148 episodes
Were You Raised By Wolves? Were You Raised By Wolves
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- Society & Culture
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4.7 • 1.2K Ratings
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Editors’ Notes: “I want to give everybody the tools to solve their own etiquette problems,” says Nick Leighton, cohost and producer of Were You Raised by Wolves?, a weekly podcast in which he and cohost Leah Bonnema look into the many sticky social situations we all face. “With each of the questions that we get, from the bonkers to the ordinary, I always try to take a step back and ask, ‘What are the bigger principles here?’ I'm always looking for topics that help us make a larger point.” In each episode, Leighton, a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, and Bonnema, a comic/writer, share practical advice on how to navigate a wide range of situations, from the serious to the whimsical—whether they tackle interrupting excessive talkers, establishing healthy boundaries with coworkers, or the proper way to eat Cheetos.
When they developed the show in 2019, Leighton and Bonnema had one goal in mind: to have empathy for other people. Their informal conversations tackle a mix of personal topics, viewer questions, and the occasional historical fact with warmth and positivity and humor. Leighton views this approach as an antidote to a lot of the negativity he sees in the online world, while Bonnema thinks the show’s premise is a natural fit for her situational style of comedy. “A lot of my comedy is about events where I’m like, ‘What just happened here?’ or where I embarrass myself,” she says. “And, ironically, all of these fall under the guise of etiquette, where you either feel aggrieved or you feel like you committed some sort of social crime. I just loved the topic.”
Leighton and Bonnema credit the show’s ongoing success to their work ethic. They haven’t missed a single week since they launched the show, which recently hit a new milestone: 100 episodes. But what they value the most, above all else, is how they've built a community of listeners from all backgrounds. “We have conservative grandmothers in Tallahassee to nonbinary chefs in Seattle and everybody in between,” he says. “Because who among us has not experienced an etiquette crime? This is universal.”
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Etiquette, manners, and beyond! Join Emmy® Award-winning journalist Nick Leighton and acclaimed comedian Leah Bonnema ("Late Show with Stephen Colbert"), the perfect odd couple, as they try to make the world a nicer, more polite place and offer up practical advice to help you smoothly glide through any situation. Please listen and follow! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
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Summer Break: Attending Polo Matches, Inquiring About Missing Invitations, Receiving Outrageous Emails, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite summer episodes from the archives in which they tackle attending polo matches, inquiring about missing invitations, receiving outrageous emails, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
EPISODE CONTENTS
AMUSE-BOUCHE: Polo
A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Beach etiquette
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What do I do if I received a text save-the-date but no follow-up? When is it appropriate to Google someone? Can I refuse to allow someone I dislike onto my property?
VENT OR REPENT: Outrageous emails, Maddening phrases
CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: A helpful Lyft driver, A nice review
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Polo scene in "Pretty Woman"
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
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CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 92
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Sharing Combs at Gyms, Hijacking Hiking Plans, Starting Toilet Paper Rolls, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about sharing disposable combs at the gym, hijacking hiking plans, starting toilet paper rolls, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS:
What do I do about someone at the gym putting used combs back into a communal jar?
What do I say when someone asks if I sent any money with a graduation congratulations card?
How can I tell a friend that I don't want to move a previously planned hike to accommodate their birthday?
After installing a new roll of toilet paper, should you remove the adhesive and start the roll, too?
Vent: People who flip their hair over the back of airplane seats.
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Previous episode about orienting toilet paper rolls
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 145
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Eating Pizza, Singing Karaoke, Criticizing Cultures, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle eating pizza the right way, singing karaoke in groups, criticizing other cultures, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
EPISODE CONTENTS
AMUSE-BOUCHE: Pizza
A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Karaoke
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: How do I clarify whether or not I'll be paid to paint at a friend's wedding? Is it rude for my mother-in-law to regularly criticize my culture? What should I do if I need to sneeze or blow my nose while on a Zoom call?
VENT OR REPENT: Early-ending breakfast buffets, Hogging the middle seat on an airplane
CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks for the hospitality, Thanks for the book
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Chuck E. Cheese on Wikipedia
"Shoop" by Salt-N-Pepa
"Locomotive Breath" by Jethro Tull
"You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore
"Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
"Nothing" from "A Chorus Line"
"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf
"D-I-V-O-R-C-E" by Tammy Wynette
"Say My Name" by Destiny's Child
"Don't" etiquette book
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 144
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Removing Shoes at Weddings, Opening Neighbors' Mail, Being Empty-Handed at Potlucks, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about removing your shoes at wedding receptions, accidentally opening neighbors' mail, showing up empty handed to potlucks, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS:
What's the time limit for letting a friend know it wasn't appreciated that she showed up empty-handed to a potluck picnic?
What's the etiquette for telling someone they look like someone else?
I accidentally opened a piece of my neighbor's mail...what should I do?
At a wedding, is it OK to take your heels off on the dance floor?
Am I wrong to be upset at a houseguest who ruined some of my clothing and then called me fat?
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Rescue Flats for Wedding Receptions
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 143
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Throwing Parties for Disliked Bosses, Taking Responsibility for Dryer Lint, Cleaning Rugs Late at Night, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle throwing parties for disliked bosses, taking responsibility for dryer lint, cleaning rugs late at night, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
EPISODE CONTENTS
AMUSE-BOUCHE: Where to keep your hands while eating in France
A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Walking tours
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: Do we have to throw a going away party for a boss we don't like? Who's responsible for cleaning the lint trap in a dryer? How do I avoid having my friend's husband join our shopping trips?
VENT OR REPENT: Late nite rug cleaning, Lice at the art fair
CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks to our listeners, A coffee card from a neighbor
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Affair of the Poisons on Wikipedia
Venice Biennale on Wikipedia
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 142
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Going to Drive-Thrus Near Closing Time, Asking for Drink Refills, Throwing Parties During Weddings, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about going to drive-thrus near closing time, asking for drink refills, throwing parties during weddings, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS:
What is the etiquette for ordering from a drive-thru that's about to close?
How do I stop my friends from criticizing my dining choices?
How do I tell people I don't have an Instagram account while still being flirty?
What's the polite way to ask a server if drink refills are free?
Was it rude for a lifelong friend to throw a housewarming party during my wedding?
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Party Density
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 141
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Customer Reviews
A must listen
Society seems to be getting out of control ruder. However, for those who want to know how to act properly in various situations, this is undoubtedly the best.
What a joy these two are!
I started listening to WYRBW on a recommendation from another podcast. The title was intriguing and the recommender made it sound fun. And they weren’t wrong! I love listening to these two. They deal in unsavory situations with panache and kindness. Thank you thank you!!
Sweet, fun, polite!
Enjoying this so much! You too are just precious! And as someone who volunteered for a dog/cat rescue for 15 years and fostered many dogs, thank you Leah for adopting!