The Mortified Podcast

Follow The Mortified Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

The Mortified Podcast is a storytelling series where adults share the embarrassing things they created as kids—diaries, letters, lyrics & beyond—in front of total strangers. PS: It totally likes you. Mortified is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Learn more at radiotopia.fm.

Mortified Media and Radiotopia


    • Dec 29, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 27m AVG DURATION
    • 265 EPISODES

    4.7 from 2,129 ratings Listeners of The Mortified Podcast that love the show mention: mortified, adolescence, can't wait to go, awkwardness, embarrassingly, angst, cringey, cringe worthy, brilliant idea, journals, diary, makes me wish, diaries, cathartic, please help, totally relatable, teenager, look back, subway, reliving.



    Search for episodes from The Mortified Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Mortified Podcast

    Encore: Boy Bands (feat. Joey McIntyre of KNOTB)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 37:15


    We revisit one of our favorite episodes, the boy band episode (originally published in ep 50), where we explore all things boy band-- New Kids on the Block, N*Sync, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, One Direction and more. Plus an interview with our special guest, KNOTB star Joey McIntyre. 

    269: Most Mortified Champions!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 35:14


    The Most Mortified Tournament of Teen Angst reaches its climax, as the winning Mortified chapter is officially crowned. Tyrel Hartman shares journals about first kisses and video games, as well poems about a pet hamster. Andrew Willis shares journals about the search for romance in high school. As a heads up, we will have one more episode left after this before the show enters hiatus. 

    268: Most Mortified Finale pt 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 39:32


    Hear part 2 of our Most Mortified Tournament of Teen Angst finale.  Segment 1: the erotic fiction of Keith Garcia. Segment 2: A conversation with 3 members of the Mortified Denver community that covers such topics as: an epic coming-out tale, a major tampon mishap, sneaking explicit music past religious parents and lurid stories from youth group.This episode is made with the support of Squarespace. Use this special link to receive a discount just for Mortified fans.

    267: Most Mortified Finale pt 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 35:03


    Hear part 1 of our Most Mortified Tournament of Teen Angst finale.  Segment 1: the diary of Chanel Ruth. Segment 2: A conversation with 3 members of the Mortified Chicago team that covers such topics as: creative ways for closeted young lesbians to use the Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack, kids who fear they'll go to hell for watching an Al Pacino movie, and finding out your great grandma has a smutty side.This episode is made with the support of Squarespace. Use this special link to receive a discount just for Mortified fans.

    266: The Fascinating Girl

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 29:52


    Stories include: At the height of the Carter-Reagan election, a 10-year-old girl, Alex, imagines experiencing a future with a female President. A broken hearted teen, Erica, unleashes her romantic fury by writing her ex a 24-page letter. A girl in the 1970s, Rhonda, wrestles with who she ought to be in pages of her journals after reading a book about being a proper young woman, The Fascinating Girl.This episode is made with the support of Squarespace. Use this special link to receive a discount just for Mortified fans.

    265: Most Mortified Semifinals - Chicago vs Portland

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 40:15


    The Most Mortified tournament has reached the semifinals!  In this head to head clash of titans, the Mortified Chicago chapter battles the Mortified Portland chapter.  Stories include: Inspired by the diary of Anne Frank, a girl sets out to keep an adolescent diary that will be remembered for the ages.The epic tale of a shy kid who works up the gumption to talk to girls.This episode is made with the support of Squarespace. Use this special link to receive a discount just for Mortified fans.

    264: Why My Name is Robert

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 32:45


    The rebellious, fury-filled journals of a Korean-American boy who was caught in the midst of a culture clash at school and at home.Watch Robert's performance in the The Mortified Guide to Family in The Mortified Guide TV mini-series on Tubi and Freevee(Amazon Prime). The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.  This episode is made with the support of Squarespace. Use this special link to receive a discount just for Mortified fans.

    263: Most Mortified Semifinals: Denver vs DC/Baltimore

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 48:03


    The Most Mortified tournament has reached the semifinals!  In this head to head clash of titans, the Mortified Denver chapter battles the Mortified DC/Baltimore chapter.  Stories include: A grade school boy goes to great lengths to win a classroom election.  A catholic school girl ventures into dating with very limited sex education knowledge.A boy determined to land a coveted cabbage patch doll transforms himself into a budding entrepreneur. A liberated teenager moves to a small religious town where her hormones clash with her desire to fit in with her conservative surroundings.This episode is made with the support of Squarespace. Use this special link to receive a discount just for Mortified fans.

    262: Crossover episode: Rock That Doesn't Roll

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024 45:48


    If you were a devout christian kid in the 1980's, there's a good chance mainstream music was off-limits. Especially debaucherous hair metal bands like Motley Crue and Poison.  That one christian glam band, complete with big hair, makeup and tight spandex, changed all that... In this special crossover episode with our friends at Rock That Doesn't Roll, hear the unlikely tale of 1980's hair metal band, Stryper. Featuring appearances by Stryper's own Michael Sweet and Mike Tramp of White Lion fame.Find more episodes of Rock That Doesn't Roll.

    261: Most Mortified: NY vs BOS vs CHI

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 44:55


    Mortified celebrates 20 years with a friendly beer-league-level competition that pits city vs city.  This week, Mortified's Chicago chapter faces off against Mortified NY as well as Mortified Boston in an epic three-way battle for the coveted last spot in the tournament's semifinals.  Stories include: A 2nd grader's misguided essay aimed at making retirees go back to work and pay taxes.  The diaries of a middle schooler crushing on the receptionist from The Office. Oddly religious fan letters to Katherine Hepburn. This episode is supported by Squarespace. For a special discount, check out:  https://www.squarespace.com/mortified.

    260: My Eminem Dreams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024 29:36


    Two tales of midwestern kids with BIG dreams. Featuring the rap lyrics of a Detroit girl growing up in the 90s; and the journals of a Fargo teenager with dreams of working for Disney World.  You can find Justin Jorgensen's Dapper Day at DapperDay.com or @dapperday on insta/tiktock.Get a 14 day free trial and save 10% off your first purchase of a website or a domain at squarespace.com/mortifiedCREDITS: Podcast produced and hosted by Neil Katcher and David Nadelberg. Stage show created by David Nadelberg. OTHER PROJECTS FROM MORTIFIED MEDIA:// STAGE: We currently have local chapters in 9 US locations. See upcoming events at getmortified.com/live. // TV: Watch our concert film, Mortified Nation, and our 6-part mini series, The Mortified Guide, now on Tubi and other platforms. // KIDS PODCAST: We also made an awesome podcast for kids 9-13 called Ooh You're in Trouble. It's kind of like we made Mortified Jr. Each episode features a true story about a moment when someone broke a rule growing up, and what happened when they did. It's an educational and comedic series that delivers exciting stories while helping kid's define their sense of ethics. // BOOKS: We've also got a guided journal, My Mortified Life, that prompts you to compare your life to your childhood self.  We've also got 2 Mortified anthologies.  // GAME: Check out our confessional card game, I Can't Believe I Did That.  

    259: Most Mortified: Los Angeles vs. DC/Baltimore

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 15:19


    Mortified celebrates 20 years with a friendly beer-league-level competition that pits city vs city.  This week, Mortified's LA chapter faces off against Mortified's DC/Baltimore chapter.  Stories include: The high school diary of Cynthia, a girl who wrote poems about things like pap smears and fell for guys who weren't exactly into girls. Also, hear the story of Sascha, a girl who uses lists as a way to make sense of a scandalous phase. (May not be appropriate for younger audiences).Love Cynthia Dorsey's story?  You can find her @soulactorcynThis episode is supported by Squarespace. For a special discount, check out:  https://www.squarespace.com/mortified.

    258: Jodie Sweetin's Teenage Diary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 46:33


    Full House star Jodie Sweetin shares the poetry she wrote as a teenager for the first time ever.CREDITS: Podcast produced and hosted by Neil Katcher and David Nadelberg. Stage show created by David Nadelberg. OTHER PROJECTS FROM MORTIFIED MEDIA:// STAGE: We currently have local chapters in 9 US locations. See upcoming events at getmortified.com/live. // TV: Watch our concert film, Mortified Nation, and our 6-part mini series, The Mortified Guide, now on Tubi and other platforms. // KIDS PODCAST: We also made an awesome podcast for kids 9-13 called Ooh You're in Trouble. It's kind of like we made Mortified Jr. Each episode features a true story about a moment when someone broke a rule growing up, and what happened when they did. It's an educational and comedic series that delivers exciting stories while helping kid's define their sense of ethics. // BOOKS: We've also got a guided journal, My Mortified Life, that prompts you to compare your life to your childhood self.  We've also got 2 Mortified anthologies.  // GAME: Check out our confessional card game, I Can't Believe I Did That.  

    257: The Doogie or The Vinnie

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 35:16


    Segments include: A boy, Mat, fears he might become a sidekick. A girl, Keri, struggles with feelings of being overshadowed by a classmate. Finally, a teenager named Cassandra pines to be seen as anything more than a friend. CREDITS: Podcast produced and hosted by Neil Katcher and David Nadelberg. Stage show created by David Nadelberg. OTHER PROJECTS FROM MORTIFIED MEDIA:// STAGE: We currently have local chapters in 9 US locations. See upcoming events at getmortified.com/live. // TV: Watch our concert film, Mortified Nation, and our 6-part mini series, The Mortified Guide, now on Tubi and other platforms. // KIDS PODCAST: We also made an awesome podcast for kids 9-13 called Ooh You're in Trouble. It's kind of like we made Mortified Jr. Each episode features a true story about a moment when someone broke a rule growing up, and what happened when they did. It's an educational and comedic series that delivers exciting stories while helping kid's define their sense of ethics. // BOOKS: We've also got a guided journal, My Mortified Life, that prompts you to compare your life to your childhood self.  We've also got 2 Mortified anthologies.  // GAME: Check out our confessional card game, I Can't Believe I Did That.  

    256: Most Mortified - Denver vs. SF/Oakland

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 33:08


    Mortified celebrates 20 years with a friendly beer-league-level competition that pits city vs city.  This week, Mortified's Denver chapter faces off against Mortified's SF/Oakland chapter.  Stories include: The diary of Lori, a rebellious high schooler who joins the cotton judging team. Also, the story of a girl, Katie, who uses a big lie to land her first girlfriend. 

    255: "We Made Out, etc."

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 32:45


    To celebrate twenty years of Mortified, hear two performances -- one from this past year and the other, originally performed at the first ever Mortified performance.  This episode features performances by Kate Keleher and Kerri Pomarelli.  

    254: Most Mortified - ATX vs. PDX

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 42:52


    Mortified celebrates 20 years with a friendly beer-league-level competition that pits city vs city.  This week, Mortified's Portland chapter faces off against Mortified's Austin chapter.  Stories include: A middle schooler turns detective in her pursuit of her crush. And, a boy who turns into Medieval royalty to feel better about his social status. 

    253: The Origin Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 31:55


    Ever wonder how Mortified began? To celebrate the project's 20th anniversary, Mortified founder David Nadelberg shares the show's origin story including: never-before-heard recordings from the debut stage show, behind the scenes trivia and the unsent love letter that started it all. 

    252 Plenty of Fish

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 34:10


    Surprise episode! Hear the journal of Brett Freedman, a closeted middle schooler in the 1980s who tries to keep 2 things alive— his fish and his hopes for romance. Recorded in Los Angeles. Featured in our encore segment: Jimmy Radosta's Grinch-y Christmas journal, recorded in Portland, OR. And stay tuned, a batch of new episodes are coming in the first half of 2024. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Produced by Neil Katcher and David Nadelberg.

    Robot Diaries + Announcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 12:14


    We share an update about the future of the podcast. Plus, Robots diaries!

    251: Secret Lives of the Well Behaved

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 28:36


    No one is just a teacher's pet or a goody two shoes... The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. We are taking a brief hiatus from new episodes and working on some exciting new projects we hope to share very soon. In the meantime, binge the entire series, re-listen to your favorites.

    250: For Bonnie, Carolyn and Rachel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2022 48:37


    This week, we honor the lives of Mortified participants who are no longer with us by hearing their stories. A special episode featuring the hilarious performances of Carolyn Martone, Bonnie Schupp and Rachel Sieradzki. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

    249: This Isn't Going to Last

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 24:31


    Tales of teenagers hellbent on making their first shot at love a lasting one. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Please support independent podcasting and all of our creative colleagues at Radiotopia by giving to Radiotopia's fall fundraiser.

    248: Colin Quinn + Tyra Banks

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2022 28:54


    From smart ass comedians to supermodels, kids find inspiration from unlikely sources. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the series! See Mortified Live! This episode is made possible with support from Betterhelp.

    247: Tale of Two Hippies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 31:37


    Power to the Flower Child! Tales of teenage hippies that came of age in the 70s. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the series!

    246: I Was An Artsy Kid (w/ Gillian Jacobs & Rider Strong)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022 24:55


    Ever think you were the deep artist type? Tales of shy kids who get creative as a way to fit in. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge [the entire series](http:// http://www.getmortified.com/podcast).

    245: Truth, Dare and Cher

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 23:15


    The tale of one kid who's convinced quickest way to a kiss is Truth or Dare. Also, a girl who becomes convinced only superstar Cher can save her. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series!

    244: Jessica's Diary

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2022 30:21


    What do you get when you combine Luke Perry, bowel movements and vacuuming strange people's homes? The diaries of a adolescent girl named Jessica. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series.

    243: I Want You Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2022 35:20


    From obsessing over a vacation fling to pining for an old flame, tales of teenagers who worry they're going to miss out on their one true love. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series.

    242: I Had A Mean Streak

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2022 26:58


    Tales of teens who went through a super crabby phase and captured it all in their journals. An episode that proves diaries are definitely the best place to vent your most frustrations and judgments. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Bing the series. Check out upcoming Mortified live events in your area.

    241: Homesick in India

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 29:06


    A first generation American comes face to face with her Indian roots. Plus, a favorite from the podcast vault, a religious Jew goes on vacation and tries being non-kosher for a day. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series.

    240: I Want Some Action

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2022 27:40


    Ever feel like Tina from Bob's Burgers? Tales of hormonally frustrated teens on the lookout for the slightest bit of romance. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series!

    239: I Love Musicals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 29:21


    From Kelly to Justin, to Milan Rouge... tales of kids who go on epic adventures, all because of their love of a musical. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the series.

    238: My Inner Wednesday Addams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2022 18:17


    Kids born with a gift for gloom. Tales for the Wednesday Addams lurking in all of us. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series.

    237: Brownies & Ben Affleck

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 27:13


    A college student experiences emotional Armageddon and a middle schooler falls for the star of Armageddon, years before he was famous. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the series!

    236: Harvard Material

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 31:43


    If only Good Will Hunting kept a diary. Hear the inner-most thoughts of two teenagers that set out to break the Ivy league mold. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series.

    235: Sweet Valley High + Animorphs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022 33:21


    What was your very favorite book series growing up? From Sweet Valley to Animorphs, meet the kids who created thinly veiled versions of their own. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

    234: Model UN + Czech Mates

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2022 30:51


    This week, teenagers try their hand at foreign diplomacy. First, a story about a teenager who crushes it at the mock UN. Then, another teenager engages in foreign affairs while spending the semester in the Czech Republic. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Listen

    234: Mom Gets It On

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 25:23


    What's it like when your parent re-enters the dating world? Tales of teenagers coming face to face with their single mothers' love life. Mortified is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Listen to the entire series.

    232: Writing to God

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 28:29


    Is anyone up there listening? Religious kids take the power of prayer to the next level, by using their journal directly to communicate directly with their almighty. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series!

    Bonus Episode: Making Trouble

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2022 12:11


    The story of a high school student who goes too far in an attempt to teach his arch enemy teacher a lesson in fairness. This special episode of Mortified is a part of Radiotopia's winter fundraiser. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. Donate today. Thank you! Parent of a 9-13 year old? Check out the version of this story first aired on Ooh You're In Trouble here.

    231: Songs in the Key of Tom

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2022 19:19


    A teenage misfit sets out to win over his classmates by writing songs in the style of his pop heroes: Cher, Bette Midler and The B-52's. Featuring Tom Lenk (Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series & co-host of the podcast, Undressing Bridgerton.) The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Foster independent, artist-owned podcasting and award-winning storytelling by donating to Radiotopia's Winter Fundraiser.

    230: Jonas Brothers, Hanson & Dream Street

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2022 35:01


    Who's your favorite Jonas Brother? Remember Dream Street? This week, we celebrate 7 years of The Mortified Podcast by revisiting one of our most popular topics. Boy band fandom. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series. Were you a big boy band fan? Check out episode 50, our tribute to boyband fandom produced in 2016.

    229: A Message to My Future Self

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2022 21:23


    Wonder what the new year will bring? How ‘bout the rest of your life? Mortified ushers in 2022 with kids' bold predictions for their future selves. Featuring a middle schooler's fictional autobiography, planning out the rest of their life. And the tale of a first generation American determined to blaze her own path. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series.

    228: Friends or Rivals?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2021 30:54


    Ever felt competitive with your BFF? Tales of fiercely competitive kids who can't help but see their closest friends as bitter rivals. Featuring: the tale of a girl who was convinced her BFF had it all and the story of a kid who felt competitive with just about all of her closest friends. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the series.

    227: My Sexually Frustrated Fiction (w/ Martin Starr & more)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 30:04


    Teens who cope with mounting sexual frustration by penning their greatest fantasies. SEGMENT 1: Philip Dawkins shares a play he wrote as a closeted teen. SEGMENT 2: Megan Nevels brings to life her Law Order fan fic with the help of actors Martin Starr, Alessandra Torresani, Avital Ash. Binge the entire series! The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

    I'm In Love With My Straight Friend

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 32:46


    What happens when you feel too close to your best friend? Tales of torturous unrequited love. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series.

    225: Why Am I So Pissed Off?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 22:23


    Did being a teenager constantly get under your skin too? This week, teen diaries that dwell in outrage, frustration and total annoyance. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the entire series!

    224: Hadley's Playground

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2021 22:59


    A closeted teenager pens an epic novel trying to convince himself he's not gay. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge all episodes!

    223: The Science Of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2021 25:08


    Tales of teenagers who try to apply their scientific minds to matters of the heart. The Mortified Podcast is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Binge the series!

    Introducing Milky Way Underground

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 21:55


    As we await word about season 3 of Ooh You're In Trouble, we're sharing a story from our friends at The Milky Way Underground - a brand new tween podcast coming to TRAX. What is Milky Way Underground? An immersive fantasy about 2 kids on a journey to find their dad only to find themselves thrust into a strange and mysterious world. Want more Trouble in your life? We do too!! Click this link to tell our network TRAX why you want more episodes of Ooh You're In Trouble.

    Claim The Mortified Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel