Well, I Laughed

Welcome to Well, I Laughed: People of Agency Edition. For today's holiday break episode, Grant and Maia introduce Aileen and this People of Agency episode. What if the most revolutionary force in American history wasn't a politician or an army, but mail carriers bringing letters to farmhouse doors? At the turn of the 20th century, rural Americans lived in profound isolation, cut off from news, markets, and opportunities that city dwellers took for granted. Predatory merchants and railroad companies exploited this information gap, charging whatever they wanted because farmers had no way to know if prices were fair. But then something radical happened: farmers organized. Through the Grange movement, they launched a decades-long grassroots campaign demanding Rural Free Delivery, arguing that if city folks got mail delivered to their homes, rural Americans deserved the same democratic right. In Episode 5, Aileen and Maia trace how this seemingly simple postal reform transformed the entire country, spurring the Good Roads Movement, fueling the mail-order catalog revolution, and creating the infrastructure for modern consumer culture. Along the way, they explore the 17-year battle for Parcel Post (blocked by private express companies protecting their profits), the absolutely unhinged things Americans immediately mailed once the weight limit increased (yes, including live babies tagged "fragile"), and the inspiring story of Minnie M. Cox, a Black postmaster in Jim Crow Mississippi who forced Theodore Roosevelt to choose between political expediency and federal principle. This episode reveals how public institutions become battlegrounds, how corporate interests exploit public infrastructure for private gain, and why the fight over who the Post Office serves is still happening right now, with billion-dollar companies cherry-picking profitable routes while demanding the Post Office deliver everywhere else at a loss.   Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Click Here!   Chapters 00:00:00 WIL x PoA 00:26:30 Special Delivery 00:29:05 Act I - The Battle for the Public Good 00:41:38 Act II - The Unseen Revolution 00:50:40 Act III - The Human Cargo 01:01:06 Act IV - The Political Postmaster Minnie M Cox 01:13:07 Act V - The Battle Continues   Connect with People of Agency Instagram @Peopleof_Agency TikTok @Peopleof_Agency YouTube @Peopleof_Agency Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to week one of the Well, I Laughed Holiday Break. Today, based on audience votes, we're revisiting Episode 40, originally published 2-14-24. Grant tells Maia about the rarest fish in the world, found in the strangest of places. An episode about the Devil’s Hole Pupfish and Devils Hole, located in Death Valley National Park. With wild conservation showdowns, unexpected legal dramas, and a touch of irreverent humor, this episode is your invitation to uncover nature’s most astonishing secrets. Join us as we peel back the layers of a hidden ecosystem whose delicate balance has sparked multimillion-dollar court battles and fierce debates among local ranchers and environmentalists. Discover how these tiny survivors have defied extinction in a world where every detail counts, and hear jaw-dropping accounts of daring divers and unforeseen tragedies deep beneath the desert. We learn more about Ash Meadow, the legal rights of a tiny fish, and the many strange occurrences that have been documented at Devil’s Hole. A podcast episode that will leave you enchanted with the oddity of fish in the desert.   Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Click Here!    0:00:00 Catch-Up 0:28:32 Devil in the Details 0:45:05 Incident at Devil's Hole in 1965 0:56:45 Charles Manson's Connection to Devil's Hole 1:01:44 Protection and Incidents at Devil's Hole 1:13:36 Challenges and Protective Measures for the Fish 1:20:02 Attempts to Breed the Fish in Captivity 1:28:41 Efforts to Save the Fish and Legal Challenges 1:39:17 Exploration of the Cave System and Final Thoughts   Connect with Us 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!   Follow Us On Social Media Instagram: @wellilaughed Tiktok: @wellilaughed Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast YouTube: Well, I laughed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re so glad these listeners shot their shot because now we get to read their stories! Our friends from around the Well, I Laughed listener-verse had some fantastic tales. Sarah resorts to hiding in a bush. Clara’s dad redefines “family” multiple times. Savannah survives her artistic era and gets her happy ending. And Anna needs a shot on Christmas Eve after an eventful encounter. They shot, and next time you could too! It’s this theme’s Listener Episode!   00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:24:07 Sarah brings out the finger guns 00:42:01 Clara's dad is an animal 01:07:17 "Anna" gets a shot in the butt 01:20:51 Savanah gets her happy ending   Connect with Us 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!   Follow Us On Social Media Instagram: @wellilaughed Tiktok: @wellilaughed Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast YouTube: Well, I laughed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shoot your shot, take the leap, jump over a bunch of obstacles. This time, literally. Evel Knievel was a man that would only let one thing hold him down: gravity. But when a rebellious streak led to a wife and kids, Evel hopped on his bike and took off with the goal of supporting his family. His famous stunts and infamous wipeouts made him a household name. And his story is as interesting as his antics. The world knew him as the daredevil Evel Knievel, but we take a running jump at knowing Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel. Video 1 (During "Evel Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils"): https://youtu.be/tTBpvIvSAZQ?si=H864Rbj99K2iPcEs Video 2 (Caesar's Palace): https://youtu.be/81NX56ucaKY?si=qkinRtyKI2LMtBKf&t=10 Video 3 (Snake River Canyon): https://youtu.be/NZHCE-PWUYU?si=bwovOSuiQwMjBp-B&t=66 Video 4 (Last Last Jump): https://youtu.be/ratqB20diYE?si=r8oX4-36Va_44-SV&t=109   00:00:00 Catch-Up 00:33:32 Fast, Faster, and Disaster 00:42:25 What to do... 00:53:18 Paving the Ramp 01:05:11 Evel Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils 01:17:14 Going Solo 01:23:06 Caesar's Palace Fountains 01:33:37 Other Stunts 01:44:35 Evel the Character 01:55:04 Snake River Canyon 02:14:46 The Beginning of the End 02:28:37 The Complexity 02:34:54 Legacy & Ending   Connect with Us 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!   Follow Us On Social Media Instagram: @wellilaughed Tiktok: @wellilaughed Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast YouTube: Well, I laughed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explore the chaotic life of Charles Guiteau, whose series of failures led him from a troubled childhood to becoming an infamous figure in American history. Discover his ill-fated attempts at love, law, and a career in politics. Dive into his delusions of grandeur, and learn how he believed his actions were divinely inspired. The story spirals from his early life challenges through to his shocking assassination of President Garfield, revealing the bizarre intersections of failure, ambition, and tragedy.

Listeners share unforgettable escapades! Reality Winner battles a mug thief for her cherished coffee cups. Laura shares an embarrassing gas station mishap. Linden unwittingly gets caught in a car theft drama. Annie relives a wild study abroad adventure in Thailand, while Luna grapples with emotions during a breakup trip to Barcelona. Just wait ’til you hear these hilarious and poignant stories!

Dive into the wild world of McDonald's Monopoly fraud! Discover how a seemingly innocent promotion turned into a crime saga involving organized crime and a shadowy figure, 'Uncle Jerry.' The scheme had ties to mob families, a strip club-church hybrid, and bizarre winner stories. Unpack the morality of participants who sought fortune and how it spiraled into a $25M impact. Hilarious anecdotes alternate with jaw-dropping revelations, leaving you questioning the true cost of wanting to be a millionaire.

What if you could commit a crime without the risk of getting caught? This episode dives into the intriguing ABSCAM operation, revealing how Mel Weinberg, a master con artist, turned the tables on corrupt politicians. With wild stories of false identities, bribery, and political scandal, the narrative highlights the blurry lines between sting operations and entrapment. Explore the fallout as various officials face legal consequences and the media's sensational coverage complicates perceptions of race and corruption.

Get ready for belly laughs as Rachel updates listeners on her dodge threesome while Ashley recounts the infamous pee incident during blood donation. Polly shares her cringe-worthy Winter Formal experience, and Casey navigates an unexpected journey in Uganda with some hypnotique memories. Brittney scares Grant with a wild snake infestation in her family well, while Kate's chaotic trip to a beach club in Cyprus leaves everyone in stitches. Tune in for a rollercoaster of hilarious and sickening stories!

Dive into the chilling saga of the Tylenol Murders, where a series of cyanide-laced capsules led to panic and tragedy in Chicago. Explore the twisted life of James Lewis, the prime suspect with a tangled past. Uncover the investigation's rocky road, filled with false leads and extortion attempts against Johnson & Johnson. The hosts dissect the impact of mass recalls and the introduction of safety measures in pharmaceuticals. Finally, ponder the unresolved questions surrounding this notorious case and its lasting legacy.