Wild Boys: Part 2 – The Skeptic

Podcast: Wild Boys (Chameleon Season 3)
Host: Sam Mullins, Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment
Episode Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Sam Mullins continues the true story of two mysterious brothers who emerged from the Canadian wilderness in 2003, telling a captivating survival story that captured the hearts—and skepticism—of the town of Vernon, British Columbia. As the town rallies to help the so-called "bush boys," a skeptical RCMP officer begins poking holes in their tale, while media frenzy and mounting inconsistencies threaten to unravel everything. This chapter, "The Skeptic," dives deep into doubt, the dynamics of community protection, and the fragile search for the boys' true identities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vernon: The Ideal Town for a Secret (00:20–03:23)

• Sam Mullins reflects on why Vernon was the perfect place for the boys to spin their story: a quiet, slow-moving community where people take things at face value.
  • “A town where it wouldn't even cross a person's mind that you weren't telling the truth, because why would anyone even do that?” (00:31)
• The local culture is explored as open yet reserved, naïve but welcoming, with a hint of disconnected innocence.
• Mullins discusses the plausibility of "bush boys" in British Columbia, given the province’s history of off-the-grid living and communal experimentation.
  • “There's always been hippie communes and cults and polygamous groups... so when people like Daryl Stinson started getting calls about bush boys, I said, ‘Well, you know, don't discount it...’" (03:23–03:38 — Daryl Stinson)

2. Tammy Ryder: Compassion vs. Skepticism (05:14–06:02)

• Tammy Ryder, local good Samaritan, becomes the boys’ first guardian, supplying shelter, food, and care.
• Her maternal support underscores the town's protective instinct:
  • "Sort of took on that mother thing, like, ‘you gotta clean yourself up here, things like that.’" (05:49 — Tammy)
• She represents the archetype of small-town generosity, committed to seeing the boys safe and supported.

3. Corporal Henry Proce: The Skeptic Arrives (06:02–13:11)

• Corporal Henry Proce, RCMP officer and father of six, instantly doubts the boys' story:
  • “Basically, I consider their story to be BS right from the start.” (06:02 — Proce)
  • “This whole notion of being, you know, raised in the wilds ... was total nonsense.” (06:27 — Proce)
• Henry details his investigation—running their supposed names, contacting authorities in Revelstoke, and finding no trace.
  • “No Tom or Will Green that matched their age in the system.” (11:49)
  • “They would have been birth records, they would have been hospital records, they would have been tax records... and there was absolutely nothing.” (12:30 — Proce)
• The boys’ evasiveness and other residents’ loyalty frustrate his efforts, with community members and the hostel’s tenants collectively protecting the brothers.

4. Community Closing Ranks (13:24–15:13)

• The hostel residents and Tammy Ryder act to shield the boys from police and the press.
• Tammy and the boys’ lawyer, Dale Kermode, advocate for a softer, social service approach, wary of police and media intrusion.
  • “The medium term plan... was to see that they got whatever assistance, including medical assistance for Will..." (15:53 — Dale)

5. Media Frenzy and Doubts Multiply (16:14–24:05)

• News of the “wild bush boys” explodes, attracting local and international coverage. The story becomes a sensation:
  • "We couldn't get national media to pay attention to Vernon on its best day. But these two wild children... and suddenly everybody wants to talk to us." (19:09 — Shaun Harvey, former mayor)
• Public opinion splits: some believe in the boys’ innocence; others call “scam.”
• The boys themselves remain reclusive, refusing all engagement—academic, social, or otherwise.
  • “They didn’t do anything. They sat in a room and did nothing.” (23:05 — Tammy)
• Their obsession with nutrition (specifically fruit) and avoidance of all social connection is noted as increasingly odd.

6. Cracks Appear—The Story Unravels (25:18–29:31)

• Personal interactions reveal inconsistencies:
  • Tom cannot perform basic “bush boy” chores.
  • The brothers display advanced vocabularies, awareness of modern conveniences, and even fashion sense inconsistent with their backstory (e.g., Ray-Ban sunglasses).
  • “Tom wore Ray Ban sunglasses on his forehead in a casual way that was fashionable—not consistent with somebody who lived in the cave.” (28:04 — Dale)
  • Tom is comfortable on computers, despite claims he couldn’t read or write (28:26).
• Their story morphs under questioning, now occasionally including limited exposure to modern life (e.g., renting videos, visiting towns).

7. Disillusionment and Growing Concern (29:31–32:33)

• Police and media interest wanes as the mystery drags on without resolution, leaving helpers like Tammy emotionally exhausted:
  • “I remember ... being so mad at him because I was doing so much to help, but he wasn’t doing anything to help the situation or help himself or his brother.” (31:07 — Tammy)
• Tammy debates withdrawing help, fearing for her children’s safety and questioning the true nature of the brothers.

8. Crisis Point: Will’s Health and Police Intervention (32:33–35:28)

• Will’s health deteriorates rapidly due to what appears to be an eating disorder—he becomes dangerously underweight.
  • “Will was already gaunt when he arrived in town... he was down to just 85 pounds on a six-foot frame.” (31:51)
• Proce and Tammy decide involuntary intervention is necessary. Using the Mental Health Act, Will is apprehended and hospitalized:
  • "You're being apprehended. You're being taken out of the community because you are a danger to yourself." (35:09 — Proce)
  • Will puts up no resistance, is hospitalized, and—after months—will surface with a new name, in a new country.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Vernon's innocence:
  “A place where it wouldn't even cross a person's mind that you weren't telling the truth, because why would anyone even do that?” (00:31 — Sam Mullins)

• Skeptic's arrival:
  “Basically, I consider their story to be BS right from the start.” (06:02 — Corporal Henry Proce)

• On investigating the boys’ identities:
  “They would have been birth records... and there was absolutely nothing.” (12:30 — Proce)

• On the myth of the bush boys:
  “Nothing pours cold water on a story about wild, uncorrupted bush children quite like the revelation that they had a VCR...” (29:45 — Sam Mullins)

• Tammy’s fatigue:
  “Who exactly am I helping?” (31:38 — Tammy Ryder)

• Turning point for Will:
  "You're being apprehended. You're being taken out of the community because you are a danger to yourself." (35:09 — Corporal Proce)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:20–03:23: Vernon's culture and plausibility of off-the-grid living
• 05:14–06:02: Tammy’s help for the brothers
• 06:02–13:11: Henry Proce investigates, interviews, and doubts the boys
• 13:24–15:13: Community closes around the boys, legal/social services step in
• 16:14–24:05: National/international media grabs the story; doubts rise
• 25:18–29:31: Inconsistencies emerge, boys display modern knowledge and skills
• 29:31–32:33: Exhaustion and anxiety among would-be helpers
• 32:33–35:28: Will’s health crisis, police intervention, and hospitalization

Tone & Style

The episode balances wry, dry Canadian humor, heartfelt skepticism, and mounting emotional tension as the town becomes both a sanctuary and an echo chamber for suspicion. Sam Mullins’ narration is empathetic, self-aware, and at times playful, contrasting with the stern, methodical skepticism of Corporal Proce and the compassionate fatigue of Tammy Ryder. The language throughout is candid, conversational, and packed with small-town color.

Conclusion

"Part 2: The Skeptic" peels back the layers of the Wild Boys phenomenon, exploring compassion and suspicion in equal measure. As the mystery deepens, the episode raises larger questions about trust, truth, and the ways communities react to the unknown. The show leaves listeners on the brink of revelation, poised for the next chapter—when identities are exposed and lives are forever changed.