In this episode, Jenn takes us on a high flying journey through the stories of five extraordinary women who didn’t just break barriers in aviation—they redefined the industry itself.

From the fearless female pilots who flew before they even had the right to vote, to the groundbreaking engineers who reshaped the way we fly today, these women battled discrimination, defied expectations, and risked everything to claim their place in the skies.

Jenn unpacks the thrilling and sometimes dangerous missions of these aviation pioneers, sharing the near-misses, record-breaking achievements, and behind-the-scenes struggles they faced. Tune in to hear about the Fly Girls, namely Ruth Nichols, Louise Thaden, Ruth Nichols, Florence Klingensmith, and Amelia Earhart.

Sources:

O'Brien, Keith. Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History. 2020.

Earhart, Amelia. The Fun of It. Harper & Brothers, 1932.

In this episode, Lauren takes us on a thrilling ride through the life of the infamous bank robber, John Dillinger. Known as the "Jackrabbit" of the Depression-era criminal world, Dillinger's daring heists, flashy personality, and audacious escapes made him one of the most notorious criminals of the 1930s.

Lauren chats about his early years, his criminal rise, and his run-ins with the law—while uncovering the real stories behind his legendary robberies. From prison breaks to his ultimate showdown with the FBI, Dillinger's life was nothing short of wild. But was he a hardened criminal or a man out of place in desperate times? Join us for a closer look at the outlaw who became a symbol of rebellion—and who ultimately met a tragic end on the streets of Chicago.

Sources:

Burrough, Bryan. Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34. Penguin Books, 2004.

Gorn, Elliott J. Dillinger's Wild Ride: The Year That Made America's Public Enemy Number One. Oxford University Press, 2009.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. "John Dillinger: FBI Case Records." https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/john-dillinger

Helmer, William J., and Rick Mattix. Dillinger: The Untold Story. Indiana University Press, 1994.

Toland, John. The Dillinger Days. Random House, 1963. Chicago Tribune archives, various articles on Dillinger’s life and crimes.

In this episode, Jenn dives into the toxic mess—literally—that was the Love Canal disaster. What started as an abandoned canal in Niagara Falls, New York, became a dumping ground for thousands of tons of hazardous waste, poisoning an entire community. But here’s where it gets really wild—the ones who fought back weren’t politicians or corporate bigwigs. It was the badass moms, housewives, and everyday residents who refused to let their families suffer in silence.

From organizing protests to demanding action from the U.S. government, these women sparked an environmental movement that changed history. How did an entire neighborhood become a toxic time bomb? And how did a group of determined mothers take on powerful corporations and win? Jenn breaks down the shocking story of Love Canal, the fight for justice, and how these fierce women set the stage for environmental activism as we know it today.

Sources:

• Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal – A documentary that explores the environmental disaster, corporate negligence, and the community’s fight for justice.
• Paradise Falls: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe by Keith O'Brien – A deeply researched book detailing the full history of Love Canal, the families affected, and the activists who fought to expose the truth.

In this episode, Lauren takes us through the twisted tale of NXIVM, the self-help group that turned into a full-blown cult. From its beginnings as a so-called leadership program to its shocking descent into manipulation, branding, and blackmail, Lauren unravels the rise of Keith Raniere and the loyal followers who helped build—and ultimately destroy—his empire.

It’s a story of power, control, and the dark side of human behavior, with plenty of WTF moments along the way. Tune in for a wild ride through one of the most infamous modern cults and the legal takedown that shook the nation.

Sources

• Department of Justice: "Founder of NXIVM and Five Others Charged in Superseding Indictment" https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/founder-nxivm-purported-self-help-organization-and-five-others-charged-superseding
• CNN: "NXIVM Sex Cult Key Players: What to Know About the Trial" https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/23/us/nxivm-sex-cult-key-players/index.html
• Courthouse News Service: "Former Slave Master Describes NXIVM Branding Ritual" https://www.courthousenews.com/former-slave-master-describes-sex-cult-branding-ritual/
• Department of Justice: "Jury Finds NXIVM Leader Keith Raniere Guilty on All Counts" https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/jury-finds-nxivm-leader-keith-raniere-guilty-all-counts
• A&E Real Crime: "How Keith Raniere Built NXIVM: A Timeline of Manipulation and Control" https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/nxivm-cult
• ABC News: "NXIVM Member Speaks Out About Being Branded in Secret Sorority" https://abcnews.go.com/US/nxivm-member-invited-secret-sorority-branded/story?id=51617201
• Audiobook: Don't Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM by Sarah Berman
• HBO: The Vow Documentary series detailing the rise and fall of NXIVM, featuring interviews with former members and exclusive footage.

In this episode, Jenn takes the mic to unpack the harrowing tale of the Donner Party—a group of pioneers whose journey to California turned into a nightmare of starvation, survival, and desperation. What led them to take the treacherous route that sealed their fate? And how did they endure one of the most infamous survival stories in history? Jenn dives into the grim details, unraveling the shocking twists behind this wild chapter of American history.

Sources:

• Desperate Passage: The Doner Party's Perilous Journey West by Ethan Rarick
• American Experience: The Donner Party with Ric Burns

In our very first episode of the That’s Wild Podcast, Lauren takes you on a wild ride through one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history. In 1971, a man known only as D.B. Cooper hijacked a plane, demanded $200,000, and then vanished into thin air after parachuting into the night. Who the hell was he? How did he pull off this daring escape? And where did he disappear to? From FBI investigations to wild conspiracy theories, we’re unpacking it all.

Sources:

• Bruce A. Smith, D.B. Cooper and the FBI: A Case Study of America's Only Unsolved Skyjacking
• Geoffrey Gray, Skyjack: The Hunt for D.B. Cooper
• FBI Vault, D.B. Cooper Case Files (vault.fbi.gov/d.b.-cooper)
• History.com, “Who Was D.B. Cooper?”
• National Geographic, “D.B. Cooper: The Hijacking That Still Haunts the FBI”

That's Wild Podcast Trailer

Meet Lauren and Jenn: The Girlies Behind the Mic

In the very first episode of That’s Wild: The Podcast, Lauren and Jenn pull back the curtain to introduce themselves and share the inspiration behind their show. With a shared passion for quirky, mind-blowing stories from history, they dive into their backgrounds, favorite topics, and what makes them tick.

Tune in to learn who they are and what drives their curiosity.