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Real Survival Stories

NOISER
Survival
Hypothermia
Canada
California
Mountaineering
Survival Stories
Search and Rescue
Tsunami
Trauma
Colombia
Avalanche
North Sea
Zambezi River
Sri Lanka
Sierra Nevada
Superior National Forest
Wildfire
Zeebrugge Ferry Disaster
Oakland Firestorm
Grizzly Bear

True stories of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary survival situations. Stranded in the desert. Lost in the jungle. Marooned in the mountains. Shipwrecked on the high seas. You'll hear from individuals who had everything against them. But even then, they refused to give in… Hosted by John Hopkins. New episodes Thursdays. Get every episode a week early and ad-free with Noiser+. Click the ban... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes174Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySportsWilderness

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Artwork for Real Survival Stories

Latest Episodes

Catastrophe unfolds on one of the deadliest mountains on Earth - the mighty K2. When a massive ice fall hits the peak and their ascent spirals into chaos, Wilco van Rooijen and his teammates will find themselves trapped at extreme altitude in the ‘De... more

Brendan Cook, his partner Mel and two of their friends take a trip along the legendary Birdsville Track - one of Australia’s most notorious outback roads. But an unusual series of events results in their vehicle getting stuck in silt and mud, sinking... more

On a remote mountain, the sun glints brilliantly off the snow. Two specks are visible on the slope - two men. One stationary, the other moving at speed. The second man is Dan Wenker. He’s sliding down the mountain, over the pristine white powder. But... more

It’s August 1981. On a lazy Sunday, an impromptu sailboat trip around the coastal waters of Volusia County, Florida seems the perfect way to enjoy the sunshine. But then things start to unravel. One small setback becomes a series of disasters, leavin... more

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Recent Guests

Brendan Cook
Outdoorsman featured in the survival saga
None specified
Episode: Stranded in the Outback: Stuck Fast in Mud
Dan Wenker
62-year-old amateur mountaineer who survived a fall and hypothermia on the Grand Teton
Episode: Glissading Gone Wrong: Into the Abyss
Jim Zingerman
62-year-old climber and physician who helped rescue his friend
Episode: Glissading Gone Wrong: Into the Abyss
Tami Ennis
21-year-old waitress from Daytona Beach who survived a shark attack and long ocean swim
Survivor of the 1981 Florida incident
Episode: Seven-Hour Swim: Real-Life Jaws
James Osborne
Outdoor sports enthusiast, 36, survivor
Self/Survivor
Episode: Winter Storm: Two Friends in a Swirling Vortex
Fred Fredrickson
55-year-old companion, veteran four-seasons hiker
Self/Survivor
Episode: Winter Storm: Two Friends in a Swirling Vortex
Rebecca Hay
Private hot air balloon passenger who survived the 2016 accident in England
None specified
Episode: Electrocuted in a Hot Air Balloon
Les Morlang
31-year-old mine mechanic and equipment operator who survived a massive avalanche in 1985
Bessie G mine, La Plata County, Colorado
Episode: Avalanche at the Mine: Buried Under a Machine
Jack Ritter
Veteran Colorado miner turned contractor; Les's colleague and partner at the Bessie G mine
Bessie G mine
Episode: Avalanche at the Mine: Buried Under a Machine

Host

John Hopkins
Host of Real Survival Stories

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 7.2k ratings
  • Narrator is Awesome

    Great Podcast, great narrator! If you like survival stories, then this podcast will quickly become your favorite!

    Audible
    5
    SlimJames
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great

    This is a great road trip pod at

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MagdaLip
    Australia2 months ago
  • Excellent podcast. Interesting, entertaining, educational...

    Podcast Addict
    5
    NewTom
    2 months ago
  • Compelling stories

    These stories are well researched and documented. They are presented in a way that captures your interest. We look forward to the latest release every week.

    Audible
    5
    Steph
    United States2 months ago
  • I've listened to every single episode, and I can't get enough. Each week they surprise me with yet another new tale. I've laughed, I've cried, I've reflected on hard parts of my life while listening to this wonderful host and their courageous guests tell all. It's a truly remarkable podcast, give it a listen.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Realsurvivor
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise immersive storytelling and the host's vocal presence.
Feedback often highlights the high-quality guest stories and credible expertise.
Some episodes attract praise for resilience messages and practical survival lessons.
A portion notes the delivery can feel overwritten or intense for sensitive listeners.
Discussed topics include a wide range of survival scenarios, from wilderness to sea and air incidents.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stranded in the Outback: Stuck Fast in Mud
Q: Ever wondered what you would do when disaster strikes? If your life depended on your next decision, could you make the right choice?
The host prompts a reflection on decision-making under extreme stress, which Brendan answers by outlining practical, calm, step-by-step approaches that helped them survive long enough to be rescued.
Eruption in the Andes: Veil of Ash
Q: What prompted you to evacuate instead of waiting out the ash storm?
We weighed the risks of staying versus leaving—sticky ash, potential pyroclastic flows, and dwindling water—and chose to act, because taking action gave us a chance to survive rather than waiting for an uncertain return.
One Earthquake, Then Another: Chaos on Mount Logan
Q: What lessons did you take away from this mountain experience?
I know mountains are very good teachers. I love to expose myself to certain risks because I know I can handle it.
Clinging to a Mast: Boat Going Down
Q: What thoughts went through your mind regarding fatherhood while you were stranded?
I looked forward to being with my child and was curious about their name and appearance instead of panicking about my situation.
Clinging to a Mast: Boat Going Down
Q: How did you cope with the physical pain after the accident?
I used meditation techniques and mindfulness learned from the Naval Academy to manage my mental state.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Real Survival Stories

What is Real Survival Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A collection of true survival tales told in a first-person narrative style, spanning wilderness rescues, maritime ordeals, aviation crashes, and natural disasters. Episodes center on raw, high-stakes decision making, resilience, and the human factors—mentality, teamwork, and quick adaptation—that influence outcomes. A steady host ties each survivor's account to broader lessons about risk, preparation, and post-trauma recovery, often weaving medical, technical, and psychological context into intimate personal recollections. The format tends to emphasize vivid, immersive storytelling, with recurring emphasis on humility, courage, and the transformative power of perseverance. Noteworthy strengths include consistently strong narration, diverse ... more

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How many listeners does Real Survival Stories get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Real Survival Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Real Survival Stories:

1. The Crux True Survival Stories
2. Against The Odds
3. Short History Of...
4. History Daily
5. Noiser Presents

How many episodes of Real Survival Stories are there?

Real Survival Stories launched 3 years ago and published 174 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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What guests have appeared on Real Survival Stories?

Recent guests on Real Survival Stories include:

1. Brendan Cook
2. Dan Wenker
3. Jim Zingerman
4. Tami Ennis
5. James Osborne
6. Fred Fredrickson
7. Rebecca Hay
8. Les Morlang

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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