behind our favorite female warrior. Maia spotlights three extraordinary women whose boldness and brilliance helped reshape East Asian and global history: Tamoe Gozen, a Japanese Samurai from the 12th century, whose bravery and romances were featured in Heike monogatari (The Tale of Heike); Murasaki Shikibu, the author of what's thought of as the world's oldest novel, Genji monogatari (The Tale of Genji); and the legendary Hua Mulan, brought to life through a 5th-century...

A listener episode! Listeners of Well, I Laughed share their connections with this week's theme "Friend or Foe". from a chilling backyard skeleton discovery and a spirit finally laid to rest, to a 5th-grade art prize snub that turned into a marriage proposal. You also shared enemies-to-lovers glow-ups, high school heartbreaks, and a museum specimen bag labeled “99.9% sure it’s a bat.” Plus: ketamine ER memories and a muddled theater-kid “Am I the Asshole?” that tests what it means to be a true friend. And of course, Grant and Maia catch up on vacation updates, viral GIF drama, steakhouse prayer amb...

What happened to Laci Peterson, and did the media get it all wrong?  In this deeply researched episode, Maia and Grant unpack one of the most polarizing true-crime cases of the early 2000s: the trial of Scott Peterson. Maia walks us through the mysterious circumstances and tragic death of Laci Peterson. We meet her husband Scott Peterson, learn his alibi, and end up with some serious open questions. What was the killer's motive? How does the media's portrayal of a case affect its outcome? How does Amber Frey make or break this case? From his secret affair with Amber F...

What is eco-terrorism and... is it all bad? In the 1990s the US government found out what happened when you anger young environmentalist and the power of positive reinforcement for things like sabotage. Grant covers who was the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the degree to which their crimes deserved the label "terrorist". Saviors of the planet, terrorist, or both? This week's episode of Well, I Laughed, we unpack the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), the FBI’s sweeping “Operation Backfire,” and why slapping the word terrorist on young environmentalists is trickier than it sounds. Expect rattlesnake‑adjacent sprinklers, late‑night‑taco diploma...

Laugh, cringe, and question everything you thought was normal—this jam-packed listener episode has it all. Maia and Grant spiral through a whirlwind of chaos, comedy, and oddly relatable life hacks—starting with the brilliance of a “receiving hour” to curb messaging guilt. From there, it’s off to the gym: Maia recounts a cardio mishap that ends in a starfish-shaped crisis, while Grant shrugs his way through circuit anarchy. Nature talk includes a spiritual birdwatching moment atop Green Mountain and a rooftop feeder showdown between pigeons and finches. Then things take a turn with classroom drama involving AI essay dete...

Criminal justice, true crime, and the bonds of family all clash in today's podcast episode! It starts with a story we've heard before. An innocent man is convicted of a crime he did not commit. Facing life in prison few believe in his innocence or his chances to overturn his conviction. Fortunately, for his sister, this is a hill she is willing to die on. Learn who is Kenny Waters, who is Betty Anne Waters, and the power of a sibling with a little bit of fight. Trace how Kenny’s indomitable sister, Betty Ann Waters, fought through law school...

OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! And a story as odd as any we've told. A potentially unsolved mystery. A podcast episode about a spooky (and at times hilarious) cryptid that takes us from the streets of London, to the Isle of Man, to the space between walls. You will not believe what the creature ends up being, or what is ends up saying. That is, if you believe the story at all. Depends on the hill you're willing to die on. Gef the Talking Mongoose AKA Jack the Talking Weasel AKA The Dalby Spook!

They trace the origins...

Three true crime episodes in a set, well that's a first. The set, a Swedish Bank. The Players, Jan-Erik Olofsson, Sven, Sven, Maybe another Sven?, Kristen Enmark, Brigitta Lundblad, Elisabeth Oldgren, and Clark Olsson. Key events, The streets of Stockholm are swarmed as everyone wants to get in on the most exciting robbery of the summer. Bullets are fired, loves are forged, and Kaj Hansson makes a surprise call in NOT about the bees. The 1973 Stockholm bank siege that gave the world “Stockholm syndrome.” Before the tear gas and duct-tape drama, though, we detour through Grant’s “horse on the trac...

Jump back into one of the greatest unsolved heists in history? In Part 2 of our deep dive into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft, Grant and Maia pick up the story 48 hours after 13 masterpieces vanished—and the chaos really kicks in. From a scrapped smoke-bomb plan in the ’80s to Myles Connor’s audacious Rembrandt heists, they trace a tangled web of mobsters, shady art dealers, and maybe a few guards who weren’t as innocent as they seemed. Follow the trail through Boston’s underworld, meet a cast of characters straight out of a crime novel (looking at you, Billy...

A true-crime episode! Grant takes us to Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the night of the Gardner Museum Art Heist—the largest art robbery in modern history. We meet Myles Connor, Boston’s top art thief, wonder whether night guard Richard Abath was an unlucky bystander or an inside man, and learn about Isabella Stewart Gardner, the eccentric woman who built the museum and swore its layout must never change. All to get to the bottom of “the largest art heist in history.” But first, Grant and Maia spiral through immortality theories, sentient cats, 100-year-old parrots, birthday-party cringe, ex...

Dive headfirst into a bizarre (and surprisingly emotional) parade of prophetic dreams that hit a little too close to home. We’re talking moose people on a mission, dogs turning into fully clothed humans, and a priest with psychic winter gear. From eerily accurate pregnancy dreams to a rainbow flag so powerful it sent missionaries packing, these stories blur the line between funny, freaky, and full-on fate. Whether you’re a dream journal fanatic or just here for the weird vibes, this episode delivers laughs, chills, and a reminder that your subconscious might be two steps ahead of you.

Who was Victor Hugo, and why was he so cool? In this podcast episode about Les Misérables and it's creator, Grant shares the fun loving life of the great French writer, Victor Hugo. Part history podcast, part lifestyle guide, Hugo helped define and describe the era he lived through. We learn about the writing of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and the writers commitment to the less fortunate, both in fiction and reality. Party tricks, politics, and publishing defined the life of a man who dreamed a dream of time to come!

From political exile to literary s...

In this chilling episode, Maia Warner and Grant Thomas dig into the twisted tale of Maria Martin—a young woman whose secret romance ended in betrayal, murder, and a shallow grave beneath the floorboards of a crumbling Suffolk barn. Set in 1827 and powered by prophetic dreams, shady love letters, and a suspiciously well-timed disappearance, this true crime saga has it all: scandal, séance vibes, and a stepmother with psychic accuracy. From the trial that captivated England to the grotesque public displays that followed William Corder’s execution, we’re serving up courtroom drama, creepy details, and a haunting reminde...

It is our first listener episode! Listeners from the Well, I Laughed universe share stories about surviving family curses, gay haircuts, a terrible first date story, and the unsettling "St. Mikulas" tradition in Prague! An episode of shocking, surprising, and funny episodes all about being Out and About.

From blooming grief tulips to devils in daycare, this listener-powered chaos cruise has everything: funerals, field sessions, and a family curse with more mysterious deaths than a true crime docuseries. Grant returns home for his grandmother’s memorial and ends up in a whirlwind of Midwest surveillance, metal-blasting funeral va...

Drag is art, drag is exciting, drag is… old? This week, Maia explores the history of drag. From drag in Ancient Greece and Rome and male only casts, to more contemporary artist like the work of Julian Eltinge. Maia shares the life of William Dorsey Swann, who was America’s first drag queen, or at least one of them. Taking us to the Drag Balls of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance and the extravagant homes of DC that first held drag gatherings. Swann’s life proves that drag has history in America. Take a swan dive in the life of “Wi...

Where did the phrase “coming out of the closet” come from? Is history gay? And if it is, why is gay history a secret? This week’s podcast episode looks at famous gay people in history. Including gay Kings of England and America’s first gay president, at least potentially. Grant and Maia also take on the controversy of learning gay history. Explore the perks of being a spinster. Before ending with a tour of modern gay history in the United States. They say he was never married, a confirmed bachelor, and famous for his dinner parties. A queer history...

Stories from the Reddit AITA page. The challenge of being a new mom with a clueless new father. A family that respects their daughters wishes. A family prank that went too far. And disappointing husbands that could do more to support their spouse. A series of funny Reddit stories about people who might have taken it a little too far. Excessive force AITA!

Grant Thomas and Maia Warner take you on a no-seatbelt kind of ride through the hilarious highs and humbling lows of teaching, teenage chaos, and the unpredictable world of state tournaments. What starts as...

A podcast on workers rights and the labor movement! Striking workers and unsafe working conditions, a uniquely American story. This week, Grant explores two historic moments in the labor rights movement. The Haymarket Riot in Chicago and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York. We learn more about Albert Parsons and Lucy Parsons, Clara Lemlich, and even get a surprise appearance from gilded age aristocrats. Discover the meaning behind May Day in today’s episode, March to May!

In this powerful episode, Grant and Maia explore the brutal labor struggles of late 19th and early 20th-century Am...

Today’s podcast episode is about a famous school rivalry. The rivalry between Denver University and the Colorado School of Mines. Maia covers some pranks that go too far. Pranks with explosives, hostages, and lots of ways to go wrong, at least a little. It is about more than a game of football, or a big white M on the side of the mountain. An episode on school pride and smart people doing dumb things. CU vs CSU. Auburn vs Georgia Tech. Harvard vs Yale. John Evans vs History. Who's side are you on?

How do a hi...

Stories from the Reddit AITA page. For Valentine's day we cover terrible dates. Being too honest with your friend about their dating expectations. Reacting to sudden hostility while grabbing drinks. And telling your friend they’re wrong, even when pressured not to. Four Reddit stories about dating, and terrible dating experiences.

Buckle up for the grand finale of “Plenty of Fish,” where Maia and Grant juggle skittish dogs, star‑struck cousins, and the most unhinged dating stories Reddit can offer. Broadcasting from a friend’s couch (wine in hand), they swap Valentine’s wisdom, sign a dubious half‑marathon pa...

Do aliens exist? Or are we alone in the universe? In this week’s podcast episode we explore Fermi's Paradox. Maia covers topics like the “great filter theory”, the day a UFO sighting stopped a football game with Ardico Magnini, the “coso artifact”, and the US Congressional Hearing on UFO sightings and the testimony of Retired Maj. David Grusch. An episode that addresses the question, if there are supposed to be plenty fish in our galaxy… where are they?

Grant Thomas and Maia Warner weave together a tapestry of the strange, the silly, and the surprisingly insightful. From quirky...

Grant tells Maia about the rarest fish in the world, found in the strangest of places. An episode about the Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Devils Hole, located in Death Valley National Park. We learn more about Ash Meadow, the legal rights of a tiny fish, and the many strange occurrences that have been documented at Devil’s Hole. A podcast episode that will leave you enchanted with the oddity of fish in the desert.

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