Well, I Laughed

Latest Episodes:

50: Prophetic Dreams pt.2: Misérables Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Who was Victor Hugo, and why was he so cool? In this podcast episode about Les Misérables and it's creator, Grant shares the fun loving life of the great French writer, Victor Hugo. Part history podcast, part lifestyle guide, Hugo helped define and describe the era he lived through. We learn about the writing of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and the writers commitment to the less fortunate, both in fiction and reality. Party tricks, politics, and publishing defined the life of a man who dreamed a dream of time to come!

From political exile to literary superstar, Victor Hugo lived a life more dramatic than his own novels. This episode explores the man behind Les Misérables, revealing his radical politics, outrageous personal life, and the revolutionary way he published one of history's most beloved books. Buckle up for a ride through 19th-century France like you've never experienced before! We’ll unpack Hugo’s wild dinner-party “orange trick,” follow the wheelbarrow stampede for the novel’s first print run, and see how his fiery speeches still echo in today’s debates on censorship and social justice. Whether you’re a musical-theatre nerd, a history buff, or just here for the juicy gossip, this is Hugo as you’ve never heard him—unfiltered, unbuttoned, and unbelievably fun.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:18:45 Misérables

00:33:11 Saint or Sex Addict?

01:03:14 Hugo vs. Napoleon 2.0

01:15:37 Publishing Chaos

01:47:27 Morality & Misérables

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Love a good laugh? Stay in the loop with the Well, I Laughed Podcast! Hit up wellilaughed.com for all the fun, throw some love our way on Patreon at https://patreon.com/WellILaughedPodcast, and send us your wildest listener stories at wellilaughedpod@gmail.com—because let’s be real, we know you’ve got some!

Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

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49: Prophetic Dreams pt.1: Little Red Lie Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

In this chilling episode, Maia Warner and Grant Thomas dig into the twisted tale of Maria Martin—a young woman whose secret romance ended in betrayal, murder, and a shallow grave beneath the floorboards of a crumbling Suffolk barn. Set in 1827 and powered by prophetic dreams, shady love letters, and a suspiciously well-timed disappearance, this true crime saga has it all: scandal, séance vibes, and a stepmother with psychic accuracy. From the trial that captivated England to the grotesque public displays that followed William Corder’s execution, we’re serving up courtroom drama, creepy details, and a haunting reminder that sometimes your gut (or your dreams) knows more than the law. Join us as Maia explains a Little Red Lie and the Red Barn Murder.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:18:58 Little Red Lie

00:25:00 First Secret Romance

00:31:00 Second Chance … Sort Of

00:36:28 Foxy Returns

00:55:30 Dreams & Discovery

01:08:54 London Arrest

01:19:10 Sensational Trial

01:36:28 Public Execution & Dissection

02:10:10 Aftermath & Souvenir Mania

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Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

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48: Out & About pt.3: Listener Episode Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

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 docuseries. Grant returns home for his grandmother’s memorial and ends up in a whirlwind of Midwest surveillance, metal-blasting funeral vans, and paperwork that rewrites family history. Maia battles allergy brain, sticker sabotage, and existential spirals on a neighborhood walk. Listener stories crank up the mayhem with haunted haylofts, rogue sawmills, accidental train naps, and a Czech holiday where kids get dragged off in chains by a devil. Toss in a Bumble date KO’d by a Tom Brady heckle, a Civil War surgeon’s messy divorce, and Jeff Goldblum bar lore, and you’ve got one unhinged, deeply human, laugh-through-the-chaos kind of episode.

00:00:00 Spring‑break catch‑up

00:09:40 Grandma’s legacy

00:25:25 Buzz Cut Bombshell

00:30:11 Family “Curse” of Odd Deaths

00:59:24 Angel, Devil, and Chains

01:16:12 Date Night Knockout

01:28:03 Prophetic Dreams Teaser

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Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

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47: Out & About pt.2: Swann Dive Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

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 America. Take a swan dive in the life of “William Dorsey Swann”!

Meet the queen who started it all—corset, courage, and all. In this episode, Grant and Maia dive into the incredible true story of William Dorsey Swann, a formerly enslaved man who threw fierce drag balls in 1880s Washington, DC—decades before Stonewall and centuries before RuPaul. Swann didn’t just sashay through history; he kicked down doors, defied police raids, and claimed space for Black queer joy at a time when both his race and gender expression were criminalized. From glitter and grit to protest and pride, this episode uncovers how Swann’s radical legacy echoes through today’s culture wars, including a powerful tribute during the George Floyd protests on the very street that now bears his name. If you love history served with sass, struggle, and seriously good storytelling—this one’s for you.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:22:21 Swann Dive

00:39:40 Defining Drag

00:47:20 Forgotten History Uncovered

01:00:00 Queens of Freedom

01:03:30 "Cake Walk"

01:22:36 Activism’s Legal Legacy

01:41:00 Swann Street Redemption

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Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

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Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast

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46: Out & About pt.1: Never Married Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

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 bachelor, and famous for his dinner parties. A queer history, now out!

From weekend bar mishaps to the hidden layers of “coming out,” Grant and Maia take you on a lively ride through queer history’s best-kept secrets. They trade banter on bookstore obsessions, hyperfixation at work, and late-night escapades—then pivot to “never married” monarchs, a bachelor president, and the many ways LGBTQ+ stories slipped into the shadows. Equal parts hilarious and eye-opening, it’s a whirlwind look at how “out and about” has always meant so much more. They dig into the coded language of early gay communities, the unexpected role of spinster neighbors, and reveal how a mid-century “Lavender Scare” still echoes in today’s battles for representation. Expect comedic tangents, historical aha-moments, and fresh insight into why these hidden narratives matter.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:21:38 Out & About

00:34:03 Royals Rumors

00:45:10 The Only Bachelor President

01:00:00 Lavender Scare & Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

01:14:45 A Search for Gay History

01:28:00 Wrapping It Up

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Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

Tiktok: @wellilaughed

Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast

YouTube: Well, I laughed

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45: Excessive Force pt.3: AITA Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

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, and the unpredictable world of state tournaments. What starts as a look ahead to the Colorado State speech and debate showdown quickly unravels into real talk about the pressure students face, the sting of slipping up, and what happens when a forgotten script meets real-world consequences. Along the way, you'll hear snarky side notes about snoring roommates, wedding flower girl drama, and parenting debates that hit a little too close to home. Add in some wild campus pranks, legendary school rivalries, and sharp reflections on teacher accountability and personal growth, and you've got an episode that’s equal parts ridiculous and real. If you’re here for the laughs, the lessons, or just need to feel better about your own messy life, this one’s got it all—colorful commentary included.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:21:25 State of Play

00:29:00 Lesson in Accountability

00:31:00 Campus Mayhem

00:48:12 Final Reflections

Connect with Us

Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

Tiktok: @wellilaughed

Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast

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44: Excessive Force pt.2: March to May Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

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 powerful episode, Grant and Maia explore the brutal labor struggles of late 19th and early 20th-century America, focusing on the Haymarket Riot of 1886 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. Through the stories of activists like Albert and Lucy Parsons, the hosts reveal the extraordinary courage of immigrant workers fighting against exploitative working conditions, systemic oppression, and corporate greed. The episode reaches its emotional peak with a detailed account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which claimed 146 lives and ultimately sparked significant labor reforms in New York State. By connecting historical struggles to contemporary social justice issues, Grant and Maia offer a compelling narrative about the ongoing fight for workers' rights and the importance of understanding systemic inequalities. Tune in for the roots of May Day, nostalgic tangents about foldable furniture and Jon Stewart, plus a clear message that any “normal” built on abuse deserves rethinking.

Connect with Us

Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

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Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast

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00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:29:47 March to May

00:46:10 Albert and Lucy Parsons’ legacy

00:54:20 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire

01:18:00 Systemic greed & déjà‑vu

01:33:30 Modern echoes

01:52:07 Lessons in Historical Empathy

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43: Excessive Force pt.1: Blast Off Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

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 on?

How do a high school debate tournament, a sketchy Quality Inn, and one very loud snorer turn into a full-blown history lesson with explosions and academic beef? In this delightfully unhinged episode, Grant and Maia kick things off with tales of chaperoning chaos, room-sharing drama, and road trip rituals—before swerving straight into the wild world of Colorado campus lore. From the tangled legacy of John Evans to dorm room antics that might technically count as terrorism (oops), they blend laugh-out-loud stories with sharp historical insight and just the right amount of heartfelt reflection. Vocabulary lessons, personal confessions, and absurd adventures collide in this episode about how the past keeps showing up—in classrooms, in college rivalries, and in the backseat of a debate van. Press play and prepare to be both entertained and strangely educated.

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:20:54 Blast Off

00:27:17 John Evans’ Legacy

00:41:05 Campus Rivalries

01:48:00 The Big Wrap-Up

Connect with Us

Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

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42: Plenty of Fish pt.3: AITA Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

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 offer. Broadcasting from a friend’s couch (wine in hand), they swap Valentine’s wisdom, sign a dubious half‑marathon pact, and update us on Grant’s ongoing “candy‑thief” whodunit. Then it’s straight into four AITA bombshells: a friend who weaponizes dating statistics, a boyfriend who melts down over birth‑control, a first‑date tantrum about condoms, and a “poly” guy who forgets to mention he’s, well, poly until the STDs show up. Along the way you’ll hear cookie‑price economics, bro‑code takedowns, and a tease of Maia’s next theme (will it be Explosive Competition, Epic Rivalries, or Way Over the Top?). It’s equal parts comedy, cringe, and hard‑won advice, perfect for anyone navigating modern love with a side of chaos.

Connect with Us

Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

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Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast

YouTube: Well, I laughed

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:17:42 Candy‑Letter Caper Update

00:24:39 Red‑Flag Wishlist

00:40:04 Birth‑control blow‑up

01:01:00 Walk‑Out Wonder

01:15:53 Poly Pitfalls & STIs

01:28:30 Wrap‑up & future themes tease

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41: Plenty of Fish pt.2: Alone in a Crowded Room Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

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 together a tapestry of the strange, the silly, and the surprisingly insightful. From quirky campus laws and bizarre dorm-life rules to accidental movie marathons and the curious case of not one, but two flat tires, they explore the odd corners of everyday life that most of us overlook. With their signature blend of humor and curiosity, they uncover the hidden magic in mundane moments—proving that even the weirdest days are packed with unexpected lessons, historical rabbit holes, and plenty of reasons to laugh along the way.

Connect with Us

Listener stories, topic ideas, or anything else you think belongs on the show—drop it all at wellilaughed.com/contact. We’re all ears—and laughs!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

Tiktok: @wellilaughed

Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast

YouTube: Well, I laughed

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:43:27 Alone in a Crowded Room

01:02:05 Alien Theories

01:10:00 Spark Plug Saga

01:17:30 Technological Conundrums

01:23:45 Cosmic Queries