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Artwork for Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera

Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera

Wondery
True Crime
Scam Factory
Ibiza
Happily Never After
Human Trafficking
Murder Investigation
Kill List
Criminal Empire
Miriam Rivera
Reality Television
Cruel Reality TV
Wondery Plus
Romance Novels
Assassination
Scamming
Crime and Fiction
Mass Hysteria
Ethical Dilemmas
Investigative Journalism
Self-Help

It was supposed to be a reality show with a twist. In a sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, six hot guys compete for a cash prize and for the love of the beautiful and mysterious Miriam. It’s meant to be her big break: the moment she becomes the superstar she was born to be. But this is the era of “cruel reality TV” and the show producers have a different goal: they want to surprise the men with the fact... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes13Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera

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Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Justin Hawkins
Lead singer of the band The Darkness, known for his candid discussions about addiction and recovery.
The Darkness
Episode: Listen Now: How Do You Cope?

Host

Trace Lysette
Trace Lysette is an accomplished actress and advocate for transgender representation in media. With a background in performance and activism, her narrative style presents both emotional depth and factual accuracy, aiming to illuminate complex social issues.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • Heartbreaking.

    This broke my heart. Miriam just wanted to be loved for who she is. It’s gross that people try to make money off her love and hope. Race thank you for sharing this and your narration was amazing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HM10976
    Canadaa month ago
  • Engaging and moving

    I binged every episode whilst cleaning and was really engrossed. It really reinforces how much I dislike the shallow era of TV (past and current). It angers me how the English media including well known presenters have always been allowed to openly bully, objectify or sexualise women (transgender or otherwise).

    As an English woman with different but relateable hard times I can relate to some of Miriam's struggles and shattered dreams/ideologies. It has very much made me come a lot closer to und... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Belsie 83
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Excellent but…

    Tom and Gavin are absolute trash. No apologies. No taking responsibility for their actions. They hardly acknowledge her personhood. In the bin with the both of you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MmmorgannRene
    United States4 months ago
  • Recommend

    So much to unpack and understand with this story which I think was brilliantly done. I particularly enjoyed the soothing tone of the narration.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emsten31
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Well told and recommended.

    Podchaser
    4
    Louise Reeve
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the series for its emotional depth and critical lens on reality television, highlighting the personal stories that resonate with their own experiences of identity and acceptance.
The series has been described as both heart-wrenching and enlightening, prompting discussions about society's treatment of transgender individuals and the exploitation present in media.
Many admire the narration for its sensitivity while others express concern regarding the ethical implications of reality TV as demonstrated through Miriam's story.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Listen Now: How Do You Cope?
Q: Did you have a team to negotiate your return to the world of music and press after rehab?
Hawkins prioritized his recovery by distancing himself from old friends and social circles, emphasizing the drastic but necessary steps needed for sobriety.
Listen Now: How Do You Cope?
Q: What was it like to not quite have control of your own narrative over the years?
Hawkins felt a loss of control as narratives about his struggles with drugs and fame took shape in the public's eyes, often focusing on his downfall rather than his recovery.
Listen Now: Scamfluencers
Q: What are your thoughts on Richard Bandler's methods?
His extreme methods raise serious ethical concerns, as he was willing to go to dangerous lengths to demonstrate the effectiveness of NLP.
Listen Now: Scamfluencers
Q: Do you think you can be manipulated out of a bad habit?
Manipulation through hypnosis has worked for some, including Sarah, while others have found medication more effective like in the case of fear of flying.
Listen Now - Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
Q: What do you think the police do?
They keep people safe, which is the narrative presented but challenged throughout the episode.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast provides a compelling investigative series on the life of Miriam Rivera, exploring the intersection of love, identity, and the harsh realities faced in the world of reality television. Set against the backdrop of a controversial dating competition in Ibiza, it uncovers the manipulative practices of producers who intended to exploit Miriam's identity as a transgender woman for shock value. The narrative intricately weaves personal stories with broader themes relating to societal views on gender, representation, and the often ruthless nature of entertainment. This series stands out for its nuanced portrayal of Miriam, balancing both admiration for her resilience and a stark critique of the exploitative nature of reality TV.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Lucky Boy | Tortoise Investigates
2. Stolen Hearts
3. Answers for Claudia
4. The Price of Paradise
5. Karen

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 13 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Justin Hawkins

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