Forever Wild

Meagan McGovern and Nora Gibbs

Forever Wild is a memoir podcast about four sisters, a con artist mother, and a childhood spent on the run. From mafia bars to game shows, mental hospitals to Australia, it’s a story of survival, chaos, and the search for home. Hosted by sisters Meagan McGovern and Nora Gibbs, this deeply personal series blends dark humor, nostalgia, and raw honesty in a journey you won’t forget.

Episodes

  1. MAY 13

    The Motel Life: Bad Checks, Jail Cells, and the Australia That Never Was

    Episode Title: The Motel Life: Bad Checks, Jail Cells, and the Australia That Never Was Episode Summary: In this episode of Forever Wild, Meagan and Nora dive into one of the wildest chapters of their chaotic upbringing – a time when jail cells, runaway road trips, and a botched game show trip to Australia were just another Tuesday. From Meagan’s arrest in upstate New York to the frantic scramble to cover their mother’s bad checks, the sisters reflect on the impossible balancing act of trying to survive a life lived out of motels, black garbage bags, and half-baked escape plans. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at the moments that defined their family’s unraveling – and the unexpected moments of connection and chaos that came with it. Episode Highlights: Meagan’s arrest for bad checks – and her stubborn belief that she could talk her way out of it.Katie’s desperate attachment to her deaf poodle, Sugar, and the logistical nightmare of traveling with two dogs.The chaotic lead-up to their mother’s second Sale of the Century attempt, complete with hidden crawl spaces, ransacked homes, and the failed promise of a fresh start in Australia.Nora’s first taste of independence in a foreign country – and why she couldn’t wait to go home.The New Year’s Eve party that ended with a police raid and a sober realization that this life might never change. Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts or questions about this episode – we’d love to hear what surprised you.Connect with Meagan on Facebook for behind-the-scenes stories and updates.Leave a review if you enjoyed this episode – it really helps others find the show. Until next time, stay wild.

    1 hr
  2. APR 8

    The Valley’s Keeper of Disposable Children

    In this raw, layered episode of Forever Wild, Meagan and Nora take us back to 1986—peak Valley Girl era—where their family finds a brief glimpse of stability in the San Fernando Valley… before it all unravels again. From a rundown house near the Sherman Oaks Galleria to a sudden move to Connecticut just days before Christmas, the sisters recount a whirlwind time marked by missed opportunities, unexpected generosity, and unsettling encounters. We hear about the “extra” kids who lived with them, how their mother became the subject of a Ben Stein newspaper profile—and what happened when he took a disturbing interest in one of the sisters. It’s a story of instability and survival, told with humor, honesty, and a fierce sense of reflection. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of child exploitation and inappropriate behavior by an adult. ⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate)00:01 – Intro and stabby moods04:30 – Life in the San Fernando Valley12:00 – The college dream that slipped away20:45 – “Throwaway children” and Ben Stein’s glowing article29:10 – The poolside photo shoot36:00 – Connecticut and the Christmas from hell47:00 – College envy and the reality check55:00 – Ben Stein calls again—with a disturbing request01:04:00 – The Spy Magazine mention and the truth behind the creep01:08:00 – Wrapping up: privilege, predators, and the path ahead 📎 Mentioned in this Episode:[Ben Stein's 1986 article “The Valley’s Keeper of Disposable Children”] If you’re loving the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen. It helps us more than you know.

    38 min
  3. MAR 31

    The Oregon Detour: Poverty, Privilege, and a Car Full of Animals

    Show Notes: Episode 6 – The Oregon DetourThis week, Meagan and Nora head back to 1985 and the family’s move to a remote house in the woods of southern Oregon. What starts as a beautiful new beginning quickly turns into one of the most chaotic and difficult chapters of their lives. In this episode: Life lately: prom dresses, graduation plans, and launching adult kidsMeagan tells the story of driving to Oregon at 16 with a chicken, kittens, a dog, two teenagers she barely knew, and a ticket for going 88 mphLiving in a stunning house with no money, no plan, and no adult supervisionLosing pets to the Oregon wilderness—and what those losses still meanWhat it's like to be the kid holding everything together while the adults fall apartA staged car crash, insurance money, and moral gray areasOne magical memory: the Ashland Shakespeare Festival and a woman in a unicorn costumeHow race, privilege, and poverty collided in their family’s storyThe return to LA, motel living, and the Challenger explosion Themes: The invisible weight of being “the responsible one”The ways white privilege protected their mother—and how that legacy shows up nowSurvival, sibling loyalty, and the cost of keeping secretsWhat it means to look back on these stories with love, anger, and clarity Content note: This episode includes discussion of poverty, food insecurity, pet loss, and an insurance scam. There is also honest reflection on the role of white privilege in the family's story.

    1h 8m
5
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Forever Wild is a memoir podcast about four sisters, a con artist mother, and a childhood spent on the run. From mafia bars to game shows, mental hospitals to Australia, it’s a story of survival, chaos, and the search for home. Hosted by sisters Meagan McGovern and Nora Gibbs, this deeply personal series blends dark humor, nostalgia, and raw honesty in a journey you won’t forget.

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