Were You Raised By Wolves? podcast

Were You Raised By Wolves?

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.)

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.)

 

#328

Pluralizing Names on Cards, Tipping Mariachi Bands, Wrapping Other People's Gifts, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle pluralizing names on... more

01 Dec 2025

35 MINS

35:50

01 Dec 2025


#327

Offering Unsolicited Botox, Photographing Hospital Patients, Using Pre-Divorce Stationery, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

24 Nov 2025

28 MINS

28:15

24 Nov 2025


#326

Adding "Carriages" to Invitations, Making Animal Sounds at Dinner, Alleging Underbaked Brownies, and...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle adding "carriages" t... more

17 Nov 2025

43 MINS

43:09

17 Nov 2025


#325

Selling Soap to Wedding Guests, Eating Wine Corks, Tipping Hospital Valets, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

10 Nov 2025

27 MINS

27:26

10 Nov 2025


#324

Spotting Americans Abroad, Declining to Go Horseback Riding, Singing on Airplanes, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle spotting Americans a... more

03 Nov 2025

43 MINS

43:26

03 Nov 2025


#323

Decoding "Mountain Formal," Pacifying Picky Houseguests, Sharing Sushi Platters, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

27 Oct 2025

26 MINS

26:55

27 Oct 2025


#322

Second Helpings: Enjoying a Fika in Sweden, Staying at Bed & Breakfasts, Telling Guests What Not To ...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved brea... more

20 Oct 2025

38 MINS

38:15

20 Oct 2025


#321

Second Helpings: Picking the Correct Utensil for Mac and Cheese, Spelling Like an Australian, Linger...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved brea... more

13 Oct 2025

28 MINS

28:11

13 Oct 2025


#320

Wiping Fingers With a Yubifuki, Dining at Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Calling Strangers “Pal,” and...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using a yubifuki in ... more

06 Oct 2025

35 MINS

35:00

06 Oct 2025


#319

Hosting Surprise Houseguests, Correcting Misspelled Signs, Sending Late Sympathy Cards, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

29 Sep 2025

27 MINS

27:29

29 Sep 2025


#318

Discovering Bone Dishes, Enduring Waiting Rooms, Texting Wedding Thank-Yous, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using bone dishes, e... more

22 Sep 2025

47 MINS

47:04

22 Sep 2025


#317

Dodging In-Law Requests, Melting Candy Bars in Diapers, Hiding Coffee Truths, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

15 Sep 2025

28 MINS

28:13

15 Sep 2025


#316

Using Napkins in Italy, Changing Passwords on Friends, Handing Strangers Your Phone, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using paper napkins ... more

08 Sep 2025

41 MINS

41:52

08 Sep 2025


#315

Anniversary Bonus: Holding Teacups Properly, Escaping Boring People, Clapping for Plane Landings, an...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! It's our six year anniversary and we found a never-before-... more

01 Sep 2025

13 MINS

13:30

01 Sep 2025


#314

Overreacting to Messy Houseguests, Skipping a Friend’s Wedding, Wiping Down Sticky Trucks, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

25 Aug 2025

29 MINS

29:27

25 Aug 2025


#313

Meeting Amy Vanderbilt, Acknowledging Mysterious Gifts, Retrieving Lost Phones, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle getting to know Amy ... more

18 Aug 2025

41 MINS

41:21

18 Aug 2025


#312

Rescuing Lost Chips, Taking Over Parties, Correcting People's Pronunciation, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

11 Aug 2025

23 MINS

23:54

11 Aug 2025


#311

Saving Seats in Singapore, Avoiding Unnecessary Meetings, Bringing Your Own Sodas, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle saving seats in Sing... more

04 Aug 2025

40 MINS

40:11

04 Aug 2025


#310

Pouring Water Like Wine, Breaking Up Before Weddings, Tossing Hair on Floors, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

28 Jul 2025

37 MINS

37:40

28 Jul 2025


#309

Inviting Thirteen Guests, Attending Pool Parties, Hogging Laundry Machines, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle inviting thirteen gu... more

21 Jul 2025

39 MINS

39:20

21 Jul 2025


#308

Second Helpings: Demanding Birthday Cake, Putting Time Limits on Meals, Getting Nosy at the Pharmacy...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved brea... more

14 Jul 2025

27 MINS

27:54

14 Jul 2025


#307

Second Helpings: Showing Up Empty-Handed, Riding French Elevators, Having Nice Weekends, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved brea... more

07 Jul 2025

36 MINS

36:02

07 Jul 2025


#306

Abandoning Dinner Guests, Running Into Former Students, Singing Happy Birthday, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

30 Jun 2025

31 MINS

31:11

30 Jun 2025


#305

Responding to Invitations, Enjoying Tennis, Dipping French Fries, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle responding to invita... more

23 Jun 2025

47 MINS

47:19

23 Jun 2025


#304

Brushing Teeth in Airports, Taking Dessert from Buffets, Handling Unwanted Vacation Guests, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

16 Jun 2025

32 MINS

32:04

16 Jun 2025


#303

Flipping Over Cutlery, Making Friends in Kindergarten, Choosing Cup Holders, and More

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle flipping over cutler... more

09 Jun 2025

41 MINS

41:14

09 Jun 2025


#302

Mowing Lawns Without Asking, Coordinating Invitation Responses, Dressing for Theme Weddings, and Mor...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions a... more

02 Jun 2025

39 MINS

39:47

02 Jun 2025


#301

Second Helpings: Crashing White House Weddings, Stealing Flowers From Neighbors, Charging Phones In ...

Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved brea... more

26 May 2025

44 MINS

44:29

26 May 2025