Something Was Wrong Season 22, Episode 2: Increasingly Strange Release Date: October 29, 2024 Host: Tiffany Reese | Broken Cycle Media | Wondery
Introduction
"Something Was Wrong" is an award-winning docuseries by Broken Cycle Media and Wondery, delving into the harrowing journeys of survivors as they navigate discovery, trauma, and recovery from crime and abuse. In Season 22, Episode 2, titled "Increasingly Strange," host Tiffany Reese explores the troubling behavior of Megan Stoner within the Indiana political landscape. Through firsthand accounts and testimonies, the episode unravels a pattern of deceit, manipulation, and unethical conduct that has left lasting impacts on those around her.
Chloe Agnos’s Experience with Megan Stoner
Timestamp: [02:33]
Chloe Agnos, a seasoned political consultant and marketing director, recounts her initial encounters with Megan Stoner. Their relationship began a decade ago during a volunteer event at the Carmel Fest Parade in Indianapolis. Chloe describes Megan as a seemingly dedicated volunteer who never received a paycheck, highlighting her early involvement in political campaigns.
Chloe Agnos [02:33]: "You think you know me? You don't know me well at all, at all, at all, at all."
As Chloe ascends in her career, she observes disturbing patterns in Megan’s behavior. During a 2016 statewide campaign for Attorney General, Megan was tasked with making 300-400 phone calls to delegates but returned a spreadsheet indicating no one answered—an implausible statistic that raised immediate red flags.
Chloe Agnos [15:45]: "Every single person was not home, didn't answer their phone... I was absolutely baffled, absolutely floored."
Chloe further details Megan’s social interactions, noting her tendency to be present at events without engaging, often isolated and preoccupied with her phone. Megan’s lack of genuine interaction contrasted sharply with the collaborative spirit of political campaigning.
Chloe Agnos [20:10]: "She would literally go to stuff like this... sit in the corner and she'd sit on her phone the entire time."
This behavior extended to Megan copying Chloe’s social media content verbatim, undermining Chloe’s efforts and indicating a deeper issue with authenticity and respect.
Chloe Agnos [28:55]: "A lot of her stuff just like, builds and builds and builds."
The culmination of these issues led Chloe and her husband to distance themselves from Megan, recognizing the detrimental impact her actions had on their professional and personal lives.
Justin’s Account: Unmasking Megan’s Deception
Timestamp: [37:08]
Justin, who volunteered for Todd Young’s 2016 Senate campaign, provides additional insight into Megan Stoner’s manipulative tactics. Megan’s exceptional performance in phone banking and door-knocking quickly drew suspicion due to the unrealistic volume of her contributions.
Justin [37:08]: "She shattered the record for, like, most phone calls made... the numbers did not check out."
Upon investigation, it was revealed that Megan had fabricated data, marking thousands of phone calls and door knocks as unsuccessful attempts. This deceit severely hampered the campaign’s efficiency, forcing leadership to confront her fraudulent activities.
Justin [45:00]: "Submitting all responses from her house... she was doing it again and was out, she was done."
The campaign's reliance on accurate data for strategic messaging and voter targeting meant Megan’s actions had tangible negative consequences, leading to her immediate removal from any future involvement.
Faith’s Testimony: Online Manipulation and Harassment
Timestamp: [37:13]
Faith, a former friend of Megan’s, shares a deeply personal account of Megan’s online behavior and the psychological manipulation she endured. Their friendship, predominantly online, began through a young adult civic Facebook group where Megan positioned herself as a politically ambitious individual.
Faith [38:23]: "We became friends on Facebook... she created a network of friends."
However, Megan’s facade began to crumble as she increasingly shared fabricated trauma, alleging widespread sexual assault by prominent politicians. This culminated in Faith receiving harassing and explicit texts purportedly from these figures, which Megan orchestrated to manipulate and intimidate her.
Faith [43:00]: "She would claim that he was going to text me... extremely graphic messages."
Despite initial skepticism, Faith found elements of truth in Megan’s allegations about certain politicians, which lent credibility to her otherwise outrageous claims. The relentless harassment left Faith emotionally drained and questioning the authenticity of Megan’s intentions.
Faith [45:48]: "It was a huge mess... I definitely did not have the knowledge of how to handle that."
Eventually, Faith severed ties, recognizing the toxicity and psychological harm Megan was inflicting not only on herself but also on those around her.
Megan Stoner’s Statement: A Puzzling Perspective
Timestamp: [51:21]
In an unexpected turn, Megan Stoner offers her own perspective, portraying herself as a misunderstood individual seeking genuine connections and support within a Facebook group dedicated to millennial women.
Megan Stoner [51:21]: "I wouldn't say I was necessarily close with Megan, but she did pique my interest... I need to do my best, in a sense, to be sort of an older sister."
Megan describes her escalating need for attention and assistance, which led her to fabricate traumatic experiences in an attempt to garner sympathy and support. Her posts shifted from trivial matters like fashion advice to alarming and unsupported claims of widespread abuse by politicians.
Megan Stoner [53:36]: "She started posting about the most mundane things... things started sort of spiraling into great intensity."
Megan’s explanation underscores a possible struggle with mental health issues, masking deeper insecurities with a facade of distress and victimhood.
Conclusion
"Something Was Wrong" Season 22, Episode 2: "Increasingly Strange" meticulously unpacks the troubling saga of Megan Stoner, a young political volunteer whose deceptive actions and manipulative behavior wreaked havoc within the Indiana political community. Through the testimonies of Chloe Agnos, Justin, and Faith, the episode highlights the severe repercussions of unchecked ambition and psychological instability in high-stakes environments. Megan’s own narrative adds complexity to the story, suggesting underlying mental health challenges that may have driven her harmful actions.
This episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of integrity, transparency, and mental health support within political and professional spheres. It underscores the profound impact one individual's deceit can have on campaigns, personal relationships, and the broader community.
Notable Quotes
- Chloe Agnos [02:33]: "You think you know me? You don't know me well at all, at all, at all, at all."
- Chloe Agnos [15:45]: "Every single person was not home, didn't answer their phone... I was absolutely baffled, absolutely floored."
- Chloe Agnos [20:10]: "She would literally go to stuff like this... sit in the corner and she'd sit on her phone the entire time."
- Justin [37:08]: "She shattered the record for, like, most phone calls made... the numbers did not check out."
- Justin [45:00]: "Submitting all responses from her house... she was doing it again and was out, she was done."
- Faith [38:23]: "We became friends on Facebook... she created a network of friends."
- Faith [43:00]: "She would claim that he was going to text me... extremely graphic messages."
- Faith [45:48]: "It was a huge mess... I definitely did not have the knowledge of how to handle that."
- Megan Stoner [51:21]: "I wouldn't say I was necessarily close with Megan, but she did pique my interest... I need to do my best, in sense, to be sort of an older sister."
- Megan Stoner [53:36]: "She started posting about the most mundane things... things started sort of spiraling into great intensity."
Final Thoughts
"Something Was Wrong: Increasingly Strange" sheds light on the complexities and dark sides of political volunteering, mental health struggles, and the consequences of deceptive behavior. By providing in-depth personal accounts and unraveling the layers of Megan Stoner’s actions, the episode invites listeners to reflect on the importance of authenticity, support systems, and ethical conduct in both personal and professional realms.