

Something Was Wrong
Broken Cycle Media
Something Was Wrong is an award-winning docuseries about survivors' discovery, trauma, and recovery from crime and abuse.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 34min
S24 Ep9: Adolescent Mental Health with Dr. Stephanie Hartselle, MD
*Content Warning: Institutional child abuse ‘troubled teen industry’ (TTI), childhood abuse, upsetting topics, suicidal ideation, crime.
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Hartselle, MD:
Website - hartselleandassociates.com/
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/stephanie-hartselle-md-79215419/
Instagram - instagram.com/stephaniehartsellemd/
Facebook - facebook.com/stephaniehartsellemd/
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
*Sources:
Aacap. Facts for Families. www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families
Accessing Essentials. www.cerealfordinner.org/access/mental-health-care.
Hartselle, M.D., Stephanie, et al. “Media Representation of Boys.” Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, July 2025, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1056499325000525.
“NATSAP Outcomes &Amp; Evaluation Report - National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.” National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 13 Mar. 2025, natsap.org/natsap-outcomes-evaluation-report.
Stop Abuse in Residential Treatment for Troubled Teens | ASTART for Teens. astartforteens.org/home.
Robert Friedman, Ph.D. “A START: Warnings for Parents Considering a Residential Placement for Their Child or Adolescent.” A START, 2005, astartforteens.org/assets/files/ASTART-Facts-and-Warning-Signs.pdf.
The Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate use of Residential Treatment (ASTART) “Stop Abuse in Residential Treatment for Troubled Teens” | ASTART for Teens, astartforteens.org/

Aug 14, 2025 • 46min
S24 Ep8: You Are Not Alone
*Content warning: distressing topics, suicidal ideation, disability abuse, religious and cultic abuse, sexual abuse and rape of a child, physical violence of children, institutional child abuse, childhood trauma, attack therapy, therapeutic abuse, grooming.
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
*Sources
Armentak, Maria, "Acadia Healthcare to Buy CRC Health Group in $1.18B Deal." The Wall Street Journal, October 29, 2014 https://tinyurl.com/4za5wve3
Announcing Sedona Sky Academy, "Announcing Sedona Sky Academy." Strugglingteens.com, April 16, 2014
https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/printer_SedonaSkyAcademyBN
Arizona Corporation Commission https://www.azcc.gov/
“Ashley’s Copper Canyon Academy Testimony”, Unsilenced, 2010-2011 https://www.unsilenced.org/ashleys-testimony-copper-canyon-academy-2010-2011/
Hobbins, Mark, "Aspen Education Group Announces Acquisition of
Copper Canyon Academy in Arizona." Strugglingteens.com, November 6, 2002
https://strugglingteens.com/news/aspenacquirescoppercanyon
"Aspen Sold to CRC." Los Angeles Business Journal, September 28, 2006
https://labusinessjournal.com/news/aspen-sold-to-crc/
“Auldern Academy.” Strugglingteens.com, March 29, 2010
https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/AuldernAcademy
“Bates v. Sequel Youth and Family Services LLC et al, No. 2:2023cv01063 - Document 25 (N.D. Ala. 2024).” Justia U.S. Law, July 5, 2024
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts
“COPPER CANYON ACADEMY.” NPI https://tinyurl.com/nhfzc9sn
“Copper Canyon Academy – Sedona Sky Academy.” Unsilenced
https://www.unsilenced.org/program-archive/us-programs/arizona/copper-canyon-academy-sedona-sky-academy/
“Cottonwood Man Found Guilty by Jury of Multiple Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor” https://tinyurl.com/yc2zw2ha
CRC Health Group, "CRC Health Group to be Acquired by Acadia Healthcare." PR Newswire, October 29, 2014 https://tinyurl.com/z6htn57d
Craft, Will, "Embattled Sequel closes three more facilities." APM Reports, February 10, 2021 https://www.apmreports.org/story/2021/02/10/embattled-sequel-closes-three-more-facilities
EmotiCare
https://www.emoticare.com/about
Fox Graham, Christopher, “Ex-teacher sentenced to 50 years for sex crimes, embezzlement and fleeing before trial.” Journal AZ, September 12, 2023
https://journalaz.com/2023/09/12/ex-teacher-sentenced-to-50-years-for-sex-crimes-embezzlement-and-fleeing-before-trial/
“Former Arizona teacher sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.” KTAR News, September 7, 2023
https://tinyurl.com/5n7a69yv
Reagan, Kevin, “Former Arizona teacher who fled to Ireland sentenced to prison for exploiting minor.” ABC12 News, September 6, 2023 https://tinyurl.com/yc6h4ttc
Pitcher, Autumn, “Former Lakeside Academy workers sentenced to probation for teen's restraint death.” News Channel 3, December 19, 2023
https://wwmt.com/news/local/lakeside-academy
LAKE MONTEZUMA RTC, LLC, NPI https://tinyurl.com/4nkr9kut
O'Grady, Eileen, "The Kids Are Not Alright: How Private Equity Profits Off of Behavioral Health Services for Vulnerable and At-Risk Youth", Private Equity Stakeholder Project, February, 2022
https://pestakeholder.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/
Julie Sheppard & Leadership Team, "Sedona Sky Academy Exciting Leadership Announcement." Mental Health Awareness.com https://tinyurl.com/nda6j688
SEDONA SKY OPCO LLC, NPI https://tinyurl.com/mrfha8j2
Gilbert, Curtis, “Sequel confronts more abuse allegations amid concerns about its finances.” APM Reports, May 21, 2021 https://tinyurl.com/42bx6p2a
Three Springs Acquired By Sequel Youth And Family Services, "Three Springs Acquired By Sequel Youth And Family Services." Strugglingteens.com, January 2, 2010
https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/printer_SequelYouthFamilyBN_010210.shtml
"Staff list for the Three Springs "Family" of Programs/Services." Heal-Online.org
https://www.heal-online.org/threestaff.html
Gilbert, Curtis, "Under scrutiny, company that claimed to help troubled youth closes many operations and sells others." APM Reports, April 26, 2022 https://tinyurl.com/rnehtr5u

Aug 14, 2025 • 57min
S24 Ep7: For-Profit Money-Grabbing Bullshit Places
*Content warning: distressing topics, suicidal ideation, disability abuse, religious and cultic abuse, sexual abuse and rape of a child, physical violence of children, institutional child abuse, childhood trauma, attack therapy, therapeutic abuse, grooming.
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
*Sources
Armentak, Maria, "Acadia Healthcare to Buy CRC Health Group in $1.18B Deal." The Wall Street Journal, October 29, 2014 https://tinyurl.com/4za5wve3
Announcing Sedona Sky Academy, "Announcing Sedona Sky Academy." Strugglingteens.com, April 16, 2014
https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/printer_SedonaSkyAcademyBN
Arizona Corporation Commission https://www.azcc.gov/
“Ashley’s Copper Canyon Academy Testimony”, Unsilenced, 2010-2011 https://www.unsilenced.org/ashleys-testimony-copper-canyon-academy-2010-2011/
Hobbins, Mark, "Aspen Education Group Announces Acquisition of
Copper Canyon Academy in Arizona." Strugglingteens.com, November 6, 2002
https://strugglingteens.com/news/aspenacquirescoppercanyon
"Aspen Sold to CRC." Los Angeles Business Journal, September 28, 2006
https://labusinessjournal.com/news/aspen-sold-to-crc/
“Auldern Academy.” Strugglingteens.com, March 29, 2010
https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/AuldernAcademy
“Bates v. Sequel Youth and Family Services LLC et al, No. 2:2023cv01063 - Document 25 (N.D. Ala. 2024).” Justia U.S. Law, July 5, 2024
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts
“COPPER CANYON ACADEMY.” NPI https://tinyurl.com/nhfzc9sn
“Copper Canyon Academy – Sedona Sky Academy.” Unsilenced
https://www.unsilenced.org/program-archive/us-programs/arizona/copper-canyon-academy-sedona-sky-academy/
“Cottonwood Man Found Guilty by Jury of Multiple Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor” https://tinyurl.com/yc2zw2ha
CRC Health Group, "CRC Health Group to be Acquired by Acadia Healthcare." PR Newswire, October 29, 2014 https://tinyurl.com/z6htn57d
Craft, Will, "Embattled Sequel closes three more facilities." APM Reports, February 10, 2021 https://www.apmreports.org/story/2021/02/10/embattled-sequel-closes-three-more-facilities
EmotiCare
https://www.emoticare.com/about
Fox Graham, Christopher, “Ex-teacher sentenced to 50 years for sex crimes, embezzlement and fleeing before trial.” Journal AZ, September 12, 2023
https://journalaz.com/2023/09/12/ex-teacher-sentenced-to-50-years-for-sex-crimes-embezzlement-and-fleeing-before-trial/
“Former Arizona teacher sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.” KTAR News, September 7, 2023
https://tinyurl.com/5n7a69yv
Reagan, Kevin, “Former Arizona teacher who fled to Ireland sentenced to prison for exploiting minor.” ABC12 News, September 6, 2023 https://tinyurl.com/yc6h4ttc
Pitcher, Autumn, “Former Lakeside Academy workers sentenced to probation for teen's restraint death.” News Channel 3, December 19, 2023
https://wwmt.com/news/local/lakeside-academy
LAKE MONTEZUMA RTC, LLC, NPI https://tinyurl.com/4nkr9kut
O'Grady, Eileen, "The Kids Are Not Alright: How Private Equity Profits Off of Behavioral Health Services for Vulnerable and At-Risk Youth", Private Equity Stakeholder Project, February, 2022
https://pestakeholder.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/
Julie Sheppard & Leadership Team, "Sedona Sky Academy Exciting Leadership Announcement." Mental Health Awareness.com https://tinyurl.com/nda6j688
SEDONA SKY OPCO LLC, NPI https://tinyurl.com/mrfha8j2
Gilbert, Curtis, “Sequel confronts more abuse allegations amid concerns about its finances.” APM Reports, May 21, 2021 https://tinyurl.com/42bx6p2a
Three Springs Acquired By Sequel Youth And Family Services, "Three Springs Acquired By Sequel Youth And Family Services." Strugglingteens.com, January 2, 2010
https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/printer_SequelYouthFamilyBN_010210.shtml
"Staff list for the Three Springs "Family" of Programs/Services." Heal-Online.org
https://www.heal-online.org/threestaff.html
Gilbert, Curtis, "Under scrutiny, company that claimed to help troubled youth closes many operations and sells others." APM Reports, April 26, 2022 https://tinyurl.com/rnehtr5u

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 4min
S24 Ep6: An Accountability Letter
*Content warning: distressing topics, bullying, addiction, Institutional child abuse, ‘troubled teen industry’ (TTI), disability abuse, body image abuse, sexual trauma, medical neglect, therapeutic trauma.
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
*Sources
Adirondack Leadership Expeditions, Troubled Teens Directory
https://www.troubledteenprograms.org/listing/adirondack-leadership-expeditions
Adirondack Leadership Expeditions, Unsilenced
https://www.unsilenced.org/program-archive/us-programs/new-york/adirondack-leadership-expeditions/
Bain Capital Private Equity Acquires CRC Health, Merger
https://mergr.com/transaction/bain-capital-private-equity-acquires-crc-health
Mitt Romney and Bain Capital:Greed, Debt and Hypocrisy, UE Union
https://www.ueunion.org/political-action/2012/mitt-romney-and-bain-capital-greed-debt-and-hypocrisy-
Outdoor program for troubled teens closing, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2013/07/outdoor-program-for-troubled-teens-closing
The Real Scandal of Romney and Bain, The New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-real-scandal-of-romney-and-bain

Aug 5, 2025 • 35min
S24 Ep5: Cognitive Development in Adolescence with Expert Dr. Daniel K. Keating
*Content warning: distressing topics, childhood abuse, substance use disorder, cultic abuse, Institutional child abuse, ‘troubled teen industry’ (TTI), suicidal ideation, medical neglect, disability abuse, PTSD.
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
*Sources
Dr. Daniel Keating’s Website
https://pngprogram.isr.umich.edu/about-us/daniel-keating/
Born Anxious: The Lifelong Impact of Early Life Adversity - And How to Break the Cycle:
https://src.isr.umich.edu/new-book-born-anxious-by-dan-keating/
Michigan Survey Research Center
https://src.isr.umich.edu/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
https://www.samhsa.gov/

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 26min
S24 Ep4: This Could've Been You
*Content warning: distressing topics, childhood abuse, death, psychological, sexual and physical violence of children, self-harm, murder, psychological and physical violence of children, substance use disorder, cultic abuse, Institutional child abuse, ‘troubled teen industry’ (TTI), suicidal ideation, medical neglect, disability abuse, PTSD.
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
*Sources
Aspen Education Group, Lathrop Lybrook
https://lathroplybrook.com/aspen-education-group/
Dark Forest: A Look Inside Controversial Wilderness Therapy Camps, Sierra Nevada Ally sierranevadaally.org/2023/08/02/dark-forest-a-look-inside-controversial-wilderness-therapy-camps/
Death of a 12-year-old boy at Trails Carolina ruled a homicide
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2024/06/24/trails-carolina-death-homicide
Embark Behavioral Health
https://www.embarkbh.com/
Former attendees describe ‘nightmare’ at therapy camp in NC mountains. DHHS suspended admissions after 12-year-old died, Carolina Public Press
https://carolinapublicpress.org/63565/camp-nc-mountains-dhhs-scrutiny-camper-death-sexual-assault-transylvania/
Hawai’i Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance Cites Pacific Quest Corp. for Illegally Operating Unlicensed Special Treatment Facilities or Therapeutic Living Programs
https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/hawaii-department-of-healths-office-of-health-care-assurance-cites-pacific-quest-corp-for-illegally-operating-unlicensed-special-treatment-facilities-or-therapeutic-living-programs/
Health Department cites 2 teen treatment facilities on Big Island, Star Advertiser
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/01/13/hawaii-news/health-department-cites-two-teen-treatment-facilities-in-keaau/
Lawsuit claims Trails Carolina misled parents, charged huge fees and created abusive environment, Spectrum News 1
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2025/04/30/trails-carolina-facing-new-class-action-lawsuit
NC therapy camp Trails Carolina where 2 have died faces lawsuit over child sexual assault, FOX 8
https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/nc-therapy-camp-trails-carolina-where-2-have-died-faces-lawsuit-over-child-sexual-assault/
New Leaf Academy
https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/5109613
New Leaf Academy, ‘Programs for Troubled Teens’
https://programsfortroubledteens.com/directory/new-leaf-academy/
No charges filed in death of child at Trails Carolina, WSPA
https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/no-charges-filed-in-death-of-child-at-trails-carolina/
Owner-Operators Help Provide Quality Care, Family Help & Wellness
https://famhelp.com/owners/
Pacific Quest
https://pacificquest.org/
Pacific Quest FAQ
https://pacificquest.org/faq/
Pacific Quest Bridges the Gap Between Outdoor Wilderness Therapy and Residential Treatment Programs, Outdoor Sportswire
https://www.outdoorsportswire.com/pacific-quest-bridges-the-gap-between-outdoor-wilderness-therapy-and-residential-treatment-programs/
Parents take ‘troubled teen’ industry to court in lawsuit against owners of shuttered western NC wilderness therapy program
https://www.wral.com/story/parents-take-troubled-teen-industry-to-court-in-lawsuit-against-owners-of-shuttered-western-nc-wilderness-therapy-program/21671633/
Samantha’s New Leaf Academy (now Embark Behavioral Health) Testimony, Unsilenced
https://www.unsilenced.org/samanthas-testimony-new-leaf-academy-now-embark-behavioral-health-2007-2009/
Trails Carolina, Unsilenced
https://www.unsilenced.org/program-archive/us-programs/north-carolina/trails-carolina/
'Where the hell am I?': Former campers describe harsh introduction to Trails Carolina, NBC News
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trails-carolina-wilderness-camp-death-rcna139942
Where does Trails Carolina stand 1 year since the death of 12-year-old boy at North Carolina troubled teen camp?
https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/where-does-trails-carolina-stand-1-year-since-the-death-of-12-year-old-boy-at-north-carolina-troubled-teen-camp/

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 24min
S24 Ep3: A Carcass
*Content warning: self-harm, childhood abuse, institutional child abuse, suicidal ideation, suicide, psychological, physical and sexual violence involving children, disability abuse, abduction, kidnapping, stressful themes, substance use disorder, medical abuse and neglect, gang rape, imprisonment,
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
Glad Rags: https://www.gladragsmusic.com/
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo
*Sources
Aspen Achievement Academy, Breaking Code Silence
https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/aspen-achievement-academy
Evoke Entrada, Breaking Code Silence
https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/evoke-entrada/
Evoke Therapy Programs, All Kinds of Therapy
https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/programs/program/evoke-therapy-programs-at-entrada
Evoke Therapy Programs, 1000 places You don't want to be as a teenager
https://1000placesudontwanttobe.wordpress.com/2024/08/25/997-evoke-therapy-programs
Finding You Therapy Programs, Finding You Programs
https://www.findingyouprograms.com/intensives
Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=NblUKrLuYF&rank=1
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Alexander Solzhenitsyn
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58699229-one-day-in-the-life-of-ivan-denisovich
Second Nature Entrada, Breaking Code Silence
https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/second-nature-entrada
Second Nature Uintas, Breaking Code Silence
https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/second-nature-uintas

Jul 18, 2025 • 52min
S24 Ep2: Unsilenced
*Content warning: institutional child abuse, childhood abuse, death of a child, suicide, psychological, physical and sexual violence, abduction, kidnapping, disordered eating, stressful themes, disability abuse, ableism, PTSD, medical abuse and neglect.
*Meg Appelgate’s Work:
Meg Appelgate’s website here: https://megappelgate.com/my-story/
Meg Appelgate’s nonprofit, Unsilenced here: https://www.unsilenced.org/
Meg Appelgate’s memoir, Becoming UNSILENCED: Surviving and Fighting the Troubled Teen Industry: https://megappelgate.com/book/
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
Please note: Kenny Pannell and Mary Alexine have never publicly responded to allegations against them. They appear to be no longer involved with Chrysalis in Eureka, Montana since its sale to Embark Behavioral Health. Chrysalis opened in 1998; however, the exact year when Kenny and Mary left is not readily available information.
*Correction: In a previous draft of this episode, we incorrectly reported that, "Intermountain Hospital in Boise, Idaho, which is still in operation and under the ownership of Intermountain Health." which is incorrect. Intermountain Health has no affiliation with Intermountain Hospital. We apologize for the error and appreciate it being brought to our attention. Thank you!
*Sources
Adverse events in children: predictors of adult physical and mental conditions, Pub Med
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25225793/
Breaking Code Silence
https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/
Chrysalis, InnerChange
https://innerchange.com/programs/chrysalis/
Chrysalis School, Unsilenced
https://archive.unsilenced.org/program-archive/us-programs/montana/chrysalis-school/
Consonance Capital Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Youth-Focused Embark Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Business
https://bhbusiness.com/2023/02/09/consonance-capital-partners-acquires
Highland Park teen's death leads parents to call for change in troubled teen industry, NBC 5 Chicago
https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/highland-park-teen
The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health and Development in Young Children.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8882933
Intermountain Hospital, Unsilenced
https://archive.unsilenced.org/program-archive/us-programs/idaho/intermountain-hospital/
Meg’s Testimony – Chrysalis School and Intermountain Hospital, Unsilenced
https://archive.unsilenced.org/megs-story/
Parents say Discovery Ranch Academy’s negligence led to their son’s death in new lawsuit, The Salt Lake Tribune
https://www.sltrib.com/news/health/2025/05/17/parents-sue-utahs-discovery-ranch/
Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, Pub Med
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9635069/
Residential Consonance Capital Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Youth-Focused Embark Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Business
https://bhbusiness.com/2023/02/09/consonance-capital-partners-acquires
Taylor Goodridge TikTok, Meg Appelgate
https://www.tiktok.com/@megappelgate/video/
A therapeutic boarding school for adolescent and teen girls in Montana, Embark Behavioral Health
https://www.embarkbh.com/locations/montana/chrysalis-residential-treatment-center/
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
Glad Rags: https://www.gladragsmusic.com/
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
Follow Something Was Wrong:
Website: somethingwaswrong.com
IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast
Follow Tiffany Reese:
Website: tiffanyreese.me
IG: instagram.com/lookieboo

Jul 10, 2025 • 60min
S24 Ep1: Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
*Content warning: distressing topics, death, child abuse, child sex abuse, psychological and physical violence, cultic abuse, torture, addiction, humiliation, systemic abuse, religious abuse.
Maia Szalavitz’s website: maiasz.com/
Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids here: maiasz.com/books/help-at-any-cost/
*Sources:
Asheville Academy faces $45,000 in fines after state investigation into child safety violations, Spectrum Local News spectrumlocalnews.com/charlotte/supreme-court/news/2025/06/18/asheville-academy-violations
Asheville Academy Gives Up Its License Following Two Suicides in May, Asheville News asheville.com/news/2025/06/asheville-academy-gives-up-its-license-following-two-suicides-in-may/
Asheville Academy violated NC law, will face fines after child suicides report says, Yahoo News .yahoo.com/news/asheville-academy-violated-nc-law-184725552.html
BHAD BHABIE - Breaking Code Silence - Turn About Ranch abuse Dr. Phil | Danielle Bregoli youtube.com/watch?v=GteqbsYGv1I
Bhad Bhabie Says She Was Abused at Troubled-Teen Camp She Was Sent to by Dr. Phil: 'No Sympathy', People people.com/music/bhad-bhabie-says-she-was-abused-camp-she-was-sent-to-dr-phil
Breaking Code Silence Takes On the Troubled Teen Industry, Treatment Magazine treatmentmagazine.com/breaking-code-silence-takes-on-the-troubled-teen-industry/
A Death in the Desert, Los Angeles Times latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-15-tm-20285-story.html
Dr. Phil Has Responded To Bhad Bhabie's Allegations Of Abuse And Then She Replied With Another Video, BuzzFeed buzzfeed.com/ryanschocket2/dr-phil-responds-to-bhad-bhabie-allegations
Dr. Phil responds to 'Bhad Bhabie' claims of abuse at troubled teen camp, News Nation facebook.com/watch/?v=2501186526842381
Cults and the Law, ICSA articles3.icsahome.com/articles/cults-and-the-law
The Cult that Spawned the Tough-Love Teen Industry, Mother Jones motherjones.com/politics/2007/08/cult-spawned-tough-love-teen-industry/
Ex-Counselor Convicted of Neglect, Desert News deseret.com/1996/11/7/19275546/ex-counselor-convicted-of-neglect/
Father Sues Challenger Over Daughter's Death, Desert News deseret.com/1991/7/24/18932325/father-sues-challenger-over-daughter-s-death/
Five Facts About the Troubled Teen Industry, American Bar Association americanbar.org/groups/litigation/resources/newsletters/childrens-rights/five-facts-about-troubled-teen-industry/
Former North Star Counselor Sentences to a Year in Jail, Desert News deseret.com/1996/12/21/19284306/former-north-star-counselor-sentenced-to-a-year-in-jail/
Here’s what Paris Hilton says about Utah in her new memoir, ‘Paris’, The Salt Lake Tribune sltrib.com/news/2023/03/14/heres-what-paris-hilton-says-about/
House passes bill backed by Paris Hilton to reform youth treatment facilities, AP News
apnews.com/article/paris-hilton-child-abuse-youth-facilities-congress-8729a53bbf17b25ae2726040ce3cc203
Jury Acquits Cartisano of All Charges, Desert News deseret.com/1992/5/28/18986401/jury-acquits-cartisano-of-all-charges-br/
Keeping 'Cult' Out of the Case, Cult Education Institute culteducation.com/group/1274-straight-inc/19713-keeping-cult-out-of-the-case.html
KIDS Centers of America, Breaking Code Silence breakingcodesilence.org/kids-centers-of-america/
Lawsuit claims staff at former St. George youth center abused, impregnated teenage girls, KUTV kutv.com/news/local/lawsuit-claims-staff-at-former-st-george-youth-center-abused-impregnated-teenage-girls
Nine charged after teen's camp death, Tampa Bay Times tampabay.com/archive/1994/10/20/nine-charged-after-teen-s-camp-death/
One school with an alarming death rate has its alumni fighting for answers, The Independent the-independent.com/news/long_reads/new-york-hancock-school-overdose-death-suicide-education-america-a8531006.html
Paris Hilton’s Powerful Speech in DC: Ending Abuse in the Troubled Teen Industry, Paris Hilton youtube.com/watch?v=HcHXWc7N2xc
Paris Hilton testifying today in Sacramento for bill aimed at ‘troubled teen industry’, Los Angeles Times latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-04/paris-hilton-sacramento-california-bill-troubled-teen-industry-residential-treatment
The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping https://www.netflix.com/title/81579761
Rebecca Ehrlich vs. Kids of North Jersey, Inc., et al law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-published/2001/a4975-99-opn.html
Residential treatment school closes in NC after deaths of 2 girls, AP News
apnews.com/article/therapy-school-closes-north-carolina-asheville-academy-9854c3ca7cda11cc06f05d9fccef4112
Romney Cans Golden Goose Over Abuse, Radar Online radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/10/mitt-romney-robert-lichfield-php
Romney, Torture, and Teens, Reason Foundation reason.com/2007/06/27/romney-torture-and-teens
Senate report says US taxpayers help fund residential treatment facilities that put vulnerable kids at risk, OPB opb.org/article/2024/06/12/senate-report-us-taxpayers-fund-residential-treatment-facilities-that-put-vulnerable-kids-at-risk/
State investigation finds licensing violations at Asheville Academy amid student suicides, ABC 13 News wlos.com/news/local/asheville-academy-state-licensing-violations-student-suicides-north-carolina-department-health-human-services-mental-health-certification-section-report-letter-buncombe-county-weaverville
Survival program charged in death of Fla. teen-ager, Tampa Bay Times tampabay.com/archive/1990/08/15/survival-program-charged-in-death-of-fla-teen-ager
The Synanon Case, IRS.gov https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopicb90.pdf
Teen Torture Inc. Is the Latest Documentary to Explore Abuses at Youth Treatment Centers, Time time.com/6997172/teen-torture-max-abuse-documentary
This 1970s Cult Inspired Abusive Teen Rehabilitation Methods Still Used Today, Teen Vogue teenvogue.com/story/this-1970s-cult-inspired-abusive-teen-rehabilitation-methods-still-used-today
How the Brainwashing Label Threatened and Enabled the Troubled-Teen Industry, Journal of American Studies researchgate.net/publication/379883774_To_Use_This_Word_Would_Be_Absurd_How_the_Brainwashing_Label_Threatened_and_Enabled_the_Troubled-Teen_Industry
Troubled-teen industry oversight bill sails through Congress, NBC News yahoo.com/news/troubled-teen-industry-oversight-bill-222536418.html
The Troubled Teen Industry’s Troubling Lack of Oversight, Penn Carey Law
law.upenn.edu/live/news/15963-the-troubled-teen-industrys-troubling-lack-of
The Troubled Teen Industry Timeline unsilenced.org/troubled-teen-industry-timeline/
Virgil Miller Newton, Surviving Straight Inc. survivingstraightinc.com/MillerNewton/MillerNewtonTimeline.pdf
Unexpected Turn Of Events With Teen After Appearance On ‘Dr. Phil’ youtube.com/watch?v=L_kiav0p5Iw
Utah Criminal Code le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S206.html
What You Need to Know About the Troubled Teen Industry, The Law Offices of Lisa Kane Brown lisakanebrown.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-troubled-teen-industry
WWASP, Unsilenced https://www.unsilenced.org/timeline/wwasp/
Why has the USA not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?, medRxiv medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.05.24312304v2.full
Wyden Investigation Exposes Systemic Taxpayer-Funded Child Abuse and Neglect in Youth Residential Treatment Facilities, United States Senate Committee on Finance
finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/wyden-investigation-exposes-systemic-taxpayer-funded-child-abuse-and-neglect-in-youth-residential-treatment-facilities
3 Plead Guilty to Negligence in Teen's Death, Desert News deseret.com/1996/9/28/19268520/3-plead-guilty-to-negligence-in-teen-s-death/
*SWW S24 Theme Song - U Think U by Glad Rags: https://www.gladragsmusic.com/
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart

Jul 10, 2025 • 4min
S24: S24 Preview
*Content warning: distressing topics, child abuse, death, child sex abuse, psychological and physical violence of children, cultic abuse, Institutional child abuse, ‘troubled teen industry’, TTI, suicidal ideation, murder.
Season 24 of Something Was Wrong shares the harrowing truths of international Institutional Child Abuse (often called the ‘troubled teen industry’) through powerful interviews with survivors of wilderness therapy programs, therapeutic boarding schools, and other institutions around the world.
These firsthand accounts expose an alarming pattern of abuse, neglect, and trauma disguised as treatment, alongside testimony from parents who entrusted these programs with their children. With expert insights from leading voices in the children’s rights advocacy space and adolescent mental health, Season 24 explores how programs have operated in the shadows for decades and why their harmful practices continue today.
*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips:
somethingwaswrong.com/resources
*Sources: Former student at Utah school for troubled teens backs claims of abuse made by Paris Hilton, FOX13, News Utah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CSYxaQq8OE
Trails Carolina camper's death ruled a homicide, FOX8 WGHP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm97SeyZ8xg
Troubled teen school facing lawsuit over employee’s alleged sexual misconduct, ABC4 Utah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CD0a1PdiQU
Five Facts About the Troubled Teen Industry, American Bar Association
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/resources/newsletters/childrens-rights/five-facts-about-troubled-teen-industry/
What You Need to Know About the Troubled Teen Industry, The Law Offices of Lisa Kane Brown
https://lisakanebrown.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-troubled-teen-industry
*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork:
Glad Rags: https://www.gladragsmusic.com/
The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart
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