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 that and more, this week from Well, I Laughed! 00:00:00 Catch-Up ...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 111
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 00:19:40 Crowded Hours 00:24:54 Her Birth 00:37:25 Early Childho...
Jun 18, 2025•2 hr 20 min•Ep. 110
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 Rome. 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:17:28 All Roads Lead To Rome 00:32:04 ...
Jun 11, 2025•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 109
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 good things! All that and more, this week from Well, I Laughed! 00:0...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 108
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 Conjuring the Truth 01:03:39 Amityville Today 01:10:15 The Warrens ...
May 28, 2025•2 hr 57 min•Ep. 107
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 synonymous with scandal. This week, a timeline and exploration of the crime t...
May 21, 2025•2 hr 48 min•Ep. 106
Welcome back to the Well, I Laughed Extended Universe! This week Mrant and Gaia catch-up following a ridiculously fun double header of an evening. Then it's time to go to our audience. You’ll meet Ryan, whose mom’s financial radar leads to a surprise wine surplus; Sam, whose identical twin gets blamed for a campus stalking accusation; Taylor, who survived a literal cremation mishap at work; Maggie, who loses a Firehouse sub to a faceless villain; and Casey, who shares birthday wisdom and life ad...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 105
Does non-violence include property damage? What if you feel God and faith are calling you to do it? What if it works? This week we dive into the anti-war movement and the unlikely group of resistance fighters who burned thousands of draft cards - priests and nuns. This week Grant teaches about the "Draft Board Office Raids", resistance in the face of political oppression, and uncovers a conspiracy... a conspiracy to save lives. This week, on Well, I Laughed! 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:26:45 Hit, Stay,...
May 07, 2025•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 104
Revenge is a dish best served cold, or sometimes through the mail. This week, Maia covers something we can only describe as "a story like Tiger King". Full of outlandish characters and incredible quotes. How could someone like Paul Kevin Curtis poison you through the mail? How does one make ricin? And how far will someone like James Everett Dutschke go to get back at an online bully? Join us as we uncover the world of Elvis Impersonators, Conspiracy Theories, and Southern Charm. In this wildly u...
Apr 30, 2025•3 hr 57 min•Ep. 103
This week on Well, I Laughed! Ashley goes on a girls trip and accidentally helps catch a criminal in the process. Jen shares that she might also be related to Napoleon (the general, not the dynamite). Cedar teaches a horrible coworker a wonderful lesson. Katelyn learns about supporting women's rights and wrongs during… a WWE style grocery brawl. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed! Ever find yourself in a grocery store thinking, “This could turn into a crime scene”? You’re not alone....
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 102
Jackie Chan’s best movie is hard to name. He’s been leaping off rooftops since the 1960s, but six decades of big‑screen magic still haven’t revealed his most gripping story: his family. This week we meet the Chans. While Jackie shoots the documentary Traces of a Dragon, he discovers the astonishing truth about his parents, Chan Chi‑Long “Charles” and Chan Lee‑Lee “Lily”: a Nationalist spy‑turned‑Shanghai gang boss and a blue‑flower‑wearing opium smuggler whose gambling savvy made her an underwor...
Apr 16, 2025•2 hr 28 min•Ep. 101
This week, Grant and Maia attempt to answer a big question “why do we love Romcoms so much?”. Our episode takes us through the history of romantic comedies. From the Greeks to ways Shakespeare still influences the stories we tell today. We talk about how romantic comedies are some of our oldest stories and so much more than just “chick flicks”. Finally, we revel in our favorite romcoms and share in our delight of both Bridget Jones Diary and Jane Austen. Are you reading to avoid the news? Us too...
Apr 09, 2025•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 100
Stories from the Well, I Laughed universe! Makayla reminisces on the time she had beef with a middle-aged, high school theater teacher. Emily learns of the pitfalls of “hell yeah girl, get your…” the hard way. Jane accidentally gets a production of a children’s play picketed. Alexandra doesn’t quite master a German accent. And Kylie finds out that three really is a crowd. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed! It’s a triple threat, all right, but this time, you brought the drama. In th...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 99
A woman who needs no introduction, but if she did she'd shout it! It's LIZA! With a Z! Born into stardom, the daughter of Judy Garland and Vicente Minnelli, Liza was born for greatness. From "Liza... in Cabaret!" to "Liza... in Chicago" to "Liza in... LIZA! LIZA!". Few know how difficult the life of the talented and famous can be better than Liza. Despite triumph and tragedy, Liza Outlives it all. 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:25:01 Liza Outlives 00:38:56 Meet Liza 00:53:57 Let's Talk Cabaret 01:18:14 Mu...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 98
Frank Sinatra would say, "I did it my way," and we would agree. From an early age, he lived an unusual life, raised in a mob bar by a strong-willed mother, gifted with a voice that could melt hearts and a face that could charm anyone. But there’s a side to Sinatra that few people know. A member of the Rat Pack, famous for his many wives and girlfriends, and… a civil rights activist? His friendships stretched from Hollywood’s elite to the most dangerous figures in organized crime and even to the ...
Mar 19, 2025•3 hr 1 min•Ep. 97
Stories from the Well, I Laughed community as listeners write in! Shreya risks it all in the unknown depths. Rosie and Natasha fan girl over horse sized gorillas, Madi reveals her untamed family drama, Danielle faces down a flock of ring stealing geese, and Casey (no relation) learns a valuable lesson the hard way. Laugh along with your fellow listeners in this weeks Listener Episode! Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughs and heart-pounding moments as we take you on a whirlwind journey through...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 96
"Wild monkeys escape" might feel like a concerning headline. But if you're one inventive business owner outside of New York City, it might be the best thing to ever happen. This week, Maia covers the story of untamed monkeys who seek greener pastures on the other side of their enclosure. But once they're out, we have to ask "how do you catch a monkey?" This week, the story of Frank "Bring 'Em Back Alive" Buck and the Long Island Monkey Escape of 1935!! When a routine zoo cleaning goes wrong, 175...
Mar 05, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 95
The voice of Yzma from Emperor's New Groove, a talented singer, passionate civil rights activist, and "the most exciting women in America." Eartha Kitt took a childhood of neglect and turned it into a life of adventure and advocacy. Fall in love all over again with this incredible women, oh, and did we mention Eartha Kitt was Cat Woman? It is all Down to Eartha! Audience Survey: https://forms.gle/oz3ASVBZNzk766C76 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:11:32 Down to Eartha 00:16:12 Early Life 00:37:41 Becoming Ca...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 94
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera were married lovers, rivals, and life long friends. In a life filled with pain, Frida Kahlo created art and beauty. Find out more about the artwork of Frida Kahlo, Casa Azul, and the work of the beloved Mexican artist. If you've ever wondered "who is Frida Kahlo" you're in luck! Audience Survey: https://forms.gle/FDEcdHLyrmNxZTd37 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:16:00 Letters 00:29:31 Enemies & Lovers 00:39:39 The Trolley Accident 00:54:55 The First Marriage 01:10:37 Artist...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 93
The story of "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" is a beautiful, complicated tale about love and regret and friendship... but if you've only ever seen the musical there is much you don't know! This week, Maia explains what "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire is about. We explore how dark does the original Wicked get. And why the art is so heartbreaking and important on its own. This week, we dig into the life and times of the "Wicked" Witch of the West! Audience Survey: https://...
Feb 12, 2025•3 hr 28 min•Ep. 92
Discover a women ahead of her time and instrumental to the women's rights movement. Discover who is Matilda Gage? From radical parents to radical children, Matilda dreamed of a better future. A future she did not live to see, but whose influence has been seen by millions this year. Learn more about the women who battled "Wicked" misogyny and how this impacted her son, L. Frank Baum and his later works in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 00:00:00 Catch-up 00:14:28 Matilda Electa Joslyn Gage 00:54:47 M...
Feb 05, 2025•2 hr 25 min•Ep. 91
Stories from the people who listen to "Well, I Laughed"! Grant's coach friend Bri writes in with a story about sibling love and rivalry. Katie uncovers fiction and fact from her family's stories. Lucas learns that few good deeds ever go unpunished. And Mala wins the lottery by making a friend on the internet who is actually who she says she is. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed! 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:32:13 Stories starts
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 90
Was Bridgerton's Lady Whisledown based on a real person? This week, Maia talks to us about the original Lady Whistledown, Mrs. Crackenthorpe, and whether her true identity is Thomas Baker, or, more likely, Delarivier Manley. Join us as we dive into the gossip pages that were all the rage during this period of whispers and intrigue. Women get published, reputations get ruined, and we attempt to seperate fact from fiction. Oh, and do you want to meet the real Lady Cowper? This week, on Well, I Lau...
Jan 22, 2025•2 hr 26 min•Ep. 89
This week, Grant asks a big question, "what is a chaos bisexual?". In our quest for an answer we meet Julie "Maupin" d'Aubigny, also known by her stage name "La Maupin." A sword fighting opera singer who is a lover of all. But did she really commit arson in the name of love? We try to find the truth in the drama. Rumor has it, she was the first chaos bisexual. 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:33:40 Duel Interests
Jan 15, 2025•2 hr 43 min•Ep. 88
Listeners share their stories with the Well, I Laughed podcast! Emily manages to escape a truly awful man with more than one side to him. Sam’s brother tests the spirit of Christmas and his sister’s loyalty. Hannah witnesses a porta potty horror story with her very own eyes. Angela reshapes Eastern Europe’s view of Americans. And one final listener talks about being the victim of robbery from an unexpected criminal. All that, this week on Well, I Laughed! 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:24:26 Stories start...
Jan 08, 2025•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 87
Grant talks love and relationships to ring in the New Year! Grant introduces Maia to Dr. Ruth, the infamous sex therapist with a back story as famous and unpredictable as her advice. How does a Holocaust survivor become America's most famous sex therapist? "Who was Dr. Ruth"? and why do we love her so much! This week, on Well, I Laughed! 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:31:01 The Dr. Is In
Jan 01, 2025•2 hr 23 min•Ep. 86
It is time for some Christmas traditions around the world! Maia explores some crucial questions like "where did Santa come from?" and "who was St. Nicholas?". Along the way we learn about ancient drama and modern traditions in this very special Christmas podcast episode! We cover everything from the origins of a mid winter celebrations (Sleipnir the horse has how many legs?), to how Christianity affected various Christmas Cryptids as we know them now (Ugly and Beautiful Perchtas?), to traditions...
Dec 25, 2024•3 hr 16 min•Ep. 85
A listener episode! This week Holly writes in about surviving a friendship with a con woman. Chris witnesses his dad getting a taste of his own medicine. Noelle survives heartbreak and car accidents in one fateful afternoon. And a listener tells us about the sketchy relatives they’re surprisingly (and unfortunately) related to. All that and more, this week on Well, I Laughed! 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:30:16 Stories starts
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 84
A podcast episode on the Thai Cave Rescue! Many of us might remember the news coverage, few have heard the full story. This week Maia pulls together the events and decisions that led to a rescue that is too almost impossible to believe. A story that is at times moving as it is improbable. Bonus podcast content on the Seattle Underground. Maia covers it all! Buried Below part 2, out now! 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:28:17 Lost Boys
Dec 11, 2024•3 hr 10 min•Ep. 83
"Where is the secret government underground cheese cave?" The question is simple enough, the answer has more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese. A podcast episode on cheese! The history of American cheese, why it is called "government cheese". why American cheese looks and taste the way that it does, and what is underground Springfield, Missouri? A journey back in time and down below this week! 00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:21:40 The Big Cheese
Dec 04, 2024•2 hr 53 min•Ep. 82
