You're Wrong About
By Sarah Marshall
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Rate for this podcast
Subscribers: 11696
Reviews: 51
Episodes: 193
Apr 17, 2023
Jan 18, 2023
user
Dec 31, 2022
I want to love this podcast. And I don't hate it. But even as an ideologically similar person, the hosts are too quick to assume the best about some groups and evil intent by others. The legal analysis is abysmal. Take it all critically.
MattC
Sep 26, 2022
This is an amazing podcast. So much good stuff.
Do yourself a favor.
norrin
May 24, 2022
Favoritest podcast ever! I've never listened to a podcast where there was better chemistry than with Michael and Sarah. Sarah has the quickest wit and I can often feel it deeply when Michael would groan disappointedly. highly recommended!
Description
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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The Hot Mess Express Spectacular!
3214
“I felt that empathy like it was directed towards me, and it helped me feel like my unhappiness was enough.” On our fifth anniversary, we asked for your stories about what You’re Wrong About has meant to you. Here they are.
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May 29, 2023 |
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We Need to Talk About the New York Times with Tuck Woodstock
5462
“What if you were writing a profile on someone named Janet and I was your editor, and I was like, ‘I’m sorry, for balance, find someone who wants to kill Janet’?” This week, Tuck Woodstock, host of Gender Reveal, takes us on a journey through the New York Times’ coverage of trans issues—and in the end, he points the way to a better future. You can find an episode transcript along with citations here.
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May 15, 2023 |
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Call for Anniversary Stories
260
You’re Wrong About is five years old, and we want to hear your stories about the show! |
May 08, 2023 |
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Debi Thomas with Leslie Gray Streeter
3638
In 1988, twenty-year-old American figure skater Debi Thomas headed to the Calgary Olympics to face off against East German juggernaut Katarina Witt. In the process, she became the first Black American in history to medal at a Winter Olympics. Then she disappeared from the sport. Where did she go, and who wasn’t there to catch her when she fell? This week, Leslie Gray Streeter tells Sarah about growing up watching Debi skate, where she is now, how her sport and her country failed her, and just how many people are missing from the stories we tell and the dreams we dream. Debi cover of TIME
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Apr 25, 2023 |
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Sinéad O'Connor with Allyson McCabe
3862
This week, we fight the real enemy with Allyson McCabe.
[YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Apr 10, 2023 |
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What Even Is Justice? with Amanda Knox
3896
This week, national treasure Amanda Knox talks with Sarah about what the American legal system claims to be for, what it’s actually doing, and what might be possible in the future. They entertain the most heretical ideas they can think of, which mostly seem to be about unconditional love and mercy. And at the end, Sarah’s ghost boyfriend Clarence Darrow turns up.
[YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Mar 28, 2023 |
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Juvenile "Justice" with Josie Duffy Rice
4124
This week, criminal justice correspondent Josie Duffy Rice dives into America’s obsession with prosecuting children. From 19th century houses of refuge to modern day detention centers, we comb through the tangled braids of juvenile incarceration, tough on crime fallacies, as well as criminality and its dark shadow of capitalism. Please take care while listening. Side bars include ice cream boats, Ronald Reagan, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating range. Donate on Paypal
[YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Mar 13, 2023 |
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Chris McCandless with Blair Braverman
4454
This week, survival correspondent Blair Braverman tells Sarah the story of a Supertramp. In 1996, Jon Krakauer's book Into the Wild described a young man, Chris McCandless, who changed his name, walked into the Alaskan bush, and died after mistakenly eating a toxic plant. Or did he? Now, Sarah and Blair talk about the McCandless archive and its legacy in conversations around wilderness, Alaska, violence, and more. Support us: Donate on Paypal
Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Feb 27, 2023 |
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Spring Tour Announcement!
118
You're Wrong About is going back on tour! We're doing a bunch of live shows in North America—me, producer and musician Carolyn Kendrick, and some fabulous guests—and we hope you come think about some stuff, and also that you laugh.
We can't wait to see you. |
Feb 22, 2023 |
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Napster with Niko Stratis
4016
This week, a tale of two Shawns/Seans, their impossible dream, and the file sharing service that lived fast, died young, and helped create the internet as we know it. Plus, Metallica. Resources cited in the show introduction: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Feb 14, 2023 |
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Karen Carpenter Part 2 with Carolyn Kendrick
5950
In this episode, Carolyn and Sarah follow Karen from the height of her fame through her struggle to find independence, her attempts at eating disorder recovery, and finally to her death on February 4, 1983, when she was just 32 years old. Then it's time to sing a song. We extensively discuss eating disorders, disordered eating, and everything that goes with them in this episode. Please listen with care. If you want to learn more, try Little Girl Blue by Randy L. Schmidt, our primary source for the information in this episode. Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter - Randy L. Schmidt - Google Books Here's where to find Carolyn:
Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jan 31, 2023 |
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Valentine's Show A Go-Go Livestream announcement!
116
Join us for a Valentine's Day live stream, presented by Moment. |
Jan 24, 2023 |
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Trailer: Unreformed
156
Extry! Extry! New podcast by Josie Duffy Rice! |
Jan 17, 2023 |
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Karen Carpenter Part 1 with Carolyn Kendrick
4026
Long ago and oh so far away, Carolyn and Sarah fell in love with Karen Carpenter when they saw her drum. We examine her meteoric rise. CONTENT WARNING: Karen Carpenter died in 1983 of complications from an eating disorder. Most of our eating disorder discussion will take place in Part II, but we never quite get away from the topic here either. Please listen with care.
Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jan 16, 2023 |
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Baby Jessica with Blair Braverman
4992
On October 14, 1987, 18-month-old Jessica McClure fell down a well in Midland, Texas. This week, Sarah tells our survival correspondent, Blair Braverman, about the community that worked to rescue her, and the nation that watched. Support us:
Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Dec 26, 2022 |
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Beanie Babies with Jamie Loftus
3800
They’re winsome and soft and so fun to cuddle/ With one of Ty’s Beanie Babies, you could never go wrong/ But they were all born from a toxic puddle/ It really was capitalism all along.
Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Dec 12, 2022 |
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Where Have All the Preppies Gone? with Avery Trufelman
3714
Put on your Docksiders for a stroll through history with Avery Trufelman, who shows us how Ivy style became “preppy,” and how preppy fashion escaped the campus and took over the world. We’re talking about clothing, class, race, and the American dream: you may be through with the polo shirt, but the polo shirt isn’t through with you. Support us:
Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Nov 28, 2022 |
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The Movie Rating System with Karina Longworth
4110
How did Poltergeist get that PG rating? Podcast legend Karina Longworth, host of You Must Remember This, takes us on a wild ride through a century or so of Hollywood history, and shows us what’s been left on the cutting room floor. Support us:
Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Nov 15, 2022 |
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Flight 571: Survival in the Andes with Blair Braverman
4852
Our survival correspondent Blair Braverman is here to tell us the story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes on October 13, 1972. Of the 45 people on board, 16 ultimately lived. Their survival made them heroes, until the way they survived shocked the world. This week, a story of glaciers, peanuts, and friendship. Support us:
Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Oct 31, 2022 |
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Your Abortion Stories
2758
“Abortion is healthcare and abortion is a human right. Abortion is racial justice. It’s economic justice. It’s at the intersection of every movement towards liberation. My abortion was a gift.” Contribute to the National Network of Abortion Funds here: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cute merch [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Oct 17, 2022 |
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Online Shopping with Amanda Mull
4540
Why is it so hard to find the one thing you need? The Atlantic’s Amanda Mull is here to tell us the story of shopping, from the Silk Road to SHEIN hauls, and the story that emerges is one of workers turned against each other, and industrial byproducts reinvented as trends. Here's where to find Amanda: Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cute merch [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Oct 03, 2022 |
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We’ll be back next week! (And a tour update!)
204
Support us: Where else to find us:
Links: |
Sep 26, 2022 |
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Hunting Serial Killers with Michael Hobbes
3796
This week, Mike and Sarah reunite to hunt for serial killers, and try to figure out whether they’re really endangered. Digressions include crow funerals, Carrie Bradshaw, and how we feel about being called mom and dad. Here's where to find Mike: Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cute merch [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Sep 12, 2022 |
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The Donner Party with Chelsey Weber-Smith
3886
You may: 1. Travel on the established trail What is your choice? Chelsey Weber-Smith (American Hysteria) tells Sarah about the Donner Party. Here's where to find Chelsey: Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cute merch [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Aug 29, 2022 |
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Henry Lee Lucas with Rachel Monroe
3872
This week we’re taking the back roads with Rachel Monroe, who tells us how the most prolific serial killer in American history may have been something much more ordinary—and why we keep trying to make violent men seem much more powerful than they are. Digressions include Ann Rule, career burnout, and tires for serial killers. Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cute merch [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Aug 15, 2022 |
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Porn Wars with Nona Willis Aronowitz
4022
Here’s some money, go see a Porn War. This week we’re going on a field trip to Times Square with Nona Willis Aronowitz, author of Bad Sex, to learn about Deep Throat, “porno chic,” and the unresolved feminist battle over whether to eradicate pornography or make more of it. Digressions include Carol Clover, this discovery of the clitoris, and Harry Reems (Joel Reems’ distant cousin). Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cute merch [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Aug 02, 2022 |
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Eugenics with Eric Michael Garcia
3570
This week, Eric Michael Garcia tells Sarah about America’s barely forgotten pastime, plus the Supreme Court’s long history of horrifying decisions. Digressions include due process, The Evil Dead, and what Hitler admired about the United States. Here's where Eric: Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cute merch [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jul 18, 2022 |
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West Coast Tour Announcement
70
This is a super quick message to let you know we'll be having a You're Wrong About West Coast mini tour in September. Here are the links to each show. https://event.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSale.do?performance_id=4988321&method=restoreToken https://www.seetickets.us/event/YOURE-WRONG-ABOUT-The-Vera-Project/493552 https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C005CE90C3A54C6 I hope to see you there! Support the show |
Jul 13, 2022 |
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Go Ask Alice Part 2 with Carmen Maria Machado
4036
This week Carmen and Sarah read the rest of Alice’s bitchin' diary, and ponder the truths that only lies can tell. Digressions include Pamela and Clarissa, sadistic switch hitters, and orange yeast rolls. Here's where to find Carmen: Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jul 04, 2022 |
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Go Ask Alice Part 3 with Rick Emerson and Carmen Maria Machado
3158
Sarah and Carmen complete their epic trilogy by meeting Rick Emerson on the edge of Mount Doom to discuss his book, Unmask Alice, and some of the story behind the diary that has captivated America—and informed its drug policy—for half a century. Digressions include multi-level marketing, Oceans Eleven, the Great Salt Lake. Here's where to find Carmen: Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jul 04, 2022 |
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Martha Stewart with Sarah Archer
3872
This week we’re dishing up a mouthwatering feast of history, gossip, and white collar crime. Guest Sarah Archer tells the tale of Martha Stewart, a girl from New Jersey who achieved world domination by letting us look at her basket collection. Digressions include prairie dresses, condensed soups, and how to tell if your tween is reading Sunset Magazine.
Here's where to find Sarah Archer: Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase http://patreon.com/yourewrongabout |
Jun 20, 2022 |
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The Dyatlov Pass Incident with Blair Braverman
4660
This week, Sarah tries to solve the mystery of the Dyatlov Pass Incident, in which nine experienced ski hikers fled their shelter and ran into the frigid night for reasons unknown. Digressions include yetis, snowmobiles, and Rachel Monroe. Sarah miraculous does not sing Rilo Kiley’s “Portions for Foxes.” Here's where to find Blair: Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jun 06, 2022 |
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The Prison Boom with Shannon Heffernan
3804
Where did all these prisons come from? WBEZ’s Shannon Heffernan is here to give us part of the answer, which involves “small government” (of course), Lennie Briscoe (as always), the pink flowers of Alcatraz, and a prison sweepstakes that produced the actual worst song of the 80s. Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
May 23, 2022 |
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Go Ask Alice Part 1 with Carmen Maria Machado
3636
This week we begin our journey into the totally true not at all made up diary that has been scaring America’s teens for fifty years. Digressions include Jell-O, magic mushrooms, and ironing your hair, and Sarah promises to trip with Carmen. “Button, Button” is by Richard Matheson. Here's where to find Carmen: Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
May 09, 2022 |
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Medieval Torture with Dana Schwartz
3562
We want to play a game. This week, Dana Schwartz stuffs us in an iron maiden and explains why the most famous Medieval torture devices are none of the above. Digressions include the Kings Cross Wax Museum, getting stabbed in the butt, and the pivot to video era. Here's where to find Dana: Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Apr 25, 2022 |
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How Email Took Over the World with Anne Helen Petersen
4206
How did the information superhighway get so gridlocked? Guest Anne Helen Petersen tells Sarah the story of how email took over the world and our working lives, and what it would mean for us to get a little of our lost time back. Plus, a Kurt Loder cameo. Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Sarah's other show, You Are Good |
Apr 11, 2022 |
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Juliet's Balcony with Chelsey Weber-Smith
3164
What do Chopin, Kylie Jenner, baby carrots, and the War of the Worlds all have in common? They’re all part of Sarah and Chelsey Weber-Smith’s speedrun through common misconceptions—plus a little Satanic Panic, as a treat. Bonus Episodes on Patreon Sarah's other show, You Are Good
Links: |
Mar 28, 2022 |
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Ronald Reagan and "The Welfare Queen" with Laci Mosley
3821
Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess) tells Sarah about Linda Taylor and the origins of the Welfare Queen myth ("the build the wall" of the 70s). They also discuss the origins of the Ronald Reagan myth, and how the latter used the former to become the "Beyoncé of the GOP." Bonus Episodes on Patreon Sarah's other show, You Are Good
Links: |
Mar 14, 2022 |
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Bonus: Groundhog Day with Josh Gondelman
3788
What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today. Josh Gondelman is here to laugh and cry with us, and to unpack the heaps of big feelings in Groundhog Day. |
Mar 07, 2022 |
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CSI: Junk Science with Josie Duffy Rice
4120
Josie Duffy Rice and Sarah discuss the role of junk science in the criminal justice system. It is a big turkey to carve up and Josie serves Sarah a bleakly empowering feast. Bonus Episodes on Patreon Sarah's other show, You Are Good
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Feb 21, 2022 |
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Winter Book Club: The Amityville Horror Part 3 with Jamie Loftus
4668
In this final installment of the Amityville Horror Winter Book Club, Sarah tells guest host Jamie Loftus about Jodie the Demon Pig's scary hooves, the catharsis of exorcism, and how the book kinda debunks itself. Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase Support the show (http://patreon.com/yourewrongabout) Support the show |
Feb 07, 2022 |
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Tom Cruise on Oprah’s couch with Willa Paskin
3276
Willa Paskin (of Slate's Decoder Ring) brings Sarah back to 2005, when Tom Cruise jumping on a couch became the talk of the town. Support us: Buy cute merch Tom Cruise Kills Oprah meme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRbhE3GRiUE Amy Nicholson's revelatory piece reframing Tom Cruise and the couch jump: https://www.laweekly.com/how-youtube-and-internet-journalism-destroyed-tom-cruise-our-last-real-movie-star/ Rich Juzwiak piece on the meaning of the couch jump: https://www.gawker.com/5912665/gone-and-back-tom-cruises-couch-jumping-remembered New York Times hand wringing about the event:
A few other interesting, what it all meant pieces:
Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jan 24, 2022 |
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Talking Tammy Faye Bakker with Jessica Chastain
5762
Jessica Chastain and Sarah discuss Tammy Faye Bakker. Chastain is the star and a producer of the new film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. After Jessica and Sarah’s chat, they introduce this episode about Tammy Faye Bakker and Jessica Hahn from the early days of You’re Wrong About. — “She only said one thing her whole life”: Sarah tells Mike how two decent women became scapegoats for the actions of one terrible man. Digressions include Larry Flynt, NPR tote bags and Playboy back issues. This episode contains a detailed description of a sexual assault [01:02:40 - 01:17:05] Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jan 10, 2022 |
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Winter Book Club: The Amityville Horror Part 2 with Jamie Loftus
5132
Sarah continues telling guest host Jamie Loftus about the Amityville Horror, and the two touch on ghosts, fallen angels, poltergeists, the space race and intimidating pictures of Mandy Moore. Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Jan 03, 2022 |
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Winter Book Club: The Amityville Horror Part 1 with Jamie Loftus
3198
Sarah tells guest host Jamie Loftus about the Amityville Horror, how it’s a Christmas story, and why buying murder furniture might not be such a great idea. Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Dec 20, 2021 |
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Reconstruction with Jamelle Bouie
3728
Jamelle Bouie explains to Sarah what the Reconstruction era was, why it remains relevant today, and how this history lesson is one that could get some high school teachers into legal trouble due to passage of anti-CRT laws. Support us: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good Support the show (http://patreon.com/yourewrongabout) Support the show |
Dec 06, 2021 |
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True Crime with Emma Berquist
3166
Emma Berquist stops by to tell us about how true crime doesn't have to make us better people, and in fact may be more harmful to us than we realize—but we don't let her in, because we don't want to get KILLED! Content advisory: This episode contains some brief descriptions of a violent knife attack. Emma's article, "True Crime is Rotting our Brains" Emma's Twitter Bonus Episodes on Patreon Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good |
Nov 22, 2021 |
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Ed and Lorraine Warren with Jamie Loftus
3939
Special Guest Jamie Loftus tells Sarah about Ed and Lorraine Warren (of The Conjuring and Annabelle fame). Topics of interest include Connecticut as a locus of scary happenings, New England uncles, and psychic communication with a tearstained Bigfoot. Here's where to find Jamie: Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Nov 08, 2021 |
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Catherine the Great with Dana Schwartz
3634
Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Sarah about Catherine the Great. Topics of interest include the very not great life of serfs, the accidental flattening of women via the girl-bossification of history, and a very solid Bertie Wooster reference. Here's where to find Dana: Support us: Where else to find us: Sarah's other show, You Are Good [YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase |
Oct 25, 2021 |
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Mike Lives in a Downtown Hotel
1318
An announcement! Where else to find us: |
Oct 11, 2021 |
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Bonus: The Great Protein Fiasco
4251
From our friends at Maintenance Phase, the story of how Nestlé executives, global health institutions and a very racist white lady seeded a nutritional myth we're still living with today. Where else to find us: |
Sep 27, 2021 |
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The McDonald's Hot Coffee Case
4385
Mike tells Sarah how a tragic story became a national punchline and a decades-long moral panic. Digressions include a sympathetic psychic, a paternalistic principal and a manure mishap. Mike appears to be unaware of the difference between a cousin and a nephew. Where else to find us:
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Sep 13, 2021 |
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Re-Release: Dan Quayle vs. Murphy Brown
3146
While our next episode's in the oven, enjoy this gem from the YWA vault! Where to find us: |
Sep 06, 2021 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Runaway Grand Jury
3066
This week, the defense hires Alan Dershowitz, Marcia Clark questions witnesses and Jill Shively tries to get a salad. Digressions include narcissism, "Hard Copy" and the dad from "The Wonder Years." Susan Herman, the voice of reason in our Charlie Rose clip, is the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School. Where else to find us: |
Aug 23, 2021 |
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Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (The Debunking!)
3484
This week we debunk Mike Warnke right out of his cabin and into the lake, using Cornerstone Magazine’s long overdue exposé as our guide. Digressions include "Star Trek," a classic New Yorker cover and Ariana Grande. We definitively conclude that the Bible endorses cancel culture. Where else to find us: |
Aug 09, 2021 |
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Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (Part 3)
2769
We finish our San Bernardino joyride through Mike Warnke’s 1972 “memoir” with a hex, a horrible crime and a Satanic celebrity cameo. Digressions include digressions include Billie Eilish, wicker men and today’s completely new and not at all throwback panic over critical race theory. Where else to find us: |
Jul 26, 2021 |
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Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (Part 2)
3218
We continue our journey through Mike Warnke's 1972 "memoir" about his rise through the ranks of Satan Inc. This week, Mike gets a promotion, attends a regional conference and dabbles in some light human trafficking. Despite filling this book with his wildest imaginings, he cannot conceive of a non-patriarchal institution. Where else to find us: |
Jul 12, 2021 |
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Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (Part 1)
3468
Sarah and Mike return to Camp You're Wrong About for another Satanic Panic story hour. This time we're talking about Mike Warnke's 1972 "memoir" about joining a demonic cult and the California hedonism that made him do it. Digressions include thrift stores, "Firestarter" and unjust Best Picture winners. Where else to find us: |
Jun 28, 2021 |
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Cancel Culture
4906
Mike and Sarah have big feelings about an enduring debate. Digressions include “Carrie,” party planning etiquette and Whole Foods cafeterias. Sarah’s sound quality changes midway through because she moves from a McDonald’s parking lot to a Hardee’s parking lot. Where else to find us: Links!
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Jun 07, 2021 |
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The Chicks vs. The Iraq War
5423
Mike tells Sarah about an impending conflict, a dissident singer and America's first internet-enabled cancellation. Digressions include "Freedom Fries" and 1990s record company shenanigans. The co-hosts harmonize for the first time; Mike struggles not to call the Chicks by their former name. Where else to find us: Links!
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May 03, 2021 |
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"Political Correctness"
4928
Mike tells Sarah how liberal magazines turned a "kids these days" moral panic into a national crisis. Digressions include Law & Order, Dave Foley and swimming pool etiquette. This episode contains detailed descriptions of sexual assault, mass shootings and suicide. Where else to find us:
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Apr 19, 2021 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mr. F. Lee Bailey
3071
Bob Shapiro is on a mission from God, F. Lee Bailey joins the Dream Team, and we get in our DeLorean to meet two of the most notorious Florida Men of the '60s: Carl Coppolino and Murph the Surf. Digressions include Linda Evangelista, Patty Hearst, "The Commitments" and the upside of peaking in your 50s. Where else to find us: |
Apr 05, 2021 |
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Vanessa Williams Part 2: Saving The Best For Last
3877
Special guest Cassie da Costa tells Mike and Sarah how Vanessa fell from grace and picked herself back up. Digressions include Stephen Sondheim, Rush Limbaugh and Joan Rivers. The tyranny of abs is discussed at length. Where else to find us: |
Mar 22, 2021 |
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Bonus: Dr. Oz
3712
Mike reached new levels of rantiness on his other show and we wanted to make sure all our beloved debunkmates knew. PLUS: A special announcement! |
Mar 15, 2021 |
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Vanessa Williams Part 1: Becoming Miss America
4925
Mike tells Sarah how a 20-year-old singer, actress and French horn player became Miss America with less than six months of practice. Digressions include Ted Bundy, Stephen King’s “It” and a bonus debunking of the "bra-burning feminist" trope. We're sorry to say that this episode includes a description of child sexual abuse.
Where else to find us: Links!
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Mar 08, 2021 |
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Bonus: "The Dark Knight"
4924
Sarah's other show has a special guest! Maintenance Phase co-host Aubrey Gordon visits Why Are Dads to talk about Christopher Nolan, trash masculinity and the dwindling number of non-problematic superheroes. Where else to find us: |
Mar 01, 2021 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: The DeLorean Detour
2984
To tell the story of the "dream team" we must begin by going back to the future. This week we learn why O.J. Simpson fired the man who defended John DeLorean and why a briefcase of cocaine isn’t always a smoking gun. Digressions include Bob’s Big Boy, Margaret Thatcher and the Fonz. Support us: Where else to find us:
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Feb 22, 2021 |
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Tipper Gore vs. Heavy Metal: The Hearing
4345
Mike tells Sarah the real reason Congress called a bunch of rockers to Washington D.C. Digressions include cartoon violence, sleeveless tees and Trixie Mattel. Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" and Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" are dissected at length. Support us: Where else to find us:
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Feb 15, 2021 |
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Tipper Gore vs. Heavy Metal: The Case Against "Porn Rock"
3725
Mike tells Sarah how a congressional wife started a moral crusade. Digressions include Sheena Easton, Satanic rhymes and teen homicide statistics. Ozzy Osbourne's bat story is recounted in full. Support us: Where else to find us:
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Feb 08, 2021 |
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The Anti-Vaccine Movement
2754
Special guest Eric Michael Garcia tells Mike and Sarah about the deep roots of a pernicious modern myth. Digressions include Mary Tyler Moore, British place names and supermodel dating habits. Mike finally gets to talk about Swedish statistical methods. Support us:
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Feb 01, 2021 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: The Arraignmaker
2826
This week, we put on our suits and head back to the courtroom. O.J. Simpson pleads not guilty, Marcia Clark finishes questioning Kato Kaelin and Bob Shapiro continues to furrow his brow. Digressions include "Speed," the Kuleshov effect and the intentional boringness of American law. In the final ten minutes, we talk briefly about the crime scene and Marcia’s reaction to it. Support us: Where else to find us: |
Jan 25, 2021 |
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Shannon Faulkner & Sex Discrimination at The Citadel
4112
Mike tells Sarah how a troll-ish experiment turned a South Carolina teenager into one of the most maligned women of the 1990s. Digressions include Sally Ride, Anne Hathaway and, as usual, "Newsies." Mike struggles with the word "infirmary" throughout. Where else to find us:
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Jan 18, 2021 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: My Fair Paula
3163
This week we talk about the early days of Paula and O.J.’s relationship and the celebrity cameos reach either a high or a low point. Digressions include date etiquette, cat scams and room-temperature Diet Coke. Mike has his head in his hands for long periods. Support us: Where else to find us: |
Jan 11, 2021 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Paula Escapes From L.A.
3043
This week we return to the O.J. Simpson trial and learn what Paula Barbieri did after the Bronco chase. Digressions include fish, beef and grocery shopping while conventionally attractive. Neither co-host has a firm grasp on the meaning of the word "festive." Support us:
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Dec 28, 2020 |
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The Stanford Prison Experiment
4258
Mike tells Sarah the complicated story of an over-simplified study. Digressions include Tonya Harding, "The Meg" and Kitty Genovese. The Milgram obedience studies and the "broken windows" theory of policing receive bonus debunkings. Support us:
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Dec 21, 2020 |
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Losing Relatives to Fox News
3318
Mike tells Sarah what makes older Americans more vulnerable to misinformation — and who is delivering it to them. Digressions include "Supernatural," the Rachel and a fake university in Pennsylvania. We recorded this episode before the election but tried not to make it too obvious. Support us: Where else to find us: |
Dec 07, 2020 |
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The Newsboys' Strike of 1899 (Part 2)
2958
Sarah tells Mike about the thrilling conclusion to a children’s labor action and an overlooked Disney musical. Digressions include cronuts, carrier pigeons and Sylvester Graham’s crackers. Both hosts agree that they love saying the word "papes." |
Nov 30, 2020 |
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The Newsboys' Strike of 1899 (Part 1)
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Sarah tells Mike about media history, labor organizing, century-old moral panics — and the unlikely Disney musical that introduced her to all three. Digressions include Sting, "The Princess Bride" and 19th century graphic design. Both co-hosts recount their extremely millennial work histories. |
Nov 23, 2020 |
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Bonus: The "Twinkie Defense"
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Was Harvey Milk's killer really given a light sentence after claiming that junk food made him do it? Mike's spinoff podcast, Maintenance Phase, dives into the rumor and finds a very You're Wrong About twist. |
Nov 19, 2020 |
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The Electoral College
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Topical episode! Special guest Jamelle Bouie tells Sarah and Mike about his problematic Founding Father faves and the bewildering institution they handed down to us. Digressions include '70s lapels, "Reversal of Fortune" and the Eurovision Song Contest. The filibuster rule and the three-fifths compromise receive bonus debunkings. |
Nov 16, 2020 |
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Princess Diana Part 5: The Crash
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“You can be a hot mess express and still leave the world better than you found it.” In the final episode of our series, we talk about Diana’s untimely death and the everlasting conspiracy theories surrounding it. Digressions include RPGs, Madonna and Tickle Me Elmo. This episode contains spoilers for the movie “The Queen.” |
Nov 09, 2020 |
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Princess Diana Part 4: The Divorce
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This week, Diana leaves the royal family with her reputation intact and her title slightly edited. Digressions include "Love Actually," "Pride and Prejudice" and Marie Antoinette. Both co-hosts reveal their staunch affirmative stance on wine moms. Unfortunately, this episode includes descriptions of self-harm. |
Nov 02, 2020 |
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Halloween Re-Release: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
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What if the scariest thing in America is unfettered capitalism and unaccountable corporations? |
Oct 31, 2020 |
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Bonus: Why Are Dads on "Terminator 2"
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Mike comes on Sarah’s new show to talk about robots, dads, the little metal hands guys and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." An Oops! All Pop Culture episode of You’re Wrong About. |
Oct 29, 2020 |
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Bonus: The President's Physical Fitness Test
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Mike has a new podcast! Here's the first episode, in which he debunks the absurd Cold War trauma factory that was once administered to 75% of American children. |
Oct 22, 2020 |
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Halloween Special: Creepy Encounters
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This week, Mike and Sarah dissect the Creepy Encounters subreddit and how to handle our creepy feelings in an unsafe time and place. Digressions include Carol Kane, McDonald's and Uber. Sarah wonders if human traffickers have taken serial killers’ jobs. Support us: Where else to find us:
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Oct 19, 2020 |
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Princess Diana Part 3: The Affairs
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This week, Diana swaps out her husband for a Horse Dude and Mike and Sarah act out other people's PG-13 dirty talk. Digressions include shoulder pads, Billy Joel and "Seinfeld" (twice!). There's a moment 55 minutes in that is going to make you feel very weird. As with previous installments, this episode contains detailed descriptions of disordered eating. |
Oct 12, 2020 |
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Princess Diana Part 2: The Wedding
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This week, Diana gets married, joins her new family and meets the press. |
Oct 05, 2020 |
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Princess Diana Part 1: The Courtship
5497
We start our new series with the story of a girl, a prince and the society that convinced them they liked each other. Digressions include camels, Beyoncé and the idiosyncrasies of British place names. We're sorry to say that this episode has detailed descriptions of disordered eating.
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Sep 28, 2020 |
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Killer Clowns
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For our 100th episode, American Hysteria host Chelsey Weber-Smith visits our campfire to tell us about the time America was besieged by a killer clown panic ... and then the time it happened all over again. Digressions include Jon Stewart, "The Blair Witch Project" and John Wayne Gacy. Sarah coyly references the Hartford circus fire several times but no one seems to notice.” |
Sep 21, 2020 |
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Tuskegee Syphilis Study Part 2: The Truth
4235
“It’s like these men are being held in a bubble as science marches forward.” Mike tells Sarah how one of history's most unethical experiments came crashing down. Digressions include the history of penicillin, the power of TV movies and the mysterious diagnosis of "Satan's crabs." This episode is happier than the last one, but still contains a lot of racist language and some grisly Nazi examples toward the beginning.
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Sep 14, 2020 |
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Tuskegee Syphilis Study Part 1: The Lie
4656
Mike tells Sarah about the longest "non-therapeutic" experiment in medical history. Digressions include deep fried ice cream, Kato Kaelin and a hot-yoga cabinet. As a warning, this episode contains long quotes from eugenic memos and detailed descriptions of medical racism. We promise to do a happier episode soon. Links!
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Sep 08, 2020 |
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Deep Dive Week 4: Nancy Grace v. The Constitution
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This week, Sarah makes a Nancy Grace-style argument against the prosecution. Digressions include '90s romantic comedies, Betty Broderick and flatscreen TVs. Where else to find us: |
Aug 31, 2020 |
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Bonus Episode! Sarah’s New Podcast “Why Are Dads”
3011
Sarah tells Mike about her new foray into Dad Studies and, for the second time this week, discusses a horror movie about families from 1975 and sings a little. |
Aug 27, 2020 |
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The Stepford Wives
3678
Sarah tells Mike about the real-life conspiracy written between the lines of a 1970s horror novel. Digressions include "Rosemary's Baby (again), Disney World (of course), a brief history of the American pharmaceutical industry and a long recipe for stew. Where else to find us:
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Aug 24, 2020 |
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Wayfair and Human Trafficking Statistics
3442
In another "mini" episode that accidentally turned mega, Mike tells Sarah about the Wayfair conspiracy theory and the sketchy statistical screenshots that have shown up in its wake. Digressions include "Inside Llewyn Davis," Miranda Priestley and (sigh) Jeffrey Epstein. This episode contains, we're sorry to say, detailed descriptions of child abuse. Where else to find us: |
Aug 10, 2020 |
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Disco Demolition Night
5851
Mike tells Sarah how a silly sports promotion galvanized a reactionary movement. Digressions include “Charlotte’s Web,” Jane Fonda and German-language musicals. Songs are dissected; the honor of David Bowie and late-night salad bars are defended. Where else to find us:
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Aug 03, 2020 |
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Murder
3621
Mike tells Sarah about the most common forms of violence in America and how they differ (twist!) from what gets shown on TV. Digressions include Perry Mason, “It’s A Wonderful Life” and fruit-toting strategies. Mike appears not to understand the meaning of the term “order of magnitude.” Where else to find us:
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Jul 27, 2020 |
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Deep Dive Week 3: Nancy Grace v. The Jury
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This week, Sarah walks Mike through Nancy Grace’s prosecution of American juries. Cameos include Mark Geragos (again), O.J. Simpson (inevitably) and Jessica Hahn (thank God). Gus Van Sant’s masterpiece "To Die For" is discussed at length. Where else to find us: |
Jul 20, 2020 |
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Bonus Episode! Sarah and Mike on "The Feminist Present" Podcast
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Sarah and Mike tell Laura and Adrian about how we met, how we research and what we would say to Jessica Simpson if we ever met her. Where else to find us: |
Jul 16, 2020 |
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Deep Dive Week 2: Nancy Grace v. The Defense
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This week, Nancy Grace makes her case against defense attorneys in general and Scott Peterson’s lawyer in particular. Digressions include Batman, tough on crime mixtapes and the Iraq War. After two and a half years, Sarah finds her first Satanic cult — but maybe the real Satanic cults are the friends we made along the way. Where else to find us: |
Jul 13, 2020 |
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Koko The Gorilla
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“It’s interesting that we became enthusiastic about ASL in the process of teaching it to a population that couldn’t benefit from it.” Where else to find us:
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Jul 06, 2020 |
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Courtney Love
4608
Special guest Candace Opper tells Mike and Sarah how a grunge star became the protagonist in one of America's most persistent conspiracy theories. Digressions include Neil Young, protest songs and the coolest baby of the 1990s. Mike continues to mine his public school education for anatomically impossible rumors. Support us: Where else to find us: |
Jun 29, 2020 |
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"The Prom Mom"
3253
“The criminal justice system should treat everyone like a white teenage girl whose future it’s concerned about disrupting.” Where else to find us: |
Jun 25, 2020 |
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Deep Dive: Nancy Grace's "Objection!" (Week 1)
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Sarah tells Mike how a superhero’s genesis was a supervillain’s origin story all along. In our new deep dive, we tackle Nancy Grace’s “Objection!” and debate how defendants should behave at trial, why prosecutors seem to make good daytime TV stars and whether Nancy really came to New York City with a curling iron and a dream. Where else to find us: |
Jun 18, 2020 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: The Bronco Chase
3921
On June 17, 1994, the world screeched to a halt so 95 million Americans could watch a white SUV crawl through L.A. Today, we finally talk about the infamous Bronco chase, the men inside the car and the myth they left behind. Digressions include “The Fugitive,” Larry King and Jack Nicholson twice. Like previous episodes about the events of this day, this episode discusses suicidal ideation. Where else to find us: |
Jun 17, 2020 |
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Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (The Conclusion!)
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“You really shouldn’t date people who go in thinking, ’This person has good bones but they’re a fixer-upper.’” Where else to find us: |
Jun 08, 2020 |
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Re-Release: The Stonewall Uprising
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In honor of Pride Month and revolutions past, present, and future, we're re-releasing our episode on the Stonewall Uprising. Let the sunshine in. Where else to find us: |
Jun 04, 2020 |
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Anastasia
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“I’m being pulled into planet myth … and I like it here.” Where else to find us: |
Jun 01, 2020 |
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Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (Week 3)
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We discuss Jessica's reality-show marriage and its painfully ordinary end. Digressions include "Showgirls," "The Notebook" and Adam Levine. "Hamlet" makes an appearance; Willie Nelson and Lynda Carter give sage advice. Mike apologizes for things out of his control. Where else to find us: |
May 28, 2020 |
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The Disappearance of Chandra Levy
5677
“It’s a mess and a nightmare and maybe it’s disingenuous to think you can turn the story of someone being murdered into anything else.” Where else to find us: Links!
Support the show |
May 25, 2020 |
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Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (Week 2)
4123
“Her parents’ financial success is dependent on her abdomen.” This week, Jessica moves to L.A., records a video and meets a boy. The celebrity cameos escalate. Digressions include overalls, werewolves and Judy Garland. This episode unfortunately contains detailed descriptions of disordered eating. Where else to find us: |
May 14, 2020 |
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Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (Week 1)
3389
Our journey through late-'90s pop stardom begins with an intervention and ends with an audition. Digressions include Willie Nelson, Ozzy Osbourne, Jane Fonda and the cast of the Mickey Mouse Club. Sarah’s English degree and exercise habits make appearances. This episode, we're sorry to say, contains descriptions of sexual abuse. Where else to find us: |
May 07, 2020 |
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The Y2K Bug
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Mike tells Sarah how an obscure technical glitch became a nationwide mobilization. Digressions include Twitter beefs, “The Net” and VHS pricing. We spend much of the episode roasting our own work from the relatively recent past. Correction: It seems the women in Britain didn't terminate their pregnancies due to the false positive test results. We were wrong about this and we're sorry! Where else to find us: |
May 04, 2020 |
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Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 5)
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We conclude our book club with Michelle's escape from the dungeon. The dead baby trend continues; Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Satan’s fingernails make brief appearances. Digressions include Dustin Hoffman, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and things that rhyme with Beelzebub. This episode contains references to child abuse and sexual assault. Where else to find us: |
Apr 30, 2020 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: When Kato Met Marcia
3444
Sarah tells Mike about the clash of the titans, the fury at the grand jury. We follow Kato, the wise fool of the kingdom, for the week between the murders and the Bronco chase. Digressions include John Travolta, French kickboxing movies and "The Mummy." The celebrity cameos are less numerous than usual but no less absurd. Where else to find us: |
Apr 27, 2020 |
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Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 4)
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This week, our lithe psychiatrist takes his favorite patient hiking, a priest burns some furniture and Michelle tries to escape her remembering. This episode contains descriptions of kitten sacrifice, sexual abuse and three more dead babies. Where else to find us: |
Apr 23, 2020 |
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Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 3)
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Sarah and Mike continue into the depths. With Dr. Pazder home from Mexico, he and Michelle continue their journey into her subconscious, and the stories continue to get weirder. This episode contains kitten sacrifice, and the first—but not the last—dead baby of the Satanic panic. Where else to find us: |
Apr 16, 2020 |
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Marie Antoinette
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“What’s sad about her has nothing to do with the content of her character.” Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Mike and Sarah how an Austrian princess became a French scapegoat. Digressions include Rubik’s Cubes, Taylor Swift and Tom Stoppard. The use of the word “bawdy” exceeds all previous episodes combined. Where else to find us: |
Apr 13, 2020 |
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Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 2)
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Sarah and Mike continue their journey into the book that launched a thousand lawsuits. Michelle and Dr. Pazder’s relationship grows more troubling by the chapter. Digressions include orgy etiquette, sheepskin jackets and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Neither co-host believes anything depicted in this book happened as described, but still want to warn you that it contains scenes of torture and sexual abuse. Where else to find us: |
Apr 06, 2020 |
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The Exploding Ford Pinto
3381
Mike tells Sarah about a dying industry, a dangerous car and the Pulitzer Prize-winning article that misrepresented them both. Digressions include “Mission Impossible,” “Friday the 13th” and the naming conventions of academic articles. This episode contains a larger-than-usual number of dad jokes and a shocking revelation about Johnny Carson. Where else to find us: |
Apr 02, 2020 |
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Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 1)
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Sarah describes the spark that ignited the Satanic Panic. Our setting is a therapist’s office in 1976 Victoria, B.C., and our digressions include Sybil, scary paperbacks from the 80s and shouting "Fire!" on a crowded theater. This episode describes child abuse. Where else to find us: |
Mar 26, 2020 |
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D.C. Snipers Part 4
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In the final chapter of our series on the D.C. sniper attacks, Mike finally tells Sarah about the D.C. sniper attacks. Digressions include “The Abyss,” Ed Rooney and Jack the Ripper. We begin the episode with an update on our quarantine plans. Sarah misremembers the name of the TV show she was on. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Mar 23, 2020 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Marcia Clark Part 2
3581
Sarah tells Mike about a week in the life of Marcia Clark, who became America’s most famous prosecutor on June 13, 1994. Digressions include car phones, college group work and “Titanic” (as usual). In keeping with the theme of this episode, Sarah had a bad feeling about recording without her mic screen, but Mike said it would be fine. Please excuse our p-pops.This episode contains descriptions of murder and sexual violence. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Mar 09, 2020 |
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D.C. Snipers Part 3
5708
Mike tells Sarah about the indoctrination of Lee Boyd Malvo and the beginning of the sniper attacks. Digressions include Jonestown, Greek tragedy and something called “creepy crawling.” The episode begins with a lengthy meta-discussion of true-crime tropes and whether we are playing into them. The final section includes a detailed description of a suicide attempt. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Feb 24, 2020 |
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Valentine’s Day Re-Release: Anna Nicole Smith
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Valentine’s Day re-release! Sarah and Mike reflect on one of the only love stories they’ve ever covered on the show. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Feb 14, 2020 |
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Why Didn’t Anyone Go to Prison for the Financial Crisis?
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“Every big fish you catch, you end up with a hole in the net.” Mike tells Sarah how America’s white-collar crime spree got so bad. Digressions include self-checkout kiosks, Barbie dolls and moonshine. Homeless shelters and teacher pay feature prominently. By the standards of this podcast, this episode is relatively upbeat. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Feb 10, 2020 |
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D.C. Snipers Part 2
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Mike tells Sarah how a nice Jamaican kid became the disciple of a mean American adult. Digressions include Tonya Harding (of course), “Sliding Doors” (again) and Anne of Green Gables (Sarah has an English degree). Mildred re-appears just after the hour mark. We are unable to conceive of a content warning comprehensive enough for all the horrors contained in this episode. There is less crying in this episode than the last in this series, but only slightly. Where else to find us: |
Feb 03, 2020 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Kato Kaelin Part 2
5015
Sarah tells Mike the ending to the story of the mimbo and the alibi. Digressions include O. Henry, Nigerian e-mail scams and Dave Coulier. Mike wildly over-simplifies the Brexit vote. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Jan 20, 2020 |
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D.C. Snipers Part 1
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“If you’re black, you can’t get work as a serial killer even if you’re manifestly qualified.” Mike tells Sarah how a military veteran became an abuser, a murderer and, eventually, a footnote in his own crime spree. Digressions include Jim Jones, the Addams Family and “The Gillooly Gang.” The episode gets super dark about two-thirds in, but brightens just before the big twist. We describe—again, unfortunately—domestic abuse in great detail. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Jan 06, 2020 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Kato Kaelin Part 1
4097
Sarah tells Mike how an aspiring actor protected and then betrayed Nicole Brown Simpson without knowing he was doing either. Digressions include '80s movie tropes, ski-resort etiquette and the need for a process of "un-faming." Unfortunately, this episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and abuse. Continue reading → Where else to find us: |
Dec 16, 2019 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Paula Barbieri Part 2
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"There’s no precedent for women in this family being treated like they matter." Where else to find us: |
Dec 02, 2019 |
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Human Trafficking
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Mike tells Sarah how NGOs, activists and George W. Bush resurrected the 'stranger danger' panic for the modern era. Digressions include Reply All, muffins and Yelp for massage parlors. Mike's vocal fry is even worse than usual. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Nov 25, 2019 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Marcia Clark Part 1
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Sarah tells Mike how Marcia Clark got the slam-dunk case that ended her career as a trial lawyer. Digressions include string cheese, "Inception" and what calling women "difficult" means in 2019. We go on the record in favor of a wide range of frivolous hobbies. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Nov 14, 2019 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Paula Barbieri Part 1
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"Centering conversations around blame is not the most useful thing for us to be doing." Sarah tells Mike about the woman who broke up with O.J. Simpson on the morning of the murders — then stayed by his side through the trial. Michael Bolton makes an extended cameo appearance. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Nov 01, 2019 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Nicole Brown Simpson Part 2
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“You can’t expect people to know the exact kind of help they need.” Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Oct 17, 2019 |
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The O.J. Simpson Trial: Nicole Brown Simpson Part 1
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Mike and Sarah begin their epic journey into O.J. Simpson's trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, beginning with the story of Nicole's life with O.J. until their marriage in 1985. This episode contains descriptions of violence and domestic abuse. Like so many of the women we talk about, Nicole deserved better. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Oct 03, 2019 |
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The Wardrobe Malfunction
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Our first live show! Mike tells Sarah about Janet Jackson, the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime show and the 9/16ths of a second that destroyed her career. Digressions include Puff Daddy, Jessica Simpson and Edward James Olmos. Like all positive developments regarding this show, performing live is something we feel weird about and so we spent the first few minutes talking about it! Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Sep 19, 2019 |
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‘Yoko Ono Broke Up The Beatles’
4747
Mike tells Sarah how the myth of meddling wives serves to exonerate terrible husbands. Digressions include "50 Shades of Grey," Marie Antoinette and the end of the 1960s. This episode, we’re sorry to say, contains descriptions of domestic abuse. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Sep 10, 2019 |
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Gangs
4633
“Isn’t it amazing how we can only imagine our monsters capitalistically?” Mike tells Sarah how police, prosecutors and journalists accidentally conspired to invent the perfect suburban menace. Digressions include IKEA, the "Godfather" trilogy and Fleetwood Mac. Mike takes big gulping breaths when he reads out loud. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Aug 22, 2019 |
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The Victims’ Rights Movement
3239
“When you allow emotion into the courtroom, bias rushes in alongside it.” Special guest Rachel Monroe tells Mike and Sarah how a good-faith critique of the justice system led to a decades-long crackdown. Digressions include Charles Manson, Ronald Reagan and a billionaire mugshot. Mike’s similes are worse than Sarah’s. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Aug 16, 2019 |
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Sex Offenders
3798
“Things are not going to get better if we make the people who scare us seem more powerful.” Mike tells Sarah about the myths of sex crimes, the reality of child abuse and the importance of unsympathetic protagonists. Digressions include frozen pizza, millennials (obvs) and vaccination rates. Mike can only name one state that borders Nevada. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Aug 07, 2019 |
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Tonya Harding Part 2
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“The story that did the most damage to the people in it was the one that made the most money.” Sarah tells Mike about the low-rent conspiracy that sparked a ratings bonanza. Digressions include "Out of Sight," Robert De Niro and the ancient sexting technology known as landlines. Mike continues to laugh confusedly at references he does not know. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jul 26, 2019 |
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Tonya Harding Part 1
4369
Sarah tells Mike the story of a world-class figure skater who worked at a mall potato restaurant. Digressions include “Sleepless in Seattle,” mall walkers, synchronized diving and the difficulty of skating a perfect pentagram. This episode unfortunately contains descriptions of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Tonya deserved better. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jul 18, 2019 |
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The Stonewall Uprising
4741
“Humans aren’t good at remembering what got us where we are.” Mike tells Sarah how a turning point in the gay rights movement became an immediate controversy, a lasting inspiration and a never-ending debate. Digressions include “Newsies” (of course), “True Romance” and “Norma Rae.” Mike's creaking chair and Sarah's rustling blanket-fort are heard throughout. Where to find us: |
Jun 27, 2019 |
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Kitty Genovese and “Bystander Apathy”
4017
“Once you tell a story incorrectly once, you can’t control where it goes.” Sarah tells Mike how The New York Times turned a suburban murder into an urban legend. Digressions include Billy Joel, the World’s Fair and “Ferngully.” This episode marks a triumphant return to Long Island and an unexpected celebration of Pride Month. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jun 20, 2019 |
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Sexting
2431
“We’re uncomfortable with the evidence that teen girls have sexual agency.” Special guest Amy Hasinoff tells Mike and Sarah how a moral panic became a legal nightmare. Digressions include Cosmo advice columns, Grindr etiquette and the revolutionary hugging of the "Avengers" movies. Due to the ongoing hex placed on this podcast, the sound quality is worse than usual. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jun 11, 2019 |
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The American Taliban
4319
“He’s been punished even more than the American prison system can aspire to punish anyone”: Mike tells Sarah how John Walker Lindh became a terrorist in the media, a freedom fighter in his own mind and something between the two in reality. Digressions include “Newsies," Bruce Willis and “Candide.” Sarah sneakily reveals her lifelong affection for Howard Stern. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jun 05, 2019 |
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Exorcism
2490
"It just seems like capitalism masquerading as religion": Sarah tells Mike how a horror movie resurrected a ritual and established an industry. Digressions include “Avatar,” the NFL and the ethics of book publishing. The final five minutes are an unintentionally concise description of the core moral principle of this show. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
May 28, 2019 |
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Homelessness
4160
“We want stories that don’t exist in systems”: Mike tells Sarah what happened when Utah set out to solve one of America's most intractable problems. Digressions include the Paleo diet, the planet Mars and the inadequacy of the term “up the river.” Jimmy Carter makes an extended cameo appearance. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
May 16, 2019 |
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Dan Quayle v. Murphy Brown
3070
“Why did we make fun of Dan Quayle for misspelling the word ‘potato’ when we should have made fun of him for arguments like this?” Mike tells Sarah how a real vice president blamed a fictional single mom for causing one of the most divisive events of the 1990s. Digressions include "Designing Women," "Alien" and "The Brady Bunch." Listeners finally learn that Sarah has a lovely singing voice. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
May 09, 2019 |
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Elián González
3653
Mike tells Sarah how a 5-year-old kid transformed a city, divided a political party and (maybe) determined a presidential election. Digressions include World War II, Clarence Darrow and something called "Like, News with Skeeter." Both co-hosts conclude that this episode is somehow an equal-parts mixture of Satanic Panic and Terri Schiavo. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Apr 25, 2019 |
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The Preppy Murder
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Sarah tells Mike how an aspiring rich kid became an emblem of a world he didn't belong to. Digressions include drill teams, prep schools and eating disorders. The p-pops are worse than usual. Where to find us: |
Apr 18, 2019 |
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The “Ebonics” Controversy
3675
Mike tells Sarah how a simple idea in a single school district became a nationwide racial panic. Digressions include slasher movies, Space Invaders and homeschooling. The taglines are becoming more esoteric. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Apr 04, 2019 |
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Terri Schiavo
4405
Mike tells Sarah how the media, the president and the Pope turned a simple medical story into a complicated legal one. Digressions include canine loyalty, unionized space-workers and polyamory logistics. Both co-hosts recorded in tiny rooms, but with very different acoustics. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Mar 05, 2019 |
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Anna Nicole Smith
3453
Sarah tells Mike how a poor Texas girl made herself into an icon and America made her into a punchline. Digressions include massage technique, “Death Becomes Her” and (obviously) “The Godfather.” Mike sounds even sicker than he did last week. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Feb 20, 2019 |
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Acid Rain
2702
Mike tells Sarah how an environmental problem became a national rallying cry, a sticky diplomatic issue and, eventually, a conspiracy theory. Digressions include “Alien,” Field & Stream and NRA public service announcements. Both hosts are recovering from colds and one spends the episode under a blanket. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Feb 15, 2019 |
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Gary Hart
2993
Sarah tells Mike how a sex scandal ruined a rising star and established a new template for American elections. Digressions include "Good Will Hunting," People Magazine and Linda Ronstadt. Michael Dukakis is described, for the first time ever, as "the soulmate who was there all along." Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Feb 07, 2019 |
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Tammy Faye Bakker and Jessica Hahn
4047
“She only said one thing her whole life”: Sarah tells Mike how two decent women became scapegoats for the actions of one terrible man. Digressions include Larry Flynt, NPR tote bags and Playboy back issues. This episode contains a detailed description of a sexual assault. Where to find us: |
Jan 25, 2019 |
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Enron
4652
Mike tells Sarah how a "bad apples” explanation kept us from seeing the real scandal at the heart of America's largest corporate bankruptcy. Digressions include “Casino,” Thanksgiving economics and corruption catchphrases. Neither co-host truly understands how the stock market works. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jan 16, 2019 |
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The Challenger Disaster
3976
It wasn’t an accident. Mike tells Sarah how the infamous space shuttle disaster came to be seen as a white-collar crime. Digressions include the Donner Party, George Lucas and “Jurassic Park.” Both co-hosts are audibly recovering from colds. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jan 03, 2019 |
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“A Dingo’s Got My Baby”
3538
Sarah tells Mike how a tragic story became a hacky catchphrase. Digressions include raccoon anarchists, flu remedies and late-night Arby’s. Sarah's Google Alerts will surprise none of our listeners. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Dec 19, 2018 |
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The 2000 Election
4356
Mike tells Sarah how a close election and an even closer Supreme Court decision established the political template we're still living with today. Digressions include quarks, Ouija Boards and (sorry) moral philosophy. The "lemonade theory" turns out to be less fun than it sounds. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Dec 12, 2018 |
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Amy Fisher
3794
Sarah tells Mike about the sad reality — and the terrible man — behind the infamous Long Island Lolita. Digressions include software terms of service, the rise of beepers and Monica Lewinsky’s LinkedIn profile. Mike, a 36-year-old man, appears not to understand what pimps do. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Dec 03, 2018 |
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Roe v. Wade
3244
Special guest Megan Burbank tells us about the history, limitations and loopholes of a landmark court ruling. Digressions include Betty Ford, "Maude" and naming conventions for anonymous defendants. The glories of Washington State politics are examined in depth. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Nov 21, 2018 |
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The Duke Lacrosse Rape Case
4248
Mike tells Sarah how a false rape allegation became a right-wing rallying cry and a left-wing conspiracy theory. Digressions include JonBenet Ramsay, “24” and “The Vagina Monologues." Mike regrets not commenting on the metaphorical significance of being trapped in the closet throughout the episode. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Nov 14, 2018 |
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Lorena Bobbitt
2955
Sarah tells Mike how a case of marital rape and spontaneous mutilation became a national punchline. Digressions include Ron Jeremy, Alan Dershowitz, Motörhead and the tortures of self-reflection. Sarah reviews John Wayne Bobbitt's later works. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Nov 07, 2018 |
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Stranger Danger
4406
How inflated statistics, cultural anxieties and moral crusaders turned a tiny number of missing children into a decade-long political project. Digressions include 1870s parenting, “E.T.” and the lack of parks in Los Angeles. Both co-hosts secretly believe that the popularity of TV movies in the 1980s explains all of America’s social problems. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Oct 31, 2018 |
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Urban Legends Spectacular!
4550
Razorblades in apples, babysitters on acid, killers in backseats and "rainbow parties": In this episode, Mike and Sarah investigate the scary stories Americans tell each other and discover the actual anxieties behind them. Turn on your high beams for this one. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Oct 24, 2018 |
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Halloween Special! Ed Gein and Slasher Movies
3038
Sarah tells Mike how Ed Gein became one of America’s most famous serial killers despite not actually being one. Plus, the cinematic villains Gein inspired and what the slasher movies of the 1980s were really about. Digressions include Freud, summer camp logistics and the T-1000. Mike continues to awkwardly insert his teenage crushes into every conversation. Where to find us: |
Oct 17, 2018 |
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Shaken Baby Syndrome
3427
Mike tells Sarah how an over-simplified diagnosis, over-confident doctors and over-zealous prosecutors combined to get thousands of innocent parents thrown in prison. Digressions include food poisoning, Sherlock Holmes and 1950s medical ethics. Mike wanted to mention Louise Woodward but he forgot. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Oct 08, 2018 |
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Multiple Personality Disorder
3692
Sarah tells Mike how pop culture created a two-decade-long obsession with multiple personality disorder and repressed memories. Digressions include Dead Poets Society, restless leg syndrome and the low editorial standards of the American publishing industry. The Satanic Panic makes a cameo appearance. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Oct 01, 2018 |
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The Obesity Epidemic
3928
Mike tells Sarah that America has sent the wrong messages and done the wrong things about obesity for more than half a century. Digressions include height (again), sweatshops and Julianne Moore. Sarah and Mike’s mothers both make extended appearances. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Sep 19, 2018 |
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Columbine
4202
Special guest Rachel Monroe (re-)joins Mike and Sarah to talk about all the myths surrounding the second-biggest news event of the 1990s. Digressions include car crashes, September 11, Diane Sawyer and the terrors of teenage journaling. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Sep 17, 2018 |
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Iran-Contra
3402
Mike tells Sarah why the biggest scandal of Reagan's presidency provides more (depressing) lessons about current politics than Watergate. Digressions include Mormons, Top Gun and the X-Files. Both co-hosts have considered what they will name their deliberately boring tax-shelter corporations. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Sep 10, 2018 |
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Jeffrey Dahmer
3489
Sarah tells Mike that shoddy policing (and Milwaukee generally) are responsible for one of America's most prolific serial killers. Digressions include panel vans, Anita Bryant, early man and Hannibal Lector. Mike struggles, as usual, not to cry during the gross parts. Where to find us: |
Sep 01, 2018 |
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D.A.R.E.
3449
Mike tells Sarah that the D.A.R.E. program did not, in fact, keep kids off drugs. But that’s just the beginning of the debunking. Digressions include Martin Scorsese, Iceland and control groups. Neither co-host was cool enough to be offered drugs in high school. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Aug 18, 2018 |
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Alpha Males
2985
Sarah tells Mike that animal behavior is an imperfect template for human society. Digressions include rabbits, Bob’s Burgers and online dating. Mike makes an awkward observation about locker rooms. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Aug 04, 2018 |
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Kurt Cobain and “Copycat Suicide”
4199
Special guest Candace Opper tells Mike and Sarah about how the death of a rock star changed the field of suicidology (which is a thing). Digressions include eating disorders, car crashes and the insane grimness of the term “family annihilation.” The cringe-worthiness of Mike’s teenage years reaches new depths. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jul 28, 2018 |
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“The Godfather”
3316
Sarah tells Mike about how America's favorite gangster movie is really its favorite killing-the-American-Dream movie. Digressions include the Mona Lisa, Bruce Springsteen and the tyranny of height-ism. The sound quality continues to worsen. Where to find us: |
Jul 21, 2018 |
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10th Episode Spectacular!
2129
Sarah and Mike take a break from debunking to reflect on the first 10 episodes and tell the secret history of how they met. Digressions include “Portlandia,” Snapchat and the The New York Post. The recording quality, as usual, is wildly inconsistent. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jul 14, 2018 |
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The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
3672
Mike tells Sarah that America’s most devastating oil spill was not, in fact, a DUI. Digressions include “Titanic" (obviously), the Cuyahoga River, Jennifer Lopez and marshmallows. Punitive damages make a triumphant return. Mike, a professional writer, continues to misuse the word “literally.” Where to find us: |
Jun 30, 2018 |
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Snuff Films
3504
Sarah tells Mike about how snuff films don't exist but lots of near-snuff films do. Digressions include "Basic Instinct," gymnastics and YouTube’s righthand bar. Mike is palpably grossed out for at least two-thirds of the episode. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jun 25, 2018 |
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The Jonestown Massacre
3878
Special guest Rachel Monroe tells Mike and Sarah what's really behind the phrase “drinking the Kool-Aid.” Digressions include David Koresh, East Germany and how flower children were the first millennials. Mike inadvertently reveals his prejudice against extroverts. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jun 16, 2018 |
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The Clinton Impeachment
3610
Part two of our epic dissection of the Clinton impeachment scandal. This week: The story breaks, the House indicts, the Senate demurs and Mike rants more than usual about the media. Digressions include Mark Fuhrman, “Broadcast News” and gay porn. Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jun 09, 2018 |
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Monica Lewinsky
4477
Sarah and Mike talk about what America forgot — and never learned — about history’s most famous intern. Digressions include generational resentments, 1990s fashion and off-brand colleges. Also, Mike’s microphone breaks about 25 minutes in, so he sounds like he’s recording in a submarine. Sorry! Continue reading → Where to find us: |
Jun 02, 2018 |
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Anita Hill
4333
Mike tells Sarah about the complicated legacy of Anita Hill and the not-particularly-complicated facts of her case. Digressions include “Tootsie," Garrison Keillor and the Donner party. Mike, for reasons unknown, seems to believe that one flies “down” from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Washington, D.C. Where to find us: |
May 26, 2018 |
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Stockholm Syndrome
3414
It’s not a real thing! … OR IS IT? Sarah tells Mike about the convoluted history of a contested term. Digressions include James Bond, Charlie Manson and rat poison. Where to find us: |
May 20, 2018 |
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Matthew Shepard
4759
But not how you think! Special guest Mike Owens tells Sarah and Mike about the (attempted) debunking of the gay-bashing victim. Digressions include Leopold and Loeb, Basic Instinct and Rolling Stone. The sound quality is even worse than usual. Where to find us: |
May 12, 2018 |
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Afterschool Specials
3847
Mike tells Sarah that the TV movies of her childhood were both less and more problematic than she remembers. Where to find us: |
May 05, 2018 |
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Crack Babies
2778
Sarah tells Mike about the long history of white anxiety over black motherhood. Where to find us: |
May 04, 2018 |
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Going Postal
2974
Mike tells Sarah about the rash of mass shootings carried out by postal workers in the '80s and '90s, then brings out the debunkin' turducken. Where to find us: |
May 03, 2018 |
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The Satanic Panic
2614
The 1980s were real but the Satanists weren't. Sarah tells Mike about why America spent a decade worried about witches running daycare centers. Where to find us: |
May 02, 2018 |
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