
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 523 | Founded | 15 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentarySociety & Culture | |||

Being born without his right hand, man’s resentment and monstrous self-image deepen as family and doctors intervene to fix his condition, leading him to question what would truly make him whole.
Today’s episode featured Ryan. If you’d like to reach ... more
A woman shares a sobering memoir of a family burdened with sexual abuse in the 1950s.
Today’s storyteller wishes to remain Anonymous.
Producers
Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits
Content/Trigger Warnings
Sexual Abuse and Assault, Child Sexual Abuse M... more
A woman shares a sobering memoir of a family burdened with sexual abuse in the 1950s.
Today’s storyteller wishes to remain Anonymous.
Producers
Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits
Content/Trigger Warnings
Sexual Abuse and Assault, Child Sexual Abuse M... more
Something strange is happening to us. The intelligent machines we’ve built to serve us have started to sound like us, look like us and even think like us. The line between real and artificial is dissolving… so, what awaits us in the uncanny valley?
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This podcast lost me when they AI generated an episode. Don’t want it. The AI series seems to refuse to take a stance on AI. Have a backbone. O stars.
I loved hearing real people tell their true experiences. Extremely disappointed by the pivot to fake stories by fake people.
Long time listener, disappointing to see all new episodes are about AI
garbage
Hands down, this used to be the greatest of all the podcasts. So well done. Stories were fascinating and had no political agenda. So sad that they have submitted to a certain narrative , and just when I thought it couldn’t get worse , they are no introducing whiney dummies who have been scammed by ai . Weird. Sure there has to be better stories than that . But OH WAIT , it has to have some sort of leftist edge right ?! That’s what you guys have turned into. Grow some balls and bring back the oth... more
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #6 | |
Apple Podcasts | #39 | |
Apple Podcasts | #237 | |
Apple Podcasts | #5 | |
Apple Podcasts | #32 | |
Apple Podcasts | #36 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A compelling anthology of deeply personal survival stories and explorations of extraordinary life events. Episodes skew toward trauma, resilience, and the human psyche, featuring survivors, authors, and thinkers who recount harrowing experiences—from near-death cave rescues to post-trauma healing, identity struggles, and the ethics of AI representations. The show often blends investigative storytelling with reflective commentary, creating intimate, high-stakes narratives that challenge listeners to consider vulnerability, accountability, and growth. Notably, the program frequently centers survivor voices and transformative journeys, offering both visceral storytelling and meaningful takeaways for listeners who seek human-centric narratives ... more
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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
This Is Actually Happening launched 15 years ago and published 523 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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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
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