Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema

Were You Raised By Wolves?

Society EN ↓ 359 episodes

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 pr...

Author

Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema

Episodes

Second Helpings: Sequencing Cream and Jam on Scones, Glancing at Smartwatches, Scowling at Strangers, and More 06.07.2026 31:37

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back soon with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle putting cream and jam on scones in the correct order, glancing at smartwatches, scowling at strangers, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritte...

Motoring with Manners, Sharing the Sidewalk, Charging Guests for Pizza, and More 29.06.2026 42:34

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle motoring with manners, sharing the sidewalk, charging guests for pizza, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:  Emily Post's "Motor Manners:...

Rescinding Getaway Invitations, Staking Unwanted Yard Signs, Choosing the Right Stationery, and More 22.06.2026 31:09

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about rescinding weekend getaway invitations, staking unwanted yard signs, choosing the right stationery, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM TH...

Flying the Danish Flag, Ducking Out of Weddings, Roasting in Cocktail Attire, and More 15.06.2026 39:37

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle flying the Danish flag, ducking out of weddings without saying goodbye, roasting in cocktail attire, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:  ...

Ending Endless Brunches, Dealing with Double Dippers, Greeting Bus Riders, and More 08.06.2026 25:46

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about ending endless brunches, dealing with double dippers, greeting bus riders, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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: How do you...

Asking About Brian, Living With Homeowners Associations, Redirecting a Birthday Gift, and More 01.06.2026 39:41

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle asking "Where is Brian?", living with homeowners associations, redirecting a birthday gift to a different recipient, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EPISODE CONTENTS AMUS...

Second Helpings: Sitting on Suitcases, Going on Ghost Tours, Being Disappointed by Mahi-Mahi, and More 25.05.2026 46:09

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 episodes from the archives in which they tackle sitting on suitcases before a trip, going on ghost tours, being disappointed by mahi-mahi, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank...

Finding Cat Hair in Food, Picking People's Brains, CCing the Wrong Person, and More 18.05.2026 31:16

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about finding cat hair in food, picking people's brains, CCing the wrong person, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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: How should...

Receiving Black Napkins, Squatting in Strangers' Kitchens, Slurping Smelly Foods, and More 11.05.2026 40:20

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle receiving black napkins in restaurants, squatting in strangers' kitchens, slurping smelly foods on airplanes, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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-BOUCH...

Outrunning Your Friends, Bragging About Possum Sweaters, Renaming Your Coworkers, and More 04.05.2026 27:35

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about outrunning your friends, bragging about possum sweaters, renaming your coworkers, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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...

Earning Girl Scout Badges, Washing Strawberries in Soda Fountains, Whisking Away Cake Plates, and More 27.04.2026 43:21

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle earning Girl Scout badges, washing strawberries in soda fountains, whisking away cake plates, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:  The "So...

Outing AI Videos, Evicting Lingering Guests, Reserving Paper Towels, and More 20.04.2026 19:15

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about outing AI videos, evicting lingering guests, reserving paper towels, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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: Is it rude to tel...

Decoding Different Cultures, Pursuing Dry Cleaners, Blasting Techno Music, and More 13.04.2026 47:23

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle decoding different cultures, pursuing dry cleaners, blasting techno music, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:  "The Culture Map" by Erin...

Second Helpings: Removing Shoes on Airplanes, Exiting Weddings Early, Welcoming Guests In, and More 06.04.2026 23:16

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 episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about removing shoes on airplanes, exiting weddings early, welcoming guests in, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritt...

Second Helpings: Eating Baguettes in France, Spitting Wine at Tastings, Returning Gifts to Guests, and More 30.03.2026 39:33

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back soon with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle eating baguettes in France, spitting at winery tasting rooms, returning gifts to guests, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you no...

Leaking Phone Numbers, Venting About Registries, Requesting the 'Man of the House,' and More 23.03.2026 30:09

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about leaking phone numbers to strangers, venting about baby registries, requesting the "Man of the House," and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUESTIONS FROM...

Very Special 300th Episode Extravaganza 16.03.2026 1:26:50

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this very special 300th episode extravaganza, Nick and Leah count down their top ten favorite etiquette questions and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TOP 10 QUESTIONS: What’s the best way to handle being surprised...

Getting Married on Fridays, Putting In-Laws to Work, Singing Foreign National Anthems, and More 09.03.2026 26:28

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about getting married on Fridays, putting in-laws to work, singing foreign national anthems, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:...

Closing Letters Properly, Feeding Finicky Visitors, Blinding Fellow Drivers, and More 02.03.2026 45:27

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle closing letters and cards properly, feeding finicky out-of-town visitors, blinding fellow drivers, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:  Si...

Dropping State Names, Double-Thanking for Gifts, Arriving at Funerals Early, and More 23.02.2026 25:52

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about dropping state names, double-thanking for gifts, arriving early for funerals, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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: When is...

Second Helpings: Faking Wedding Start Times, Asking for Gifts Back, Clipping Nails in Church, and More 16.02.2026 24:12

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 episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about faking wedding start times, asking for gifts back, clipping nails in church, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwr...

Herding Sheep in Iceland, Watching Hockey Respectfully, Hailing Cabs in Winter, and More 09.02.2026 34:01

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle herding sheep in Iceland, watching hockey games respectfully, hailing cabs in winter, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:  Réttir (Annual...

Waiting on Forgotten Gifts, Noticing New Wigs, Gossiping About Monarchs, and More 02.02.2026 25:32

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about handling forgotten Secret Santa gifts, noticing a coworker's new wig, gossiping about monarchs, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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 WI...

Jumping Over Babies, Asking Callers to Announce Themselves, Giving Plants Without Pots, and More 26.01.2026 41:01

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle El Colacho, asking callers to announce themselves, giving plants without pots, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten 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:  El Colacho (Baby-Jumpi...

Dressing for Vague Galas, Pushing In Dining Chairs, Taking Cookies Prematurely, and More 19.01.2026 35:17

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about dressing for galas when the invitation is vague, pushing in chairs after dining, taking cookies prematurely from buffets, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.) Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ask.wyrbw.com ⁠⁠⁠...