Well, I Laughed

When our hero is stolen from his home, what will it take to get back? This week, we retrace the steps of Paquipquineo. The Native American and Algonquin speaker who was kidnapped by the Spanish from his home in modern Virginia. His journey took him throughout the Spanish empire and taught him a valuable lesson - be cautious of these Europeans. Paquipquineo's journey is at times heartbreaking and harrowing as he finds himself Far fr...

Word of Mouth is... that these stories came from listeners like you! This week, Nicole sees the dark underbelly of high school security. Hazel's brother defends her honor. Terra manages somehow to survive (you'll see), and Tony teaches empathy through bullying. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:30:48 Nicole the SRO
00:48:25 Hazel's Hijab Gossip
01:05:43 Terra's Questionable Housing
01:32:58 Ton...

An episode that will leave you hungry for more! America's best food always comes from somewhere else, from people we actively discriminated against. Chinese immigrants are no exception. So how did this relatively small group of immigrants build a cuisine that is ubiquitous across America and uniquely are own? This week, we break out the cooking wear and Wok it Out as we learn the surprising history of American Chinese food.

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The Greek Gods were deadly serious and wildly ridiculous. In this week's episode, Maia attempts to straighten out the wonky family tree of some of the most famous gods from ancient Greece. Vengeful, spirited, unpredictable, murderous, and more than a little flirtatious. The Pantheon of Greek Gods is an unlimited source of wild stories. But if you are looking for a truly wild time, one god reigns supreme. Grab a drink with us, court...

This week on Well, I Laughed - stories from around the listener universe! Maggie sees a beautiful woman on a wild night out. Madeleine’s roommate gets suspicious of her and her gummies. Stinson is saved by the powerful, blockbuster movie Chicken Little. Sarah catches the eye of a man on the bus (maybe). And McKenna gets trapped by a neighbor who is blind to her frustration. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

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Love looks different for everyone, and for some men and women it can be a bit hairy. This week, Maia shares the fascinating history of "bearded ladies". Women born with an unusually large amount of facial and body hair - specifically Annie Jones (the inspiration for The Greatest Showman's Lettie Lutz) and Percilla Bejano. They captivated audiences while touring the country in traveling circuses and these women often found...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously spoke of his dream for a future America. A dream that was more progressive and radical than many people remember, but that included a future of racial equality. On the night of his assassination one teacher felt moved to continue to work towards his dream. Enter Jane Elliott. Educator, speaker, disrupter. A woman who will look you in your eye and deliver some hard truths. This week on Well, I Lau...

Stories from across the Well, I Laughed universe written in by listeners! Enrique finds out what all the teachers were gossiping about. Tommy meets a Prince and maybe a ghost. Katy questions the obvious in a quest for love. Emily learns a terrible lesson about trusting strangers. And Rachel fields heartbreak and an unusual offer all in the same phone call. That and more, this week on Well, I Laughed!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:21:44 En...

Few sex scandals are as infamous as President Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky. Overnight, a private young woman in her early twenties was almost as famous as the most powerful man in the world. But why was she so publicly humiliated while Clinton continued to enjoy public support? This week, we retrace the path to her public humiliation, find out what Monica Lewinsky has been up to since she became so notorious, and ask ...

Today's episode challenges you with a simple yet complex question: what do you think you know about Amanda Knox? Many remember the attention grabbing headlines when it was reported that an American college student had savagely murdered her roommate, but what was the evidence and motives behind that initial ruling? This week we investigate what got lost in translation with the infamous Amanda Knox case.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:28:36 Lo...

Today on Well I Laughed, we read stories submitted by you, the listener! Cheyenne ends up swimming with the horses while deciding if they want to be Jesus' best friend FOREVER. Hannah takes us down another WOOFtastic trip that reminds the crew of their most loved/hated episode yet. Danica goes to war with the roaches and Becky reminds us that cheaters never win. Finally this week's show wraps up with Milly's petty revenge on a form...

We all love a little gossip. And these two ladies made sure everyone knew about it. These women were here for the drama, maybe even more than they were here for the truth. In an era where women were defined by the men in their lives, Hedda Hopper and Elda Furry rose by cutting others down. Complicated, conservative, prying, and oh so much fun. This week, meet the original Queens of Mean!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:22:37 Queens of Mean

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Has American politics always been so divided? Our current political system seems broken beyond repair, but where did it all start? This week Grant tells Maia about the history of the American political system and the political parties that have defined the eras. We discuss winning strategies, coalition building, and add some important framing and context to the current state of politics in America. In this country, we’re all Party ...

Welcome back to the Well, I Laughed Extended Universe! Within These Walls of the studio, Grant and Maia read some listener stories! Whitney pranks her mom with a creepy old doll that might be watching all of us. Kyle has a bummer of a night that ruins more than a birthday. Willow watches the wrong movie with the right person. Vic finds a warm glow on her college campus. And Sandi survives - or inspires - a horror movie or two. All ...

Well behaved women rarely make history. In the case of Alice Roosevelt, they do make scandalous headlines. Alice’s life was marked early by tragedy but defined by her actions and in her own words. Born to a powerful family, Alice chose a life that fit her above all else. In the process she caused controversy and defied expectations. An advocate for style and an ally to many, her life was a series of Crowded Hours.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi is confounding. How does a woman disappear so close to home? Especially when that home is Vatican City. Within these walls a tragedy unfolds and questions persist. Who took Emanuela? Why? What did her disappearance accomplish? And what role, if any, did organized crime and the Catholic Church play in the disappearance and potential cover up? This week, All Roads Lead to ...

Welcome back to the Well, I Laughed Extended Universe! This week Grant and Maia read stories that go Bump in the Night. Kendyl gets sent on a cheese scavenger hunt and Meredith has more than a stomach ache. Jen gets ghosted at college, literally. Audrey takes a few too many bumps. Katie’s joke doesn’t impress. And Reality Winner writes in with some added appreciation for Robert McNamara, a man who went bump in the night but for goo...

When something paranormal goes bump in the night, who are you going to call? This week we learn about Ed and Lorraine Warren! Famous for their involvement with both the Amityville Horror house and the events surrounding The Conjuring. But what are the credentials of these famous paranormal investigators? And how does one even investigate the paranormal to begin with? This week, we conjure up the truth!

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:33:11 Co...

The 1970s was a turbulent time in America. Two episodes ago, Grant covered the draft board raids and the anti-war movement in response to Vietnam. This week, Grant returns to the era, this time to examine the downfall of President Nixon. What started as a strange break-in in the summer of 1972 would lead to one of the largest corruption and cover-up scandals in American history and would see the name "Watergate" become sy...