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Something Was Wrong

Broken Cycle Media | Wondery

Something Was Wrong is an award-winning docuseries about survivors discovery, trauma, and recovery from crime and abuse.

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Our Editor's Take

Sometimes, things in life feel off. In most cases, whatever feels wrong isn't that serious. In others, that feeling of something being “not-right” changes everything. That second feeling? That's what the Something Was Wrong podcast is all about. It tells the true stories and shocking tales of survivors. Each story tells the tale of someone who made it through wild discoveries they never anticipated. Some episodes uncover the secret lives of loved ones. Others dive into the narrow avoidance of historical tragedies. No matter the story, Something Was Wrong reveals what it's like to survive life-changing trauma.

This award-winning docuseries launches listeners into immersive storytelling. The podcast specializes in asking listeners, "Do we really know anybody the way we think we do?" This series features interviews with survivors that guide each story and give context. Top-notch storytelling from host Tiffany Reese ensures a captivating narrative. Something Was Wrong brings listeners to the front and center of each experience. It doesn't only tell a story; it gets the audience up close and personal with real-life shock and survival.

Each season offers listeners an in-depth experience. Some seasons unfold a story over several episodes. Other seasons use single-episode formats, telling a new and unique story in each segment. Whichever format listeners prefer, one thing is certain, they have a lot of listening to do. There are over 200 episodes available, and there's nothing wrong with that! Something Was Wrong offers captivating examinations of real-life stories with the people who lived them.

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Season 22

Season 21

S21 E1: (1/2)  [Gwenevere]  Innate Dignity
25-07-2024
S21 E1: (1/2) [Gwenevere] Innate Dignity
*Content Warning: Military Sexual Assault, death, drug use, substance use disorder, suicidal ideation, emotional and physical violence, sexual violence. *Sources:This season, our theme Song U Think U, by Glad Rags. PTSD Coach (by US Dept for Veterans Affairs) https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach Beyond MST https://mobile.va.gov/app/beyond-mst *Sources from MST narration: An Overview of Sexual Trauma in the US Military: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6519533/ Veterans’ Benefits: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title38/html/USCODE-2011-title38partII-chap17-subchapII-sec1720D.htm State of the Knowledge of VA Military Sexual Trauma Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9481813/ Military Sexual Trauma in Men https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21534094/ Military sexual trauma research: a proposed agenda https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21534099/US Naval Institute on the Latest Military Sexual Assault Report https://news.usni.org/2022/09/01/latest-military-sexual-assault-report-shows-tragic-rise-in-cases-pentagon-officials-say#:~:text=Across%20all%20the%20services%2C%208.4,t o%20use%20than%20older%20versions. Protect Our Defenders https://www.protectourdefenders.com/*Resources:Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources Follow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookieboo See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Data Points: Stalking (featuring Lenora Claire)
23-07-2024
Data Points: Stalking (featuring Lenora Claire)
*Content warning: stalking, harassment, emotional, mental, and physical violence. Resources:Stalking, Prevention, Abuse, & Resource Center: https://www.stalkingawareness.orgSPARC SHARP Risk Assessment Tool: https://www.stalkingawareness.org/sharp/Stop Stalking Us: https://www.stopstalkingus.comSpecial K Investigations: https://www.specialkpi.comDelete Me: https://joindeleteme.com/Sources:Catalano, S. (2012). Stalking Victims in the United States - Revised. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/sv19.pdfStalking Prevention Awareness & Resource Center. (n.d.). SPARC. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.stalkingawareness.org/fact-sheets-and-infographics/Storey JE, Pina A, Williams CS. The Impact of Stalking and Its Predictors: Characterizing the Needs of Stalking Victims. J Interpers Violence. 2023 Nov;38(21-22):11569-11594. doi: 10.1177/08862605231185303. Epub 2023 Jul 24. PMID: 37482768; PMCID: PMC10515444. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10515444/Tjaden, P. G., Thoennes, N., National Institute of Justice (U.S.), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.), & National Violence Against Women Survey. (1998). Stalking in America: findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Center for Disease Control. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21857Lenora Claire:Lenora’s website: https://www.lenoraclairellc.com/Lenora’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenoraclaireSpecial K Investigations: https://www.specialkpi.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S21 E5: (1/2) [Emma] Mind Games
07-08-2024
S21 E5: (1/2) [Emma] Mind Games
*Content Warning: Sexual assault, rape, violence, sexual harassment, mature themes, drug use, substance use disorder, interpersonal violence, death, gambling. *Sources:Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 1997. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 25.) Chapter 1—Effects of Domestic Violence on Substance Abuse Treatment. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64441/McNeely J, Adam A. Substance Use Screening and Risk Assessment in Adults [Internet]. Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins University; 2020 Oct. Table 3, DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Diagnosing and Classifying Substance Use Disorders [abc]Mehr JB, Bennett ER, Price JL, de Souza NL, Buckman JF, Wilde EA, Tate DF, Marshall AD, Dams-O'Connor K, Esopenko C. Intimate partner violence, substance use, and health comorbidities among women: A narrative review. Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 27;13Professional, Cleveland Clinic medical. “Substance Use Disorder (SUD): Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16652-drug-addiction-substance-use-disorder-sud. Accessed 25 June 2024. “Substance Abuse and Addiction Statistics [2023].” NCDAS, 2 May 2024, drugabusestatistics.org/“Substance Use Disorder.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 31 Jan. 2023, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/substance-abuse-chemical-dependency. *Resources:Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources Faces and Voices of Recovery (nonprofit) https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/ Learn About Treatment for Mental Health, Drugs, or Alcohol https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/learn-about-treatmentQuick Guide for Clinicians https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma15-3583.pdf SAMHSA’s National Helpline https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline SAFE Project (resource for help) https://www.safeproject.us/about-us/ Shatterproof (nonprofit) https://www.shatterproof.org/ Vine https://www.vinelink.com/#state-selection Follow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookieboo business@tiffanyreese.me The SWW theme Song is U Think U, by Glad Rags. The S21 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S21 E6: (2/2) [Emma] Choose Peace
07-08-2024
S21 E6: (2/2) [Emma] Choose Peace
*Content Warning: Sexual assault, rape, assault, sexual harassment, substance abuse, substance use disorder, physical abuse, domestic violence, gambling  *Sources:Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 1997. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 25.) Chapter 1—Effects of Domestic Violence on Substance Abuse Treatment. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64441/McNeely J, Adam A. Substance Use Screening and Risk Assessment in Adults [Internet]. Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins University; 2020 Oct. Table 3, DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Diagnosing and Classifying Substance Use Disorders [abc]Mehr JB, Bennett ER, Price JL, de Souza NL, Buckman JF, Wilde EA, Tate DF, Marshall AD, Dams-O'Connor K, Esopenko C. Intimate partner violence, substance use, and health comorbidities among women: A narrative review. Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 27;13Professional, Cleveland Clinic medical. “Substance Use Disorder (SUD): Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16652-drug-addiction-substance-use-disorder-sud. Accessed 25 June 2024. “Substance Abuse and Addiction Statistics [2023].” NCDAS, 2 May 2024, drugabusestatistics.org/“Substance Use Disorder.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 31 Jan. 2023, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/substance-abuse-chemical-dependency. *Resources:Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources Faces and Voices of Recovery (nonprofit) https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/ Learn About Treatment for Mental Health, Drugs, or Alcohol https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/learn-about-treatmentQuick Guide for Clinicians https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma15-3583.pdf SAMHSA’s National Helpline https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline SAFE Project (resource for help) https://www.safeproject.us/about-us/ Shatterproof (nonprofit) https://www.shatterproof.org/ Vine https://www.vinelink.com/#state-selection Follow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookieboo business@tiffanyreese.me The SWW theme Song is U Think U, by Glad Rags. The S21 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Data Points: The Intersection of  Crime & the LGBTQIA+ Community (featuring Jimanekia Eborn)
06-08-2024
Data Points: The Intersection of Crime & the LGBTQIA+ Community (featuring Jimanekia Eborn)
*Content warning: domestic violence, intimate partner violence, physical, emotional, mental, and sexual abuse, assault, racism, murder, and hate crimesResources: Interpride: https://www.interpride.org/UN Women: https://www.unwomen.org/Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation: https://glaad.org/UN High Commissioner for Refugees: https://www.unhcr.org/us/Sources:Understanding Intimate Partner Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community. (2022, November 4). Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-intimate-partner-violence-in-the-lgbtq-communityN.T. Brown, T., & L. Herman, J. (2015). Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Abuse Among LGBT People: A review of existing research. UCLA Williams Institute School of Law. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/ipv-sex-abuse-lgbt-people/E. James, S., L. Herman, J., E. Durso, L., & Heng-Lehtinen, R. (2024). 2022 U.S. Trans Survey. National Center for Transgender Equality. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/2022%20USTS%20Early%20Insights%20Report_FINAL.pdfYouth Risk Behavior Survey: Data Summary & Trends Report 2009 - 2019. (n.d.). In Center for Disease Control. Center for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBSDataSummaryTrendsReport2019-508.pdfWiggins, C. (2023, October 17). Hate Crimes Against LGBTQ+ People Surge, FBI Reports. The Advocate. https://www.advocate.com/news/fbi-increase-lgbtq-hate-crimesLi, W., & Lartey, J. (2023, March 25). New FBI Data Shows More Hate Crimes. These Groups Saw The Sharpest Rise. The Marshall Project. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/03/25/asian-hate-crime-fbi-black-lgbtqJimanekia Eborn: Jimanekia’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jimanekia Jimanekia’s Website: https://traumaqueen.love/ Trauma Queen the Podcast: https://traumaqueen.love/podcast What Came Next Episode 36: [Jimanekia Eborn] Everyone Does Survivorship DifferentlySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Data Points: Narcissistic Abuse (featuring Vanessa Reiser, LCSW)
20-08-2024
Data Points: Narcissistic Abuse (featuring Vanessa Reiser, LCSW)
*Content warning: physical, emotional, mental, sexual, and financial abuse.Resources:National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/Sources:Frye, D. (2024, June 11). What Makes a Cult Leader? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-therapy/202406/what-makes-a-cult-leaderLeaving The Relationship: Planning to leave? By Do It Safely Domestic Violence Center of Chester County: https://dvcccpa.org/leaving-the-relationship/Love Bombing: Meaning & Origin. (n.d.). Dictionary.com. (August 6, 2024) https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/love-bombing/Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapist's Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People By Vanessa M. Reiser (2024): https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanessa-m-reiser/narcissistic-abuse/9781668644782/?lens=hachette-go Follow Vanessa Reiser:Vanessa’s website: https://tellatherapist.net/Vanessa’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vanessareiserlcswVanessa’s TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/vanessareiserVanessa’s Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanessa-m-reiser/narcissistic-abuse/9781668644782/?lens=hachette-goVanessa’s What Came Next Ep. ‘The Treachery of No Empathy:’ https://podcasts.apple.com/bw/podcast/vanessa-reiser-the-treachery-of-no-empathy/id1674051643?i=1000661213926Follow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookieboo The Data Points cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S21 E11: (3/4) [Jubilee] Words of Knowledge
29-08-2024
S21 E11: (3/4) [Jubilee] Words of Knowledge
*Content Warning: strangulation, physical, mental, emotional, and financial abuse, domestic violence, suicidal ideation, self harm, sexual abuse, religious trauma, cultic abuse, and cults. *Sources:A Look at the Megachurch That Calls Redding Home: Bethel Church. (2019, June 20). The LAist. https://laist.com/shows/airtalk/a-look-at-the-megachurch-that-calls-redding-home-bethel-churchBethel Church. (2019, December 20). Resurrection Prayer for Olive Heiligenthal. https://www.bethel.com/news/olive-heiligenthalBill Johnson: Creative Miracles At Bethel - Part 1. (2011, January 11). [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=2PzttaVImCY​​The Evangelical Parents Of A Young Girl Who Died Are Using Social Media To Ask For Her Resurrection, by Tanya Chen and Stephanie McNea for Buzzfeed (Dec. 2019): https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tanyachen/evangelical-parents-of-a-young-girl-who-died-social-media Bolz, S. (2014). GOD KNOWS YOUR NAME: Translating God (Prophetic Moments) [Video]. https://youtu.be/i3O3nEbniQw?si=PL9SrHby1nCJ4sQXWilson, D. (2008). Finger of God [Video]. https://wpfilm.com/media/finger-of-god/*Resources:For a list of related non-profit organizations, please visit: http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesNational Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/ Follow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookieboo business@tiffanyreese.me The SWW theme Song is U Think U, by Glad Rags. The S21 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S21 E12: (4/4) [Jubilee] Dead Raiser
29-08-2024
S21 E12: (4/4) [Jubilee] Dead Raiser
*Content Warning: strangulation, physical violence, emotional abuse, financial abuse, domestic violence, suicidal ideation, self-harm, sexual abuse, religious trauma, cultic abuse, and homophobia. *Sources:A Look at the Megachurch That Calls Redding Home: Bethel Church. (2019, June 20). The LAist. https://laist.com/shows/airtalk/a-look-at-the-megachurch-that-calls-redding-home-bethel-churchBethel Church. (2019, December 20). Resurrection Prayer for Olive Heiligenthal. https://www.bethel.com/news/olive-heiligenthalBill Johnson: Creative Miracles At Bethel - Part 1. (2011, January 11). [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=2PzttaVImCYBolz, S. (2014). GOD KNOWS YOUR NAME: Translating God (Prophetic Moments) [Video]. https://youtu.be/i3O3nEbniQw?si=PL9SrHby1nCJ4sQXJubilee Dawn. (2023, January 15). If You Are Googling If Your Partner’s Actions Are Normal [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNsaa6Am/Jubilee Dawn. (2023, January 15). Rating Cringy Posts I Made When I was in a Cult [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNs5vetK/Jubilee Dawn. (2014, March 31). Rating My Instagram Posts From When I was in a Cult [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNsaLBT7/Bancroft, Lundy. (2003). Why Does He Do That? : Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men. New York: Berkley Books. https://lundybancroft.com/ Wilson, D. (2008). Finger of God [Video]. https://wpfilm.com/media/finger-of-god/*Resources:National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/ For a list of related non-profit organizations, please visit: http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesFollow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: instagram.com/lookieboo business@tiffanyreese.me The SWW theme Song is U Think U, by Glad Rags. The S21 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Data Points: AI-Facilitated Crime & Abuse (featuring Dr. Aiden Hirshfield)
03-09-2024
Data Points: AI-Facilitated Crime & Abuse (featuring Dr. Aiden Hirshfield)
*Content Warning: digital violence, non-consensual distribution of intimate images, doxxing, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, grooming, exploitation, child sexual abuse material, internalized misogyny, hate crimes, racism, transphobia, and homophobia.Resources:Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): https://www.ic3.gov/National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/Take It Down: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/THORN: https://info.thorn.org/Sources:Artificial Intelligence 2023 Legislation. (2023). The National Conference of State Legislatures. https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/artificial-intelligence-2023-legislationBernard Marr. May 8, 2024. The Important Difference Between Generative AI And AGI. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/05/08/the-important-difference-between-generative-ai-and-agi/Deeptrace Labs. (2019). The State of Deepfakes: Landscape, Threats, & impact. https://regmedia.co.uk/2019/10/08/deepfake_report.pdfEuropean Commission. (n.d.). The EU’s Digital Services Act. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act_enFACT SHEET: Presidential Memorandum Establishing the White House Task Force to address online harassment and abuse. (2022). https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/16/fact-sheet-presidential-memorandum-establishing-the-white-house-task-force-to-address-online-harassment-and-abuse/#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Justice%20(DOJ)%20will%20implement%20new%20statutory%20provisions,at%20the%20intersection%20with%20domesticJanine M. Zweig, Ph.D., Meredith Dank, Ph.D., Pamela Lachman, Jennifer Yahner. Technology, Teen Dating Violence and Abuse, and Bullying. U.S. Department of Justice. 2013. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/243296.pdfNational Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (n.d.). CyberTipline 2023 Report. https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline/cybertiplinedataPew Research Center. (2021, January 13). The State of Online Harassment. Pew Research. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/01/13/the-state-of-online-harassment/Pew Research Center. (2022, December 15). Teens And Cyberbullying. Pew Research. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/12/15/teens-and-cyberbullying-2022/Right To Be. (n.d.). Self-Care When Experiencing Online Harassment. Right to Be. https://righttobe.org/guides/self-care-when-experiencing-online-harassment/Rosenblatt, K. (2021, November 16). Drag queens are being swatted while streaming on Twitch. They want it to stop. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/drag-queens-are-swatted-streaming-twitch-want-stop-rcna5631Rosenblatt, K. (2019, November 11). Family of Wichita man killed by police in swatting incident seeking $25 million from city. NBC News.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/family-wichita-man-killed-police-swatting-incident-seeking-25-million-n1079836THORN. (2023, April 11). Online Grooming: What it is, how it happens, and how to defend children. https://www.thorn.org/blog/online-grooming-what-it-is-how-it-happens-and-how-to-defend-children/Walker, Paige, Adam Jazairi, and Chelcie Rowell, eds. Digital Literacy Against Digital Violence: A Handbook for Library Workers. 2022. https://nfpcsa.pubpub.org/handbook.Dr. Aiden Hirshfield:Dr. Hirshfield’s website: https://www.aidenhirshfield.com/Media Psyched Podcast: https://www.aidenhirshfield.com/podcastDr. Hirshfield’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dr.aidenhirshfieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.