Well, I Laughed

Well I Laughed Podcast

A weekly podcast where unexpected topics turn into laugh out loud conversations. From infamous historical figures to stories we thought we understood, hosts Maia (an engineer) and Grant (a public school teacher) talk through the facts and find the laughs. Well, I Laughed… and we think you will too. New episodes every Wednesday.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

169 episodes
Updated July 29

Episodes169

Newest first

Apr 10, 2024 · 1 hr 32 min
48: Out & About pt.3: Listener Episode
It is our first listener episode! Listeners from the Well, I Laughed universe share stories about surviving family curses, gay haircuts, a terrible first date story, and the unsettling "St. Mikulas" tradition in Prague! An episode of shocking, surprising, and funny episodes all about being Out and About. From blooming grief tulips to devils in daycare, this listener-powered chaos cruise has everything: funerals, field sessions, and a family curse with more mysterious deaths than a true crime doc
Apr 3, 2024 · 1 hr 50 min
47: Out & About pt.2: Swann Dive
Drag is art, drag is exciting, drag is… old? This week, Maia explores the history of drag. From drag in Ancient Greece and Rome and male only casts, to more contemporary artist like the work of Julian Eltinge. Maia shares the life of William Dorsey Swann, who was America’s first drag queen, or at least one of them. Taking us to the Drag Balls of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance and the extravagant homes of DC that first held drag gatherings. Swann’s life proves that drag has history in Ameri
Mar 27, 2024 · 2 hr 24 min
46: Out & About pt.1: Never Married
Where did the phrase “coming out of the closet” come from? Is history gay? And if it is, why is gay history a secret? This week’s podcast episode looks at famous gay people in history. Including gay Kings of England and America’s first gay president, at least potentially. Grant and Maia also take on the controversy of learning gay history. Explore the perks of being a spinster. Before ending with a tour of modern gay history in the United States. They say he was never married, a confirmed bachel
Mar 20, 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
45: Excessive Force pt.3: AITA
Stories from the Reddit AITA page. The challenge of being a new mom with a clueless new father. A family that respects their daughters wishes. A family prank that went too far. And disappointing husbands that could do more to support their spouse. A series of funny Reddit stories about people who might have taken it a little too far. Excessive force AITA! Grant Thomas and Maia Warner take you on a no-seatbelt kind of ride through the hilarious highs and humbling lows of teaching, teenage chaos
Mar 13, 2024 · 2 hr 5 min
44: Excessive Force pt.2: March to May
A podcast on workers rights and the labor movement! Striking workers and unsafe working conditions, a uniquely American story. This week, Grant explores two historic moments in the labor rights movement. The Haymarket Riot in Chicago and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York. We learn more about Albert Parsons and Lucy Parsons, Clara Lemlich, and even get a surprise appearance from gilded age aristocrats. Discover the meaning behind May Day in today’s episode, March to May! In this
Mar 6, 2024 · 1 hr 50 min
43: Excessive Force pt.1: Blast Off
Today’s podcast episode is about a famous school rivalry. The rivalry between Denver University and the Colorado School of Mines. Maia covers some pranks that go too far. Pranks with explosives, hostages, and lots of ways to go wrong, at least a little. It is about more than a game of football, or a big white M on the side of the mountain. An episode on school pride and smart people doing dumb things. CU vs CSU. Auburn vs Georgia Tech. Harvard vs Yale. John Evans vs History. Who's side are you o
Feb 28, 2024 · 1 hr 30 min
42: Plenty of Fish pt.3: AITA
Stories from the Reddit AITA page. For Valentine's day we cover terrible dates. Being too honest with your friend about their dating expectations. Reacting to sudden hostility while grabbing drinks. And telling your friend they’re wrong, even when pressured not to. Four Reddit stories about dating, and terrible dating experiences. Buckle up for the grand finale of “Plenty of Fish,” where Maia and Grant juggle skittish dogs, star‑struck cousins, and the most unhinged dating stories Reddit can o
Feb 21, 2024 · 2 hr 32 min
41: Plenty of Fish pt.2: Alone in a Crowded Room
Do aliens exist? Or are we alone in the universe? In this week’s podcast episode we explore Fermi's Paradox. Maia covers topics like the “great filter theory”, the day a UFO sighting stopped a football game with Ardico Magnini, the “coso artifact”, and the US Congressional Hearing on UFO sightings and the testimony of Retired Maj. David Grusch. An episode that addresses the question, if there are supposed to be plenty fish in our galaxy… where are they? Grant Thomas and Maia Warner weave toget
Feb 14, 2024 · 1 hr 43 min
40: Plenty of Fish pt.1: Devil in the Details
Grant tells Maia about the rarest fish in the world, found in the strangest of places. An episode about the Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Devils Hole, located in Death Valley National Park. We learn more about Ash Meadow, the legal rights of a tiny fish, and the many strange occurrences that have been documented at Devil’s Hole. A podcast episode that will leave you enchanted with the oddity of fish in the desert. Connect with Us Love a good laugh? Stay in the loop with the Well, I Laughed Podcast!
Feb 7, 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
39: Law and Disorder pt.3: AITA
Stories from the Reddit AITA page. Maia covers the story of a roommate who is a bit too casual with the cops. Later, a mother-in-law's famous Mac and Cheese that goes too far. Or maybe it was the daughter-in-law who could have handled things better. Two AITA stories about family drama and the cops, what else is new? What happens when everyday legal oddities meet dorm room debacles? Dive into a whirlwind of laughter as Maia Warner and Grant Thomas pick apart the quirkiest legal scenarios and th
Jan 31, 2024 · 2 hr 12 min
38: Law and Disorder pt.2: A Beautiful Country
In today's podcast episode, Grant covers some Civil War history. Specifically, the life and legend of John Brown. Abolitionist, hero, domestic terrorist? Depends on who you ask. Also covered is the conflict known as “Bleeding Kansas”, the raid on Harpers Ferry, and the work of important abolitionists like Fredrick Douglass and Gerrit Smith. It’s a frosty catch-up session that leads us straight into 1800s American history—specifically the life (and wild times) of John Brown. First, Grant and Ma
Jan 24, 2024 · 2 hr 45 min
37: Law and Disorder pt.1: Good Cop, Bad Cop
A podcast episode about the Pinkertons and the internet group Anonymous. Grant and Maia play a game of "good cop, bad cop" as we dive into the history of both groups. We travel to the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and the death of a famous revenge porn website. Part history podcast, part storytelling experience. Join us as we discuss Jesse James and his gang and the vile Hunter Moore! When does law enforcement become lawless? In this explosive first part of Law and Disorder, Maia and Grant p
Jan 17, 2024 · 1 hr 25 min
36: Welcome to New York pt.3: Here and There
Pigeons in New York City? Absolutely groundbreaking. This week, we dive headfirst into the winged weirdness that takes over the Big Apple—whether they’re real or not, we’re still debating. Then, we explore why we once adored those feathered friends (hint: Charles Darwin is involved). Along the way, we swap stories about comedic altitude sickness and offbeat movie nights (hello, “Cocaine Bear”), because there’s never a dull moment around here. Next, we dissect the jaw-dropping “affluenza” defense
Jan 10, 2024 · 1 hr 59 min
35: Welcome to New York pt.2: Victory Tour
Maia unveils a spy ring that was operating in the US! We laugh and gasp at the true story of Anna Chapman. A Russian spy who was either very good at her job, or was terrible at it. America loves a messy celerity story, so Welcome to New York! Part two, Victory Tour. Dive deep into the scandalous, jaw-dropping saga of Anna Chapman—the mysterious Russian spy whose irresistible charm and model-like beauty fooled Manhattan's elite, leaving everyone stunned when her glamorous double life came crash
Jan 3, 2024 · 1 hr 28 min
34: Welcome to New York pt.1: The Elephant in the Room
Grant takes us back to the Gilded Age with the origin story of the word "JUMBO". A tale at times hilarious and heartbreaking. Our story starts in East Africa and winds its way through Europe before arriving in New York. Buckle up for this story, it can feel like a real circus. Do you know how a massive elephant ended up being the talk of the town and even changing the English language? Buckle up because this episode takes you on a wild ride through the life and legend of Jumbo the Elephant. Pict
Dec 27, 2023 · 1 hr 17 min
33: Hometown Hijinx pt.3: A Very Merry WIL Holiday
LIVE from our friend's living room. It is the Well, I Laughed Christmas episode! Recorded in the most festive room either of us have ever seen. We discuss the holidays, vasectomies, and eventually share a couple AITA stories from Reddit. Grant and Maia unpack all the weird and hilarious holiday traditions and stories from each other. A special thank you to Kelsi and Edgar for being such wonderful friends and hosts. Tinsel, twinkle lights, and the faint sound of huskies scuttling in the backgro
Dec 20, 2023 · 2 hr 1 min
32: Hometown Hijinx pt.2: Lincoln It Together
Grant transports us back to the Gilded Age in a completely unplanned turn of events, asking the big question: When is a murder just a murder, and when does it symbolize deeper social turmoil like racism or misogyny? In this second installment of “Hometown Hijinks,” a famous gambler in 1890s Lincoln, Nebraska, gets brained with a steel cane and possibly poisoned, pulling a suspicious barber, a not-so-grieving wife (hello, Molly Sheedy!), and powerful railroads into the biggest murder trial in loc
Dec 13, 2023 · 1 hr 35 min
31: Hometown Hijinx pt.1: Unsinkable
Maia transports us back to the Gilded Age and tells the story of means girls and high society. Who was who in early Denver society? What made them so interesting? And who ends up getting played by Kathy Bates? That, and so much more, covered in Hometown Hijinxs (Maia's version). Grant and Maia discuss The Unsinkable Margaret (Molly) Brown as well as other characters like Louise Sneed Hill, JJ Brown, the RMS Titanic and more! Dive into the juicy, scandal-packed feud between two legendary Denver
Dec 6, 2023 · 3 hr 6 min
30: Lost and Found pt.3: Bail Out
Patty Hearst, Part 2. After witnessing the death of your friends, what do you do next? And where do you go? How does tragedy and trauma shape and reshape Patty Hearst's life. And what does innocence, guilt, and justice look like when the crazy ride finally comes to an end? This episode covers everything after the house fire which tragically kills many of the members of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) through present day. We discuss the intricacies of the numerous trials of Patricia Hearst,
Nov 29, 2023 · 3 hr 23 min
29: Lost and Found pt.2: Money and a Gun
Forget what you think you know about Patty Hearst. This week Maia launches us into Part 1 of the Patty Hearst story. From the headline grabbing antics to the violence the SLA (Symbionese Liberation Army) was willing to (and did) commit. We meet a host of characters who are complex and controversial as we begin to dig into what happens when a young person has Money and a Gun. How does a millionaire heiress end up robbing banks alongside her kidnappers—and what on earth do plumbing disasters and