Chameleon: Wild Boys

Last updated

Chameleon: Wild Boys
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Cast and voices
Hosted bySam Mullins
Production
Production
  • Abukar Adan
  • Ashleyanne Krigbaum
  • Matt Shaer
LengthVariable (30–45 minutes)
Technical specifications
Audio formatPodcast (via streaming or downloadable MP3)
Publication
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Original releaseJuly 7, 2022 (2022-07-07)
Provider Campside Media
Related
Website Chameleon: Wild Boys

Chameleon: Wild Boys is an investigative journalism and true crime podcast hosted by Sam Mullins. It is the third season of the Chameleon true crime podcast series produced by Campside Media and Sony Music. Wild Boys tells the true story of two young men who turned up in a Canadian town claiming to have been raised in the British Columbian wilderness. The first episode was released on January 25, 2022. [1]

Contents

Overview

The podcast describes the story of brothers Tom and Will Green who, in 2003, arrive in Vernon, British Columbia claiming to have been in raised in the remote town of Ravelstoke. They claim that their parents lived off the grid, that they were kicked out by their parents, and their family's lifestyle is the reason they have no forms of identification. The boys are welcomed in by the community of Vernon, particularly a local hockey mom, Tami. Concerns grow over the younger brother, Wil's health, as he remains underweight. When immigration, police and local media are brought in, the boys story seems suspicious. It is revealed that the boys were not raised in the wilderness and that their backstory is fabricated. Mullins goes on to interview the boys' family members and details how they were grew up with unconviential and rigid ideological beliefs about nutrition, health and longetivity.

Reception

In a weekly review of podcasts in the week of its release, Miranda Sawyer for the Guardian gave Wild Boys a positive review saying "it's beautifully paced, with excellent cliffhangers and much care in the sound production". [2] The Irish Independent said "Mullins is a clear-sighted host, who unravels the narrative in a respectful and engaging way, simultaneously teasing out both the hinterland and heart of the story." [3] Stuff gave the podcast a positive review and said it "strikes critical but empathetic balance". [4]

Wild Boys won Podcast of the Year at the 2023 Ambie Awards. [5]

References

  1. Marfori, Miko (January 25, 2022). ""Chameleon: Wild Boys," Season 3 of Hit Con-Themed Podcast Series From Campside Media, Premieres Today – Sony Music". Sony Music Entertainment. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  2. Sawyer, Miranda (April 2, 2022). "The week in audio: Today; The P Word; Chameleon: Wild Boys – review". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  3. "Wild Boys: The brothers who fooled a town with their 'off-grid' origin story". Irish Independent. March 5, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  4. "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  5. Chan, J. Clara (March 8, 2023). "Ambie Awards: 'Chameleon: Wild Boys' Wins Podcast of the Year". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 20, 2026.