Dec. 15, 2025

The Podcast Formula That Made “You’re Wrong About” a Hit

The Podcast Formula That Made “You’re Wrong About” a Hit

Do you remember when Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding was accused of having her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, injure Nancy Kerrigan’s knee before the 1994 Olympics? If you lived through the 90s, this story dominated the news, and many of us formed strong opinions based on a narrative the media pushed at the time. That familiar story becomes the starting point for a deeper look at podcasting craft. Co-host Jonathan Howard, leads the team through a case study of You’re Wrong About, using their 'Tanya Harding, Part 1' episode to examine where the show excels. We explore how the hosts balance deep research with a conversational delivery that keeps listeners engaged. We also look at how intentional co-host roles guide audiences through complex material without losing clarity. Strong podcasting is not about presenting more facts. It is about framing stories with care and purpose, so listeners feel invited to rethink what they know and stay engaged.

Episode Highlights:

[03:40] Preview of the upcoming podcast evaluation series

[06:18] Introduction to the You’re Wrong About podcast

[07:33] First impressions, tone, and host banter

[16:21] A deeper dive into the Tanya Harding story

[27:29] Accessibility and discoverability issues within the episode

[32:53] Empathy-driven storytelling and humanizing Tanya Harding

[41:08] Media narratives and shifting public perception

[49:26] Citing sources in show notes

Links & Resources: 

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Empowered Podcasting Conference: 

www.eventbrite.com/e/empowered-podcasting-conference-tickets-1976757134803

Upcoming Podcast For Evaluation: https://open.spotify.com/episode/44Mq04supW81rcuQeAVCB8?si=I-vp9camTrK0bvw1ZX6g6g

You’re Wrong About Tanya Harding Part 1: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2CWRSZfApA

The Story Lab with Jonathan Howard: 

https://thestorylabpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

To Have Your Podcast Considered For Evaluation, Please Complete This Form: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U

Our upcoming podcast evaluation, Shared Delights (Wedding Crasher): https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pfvQbyTC2J4j7f07RlgTb?si=DAciGVe4TRqSeyq5Glnb3w

Shared Delights Podcast: 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7kGzKPjX13q2r2j9G7MdDR?si=9fb17aeb1020497a

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