What if you were trafficked into a cult...or were mauled by a grizzly bear...or were stabbed 27 times by a serial killer - what would you do? This is Actually Happening brings you extraordinary true stories of life-changing events told by the people who lived them. From a man who woke up in the morgue to a woman stranded in a Mexican desert fighting to survive, these stories will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to hear what happens next.
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What if a horrifying loss led to a grand adventure? [Rebroadcast #179]
Season 13
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 • Duration 49:55
A horrific accident leaves a man severely disabled, but after hitting rock bottom in his recovery a new life opens he could never have imagined
Today’s episode featured Dustin Reynolds. Since this interview, Dustin has made it down to Colombia, and is planning on heading to Panama, Galapagos, and Polynesia before returning to Hawaii. To find out more about Dustin, see pictures and follow his journey or donate to help him complete the voyage, go to thesinglehandedsailor.com. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook @thesinglehandedsailor. You can also support him on Patreon and GoFundMe:
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
What if your cry for help led to an unthinkable tragedy? [Rebroadcast #173]
Season 13
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 • Duration 44:20
A mother faces the ultimate tragedy at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and serve.
Today’s episode featured Taun Hall. To find out more about Taun and Miles and the Miles Hall Foundation, go to justiceformileshall.org. There you can see the video mentioned in the episode, donate to the campaign, learn more about the case or get involved. You can also join the community on Instagram @justiceformileshall or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/justiceformileshall
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
The 82 Percent: Bonus Conversation with Jessica Fern
Season 13
Thursday, July 4, 2024 • Duration 38:38
In this special bonus episode, Whit Missildine interviews Jessica Fern. Jessica Fern is a renowned psychotherapist, trauma and relationship expert, and the author of two books: Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Non-Monogamy, and Polywise: A Deeper Dive into Navigating Open Relationships. In her international private practice, Jessica works with individuals, couples, and people in multiple-partner relationships who no longer want to be limited by their reactive patterns, cultural conditioning, insecure attachment styles, and past traumas, helping them to embody new possibilities in life and love.
To find out more about Jessica and her work, you visit her website jessicafern.com or find her on Instagram @jessicafern411.
Listen to exclusive episodes of This is Actually Happening ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/this-is-actually-happening/ now.
Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits
Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual themes, explicit language
Always feeling she had failed the ideals of her strict Muslim, South Asian family and community, a woman struggles to navigate trauma, shame and self-expression, when unexpected news forces her into a powerful reckoning.
Today‘s episode featured Azzah Ahmad. You can find out more about Azzah by visiting her Instagram page @Lifeazziknowit.
Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse of a minor, suicidal ideation, explicit language
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
Support The Show on Patreon
245: What if you were taken to the dark side?
Season 12 · Episode 245
Tuesday, September 6, 2022 • Duration 47:58
A woman struggling to find herself finally discovers a place where she belongs and forms a deep friendship, but when she experiments with a powerful psychedelic the experience reveals more than she bargained for.
Today's episode featured Ash Stryker. You can find out more about Ash and see her illustration and artwork by going to her website: ashstryker.com/
Content/Trigger Warnings: eating disorder, drug use, drug overdose, hallucinations, explicit language
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
244: What if you could never make him proud?
Season 12 · Episode 244
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 • Duration 41:29
A man struggles to free himself from his father’s iron grip on the family, but when an unsettling truth about his past is revealed, his entire life comes into focus.
Today's storyteller was originally featured on the incredible podcast, The Secret Room, created and hosted by Ben Hamm. Ben's guests share stories they've never told before, giving you a front row seat to the hidden lives of people all around you. Ben and I have collaborated before on a previous episode, and if you love This Is Actually Happening, check out The Secret Room, wherever you get your podcasts.
Content/Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, child abuse, childhood illness, explicit language
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at
243: What if you signed a billion-year contract?
Season 12 · Episode 243
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 • Duration 57:17
After a woman’s Mormon family falls apart following the death of her father, her mother brings her to a Scientology Center where she leaves everything behind.
Today’s episode featured Katherine Mcelhinny. If you’d like to reach out to her, you can email at canadiankat9@icloud.com. She also has a gofundme page. If you’d like to donate to her, you can do so here: https://gofund.me/3ab57d56
Content/Trigger Warnings: abuse of a minor, parental neglect, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, explicit language
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at
242: What if you woke up and couldn't move?
Season 12 · Episode 242
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 • Duration 56:04
After growing up queer with a complicated father in the 1960s, a man forges his own path, identity and career in the arts, but suddenly, after a routine surgery, he wakes up unable to move.
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Today’s episode featured John Killacky. You can find out more about John by going to johnkillacky.com with links to his book, “because art: commentary, critique, & conversation” as well as links to some of his films.
"I was so used to being adaptive, resilient, always seeing the horizon ahead....The complexity for me in that hospital is that there wasn’t a horizon. I was so stuck in the now of nothing."
Content/Trigger Warnings: graphic medical descriptions, paralysis, suicidal ideation, explicit language
A woman falls deeply in love with a married man in her close friend’s circle, when suddenly an unthinkable event throws everything into question.
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“Of all the cruel things for the universe to do…Why? Why on earth would the universe do this, and what is this supposed to teach me? What does it mean?”
Today’s guest requested to remain anonymous, but if you’d like to reach out to her, you can email at tues228@gmail.com
Content/Trigger Warnings: graphic bodily injury, explicit language
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
What if you suddenly felt like a werewolf? - [Rebroadcast - #119]
Season 11
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 • Duration 47:38
“It’s like trying to go into like a dark cave with a rope attached to you so that you can find your way back and then losing that the end of the rope.”
Producer: Whit Missildine
Episode Summary: Following a tumultuous upbringing, a woman begins confronting the complexities of her identity and self-destructive tendencies, when all of a sudden, devastating bouts of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder begin to consume her life.
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Re-Entry” – Lee Rosevere
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: Ambient Themes by Nigel Coutinho
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Uncertain Outcomes/Embers” - SkyeVoyager
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Cylinder Four/Five" – Chris Zabriskie
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.To access the fullcatalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Union Flow" - Spuntic
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Re-Entry" - Lee Rosevere
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Cylinder Four/Five” – Chris Zabriskie
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
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