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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
The Revenant
Pawnee
Jen Royce
Cucamonga Peak
Missouri River
Galveston
South Dakota
Nebraska
Alaska
Self-Amputation
Jessica Mcclure

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 weeklyEpisodes229Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Latest Episodes

On October 1st, 2025, 23-year-old Balin Miller stood near the summit of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park — glitter on his cheeks, orange tent packed, having just completed one of the most psychologically punishing climbs in the world. In the firs... more

On December 22nd, 1991, a 22-year-old medical student from Brisbane crawled under a rock overhang in the Nepalese Himalayas and waited for help. He had a sleeping bag, two chocolate bars, four books, and no way to make fire.

No one knew where he was... more

On the morning of May 5th, 1979, four residents of Estevan, Saskatchewan boarded a small Cessna bound for Boise, Idaho on what was supposed to be a day trip. By that afternoon, the plane was down in a remote canyon in the Salmon River Mountains, two ... more

In this episode of the Crux podcast's Disaster Strikes segment, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the harrowing story of Dave Shaw, a technical diver who tragically perished while attempting to recover the body of a fellow diver, ... more

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Recent Guests

Don Shirley
Cave diving instructor and producer of recovery dive support
Komadi Springs / British expatriate in South Africa
Episode: The Body Recovery: Fatal Cave Dive at Bushman's Hole | Disaster Strikes E 224
Amber Kohnhorst
Survivor featured in the episode
ICU nurse at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota
Episode: 100 Foot Fall, Broken Back, No Help: Surviving the Arizona Desert | E220
Chad Darby
Survivor of the Miller Cave tragedy and narrator of the events
Grinnell College
Episode: The Miller Cave Tragedy: 7 Entered, 5 Survived | E217
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

Hosts

Kaycee McIntosh
Host with extensive experience presenting wilderness survival narratives and medical context.
Julie Henningsen
Co-host with deep expertise in wilderness medicine and storytelling.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Interesting stories, but….

    Great stories, great research, but please stop scripting your casual comments. It’s great that you keep your comments minimal, but they sound totally scripted. Just talk naturally. And TELL the story, don’t read it. Great podcast, otherwise!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Another Podcrasher
    United States16 days ago
  • Don’t miss this podcast

    I’m in love with this podcast. The stories are well researched. The presenters speak clearly and at a pleasing cadence- not too fast, not too slow. This is fast becoming my favorite!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peace99999
    United States19 days ago
  • Love it!

    I love how they bring these survival stories to life. They’re very down to earth and makes me feel like they’re in my living room chatting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    twills63
    United States23 days ago
  • Inspiring

    Great podcast! I spend a lot of time hiking in the Rockies. This podcast helps me understand what it takes to survive and also teaches me useful things, especially related to surviving in less familiar environments, like a jungle or at sea.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    River & Mountain
    United States25 days ago
  • Excellent Survival Podcast

    Well-researched, well-spoken, and well, one of the best survival podcasts to date. Compassionate and thoughtful, I am impressed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elaine Phelen
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critique occasional editing and pacing, but overall high engagement and repeat listening.
Guests and stories are seen as varied and educational, with strong production quality.
Many enjoy the calm, NPR-like cadence and the practical survival tips shared.
Fans appreciate consistent weekly episodes and hosts' expertise in wilderness medicine.
Listeners praise the medical depth and engaging storytelling, especially the balance between science and narrative.

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

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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?

Gripping survival narratives grounded in real-life events, told by two clinicians with wilderness medicine insight. The show blends meticulous incident detail with expert commentary on physiology, decision-making, and safety, creating a listening experience that's as educational as it is suspenseful. Episodes cover a wide range of extreme scenarios—from near-death ice rescues to cave entrapments—while weaving practical takeaways for outdoor enthusiasts, first responders, and medical professionals. Notable strengths include expert medical context, strong storytelling cadence, and a tone that balances seriousness with approachable discussion. A solid pick for listeners who want memorable survival stories plus actionable lessons, with a consis... more

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

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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 229 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 The CRUX: True Survival Stories?

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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