Forever Wild
Forever Wild is a memoir podcast about four sisters, a con artist mother, and a childhood spent on the run. From mafia bars to game shows, mental hospitals to Australia, it’s a story of survival, chaos, and the search for home. Hosted by sisters Meagan McGovern and Nora Gibbs, this deeply personal series blends dark humor, nostalgia, and raw honesty in a journey you won’t forget.
Onion bagels, a Chateau, and death by spork: Christmas with Maureen
In this unforgettable episode of Forever Wild, Meagan and Nora dive into the surreal, hilarious, and heartbreaking days surrounding their mother Maureen’s near-feature on America’s Most Wanted, her mysterious arrests, and the chaotic aftermath that spanned Hilton Head, upstate New York, and a chateau in the English countryside.
Nora recalls working underage at a piano bar, being approached by law enforcement about her mom, and fleeing Hilton Head with Katie.
Meanwhile, Maureen and Morgain vanish to Europe—with a trail of theft, fake IDs, and outrageous spending behind them. Nora shares the story of fly...
The Motel Life: Bad Checks, Jail Cells, and the Australia That Never Was
Episode Title: The Motel Life: Bad Checks, Jail Cells, and the Australia That Never Was
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Forever Wild, Meagan and Nora dive into one of the wildest chapters of their chaotic upbringing – a time when jail cells, runaway road trips, and a botched game show trip to Australia were just another Tuesday. From Meagan’s arrest in upstate New York to the frantic scramble to cover their mother’s bad checks, the sisters reflect on the impossible balancing act of trying to survive a life lived out of motels, black garbage...
Episode 8: The House with the Peddler's Ghost
Show Notes:
This week on Forever Wild, Meagan and Nora revisit the most beautiful house they ever lived in—and the eerie, chaotic spiral that followed. From a dream colonial home in Fairfield to a carriage house party zone, and then north to a haunted Adirondack property wrapped in a real estate deal their mother that wasn't going to end well.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why Meagan lived in a rat-infested basementThe business scheme that might’ve worked -- if the property wasn’t hauntedThe real reason Meagan never made it to Australia (hint...The Valley’s Keeper of Disposable Children
In this raw, layered episode of Forever Wild, Meagan and Nora take us back to 1986—peak Valley Girl era—where their family finds a brief glimpse of stability in the San Fernando Valley… before it all unravels again. From a rundown house near the Sherman Oaks Galleria to a sudden move to Connecticut just days before Christmas, the sisters recount a whirlwind time marked by missed opportunities, unexpected generosity, and unsettling encounters.
We hear about the “extra” kids who lived with them, how their mother became the subject of a Ben Stein newspaper profile—and what happened when he took...
The Oregon Detour: Poverty, Privilege, and a Car Full of Animals
Show Notes: Episode 6 – The Oregon Detour
This week, Meagan and Nora head back to 1985 and the family’s move to a remote house in the woods of southern Oregon. What starts as a beautiful new beginning quickly turns into one of the most chaotic and difficult chapters of their lives.
In this episode:
Life lately: prom dresses, graduation plans, and launching adult kidsMeagan tells the story of driving to Oregon at 16 with a chicken, kittens, a dog, two teenagers she barely knew, and a ticket for going 88 mphLiving in a stunning house with no mone...Forever Wild, episode 5: Sisterhood
Navigating Chaos: Our Journey from Childhood to Now
In this episode of Forever Wild, hosts Meagan McGovern and Nora Gibbs delve into their unique upbringing. They share the differences in their current lives, with Meagan living on a farm and pursuing writing, and Nora working in electronics distribution.
The sisters reflect on family dynamics, personal growth, and their search for stability amidst a chaotic childhood, emphasizing the roles and labels within their family and how these have influenced their present lives.
Forever Wild: The Game Show
Triumph on Sale of the Century: A Family's Turning Point
In this episode of 'Forever Wild,' Megan McGovern and Nora Gibbs share a poignant and captivating story from their chaotic childhood. They recount their mother's surprising and transformative journey on the game show 'Sale of the Century,' which brought a temporary but impactful period of stability and joy to their lives. Through struggles of poverty and constant moving, their mother's determined plan to win big on a game show not only brought them financial relief but also a sense of hope and unity. This episode...
Forever Wild, Episode 3: Burning down the house
In this episode of 'Forever Wild,' Megan and Nora McGovern, the oldest and youngest of the four McGovern sisters, share their tumultuous childhood journey.
The episode kicks off with their father leaving the family, prompting their mother to take them on a ten-year whirlwind adventure, starting in California and spanning across continents and states.
They reflect on the impacts of their chaotic early years on their adult lives, such as issues with trust and an appreciation for stability.
Forever Wild, episode 2: The Mafia Bar
Episode 2, Forever Wild: The Art Thief, stolen Rembrandts, and the mafia bar.
What happens when your mother is a brilliant, unstoppable con artist, and you spend your childhood moving from one wild scheme to the next?
In Forever Wild, sisters Meagan McGovern and Nora Gibbs share the unbelievable true story of growing up with Maureen—a woman who could charm anyone, outrun the law, and spin the world into her own creation. From a mafia-run bar to a house full of strangers, from the high-stakes lights of a game show to an escape across the wo...
Episode one: The obituary
Here's the version of the obituary that went viral on TikTok.
And here's the original obituary that Meagan published on Facebook
What happens when your mother is a brilliant, unstoppable con artist, and you spend your childhood moving from one wild scheme to the next?
In Forever Wild, sisters Meagan McGovern and Nora Gibbs share the unbelievable true story of growing up with Maureen—a woman who could charm anyone, outrun the law, and spin the world into her own creation. From a mafia-run bar to a house full of strangers, from the hi...
