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The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Kaycee McIntosh, Julie Henningsen, Bleav
Wilderness Survival
Survival
World War II
Hypothermia
Survival Skills
Dehydration
Eddie Rickenbacker
Survival Stories
Paralysis
Appalachian Trail
Hugh Glass
Gerry Largay
Resilience
Natural Disasters
The Great Molasses Flood
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Hurricane Helene
Otters
Leo Dufour
Maine

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 weeklyEpisodes241Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Latest Episodes

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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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 of The CRUX: True Survival Stories, CRUX Podcast / The CRUX: True Survival Stories (host)
Julie Henningsen
Wilderness medical instructor at Headwaters Field Medicine; Co-host of The CRUX True Survival Stories; Co-host of Disaster Strikes segment

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Awesome

    This is an awesome podcast. I love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3tre
    United Statesa month ago
  • Eshh

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    PandaofPeace
    United States2 months ago
  • Great pod

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoyceCollingwood
    Canada2 months ago
  • Another good true adventure podcast

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nboatwpi
    United States2 months ago
  • Great survival podcast

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Leanne4356
    Australia2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Credible expert insights keep it informative and compelling for outdoor professionals.
Engaging, well-researched medical details elevate survival stories.
Pacing and natural banter often praised; some listeners want less scripted commentary.
High-quality storytelling that feels like a conversation among outdoorsy friends.

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?

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

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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 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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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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