S25 Ep24: BTS with BCM Spring 2026 (Part 2)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Something Was Wrong

Episode: S25 Ep24: BTS with BCM Spring 2026 (Part 2)
Host: Tiffany Reese, Broken Cycle Media
Guests: Amy B. Chesler (Associate Producer), Lauren Barkman (Social Media & Marketing)
Date: May 21, 2026
Theme: Behind-the-scenes Q&A with the Something Was Wrong/What Came Next team, reflecting on survivor storytelling, creative choices, self-care, the impact of their work, and a preview of Season 26 on friendship betrayal.

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Episode Overview

This special episode takes listeners behind the scenes with key members of Broken Cycle Media, the creators of Something Was Wrong and What Came Next. Tiffany, Amy, and Lauren answer listener questions about their personal journeys, experiences producing the show, creative growth, and upcoming plans. They candidly discuss the emotional toll of telling survivor stories, their sources of comfort, handling internet negativity, and the responsibility they feel as storytellers. The episode closes with an in-depth look at next season's focus: friendship betrayal.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power and Responsibility of Survivor Storytelling

• Amy reflects on nearly 175 episodes and the continual emergence of diverse, powerful survivor voices.

  "There's always another survivor and victim and voice to be amplifying whose experiences can be so exemplary but also vastly unique at the same time." – Amy (02:21)

• Notable Guests & Upcoming Updates:

  • Marina Lacerda: Epstein survivor, now an advocate.
  • Tracy Hall: Update on "Who the Hell is Hamish?"
  • Vanessa Reiser: Recent updates after her initial What Came Next interview.
  • Nicole Schmidt: Gabby Petito's mother, shares new insights (episode title: "Nicole Schmidt. Her Voice is So Big").

• Reflecting on Three Years of "What Came Next":
  Amy is moved by their role in an "emotional revolution":

  "I think we are in an emotional revolution at this moment in society ... I'm learning it doesn't have to be this way. And I'm learning that we do have that power. So now we're naming these things and we're finding where the holes are... and now we're gonna claim this power to change it all." – Amy (04:40)

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Q&A: Personal Favorites & Comforts

Team's Current Obsessions
Timestamp 06:48–10:15

• Lauren: Retinol, Lush shower products, 90 Day Fiance.
• Amy: Kimchi, Trader Joe's skincare, Real Housewives of Rhode Island.
• Tiffany: Comedian Chris Fleming, Love on the Spectrum (Australia & US), super-soft Lola blanket (not sponsored, just loved!).

Quote Highlight:

"Have you noticed how all of ours are, like, comfy girl items? TV shows, skin care." – Lauren (10:33)

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Emotional Check-Ins: How's Your Heart?

Timestamp 10:56–14:40

• Amy: "The world is kind of on fire, but in my own little bubble, I am okay. ... I'm good. Thank you." (10:58)
• Tiffany: Healing after a tough 2025, cherishing family, slowing down for gratitude and balance.
• Lauren: "My heart is having a roller coaster of emotions, and I think that's pretty much expected after everything that I've been through... The healing process has not been easy, but it's also just an accumulation of things that have happened." (12:44)

Discussing Betrayal Trauma:

• The fallout from betrayal by friends and the complexities of "deprogramming" harm, especially for women.

"Friendship, betrayal is something we'll be digging into a lot for season 26..." – Tiffany (14:13)

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Alternative Careers, Comfort Foods, and Books

Timestamp 18:07–24:16

• If Not Podcasting...

  • Amy: Would focus on writing or doing stained glass art.
  • Tiffany: SNL cast dream or producing true crime documentaries, maybe law school.
  • Lauren: Already in her dream job, but considered couples counseling or travel-based work.

• Comfort Meals:

  • Tiffany: A classic picnic/sandwich combo.
  • Amy: Her mom's chili over baked potato or shepherd's pie.
  • Lauren: Mac and cheese, cornbread, pinto beans, slaw, and relish—a North Carolina comfort.

• Current Reads:

  • Lauren: Magnolia Parks (British toxic romance series), cozy thrillers, self-help, historical fiction.
  • Amy: Stephen King classics with her daughter; mostly thrillers for escapism.
  • Tiffany: Live from New York (SNL oral history), Games People Play (psychology of lying).

"I picked up this book Live from New York because it's again, about snl. ...a really good, lighter read if you're looking for something to kind of escape into." – Tiffany (22:44)

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Reflections on Their Work & Impact

Timestamp 25:09–30:13

• What Would Your Childhood Self Think?

  • Lauren: Never imagined these kinds of survivor platforms existing, but found her place at SWW.
  • Amy: Would be "shocked" at the public sharing but proud.
  • Tiffany: "I didn't have that growing up and I don't have parents who cheer me on... So I have to be that for myself. And I am really proud of myself." (26:00)

• Tiffany’s Written Reflection:

  • The show’s community has helped listeners feel seen, name their experiences, and build empathy for the complexity of abuse.
  • Deep pride in shifting true crime storytelling "away from sensationalism and toward something more intentional and rooted in care and accountability."

"If this show has helped even one person feel less alone or do better or understand their experience better, then that's everything to me and to us." – Tiffany (29:15)

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BTS: Making the Podcast & Handling Negativity

Timestamp 32:10–44:30

• Hardest Part of the Work:

  • Amy: Shock at how common these traumas are.
  • Lauren: Personal pain as a survivor, triggered by others’ stories.
  • Tiffany: Most difficult is "the systemic injustices..." and persistent heartbreak at the scale.

• Production Timelines:

  • Some stories are prepped for years (Season 26 took several years of development).
  • "What Came Next" may have quicker turnaround: about 1.5 months per episode, but sometimes a year (e.g., Gabby Petito Foundation episode).

• Backlash & Negativity:

  • Tiffany: Builds boundaries around online engagement; sees feedback as complex—not always personal or valid.
  • "I think I used to let people kind of push me around a lot more. ...but now I can see more. That's life. That is what it is. ...Real art creates conversation, and I welcome that." (37:55)
  • Amy: Sometimes public storytelling leads to deeply personal and hurtful attacks, but “building that fortress around us really does help.” (41:28)
  • Tiffany shares statistics about gendered negative feedback and notes the toxic criticism women face online.

"It took me a long time to let people be wrong and loud about me." – Tiffany (43:52)

• Proudest/Surreal Moments:
  • Winning a Webby Award for best documentary podcast
  • Being number one and hearing celebrities listen to the show
  • Amy: Meeting listeners at live events, hearing when the show had a life-saving impact
  • Lauren: Messages from around the world, local recognition, and hearing from other victims

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Season 26 Preview: The Trauma of Friendship Betrayal

Timestamp 51:04–53:00

• Explores the “least understood and least discussed” trauma: betrayal by close friends and chosen family.
• Chapter 1: Marie, betrayed by a trusted pastor/family friend within a faith community; story includes secondary trauma from inadequate protective systems.
• Chapter 2: Summer and Daniel, a story of manipulation, emotional abuse, and unraveling deception in a Christian college environment.
• Season 26 focuses on how dangerous betrayal can come from the people we thought we knew, "the family we choose."
• New season launches June 11, 2026.

"Unlike romantic heartbreak, friendship betrayal is rarely or publicly acknowledged in the same way. There are no clear rituals for grieving it, no cultural scripts for making sense of the devastation..." – Tiffany (51:21)

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Memorable Quotes

• "What's been validated is I think we are in an emotional revolution...the next step after this awareness is a call to action. ...now we're gonna claim this power to change it all." – Amy B. Chesler (04:40)
• "I think that's why I really try to make an effort to speak proudly about myself and share that I'm proud of myself because I didn't have that growing up and I don't have parents who cheer me on. So I have to be that for myself." – Tiffany Reese (26:00)
• "Each story is so, so, so unique. But very sadly, each of us is, in another view, a statistic." – Amy B. Chesler (32:16)
• "Real art creates conversation, and I welcome that." – Tiffany Reese (38:46)
• "There are no clear rituals for grieving it, no cultural scripts for making sense of the devastation that follows when someone you trust in deeply becomes the source of your harm." – Tiffany Reese (51:27)

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Notable Segments & Timestamps

• [02:21] Amy shares highlights from "What Came Next" and upcoming interviews
• [04:19] Reflections on three years of survivor storytelling
• [06:48] Team shares their current obsessions and comfort items
• [10:56] Heart check-in and discussions about healing and trauma
• [14:13] The impact and nuances of friendship betrayal trauma
• [18:07] Alternate career paths and comfort food favorites
• [22:02] Book recommendations and current reads
• [25:09] Reflections from the team’s childhood perspectives
• [27:47] Tiffany’s written remarks on the show's seven-year impact
• [32:10] Hardest parts of covering heavy, survivor-centered work
• [36:27] BTS: Production timelines and relationship with guests
• [37:55] Backlash, internet culture, criticism, and the importance of boundaries
• [41:05] Winning awards and surreal moments as measures of impact
• [51:04] Season 26 deep dive: Friendship betrayal as central theme

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Takeaways for Listeners

• The Something Was Wrong team remains deeply committed to compassionate, survivor-led storytelling and always seeks to amplify diverse voices.
• Healing, creativity, self-care, and community are vital not just for guests, but for the creators as well.
• The show actively evolves, responding to survivor feedback, social context, and its own creative growth, while acknowledging and learning from missteps.
• Season 26 will explore the pain, complexity, and rarity of discourse around friendship betrayals—positioned as both social commentary and support for survivors of these under-acknowledged traumas.

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For further support or to share your story, visit SomethingWasWrong.com. Season 26 launches June 11, 2026.

(Summary excludes all ad breaks and sponsor content for clarity and focus on show substance.)

Transcript

[Amy B. Chesler]

Neighbor game.

[Tiffany Reese]

Oo.

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[Amy B. Chesler]

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[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

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[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

Good Life Sleep Something Was Wrong is intended for mature audiences and discusses topics that may be upsetting this season discusses sexual, physical and psychological violence Please consume the following episodes with care. For a full content warning, sources and resources for each individual episode, please visit the Episode Notes Opinions shared by the guests of the show are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Broken Cycle Media. The podcast and any linked materials should not be misconstrued as a substitution for legal or medical advice. Thank you so much for listening.

[Amy B. Chesler]

You think you know me.

[Lauren Barkman]

You don't know me well at all.

[Tiffany Reese]

You don't know anybody till you talk

[Lauren Barkman]

to

[Amy B. Chesler]

someone.

[Tiffany Reese]

Hello friends. I am so excited to be here today with Amy and Lauren from our team.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

What Came Next Updates Highlights Upcoming Episodes Amy, what's going on in the what came next side of things?

[Amy B. Chesler]

Yeah, I think what's always shocking to me nearly 175 episodes in is that there's always another survivor and victim and voice to be amplifying whose experiences can be so exemplary but also vastly unique at the same time. Recently we've had the honor of hosting Marina Lacerda who is a survivor notoriously of Jeffrey Epstein and also was named Minor Victim 1 in New York. She has been working so hard and diligently in Washington and on podcasts and TV and beyond to really bring awareness to what's happening with survivors of that case specifically, but also survivors of sexual and gender based violences. We also have an incredible couple of episodes featuring Tracy hall who was on the podcast. Who the hell is Hamish? She goes into, like, what has happened since the podcast and what she's been cultivating. We don't often get to update listeners on what Came Next, original interviews rather than like, something was wrong interviews. But we have an update episode with Vanessa Reiser dropping because she has had a lot going on actually, since we last spoke to her almost two years ago. When her interview came out on what Came Next, that will be coming out shortly too. An interview that was over a year in the making. Nicole Schmidt, who is Gabby Petito's mom, was gracious enough to give us time. Her schedule is very busy and she has a foundation, the Gabby Petito Foundation. She also gave us some exclusive information about what she's got coming next, which I think podcast listeners will be very interested in hearing about. The episode is titled Nicole Schmidt. Her voice is so big. And it was really an honor to give her that platform to share some updates and exciting news.

[Tiffany Reese]

On March 3rd of this year, what came next celebrated three years. Happy birthday. What stands out to you today, Amy, when you think back on the three years that you have invested into this community and bringing forth these stories, what are your main takeaways? What are some of the things that you've learned along the way?

[Amy B. Chesler]

We entered the process of creating this show with the mission in mind of really amplifying survivors voices and highlighting the power of the media and the responsibility with which the media should be telling these stories. And it brings tears to my eyes because I'm so proud of what we've done in those three years. Sometimes when you're in like, go mode, you don't realize three years, which is just a huge achievement. What's been validated is I think we are in an emotional revolution at this moment in society. I think that people are learning and growing and evolving. I think the next step after this awareness is like a call to action. And all the things I'm learning from this beautiful position, I'm learning it doesn't have to be this way. And I'm learning that we do have that power. Dr. Badera, I think she said name blame and claim. That's the process of making change. So. So now we're naming these things and we're finding where the holes are in the systems that keep perpetuating these things. And now we're gonna claim this power to change it all. It's so empowering and beautiful to be a part of this movement. And all the survivors that have joined us as guests on what Came Next are part of that movement.

[Tiffany Reese]

We're so proud of you. You set out to accomplish everything that you wanted for the show from the beginning. You've cultivated such an incredible community. I know your mom is so proud of you. She's so thankful for the way you've continued to highlight her legacy. You continue to fight for her. You continue to fight for victims everywhere, and you continue to educate. Your mom was such an advocate for education. Switching gears to Q and A. There's quite a few questions here that are for all of us to get us started. So we're. What are three things that you're obsessed with right now? It could be books, documentary show, food, podcasts, music, general recommendations, whatever it may be. Lauren, you're unmuted, so I feel like that means you want to go.

[Lauren Barkman]

So since I'm in my wellness era, and that's pretty much all I'm doing is just taking care of myself when I'm not working. I recently was at the med spa, and she asked me about retinol, and I had no idea what it was. And I can tell a huge difference already, so that is a huge obsession of mine. Another one is Lush Products. Not sponsored.

[Tiffany Reese]

Not sponsored, but call us.

[Lauren Barkman]

They give you, like, this glorious shower experience, and all the smells are just amazing. I'll turn my water off, and then I'll put my lotion on while I'm still, like, cooking in my shower curtain. Otherwise, I will never put it on. Those are two things. And then the Third one is 90 Day Fiance.

[Tiffany Reese]

You're like, I started, so I can't stop. Is it like one of those shows that has a million episodes each season?

[Lauren Barkman]

There's 20 episodes a season, and there's three or four different stories going at the same time. So if you're lord of one story, you have so much entertainment and so much stimulation. So I've watched one whole season in, like, four days last week. But, yeah, those are my three.

[Tiffany Reese]

Love it. Amy, what have you got?

[Amy B. Chesler]

I love that. Number one, definitely Kim Chi. I eat kimchi with every meal. It's become a regular necessity in my day and my diet because it's so freaking tasty and spicy and crunchy. I would say I'm gonna have to agree with you, Lauren, on skincare. I know I kind of talk about it a lot, but, like, I live for my Trader Joe's Skincare. Also not sponsored. But, hey, if you call us, I don't think Trader Joe's sponsors like anybody, but love their facial everything. And then the last thing I have to say is, and I think a lot of people might agree with me on this because the Internet discourse around it is pretty large. But Real Housewives of Rhode island is insane. I love and have always loved every franchise of Real Housewives watched. Every single one. This is by far, like the craziest beginning. And it's the first season, so that's where I stand on all my favorite things.

[Tiffany Reese]

I'm loving these. So number one for me is comedian Chris Fleming. He has a new special out. He's just the funniest comedian I have seen in such a long time. So thought provoking and interesting. Every interview I've seen of him, he just seems like the loveliest person and I just cannot get enough. He's extremely hilarious and you should definitely follow him and check it out. Number two is the television show Love on the Spectrum. I'm a big fan of both the original franchise, Australia and the US I just love it. And season four did not disappoint at all. I was sobbing so hard at the finale of this latest season that I was borderline, like, hyperventilating. And it wasn't like, in a bad way. It's one of those shows that makes me really, really emotional. It's a great example of a doc series that warms your heart and educates a lot of people and I just love it. And then my last one is actually part of my birthday gift from abc. Recently she got me this incredible blanket, which is by Lola Blankets, which actually does sponsor what came next. And I love it so much that I reached out to our ad team and was like, can you get me sponsored by them? Because I am obsessed with this blanket. I love it so much. I look forward to it. At the end of the day, it's just the softest, most insane blanket. So thank you again, abc. Legitimately the softest, coziest blanket ever.

[Amy B. Chesler]

I'm so happy that you love it. You and I are like tactile people. It feels just so nice.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

I hear they have weighted ones too.

[Amy B. Chesler]

They do.

[Tiffany Reese]

If I do end up working with them and I get a code, I'm definitely going to try the weighted one. I've never really had my own weighted blanket before, but, Lauren, we got to get you on one of these blankets, girl.

[Lauren Barkman]

Have you noticed how all of ours are, like, comfy girl items? TV shows, skin care.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

It's nice to be a cozy girl. Okay, so thank you to all the listeners who submitted questions for us. Thank you to the people who reach

[Tiffany Reese]

out to us, DM us, send us emails, give us their feedback Thoughts, Questions. We appreciate it. The first one is for all of

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

us, and it is, how are you

[Tiffany Reese]

and how's your heart, Amy?

[Amy B. Chesler]

Anytime anyone's asked me that recently, I've kind of, like, had the same response. The world is kind of on fire, but in my own little bubble, I am okay. I'm happy, I'm healing. I'm doing all the things I need to do. The world around us is in a state, that's for sure. I always say that because I feel a bit guilty, like, saying I'm good with a chipper attitude, because I acknowledge everything always, but I'm good. Thank you. How are you?

[Tiffany Reese]

I'm doing really well. 2025 was one of the hardest years I've had in a really long time. But this year has been a big year for healing for me, and I just feel like I'm in the best place mentally I've been in a really long time. I know we already talked about therapy and all that good stuff that's been been adding to that equation, but also, yeah, just slowing down where I can. My kids are getting older. They're getting closer to college age, so it's really important to me over these next few years that I get to cherish as much of that time that I have left with them before they, quote, leave the nest. I've been spending a lot more time with the fam and the kids and the dogs, and that definitely boosts my mood.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

Just trying to find more balance overall,

[Tiffany Reese]

and it feels like I've made some progress there. So I would say I'm doing really well. And like you said, the world is absolutely insane and heartbreaking constantly. I'm very thankful for all the blessings I have in my life that I get to wake up and work with y' all every day, and the survivors we get to work with and work on the cool things that we get to work on. It's a huge blessing to be able to do what we do. Slowing down has helped me have even more gratitude for the blessings and the gifts in my life, and it's made me want to spend more time with those. What about you, Lauren?

[Lauren Barkman]

I think you guys both had some amazing points. Everything around us is on fire, and being around family, you know, taking advantage of that, those are two things that I can relate to. But my heart is having a roller coaster of emotions, and I think that's pretty much expected after everything that I've been through. The state of the world does not really help with that for me. That takes a huge toll on me. Especially with my upbringing. I've just been on a creative journey with work and that's what I do full time. So anytime that I'm not doing that, I try to be outside or try to have time with my family and pets as well. The more that I talk about the betrayal trauma, I think it shows up in more areas of my life than just with Jess. It showed up with the therapist and with religion, things like that, where it's just things I've believed for a long time. And now that I'm older, I'm starting to question things and it's just all happening at once. With everything going on in the world, the healing process has not been easy, but it's also just an accumulation of things that have happened.

[Tiffany Reese]

Because you had trauma before that relationship. I don't want to speak for you, but it feels like in some ways she weaponized that previous trauma as well with all of you.

[Lauren Barkman]

Oh, absolutely. Yeah. There are definitely some hard days and days where I really struggle, but I think we all do. So I'm just trying to handle it

[Tiffany Reese]

with grace and really that's all we can do and give ourselves grace.

[Lauren Barkman]

Yeah.

[Tiffany Reese]

Always try to make the next right decision. Try to take what we learn forward. Friendship, betrayal is something we'll be digging into a lot for season 26 and the different nuances and the different ways that that can look and feel for survivors of it. I do think it is a type of trauma that we tend to talk about less and examine a bit less, but I think it really impacts so

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

many of us, especially women.

[Tiffany Reese]

I think friends are our family of choice and we really invest a lot in our friends and in those relationships. Certainly I've shared things with close friends, girlfriends that I've never shared with people I dated. There's just a different level of vulnerability in those relationships. So it makes sense to me that it takes quite a bit of time to not only like grieve that, but then also deprogram the damage that has been done. It's tough.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

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[Tiffany Reese]

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[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

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[Tiffany Reese]

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[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

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[Tiffany Reese]

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[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

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[Tiffany Reese]

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[Tiffany Reese]

We did our best to condense everybody's thoughts and questions and combine them so

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

we're not missing anyone's questions.

[Tiffany Reese]

If you weren't doing your job that you have now, what do you think you would be doing?

[Amy B. Chesler]

Amy I think that after my book came out and after recording something was wrong and being so impacted by that process and the release and the support and consequent projects that I've been a part of as a result directly of being on something was wrong, I made that leap to kind of like pivot to do podcasting full time. Maybe if I wasn't podcasting I'd be pouring into my writing with more vigor at the moment. But podcasting is storytelling and right now I don't want to focus on what I want to say. I think the gift of supporting other survivors and amplifying them has been just so vast.

[Tiffany Reese]

What about an unpractical answer?

[Amy B. Chesler]

I would definitely be doing stained glass again. That would be just so ritualistic and healing and beautiful and I'd love that.

[Tiffany Reese]

I'd want to be on snl. That to me just seems like the coolest job in the absolute world. You have to be creative on the spot. I love that you get to be around funny people that are probably really dark humored too and have been through a lot of shit because that's the makeup of most people that are that funny. That, to me would be the coolest job in the world, I think. Lauren, what's your practical and what's your, like, dream job?

[Lauren Barkman]

Is it cheesy to say what I do now is kind of my dream job?

[Tiffany Reese]

Not cheesy at all because I feel similarly same.

[Lauren Barkman]

Yeah. I got my degree in psychology and criminology and I wanted to do couples counseling for a bit when I was in college, so I maybe would dive into that a little bit.

[Tiffany Reese]

I don't think I knew that you

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

studied criminology and I love those classes.

[Lauren Barkman]

Those were my favorite ones and I had one more. And another option would be just traveling for work, which I still want to do more of. And I can kind of incorporate that into my dream work now.

[Tiffany Reese]

I love that I'm already working my dream job, but SNL would be like an extremely fun way to tap into the more light hearted parts of me. But I think if I wasn't doing this from like a more practical standpoint, likely producing in the entertainment industry elsewhere, behind the scenes, working on screen projects, documentary films, things of that nature. I could also see myself getting back into writing as well. But I think I'm the type of person too that always wants to try something new and challenge myself. So I could also see myself doing like a hard left turn and going to law school or something. You never know. This is a good question. I like that there was a good mix of fun questions as well as more serious questions. I'm a big fan of the fun questions. Favorite comfort meal for me, I'll go first. I love a sandwich. I love picnic food. My family teases me. That's my favorite kind of food. I love a sandwich with like a pasta salad with a crispy Diet Coke with a bag of chips. That brings me comfort. What about you guys?

[Amy B. Chesler]

That sounded like perfection. But I would say for myself, my mom's chili over a huge roasted baked potato topped with cheese and onions. Or her shepherd's pie. I'm like a warm, give me all the food in one bite kind of gal.

[Tiffany Reese]

You would love Michael's shepherd's pie. He makes a really good one. Lauren.

[Lauren Barkman]

My favorite comfort meal. I think it's a Mac and cheese, cornbread, pinto bean, and like a slaw combo. My cousin's grandma, she used to make that and it was like the most delicious thing. She would put it all on top of each other. Oh, and like some relish. It was good. It felt like home.

[Tiffany Reese]

There's definitely some unique North Carolina foods that I got to try. I'm obsessed with the hush puppies that I had while I was there. They put butter on everything. God bless America.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

Okay, the next one is any good reads?

[Tiffany Reese]

My reader, girls. Lauren, I know you're a big reader girl.

[Lauren Barkman]

I've recently been reading Magnolia Parks. It's based in London. It's kind of like a toxic drama romance right now. But I heard it's supposed to get really good as it goes. It's going to be a TV show too. But I'm only on the first book. There's, I think, five of them. I like cozy thrillers based on the season that you're in. I like self help books a lot. I like historical fiction as well.

[Tiffany Reese]

What about you, Amy?

[Amy B. Chesler]

My kiddo has been reading a lot of Stephen King, so I revisited some with her. And that's been fun because I was a huge Stephen King fan as a kid. Usually what I read on my off time is thrillers, escapism. What about you? You all are always reading something.

[Tiffany Reese]

I'm always reading like five different books. I hate that because I'm usually the type person who likes to read one thing and just be fully dedicated to that. But like, I read so much for work and so I don't read as much for fun because a lot of the times the books that I'm drawn to are related to work as well. And then I end up going on vacation and bringing a book that's really heavy. And my family's like, really? And so I picked up this book Live from New York because it's again, about snl. It's a complete, uncensored history of Saturday Night Live as told by the stars, writers and guests. So it's almost like a documentary book because everything in it is like a quote from someone, essentially. It really takes you through as like a historical standpoint from like the first season through current day, when the book was written. It's by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales. But it's so interesting because you hear about, like, who was an asshole who dated who, what was going on behind the scenes, learning about people that are super famous and hearing more about, like, the heart behind it and the ups and downs and stuff. So it's a really good, lighter read if you're looking for something to kind of escape into. And then for work, I'm reading Games People Play, which is a psychology book from the 1960s. It's definitely interesting considering the stories that we're working on right now and learning a bit more about the psychology of lying and why people lie or do the things that they do.

[Lauren Barkman]

Have y' all heard of post Infidelity stress disorder?

[Tiffany Reese]

It's like a specific type of trauma from being cheated on.

[Lauren Barkman]

Yeah, it happens to deal with betrayal trauma as well. Because I was looking up things. I'm always trying to find something, like, specifically related to my situation, and it's very unlikely, which is why the podcast is so good.

[Tiffany Reese]

Thank you. And I think that's why it's so endlessly interesting, too, because we are able to dig into so many topics, all of those nuances, and that we can find other people and have connected with so many other people that have experienced so many, like, unique things. But yet we come together and you feel less alone because you understand that maybe they haven't been through exactly the same thing as you, but they can understand the nuances of having gone through something that a lot of people can't understand. What would your childhood selves be thinking about the work you're doing in line

[Lauren Barkman]

with what we were just talking about. A pattern of nuanced abuse in these stories and seasons, something I've been dealing with since I was a kid. I didn't know these outlets existed, partially because they didn't at the time. It's always something I've been passionate about, but working with something was wrong. Something just clicked and the pieces fell into place.

[Tiffany Reese]

I love that, Amy.

[Amy B. Chesler]

I probably would be just shocked. I think that I was living through a lot of stuff I didn't even share with my mom. So I don't think I ever would have thought I would have taken it publicly to whoever could find this platform. And listen, I think that at first I'd be a little scared of the magnitude of sharing, but I'd ultimately be really, really proud. And I think it would probably save me a lot of grief and pain and heartache to know that I'd eventually become a part of this huge that wants to heal and do better and support each other.

[Tiffany Reese]

Yeah, I think my younger self is so, so proud of where I am now and what I've done with the hardships that I've faced. I think that's why I really try to make an effort to speak proudly about myself and share that I'm proud of myself because I didn't have that growing up and I don't have parents who cheer me on. So I have to be that for myself. And I am really proud of myself and the work that I do and what I've accomplished and what our team has accomplished and the goals we continue to have. I'm also just really so proud of the team that we've built and the people involved in continuing the vision of the podcast. I know that everybody who works on our team really cares with their whole heart, on every level. The people who work with us behind the scenes, we only surround ourselves with people who authentically care about this work and have hearts for it. And so when you're not only getting to do the work that you desire and love to do, but you also get to do it with like minded individuals, it's really fulfilling the legacy that we are able to leave for the next generation and to try and build a better world for our children and future generations and be able to connect with so many incredible people and meet so many survivors from all around the world who have lived through so many things that it has expanded my empathy, my understanding, my wisdom. It's grown so many parts of me.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

This might be a good time to read.

[Tiffany Reese]

One of the questions was about reflecting back on the last seven years of the podcast. And I did write a few words down because it is important. When I think about the impact of the show, it really humbles me and it still blows my mind that it's something that we get to do on a community level. This has become a space where people come to feel seen and to find language for what they've been through and to realize that they're not alone. And growing up, I felt so alone all the time. We hear from listeners all the time who say they didn't have the words for their experience until they heard someone else share theirs. And for listeners, I think it's helped people, including myself, better understand patterns about what abuse can look like, how manipulation works, and how complex these situations really are. It's created more awareness, more conversations, and hopefully more compassion. And within the industry, I think it's helped shift what true crime and storytelling can look like, moving away from sensationalism and towards something that's more intentional and more rooted in care and accountability. And at the end of the day, if this show has helped even one person feel less alone or do better or understand their experience better, then that's everything to me and to us. And when I think about the breadth of what we've covered on Something Was Wrong over all of these years, it really spans so much of our human experience. We've told stories about emotional abuse, coercive control, gaslighting those early seasons where so many people were just hearing those terms for the first time and realizing, oh, that's happening to me. We've covered domestic violence, sexual violence, deception, fraud, identity manipulation, people living entire double lives. We've talked about harm within families, friendships, communities. And as the show has grown, we've also gone deeper into systems like Title ix, the medical system, the troubled teen industry, and really looking at where those institutions are failing people or don't protect us the way they should. But through it all, the through line has always been the same. It's been about centering survivors voices, naming harm clearly and creating space for people to be seen, understood, and maybe feel a little less alone. So thank you guys for being here and for being such a huge part of that.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

Here's to the next seven years.

[Tiffany Reese]

I'm very excited. Honestly.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

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[Tiffany Reese]

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[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

Banking services provided by Chime's bank partners. Original products and services may have fees or charges. For more information on spotme go to chime.com sponsor thank you

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[Amy B. Chesler]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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[Tiffany Reese]

As empathetic people, what is the hardest part for covering such heavy stories?

[Amy B. Chesler]

Honestly, I think the heaviest part of receiving each story and, like, processing it is realizing how prevalent and persistent most of these topics are that we cover are. Each story is so, so, so unique. But very sadly, each of us is, in another view, a statistic. So I think that sometimes it feels like climbing up a hill and every, like, force of weather working upon us, but at least we're, like, moving up that hill. I think that's definitely the hardest part.

[Tiffany Reese]

What about for you, Lauren?

[Lauren Barkman]

As a team member but also as a survivor? Telling my own story, Just being able to relate to a lot of people's stories in one way or another, which is a good thing as well. But it is something that can hurt sometimes.

[Tiffany Reese]

Yeah, it is really painful and it's still important. But for me, I think the hardest part is sitting with certain topics and the other part that has been the most difficult for me to learn to live with on a consistent basis. Doing the job for a prolonged period of time. You have to kind of look at it as a marathon, not a sprint. I think when I look at, like, what's the most emotionally draining or difficult for me related to doing this work, I would say it's the systemic injustices that are the hardest for me. I don't just think about the survivors that are connecting with us and sharing with us because we're looking at the statistics and the trends, then knowing that the system is essentially failing so many people that for me creates a sort of heartbreak that's really hard. And something that I have been working on a lot in therapy is what do I do with that energy that is created from the grief of the societal injustices and the things that feel really hard and out of our control and persistent. It is exhausting if we're not taking care of ourselves and we're not being mindful about being in that one moment with the survivor. Okay, this one's kind of a behind the scenes for Everyone question about how long does it take for us to create each episode? A non answer answer to start with is every episode is so different. It really depends on the story or the episode and what the episode is containing. I would say some seasons we prep for six months leading up to when it goes live. Sometimes it's years that we're working on a story. Season 26, this upcoming season, is a really great example of that. We started talking a few years ago and we've discovered so much over the years. There's been a lot of continued motion. We've been slow to bring the story forward because there have been so many developments. And so it just depends on. It's obviously easier to tell a story when there has been a trial and a verdict and prior news coverage and all of those things that make it easier. Original reporting takes much longer, but we all work full time, more than full time, and we're constantly working on multiple stories. So yeah, it takes a lot of time and a lot of work goes into the editing. Becca does such a great job making it sound so seamless. That tightens up all of our language and takes away our filler words and all sorts of stuff and cleans it up. So a lot of time goes into the actual physical construction as well as adding the music and removing all of our coughing and breaths. Plus the pre interviews that we do with folks and all that stuff too, going through submissions. And then there's the fact checking and the legal consulting, the business end of things. We have to make money to be able to afford to pay all of our team and all of those people. So we have to meet with brands or our agents or other people that are in the business end of things to make sure that we're able to continue the show. There's so much that we do behind the scenes for what came next.

[Amy B. Chesler]

We obviously have a little bit of a quicker turnaround. So I'd say on average, considering all the things you just beautifully explained like pre interviews and planning and all of that, I would say like generally it takes about a month and a half per episode from very, very start to episode going out, but sometimes it takes up to a year. Nicole Schmidt, who runs the Gabby Petito foundation and does such an amazing job honoring her daughter every day. We were in talks for an episode for about a year. So yeah, it really does vary, like you said.

[Tiffany Reese]

And sometimes too like there's been subjects like the troubled teen industry or some of these more specific seasons where certain survivors had written in and significant time had passed before we reached out to them because we were going into our database and, like, searching for specific keywords. So sometimes there can be, like, significant developments in the time between when somebody submits something and when we publish. It's very different depending on each episode, but we put so much time and care into every single one, and we love doing it.

[Amy B. Chesler]

To add to that, once an episode goes out, it doesn't sever the ties between us and the survivors that we're amplifying or supporting. And so I feel like sometimes the episodes are forever because a lot of times we're cultivating relationships, keeping in touch and finding out updates eventually and all the things. So, yeah, it's ever evolving. As you mentioned as well, this next

[Tiffany Reese]

question is a little bit spicy. It's how do you deal with constant backlash and negativity? I would say for me, it doesn't feel like constant backlash and negativity because I am very selective about where I spend my time online and the ways that I interact with feedback. I read emails that come in and things like that, but I'm not one to read reviews or comments unless for some reason it's, like, sent to me or there's, like, an issue that needs to be addressed or something like that. Like, maybe a safety or security issue, but that's not very common at all. So I would say I'm working on stuff where it's always going to be really, like, nuanced and dynamic and knowing that it's the Internet and people are always going to, like, have a lot of opinions. I think it's something you definitely have to build a callus for. And thankfully, I'm in a much better place with that today than I've been in years past. And I think the early seasons and years, it's something that just takes time to get used to. Takes time to figure out what the right boundaries for you are. What's the best way for you to get feedback? What's the best way for you to communicate with your team about certain things or handle certain legal issues. I think I used to, like, let people kind of push me around a lot more. And honestly, I would take to heart a lot of shit that really I didn't need to be taking to heart or, like, feeling bad because somebody was upset or misunderstood something or things like that. I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't have empathy and care about the impact I have on other people. And that's why I care what people think of me and the work that I do, because I care about the impact I leave on other people, and I care about other people's experiences and I don't want to harm other people. But I have learned so much over the years. I've gained a lot of insight through the things that listeners share with us, through the things that survivors share with us. I think that everybody is going to digest the content that we bring through their own lens and through their own experiences and through their own truth. And that's valid and that's okay. And it doesn't have to be the same as myself or anyone else. And it isn't a personal criticism or attack on me or the show most of the time. It's more about people's feelings about the topics and the things that we're digging into, and they're very uncomfortable and dynamic and emotional topics. Real art creates conversation, and I welcome that. And I think that conversation is an important part of our community and growing our own understanding as well as other people's. Maybe I used to feel that way, that it was constant negativity or like, we could never win, but, like, now I can see more. That's life. That is what it is. And it's not against me. It's not like a personal thing to me. It's just literally how the Internet is, how life is. Lauren, were you going to say something?

[Lauren Barkman]

I was just going to say to the haters, we want a webby.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

You know, yeah, we just won best documentary podcast.

[Tiffany Reese]

It's not about winning awards, but it shows that you can't be for everyone. But certain people are going to get what you're trying to accomplish and they'll appreciate it. Documentary, long form storytelling isn't for everyone, and that's okay. And that's so valid. But the people who get it and the people who enjoy it, that's who we're here for. I think I'm just able to take that a lot less personally now. Amy, what were you going to say?

[Amy B. Chesler]

It's a really interesting question. Actually, I do have to say something I'm personally working through right now is, you know, I've shared my story on so many platforms at this point. What's really saddened me and angered me and kind of frightened me because of mob mentality and things like that. The more I share my story, the more people are like, oh, this woman is just weird. This woman sounds rehearsed. She had something to do with it. I am actually just trying to help other victims honor my mom, of course, and also, like, keep my brother in prison. And the reality is that I'm a survivor who is public. So I am posting and I am reading and I am out there. It's harmful. I don't usually engage in those conversations because I do see a lot of people leaving comments that are in response and very, very supportive. But it's shocking and appalling and it makes the work a lot harder. But that's the most painful shit. So any feedback about a show, about someone being upset about like anything they want to complain about, I listen with an empathetic heart, like you were saying. But what really gets to me and pierces my armor is deeply personal. I just like never thought that would even be a byproduct. It's just a reality and a point of like what came next. Bringing attention to how hard it is to put ourselves in the media and to continue this work. But building that fortress around us really does help.

[Tiffany Reese]

How cruel and painful. My God, I'm so sorry. Not all of it is constructive. Some of it is just bot behavior. Some of it is so appalling. I recently read a statistic that said that around 76% of high performing women receive negative feedback compared to only 2% of high achieving men. This comes from data collected from 23,000 employees across 250 organizations. And the source is Tuxedo, which analyzed performance reviews of more than 23,000 workers across over 250 organizations. If you look at podcast reviews, you'll see it and it's clear as day the way women are rated and reviewed and criticized is just different.

[Amy B. Chesler]

Thank you for sharing that. I think that's important and I think part of that is hympathy.

[Lauren Barkman]

People aren't realizing that these are real people. They just see these people as characters.

[Tiffany Reese]

The stark contrast between reality and some people's hot takes. It took me a long time to let people be wrong and loud about me. And that is the hardest part, I think, is when you know people are just wrong. If you have valid concerns or feedback or opinions, by all means. But it's when people are just like cruel for no reason or when they are just so fucked up towards the survivors, it just really bothers me. And so the best way I learned how to deal with that is to just remove it from my life as much as possible.

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[Amy B. Chesler]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

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[Tiffany Reese]

Okay, switching gears a little bit here. This one's a heavy one too. Has there been a season you regret? If so, why? And I will say absolutely not. However, are there certain things I would have done differently as a creator? Yeah. Is there feedback that I received that I was like, valid? I probably should have done that or I probably should have added that or I could see why people got confused by that. And you learn and you take it and you grow and you keep trying to make it better. These last few years, we've produced some of what I feel is our highest quality production wise content. We continue to get better and better from a creative standpoint. I'm proud of our growth over time. And part of this job is growing in the public eye and over time being an independent creator and somebody who has just had the path that I have. It's different when you're doing things independently. There's no seasons or stories that I regret telling. I feel blessed and honored every single

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

time someone is willing to trust us and share.

[Tiffany Reese]

But I definitely have learned along the way and I would do certain things differently and that's just a part of the process.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

Okay, this one's more fun.

[Tiffany Reese]

What's your favorite song?

[Lauren Barkman]

Have you guys heard of Noah Khan's new album?

[Tiffany Reese]

I don't know who that is. He's going to be on SNL this coming up.

[Lauren Barkman]

Oh my God. He's so good. And his new album just came out. The album is also just for sad girl summer. It's that kind of music that just makes you feel everything. I love that type of music even if I'm not sad. The song is called Dashboard. That is my favorite song right now.

[Tiffany Reese]

Lately I've been listening to a lot of Prince. That's not new, but I'm just really into Prince right now. I will say so any Prince song, basically. What about you, Amy?

[Amy B. Chesler]

I have a permanently favorite song of all time. It'll probably never change unless something takes it out, but nothing could. It's I've Got to Break Free by Queen. It's like the iconic music video where he in a leather skirt and a pink top vacuuming. And it's just the most iconic music video and song and nothing can beat it.

[Tiffany Reese]

Love that. I'm also listening to Megan Thee Stallion on repeat because our girl needs us right now. And I'm just trying to run it up. Switching gears a little bit here. It says, what are some of the most surreal moments you've had since starting the show? The moments that made you say holy shit and super proud. Most recently winning the Webby Award. That was definitely a holy shit moment. I saw the news at 6:30 in the morning and I definitely screamed in bed, made the dogs bark, but I was like that excited. Some of the other really surreal moments have been like meeting celebrities or hearing celebrities listen to the show or that it's reached somebody that I grew up watching or listening to or something like that. Hearing that still blows my mind never ceases to amaze me. When we had a billboard in Times Square when we were with Wondery, that was crazy. It was only because Amazon had the billboard that we were able to do it and it was part of our contract that we were able to get the space. Never in my wildest dreams. I do kind of regret not going and seeing it in person. I was just so busy at the time with work that I didn't feel like I could justify flying there just to take a picture with it. But when we went number one, that was definitely a surreal moment. I'll never forget walking around my backyard and just being like, what the actual fuck is happening? That was probably the most surreal moment of the whole experience so far. Those are some of the just behind the scenes ones. Also, anytime we finish a trailer or I hear an episode back, it feels like a surreal moment because so much work and heart goes into every single episode. That when I finally listened to that final draft. Cause we always listen to lots of drafts before we get that final draft. To hear it all come together every week, it always kind of blows me away. Amy, what about you?

[Amy B. Chesler]

There have been many surreal moments, like meeting listeners at the live events. I'll like be at the front checking them in and I'll be like, hi, I'm Amy. Welcome. And they'll be like, Amy from season seven. And that just always feels so surreal. There have been a couple what came next interviews that have been released. For instance, one where a woman came on the show and spoke about her sister's murder as a result of kind of a random attack at a party. And somebody that was at that party that night in the 1980s, wrote in and shared as a listener. Sometimes the reach and just the right person hears the story. That always kind of blows my mind when that happens.

[Tiffany Reese]

Or getting an email that says, because of this podcast, you saved my daughter's life. It's just so surreal. Lauren, what about for you? Has it been kind of odd given that so many people where you live listen to the podcast and recognize you from TikTok?

[Lauren Barkman]

Yeah, the reach that specifically my episodes got in my small town. The victims as well, coming forward that have been affected by Jess. We still get them. And we still get people that are somehow in her bubble that have met her or something. I had messages when my season was going from Australia that just has always blown my mind.

[Tiffany Reese]

Yeah, the reach is wild too, to think about.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

As we mentioned earlier, season 26 focuses

[Tiffany Reese]

on a very different kind of betrayal. Friendship betrayal. Friendship betrayal can be one of the most devastating forms of trauma a person

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

experiences, yet it's often one of the least understood and least discussed.

[Tiffany Reese]

Unlike romantic heartbreak, friendship betrayal is rarely or publicly acknowledged in the same way.

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

There are no clear rituals for grieving it, no cultural scripts for making sense

[Tiffany Reese]

of the devastation that follows when someone

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

you trust in deeply becomes the source of your harm. Because friendship is often where we feel safest.

[Tiffany Reese]

And friendship isn't just nice to have

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

for most people, it's central to our well being. In fact, according to Pew Research, 61% of U.S. adults say close friendships are extremely to very important to living a fulfilling life higher than marriage, children, or money. These are the people we confide in, the people we defend, the people we welcome into our homes, communities, and our most vulnerable moments. Best friends can become the family we choose. And when that trust is exploited, the fallout can be uniquely destabilizing. On season 26 of Something Was Wrong, we explore stories of betrayal by trusted people, where friendship, faith, emotional intimacy, and chosen family become the very mechanisms through which harm is inflicted. Through survivors, stories of manipulation, deception, abuse, and profound relational betrayal. This season examines what happens when the people we believed were safe prove otherwise. Because sometimes the most dangerous people aren't strangers. Sometimes they're the people we loved. In chapter one, we'll meet Marie. Marie was a devoted woman, deeply rooted in her faith, her family, and her church community. She never imagined that someone she knew

[Tiffany Reese]

and trusted, a pastor, a respected spiritual

[Podcast Narrator/Announcer]

leader, and a close friend within her family's inner circle, would become the source of unimaginable harm. What followed was not only deeply personal betrayal, but a painful collision with systems survivors are often and told, exist to protect them. Marie's story examines the devastating fallout of betrayal from someone viewed as morally trustworthy, the unique harms that can emerge within insular faith communities, and the profound secondary trauma survivors can experience while seeking justice. In Chapter two, we'll meet Summer and Daniel. What began as an ordinary friendship between classmates eventually unraveled into something far more disturbing. Built on shared faith, emotional intimacy, and trust, the relationships at the center of this story initially appeared deeply supportive and genuine. But over time, unsettling cracks began to show medical emergencies that never seemed to add up, claims that inspired concern, protection, and unwavering support. Then the story became stranger. A pregnancy, escalating events, disturbing allegations, an increasingly tangled web of deception that left those closest to the situation questioning not only what was true, but whether the relationships themselves had ever been what they seemed. Set against the backdrop of a strict Christian college environment where trust, image and community shaped nearly every interaction, this chapter explores manipulation, emotional abuse, coercive deception, and the devastating grief that follows discovering someone you love may never have been who they claim to be. Because beneath the shocking twists is something deeply human. The pain of realizing the friendship you were grieving may have never truly existed at all. Something Was Wrong Season 26 begins Thursday, June 11, 2026 thank you so much to each and every survivor and guest for sharing their experiences with us, and thank you for listening. Something Was Wrong is a Broken Cycle Media production created and executively produced by Tiffany Reese. Thank you endlessly to our team Associate producer Amy B. Chesler, Social Media Marketing Manager Lauren Barkman, graphic artist Sarah Stewart, and audio engineers Becca High and Steven Whack, Marissa and Travis at WME AudioBoom and our legal and security partners. Thank you so much to the incredibly talented Abayomi Lewis for this season's gorgeous cover of Glad Rag's original song you Think youk from their album Wonder Under. Thank you to music producer Janice JB Pacheco for their work on this cover recorded at the Grill Studios in Emeryville, California. Find all artists socials linked in the episode notes to support and hear more. If you'd like to share your story with us, please head to SomethingWasWrong.com if you would like to help support the show. You can subscribe and listen ad free on Apple Podcasts. Purchase a sticker from our sticker shop@broken cyclemedia.com Share the podcast with a loved one or leave us a review. Want to stay up to date with us? Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok at Something was wrong podcast. As always, thank you so much for listening. Until next time, stay safe, friends.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

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