Were You Raised By Wolves?

Nick Leighton

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.” --- 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.) read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture
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ComedyComedy
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Episodes

Holiday Break: Squeezing Grapefruits, Paying for Damaged Pans, Photographing Great Danes, and More
4d ago
Holiday Break: Squeezing Grapefruits, Paying for Damaged Pans, Photographing Great Danes, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle eating grapefruits, paying for damaged pans, photographing Great Danes in public, 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: Grapefruits A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Supermarkets QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: My friend cooked dinner in my home and damaged my pan...who's responsible for replacing it? In an office, is it OK to fix my hair at my desk? What do I do about people who take photos of my dog without permission? VENT OR REPENT: Absent Zoom audience members, Airplane bathrooms CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: The Pasadena DMV, Good houseguests THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Grapefruit on Wikipedia Recipe for grapefruit stuffed with dulce de leche "Christmas with the Kranks" ham scene Marsha Brady combing her hair 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 TRANSCRIPT Episode 114 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Savoring Soufflés, Responding to Condolence Notes, Keeping Cutlery at Buffets, and More
07-10-2024
Savoring Soufflés, Responding to Condolence Notes, Keeping Cutlery at Buffets, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle savoring soufflés properly, responding to condolence notes, keeping cutlery at buffets, 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: Soufflés A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Responding to condolence notes QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What do you do when someone double downs on incorrect information? How should you leave your cutlery at a buffet when leaving your table to get more food? VENT OR REPENT: Yelling in a parking lot, Slowly buying chocolates CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks to family, A nice review THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Previous episode on writing condolence notes Love Island Australia: Is the moon bigger than the earth? Valentino's in Nebraska 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 242 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Avoiding Dance Videos, Roaming Around in Robes, Enforcing Coaster Usage, and More
30-09-2024
Avoiding Dance Videos, Roaming Around in Robes, Enforcing Coaster Usage, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about avoiding dance videos, roaming around B&Bs in robes, enforcing coaster usage in one's home, 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: Is it rude to tune out and look at one’s phone when one's host insists on everyone watching their teenager's dance competition video on the big screen? Is it appropriate to walk in the common areas of a bed and breakfast in the provided robes? What do you do when you see an acquaintance you think you recognize? Is it rude to discretely slip a coaster under a guest's drink? Bonkers: Taking credit for building someone's home THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW "Count Your Blessings" from "White Christmas" "Were You Raised By Wolves?" coasters George Constanza lies about owning a house in the Hamptons on "Seinfeld" 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 241 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Crossing the Equator, Going Apple Picking, Deciphering Bathroom Signs, and More
23-09-2024
Crossing the Equator, Going Apple Picking, Deciphering Bathroom Signs, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle crossing the equator, going apple picking, deciphering bathroom signs, 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: Crossing the Line Ceremony A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Apple Picking QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: What can be done if you accidentally confuse a photo of someone with their mother? What should you do if someone gives the same gift as you but in a smaller size? VENT OR REPENT: Appropriate distances while driving, Vague bathroom signs CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thanks to friends, A nice review THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Royal Caribbean "Ovation of the Seas" Equator Crossing Ceremony Shell Silverstein's "The Giving Tree" Photos of the bathroom signs 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 240 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Passing Along Discounts, Letting Toilets Mellow, Avoiding Wearing Black Tie, and More
16-09-2024
Passing Along Discounts, Letting Toilets Mellow, Avoiding Wearing Black Tie, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about passing along discounts, letting toilets mellow, avoiding requests to wear black tie, 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: If someone gives you money to purchase something and you receive a discount, should you pass along the savings? If a party has to be cancelled, do you have to let all guests know, even those who never RSVP'd? If a home has an obvious "if it's yellow, let it mellow" policy in the bathroom, is it rude to still flush? Is it OK to wear a dark suit to a destination wedding that's "Black Tie Requested"? Should we worry if we send in questions about people in our lives who might also listen to the show? Said To My Face: The latest submissions THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW SaidToMyFace.com 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 239 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Holiday Break: Feeling Obligated to Babysit, Serving Sliced Lemons, Fixing Friends' Typos, and More
02-09-2024
Holiday Break: Feeling Obligated to Babysit, Serving Sliced Lemons, Fixing Friends' Typos, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about feeling obligated to babysit for a neighbor, serving sliced lemons at a buffet, fixing friends' social media typos, 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: A neighbor is upset I'm not always available to volunteer to babysit on short notice...what do I do? At a buffet lunch, should sliced lemons for water be served with a spoon or a fork? Should I say something to a family member who isn't washing their hands after using the bathroom? Is it OK to cash a check before sending a thank you note? Should I say something to a friend who has typos in her online advertisements? Listener Feedback: Asking to buy all the groceries THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Episode with question about buying the entire shopping list 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 TRANSCRIPT Episode 123 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Holiday Break: Verifying Wedding RSVPs, Hogging Restaurant Gift Certificates, Using Hosts' Expensive Bath Products, and More
26-08-2024
Holiday Break: Verifying Wedding RSVPs, Hogging Restaurant Gift Certificates, Using Hosts' Expensive Bath Products, and More
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 answer listener questions about verifying wedding RSVPs, hogging restaurant gift certificates, using hosts' expensive bath products, 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: What should I do if I'm not sure if I actually RSVP'd to a wedding? Am I responsible if someone else paid too much for postage to mail something back to me? Should the tip be included when determining the cost of office donuts? Is it rude to use a restaurant gift certificate for only your portion of the meal? What should I do about houseguests who use my expensive bath products? THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Jain vegetarianism 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 159 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Getting Passive-Aggressive with Tissues, Tossing Spoiled Food, Calling Out Rudeness, and More
19-08-2024
Getting Passive-Aggressive with Tissues, Tossing Spoiled Food, Calling Out Rudeness, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about putting used tissues in someone's shoes, throwing away spoiled food, telling people they're being rude, 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: If you’ve asked someone to not leave tissues and paper towels around the house, is it OK to then put those tissues in their shoes, luggage, or lunchbox? As a houseguest, can I empty out a fridge in order to find a spoiled item and throw it away? What's the best way to handle colleagues who belittle the people below them? Any advice for people who want to be better at small talk and moving a conversation away from work? Is it ever OK to tell someone they're being rude? Said To My Face: Diminishing a career achievement THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Mark di Suvero sculptures Stinky tofu Whiskey-soaked Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake 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 237 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Knocking on Doors, Handling Overbearing Mothers-In-Law, Cleaning Supermarket Floors, and Much More
22-07-2024
Knocking on Doors, Handling Overbearing Mothers-In-Law, Cleaning Supermarket Floors, and Much More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about knocking on doors, handling overbearing mothers-in-law, cleaning supermarket floors, 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: After knocking on a door, what is the appropriate amount of time to wait before knocking again? How do I handle my overbearing mother-in-law who wants to visit us every single weekend? How do I let my local bagel place know that their order accuracy is terrible? What should we do with the money people are sending us in their sympathy cards? Are you crazy? If we should return our shopping carts, should we also clean the store floors, too? Bonkers: Uninvited wedding guests THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Previous episode discussing returning shopping carts 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 233 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summer Break: Wearing Hats, Behaving on Boats, Remembering Song Lyrics, and More
15-07-2024
Summer Break: Wearing Hats, Behaving on Boats, Remembering Song Lyrics, and More
Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle wearing hats, behaving on boats, remembering song lyrics, 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: Hats A QUESTION OF ETIQUETTE: Boats QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS: Is it OK to wear flip-flops in public? I forgot to close out my open tab at a bar...what should I do? Is it OK to loudly broadcast someone's private garage keypad code? VENT OR REPENT: Toto's "Africa", Penciling things in CORDIALS OF KINDNESS: Thank you for the pecans, A nice review THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW Company: "The Ladies Who Lunch" Hats in the Catholic church Ascot Horse Race from "My Fair Lady" GQ Magazine: "Here's Exactly Where You Can and Can't Wear Flip-Flops" Voir Dire LandShark Bar & Grill in Jacksonville Beach, Florida Toto's "Africa" 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 TRANSCRIPT Episode 106 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summer Break: Telling Cooks They're Terrible, Leaving Cash on Tables, Handling Wet Laundry, and More
08-07-2024
Summer Break: Telling Cooks They're Terrible, Leaving Cash on Tables, Handling Wet Laundry, 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 answer listener questions about telling cooks they're terrible, leaving cash on tables in restaurants, handling strangers' wet laundry, 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: How do you tell a friend they’re a terrible cook and they shouldn't bother? At a restaurant, is it OK to leave cash on the table and then leave? What do I do about my family who jumps on FaceTime with other relatives whenever they're over at my house? Is it OK to offer to meet someone “halfway” when I live outside of the city? Should you put wet laundry that isn't yours in a dryer? Aftermath: An awkward Zoom date turns into a marriage THINGS MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW "Aedh Wishes for the Clothes of Heaven" by W.B. Yeats L'Effervescence Restaurant in Tokyo Geocaching Previous episode that included question about taking things out of the dryer 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 TRANSCRIPT Episode 105 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices