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

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 Laughed! 

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00:20:00 Dearest Reader 

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. 

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00:33:40 Duel Interests

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!

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00:24:26 Stories starts

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! 

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00:31:01 The Dr. Is In

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 around the world (Iceland? How are you handling the Yule Cat and the 13 trolls?), and more! Happy Holidays, from Well, I Laughed! 

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00:26:21 Under Wraps

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

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!

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00:28:17 Lost Boys

"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!

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00:21:40 The Big Cheese

A listener episode! This week on Well, I Laughed we hear from someone who has first hand experience with the Word of Faith cult. AJ writes in with a story about accidentally ruining an adult friendship. One listener explores a home purchase that comes with more than they bargained for. And Jaymes dishes about life inside QAnon adjacent workplaces. All that and more this week! 

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:31:32 Stories starts