Sarah is a journalist obsessed with the past. Every week she reconsiders a person or event that's been miscast in the public imagination.
Lulu Miller joins Sarah to unravel the multifaceted history of rainbows, from ancient myths depicting them as powerful bridges to scientific breakthroughs by Aristotle and Isaac Newton. They discuss how understanding light revolutionized technology and how the rainbow transformed into a dynamic symbol of queer pride, embodying natural diversity and ongoing inclusivity challenges.
Ada Blackjack wants one thing: To make enough money to bring her son home from an orphanage. But good work is hard to find in 1920s Nome, Alaska, so when four strangers come to town, looking to hire someone for a secret yearlong expedition, Ada embarks on the trip—not knowing that she’ll be the only one of them to survive. This is the first episode of YWA correspondent Blair Braverman's new podcast, What to Carry, What to Burn. To hear the second half of Ada's story (also featuring Sarah Marshal...
What would you do for a desperation pie? Kitchen correspondent Sarah Archer is here to talk with Sarah about the American food trends that marked the 20th century and how they related to the political and cultural changes of a nation in need of constant culinary inventiveness. They discuss the specialties of the barren Depression Era, the food-related propaganda and rationing of the wartime years, the meteoric rise of post-war disposability, the premade mixes and “exotic” dishes of midcentury ho...
Can you use the word in a sentence? For this episode, Spelling Correspondent Gabe Henry takes Sarah through the surprisingly rampageous (r-a-m-p-a-g-e-o-u-s) history of the Spelling Bee, a uniquely American phenomenon. From the earliest examples of late night “spelling matches,” to the rough-and-tumble contests of the early frontier, to the controversy of the first National spelling bee, it turns out that these mild-mannered academic flexes were once both raucous and revolutionary. Gabe also bri...
Sarah and Chelsey dive into the fascinating history of crop circles, tracing their origins from mysterious appearances near Stonehenge in the 1980s to early UFO abduction narratives. They explore seriologists' elaborate theories and the ultimate debunking by two men who confessed to creating the circles with simple tools and a mischievous spirit. The episode examines why some experts resisted the truth and celebrates the human drive for creativity, fun, and mystery.
Free yourself. What does it take to get someone to leave a cult? What happens if the cult is all around us? In this episode, Ben Brock Johnson & Amory Sivertson of NPR’s Endless Thread podcast join Sarah for a discussion about the cultier aspects of our culture, politics, and history, from the surprising origin of the anti-vax movement to the online communities that conspiracy theories can provide to lonely seekers. Together they try to figure out if it is indeed possible to “deprogram” thos...
Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson join Sarah to unspool the legend of Elaine May's 'Ishtar,' widely ridiculed as the worst film ever made. They explore the film's star-studded, chaotic production in Morocco, the clashing egos of Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, and May, and the unprecedented budget challenges. The discussion expands to examine how public perception, media narratives, and studio politics contribute to a film's reputation, prompting a deeper look at what truly makes a movie 'bad' versus merely misunderstood or lacking passion.
Do we ever finish surviving? Sarah tells Survival Correspondent Blair Braverman the incredible story of 11-year-old Terry Jo Duperrault, who was lost at sea for several days on a flimsy cork dinghy. She also explains the sinister truth behind the “accident” that set her adrift, her harrowing time on the open ocean, and what her life was like after she became a survivor. Along the way, Sarah and Blair discuss the tragedy of having your story silenced, the big things that help us pull through the ...
Would you ride on the back of a random orca at the beach? For the final part of this series on Free Willy star Keiko, deep sea correspondent Brianna Bowman tells Sarah about his rewilding and return to the open ocean -- something that up until that point had never been done before. Digressions include introducing adult cats to each other, Fyre Fest, and the 27 club. Produced + edited by Miranda Zickler More Magpie Cinema Club More Brianna Bowman: Brianna's Website Support Brianna's new podcast R...
The movies freed Willy, but what about Keiko? For the second part of our trilogy on the biggest aquatic star of the 90s, deep sea correspondent Brianna Bowman takes Sarah through Keiko’s journey to the Oregon Coast Aquarium for rehabilitation and the developing plan to return him to the open ocean. But first, both marine scientists and rich benefactors have to try to teach a killer whale to be wild again. Digressions include the books of Jean Craighead George, the tragedy of the puns we missed, ...
Can a killer whale really jump that high? For kids of the 90s, the adventure movie Free Willy introduced us to magic of the orca through its charismatic megafauna star, Keiko. In part one of our series, deep sea correspondent Brianna Bowman tells Sarah about his journey from free marine mammal to imprisoned entertainer to Hollywood royalty. Together they discuss what Keiko meant to them as kids, 1990s whale-related activism, and the follies of anthropomorphic projection. Digressions include the ...
“We’ve always been inventing and reinventing new worlds for taking care of each other. We just have to notice.” We asked our subscribers to send us audio postcards to encapsulate where they live, what makes it special, and what people get wrong about the place that they call home. For this holiday season, we've woven together an aural tapestry from their answers to remind one another that no matter how far apart we are, no matter what people say about the places we come from, we still share smal...
What happens when Santa trades his sleigh for a rocket ship? Christmas correspondent Sarah Archer tells Sarah about how the Cold War era affected the image of old Kris Kringle through the rampant consumerism and shiny new technology of a post-war economy. Digressions include Reagan’s girlypop diet, the Freudian aspects of the Nutcracker, and the thrilling history of aluminum. Visit the YWA Instagram for visual references More Sarah Archer: https://www.sarah-archer.com/ Sarah on Instagram Produce...
Delve into the fascinating and surprisingly petty "Dictionary Wars" of the 18th and 19th centuries, focusing on the rivalries between figures like Samuel Johnson in England and Noah Webster in America. The discussion covers attempts to simplify English spelling, the British elite's disdain for Americanisms, and the arduous, often biased, process of compiling early dictionaries. Discover how these linguistic battles ultimately shaped the modern English language, cementing national identities through words.
Listen now to the first episode of Sarah's new 8-part series with CBC Podcasts, The Devil You Know. In the 1980s and 90s, Satan and his followers were accused of brainwashing children, sacrificing babies, and infiltrating North American society on a massive scale — yet these thousands of alleged Satanists were nowhere to be found. In this all new series, host Sarah Marshall explores the tangled web of the Satanic Panic, in a journey that will take you everywhere from Victoria, B.C. to rural Kent...
Join Sarah and Chelsey Weber-Smith as they explore the ghoulish history of midnight ghost shows, a unique blend of spiritualist seances and haunted houses that thrived alongside horror movies. Discover how magicians-turned-ghostmasters captivated mostly teenage audiences with paranormal parlor tricks, gory skits, and marketing gimmicks. The discussion traces the evolution of these theatrical fright fests, their eventual decline, and their lasting legacy on interactive horror and cult classics like The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Blair Braverman shares the captivating true story of Maurice and Marilyn Bailey, who found themselves stranded at sea for 118 days after a whale sank their yacht, the Auralyn. The episode delves into their contrasting survival mentalities—Maurice's pessimism versus Marilyn's unwavering optimism and resourcefulness—and challenges traditional notions of survival, emphasizing the vital role of "feminine" tasks and companionship in their harrowing ordeal. Ultimately, it celebrates Marilyn's indomitable spirit and their enduring love, exploring how their experience reshaped their lives.
Who really ended the Cold War, Ronald Reagan or a ten-year-old girl? Eighties correspondent Maris Kreizman joins us for a heartfelt conversation about America’s Youngest Ambassador, Samantha Smith, a child who wrote a letter to Soviet General Secretary Yuri Andropov in hopes of cooling nuclear tensions. Then, Andropov wrote back. Maris and Sarah discuss the burden we place on the youth to “change the world” while simultaneously scolding them for their naivety. Digressions include the millennial ...
What do John Hinckley Jr. and a jazz age tuberculosis patient have in common? Legal correspondent Mackenzie Joy Brennan takes Sarah through some of the strange cases that helped make—and break—the insanity defense in America. Our story includes a woman who carried her (alleged) victims’ bodies around in a suitcase, and the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan—carried out with the intention of impressing a young Jodie Foster. More Mackenzie Joy Brennan: http://www.mkzjoybrennan.com More You...
This episode delves into the surprising history of corn mazes, initially thought to be a recent invention from 1993, but evidence suggests earlier origins. The hosts explore the historical context of mazes and labyrinths, distinguishing between the two, and connect the rise of corn mazes to the American farm crisis of the 1980s, showcasing them as a creative solution for farmers to generate income through entertainment. It also touches on the influence of pop culture and the inherent human desire for maze-like experiences.
This episode explores the complex life and career of Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-wee Herman. It delves into his meteoric rise, the challenges he faced with media scrutiny and legal accusations in the 90s and 2000s, and his enduring commitment to his art and friendships despite adversity. The discussion highlights the pervasive homophobia and sensationalism that shaped public perception of Reubens, ultimately affecting his legacy.
This episode begins a two-part series on Paul Reubens, the creative force behind Pee-wee Herman. Joined by Pee-wee superfan Jamie Loftus, Sarah Marshall explores Reubens' early life, his formative artistic experiences, and the strategic choices that shaped his career, including his decision to conceal his queer identity. They discuss the groundbreaking nature of Pee-wee's Playhouse and the character's unique blend of childlike wonder and subversive charm.
Hosts Sarah Marshall and Adrian Daub delve into the 1983 Hitler Diaries hoax, a monumental publishing scandal where a German magazine purchased and published 62 volumes of forged journals. They explore the motivations of Konrad Kujau, the prolific forger, and Gerd Heidemann, the journalist whose ambition and financial woes led him to pursue the elaborate scam. The discussion reveals how the hoax exposed uncomfortable truths about the public's desire for a 'kinder' Hitler, the commercialization of history, and the surprising ways incentives can blind even reputable media to blatant red flags.
Who is out there behind the howling midnight parties in the distance? For generations we have coexisted in varying degrees of rivalry, conflict, and admiration with the North American canine known as the coyote. From pre-colonization to our modern backyards, through the wild west and the streets of San Francisco, award-winning NPR science reporter and YWA Maligned Animal correspondent Lulu Miller takes our pack on a journey toward a better understanding of these resilient creatures. *EDITOR'S NO...
Where did all these teens come from? Harmony Colangelo, co-host of This Ends at Prom, is here to explain how, before Americans got to worry about what teenagers were up to, we first had to decide what they were—and how a boom in postwar educational films taught a generation of adolescents what not to do. Skipper Learns a Lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8kJzBJrOkU 1950 Family Date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8kJzBJrOkU More about Harmony Colangelo: https://www.instagram.com/veloci_...
Sarah Marshall and Sarah Archer discuss the history of cleanliness, the rise of "clean talk" on social media, and how anxieties about germs and societal pressures influence our cleaning habits. They delve into historical perspectives on cleanliness, the impact of industrialization, and the psychology behind our relationships with our homes and possessions, questioning whether our obsession with cleanliness is serving us or the other way around.
This episode delves into the world of hoax memoirs, exploring themes of truth, authenticity, and cultural appropriation in literature. Sarah Marshall and Chelsey Weber-Smith dissect several high-profile cases, including James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" and "Misha: A Memoir of the Holocaust Years," examining the motivations behind these fabrications and their impact on readers. They also discuss the role of publishers, the allure of survivor narratives, and the fine line between creative license and outright deception.
At the end of our last episode, we asked you to call in and tell us what has been bringing you joy, connecting you to your community, and where you’ve been finding hope in these last few months. These are some of the responses we wanted to share in hopes that we can all find new ways to survive this world together. Thank you to all who sent us messages; though we couldn’t play them all, we felt inspired listening to each and every one. Support You're Wrong About: Bonus Episodes on Patreon Buy cu...
What do Lily Tomlin, Snow White, and Kenny Ortega have in common? They were all part of the 61st Academy Awards, a broadcast now remembered as the worst of all time, and masterminded by Allan Carr (lover of spectacle and producer of Grease). But awards season correspondent and New Yorker staff writer Michael Schulman is here to argue that the tackiest, most disastrous Oscars of all time might just be... unfairly maligned. And to tell us what's bringing you joy and excitement right now, send us a...
This episode explores the evolution of "emotional labor" from a precise sociological term describing corporate emotion management to its widespread, often misused application in personal relationships, critically examining the implications of "therapy speak" and gendered expectations. Sarah Marshall, Rachel Monroe, and Ash Compton delve into the true meaning of "emotional labor," originally coined by Arlie Russell Hochschild to describe employees' management of feelings for corporate profit. They trace its journey from academic concept to a popularized term, often misapplied to personal relationships and housework, particularly by women discussing male partners. The discussion critiques how "therapy speak" can be weaponized, reinforcing gender norms rather than fostering genuine communication and equitable distribution of relationship responsibilities.
