Were You Raised By Wolves?

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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.”---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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Recent Reviews
  • Irene Vaidyanathan
    A Question For You
    Excellent show overall, snappy dialogue, interesting questions and a ton of fun to listen to! I do have one question - is it rude to complain extensively about other people being rude? The goal of this show is to foster empathy, and I’m curious to know how criticizing rudeness in others leads to an understanding of the individual.
  • melsb63
    Good manners and a laugh
    I love listening to this duo, even when I disagree( as I do now and again). I’ve learned a thing or two and I always have at least one good laugh.
  • Jes and penny
    Perfect feel-good listening!
    I love this show. I needed a break from all the heaviness of my usual podcast diet and discovered this show and it’s perfect!
  • Redhead1208
    A complete delight
    It is such a treat listening to WYRBW. Nick and Leah are a fabulous duo who make etiquette fun and relatable. I have learned a lot from this show (and they even answered one of my questions!) Highly recommend.
  • Msmarym
    Mom would approve
    My late mom was an absolute etiquette freak. She made sure we were ready to behave politely on any occasion under any circumstances. She would ask if we wanted people to think we were raised by wolves after any infraction. My sister and I thought she was a little nuts, and that practicing our curtsys in case we met royalty was a little over the top, but as it turned out, we did run into a wild variety of charcters through my parents- and sometimes curtsying was in the picture (although we never did meet the Queen, mom held it as a distinct possibility.) All this is by way of saying that Nick and Leah are spot on in their discussions and advice, and are much more entertaining than mom. I love the Bonkers segments, and Leah’s grounded take on getting along. TL;DR 10/10 recommend! So smart and funny!!
  • SSP933
    Love this show
    This show is such a delight. The discussions are so interesting, and Nick and Leah are so thoughtful and funny in their responses. The topics provide great fodder for conversations with friends and family. Highly recommend!
  • Rachel Di 71
    A Podcast for Everyone
    There are two kinds of people in my life: people who want podcast recommendations and people who don’t know they want podcast recommendations. Regardless, this show always makes the list. I usually share the story about the person who wrote in because a stranger accidentally drank from her wine glass. You’ll have to listen to find out what happened, but it was bonkers, and that story always gets a good reaction. This is an amazing podcast. Nick and Leah are two of the most delightful people on planet Earth. I wouldn’t even complain if they drank out of my wine glass. Nick would never and Leah would get hives worrying that she might. 😂
  • Stingre56
    Love this!
    I just love this show. I listen to it at work, then we all discuss it after work over drinks. 5 of us, we all have headphones on the same episode at the same time. Once in awhile you will hear all few of us shout “What the fluff?” This last shout today was about the mother of student going to Ivy League school and she wanted to write the letter and have teacher sign it!! Evidently when you don’t go to an Ivy League college you aren’t capable of writing a letter! Anyways, love the show, love the 2 of you, thanks for fun! Connee in the office
  • HodaE
    Not as advertised
    Listeners send in great questions that I want answered. However, only a nano second of advice is given and then these two just ramble on and on. I kept listening because of great reviews and I guess people find these two charismatic. Eh it’s just two people with a mic
  • judy - northborough
    Great advice, but…
    I love hearing the etiquette advice in reply to questions sent in. However, please, please, Nick, in response to a description of someone’s bad manners, don’t call them an animal, or indicate that you’d like to say to them, “You’re an animal.” Animals don’t have bad manners, in general, and more often have a difficult lot due to people. I am probably not the only one bothered by this phrasing. Please find another description besides animal.
  • Blackberry hedges
    Love this podcast.❤️
    I am only 10 and this has got to be my favorite podcast ❤️❤️.
  • Lizette Brilliante
    Amazing! This is a must.
    I just finished listening to all of these great and funny episodes for the second time. Even though I remembered a lot of the episodes, I still fell on the floor laughing at the great puns that Leah provides, and I still get so mad at the mysterious Lisa that does things that should not be done. Thank you Leah and Nick for this wonderful podcast that makes my day!
  • Pizza bomb
    Happiness!
    Happy! That’s how feel when I listen every single time 🥰. Sad. That’s how I feel when it’s over.😫 I only wish there were more episodes each week. I truly think Nick and Leah are my personal friends. Great advice and just fun! Highlight of my week. ❤️
  • Ellieh723
    Great podcast
    I’ve shared this podcast with many friends. It’s so funny but also so real and helpful.
  • Catwhisperer001
    Love this show
    I always enjoy listening to this show. I love how they break down questions.
  • FanofManaging
    Play it Forward
    I love Nick and Leah’s insight and advice! I find myself quoting them in conversations and getting others talking. I’m playing it forward since many of these people listen to the show now!
  • betelgeuse29
    My opinion
    I really liked this show but had to stop listening. Nick’s advice, knowledge on etiquette rules, and suggestions are so great and on-point. However, I started to tune Leah out—sometimes her advice was way out there, too complex, passive aggressive, or just not polite at all. A letter writer would pose a question and Nick would answer succinctly, but then Leah weighs in with a convoluted response and suggestion. I think Nick is better suited for a show on manners and etiquette, and Leah is best suited for a relationship advice podcast.
  • OliviaKel
    Love This Podcast and the Hosts!
    I hope the people who were raised by wolves, or just choose to behave as such, are listening! Leah and Nick are fabulous. ❤️❤️
  • Stany2401k
    No, I Was Not Raised By Wolves, But….
    So many others apparently were! I look forward to listening to Nick and Leah reinforce my need for a well-mannered world each week. Thanks!!
  • Fluffster Normalpaws
    Nail clipping
    Re nail clipping in church- That poor man probably has early stage dementia or some other mental challenge. He’s clearly not in his right mind, for whatever reason. Let us please have mercy on some people who might be physically or mentally compromised in some way. As long as he’s not hurting or scaring anyone, let’s cover it with a mantle of charity. We might be in his predicament someday, and we might need a little tolerance and understanding. People like this actually help us, because they are an opportunity for us to be of service and learn compassion. Maybe this is God’s way of reaching out to this church, to alert them that this man needs assistance or friendship. Not everyone has loved ones to take care of them. God help him.
  • Wheel of death 44
    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!!!
  • Candylamd
    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 …
  • lanalibrarian
    Required listening
    The world would be such a better place if everyone listened to this podcast. So smart, funny, informative, and polite! Etiquette is sexy.
  • Jelly111613
    Informative and Funny
    Nick and Leah are like the Johnny Weir and Tara Lapinsky of manners, you need them in your life!
  • Matt85gfgyh
    Episode 211
    Best Episode Yet. I have enjoyed every episode for years. I even have the podcast t-shirt. Episode 211 is Leah’s best episode. Several lol moments.
  • coolgirl🤩
    Best Podcast Ever!!
    I absolutely love this podcast!! I have to constantly go back and listen to old episodes because there are not enough!! I am trying to come up with an etiquette problem to reach out to you about!! Overall great podcast!
  • Cat2128
    My go to on Mondays
    This is what I look forward to on Mondays. Great way to start the week. This duo is the perfect match. Not only do they supply great information about etichette but they are hysterical! This is by far my favorite podcast. Thank you Nick and Lisa for all the you do. Much appreciation
  • shrimpscampi12
    The best thing on the internet
    This podcast is everything—insightful, hysterical, educational, heartwarming. I’ve listened to every episode, oh, maybe a dozen times over, and it still hasn’t gotten old. Thanks, Nick and Leah, for making us all better citizens of the world!
  • Angie Kristine
    Awooooo!
    I so appreciate this podcast. I love how interactive it is, and I’m always so curious to hear how Leah and Nick will solve the world’s etiquette crimes. I learn something every time, and it inspired me to purchase personalized stationery! I’m so excited!
  • Joani H
    Artichokes and gift opening parties
    First of all, I enjoy listening to this podcast so much. I often laugh out loud as I’m listening. I just finished the episode about artichokes and also recently finished watching the episode of the untouchables starring Robert Stack on YouTube called the artichoke King. It’s based on the story you told. It’s so interesting. In regard to the wedding gift opening party, we actually did that. I got married in 1989, moved from the Midwest to the north east, and my husband‘s family insisted that this was the thing to do. They did wait until we return from the honeymoon but we were expected to invite his whole family over, host them, serve lunch, and open our gifts in front of them. I do not recommend it. It was uncomfortable to open the gifts and react with a crowd in front of us and we didn’t get to take the time to really enjoy each gift, and think about the people who gave them to us. We just had to get through them all in one sitting. I was young and naïve, and in a strange land. Ha ha.
  • Joe’sJams
    Howling !
    This is such a phenomenal podcast. I started listening in late 22. Well, I just completed my 11th trek across the US and my partner and I binged about 90 episodes during our 6 day drive - we completed all episodes. This pod and the hosts are so engaging that by the end we were still singing & seat-dancing along to the theme, laughing, screaming and howling along! I will not get the image of Nick suggesting eating cotton candy on a zoom or Leah saying “What is happening!?!?” out of my head. Thanks times a million! XO!! JOE
  • gosh CD ax
    Glitter
    I want glitter in my house Also this is a great podcast thank you guys so much!!
  • LindaTH101
    Such a fun listen!
    I love listening to these two! Their guidance on matters of etiquette are is spot on but I think they could make talking about the weather fun!
  • Elysssssa
    The very best podcast out there
    I have recently binge-listened to the entire 200+ episodes of this show! I have never been a podcast person, but Nick and Leah have fully converted me. I love the blend of knowledge and humor and have recommended this show to anyone I’ve talked to in the past month or so. I love that it’s upbeat and a great distraction from everyday stressors. I cannot recommend this show enough!
  • Nurse Lizbeth
    This show is invaluable!
    I can’t tell you how much I enjoy this show! I strive to be conscientious of etiquette and it can be challenging so I really appreciate your scripting advise! Congratulations on the first 200 episodes, I can’t wait to hear the next 200 episodes.
  • gilletja
    Fun and so needed
    Love that you’re straight up honest about etiquette. So many basic manners are missed opportunities for building trust. Your wit and playful approach is a joy to listen to.
  • CosieMom
    Congratulations on #200
    I love this show so much and I’m looking forward to the next 200+. Thank you both for attempting to create a more polite society. 😂
  • T.Vigus
    Awesome!
    These two are so straightforward and TRUE! Love listening for a 'pick me up'. I would love to be at a party with the hosts.
  • Syd Listens
    Good ear company
    Short of a handwritten thank you note, I’ll write this review. I’ve enjoyed many an episode while going for a walk, doing chores, or riding the subway. Plus it makes for a great soother on sick days. Keep the banter, history/culture lessons and advice coming!
  • bittersweet1199
    A Most Winsome Podcast
    The world would be a much kinder place if we all listened to this winsome podcast and followed the advice of Nick and Leah. After the last few years I’d forgotten some of these etiquette rules and love having this refresher. These two are thoughtful, clever, FUN and just a joy to listen to on a Monday morning.
  • svens101
    Light, charming, and informative
    RBW is exactly what I want to listen to… it brings up food for thought about many relatable (and some BONKERS) etiquette situations and makes me want to talk about each scenario with a friend. The hosts are oh so likable… I could listen for hours!
  • liaakaleah
    Sound advice
    Not only is advice sensible, both hosts have melodious voices that are so pleasant to listen to.
  • Raising Helene
    Listen and share
    And together, we’ll make the world a better place…🤗 Love the chemistry and the content. A great listen every time. No notes!
  • jennymalanbarton
    Love it
    I listen to this in the car with kids so hopefully they grow into self aware adults
  • eao613
    A Lifesaver!
    I don’t remember how I found this podcast but, OMG, I am so glad I did! After a year full of nothing but bad news and dire predictions, this thirtyish minute break in my day has been a lifesaver! My only concern now is what will I do when I am caught up with all the back episodes and only have one a week to depend on! Maybe the world will have calmed down by then. Thank you for this silly and yet sophisticated respite of entertaining information! Proud to be a wild pup!
  • Bekahhaz
    Everything you want in a podcast!
    Nick and Leah are SO fun and have such great tips to share. They are comical, practical, and educational. I love listening to their take on all things etiquette. My sister shared this podcast with me and I’ve sent it to all my friends! It’s way too easy to binge. I think “what would Nick and Leah do?” roughly 10 times a day.
  • lindseybein
    Must listen
    Wow! I binged the whole series in about 3 weeks. No one makes etiquette more entertaining or engaging than Nick & Leah You know when you finish a great book/show/podcast and think, “man, I want more like this,” and struggle to find it? THIS IS IT.
  • Fasting PTA mom
    Best etiquette podcast ever!
    I absolutely love your podcast, I can truly say I’ve learned so many useful things listening to you both. One example, my local coffee shop has a sign out front “Fika time” I never knew what it meant until now!!
  • FleeceActress
    Intelligent and humorous analysis of contemporary etiquette
    Nick
  • xoIndigo
    Immaculate in every way possible
    This is the epitome of podcasts. Every episode is wonderfully crafted and clearly Nick and Leah care so much about their listeners and the quality of this incredible podcast. Thanks for providing a great experience with great banter and wit while also being informative.
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