You're Wrong About

CSI: Junk Science with Josie Duffy Rice

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Josie Duffy Rice and Sarah discuss the role of junk science in the criminal justice system. It is a big turkey to carve up and Josie serves Sarah a bl...

Winter Book Club: The Amityville Horror Part 3 with Jamie Loftus

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this final installment of the Amityville Horror Winter Book Club, Sarah tells guest host Jamie Loftus about Jodie the Demon Pig's scary hooves...

Tom Cruise on Oprah’s couch with Willa Paskin

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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

Talking Tammy Faye Bakker with Jessica Chastain

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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

Winter Book Club: The Amityville Horror Part 2 with Jamie Loftus

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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

Winter Book Club: The Amityville Horror Part 1 with Jamie Loftus

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah tells guest host Jamie Loftus about the Amityville Horror, how it’s a Christmas story, and why buying murder furniture might not be such a gre...

Reconstruction with Jamelle Bouie

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jamelle Bouie explains to Sarah what the Reconstruction era was, why it remains relevant today, and how this history lesson is one that could get some...

True Crime with Emma Berquist

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emma Berquist stops by to tell us about how true crime doesn't have to make us better people, and in fact may be more harmful to us than we reali...

Ed and Lorraine Warren with Jamie Loftus

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Catherine the Great with Dana Schwartz

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Sarah about Catherine the Great. Topics of interest include the very not great life of serfs, the accidental flatten...

Mike Lives in a Downtown Hotel

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Bonus: The Great Protein Fiasco

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

The McDonald's Hot Coffee Case

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Re-Release: Dan Quayle vs. Murphy Brown

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Runaway Grand Jury

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (The Debunking!)

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (Part 3)

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (Part 2)

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our journey through Mike Warnke's 1972 "memoir" about his rise through the ranks of Satan Inc.  This week, Mike gets a pro...

Summer Book Club: "The Satan Seller" (Part 1)

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and Mike return to Camp You're Wrong About for another Satanic Panic story hour. This time we're talking about Mike Warnke's 1972...

Cancel Culture

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Chicks vs. The Iraq War

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

"Political Correctness"

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

The O.J. Simpson Trial: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mr. F. Lee Bailey

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Shapiro is on a mission from God, F. Lee Bailey joins the Dream Team, and we get in our DeLorean to meet two of the most notorious Florida Men of ...

Vanessa Williams Part 2: Saving The Best For Last

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Cassie da Costa tells Mike and Sarah how Vanessa fell from grace and picked herself back up. Digressions include Stephen Sondheim, Rush ...

Bonus: Dr. Oz

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike reached new levels of rantiness on his other show and we wanted to make sure all our beloved debunkmates knew. PLUS: A special announcement! Subs...

Vanessa Williams Part 1: Becoming Miss America

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Bonus: "The Dark Knight"

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

The O.J. Simpson Trial: The DeLorean Detour

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To tell the story of the "dream team" we must begin by going back to the future. This week we learn why O.J. Simpson fired the man who defen...

Tipper Gore vs. Heavy Metal: The Hearing

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

Tipper Gore vs. Heavy Metal: The Case Against "Porn Rock"

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Anti-Vaccine Movement

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Eric Michael Garcia tells Mike and Sarah about the deep roots of a pernicious modern myth. Digressions include Mary Tyler Moore, British...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: The Arraignmaker

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we put on our suits and head back to the courtroom. O.J. Simpson pleads not guilty, Marcia Clark finishes questioning Kato Kaelin and Bob S...

Shannon Faulkner & Sex Discrimination at The Citadel

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike tells Sarah how a troll-ish experiment turned a South Carolina teenager into one of the most maligned women of the 1990s. Digressions include Sal...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: My Fair Paula

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk about the early days of Paula and O.J.’s relationship and the celebrity cameos reach either a high or a low point. Digressions inc...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Paula Escapes From L.A.

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we return to the  O.J. Simpson trial and learn what Paula Barbieri did after the Bronco chase. Digressions include fish, beef and grocery s...

The Stanford Prison Experiment

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Losing Relatives to Fox News

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Newsboys' Strike of 1899 (Part 2)

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Newsboys' Strike of 1899 (Part 1)

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Bonus: The "Twinkie Defense"

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Electoral College

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Princess Diana Part 5: The Crash

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“You can be a hot mess express and still leave the world better than you found it.” In the final episode of our series, we talk about Diana’s un...

Princess Diana Part 4: The Divorce

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Halloween Re-Release: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What if the scariest thing in America is unfettered capitalism and unaccountable corporations? Sources: https://rottenindenmark.org/2018/06/30/the-exx...

Bonus: Why Are Dads on "Terminator 2"

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Mike comes on Sarah’s new show to talk about robots, dads, the little metal hands guys and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." An Oops! All Po...

Bonus: The President's Physical Fitness Test

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike has a new podcast! Here's the first episode, in which he debunks the absurd Cold War trauma factory that was once administered to 75% of Ame...

Halloween Special: Creepy Encounters

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Princess Diana Part 3: The Affairs

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Princess Diana Part 2: The Wedding

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Princess Diana Part 1: The Courtship

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We start our new series with the story of a girl, a prince and the society that convinced them they liked each other. Digressions include camels, Beyo...

Killer Clowns

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Tuskegee Syphilis Study Part 2: The Truth

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Tuskegee Syphilis Study Part 1: The Lie

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Deep Dive Week 4: Nancy Grace v. The Constitution

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Bonus Episode! Sarah’s New Podcast “Why Are Dads”

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah tells Mike about her new foray into Dad Studies and, for the second time this week, discusses a horror movie about families from 1975 and sings ...

The Stepford Wives

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Wayfair and Human Trafficking Statistics

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Disco Demolition Night

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Murder

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike tells Sarah about the most common forms of violence in America and how they differ (twist!) from what gets shown on TV. Digressions include Perry...

Deep Dive Week 3: Nancy Grace v. The Jury

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Bonus Episode! Sarah and Mike on "The Feminist Present" Podcast

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and Mike tell Laura and Adrian about how we met, how we research and what we would say to Jessica Simpson if we ever met her.Follow the The Femi...

Deep Dive Week 2: Nancy Grace v. The Defense

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Koko The Gorilla

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Courtney Love

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

"The Prom Mom"

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Deep Dive: Nancy Grace's "Objection!" (Week 1)

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah tells Mike how a superhero’s genesis was a supervillain’s origin story all along. In our new deep dive, we tackle Nancy Grace’s “Objecti...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: The Bronco Chase

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On June 17, 1994, the world screeched to a halt so 95 million Americans could watch a white SUV crawl through L.A. Today, we finally talk about the in...

Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (The Conclusion!)

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Re-Release: The Stonewall Uprising

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Anastasia

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“I’m being pulled into planet myth … and I like it here.” Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Mike and Sarah how a short, brutal story became an...

Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (Week 3)

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Jessica's reality-show marriage and its painfully ordinary end. Digressions include "Showgirls," "The Notebook" an...

The Disappearance of Chandra Levy

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“It’s a mess and a nightmare and maybe it’s disingenuous to think you can turn the story of someone being murdered into anything else.” Mike t...

Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (Week 2)

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Quarantine Deep Dive: Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book” (Week 1)

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Y2K Bug

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 5)

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The O.J. Simpson Trial: When Kato Met Marcia

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah tells Mike about the clash of the titans, the fury at the grand jury. We follow Kato, the wise fool of the kingdom, for the week between the mur...

Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 4)

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 3)

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Marie Antoinette

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“What’s sad about her has nothing to do with the content of her character.” Special guest Dana Schwartz tells Mike and Sarah how an Austrian pri...

Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 2)

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Exploding Ford Pinto

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Quarantine Book Club: “Michelle Remembers” (Week 1)

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

D.C. Snipers Part 4

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the final chapter of our series on the D.C. sniper attacks, Mike finally tells Sarah about the D.C. sniper attacks. Digressions include “The Abys...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Marcia Clark Part 2

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah tells Mike about a week in the life of Marcia Clark, who became America’s most famous prosecutor on June 13, 1994. Digressions include car pho...

D.C. Snipers Part 3

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Valentine’s Day Re-Release: Anna Nicole Smith

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

Why Didn’t Anyone Go to Prison for the Financial Crisis?

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“Every big fish you catch, you end up with a hole in the net.” Mike tells Sarah how America’s white-collar crime spree got so bad. Digressions i...

D.C. Snipers Part 2

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike tells Sarah how a nice Jamaican kid became the disciple of a mean American adult. Digressions include Tonya Harding (of course), “Sliding Doors...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Kato Kaelin Part 2

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

D.C. Snipers Part 1

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Kato Kaelin Part 1

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Paula Barbieri Part 2

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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

Human Trafficking

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Marcia Clark Part 1

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah tells Mike how Marcia Clark got the slam-dunk case that ended her career as a trial lawyer. Digressions include string cheese, "Inception&q...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Paula Barbieri Part 1

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

"Centering conversations around blame is not the most useful thing for us to be doing." Sarah tells Mike about the woman who broke up with O...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Nicole Brown Simpson Part 2

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“You can’t expect people to know the exact kind of help they need.” We continue our deep dive into the O.J. Simpson case with the history of Ni...

The O.J. Simpson Trial: Nicole Brown Simpson Part 1

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and Sarah begin their epic journey into O.J. Simpson's trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, beginning with the sto...

The Wardrobe Malfunction

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our first live show! Mike tells Sarah about Janet Jackson, the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime show and the 9/16ths of a second that destroyed her career. Di...

‘Yoko Ono Broke Up The Beatles’

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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