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Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

This Is Actually Happening

Wondery
Mental Health
Trauma
Death
Family Dynamics
Obstetrics
Survival
Cocaine
Crack Cocaine
Substance Use Disorder
Drug Trafficking
Adventurous Spirit
Polyamory
Grief
Addiction
Hiking
Desperation
Student Loan Debt
Neil Woods
Drug Policy Reform
Law Enforcement Action Partnership

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 weeklyEpisodes467Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

Latest Episodes

When a sudden car crash shatters her world, a woman’s grief and struggle to keep living leads her to an unexpected rebirth of love.

Today’s episode featured Polly Vickery. If you’d like to contact Polly, you can email her at pollyvickery81@gmail.com... more

After a prominent life filled with passion and adventure ends with the death of her brilliant but volatile husband, a woman journeys to Guatemala to heal, only to be captured, and her fight to survive transforms her life forever.

Today’s episode fea... more

While hunting in the Canadian wilderness, a man accidentally comes between a grizzly bear cub and its mother, and a terrifying fight for his life ensues that will change him forever.

Today we bring you the final episode of our annual 5-week summer r... more

A young woman hungry to explore the world goes on a trip to Tanzania and unexpectedly finds herself caught in an endless cycle of impending doom.

Today we bring you the ninth episode of our annual 5-week summer rebroadcast series, airing 2 episodes ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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]
Crystal Raye
Survivor of a traumatic childhood and a life-threatening incident involving flames
Episode: 369: What if you lit yourself on fire?
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]

Host

Whit Missildine
Host of This Is Actually Happening

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17.4k ratings
  • BONUS: What if you were mauled by a grizzle bear

    Is not about someone being mauled by a grizzly bear. Might have enjoyed the story if I hadn't kept waiting for the grizzly bear!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allimiao77
    United States19 days ago
  • What if you woke up and couldn’t move.

    As a nurse, as a woman of 69 years of life experiences, this podcast was spot on. A beautiful artist who embraced a different life- so very different than a dancer and runner. I’ve taken care of many trauma patients, and this sweet man’s honest acceptance to his new life while reaching out to service others is profound and amazing. He’s a true Queen. ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jacklyn graham
    United States25 days ago
  • Are you having a bad day?

    If you think you are having a really bad day, listen to these podcasts and understand what a bad day really feels like. Discover how a really bad experience can turn a person into something better than they thought they were capable of.

    (Perhaps, though, avoid “the 82%” bonus episodes which try to push an agenda that the traditional family structure isn’t important to strive for because in the USA it represents only about 11% of families)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stesage
    New Zealanda month ago
  • Beautifully produced

    Lover everything about this podcast. I like how raw it feels despite (I assume) hours of postproduction

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jontruemann
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wrong episode posted

    They posted a Teddy Roosevelt episode from an entirely different podcast last week and didn’t correct it and now they’re rebroadcasting an old episode this week…. What happened to the “what if a brutal assault …” episode ?? Please fix

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    StuckinBarrie
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some express disappointment when episodes do not meet their expectations, indicating a desire for consistency in thematic quality and production.
Listeners appreciate the rawness and emotional depth of the stories shared, often finding them deeply moving and relatable.
Many praise the quality of storytelling, noting its ability to evoke empathy and understanding of diverse life experiences.

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?

Extraordinary true stories that explore life-altering experiences form the crux of this podcast. Each episode brings forth gripping narratives shared by individuals who have faced harrowing situations, such as surviving assaults, battles with addiction, navigating the challenges of cults, or grappling with the aftermath of traumatic incidents. The stories are emotionally charged and insightful, shedding light on resilience, survival, and the deeply personal journeys of recovery and self-acceptance that often follow such events. With its raw, unfiltered storytelling approach, the content is likely to resonate with listeners drawn to powerful human narratives that explore the complexities of life and trauma.

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. The Secret Room | True Stories
3. Something Was Wrong
4. What Came Next
5. WHEN DATING HURTS

How many episodes of This Is Actually Happening are there?

This Is Actually Happening launched 14 years ago and published 467 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. Emily Caldwell
2. Azzah Ahmad
3. Katherine McElhinney
4. Dr. Amanda Eller
5. Gladden Rangel
6. Crystal Raye
7. Keeva Baxter
8. Yoana Tchoukleva

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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