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Artwork for The CRUX: True Survival Stories

The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Kaycee McIntosh, Julie Henningsen, Bleav
Hugh Glass
Otters
Mountain Lion
Grizzly Bear
Rocky Mountain Fur Company
Montana
Arakara
Wildlife Safety
General William Henry Ashley
Pawnee
The Revenant
Jen Royce
Cucamonga Peak
Nebraska
Galveston
Missouri River
South Dakota
Alaska
Self-Amputation
Yaya Abdi

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes210Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Latest Episodes

In this episode of the Crux podcast's Disaster Strikes segment, host Kaycee McIntosh recounts the tragic story of Harris Levinson, a beloved teacher and experienced hiker whose dream hike on the John Muir Trail ended in disaster. On June 23, 2025, Le... more

In this week's episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen tell the extraordinary story of Poon Lim—a Chinese sailor who survived 133 days alone on a life raft in the Atlantic Ocean, the longest solo life raft su... more

In the summer of 1960, seven-year-old Roger Woodward was just a kid looking forward to a boat ride on the Niagara River to celebrate his sister's birthday—he had no idea he was about to experience something that should have been impossible. When a si... more

In this episode of Disaster Strikes on the Crux Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh explore the tragic story of Audrey Mestre, a world record freediver whose attempt ended in her untimely death on October 12, 2002. Audrey, a talented ... more

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Recent Guests

Roger Woodward
A 7-year-old boy who survived falling over Niagara Falls
Episode: Surviving Niagara Falls: The Impossible True Story of 7-Year-Old Roger Woodward | E207
Dr. Mitchell Seruya
A peripheral nerve surgeon at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, pioneering in nerve repair techniques and author of numerous scientific manuscripts.
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Episode: The Surgeon Who Rewires Lives - Part 2 | E205
Taylor Pajunen
Survivor of the Himalayan avalanche during a NOLS mountaineering course
Montana State University
Episode: Buried Alive: Surviving a Himalayan Avalanche at 14,000 Feet | E203
Alec Loon
Climate journalist and experienced hiker.
The Guardian, The New York Times, The Atlantic, National Geographic
Episode: Broken and Alone: Six Days on a Norwegian Mountain | E 195
Anton Tselykh
Survivor of the North Early Winters Spire climbing accident
Episode: The Lone Survivor of Early Winters Spire: Anton Tselykh's Impossible Escape from the Cascades | E194
Tony Peniche
Organizer of the Pacific Northwest Survival Games
Pacific Northwest Survival Games
Episode: 60 Minutes to Survive: Inside the Pacific Northwest Survival Games: Bonus | E193
Carolina Wilga
A 26-year-old German backpacker who survived 12 days lost in the Australian Outback.
Episode: Walk or Wait: Carolina Wilga's Fight to Survive the Outback | E191
Zachary DeMoss
Motorcyclist who survived a five-day ordeal in Idaho wilderness after a severe crash
Episode: No Way Out: How an Injured Motorcyclist Survived the Idaho Wilderness | E188
Sheryl Ramstad
Burn survivor, former criminal trial attorney, and Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections who rebuilt her life after a devastating plane crash.
Episode: Solo Flight Gone Wrong: Sheryl Ramstad's Journey from Tragedy to Triumph | E187

Hosts

Kaycee McIntosh
Host of The CRUX True Survival Story Podcast with a deep passion for wilderness and medical expertise.
Julie Henningsen
Co-host of The CRUX True Survival Story Podcast, combining storytelling with medical insights.

Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Enjoy this !

    I really like this podcast - easy to listen to and I enjoy the ‘chat’ between the hosts . Interesting stories - old and new !

    Thank you

    from the uk .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fluer99
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • A factual documentary style podcast

    This is a good podcast covering many survival stories which are not broadly shared. Great content without creating drama around the tragedies.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    templewrangler
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fantastic

    I have a podcast running in my ear at almost any given moment and this is one of the ones that I do a tiny happy dance every time there’s a new episode. Great content, and I really like the format it is presented. Julie and Kaycee have great voices and the stories they find and present are fascinating. Thank you ladies!! Keep up the amazing hard work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bugl0v3r
    Canadaa month ago
  • Swing and a miss

    Poor storytelling. Factual inaccuracies. There’s no true medical insight.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    trygby
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good, just some editing issues

    I like the stories and find the conversational tone a nice change. My only feedback is on the editing. I’ve noticed where the host re-does a sentence after a mistake, sometimes 2x in a row. At first I assumed they uploaded the wrong file. But after hearing this now in multiple episodes, I think it’s just a miss in editing and I think the episodes would be so much better if you took an extra listen before posting to catch and remove the few errors. BTW - Fav episode is the one where they had to a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ChetStoakley
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback mentions frustrating delivery styles, hinting at a desire for more dynamic storytelling without distractions.
Listeners frequently highlight the balance of entertainment and valuable survival knowledge presented in each episode.
The narratives tend to resonate deeply across diverse audiences, indicating their wide-reaching impact and appeal.
Hosts provide informative and engaging storytelling; many listeners appreciate the educational aspect along with the harrowing tales.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Surviving Niagara Falls: The Impossible True Story of 7-Year-Old Roger Woodward | E207
Q: What was Roger's life like after the incident?
Roger developed a love of boating, became a certified diver, joined the Navy during the Vietnam War, and later led a meaningful life with a family and career.
Surviving Paralysis: The Fight to Walk Again - Part 1 | E204
Q: What kept you having a positive attitude and the ability to work hard through challenges?
Family, friends, and especially my husband, along with the positive environment of physical therapy, kept me motivated to fight.
Surviving Paralysis: The Fight to Walk Again - Part 1 | E204
Q: What advice would you give to other partners supporting someone through major medical challenges?
The partner's needs take priority, and you must set up systems to support that. Lean on friends and family, modify your environment, and take care of yourself as a caregiver.
Solo Flight Gone Wrong: Sheryl Ramstad's Journey from Tragedy to Triumph | E187
Q: What impact does an experience like this have on your life choices and your trajectory overall?
It led to a renewed perspective on life, making the most of each day and pursuing opportunities, driven by the experience of surviving a plane crash.
9/11 Survivors: Those Who Escaped the South Tower via Stairwell A | E 175
Q: What do you think is the most important lesson that we can learn from this story?
The thin line between survival and death and the crucial role of decision-making in extreme situations.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The CRUX: True Survival Stories

What is The CRUX: True Survival Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging listeners with real-life tales of survival, the content revolves around individuals who have faced dire circumstances in the wild, often resulting in gripping narratives filled with human resilience and resourcefulness. Episodes explore a variety of situations, from facing natural disasters and accidents to navigating extreme conditions, shedding light on the psychological and physical challenges that accompany survival. Unique elements include a focus on the medical insights and wilderness preparation techniques that can enhance understanding of what it takes to survive, making the podcast not only captivating but also educational for those interested in adventure and outdoor skills.

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How many listeners does The CRUX: True Survival Stories get?

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What are the audience demographics for The CRUX: True Survival Stories?

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How many subscribers and views does The CRUX: True Survival Stories have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The CRUX: True Survival Stories has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The CRUX: True Survival Stories?

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

How many episodes of The CRUX: True Survival Stories are there?

The CRUX: True Survival Stories launched 5 years ago and published 210 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 The CRUX: True Survival Stories?

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What guests have appeared on The CRUX: True Survival Stories?

Recent guests on The CRUX: True Survival Stories include:

1. Roger Woodward
2. Dr. Mitchell Seruya
3. Taylor Pajunen
4. Alec Loon
5. Anton Tselykh
6. Tony Peniche
7. Carolina Wilga
8. Zachary DeMoss

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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