
Are you drawn to thrilling survival stories where characters overcome impossible odds? The Crux: True Survival Stories is your podcast. Join us for gripping tales of resilience and invaluable insights into wilderness survival and the mindset needed to overcome adversity. Hosted by Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen, both passionate about wilderness and medicine, our podcast is fueled by real-lif... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 241 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentarySociety & Culture | |||

On March 27, 2022, Ronnie and Beverly Barker were on a road trip they had made a dozen times before — from Oregon, heading south through Nevada toward Tucson, Arizona to meet friends. Their GPS routed them off the highway onto a remote county road. T... more
In January 2025, Thomas Plamberger and his girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner set out to climb the Grossglockner — Austria's highest peak — on a technical winter route they had planned together. What happened over the next sixteen hours would result in Kerst... more
Hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen recount Finnish corporal Aimo Koivunen’s March 18, 1944 ordeal during the Continuation War: leading a seven-man long-range ski reconnaissance patrol in Soviet-controlled Lapland at −20°C, he collapses under ... more
When three-year-old Brittany Eichelberger slipped out of her family's trailer in Elkins, West Virginia on Christmas Eve 1990, no one knew she was gone. She was found hours later, clinically dead in the snow — frozen stiff, her heart stopped, her body... more
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This is an awesome podcast. I love it
On episode 7 & my last, to mention you got all your info from one Guardian article but there’s a book you couldn’t bother to read, ughh poor research sounds like a high school book report
I love survival stories and find this one soothing to listen to. Even when I've heard the story already, Kaycee and Julie bring something new with their perspectives and medical knowledge.
I really enjoy Against the Odds podcast, so a friend recommended The Crux. It’s different as it’s much less produced, but still really good. As an outdoor enthusiast, it’s both thrilling and terrifying to hear these stories, and though they don’t end well for everyone involved, they remind us to take courage when you can, and even better, stay out of danger when possible!
I have listened to this for a couple of years now, I enjoy listening to the different stories of wilderness survival. They bring each story to life and are great story tellers. Highly recommend!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #211 | |
Apple Podcasts | #19 | |
Apple Podcasts | #19 | |
Apple Podcasts | #80 | |
Apple Podcasts | #110 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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This show curates gripping survival narratives anchored by two medically informed hosts who walk listeners through dramatic rescues, perilous journeys, and the science of staying alive in extreme environments. Episodes blend first-hand accounts, medical explanations, and safety takeaways, delivering both edge-of-your-seat storytelling and practical guidance for outdoor enthusiasts. A distinguishing element is the hosts' dual expertise in wilderness medicine and fieldcraft, which adds credibility to medical details while keeping the storytelling approachable for a broad audience. Listeners can expect a mix of awe-inspiring rescues, critical decision moments, and lessons on risk awareness, preparation, and resilience that translate well beyon... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The CRUX: True Survival Stories:
1. Real Survival Stories
2. Against The Odds
3. Not Today
4. American Scandal
5. This Is Actually Happening
The CRUX: True Survival Stories launched 5 years ago and published 241 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 The CRUX: True Survival Stories include:
1. Don Shirley
2. Amber Kohnhorst
3. Chad Darby
4. Roger Woodward
5. Dr. Mitchell Seruya
6. Taylor Pajunen
7. Alec Loon
8. Anton Tselykh
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