They Did What?! Breaking Down Wild Documentaries & Docuseries

Podcastica

Let's talk documentaries and docuseries  about scams, scandals, calamities, and outrageous mishaps that make you ask “They Did What?!” Join hosts Gen and Kelsey, as we hash out our thoughts and reactions to various perplexing cases.

  1. Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist (2022)

    Apr 16

    Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist (2022)

    In this episode, Kelsey and Gen, along with guest host, Guy, discuss Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist, released on Netflix in 2022 and directed by Ryan Duffy and Tony Vainuku, tells the story of Manti Te’o, a Notre Dame football star whose rise to national fame became tangled up in one of the most bizarre catfishing scandals in sports history.  In 2012, during his senior season, Manti lost his grandmother and his girlfriend within hours of each other. Instead of crumbling, he dedicated his season to them, the sports world rallied behind him, and he helped carry Notre Dame to the national championship while finishing as a Heisman finalist.  Then in January 2013, it was revealed that Manti’s girlfriend never existed. Cue media speculation about his involvement, what he knew, and even his sexuality. What started as a heartfelt story about love and loss quickly unraveled into something much stranger, raising questions about identity, media narratives, and how easily a lie can take on a life of its own. Coming Up: Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom (2026) Where Are They Now: Manti Te’o Nov. 2025 - Harpers Bazaar https://harpersbazaar.com.au/everything-you-need-to-know-about-manti-teo-from-netflix-documentary/ NayaTui https://www.instagram.com/nayatui/ Find our special guest Guy Bensing over at the BlueNote Fan Report! https://www.youtube.com/c/BlueNoteFanReport To hear your comments on the show: Send us an e-mail or voice message to theydidwhat@podcastica.com Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theydidwhat Find us on Instagram: @TDW.Podcast Connect with us on Podcastica’s discord, or look out for our episode comment posts on facebook.com/groups/podcastica ! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at podcastica.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 26m
  2. Trainwreck: Poop Cruise (2025)

    Apr 11

    Trainwreck: Poop Cruise (2025)

    In this episode, Kelsey and Gen dump on the fecal fueled fiasco highlighted in Netflix’s Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, a documentary about the Carnival Triumph cruise where an engine room fire stranded more than 4,0000 passengers and crew members in the Gulf of Mexico for days without power, working toilets, or proper food. It highlights the sanitary nightmare, passenger panic, and chaotic conditions. This one is not for the fart of heart. Coming Up: Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist (2022) Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom (2026) To hear your comments on the show: Send us an e-mail or voice message to theydidwhat@podcastica.com Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theydidwhat Find us on Instagram: @TDW.Podcast Connect with us on Podcastica’s discord, or look out for our episode comment posts on facebook.com/groups/podcastica ! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at podcastica.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  3. The Devil is Busy (2025)

    Mar 30

    The Devil is Busy (2025)

    In this episode, Kelsey and Gen discuss The Devil Is Busy, a documentary short directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton, released on HBO Max in 2025. Since its release it's been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film. The film follows a single day inside an abortion clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, centering on Tracii, the clinic’s head of security, as she navigates tensions inside and outside the clinic and works to keep both staff and visitors safe during a typical workday. Coming Up: Trainwreck: Poop Cruise (2025) Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist (2022) Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom (2026)   To hear your comments on the show: Send us an e-mail or voice message to theydidwhat@podcastica.com Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theydidwhat Find us on Instagram: @TDW.Podcast Connect with us on Podcastica’s discord, or look out for our episode comment posts on facebook.com/groups/podcastica ! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at podcastica.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  4. Mar 14

    Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart (2026)

    In this episode, Kelsey and Gen discuss the Netflix 2026 documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart that revisits the 2002 abduction of Elizabeth Smart from her home in Salt Lake City and the nine months she spent in captivity before being recovered alive. Drawing on Elizabeth’s accounts, new interviews, news coverage from the time, and law-enforcement records, the documentary examines how the case quickly became a national media story and how early assumptions shaped both public perception and investigative priorities.  Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart details a series of misjudgments by law enforcement and focuses on the efforts and experiences of Elizabeth’s family, who continued to push the search forward when progress stalled. Rather than retelling the crime itself, the documentary examines how the case was handled, how it was reported, and how those choices affected both the investigation and the public response.   Next up: We're covering The Devil is Busy, streaming on HBO Max. Send us an email or a voice message to ⁠⁠⁠⁠theydidwhat@podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, connect with us on Podcastica’s discord at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/hUW632B9PB⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or look out for our episode comment posts on ⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/podcastica⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tdw.podcast/⁠. We'd love to hear from you! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min
  5. Milano Cortina 2026 (Part 2)

    Feb 26

    Milano Cortina 2026 (Part 2)

    Kelsey and Gen have gone fully rogue — no documentary this week, just pure Olympic chaos. From a wolf dog crashing the cross-country course to record-breaking medal counts, overtime hockey heartbreak (and triumph), Michaela Shiffrin’s redemption arc, and Alysa Liu’s joyful return to the top of figure skating, this is our wrap-up of Milano-Cortina 2026. Records fell. Tears flowed. Espresso martinis were consumed. We regret nothing. Next up: (For real this time) Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart, streaming on Netflix Send us an email or a voice message to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theydidwhat@podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, connect with us on Podcastica’s discord at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/hUW632B9PB⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or look out for our episode comment posts on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/podcastica⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tdw.podcast/⁠⁠⁠. We'd love to hear from you! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min

  6. Feb 17

    Qualified (2026) and Milano Cortina

    This week, Qualified gives Kelsey and Gen the perfect excuse to talk Winter Olympics. The short doc follows eight women battling for four spots on the 2026 U.S. Olympic moguls team, offering a quick but compelling look at camaraderie, pressure, and what it takes to qualify for the biggest stage in winter sports. From there? All bets are off. They unpack Milano Cortina’s biggest moments so far: surprise podiums, comeback crashes, lots of medals, snow art, curling controversy, and of course THAT post-race interview. Next up: Kidnapped Elizabeth Smart, streaming on Netflix Send us an email or a voice message to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theydidwhat@podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, connect with us on Podcastica’s discord at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/hUW632B9PB⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or look out for our episode comment posts on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/podcastica⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tdw.podcast/⁠⁠⁠. We'd love to hear from you! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!   Mentioned: “The war dead pictured on banned Ukrainian athlete's helmet“ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnv63q1vpv1o Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 14m
  7. Surviving Ohio State (2025)

    Feb 9

    Surviving Ohio State (2025)

    In this episode, Kelsey and Gen get dark and personal discussing Surviving Ohio State, the HBO Max documentary directed by Eva Orner, in conjunction with writer/producer Jon Wertheim, writer of the 2020 Sports Illustrated article that this documentary is based on. Surviving Ohio State looks at the decades-long abuse scandal surrounding Ohio State University and team doctor Richard Strauss, and the athletes who were ignored when they tried to speak up. Through survivor testimony, investigative reporting, and institutional records, the documentary traces how complaints were buried, reputations were protected, and harm was allowed to continue. Next up: We're covering Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, streaming on Netflix. Send us an email or a voice message to ⁠⁠⁠theydidwhat@podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠, connect with us on Podcastica’s discord at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/hUW632B9PB⁠⁠⁠⁠, or look out for our episode comment posts on ⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/podcastica⁠⁠⁠ or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tdw.podcast/. We'd love to hear from you! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at ⁠⁠⁠podcastica.com⁠⁠⁠!   Mentioned: 'Why Aren't More People Talking About the Ohio State Sex Abuse Scandel?' by Jon Wertheim for Sports Illustrated https://www.si.com/college/2020/10/05/ohio-state-sex-abuse-daily-cover Lex Wexner Subpoenaed in Ohio State Strauss Abuse Case https://www.ideastream.org/2026-01-13/judge-clears-way-for-les-wexner-to-be-subpoenaed-in-strauss-abuse-case Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_State_child_sex_abuse_scandal⁠⁠⁠ Larry Nasser sexual abuse scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Nassar Survivors of Ohio State https://survivorsofosu.com/ Where Are They Now? Dan Ritchie https://myfox28columbus.com/news/local/survivors-react-to-osu-ohio-state-university-sexual-abuse-hbo-documentary-while-attorneys-hear-update-on-lawsuits-dr-richard-strauss Mike Schyck https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-schyck-a798b0230/ Mark Coleman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Coleman Adam DiSabato https://www.instagram.com/adam_disabato/?hl=en Michael DiSabato https://www.facebook.com/michael.disabato/ Will Knight https://www.instagram.com/williknight/?hl=en Al Novakowski https://moviedelic.com/al-novakowski/ Rocky Ratliff https://www.wmfd.com/article/marion-attorney-shares-survivor's-story-in-hbo-documentary-'surviving-ohio-state'/20796 Steve Snyder-Hill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Snyder-Hill Fred Feeney https://www.facebook.com/frederick.feeney Jim Jordan https://www.ms.now/opinion/msnbc-opinion/ohio-state-wrestling-richard-strauss-jim-jordan-rcna214849 Russ Hellickson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ_Hellickson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 36m
  8. We Beat the Dream Team (2025)

    12/25/2025

    We Beat the Dream Team (2025)

    In this episode, Kelsey and Gen take on We Beat the Dream Team, highlighting a 1992 scrimmage where a group of “college players” beat the most famous basketball team ever assembled. These were the same players who would have gone to the Olympics if not for the rule change allowing NBA players to compete. Are there unexpected personal connections? Yes. Is there gratuitous side-eye? Also yes. Next up: We're going to take a little break for the holidays and see you guys in the New Year! Send us an email or a voice message to ⁠⁠theydidwhat@podcastica.com⁠⁠, connect with us on Podcastica’s discord at ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/hUW632B9PB⁠⁠⁠, or look out for our episode comment posts on ⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/podcastica⁠⁠. We'd love to hear from you! Waiting for our next episode? Leave us a rating or review wherever you get your podcasts and help more people find us to join the fun! Then explore other great shows in the Podcastica network at ⁠⁠podcastica.com⁠⁠!   Mentioned: ‘We Beat the Dream Team’ review by Stephen Silver ⁠⁠https://stephensilver.substack.com/p/we-beat-the-dream-team-is-a-delightful⁠ HBO’s “We Beat the Dream Team” Recounts One of Basketball’s Most Improbable Upsets by Mike Hall⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.usab.com/news/2025/02/hbos-we-beat-the-dream-team-recounts-one-of-basketballs-most-improbable-upsets⁠⁠ Where Are They Now? Chuck Daly ⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Daly⁠⁠ Mike Krzyzewski ⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Krzyzewski⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 17m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

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Let's talk documentaries and docuseries  about scams, scandals, calamities, and outrageous mishaps that make you ask “They Did What?!” Join hosts Gen and Kelsey, as we hash out our thoughts and reactions to various perplexing cases.

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