We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast

In Part Two of Rejecting Rocky Bleier, Bleier visits his old coach at Notre Dame who gives him some upsetting news. The Steelers have a changing of the guard. And the team that drafted Bleier for his heart, gets to see it in action. Major show notes for this episode can be found on our website here. Ask us Anything: Email us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca Write to us on socials: @apostrophepod Leave...

Rocky Bleier is a four-time Super Bowl champion. In his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he rushed nearly 4000 yards and scored 30 touchdowns. But just a decade earlier, Bleier was drafted in the 16th round, to a bad team, given no playing time. Then, the day he thought he was about to get cut, he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Major show notes for this episode can be found on our webs...

The global online dating market is expected to reach $11B USD by 2028. With websites like Match.com and eHarmony and apps like Tinder and Hinge, today’s singles have the world at their fingertips. But back when Hinge was in its infancy, founder Justin McLeod was rejected by investors - then users, then the Apple App Store, then Vanity Fair magazine - before becoming one of the leading dating apps...

Cyndi Lauper has sold over 50 million records worldwide. She’s a singer, songwriter and activist whose first album She’s So Unusual landed her on the list of top female debut artists of all time. But before going six-times certified platinum, Lauper was ridiculed for her eclectic look and fired from bands time after time. She was broke, working at a vintage store and skipping dinner every other ni...

Chris Rock once described Leslie Jones as “about as funny as a human being can be.” She was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live for six years, she’s a Ghostbuster and a three-time Emmy nominee. But before landing her big break, Jones was a struggling comedian. By the time she turned 45, she had yet to make a steady paycheck in comedy and considered quitting altogether. Then Lorne Michaels...

450 million Rubik’s Cubes have sold worldwide. A Rubik’s Cube has been handled by 1 in 7 humans on planet earth. The colourful toy has inspired people in the arts, in mathematics, in engineering and pop culture. But when inventor Ernő Rubik first started showcasing his creation at toy fairs, he was rejected - by toy companies, distributors and investors. Told it was “too niche.” Then, once it fina...

Realtor-slash-amateur magician, Phil Dunphy, is one of the funniest dads on one of the highest-rated sitcoms. Modern Family aired for 11 seasons, bringing in millions of viewers and 22 Emmys. But before landing the role of Phil, actor Ty Burrell was rejected by Hollywood for 20 straight years. Told his features were too big, he was too off-beat and too old. By his 40th birthday, he was ready to gi...

We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast returns next week with a brand new season. Here's what's in store. Ask us Anything: Email us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca Write to us on socials: @apostrophepod Leave us a voicemail We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus bonus episodes, chats with Sidney, Terry, Allison & more. Subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

We regret to inform you, this week marks the final episode of our 2021 season. So, we thought we’d do something a little different. Over the past two years, we’ve come across several fascinating rejection stories that weren’t long enough for a full episode, but that doesn’t mean they're any less packed with insight. Join us this week for ‘Short Stories in Television’ - the inspiring pint-size...

Breaking Bad holds the Guinness World Record for highest-rated television show of all time. But back when creator Vince Gilligan was first pitching the series, it was rejected by four major networks. This week, we tell Gilligan’s story. From being told no one in their right mind would let a show about crystal meth air on television, to showrunning one of the most beloved series in history. Ask us...

I Love Lucy is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, bringing in over 30 million viewers per week in its day. But before becoming the queen of prime-time television, Lucille Ball was known as “Queen of the B-Pictures” - pin-balling around Hollywood studios, unable to draw a box office crowd. Join us this week as we tell Ball’s incredible story. From panhandling for bus fare, to becoming the...

In 2019, 13,684 of the Boston Marathon's entrants were women - making up nearly 50% of total participants. But back in the 1960s, women weren’t permitted into the prestigious annual event, rejected solely on the basis of sex. Until two brave women had enough. Join us this week as we tell the stories of pioneer runners Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer - the first women to ever run the Boston Maratho...

Moonstruck , starring Cher and Nicolas Cage, is considered one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Yet, back in 1987, the screenplay was turned down by Hollywood executives, the actors were told they weren’t bankable and the studio didn’t think the picture had a shot at the box office. Join us this week as we tell the story of Moonstruck - from rejection straight to the Academy Awards. Ask...

In Part 2 of Rejecting Linkin Park , we find out what happens when Xero puts on a public showcase, against the advice of their publisher. A key player in the story is fired. Then, the band is forced to change their name. Ask us Anything: Email us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca Write to us on socials: @apostrophepod Leave us a voicemail We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus...

In the year 2000, Linkin Park released its debut album Hybrid Theory , which would become the highest-selling debut album of the 21st century. But pre-platinum records, Porsches and private jets, Linkin Park was called Xero, and they were rejected by 44 music labels. Join us this week as we tell the band’s incredible story - from Xero to 70 million albums sold. Ask us Anything: Email us: hello@apo...

Laverne Cox is best-known for playing Sophia Burset on the hit Netflix series Orange Is The New Black . But before landing the role of a lifetime, Cox struggled to book auditions. At 40 years old, she found herself in housing court for the second time, on the precipice of homelessness. Join us this week as we tell Cox’s trailblazing story. From being rejected by 496 agents, to becoming the first T...

Netflix is the de facto name in streaming. A $230B tech giant that’s dominated 190 countries, the Emmys and the Academy Awards. But back when Netflix was just a startup, it was rejected by Silicon Valley CEOs, Harvard alumni, investors and, notoriously, Blockbuster. Join us this week as we tell the founders’ incredible story - from David to Goliath. Major sources for this episode can be found in t...

Spanx has become the de facto brand name for an entire category - like Kleenex or Q-tips. But in the ’90s, the shapewear company’s founder, Sara Blakely, was enduring relentless rejection as a door-to-door fax machine salesperson. Then one day, she cut the feet off her pantyhose. This week we tell Blakely’s inspiring story, from being ridiculed for her idea to becoming a self-made billionaire. Ask...

Kurt Warner is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, known for leading what’s been called the Greatest Show on Turf. But before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Warner was cut from an NFL team and ended up stocking shelves at a local grocery store. Join us this week as we tell Warner’s inspiring story. From bags…to riches. Major sources for this episode can be found in the show notes...

Sandra Oh is a Golden Globe-winning actress known for playing Dr. Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy and Eve Polastri on the hit drama, Killing Eve . But before receiving 12 Emmy nominations, Oh spent nearly a decade as a day player. She was rejected for major film roles, told there was no room at the top for Asian actors in Hollywood. Join us this week as we tell Oh’s incredible story. From humble b...

Nick Offerman is known for his role as the moustachioed, woodworking, saxophone-playing boss of Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation . But before growing out his moustache, Offerman was a struggling actor, living in an unfinished basement and fighting depression after 12 straight years of Hollywood rejection. This week, we tell Offerman’s story. From being told in auditions to be more “conventiona...

In 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first woman of colour to ever fly in outer space. A remarkable and historical achievement. But her journey to the stars wasn’t without turbulence. Jemison’s dream to break down barriers and succeed in a white male-dominated field was balked at, every step of the way. Her grit, resilience and determination are out of this world. Major sources for this episode can...

Muggsy Bogues is a record-breaking basketball player with an impressive 14-year NBA career. He’s among the most beloved players of all time. Oh, and he’s also 5’3”. Growing up in Baltimore, Bogues watched his friends and teammates grow tall, while he reached his peak at just 10 years old. He was bullied, teased and told he’d never make the pros. Join us this week as we tell Bogues inspiring story....

Peanuts is one of the most beloved comic strips of all time. Printed in over 2600 publications, it amassed 350 million readers in its 50-year history. But creator Charles Schulz spent most of his life feeling small as peanuts. He was rejected by family, teachers and countless newspapers. Join us this week as we tell Schulz’s amazing story. From being told he’d never make a living by “scribbling,”...

Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman - star of the $821M blockbuster and the first woman-led superhero film in over a decade. But before picking up her Lasso of Truth, Gadot spent her days travelling back and forth from her home in Israel all the way to Los Angeles. Each audition meant a 15-hour flight with her family only to find out she was rejected over and over again, for eight years. Then she was ready...