243 episodes
Were You Raised By Wolves? Were You Raised By Wolves
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- Society & Culture
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4.8 • 1.6K Ratings
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Editors’ Notes: “I want to give everybody the tools to solve their own etiquette problems,” says Nick Leighton, cohost and producer of Were You Raised by Wolves?, a weekly podcast in which he and cohost Leah Bonnema look into the many sticky social situations we all face. “With each of the questions that we get, from the bonkers to the ordinary, I always try to take a step back and ask, ‘What are the bigger principles here?’ I'm always looking for topics that help us make a larger point.” In each episode, Leighton, a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, and Bonnema, a comic/writer, share practical advice on how to navigate a wide range of situations, from the serious to the whimsical—whether they tackle interrupting excessive talkers, establishing healthy boundaries with coworkers, or the proper way to eat Cheetos.
When they developed the show in 2019, Leighton and Bonnema had one goal in mind: to have empathy for other people. Their informal conversations tackle a mix of personal topics, viewer questions, and the occasional historical fact with warmth and positivity and humor. Leighton views this approach as an antidote to a lot of the negativity he sees in the online world, while Bonnema thinks the show’s premise is a natural fit for her situational style of comedy. “A lot of my comedy is about events where I’m like, ‘What just happened here?’ or where I embarrass myself,” she says. “And, ironically, all of these fall under the guise of etiquette, where you either feel aggrieved or you feel like you committed some sort of social crime. I just loved the topic.”
Leighton and Bonnema credit the show’s ongoing success to their work ethic. They haven’t missed a single week since they launched the show, which recently hit a new milestone: 100 episodes. But what they value the most, above all else, is how they've built a community of listeners from all backgrounds. “We have conservative grandmothers in Tallahassee to nonbinary chefs in Seattle and everybody in between,” he says. “Because who among us has not experienced an etiquette crime? This is universal.”
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Etiquette, manners, and beyond! Join Emmy® Award-winning journalist Nick Leighton and acclaimed comedian Leah Bonnema ("Late Show with Stephen Colbert"), the perfect odd couple, as they try to make the world a nicer, more polite place and offer up practical advice to help you smoothly glide through any situation. Please listen and follow! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
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Discovering Letitia Baldrige, Handling Airport Pickups, Brushing Teeth at the Office, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle the biography of Letitia Baldrige, handling airport pickups, brushing teeth at the office, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
EPISODE CONTENTS
AMUSE-BOUCHE: Letitia Baldrige
A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Airport Pickups
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: Is it rude to brush and floss your teeth in an office bathroom? My teacher just told the class incorrect information...how do I correct her? What do I do if friends are talking about me behind my back? What do you do if you're invited somewhere and you just don't want to go?
VENT OR REPENT: Luggage in hotel elevators, Dog tote bags
CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks for the book, A nice review
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Letitia Baldrige's obituary in the New York Times
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CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
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TRANSCRIPT
Episode 222
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Cordially Invited: Sara Jane Ho
This episode is sponsored by Acorn.TV - Sign up for a 30-day free trial with promo code ACORN30 at Acorn.TV
Nick and Leah have cordially invited Sara Jane Ho, host of "Mind Your Manners" on Netflix, to chat about her new book, how long to leave a strangers' laundry in a dryer, swapping place cards, and much more.
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
MORE SARA JANE HO:
Official Website
Her new book: "Mind Your Manners"
"Mind Your Manners" on Netflix
Her skincare line: Antevorta Labs
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
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Visit our official website
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Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW
Click here for details
TRANSCRIPT
Click Here
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Spring Break: Passing Salt and Pepper, Asking for Pickles, Running Into Acquaintances, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back soon with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle passing salt and pepper, asking people if they're going to eat their pickles, running into acquaintances at bars, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
EPISODE CONTENTS
AMUSE-BOUCHE: Passing salt and pepper
A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Menu substitutions and secret menus
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: How soon is too soon to ask someone if they're going to eat their pickle? What do I do about an acquaintance who is mad at me for not including them in a night out?
VENT OR REPENT: A noisy neighbor update, Unsupportive comics
CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: A musical voicemail, A middle school party
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Dining scene from Batman (1989)
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW
Click here for details
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 176
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Cordially Invited: William Hanson
Nick and Leah have cordially invited William Hanson, one of Britain's most trusted authorities on etiquette, to chat about his new book, the correct way to eat an omelette, his feelings about Australians, and much more.
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
MORE WILLIAM HANSON:
Official Website
His new book available for pre-order now: "Just Good Manners"
The English Manner, the UK's leading etiquette training institute
"Help I Sexted My Boss" Podcast
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
"Love Island" on Wikipedia
"Naked Attraction" on Wikipedia
"Ladette to Lady" on Wikipedia
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW
Click here for details
TRANSCRIPT
Click Here
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Sharing Burgers in Restaurants, Splitting AirBNBs Fairly, Inquiring About Lip Filler, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about sharing burgers in restaurants, splitting the cost of AirBNBs fairly, inquiring if someone's had lip filler, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS:
Should you share a burger with someone in a restaurant?
What's a tactful response if someone wishes you a "happy birthday" four months too early?
How should we split the cost of an AirBNB among four people?
What can be said if someone asks if you've had lip filler?
Etiquette Crime Report: Filming during Zoomba
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Cutting things exactly in half on "Schlag den Star"
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW
Click here for details
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 221
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Eating Baguettes in France, Spitting Wine at Tastings, Returning Gifts to Guests, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle eating baguettes in France, spitting at winery tasting rooms, returning gifts to guests, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a hand-written thank you note if we could.)
Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ask.wyrbw.com
EPISODE CONTENTS
AMUSE-BOUCHE: Baguettes in France
A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Tasting Rooms at Wineries
QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What can be said to in-laws who are expecting a baby at the same time as my wedding? Is it OK to give dinner party guests the wine back that they brought?
VENT OR REPENT: Forgetting gluten, Rude coyotes
CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks to the librarian, A nice review
THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW
Baguettes on Wikipedia
$2 Bill on Wikipedia
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...
Support our show through Patreon
Subscribe and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts
Call, text, or email us your questions
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
Visit our official website
Sign up for our newsletter
Buy some fabulous official merchandise
CREDITS
Hosts: Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema
Producer & Editor: Nick Leighton
Theme Music: Rob Paravonian
ADVERTISE ON OUR SHOW
Click here for details
TRANSCRIPT
Episode 220
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Thorny social situations and their possible solutions
The hosts are thoughtful, grounded, and post-Emily-Post. Also quite funny, in two distinct fashions. I’m honing my social skills and laughing at both myself and the situations equally. Give it a try!!!
Delightful!
I reference your show often and recommend it to everyone looking for something light, fun, and informative. And now I must repent for an etiquette faux pas …
Amazing!
Everyone should listen to this! It is soooo funny and informative. I love listening to this and it is the highlight of my day.