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Were You Raised By Wolves?

Were You Raised By Wolves?

Nick Leighton & Leah Bonnema 370 Episodes Oct 12, 2026

Were You Raised By Wolves? is a weekly etiquette podcast hosted by journalist Nick Leighton and comic/writer Leah Bonnema. The show explores sticky social situations and everyday dilemmas, from serious boundary-setting at work to whimsical questions like the proper way to eat Cheetos. Leighton and Bonnema answer listener questions with warmth, humor, and empathy, often stepping back to identify the bigger principles behind modern manners. Their informal conversations mix practical advice, personal topics, and occasional historical facts.

Episodes

Alerting People About Read Receipts, Picking the "Right" Side of Top Sheets, Pruning Trees to Death, and More
Alerting People About Read Receipts, Picking the "Right" Side of Top Sheets, Pruning Trees to Death, and More Oct 12, 2026 00:31:28 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about alerting people when they have their read receipts turned on, picking the "right" side of top sheets, pruning trees to death, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyr
Shuffling Mahjong Tiles, Snubbing Wedding Officiants, Praising Clean Plates, and More
Shuffling Mahjong Tiles, Snubbing Wedding Officiants, Praising Clean Plates, and More Oct 5, 2026 00:47:23 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle playing mahjong, snubbing wedding officiants, saying "good job" to diners, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EPISODE CONTENTSAMUSE-BOUCHE: PasseggiataA QUESTION OF
Tricking Guests Into Catering, Giving Bone-Crushing Handshakes, Guessing American Mealtimes, and More
Tricking Guests Into Catering, Giving Bone-Crushing Handshakes, Guessing American Mealtimes, and More Sep 28, 2026 00:34:07 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about tricking guests into catering, giving bone-crushing handshakes, guessing American mealtimes, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠QUESTIONS FROM THE W
Banning Wedding Gifts, Lingering Over Menus, Clipping Toenails on Airplanes, and More
Banning Wedding Gifts, Lingering Over Menus, Clipping Toenails on Airplanes, and More Sep 21, 2026 00:36:51 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle banning wedding gifts, lingering too long over menus, clipping toenails on airplanes, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EPISODE CONTENTSAMUSE-BOUCHE: The fish knif
Battling in Cruise Ship Laundry Rooms, Escaping Bad Breath, Duplicating Potluck Dishes, and More
Battling in Cruise Ship Laundry Rooms, Escaping Bad Breath, Duplicating Potluck Dishes, and More Sep 14, 2026 00:25:12 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about battling in cruise ship laundry rooms, escaping bad breath, duplicating potluck dishes, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠QUESTIONS FROM THE WILDER
Second Helpings: Dodging In-Law Requests, Melting Candy Bars in Diapers, Hiding Coffee Truths, and More
Second Helpings: Dodging In-Law Requests, Melting Candy Bars in Diapers, Hiding Coffee Truths, and More Sep 7, 2026 00:30:53 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back next week with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they answer listener questions about dodging requests from mothers-in-law, playing unfortunate baby shower games, neglecting to disclose when you're serving half
Second Helpings: Spitting Watermelon Seeds, Behaving While Bowling, Throwing Spoons on Airplanes, and More
Second Helpings: Spitting Watermelon Seeds, Behaving While Bowling, Throwing Spoons on Airplanes, and More Aug 31, 2026 00:50:53 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! This week, Nick and Leah are enjoying a well-deserved break, but they'll be back soon with an all-new episode. In the meantime, here's one of their favorite episodes from the archives in which they tackle eating watermelon properly, behaving while bowling, throwing spoons on airplanes, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you
Using Knife Rests, Spamming Everyone You Know, Pocketing Hotel Slippers, and More
Using Knife Rests, Spamming Everyone You Know, Pocketing Hotel Slippers, and More Aug 24, 2026 00:39:53 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle using knife rests, spamming everyone you know, pocketing hotel slippers, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EPISODE CONTENTSAMUSE-BOUCHE: Knife restsA QUESTION OF E
Lending Fancy Waffle Makers, Witnessing Coffee Shop Meltdowns, Demanding Raisins From Coworkers, and More
Lending Fancy Waffle Makers, Witnessing Coffee Shop Meltdowns, Demanding Raisins From Coworkers, and More Aug 17, 2026 00:31:21 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about lending fancy waffle makers, witnessing coffee shop meltdowns, demanding raisins from coworkers, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠QUESTIONS FROM T
Turning Tables, Finding Lost Wallets, Boxing Up Free Desserts, and More
Turning Tables, Finding Lost Wallets, Boxing Up Free Desserts, and More Aug 10, 2026 00:42:02 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle the lost art of "turning the table," finding lost wallets, boxing up free birthday desserts, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EPISODE CONTENTSAMUSE-BOUCHE: Turnin
Vetoing Unpleasant Mahjong Players, Excluding Free Alcohol at Birthdays, Getting Caught Without Toilet Paper, and More
Vetoing Unpleasant Mahjong Players, Excluding Free Alcohol at Birthdays, Getting Caught Without Toilet Paper, and More Aug 3, 2026 00:23:29 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah answer listener questions about vetoing unpleasant mahjong players, excluding free alcohol at birthdays, getting caught without toilet paper, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠QUE
Spinning Lazy Susans, Saying "Bless You" After Sneezes, Lying to Telemarketers, and More
Spinning Lazy Susans, Saying "Bless You" After Sneezes, Lying to Telemarketers, and More Jul 27, 2026 00:32:37 Etiquette, manners, and beyond! In this episode, Nick and Leah tackle spinning lazy Susans, saying "bless you" after sneezes, lying to telemarketers, and much more. Please follow us! (We'd send you a handwritten thank-you note if we could.)Have a question for us? Call or text (267) CALL-RBW or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ask.wyrbw.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EPISODE CONTENTSAMUSE-BOUCHE: Lazy SusansA QUESTI

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