Tom and Gavin are absolute trash. No apologies. No taking responsibility for their actions. They hardly acknowledge her personhood. In the bin with the both of you.

Interesting to listen to, except the trigger warning in the last episode basically gives the ending away, if you don’t already know how it ends. Frustrating after listening for so long to have the ending spoiled.

I heard about this podcast from the book “We See Each Other” by Tre’vell Anderson. Once I’d finished reading I immediately looked this show up and binged it. Miriam’s story was discussed with so much love and care, while also addressing what her story as a trans woman on a dating competition show signified for trans representation in media at the time. Highly recommend.

Well produced, well told, narrator was really clear and easy to listen to, never boring and for the most part seemed to try to be fair to everyone involved. Where it goes wrong for me was when the sex work and substance abuse were completely glossed over as contributors to Miriam’s suicide. As was her head injury. In fact they spent more time on the possibility of murder (although the family and coroner agree miriam killed herself). I think when honoring someone’s life by telling their story it’s necessary to talk about the ugly stuff too. Miriam was “thrown from a four story balcony” but that story was never told!! Sex work is dangerous, so very risky, and not just to one’s physical safety. Sex work takes a mental toll, as does addiction. When I think of all aspects of this story, from the show itself- to the omissions in telling Miriam’s story, I can’t help but think of the old saying “oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”.

This show is proof that blind acceptance of the trans life is damaging and intellectually dishonest. Miriam’s story is filled with all the ways she was a victim and unable to make better choices for herself - super frustrating. NO ONE points out that clearly she was psychologically unstable and needed profound help. This culture makes it sound like being trans is always a great lifestyle choice; but it can point to deep psychological issues. No one is willing to say this. But if you listen to the podcast, it’s clear Miriam was troubled from the onset. It’s gross how the reality show took advantage of her. But it’s equally gross how this podcast tries to make it sound like Miriam was a tragic hero; just a victim of the culture. We need to start being honest about the trans lifestyle - and help those who are suffering from mental illness.

I felt everyone in this story was trying to elevate themselves to being a maverick, a boundary pusher, a visionary. In actuality everyone comes off as shallow and kind of gross. The producers of the Something About Miriam show claimed to want to push acceptance. So they got a bunch of bachelors drunk in paradise and surprised them with the fact that she’s trans? It was meant to humiliate them all for the sake of the show’s (and their own) notoriety. They didn’t care about her one bit, only the paychecks they received. They come off as sanctimonious at best. Miriam wasn’t able to launch her singing career was posited as a sad commentary on the world not being ready for someone like her. SHE COULDN’T SING! That could have had something to do with it. Her sex work being described as the only thing she could do to get by is a joke. How about a 9-5 like the rest of us do to pay the bills and live the lives we want? The fact is that she would do anything for male attention. I also read that she was married to Daniel Cuervo. You left that part out because it didn’t fit the narrative. The horrible accident where she fell from a building and was hit on the head with a hammer was horrific…and you glossed right over it. Miriam was clearly associating with bad people and that’s what eventually killed her. You have to admit that along with the multitude of comments about her glamorous life all over the world. And I’m sorry, but the narrator was terrible. More intonation would help. Less comparisons to Helen of Troy (!) would be even better. I worked with trans people for years, I know their struggles. They would be horrified by this story of tricking men into thinking she was born female. And so was I.

Yes, Miriam was a participant in the show, but she was also exploited by the show creators. As were the men. I feel empathy for both. You don’t have to pick one or the other. Incredible & heartbreaking story, amazing host.

A needed story about the humanity of a woman exploited by a cruel world. I’m glad I know of her so I can honor her

Actually pretty riveting but total exploitation of Miriam and the men. The host is annoying.

OK, I wanted to listen to this with an open mind. However, the underlying message becomes clear if you listen to the whole thing. They’re trying to make heterosexual men be attracted to trans women in the name of “acceptance”. If that is where this society is going, we are doomed. The producers admitted that the point of the show was to reveal men’s sexuality when instead all it did was try to humiliate them. If trans women really want to be excepted by heterosexual men, they should’ve opened up casting to any type of man. What a joke. Surprised they actually got to air this nonsense.

Trace Lysette is a great narrator of this story! Sad to see so many people coming to the reviews just to spew their transphobic garbage. The Jesus you hateful people go on and on about told you to love everyone…you’re doing it wrong!

I am all for equal rights, let people do what they want, live free etc. etc. etc. And I think people can dress the way they want do what they want and see what they want. But…. if you have a penis, YOU ARE NOT A WOMAN!!! And if you’re trying to date straight men, while keeping your penis hidden, you have a problem. The men aren’t homophobic, they don’t hate trans people, they just want a woman who doesn’t have a penis. Is it really that hard to understand?

I saw this podcast listed when only the trailer was available so I was planning to come back to it . I’ve never heard of Miriam or her story but I love this podcast and found myself disappointed when episode 2 ended . I personally don’t pay for podcast subscriptions so I’m looking forward to episode 3 . Also to add to my review. I am sickened by the transphobia in the newer reviews . If you have an issue with the LGBT+ community then why exactly did you continue to listen to Miriam’s story ??? The fake outrage by so called holier than thou wannabes is comical and if you’re an ally like myself then I think you will enjoy the podcast . I do hate that Wondery continuously ends a story and there’s never a single update again.

The story about the show is great! Very interesting. Definitely makes you think about society and sexuality. I think if being trans makes you happy- great! But if you date someone you need to disclose it, otherwise you’re being deceptive. What the show execs and Miriam did was definitely immoral. I feel bad for her for not being accepted but at the same time this is the life she chose. Giving it 3 stars because this show has a very biased perspective and the monotone narrator makes it feel boring at times.

I am sorry but this entire story was very depressing and left me sick inside. This person obviously had some huge identity issues and was never able to find help. The fact that money hungry vultures used the man’s struggles for profit only further made this a disturbing story. I am not sure what benefit there is to communicate this type of story. The word that came to mind listening to all this is depravity. I was expecting something else - but these six episodes of very twisted individuals left me thinking - what is the purpose / point of this entire effort. It seems there was a desire to “glorify” Miriam. He was complicit in this scheme to mislead and a very confused person. Sad. As a society we continue to slide deeper into darkness.

Good story that’s well produced but the narrative about Miriam is way off. She was not the victim of the show, she was a participant. The men were the victims of the show. Everyone has trauma in their lives, it doesn’t matter what your sexuality is so 4/5 stars because of the biased opinion of the narrator.

The podcast never calls Miriam to task for agreeing to deceive the men on the show. It justifies it by saying she was using the show to out herself to the world 🙄. The Dr Garret Smith is the best thing about this podcast. He calls out the production crew when the guilt of the deception gets to them. However, even he fails to call Miriam out on playing the Crying Game.

This podcast is excellently produced and wonderfully detailed. The interviews add an extra layer to the story that completes the pictures. However, the narration is very biased - understandably so, but biased nonetheless. Miriam chose to keeps secrets and lie while spouting her desire for honesty and to be accepted for who she is. The producers were cold and in it for the money, playing everyone. The men were cruel and ignorant, but they’d been lied to on a world stage and had their own sexual preferences disregarded. Everyone is entitled to their sexuality and preferences. That includes the male contestants, not just Miriam. This podcast portrays a very fair depiction of the events, but the host’s opinion and tone when speaking on the events betray her negative opinion and disdain for the men. 4/5 stars only because of the host’s clear condemnation and bias toward everyone except Miriam - who holds some of the blame too.

The narrator is horrific. The worst. And Miriam is NOT A VICTIM NOR DO I HAVE ANY SYMPATHY FOR HER. The men were FRAMED.

Riveting. Thank you!

The narrator, throughout the entire podcast, seems to want us to feel bad for Miriam but with each episode the narrator continues to tell us stories which show how vain and money hunger Miriam actually was. Then she goes on this reality show whose, let’s be honest, sole purpose is to embarrass all of the contestants. Then we are supposed to feel bad for her when a group of young men have it revealed to them that she was/is a man? I don’t feel bad for Miriam at all. She knew full well what she was getting into.

I love the story

It would’ve been a great podcast, had the narrator not mixed metaphors, mispronounced words, and had a little training on voice.

After listening to this I want to “see” more people. Miriam will always be in my heart.

She just is not a narrator. I can’t listen to anymore of this because I can just see her reading a script and it’s excruciating. Wondery, just hire a professional. You know better.

A must listen. Incredible how far we’ve come with trans acceptance, especially considering how impossibly far we still have to go. Keep telling trans stories and bringing trans history into the light.

The ones I feel bad for are the men. They were lied to and strung along all for entertainment. Miriam played along in the deception. She’s just as bad as the TV producers for lying. I am all for someone living their truth but she went along with TV shows plots not once but twice. All to become famous.

I stumbled upon this looking for something to listen to while grocery shopping. I could not put it down and finished it all in one day. Such a tragic story, beautifully told.

This is a mesmerizing story and beautifully told by a friend of Miriam’s. Much like life, there are no major climaxes or conclusions - some things find closure, but most don’t. We are left to consider all of our parts in making a more equitable and just society. Thank you for sharing a bit of Miriam with us.

I wanted to care about Miriam, but In the end she just comes off as vain, vapid, and damaged. I feel sorry for her, but in the end, instead of empowering trans identity, the podcast glorifies the superficiality of reality TV. Why didn’t the podcast ask tougher questions about the financial incentives that drove the reality show? That’s what the story is really about. Miriam bought into the manipulative premise of the reality show, and so did the makers of this podcast. Ultimate, the podcast is as much fluff as the reality show itself.

Trace Lysette and the rest of the team did a great job of covering Miriam’s story.

Trace Lysette could narrate the dictionary and I’d be enticed to listen. At it’s conclusion I thought this series would leave me with a definite side A or side B verdict, but it’s so much more than that. A subject matter that has received some progression, but unfortunately is no where near “resolved”. While focusing on Miram, Trace does a great job of highlighting the struggles of the culture and relating it to the masses.

I will come back to this review as I have not completed it yet. Already I can see that everything surrounding this story is an ongoing social experiment, from the obvious exploitation (and participation) of Miriam, to the reviewers commenting on Trace’s voice. It seems to me that Miriam was used as a modern day “circus freak”. The “freaks” needed work to survive and were willing participants in their own exploitation for their survival. I do not intend to minimise Miriam’s deception of the men on the show, but I wonder if she had many reasons for why she was complicit and played up the deception, including the possible exposure and income it may have generated for her and the trans community. Perhaps an ends justifying the means scenario. I can understand reviewers criticism of a podcast host’s intonation because it can make or break the story. To be fair, it is worth considering that podcasters face vocal burnout issues and Trace has already identified herself as a Trans woman— it seems possible that she may have to take special care while podcasting, as her voice may or may not burn out sooner. I am only speculating of course. Hopefully she is not discouraged from doing more podcasts but finds a way to animate her voice to suit whatever demands the podcast audience has regarding female podcasters and find more success there.

Yet another narrative to normalize a homosexual/trans lifestyle.

This is the first I’ve heard of this story. Its such a sad tale for everyone involved. Definitely try it out

So Miriam was involved in humiliating these men on TV and we are supposed to feel badly for her? Sorry, she was just as cruel as the producers. Tom is the only one who I feel badly for. The host has no energy. Can someone get her a coffee?? Skip this one and google the story. It’s way too drawn out.

I LOVE Trace Lysette’s voice. I was hooked from the intro

As an avid audiobook and podcast listener, I was very impressed with Trace’s narration. Her voice is very pleasant, and I wish she would host more podcasts and read audiobooks. This podcast is great up until ep 6 which to me, falls short - would have wanted to hear more from Miriam’s partner and life at the time of her death.

I had high hopes but this was just a snooze fest.

While I really enjoyed this podcast I feel heartbroken that Miriam ending up being the butt of the joke on the reality show. No one deserves to be treated like that.

I had no idea about this story! So heartbreaking! It definitely made it more interesting hearing it from someone who knew Miriam and is trans as well. My only complaint is that some parts were a little slow.

This is six episodes on what could’ve been two paragraphs on Wikipedia. Wondery is always going to drag out a very simple plot in the interest of ad time.

Thank you for sharing this tragic story about your friend. Very well done..

As a cis man, I wanted to say thank you to Trace Lysette for a great story told by trans women.

Well written and researched. Love the host - she gives great insights without overtaking the main story.

The hosts vocal tone and presentation is unlistenable. No personality, monotone, and has no way of grabbing your attention. It severely detracts from the topic being presented. This is not Wondery quality at all. Someone teach the host how to host.

I really appreciate how the story was told. From the pov of Miriam and not just the story of a reality show.

Nope

I thought this podcast was well done. I commend the writers of this podcast. I couldn’t stop myself from going from episode to episode.

Very good story and well researched. The host needs some work though. Very monotone or bland. Lackluster.