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

*Content Warning: distressing themes, suicide, death, substance use disorder, drug use, sexual assault of a child, institutional child abuse, violence, childhood abuse. 

*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: 

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*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork: 

The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart

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*Sources 

Easton, Scott D et al. “Suicide attempts among men with histories of child sexual abuse: examining abuse severity, mental health, and masculine norms.” Child abuse & neglect vol. 37,6 (2013): 380-7. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2012.11.007 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23313078/

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Pathophysiology and Prevention of Adolescent and Adult Suicide; Goldsmith SK, Pellmar TC, Kleinman AM, et al., editors. Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2002. 5, Childhood Trauma. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK220932/

Kubler, Katherine, creator and director. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping. Netflix, 2024 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31183637/ 

Lopez-Castroman, Jorge et al. “Early childhood sexual abuse increases suicidal intent.” World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) vol. 12,2 (2013): 149-54. doi:10.1002/wps.20039 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3683267/

Something Was Wrong

S24 Ep17: Wounded

*Content Warning: distressing themes, violent abuse of a child, step-parent abuse, domestic violence, abduction, kidnapping, childhood abuse, emotional violence, physical abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and institutional child abuse (‘troubled teen industry’).

*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: 

somethingwaswrong.com/resources   

Snag your ticket for the live Home for the Holidays event here: https://events.humanitix.com/swwxtgi 

Check out our brand new SWW Sticker Shop!: https://brokencyclemedia.com/sticker-shop 

*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork: 

The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart

Follow Something Was Wrong:

Website: somethingwaswrong.com 

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Follow Tiffany Reese:

Website: tiffanyreese.me 

IG: instagram.com/lookieboo

*Sources 

Keeping “cult” out of the Case, culteducation.com/group/1274-straight-inc/19713-keeping-cult-out-of-the-case.html

Kubler, Katherine, creator and director. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping. Netflix, 2024 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31183637/ 

Melee Keeps Spotlight on Hard Life at Academy (Published 2005), www.nytimes.com/2005/06/08/nyregion/melee-keeps-spotlight-on-hard-life-at-academy.html

Mater, C. Jamie. “The Troubled Teen Industry and Its Effects: An Oral History.” Inquiry Journal, 1 Apr. 2022, www.unh.edu/inquiryjournal/blog/2022/04/troubled-teen-industry-its-effects-oral-history

O’Brien, Tim. Keeping “cult” out of the Case, Cult Education Institute, 7 July 2003, culteducation.com/group/1274-straight-inc/19713-keeping-cult-out-of-the-case.html

S24 Ep16: Attack Therapy

*Content Warning: distressing themes, self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance use disorder, child sexual abuse, child abuse, verbal abuse, mental abuse, physical violence, cultic abuse, suicidal ideation, grooming, torture and death.

*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: 

somethingwaswrong.com/resources   

Snag your ticket for the live Home for the Holidays event here: https://events.humanitix.com/swwxtgi 

Check out our brand new SWW Sticker Shop!: https://brokencyclemedia.com/sticker-shop 

*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork: 

The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart

Follow Something Was Wrong:

Website: somethingwaswrong.com 

IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast

TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast 

Follow Tiffany Reese:

Website: tiffanyreese.me 

IG: instagram.com/lookieboo

*Sources 

Dungan et al v. the Academy at Ivy Ridge et al 7:2006CV00908 | US District Court for the Northern District of New York | Justia, dockets.justia.com/docket/new-york/nyndce/7:2006cv00908/64507

Kubler, Katherine, creator and director. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping. Netflix, 2024 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31183637/ 

Melee Keeps Spotlight on Hard Life at Academy (Published 2005), www.nytimes.com/2005/06/08/nyregion/melee-keeps-spotlight-on-hard-life-at-academy.html

Rutherford, Diane. “Nys Saw Serious Problems at Ivy Ridge in 2006, Says Letter Obtained by 7 News.” Https://Www.Wwnytv.Com, 12 Mar. 2024, www.wwnytv.com/2024/03/12/nys-saw-serious-problems-ivy-ridge-2006-says-letter-obtained-by-7-news/

S24 Ep15: Source of Hope

*Content warning: disturbing abuse of children, disability abuse, emotional and physical violence involving children, murder, death, suicide, neglect, kidnapping, abduction, isolation, torture, distressing topics. 

*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: 

somethingwaswrong.com/resources   

Snag your ticket for the live Home for the Holidays event here: https://events.humanitix.com/swwxtgi 

Check out our brand new SWW Sticker Shop!: https://brokencyclemedia.com/sticker-shop 

Support The Gathering Inn 

*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork: 

The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart

Follow Something Was Wrong:

Website: somethingwaswrong.com 

IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast

TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast 

Follow Tiffany Reese:

Website: tiffanyreese.me 

IG: instagram.com/lookieboo

*Sources 

"Accused killer John Free’s death was a suicide, say officials." 7 News, WWNY, March 18, 2025, https://www.wwnytv.com/2025/03/18 

Aldrete, Isabella, "Audit: Seven care facilities for children fail state standards." The Nevada Independent, September 20, 2024, https://thenevadaindependent.com/article 

Anderson, Kayla, "New teen treatment center opens in Hawthorne." Mineral County Independent-News, December 13, 2022, https://mcindependentnews.com/2022/12/ 

Aurora Center for Healing. Alignable, n.d., https://www.alignable.com/hawthorne-nv 

Dunn, Kenneth, "Nevada health officials suspend Aurora Center license in Hawthorne." KRNV, May 9 2025, https://mynews4.com/news/local/nevada-health 

“FULL INTERVIEW with a former Academy at Ivy Ridge Worker.” YouTube, uploaded by 7News | WWNY | Watertown, May 2, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch

Hofmann, Will, "Asheville Academy violated NC law, will face fines after child suicides report says." Asheville Citizen Times, June 18, 2025, https://www.yahoo.com/news 

Jones, Andrew R., "Asheville Academy Gives Up Its License Following Two Suicides in May." Asheville.com, June 10, 2025, https://www.asheville.com/news/2025/06 

Kenton, Luke, "Ex Ivy Ridge students say John Free sent ‘threatening’ messages weeks before the dorm parent was charged with murder." The U.S. Sun, May 23 2024 https://www.the-sun.com/news 

Kudisch, Jordan, "Asheville Academy faces $45,000 in fines after state investigation into child safety violations." Spectrum Local News, Jun. 18, 2025, https://spectrumlocalnews 

Legislature, OR. “ORS 419a.245 – Use of Restraints during Transport.” OregonLaws, oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_419a.245. Accessed 23 Sept. 2025. 

Nguyen, Jenny, et al. “Understanding Well-Being in Adult Survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry: The Roles of Moral Injury and Meaning-Making.” RANGE: Undergraduate Research Journal (2025), University of Utah, 1 July 2025, uen.pressbooks.pub/range26i1/chapter/jnguyen/

Rutherford, Diane, "Former Ivy Ridge worker denies sexual assault accusation, admits to mistakes." 7 News, WWNY, May 1, 2024, https://www.wwnytv.com/2024/05/01

Rutherford, Diane, "Grand jury indicts former Ivy Ridge worker on murder charges." 7 News, WWNY, January 6, 2025, https://www.wwnytv.com/2025/01/06/grand-jury 

Salamone, Olivia, "Former Ivy Ridge dorm parent John Free charged with murder weeks after detailing harrowing abuse academy victims faced." The U.S. Sun, May 22 2024,https://www.the-sun.com/news/11442849/ivy-ridge-dorm-parent-murder-arrest-john-free/ 

Salter, Jim. “Rules Sought for ‘gooning,’ Taking Troubled Kids to Care.” Youth Today, 30 Sept. 2022, youthtoday.org/2022/09/rules-sought-for-gooning-taking-troubled-kids-to-care/

S24 Ep14: Horror Movie 

*Content warning: substance use disorder, death, distressing and mature topics, drug use, institutional child abuse, emotional, physical and sexual violence of adolescents, childhood abuse, grooming. 

*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: 

somethingwaswrong.com/resources   

*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork: 

The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart

Follow Something Was Wrong:

Website: somethingwaswrong.com 

IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast

TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast 

Follow Tiffany Reese:

Website: tiffanyreese.me 

IG: instagram.com/lookieboo

*Sources 

"Academy at Ivy Ridge Withdraws From World Wide Association of Specialty Programs & Schools." PRNewswire, January 1, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20120925185503

Bruening, Lexi, "District Attorney: dozens of Ivy Ridge abuse complaints pour in after documentary." 7 News, WWNY, March 11, 2024 https://www.wwnytv.com/2024/03/11/district-attorney-dozens-ivy-ridge

Chomik, Alexandra, "TORTURE CHAMBER What was the Academy at Ivy Ridge?" The U.S. Sun, Mar 6 2024

https://www.the-sun.com/tv/10592100/what-was-academy-at-ivy-ridge 

Editor, Letter to the. “Letter to the Editor: Bob Lichfield Offers Rebuttal to Allegations in Netflix Documentary.” St. George News, 27 Mar. 2024, www.stgeorgeutah.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-opinion/letter-to-the-editor-bob-lichfield-offers-rebuttal-to-allegations-in-netflix-documentary/article_c6e27554-f37b-555a-b4be-2c31f617c546.html.

"Former Academy at Ivy Ridge students meet in Ogdensburg, rally outside city hall" 7 News, WWNY, April 27, 2024 https://www.wwnytv.com/2024/04/27/former-academy-ivy-ridge

Hill, Michael, "Netflix docuseries on abuse allegations at New York boarding school prompts fresh investigation." InfoTelNews, April 03, 2024 https://infotel.ca/newsitem/us-boarding-academy-abuse-claims 

Kenton, Luke, "'ABUSER UNMASKED' Amy Ritchie is named as the Ivy Ridge ‘predator’ by four alleged victims who claim sexual abuse & sick grooming cycle." The Sun UK, March 23, 2024

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/26880799/academy-ivy-ridge-abuser-amy-ritchie

“Key to His Schools’ Success? It’s God, Founder Says.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2003, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-13-na-toughbar13-story.html

Kubler, Katherine, creator and director. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping. Netflix, 2024 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31183637/ 

Mitchell, Max, "IDirector: Ivy Ridge to close until fall" Watertown Daily Times, MARCH 12, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20160530232325

“Riot at Cult School Finally Helped Close It after Abused Students Fought Back.” The US Sun, The US Sun, 28 Mar. 2024, www.the-sun.com/news/10623840/academy-ivy-ridge-riot-cult-school-closed-abuse-netflix/. 

Rutherford, Diane, "NYS saw serious problems at Ivy Ridge in 2006, says letter obtained by 7 News." 7 News, WWNY, Mar. 12, 2024 https://www.wwnytv.com/2024/03/12/nys-saw-serious-problems-ivy-ridge

Semple, Kirk, "Melee Keeps Spotlight on Hard Life at Academy." The New York Times, June 8, 2005 https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/08/nyregion

NewsNation. “Teens' Alleged New York Boarding School Sexual Abuser Identified: Report | Banfield.” YouTube, 22 Apr. 2024 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_oKRuKXdAQ. 

“UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, BRUCE DUNGAN, et al., Plaintiffs v. THE ACADEMY AT IVY RIDGE, et al., Defendants.” April 22, 2008 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-nynd

Warner, Greg, "Riot at Ivy Ridge School for Troubled Teens." NCPR, May 19, 2005 https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story

Winters, David, "Ivy Ridge, home sold for $2.8m." Watertown Daily Times, APRIL 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20140130123642

7 News. "Former Academy at Ivy Ridge Students Meet in Ogdensburg, Rally Outside City Hall." YouTube, 27 Apr. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRNMUgnUkNw

S24 Ep13: How Profoundly Sorry I Am

*Content warning: body-image abuse, disordered eating, distressing topics, suicidal ideation, institutional child abuse, childhood trauma, therapeutic abuse, grooming, abduction, self-harm, emotional and physical violence, isolation, Substance Use Disorder, sexual assault. 

*Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: 

somethingwaswrong.com/resources   

*SWW S23 Theme Song & Artwork: 

The S24 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart

Follow Something Was Wrong:

Website: somethingwaswrong.com 

IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast

TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast 

Follow Tiffany Reese:

Website: tiffanyreese.me 

IG: instagram.com/lookieboo

*Sources 

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness

https://blueridgewilderness.com/ 

“Carlbrook: Unable to ‘pull out of nosedive.’” Sova Now, December 14, 2015

https://www.sovanow.com/articles/carlbrook_unable_to_pull_out_of_nosedive/ 

"The Carlbrook School”,  Struggling Teens.com, October 27, 2003

https://strugglingteens.com/archives/2003/11/carlbrook1103vr.html 

“Carlbrook School files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.” Sova Now, February 18, 2016 https://www.sovanow.com/articles/carlbrook_school

"Dan McDougal." Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness

https://blueridgewilderness.com/who-we-are/our-team/dan-mcdougal

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness, Our Story

https://blueridgewilderness.com/who-we-are/our-story 

“Evoke Entrada.” Breaking Code Silence 

https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/evoke-entrada/

Gilpin, Elizabeth. Stolen: A Memoir. July 20, 2021 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55898103-stolen 

"Introducing Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness." Struggling Teens.com, July 27, 2016

https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/BlueRidgeTherapeuticWilderness

“Missing Person / NamUs #MP13098.” National Missing and Unidentified Persons System

https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/case/MP13098 

"Our Story: From Vision to Transformational Community." Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness

https://blueridgewilderness.com/who-we-are/our-story 

Rensin, Emmet, “I went into the woods a teenage drug addict and came out sober. Was it worth it?” Vox, July 7, 2016

https://www.vox.com/2016/7/7/12081150/wilderness-therapy 

“Second Nature Uintas.” Breaking Code Silence

https://www.breakingcodesilence.org/second-nature-uintas/ 

“Seen N' Heard (October 2001).” Struggling Teens.com, October 1, 2001

https://web.archive.org/web/20170502063301/http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p

Staff reports, "Carlbrook School closes; students asked to be out by Sunday." YourGV, October 28, 2020

https://www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/carlbrook-school-closes 

"Wilderness Therapy Works: Why Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness is an Industry Leader in Student Care." Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness, February 8, 2024

https://blueridgewilderness.com/blog/wilderness-therapy-works-why-blue-ridge-therapeutic-wilderness-is-an-industry-leader-in-student-care

"Woodbury Reports Visits Carlbrook School." Struggling Teens.com, May 29, 2014

https://strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/printer_CarlbrookSchoolBN_140529.shtml

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