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This Is Actually Happening

Wondery
Mental Health
Trauma
Death
Obstetrics
Survival
Cocaine
Crack Cocaine
Substance Use Disorder
Drug Trafficking
Adventurous Spirit
Polyamory
Grief
Addiction
Hiking
Substance Abuse
Student Loan Debt
Desperation
Law Enforcement Action Partnership
United Kingdom
Heroin

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes443Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

Latest Episodes

Dedicated to eradicating human trafficking, a purpose-driven young man's world is shattered by a politician's unwarranted lawsuit, destroying his reputation and forcing him to find a new path forward.

Today’s episode featured Raymond Brechard. If yo... more

Cultivating rage as a solution to inherited trauma, a young man commits murder over a five-dollar dispute, but once in prison, he devotes his life to liberation from systems of oppression and the jailor within himself.

Today’s episode featured Emile... more

Driven by her sister's mysterious death, a woman's life transforms into a struggle for understanding and justice, as the truth remains elusive.

Today’s episode featured Jana Guyewski-Lautigar. If you’d like to reach out to Jana, please email her at ... more

A man’s elective amputation sets him free to be the adventurer he’s always wanted to be, but the trip of a lifetime to the Canadian Arctic profoundly tests the limits of his new body.

Today’s episode featured Stephen Evans. If you’d like to reach ou... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Keeva Baxter
Communications and Campaigns Manager at Why Me UK, a national charity promoting restorative justice
Why Me UK
Episode: Restorative Justice in the UK vs the US: A Conversation with Keeva Baxter
Yoana Tchoukleva
Attorney, community organizer, and restorative justice practitioner
Berkeley Law
Episode: The Framework of Restorative Justice: A Conversation with Yoana Tchoukleva
Tony Dahare
Emergency room doctor with over 30 years of experience, known for his work during and after the September 11 attacks.
New York Downtown Hospital
Episode: What if you ran the ER five blocks away? [Rebroadcast #202]
Diamond Garrett
Diamond is currently starting a small business to provide products, services, and resources for disabled individuals.
Episode: What if nine bullets shattered your dreams? [Rebroadcast #240]
Whit Missildine
Host of This Is Actually Happening
This Is Actually Happening
Episode: Listen Now: A Fine Mess in conversation with Whit Missildine
Anonymous Guest
An individual reflecting on their experiences of trauma, identity, and recovery
Episode: What if you had to relearn who you are?? [Rebroadcast #111]
Kayla Bergeron
Chief of Public and Government Affairs for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Episode: What if you were on the 68th floor? [Rebroadcast #203]
Dustin Reynolds
An adventurer and motivational figure who embarked on a solo sailing journey after losing an arm and a leg in a motorcycle accident.
Episode: What if a horrifying loss led to a grand adventure? [Rebroadcast #179]
Alex Chen
Founding Director of the Harvard Law School LGBTQ Plus Advocacy Clinic and a founding member of the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition.
Harvard Law School
Episode: The 82 Percent: Bonus Conversation with Alex Chen

Host

Whit Missildine
Host of This Is Actually Happening, the host explores life-altering stories with empathy and understanding.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17k ratings
  • Raw and powerful work

    This podcast doesn’t just tell stories—it drops you into the soul of someone else’s turning point. The “lost in an Arctic blizzard” episode was haunting and unforgettable. As an author who writes about walking away from the life I thought I wanted, this story reminded me that growth and clarity often come when we are most disoriented. Thank you for this raw and powerful work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KatherineRoseWoller
    United States4 days ago
  • Thai Prison Episode

    this episode is very very good. it's someone getting off drugs and going through something hard to imagine and she tells it very well

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    allnicknamesnicked
    Canada9 days ago
  • Nice new intro music

    ^

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    praxis78
    United States21 days ago
  • Bonus Content

    Bonus content is not a regular episode. I’m annoyed that you guys didn’t release a regular episode. I don’t care about a conversation I want to hear from real ppl and their stories. I hate when I’m looking forward to an episode and it’s a something completely different from the regular format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shaniadasi
    United States22 days ago
  • Resiliency

    This show is for anyone and everyone. We are all human and life is a messy experience. This show is always a comfort and an inspiration to me. I’m an ER nurse and I see trauma everyday, emotional and physical. I love learning about what makes people resilient through challenges and trauma.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmHepNurss
    United States24 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the host's ability to let guests share their stories without interruption, emphasizing the authenticity of the narratives.
Some listeners express a desire for a broader variety of episodes, as recent content feels too focused on specific themes, such as trauma.
Many find the episodes to be captivating and emotionally powerful, often leading to introspection about their own lives and experiences.
Feedback points to the show as being highly impactful, with transformative narratives that challenge listeners' perspectives on humanity.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Listen Now: A Fine Mess in conversation with Whit Missildine
Q: What was your decision to not be heard, like for your voice to not be represented there?
I wanted this raw, immediate, you're in the head of this other person's full life experience.
The 82 Percent: Bonus Conversation with Heath Schechinger and Lily Lamboy
Q: What are the obstacles in realizing the vision for diverse family structures?
Challenges include deep social norms favoring monogamy and legal incentives that currently support it, making it harder for people to choose alternative family structures.

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?

Extraordinary true stories of transformational and often traumatic life events unfold through the voices of individuals who experienced them directly. These narratives cover a wide range of harrowing themes, such as human trafficking, severe trauma from violence, survival against the odds, and personal resilience. By allowing guests to recount their experiences without interruption or bias, listeners gain unparalleled insight into the complexities of human life and emotions. The unique format prioritizes authenticity, offering a rich exploration of the human condition through real-life adversity and recovery.

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?

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What are the audience demographics for This Is Actually Happening?

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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. Something Was Wrong
3. The Secret Room | True Stories
4. What Came Next
5. Betrayal: Season 4

How many episodes of This Is Actually Happening are there?

This Is Actually Happening launched 13 years ago and published 443 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.

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What guests have appeared on This Is Actually Happening?

Recent guests on This Is Actually Happening include:

1. Keeva Baxter
2. Yoana Tchoukleva
3. Tony Dahare
4. Diamond Garrett
5. Whit Missildine
6. Anonymous Guest
7. Kayla Bergeron
8. Dustin Reynolds

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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