Do No Harm

Wondery | NBC News

Melissa Bright thinks she's living every parent's worst nightmare when her five-month-old baby tumbles from a lawn chair and hits his head on the driveway. But after she rushes him to the hospital, a new nightmare begins.The Brights are thrust into a medical and legal system so focused on protecting children from abuse, it has targeted innocent parents. With exclusive audio captured as the events unfolded, this harrowing six-episode series takes you inside the Brights' fight to hold their family together, against a system that can sometimes do more harm than good. Hosted by NBC News National Investigative Reporter Mike Hixenbaugh, Do No Harm is a co-production of NBC News and Wondery.

All episodes are available ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

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Our Editor's Take

The moment Melissa and Dillon Bright watched their child fall and hit his head, their lives changed forever. The Bright’s did everything they thought they were supposed to do and sought out medical attention for their five-month-old boy. By the time the doctors examined him, something bigger was unfolding; the Brights—without knowing it—were suspected of intentionally injuring their child.

Do No Harm takes us deep into an American story of compounded tragedy. The show dives into explanations and anecdotes about a system that—despite good intentions—can target well-meaning parents who are trying to do the right thing for their children.

From NBC and Wondery comes a tragic tale the Bright family faced when the medical and legal system placed a bullseye directly on their backs. Host and NBC News National Investigative Reporter, Mike Hixenbaugh, highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly of America's medical and legal systems. When suspicions are misdirected, innocent families can be ruined.

This podcast stays true to the much-lauded true crime podcast structure, keeping listeners in suspense while tackling new issues. Listen to exclusive audio clips in every episode. Do No Harm will appeal to listeners who crave investigative storytelling and are intrigued by the nuances of the American medical legal system.

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Introducing Do No Harm

Introducing Do No Harm

Melissa Bright thinks she's living every parent's worst nightmare when her five-month-old baby tumbles from a lawn chair and hits his head on the driveway. But after she rushes him to the hospital, a new nightmare begins.The Brights are thrust into a medical and legal system so focused on protecting children from abuse, it has targeted innocent parents. With exclusive audio captured as the events unfolded, this harrowing six-episode series takes you inside the Brights' fight to hold their family together, against a system that can sometimes do more harm than good. Hosted by NBC News National Investigative Reporter Mike Hixenbaugh, Do No Harm is a co-production of NBC News and Wondery.All episodes of Do No Harm are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Join Wondery+ here: https://wondery.app.link/donoharmSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Introducing Do No Harm

Introducing Do No Harm

Melissa Bright thinks she's living every parent's worst nightmare when her five-month-old baby tumbles from a lawn chair and hits his head on the driveway. But after she rushes him to the hospital, a new nightmare begins.The Brights are thrust into a medical and legal system so focused on protecting children from abuse, it has targeted innocent parents. With exclusive audio captured as the events unfolded, this harrowing six-episode series takes you inside the Brights' fight to hold their family together, against a system that can sometimes do more harm than good. Hosted by NBC News National Investigative Reporter Mike Hixenbaugh, Do No Harm is a co-production of NBC News and Wondery.All episodes of Do No Harm are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Join Wondery+ here: https://wondery.app.link/donoharmSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa and Dillon Bright race to the emergency room after their baby is seriously injured. As doctors assess the injuries, the Brights pray their son will be OK. But then a different team of doctors enters Mason’s hospital room, and the real nightmare begins.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Warning Signs | 2

Warning Signs | 2

Melissa and Dillon believe if they just tell the truth, Child Protective Services will see they aren’t a danger to their children. But the state of Texas isn’t just going to take their word for it. Not after the horror story that unfolded in another family a year earlier.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Immediate Danger | 3

Immediate Danger | 3

The Brights figure CPS has moved on. Melissa and Dillon try to do the same. But when a CPS worker comes to their door, it's the beginning of the hardest night of their lives.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Standard Protocol | 4

Standard Protocol | 4

Across town, Lance and Sharde Butler have been fighting their own battle against CPS. After nearly a year, the system has almost broken them. But soon the Bright’s case will intertwine with their own in ways that neither family could have imagined. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some additional resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Fighter | 5

The Fighter | 5

A pair of brash Texas lawyers step in to help the Brights, but by then, damage has already been done. As they each head to court, the Brights and the Butlers fear the worst.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the Brights and Butlers confront CPS, their shared struggles raise difficult questions: Who’s really protecting children? And is this what it takes to keep them safe?Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reporting Do No Harm | 7

Reporting Do No Harm | 7

Laura Beil, the host and reporter of Dr Death and Bad Batch, sits down with Mike Hixenbaugh to talk about the reporting of Do No Harm. We also have an update about the families at the center of this series.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Hixenbaugh previews a new podcast

Mike Hixenbaugh previews a new podcast

In this special preview, Mike Hixenbaugh tells you why you can’t miss MSNBC’s newest podcast, “American Radical.” In this five-part original series, host Ayman Mohyeldin explores the story of Rosanne Boyland, a woman from his own hometown who became a foot soldier in one of the most dangerous movements in America. Listen to the first episode and follow or subscribe to the series: https://link.chtbl.com/americanradical_feedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.