Did you know in the late 1800s, doctors didn’t wash their hands between procedures? When Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis – an obstetrician in Vienna – realized women in his hospital were dying at staggering rates, he implemented staff-wide mandatory hand washing. Maternal death rates dropped by 90%. But doctors weren’t happy. Semmelweis was called "crazy," told his idea was superstitious, not scientific. 75 years later, Dr. Robert Goddard – an American professor of physics – published a report via the...

Johnny Unitas is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. But once upon a time, the boy with the big hands and the golden arm was 6’1 and 140 pounds. He was told he was too "slight" to play high school football. He was rejected by Notre Dame. He was drafted, then cut from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was told he’d never make it in the NFL. Join us as we tell Johnny-U’s incredible story – from pile driving to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Get to know...

In Part Two of Rejecting Walt Disney, Disney plays around with his ‘mouse’ idea – but is quickly deterred. Suits are afraid the public is afraid of mice – especially 10-foot-tall mice. Disney plays with sound, then colour. Then, he has his craziest idea of all: feature-length cartoons. Get to know Apostrophe: Instagram Twitter Threads YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Walt Disney Company is worth $147B today. With over 800 films to its name, multiple television networks like ESPN and ABC, Pixar, Marvel, streaming, resorts and theme parks worldwide, it's the second-largest media conglomerate in the world. But before Mickey, before poisoned apples and before roller coasters, Walt Disney was rejected. He was fired from a local newspaper for “lacking creativity.” He was told drawing cartoons did not a legitimate career make. And his very first animation...

The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world. 300 million people have climbed its stairs – or its elevators – since the landmark first opened in 1889. You’ve seen it in countless movies, you’ve marvelled at its 20,000 lights. But did you know back when the tower's design was first revealed to the public, 300 of France’s most-respected cultural luminaries called it a humiliation, a mockery and an "odious column of bolted metal?" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

This week it's our mid-season break, and that means an encore presentation of one of our most-loved episodes: Rejecting Leslie Jones. Chris Rock once described Leslie Jones as “about as funny as a human being can be.” She was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live for six years, she’s a Ghostbuster and a three-time Emmy nominee. But before landing her big break, Jones was a struggling comedian. By the time she turned 45, she had yet to make a steady paycheck in comedy and considered...

Nina Simone is ranked #21 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. She was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and released over 40 albums in her lifetime. But back when Simone was an 18-year-old pianist, she was rejected from music school. She faced doubt, racism and abuse at every turn. Then she found her voice. Tweet us on Facegram: Instagram Twitter Threads Find the show notes on our website. Peruse our other pods: Under The...

Alan Ruck has several iconic roles under his belt. Cameron Frye in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Stuart Bondek in Spin City. And most recently, the eldest Roy boy Connor in Succession. But would you believe that after Ferris Bueller, Ruck couldn't land a part and wound up taking a job at a local Sears warehouse? This week, it's a much requested post-success rejection story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon & Garfunkel is one of the greatest musical duos of all time. But before “The Sound of Silence” filled the airwaves, the pair’s debut album was a total flop. So much so that the partnership effectively split. Then their producer called – he'd remixed their best song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part Two of Rejecting Hayley Wickenheiser, the results of the 1998 Canadian Olympic hockey games are brought to parliament. Pro teams come calling, then name-calling, then calling again. And Wickenheiser takes a shot at spinning her rejections into gold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hayley Wickenheiser is widely considered one of the greatest female hockey players of all time. She’s the longest-serving member of Canada’s national team with seven World Championships and four Olympic gold medals to her name. But before becoming Canada’s women's all-time leader in international goals, assists and points, Wickenheiser was told hockey was for boys. She was rejected for teams, bullied on the ice and kicked off of teams solely on the basis of sex. Join us this week as we tell...

Jim Carrey is Ace Ventura. He’s the Grinch. He’s Bruce Almighty. He’s Truman Burbank. Need we say more? But in 1989, Carrey was getting routinely crucified on stage, rejected for parts and was nearly starving to death – living in a bachelor apartment with a baby basket on the floor. Then one day, he wrote himself a check for $10M for “acting services rendered” – dated five years in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pedro Pascal is the man of the moment. In 2020 he was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Entertainers of the Year, and in 2023 he became one of the highest-paid actors on television. But only 10 years ago, Pascal was struggling to make rent, rejected for parts and told he was aging out of Hollywood – quick. Until one afternoon, when he picked up a script for a 30-something bisexual Lothario from the 15th century... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Missy Elliott is the reigning Queen of Rap, credited with changing the face of hip-hop with her debut album Supa Dupa Fly and five consecutive platinum albums that followed. But before selling 30 million records, Elliott was rejected by producers, dropped by a major label and told she didn’t fit the “image” the industry was looking for. Join us this week as we tell Elliott’s story, from quitting the music business altogether to becoming the first female rapper nominated to the Rock & Roll...

The Hershey Company has the largest market share of any chocolate brand in North America. But before its founder Milton Hershey sold his first milk chocolate bar, he filed for bankruptcy – twice. By his 30th birthday, the struggling entrepreneur had lost two candy companies, and the faith of his family. Join us as we kick off Season 4 with the inspiring story of Milton Hershey – a man rejected by bankers for a $700 loan, who went on to build a $50 billion empire. Find the Apostrophe Network...

We Regret To Inform You returns to your AirPods in one week's time. We've got some inspiring stories to share with you this year – here's a sneak peek at what's in store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We regret to inform you, this week marks the final episode of our 2022 season. Over the past three years – and 60 episodes – we’ve come across so many incredible rejection stories that weren’t long enough to fill a full episode. But that doesn’t mean they're any less packed with insight. Join us this week for Short Stories in Television, Part 2 - the inspiring pint-sized rejection stories of John Krasinski & Uzo Aduba. Have a safe and happy holiday. We'll meet you back here for more...

Airbnb is worth more than the world’s top three hotel chains combined, with over 150 million users spanning 200 countries. But before the company made its three founders the first-ever sharing economy billionaires, they were broke. Weathering rejections from investors and narrowly avoiding eviction. So, the trio did what any struggling entrepreneurs would do - they created President Obama-themed cereal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you don’t recognize the name Fritz Pollard, you’re not alone. Pollard was the first Black player in the NFL, the first Black quarterback in the NFL and the first Black head coach of an NFL team. And yet, in 2020 – the NFL’s 100th birthday – the league referred to Pollard as “A Forgotten Man.” Pollard weathered racism, rejection, death threats and violence every night he stepped onto the field. But he persevered through it all. Today, we tell Pollard’s incredible story – from forgotten man...

Jesus Christ Superstar is one of the most successful musicals of all time, grossing over $230M worldwide. But before composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice launched their technicolour dream careers, the pair was told their proposal of a Christ-themed musical was “the worst idea in history.” They were rejected by music labels, producers, impresarios. Then they got news from The Vatican. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part Two of Rejecting Mad Men, the series finds a home that can’t find financing. A struggling unknown actor named Jon Hamm auditions for the lead – and goes to the bottom of the list. Christina Hendricks’ agent drops her for accepting the pilot. And Matthew Weiner writes a whole new story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to Rolling Stone, Mad Men is the fourth-greatest television show of all time – bested only by Breaking Bad, The Wire and The Sopranos. But before Sterling Cooper ever opened its doors, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner was rejected by every major network. Including HBO, FX and Showtime. Weiner was told no one would watch a series about advertising, that his main character was an unlikable smoker slash philanderer and that viewers hated period pieces. Mad Men gathered rejections, then...

This week, we thought we’d do something a little different. The Apostrophe Podcast Network has several shows on its roster. And if you aren’t already a listener, we’d like to introduce you to our flagship series Under The Influence with Terry O’Reilly. Under The Influence gives listeners a rare backstage pass into the hallways, boardrooms and recording studios of the advertising industry. Host and career adman Terry O’Reilly tells fascinating and funny stories that connect the dots between...

Kentucky Fried Chicken is the most popular chicken chain of all time, with 25,000 locations in 145 countries. But before the world first tasted Colonel Sanders’ secret recipe of 11 different herbs and spices, the Colonel was broke. At 65. Driving around the South pitching his recipe to restaurant owners and weathering over 1000 rejections. Then he got some truly unbelievable news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When RENT premiered in 1996, it became a runaway smash hit. The venue sold out for months on end, lines stretched around the block, "Rentheads" pitched tents in order to secure rush tickets, celebrities were photographed under the marquee. But, what many people didn’t know was that over the previous 15 years, writer and composer Jonathan Larson faced nothing but rejection. He wrote several plays that never saw the light of day, told his work was unfocused or too ambitious. Then a number of...