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

Apologizing in Mongolia, Speaking for Other People, Lying to Waiters, and More 12.01.2026 41:33

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle apologizing in Mongolia, speaking for other people, lying to waiters, 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:  Apologizing in Mongolia A QUEST...

Enduring Dishes You Dislike, Managing Ungrateful Gift Recipients, Acknowledging Victories Without Praise, and More 05.01.2026 26:11

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about enduring holiday dishes you dislike, managing ungrateful gift recipients, acknowledging victories without praise, 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ QUE...

Second Helpings: Ordering Espresso in Italy, Asking for a Raise, Deflecting Rude Questions, and More 29.12.2025 42:54

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 ordering espresso in Italy, asking for a raise politely, deflecting rude questions, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you no...

Second Helpings: Watching Kalle Anka, Receiving Compliments, Bringing Empty Containers to Restaurants, and More 22.12.2025 40:46

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 watching Kalle Anka in Sweden, receiving compliments, bringing your own empty food containers to restaurants, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a han...

Setting Dessert Cutlery Correctly, Attending New Year’s Eve Parties, Deflecting Donation Requests, and More 15.12.2025 44:58

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle setting dessert cutlery correctly, attending New Year's Eve parties, deflecting donation requests, 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:  Se...

Curbing Phones at Dinner, Inviting Near-Strangers to Baby Showers, "Participating" in Hot Air Balloon Trips, and More 08.12.2025 26:33

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about curbing phones at dinner, inviting near-strangers to baby showers, "participating" in hot air ballon trips, 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...

Pluralizing Names on Cards, Tipping Mariachi Bands, Wrapping Other People's Gifts, and More 01.12.2025 35:50

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle pluralizing names on holiday cards, tipping Mariachi bands, wrapping other people's gifts, 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:  Pluralizin...

Offering Unsolicited Botox, Photographing Hospital Patients, Using Pre-Divorce Stationery, and More 24.11.2025 28:15

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about offering unsolicited botox, photographing hospital patients, using pre-divorce 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 THE WILDERN...

Adding "Carriages" to Invitations, Making Animal Sounds at Dinner, Alleging Underbaked Brownies, and More 17.11.2025 43:09

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle adding "carriages" to invitations, making animal sounds at dinner, alleging underbaked brownies, 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:  "Car...

Selling Soap to Wedding Guests, Eating Wine Corks, Tipping Hospital Valets, and More 10.11.2025 27:26

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about selling soap to wedding guests, eating wine corks, tipping hospital valets, 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 tack...

Spotting Americans Abroad, Declining to Go Horseback Riding, Singing on Airplanes, and More 03.11.2025 43:26

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle spotting Americans abroad, declining to go horseback riding, singing 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-BOUCHE:  The American Lean...

Decoding "Mountain Formal," Pacifying Picky Houseguests, Sharing Sushi Platters, and More 27.10.2025 26:55

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about decoding what "Mountain Formal" means on a wedding invitation, pacifying picky houseguests, sharing sushi platters, 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Q...

Second Helpings: Enjoying a Fika in Sweden, Staying at Bed & Breakfasts, Telling Guests What Not To Bring, and More 20.10.2025 38:15

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 enjoying a fika in Sweden, staying at bed and breakfasts, telling guests what not to bring to your party, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a ha...

Second Helpings: Picking the Correct Utensil for Mac and Cheese, Spelling Like an Australian, Lingering Past Closing Time, and More 13.10.2025 28:11

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 answer listener questions about picking the correct utensil for mac and cheese, spelling like an Australian, lingering in stores after they're closed, and much more. Plea...

Wiping Fingers With a Yubifuki, Dining at Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Calling Strangers “Pal,” and More 06.10.2025 35:00

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using a yubifuki in sushi restaurants, dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, calling strangers "pal," 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: &nb...

Hosting Surprise Houseguests, Correcting Misspelled Signs, Sending Late Sympathy Cards, and More 29.09.2025 27:29

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about hosting surprise houseguests, correcting misspelled signs, sending late sympathy cards, 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...

Discovering Bone Dishes, Enduring Waiting Rooms, Texting Wedding Thank-Yous, and More 22.09.2025 47:04

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using bone dishes, enduring waiting rooms, texting wedding thank-yous, 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:  Bone Dishes A QUESTION OF ETIQ...

Dodging In-Law Requests, Melting Candy Bars in Diapers, Hiding Coffee Truths, and More 15.09.2025 28:13

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about dodging requests from mothers-in-law, playing unfortunate baby shower games, neglecting to disclose when you're serving half-caf coffee, 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  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as...

Using Napkins in Italy, Changing Passwords on Friends, Handing Strangers Your Phone, and More 08.09.2025 41:52

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using paper napkins in Italy, changing streaming service passwords on friends, hanging strangers your phone, 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...

Anniversary Bonus: Holding Teacups Properly, Escaping Boring People, Clapping for Plane Landings, and More 01.09.2025 13:30

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! It's our six year anniversary and we found a never-before-heard episode deep in the archives just for you. In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle the right way to hold teacups, escaping boring people at parties, clapping when airplanes land, 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...

Overreacting to Messy Houseguests, Skipping a Friend’s Wedding, Wiping Down Sticky Trucks, and More 25.08.2025 29:27

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about overreacting to messy houseguests, skipping a close friend's wedding, wiping down sticky trucks, 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...

Meeting Amy Vanderbilt, Acknowledging Mysterious Gifts, Retrieving Lost Phones, and More 18.08.2025 41:21

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle getting to know Amy Vanderbilt, acknowledging mysterious gifts, retrieving lost phones, 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: Amy Vanderbilt A QUESTION O...

Rescuing Lost Chips, Taking Over Parties, Correcting People's Pronunciation, and More 11.08.2025 23:54

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about rescuing lost chips, taking over parties, correcting people's pronunciation, 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 should you...

Saving Seats in Singapore, Avoiding Unnecessary Meetings, Bringing Your Own Sodas, and More 04.08.2025 40:11

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle saving seats in Singapore, avoiding unnecessary meetings, bringing your own sodas to parties, 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: Chope-ing in Singapore...

Pouring Water Like Wine, Breaking Up Before Weddings, Tossing Hair on Floors, and More 28.07.2025 37:40

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about pour water like wine, breaking up before weddings, tossing hair on flooors, 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: Why was water poure...