Rephonic
Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

This Is Actually Happening

Audible
Mental Health
Trauma
Family Dynamics
Childhood Trauma
Survival Stories
Death
Survival
Restorative Justice
Sexual Abuse
Recovery
Obstetrics
2004 Tsunami
Drug Trafficking
Thailand
Natural Disasters
Crack Cocaine
Cocaine
Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorder
Grizzly Bear

What if you were trafficked into a cult...or were mauled by a grizzly bear...or were stabbed 27 times by a serial killer - what would you do? This is Actually Happening brings you extraordinary true stories of life-changing events told by the people who lived them. From a man who woke up in the morgue to a woman stranded in a Mexican desert fighting to survive, these stories will have you on the e... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes507Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

Latest Episodes

After surviving a childhood where love meant saving his mother from the ravages of schizophrenia, a man spends decades trying to outrun the self he lost, until one final visit forces him to face what was never his to fix.

Today’s episode featured Jo... more

After building the loving family she always wanted, a woman loses her youngest son to an unsecured gun, and turns her grief into a fight to protect other children.

Today’s episode featured Kristin Song. Kristin Miller Song is a writer and speaker wh... more

After a scuba diving trip in Croatia turns deadly, a successful Czech executive is falsely accused of murder and thrown into a foreign jail, where the total loss of control forces him to confront fear, grief, and the unexpected freedom of mastering h... more

After leaving Portugal to become a journalist, a woman is drawn into the world’s black markets, where dangerous encounters with criminals, extremists, and a military coup reveal the systems that shape people and the humanity that still connects them.... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Something Was Wrong
Something Was WrongBroken Cycle Media
What Came Next
What Came NextBroken Cycle Media
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal WeeklyiHeartPodcasts | Glass Podcasts

Recent Guests

Dan Frolec
Author of The Cave, survivor of the Croatia cave incident
Author, The Cave
Episode: 408: What if your friend was lost in an underwater cave?
Mirsad Solakovic
Bosnian genocide survivor, founder of Solak Gym
Solak Gym / survivor
Episode: What if you survived the Bosnian genocide? [Rebroadcast Ep277]
Mike Wolo
Survivor of a granite accident and subsequent reconstructive journey
Granite importing business (family connection)
Episode: What if you were crushed by 10000 pounds of stone? [Rebroadcast Ep274]
Lisa Phillips
Survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse
Episode: 383: What if you survived Jeffrey Epstein?
Emily Caldwell
Episode: What if you didn’t sleep for 120 hours? [Rebroadcast #170]
Azzah Ahmad
Individual sharing her experiences of cultural pressure, abuse, and self-acceptance journey
Episode: What if you could never be what they wanted? [Rebroadcast #246]
Katherine McElhinney
A woman recounting her childhood experiences and struggles with the Church of Scientology.
Episode: What if you signed a billion-year contract? [Rebroadcast #243]
Dr. Amanda Eller
A survivalist whose story of being lost in the forest became a national news sensation.
amandellerpt.com
Episode: What if you went missing? [Rebroadcast #196]
Gladden Rangel
An artist and DJ who shares his poignant story of survival during a traumatic incident in Mexico's drug underworld.
Episode: What if you entered the belly of the NARCO beast? [Rebroadcast #281]

Host

Whit Missildine
Host of This Is Actually Happening

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17.8k ratings
  • Fascinating documentary but with reservation

    The stories that are told are quite extraordinary what people have to go through in life. These histories are incredibly absorbing and have a deep truth to them.

    I do have a big big reservation though, occasionally I think you show a serious lack of judgement regarding your guests; why do you give airtime to violent criminals who kill, rob and maime people, framing the story as some sort of personal "redemption" story, so that at the end of the podcast we can all breathe a collective sigh of a ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jonnyboyblue1969
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • You are not alone!

    TIAH is a great podcast. It always helps me gain perspective and gratitude. Every episode is a great reminder that we are all connected, and that we’re not alone in what we go through. As a person with CPTSD, I can’t always listen as it’s usually really dark, but I bank episodes and always get around to listening when I feeling stable. Thanks Witt!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    _metzy_
    United Statesa month ago
  • Depression

    I enjoyed this story. Not to be nit-picky, but I want the author to understand having depression does not necessarily mean that someone has a “woe is me” mentality. This was a little offensive, but I’m hoping that’s not how she meant her comment.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Mol G.
    United Statesa month ago
  • I loved episode #399 'What if a hormonal disorder rewrote your identity?'. The guest spoke eloquently about a rough and chaotic disorder to experience, let alone make sense of (PMDD), and her voice was very pleasant. I could listen to her talk about her experiences all day!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Bnowell724
    a month ago
  • january 8, 2026 episode

    it was anonymous. and hearing it changed a lot for me. i want to thank this person, with all my heart, for sharing his experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    elisego
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate authentic, vulnerable storytelling and the host's empathetic interviewing.
Critics note strong content but sometimes question guest selections or perspective balance in certain episodes.
Listeners praise the show's depth and emotional resonance, highlighting its therapeutic value and storytelling quality.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What if you ran through the pain? [Rebroadcast #208]
Q: How did you cope with the aftermath of your father's suicide?
The speaker explains how he utilized running as a form of therapy to process his emotions and find a constructive outlet for his grief.
What if you ran through the pain? [Rebroadcast #208]
Q: Can you tell us about the events leading up to your father's death?
The speaker recounts a call from his father where he expressed the intention to end his life, leading to a series of panicked actions and ultimately a tragic outcome.
Restorative Justice in the UK vs the US: A Conversation with Keeva Baxter
Q: What do you feel are the biggest challenges for restorative justice being more widely implemented?
Keeva identifies awareness as the main barrier, stating that even with services available, many victims do not know about restorative justice.
Restorative Justice in the UK vs the US: A Conversation with Keeva Baxter
Q: What got you into Restorative Justice?
Keeva talks about her initial interest stemming from exposure to a powerful TED talk and her educational background in criminal justice which fueled her passion for reform.
Listen Now: A Fine Mess in conversation with Whit Missildine
Q: What has your experience been since your near-death experience?
A lot of the early disruptions that were happening in the aftermath have sort of taken place.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Is Actually Happening

What is This Is Actually Happening about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show curates intensely personal true-life stories told directly by the people who lived them, focusing on moments of crisis, resilience, and recovery. Episodes commonly center on survival—from dangerous ordeals to psychological traumas—alongside the aftermath: coping, meaning-making, and healing through therapy, mindfulness, or community. A notable strength is the intimate, unvarnished storytelling paired with mindful reflection, often shedding light on complex issues like abuse, trauma, and identity. The format tends to attract listeners who crave deep, character-driven narratives and practical takeaways on resilience, mental health, and navigating extreme life events.

Where can I find podcast stats for This Is Actually Happening?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for This Is Actually Happening. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to This Is Actually Happening and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does This Is Actually Happening get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for This Is Actually Happening, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for This Is Actually Happening?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for This Is Actually Happening, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does This Is Actually Happening have?

To see how many followers or subscribers This Is Actually Happening 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 This Is Actually Happening?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Is Actually Happening:

1. What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.
2. The Secret Room | True Stories
3. Something Was Wrong
4. What Came Next
5. Betrayal Weekly

How many episodes of This Is Actually Happening are there?

This Is Actually Happening launched 14 years ago and published 507 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 This Is Actually Happening?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for This Is Actually Happening?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for This Is Actually Happening from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This Is Actually Happening?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of This Is Actually Happening. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on This Is Actually Happening?

Recent guests on This Is Actually Happening include:

1. Dan Frolec
2. Mirsad Solakovic
3. Mike Wolo
4. Lisa Phillips
5. Emily Caldwell
6. Azzah Ahmad
7. Katherine McElhinney
8. Dr. Amanda Eller

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days