Share

We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast
Rejecting RuPaul
Season 1, Ep. 8
•
RuPaul’s Drag Race has won 13 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Reality Host four years running. But RuPaul didn’t sashay into Hollywood overnight. He weathered decades of rejection fighting to be America’s first drag superstar. Join us this week as we tell RuPaul’s fabulous story, from sleeping in Central Park to becoming Supermodel of the World.
Tell us YOUR rejection story, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode:
Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection
Write to us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca
We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus bonus episodes, chats with Sidney and Terry, & more. Subscribe here.
More episodes
View all episodes

Olympic Encore: Rejecting Hayley Wickenheiser, Pt 2
43:12||Season 6This week, with a special intro from our chief sound engineer Geoff Devine, we bring you part two of our Hayley Wickenheiser Olympic encore. Let’s pick up where we left off, shall we?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.
Olympic Encore: Rejecting Hayley Wickenheiser
33:28||Season 6The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially begun. In celebration we look back on a team favourite two-parter – the story of Hayley Wickenheiser. She’s the longest-serving member of Canada’s national team with seven World Championships and four Olympic gold medals to her name. Many consider her the GOAT. 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 teams solely on the basis of sex. Hope you’ll join us – and let’s go Canada!
Minisode: Mantras – Diana Nyad
14:58||Season 6Hi from our hiatus. This week, we bring you a Minisode about the incomparable Diana Nyad – and the mantra she repeated to herself. For 52h, 54m. On her record-setting swim from Cuba to Florida.
Hey – Sidney & Terry here with some exciting news
01:59|For the first time ever, we're offering a subscriber-only bonus option – for all devices, on all major podcast apps. Introducing Apostrophe All Ears.You get: ad-free listening, early access, bonus episodes, Q&As PLUS access to all other Apostrophe shows (Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly, Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe, The Beatlology Interviews) – with extended episodes, virtual events, merch discounts & more.Our favourite feature is that you also get access to all of our hosts. Chat with us. Ask us anything. We're All Ears.First subscribers get a special founder's discount. Hope you'll join us.
22. Holiday Encore: Rejecting Elf
43:19||Season 6, Ep. 22We regret to inform you, this week marks the final episode of our 2025 season. So, we thought we'd bring you one of our most-loved episodes. Certainly our most loved holiday episode – Rejecting Elf.Elf is a beloved and timeless Christmas classic. Starring Will Ferrell, the film brought in over $200M at the box office, and 20 years later remains a holiday tradition for many. But back in the year 2000, the script was rejected by production companies, studios, directors and actors, championed only by two producers with no producing experience. Then when it finally did land a studio, executives nearly left Elf on a shelf. Join us, won’t you, as we pass through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, then through the Lincoln Tunnel for Rejecting Elf. Thank you for joining us this season. We'll meet you back here in a couple short months for Season 7 – and in the meantime, we have some fun Minis coming your way.From all of us at Apostrophe, Merry Christmas. Have a safe and happy holiday.We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus bonus episodes, chats with Sidney and Terry, & more. Subscribe here.
21. Rejecting Willie O'Ree, Part 2
33:15||Season 6, Ep. 21In Part Two of our Rejecting Willie O'Ree episode, another unexpected invitation lands on the pioneer's doorstep. History is made – then forgotten – and Willie welcomes a third act he never saw coming.The major source for this episode is Willie: The Game-Changing Story of the NHL's First Black Player by Willie O’Ree and Michael McKinley. We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus bonus episodes, chats with Sidney and Terry, & more. Subscribe here.
20. Rejecting Willie O'Ree (The First Black Player in the NHL)
29:28||Season 6, Ep. 20Willie O’Ree made history in 1958, when the Boston Bruin became the first Black player in the NHL. It is a heroic story of strength, courage and resilience. Hope you’ll join us.The major source for this episode is Willie: The Game-Changing Story of the NHL's First Black Player by Willie O’Ree and Michael McKinley. We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus bonus episodes, chats with Sidney and Terry, & more. Subscribe here.
Minisode: Be Afraid and Do It Anyway – SNL-Style
12:32||Season 6Welcome to another Minisode. This week, we travel to 30 Rock and take a look at courage through the eyes of hopeful [comma] sweaty young comedians.We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus bonus episodes, chats with Sidney and Terry, & more. Subscribe here.
19. Rejecting Vera Wang
31:49||Season 6, Ep. 19Vera Wang is synonymous with bridal. The designer's eponymous brand brings in a whopping $700M a year. But before launching her own company in 1990, Vera was rejected for editor-in-chief at Vogue. And before that, she didn’t make the cut for the U.S. Olympic figure skating team. Two major setbacks that left her thinking – now what? Then her dad proposed a crazy idea.We don’t regret to inform you – you can now listen ad-free! Plus bonus episodes, chats with Sidney and Terry, & more. Subscribe here.