Well, I Laughed

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...

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...

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...

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!   ...

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‑S...

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 i...

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 w...

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....

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 friendship...

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...

"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 Bac...

The voice of Yzma from Emperor's New Groove, a talented singer, passionate civil rights activist, and "the most exciting women in America." Eartha Kitt took a childhood of neglect and turned it into a life of adventure and advocacy. Fall in love all over again with this incredible women, oh, and did we mention Eartha Kitt was Cat Woman? It is all Down to Eartha!  Audience Survey: https://forms.gle...

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!  Audience Survey: https://forms.gle/FDEcdHLyrmNxZTd37   00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:16:00 Letters...

The story of "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" is a beautiful, complicated tale about love and regret and friendship... but if you've only ever seen the musical there is much you don't know! This week, Maia explains what "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire is about. We explore how dark does the original Wicked get. And why the art is so heartbreaking and important on its own. Th...

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 w...

Stories from the people who listen to "Well, I Laughed"! 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, this week on Well, I Laughed!  00:...

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 sep...

This week, Grant asks a big question, "what is a chaos bisexual?". In our quest for an answer we meet Julie "Maupin" d'Aubigny, also known by her stage name "La Maupin." A sword fighting opera singer who is a lover of all. But did she really commit arson in the name of love? We try to find the truth in the drama. Rumor has it, she was the first chaos bisexual.  00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:33:40 Duel Inte...

Listeners share their stories with the Well, I Laughed podcast! 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 potty horror story with her very own eyes. Angela reshapes Eastern Europe’s view of Americans. And one final listener talks about being the victim of robbery from an u...

Grant talks love and relationships to ring in the New Year! Grant introduces Maia to Dr. Ruth, the infamous sex therapist with 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! This week, on Well, I Laughed!  00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:31:01 The Dr. Is In Hosted by Simpleca...

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 a...

A listener episode! This week Holly writes in about surviving a friendship with a con woman. Chris witnesses his dad getting a taste of his own medicine. Noelle survives heartbreak and car accidents in one fateful afternoon. And a listener tells us about the sketchy relatives they’re surprisingly (and unfortunately) related to. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!  00:00:00 Catch-Up 00...

A podcast episode on the Thai Cave Rescue! Many of us might remember the news coverage, few have heard the full story. This week Maia pulls together the events and decisions that led to a rescue that is too almost impossible to believe. A story that is at times moving as it is improbable. Bonus podcast content on the Seattle Underground. Maia covers it all! Buried Below part 2, out now! 00:00:00 C...

"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. A podcast episode on cheese! The history of American cheese, why it is called "government cheese". why American cheese looks and taste the way that it does, and what is underground Springfield, Missouri? A journey back in time and down below this we...

A listener episode! This week on Well, I Laughed we hear from someone who has first hand experience with the Word of Faith cult. AJ writes in with a story about accidentally ruining an adult friendship. One listener explores a home purchase that comes with more than they bargained for. And Jaymes dishes about life inside QAnon adjacent workplaces. All that and more this week!  00:00:00 Catch-Up 00...