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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes181Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySportsWilderness

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Artwork for Real Survival Stories

Latest Episodes

In 2011, mountaineer Brian Dickinson is attempting to scale his fourth major peak in just three years. It’s the turn of Mount Everest, as the navy veteran takes on the tallest of them all. But after the triumph of reaching the summit, Brian’s whole w... more

In 2024, a small crew embark on a daring voyage across the North Sea aboard the Naddoddur - a replica Viking ship. Skipper Andy Fitze’s aim is to honour Viking culture, promoting the seafaring traditions of the Faroe Islands and encouraging a future ... more

Two brothers are pushed to the brink in the mountains of British Columbia. Chad and Brad MacDonald are enjoying a day of snowmobiling on the slopes near their hometown, keen to spend some much-needed time together. But the light-hearted atmosphere so... more

At 48 years old, John Graham has already lived more lives than most.

Formerly of the US Foreign Service and State Department, he’s now

working as a lecturer aboard a cruise ship - the MS Prinsendam. But on

the night of his first talk, a fire tears... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Andy Fitze
Swiss skipper and adventurer joining the voyage
Naddoddur crew
Episode: Modern Viking Adventure: Fateful Voyage
Chad MacDonald
Winter sports enthusiast who recounted his survival ordeal
Real Survival Stories (episode guest)
Episode: Snowmobile Survival: It’s a Trap…
Brad MacDonald
Chad's brother who survived alongside him during the ordeal
Real Survival Stories (episode guest)
Episode: Snowmobile Survival: It’s a Trap…
John Graham
Survivor of the Prinsendam fire and lifeboat ordeal
Survivor, later activist with the Giraffe Heroes Project
Episode: Cruise Liner on Fire: Typhoon Incoming
Greg Devlin
Airman and Titan II fuel systems technician
U.S. Air Force, Little Rock Air Force Base
Episode: Nuclear Missile Malfunction: Into the Silo…
Noah Messenger
18-year-old vineyard employee and crash survivor
Maryhill Winery (employer during the incident)
Episode: Vineyard Misadventure: Long Crawl Out
Wilco van Rooijen
Dutch mountaineer, expedition leader on K2
Self / expedition team
Episode: K2 Disaster: Alone in the Death Zone
Marco Confortola
Italian climber, teammate on K2
Team member
Episode: K2 Disaster: Alone in the Death Zone
Gerard McDonald
Irish mountaineer, Wilco's teammate
Expedition team
Episode: K2 Disaster: Alone in the Death Zone

Host

John Hopkins
Host of Real Survival Stories

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 7.3k ratings
  • Best survival podcast

    I love this podcast and I’m giving it 5 stars. The episode about the hang glider flying up into the stratosphere should win awards! The one about the whale saving the woman from a tiger shark was beautiful. The host’s voice is delightful and the writing is riveting. I do wish that there were a lot less mountain climbing episodes and a lot more animal encounter stories. The one about the disembodied snake head had me screaming! More sharks ! More reptiles! More big cats! More primates! I look for... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    markroch
    United States11 days ago
  • Can’t access :(

    I love this podcast but I’m getting an error message re Sept 23 episode: “temporarily unavailable.” I hope I can listen soon!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    V-Spain
    United States18 days ago
  • Engaging and well told stories

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Sam
    a month ago
  • So, so good!

    So interesting to listen to and the narrators voice is 👌🏼

    Such great stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Boujie88
    Canadaa month ago
  • Loved This

    I love that you allow people to share their whole story. It’s important how we heal just as much as how we survive. Everyone heals and finds peace through their trials in different ways and I love hearing it all!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B.e.hopkins
    United Statesa month 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.

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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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How many subscribers and views does Real Survival Stories have?

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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. Real Dictators
5. Biography

How many episodes of Real Survival Stories are there?

Real Survival Stories launched 3 years ago and published 181 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Real Survival Stories?

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What guests have appeared on Real Survival Stories?

Recent guests on Real Survival Stories include:

1. Andy Fitze
2. Chad MacDonald
3. Brad MacDonald
4. John Graham
5. Greg Devlin
6. Noah Messenger
7. Wilco van Rooijen
8. Marco Confortola

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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