"Our alleged serial killers deserve better than this." Was Elizabeth Báthory the most prolific serial killer of all time, or... more

Black cats and goblins and broomsticks and ghosts/ Covens of witches with all of their hosts/ You may think they... more

What could possibly go wrong when two skeptical podcasters try to summon a ghost? Join Sarah and Chelsey Weber-Smith (of... more

Kellie Carter Jackson, author of We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance, is here to take us on a... more

"Times can blind us to certain truths and later generations can see that laws once thought necessary and proper in... more

Or, is it legal to have gay sex in your own home? This week, Marcus McCann takes us back to... more

"As long as the law is male, women must be outlaws." — Linnea Johnson This week, Moira Donegan takes us... more

This week we travel back to the 80s, when America’s parents decided to freak out over some kids rolling dice... more

Maggie Mertens tells us a tale of the first women who fought to run the marathon, and of one woman... more

What is “originalism,” and what does it have to do with all these bribes? Mackenzie Joy Brennan has some answers.Find... more

The city of Cleveland will not be made to apologize for its balloons. Harmony Colangelo defends the mistake on the... more

This week, Taylor Lorenz fights our latest moral panic. Are phones really making kids anxious, or are kids just good... more

Alejandra Oliva, author of Rivermouth, came by to catch us up on the last few decades of American immigration policy--and... more

Sarah Archer came by to make an episode from scratch. What's the real history of the American housewife? Where did... more

Today, Princess Weekes takes us to meet the real Rosa Parks.Find Princess on YouTube: Princess’ video, “The 1920s Sex Scandal... more

Let's go outside in the sunshine. An extended cut of this episode is available for Patreon and Apple... more

He turned a bright spark into a flame.(Part 1 of 2!)You can buy Marcus McCann's book, Park Cruising: What Happens... more

Sarah talks with Chelsey Weber-Smith, host of American Hysteria, about some of their favorite hoaxes—from the Loch Ness Monster to... more

Celebrity correspondent Eve Lindley came by to tell us about Britney Spears' memoir The Woman in Me. This is part... more

In 1974, Robert Opel ran naked through the Academy Awards telecast, and into American history. Today, Michael Schulman, a staff... more

Blair Braverman tells us how the legendary story of one good dog is actually a story of two good dogs.... more

This week, writer Miles Klee tells us why we have to take our shoes off at the airport.Read Miles Klee... more

This week, Harmony Colangelo tiptoes through the tulips with us. You can find Harmony at This Ends at Prom here!... more

During what should’ve been Roe v. Wade’s 51st birthday week, Sarah and reproductive health policy reporter Megan Burbank take a... more

Sarah teams up with writer and editor Julie Kliegman—author of the hotly anticipated book MIND GAME—to look back at tennis's... more

The Exorcist turns 50 this week, so we invited Marlena Williams, author of Night Mother: A Personal and Cultural History... more

“The creatures outside looked from influencer to human, and from human to influencer, and from human to influencer again; but... more

Mulder and Scully were busy this week, so Monroe and Marshall are on the case. Did UFOs really travel across... more

This week, celebrity correspondent Eve Lindley tells Sarah about why we should all be thankful for Amy Winehouse. Note: this... more

This week, American Hysteria’s Chelsey Weber-Smith gives Sarah some exposure therapy.You can find Chelsey / American Hysteria here. Support You're... more

Forty whacks with a wet noodle, Bart! This week, Princess Weekes tells Sarah the true story of the crime of... more

"What is it about the culture that has conditioned us to favor the wants and needs and desires, however horrible,... more

Here's one from our bonus vault: you sent in your stories about moments when you found yourselves changing your minds,... more

Like so many other mostly imaginary topics, human trafficking is in the news again. Michael Hobbes—ever heard of him??—came by... more

This week, Heather Radke brings us a tale of pageants, eugenics, and butts.You can find Heather online here.You can see... more

This week, Sarah tells her favorite kind of story to American Hysteria’s Chelsey Weber-Smith: one where two girls hoaxed the... more

“Why don’t something happen?” Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow died in 1934, but their legend gets bigger every year. This... more

This week, we bring you a re-release from our bonus vault as Sarah tells Carolyn Kendrick about the making of... more

This week, Sports Illustrated’s Julie Kliegman volleys with Sarah about trans athlete Renée Richards’s fight for her right to play... more

Fly with us, lesbian seagull. This week Radiolab’s Lulu Miller brings us a story of queer nature and scientists in... more

“I felt that empathy like it was directed towards me, and it helped me feel like my unhappiness was enough.”... more

“What if you were writing a profile on someone named Janet and I was your editor, and I was like,... more

In 1988, twenty-year-old American figure skater Debi Thomas headed to the Calgary Olympics to face off against East German juggernaut... more

This week, we fight the real enemy with Allyson McCabe. Here's where to find Allyson online here.You can find Allyson's... more

This week, national treasure Amanda Knox talks with Sarah about what the American legal system claims to be for, what... more

This week, criminal justice correspondent Josie Duffy Rice dives into America’s obsession with prosecuting children. From 19th century houses of... more

This week, survival correspondent Blair Braverman tells Sarah the story of a Supertramp. In 1996, Jon Krakauer's book Into the... more

This week, a tale of two Shawns/Seans, their impossible dream, and the file sharing service that lived fast, died young,... more

In this episode, Carolyn and Sarah follow Karen from the height of her fame through her struggle to find independence,... more

Long ago and oh so far away, Carolyn and Sarah fell in love with Karen Carpenter when they saw her... more

On October 14, 1987, 18-month-old Jessica McClure fell down a well in Midland, Texas. This week, Sarah tells our survival... more

They’re winsome and soft and so fun to cuddle/ With one of Ty’s Beanie Babies, you could never go wrong/... more

Put on your Docksiders for a stroll through history with Avery Trufelman, who shows us how Ivy style became “preppy,”... more

How did Poltergeist get that PG rating? Podcast legend Karina Longworth, host of You Must Remember This, takes us on... more

Our survival correspondent Blair Braverman is here to tell us the story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed... more

“Abortion is healthcare and abortion is a human right. Abortion is racial justice. It’s economic justice. It’s at the intersection... more

Why is it so hard to find the one thing you need? The Atlantic’s Amanda Mull is here to tell... more

This week, Mike and Sarah reunite to hunt for serial killers, and try to figure out whether they’re really endangered.... more

You may:1. Travel on the established trail2. Take the Hastings CutoffWhat is your choice?Chelsey Weber-Smith (American Hysteria) tells Sarah about... more

This week we’re taking the back roads with Rachel Monroe, who tells us how the most prolific serial killer in... more

Here’s some money, go see a Porn War. This week we’re going on a field trip to Times Square with... more

This week, Eric Michael Garcia tells Sarah about America’s barely forgotten pastime, plus the Supreme Court’s long history of horrifying... more

Sarah and Carmen complete their epic trilogy by meeting Rick Emerson on the edge of Mount Doom to discuss his... more

This week Carmen and Sarah read the rest of Alice’s bitchin' diary, and ponder the truths that only lies can... more

This week we’re dishing up a mouthwatering feast of history, gossip, and white collar crime. Guest Sarah Archer tells the... more

This week, Sarah tries to solve the mystery of the Dyatlov Pass Incident, in which nine experienced ski hikers fled... more

Where did all these prisons come from? WBEZ’s Shannon Heffernan is here to give us part of the answer, which... more

This week we begin our journey into the totally true not at all made up diary that has been scaring... more

We want to play a game. This week, Dana Schwartz stuffs us in an iron maiden and explains why the... more

How did the information superhighway get so gridlocked? Guest Anne Helen Petersen tells Sarah the story of how email took... more

What do Chopin, Kylie Jenner, baby carrots, and the War of the Worlds all have in common? They’re all part... more

Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess) tells Sarah about Linda Taylor and the origins of the Welfare Queen myth ("the build the... more

What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today. Josh Gondelman is here to laugh and cry with us,... more

Josie Duffy Rice and Sarah discuss the role of junk science in the criminal justice system. It is a big... more

In this final installment of the Amityville Horror Winter Book Club, Sarah tells guest host Jamie Loftus about Jodie the... more

Willa Paskin (of Slate's Decoder Ring) brings Sarah back to 2005, when Tom Cruise jumping on a couch became the... more

Jessica Chastain and Sarah discuss Tammy Faye Bakker. Chastain is the star and a producer of the new film The... more

Sarah continues telling guest host Jamie Loftus about the Amityville Horror, and the two touch on ghosts, fallen angels, poltergeists,... more

Sarah tells guest host Jamie Loftus about the Amityville Horror, how it’s a Christmas story, and why buying murder furniture... more

Jamelle Bouie explains to Sarah what the Reconstruction era was, why it remains relevant today, and how this history lesson... more

Emma Berquist stops by to tell us about how true crime doesn't have to make us better people, and in... more

Special Guest Jamie Loftus tells Sarah about Ed and Lorraine Warren (of The Conjuring and Annabelle fame). Topics of interest... more

Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Sarah about Catherine the Great. Topics of interest include the very not great life of... more

An announcement!Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PaypalBuy stickers, magnets, T-shirts and moreWhere else to find us: Sarah's other... more

From our friends at Maintenance Phase, the story of how Nestlé executives, global health institutions and a very racist white... more

Mike tells Sarah how a tragic story became a national punchline and a decades-long moral panic. Digressions include a sympathetic... more

While our next episode's in the oven, enjoy this gem from the YWA vault!Support us:Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PaypalBuy... more

This week, the defense hires Alan Dershowitz, Marcia Clark questions witnesses and Jill Shively tries to get a salad. Digressions... more

This week we debunk Mike Warnke right out of his cabin and into the lake, using Cornerstone Magazine’s long overdue... more

We finish our San Bernardino joyride through Mike Warnke’s 1972 “memoir” with a hex, a horrible crime and a Satanic... more

We continue our journey through Mike Warnke's 1972 "memoir" about his rise through the ranks of Satan Inc. This... more

Sarah and Mike return to Camp You're Wrong About for another Satanic Panic story hour. This time we're talking about... more

Mike and Sarah have big feelings about an enduring debate. Digressions include “Carrie,” party planning etiquette and Whole Foods cafeterias.... more

Mike tells Sarah about an impending conflict, a dissident singer and America's first internet-enabled cancellation. Digressions include "Freedom Fries" and... more

Mike tells Sarah how liberal magazines turned a "kids these days" moral panic into a national crisis. Digressions include Law... more

Bob Shapiro is on a mission from God, F. Lee Bailey joins the Dream Team, and we get in our... more

Special guest Cassie da Costa tells Mike and Sarah how Vanessa fell from grace and picked herself back up. Digressions... more

Mike reached new levels of rantiness on his other show and we wanted to make sure all our beloved debunkmates... more

Mike tells Sarah how a 20-year-old singer, actress and French horn player became Miss America with less than six months... more

Sarah's other show has a special guest! Maintenance Phase co-host Aubrey Gordon visits Why Are Dads to talk about Christopher... more

To tell the story of the "dream team" we must begin by going back to the future. This week we... more

Mike tells Sarah the real reason Congress called a bunch of rockers to Washington D.C. Digressions include cartoon violence, sleeveless... more

Mike tells Sarah how a congressional wife started a moral crusade. Digressions include Sheena Easton, Satanic rhymes and teen homicide... more

Special guest Eric Michael Garcia tells Mike and Sarah about the deep roots of a pernicious modern myth. Digressions include... more

This week, we put on our suits and head back to the courtroom. O.J. Simpson pleads not guilty, Marcia Clark... more

Mike tells Sarah how a troll-ish experiment turned a South Carolina teenager into one of the most maligned women of... more

This week we talk about the early days of Paula and O.J.’s relationship and the celebrity cameos reach either a... more

This week we return to the O.J. Simpson trial and learn what Paula Barbieri did after the Bronco chase.... more

Mike tells Sarah the complicated story of an over-simplified study. Digressions include Tonya Harding, "The Meg" and Kitty Genovese. The... more

Mike tells Sarah what makes older Americans more vulnerable to misinformation — and who is delivering it to them. Digressions... more

Sarah tells Mike about the thrilling conclusion to a children’s labor action and an overlooked Disney musical. Digressions include cronuts,... more

Sarah tells Mike about media history, labor organizing, century-old moral panics — and the unlikely Disney musical that introduced her... more

Was Harvey Milk's killer really given a light sentence after claiming that junk food made him do it? Mike's spinoff... more

Topical episode! Special guest Jamelle Bouie tells Sarah and Mike about his problematic Founding Father faves and the bewildering institution... more

“You can be a hot mess express and still leave the world better than you found it.” In the final... more

This week, Diana leaves the royal family with her reputation intact and her title slightly edited. Digressions include "Love Actually,"... more

What if the scariest thing in America is unfettered capitalism and unaccountable corporations? Sources: https://rottenindenmark.org/2018/06/30/the-exxon-valdez-oil-spill/Support us: http://patreon.com/yourewrongabouthttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/yourewrongaboutpodhttps://www.teepublic.com/stores/youre-wrong-about?ref_id=10420Where else to find... more

Mike comes on Sarah’s new show to talk about robots, dads, the little metal hands guys and "Terminator 2: Judgment... more

Mike has a new podcast! Here's the first episode, in which he debunks the absurd Cold War trauma factory that... more

This week, Mike and Sarah dissect the Creepy Encounters subreddit and how to handle our creepy feelings in an unsafe... more

This week, Diana swaps out her husband for a Horse Dude and Mike and Sarah act out other people's PG-13... more

This week, Diana gets married, joins her new family and meets the press. Digressions include Judy Garland, Edward Cullen and... more

We start our new series with the story of a girl, a prince and the society that convinced them they... more

For our 100th episode, American Hysteria host Chelsey Weber-Smith visits our campfire to tell us about the time America was... more

“It’s like these men are being held in a bubble as science marches forward.” Mike tells Sarah how one of... more

Mike tells Sarah about the longest "non-therapeutic" experiment in medical history. Digressions include deep fried ice cream, Kato Kaelin and... more

This week, Sarah makes a Nancy Grace-style argument against the prosecution. Digressions include '90s romantic comedies, Betty Broderick and flatscreen... more

Sarah tells Mike about her new foray into Dad Studies and, for the second time this week, discusses a horror... more

Sarah tells Mike about the real-life conspiracy written between the lines of a 1970s horror novel. Digressions include "Rosemary's Baby... more

In another "mini" episode that accidentally turned mega, Mike tells Sarah about the Wayfair conspiracy theory and the sketchy statistical... more

Mike tells Sarah how a silly sports promotion galvanized a reactionary movement. Digressions include “Charlotte’s Web,” Jane Fonda and German-language... more

Mike tells Sarah about the most common forms of violence in America and how they differ (twist!) from what gets... more

This week, Sarah walks Mike through Nancy Grace’s prosecution of American juries. Cameos include Mark Geragos (again), O.J. Simpson (inevitably)... more

Sarah and Mike tell Laura and Adrian about how we met, how we research and what we would say to... more

This week, Nancy Grace makes her case against defense attorneys in general and Scott Peterson’s lawyer in particular. Digressions include... more

“It’s interesting that we became enthusiastic about ASL in the process of teaching it to a population that couldn’t benefit... more

Special guest Candace Opper tells Mike and Sarah how a grunge star became the protagonist in one of America's most... more

“The criminal justice system should treat everyone like a white teenage girl whose future it’s concerned about disrupting.” Sarah tells... more

Sarah tells Mike how a superhero’s genesis was a supervillain’s origin story all along. In our new deep dive, we... more

On June 17, 1994, the world screeched to a halt so 95 million Americans could watch a white SUV crawl... more

“You really shouldn’t date people who go in thinking, ’This person has good bones but they’re a fixer-upper.’” This week,... more

In honor of Pride Month and revolutions past, present, and future, we're re-releasing our episode on the Stonewall Uprising. Let... more

“I’m being pulled into planet myth … and I like it here.” Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Mike and Sarah... more

We discuss Jessica's reality-show marriage and its painfully ordinary end. Digressions include "Showgirls," "The Notebook" and Adam Levine. "Hamlet" makes... more

“It’s a mess and a nightmare and maybe it’s disingenuous to think you can turn the story of someone being... more

“Her parents’ financial success is dependent on her abdomen.” This week, Jessica moves to L.A., records a video and meets... more

Our journey through late-'90s pop stardom begins with an intervention and ends with an audition. Digressions include Willie Nelson, Ozzy... more

Mike tells Sarah how an obscure technical glitch became a nationwide mobilization. Digressions include Twitter beefs, “The Net” and VHS... more

We conclude our book club with Michelle's escape from the dungeon. The dead baby trend continues; Jesus, the Virgin Mary... more

Sarah tells Mike about the clash of the titans, the fury at the grand jury. We follow Kato, the wise... more

This week, our lithe psychiatrist takes his favorite patient hiking, a priest burns some furniture and Michelle tries to escape... more

Sarah and Mike continue into the depths. With Dr. Pazder home from Mexico, he and Michelle continue their journey into... more

“What’s sad about her has nothing to do with the content of her character.” Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Mike... more

Sarah and Mike continue their journey into the book that launched a thousand lawsuits. Michelle and Dr. Pazder’s relationship grows... more

Mike tells Sarah about a dying industry, a dangerous car and the Pulitzer Prize-winning article that misrepresented them both. Digressions... more

Sarah describes the spark that ignited the Satanic Panic. Our setting is a therapist’s office in 1976 Victoria, B.C., and... more

In the final chapter of our series on the D.C. sniper attacks, Mike finally tells Sarah about the D.C. sniper... more

Sarah tells Mike about a week in the life of Marcia Clark, who became America’s most famous prosecutor on June... more

Mike tells Sarah about the indoctrination of Lee Boyd Malvo and the beginning of the sniper attacks. Digressions include Jonestown,... more

Valentine’s Day re-release! Sarah and Mike reflect on one of the only love stories they’ve ever covered on the show.Continue... more

“Every big fish you catch, you end up with a hole in the net.” Mike tells Sarah how America’s white-collar... more

Mike tells Sarah how a nice Jamaican kid became the disciple of a mean American adult. Digressions include Tonya Harding... more

Sarah tells Mike the ending to the story of the mimbo and the alibi. Digressions include O. Henry, Nigerian e-mail... more

“If you’re black, you can’t get work as a serial killer even if you’re manifestly qualified.” Mike tells Sarah how... more

Sarah tells Mike how an aspiring actor protected and then betrayed Nicole Brown Simpson without knowing he was doing either.... more

"There’s no precedent for women in this family being treated like they matter." Sarah tells Mike about the Bronco chase... more

Mike tells Sarah how NGOs, activists and George W. Bush resurrected the 'stranger danger' panic for the modern era. Digressions... more

Sarah tells Mike how Marcia Clark got the slam-dunk case that ended her career as a trial lawyer. Digressions include... more

"Centering conversations around blame is not the most useful thing for us to be doing." Sarah tells Mike about the... more

“You can’t expect people to know the exact kind of help they need.” We continue our deep dive into the... more

Mike and Sarah begin their epic journey into O.J. Simpson's trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron... more

Our first live show! Mike tells Sarah about Janet Jackson, the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime show and the 9/16ths of... more

Mike tells Sarah how the myth of meddling wives serves to exonerate terrible husbands. Digressions include "50 Shades of Grey,"... more

“Isn’t it amazing how we can only imagine our monsters capitalistically?” Mike tells Sarah how police, prosecutors and journalists accidentally... more

“When you allow emotion into the courtroom, bias rushes in alongside it.” Special guest Rachel Monroe tells Mike and Sarah... more

“Things are not going to get better if we make the people who scare us seem more powerful.” Mike tells... more

“The story that did the most damage to the people in it was the one that made the most money.”... more

Sarah tells Mike the story of a world-class figure skater who worked at a mall potato restaurant. Digressions include “Sleepless... more

“Humans aren’t good at remembering what got us where we are.” Mike tells Sarah how a turning point in the... more

“Once you tell a story incorrectly once, you can’t control where it goes.” Sarah tells Mike how The New York... more

“We’re uncomfortable with the evidence that teen girls have sexual agency.” Special guest Amy Hasinoff tells Mike and Sarah how... more

“He’s been punished even more than the American prison system can aspire to punish anyone”: Mike tells Sarah how John... more

"It just seems like capitalism masquerading as religion": Sarah tells Mike how a horror movie resurrected a ritual and established... more

“We want stories that don’t exist in systems”: Mike tells Sarah what happened when Utah set out to solve one... more

“Why did we make fun of Dan Quayle for misspelling the word ‘potato’ when we should have made fun of... more

Mike tells Sarah how a 5-year-old kid transformed a city, divided a political party and (maybe) determined a presidential election.... more

Sarah tells Mike how an aspiring rich kid became an emblem of a world he didn't belong to. Digressions include... more

Mike tells Sarah how a simple idea in a single school district became a nationwide racial panic. Digressions include slasher... more

Mike tells Sarah how the media, the president and the Pope turned a simple medical story into a complicated legal... more

Sarah tells Mike how a poor Texas girl made herself into an icon and America made her into a punchline.... more

Mike tells Sarah how an environmental problem became a national rallying cry, a sticky diplomatic issue and, eventually, a conspiracy... more

Sarah tells Mike how a sex scandal ruined a rising star and established a new template for American elections. Digressions... more

“She only said one thing her whole life”: Sarah tells Mike how two decent women became scapegoats for the actions... more

Mike tells Sarah how a "bad apples” explanation kept us from seeing the real scandal at the heart of America's... more

It wasn’t an accident. Mike tells Sarah how the infamous space shuttle disaster came to be seen as a white-collar... more

Sarah tells Mike how a tragic story became a hacky catchphrase. Digressions include raccoon anarchists, flu remedies and late-night Arby’s.... more

Mike tells Sarah how a close election and an even closer Supreme Court decision established the political template we're still... more

Sarah tells Mike about the sad reality — and the terrible man — behind the infamous Long Island Lolita. Digressions... more

Special guest Megan Burbank tells us about the history, limitations and loopholes of a landmark court ruling. Digressions include Betty... more

Mike tells Sarah how a false rape allegation became a right-wing rallying cry and a left-wing conspiracy theory. Digressions include... more

Sarah tells Mike how a case of marital rape and spontaneous mutilation became a national punchline. Digressions include Ron Jeremy,... more

How inflated statistics, cultural anxieties and moral crusaders turned a tiny number of missing children into a decade-long political project.... more

Razorblades in apples, babysitters on acid, killers in backseats and "rainbow parties": In this episode, Mike and Sarah investigate the... more

Sarah tells Mike how Ed Gein became one of America’s most famous serial killers despite not actually being one. Plus,... more

Mike tells Sarah how an over-simplified diagnosis, over-confident doctors and over-zealous prosecutors combined to get thousands of innocent parents thrown... more

Sarah tells Mike how pop culture created a two-decade-long obsession with multiple personality disorder and repressed memories. Digressions include Dead... more

Mike tells Sarah that America has sent the wrong messages and done the wrong things about obesity for more than... more

Special guest Rachel Monroe (re-)joins Mike and Sarah to talk about all the myths surrounding the second-biggest news event of... more

Mike tells Sarah why the biggest scandal of Reagan's presidency provides more (depressing) lessons about current politics than Watergate. Digressions... more

Sarah tells Mike that shoddy policing (and Milwaukee generally) are responsible for one of America's most prolific serial killers. Digressions... more

Mike tells Sarah that the D.A.R.E. program did not, in fact, keep kids off drugs. But that’s just the beginning... more

Sarah tells Mike that animal behavior is an imperfect template for human society. Digressions include rabbits, Bob’s Burgers and online... more

Special guest Candace Opper tells Mike and Sarah about how the death of a rock star changed the field of... more

Sarah tells Mike about how America's favorite gangster movie is really its favorite killing-the-American-Dream movie. Digressions include the Mona Lisa,... more

Sarah and Mike take a break from debunking to reflect on the first 10 episodes and tell the secret history... more

Mike tells Sarah that America’s most devastating oil spill was not, in fact, a DUI. Digressions include “Titanic" (obviously), the... more

Sarah tells Mike about how snuff films don't exist but lots of near-snuff films do. Digressions include "Basic Instinct," gymnastics... more

Special guest Rachel Monroe tells Mike and Sarah what's really behind the phrase “drinking the Kool-Aid.” Digressions include David Koresh,... more

Part two of our epic dissection of the Clinton impeachment scandal. This week: The story breaks, the House indicts, the... more

Sarah and Mike talk about what America forgot — and never learned — about history’s most famous intern. Digressions include... more