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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
Obstetrics
Recovery
2004 Tsunami
Drug Trafficking
Thailand
Natural Disasters
Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorder
Crack Cocaine
Cocaine
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes503Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureDocumentary

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Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

Latest Episodes

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

After a childhood shaped by violence and addiction leads him into years of self-destruction, a man begins to transform himself in prison, only to learn he has 90 days to live.

Today’s episode featured Michael Mason. If you’d like to reach out to Mic... more

After years of caring for her mother through a devastating decline, a woman helps ease her final suffering, only to be accused of murdering the person she loved most.

Today’s episode featured Rachel Waters. If you’d like to reach out to Rachel, you ... more

After suffering from necrotizing fasciitis, a soccer coach sets out to rebuild his body, his identity, and the life he thought he had lost.

Today’s episode featured Scott Martin. If you’d like to email Scott, you can reach out to him at Reader.playf... 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.

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Recent Guests

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

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 Kingdom13 days 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 States19 days 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 States20 days 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
    20 days 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
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many remark on the depth and variety of experiences, noting episodes can be emotionally intense.
Some reviews critique perceived narrative bias or agenda in certain episodes, but remain largely positive about storytelling quality.
Listeners praise the show for its harrowing, inspiring storytelling and therapeutic tone.
Audiences frequently mention the impact of personal growth and empathy inspired by stories of resilience.
The quality of interview guidance and guest preparation is a common compliment across reviews.

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?

Survivor-centered storytelling with a focus on extraordinary life events, each episode centers on resilience in the face of trauma—from natural disasters and accidents to abuse, captivity, and survival against the odds. Listeners repeatedly encounter intimate, first-person narratives guided by thoughtful interviews that emphasize healing, hope, and personal growth, making the show a go-to for those drawn to real-life resilience, coping strategies, and the psychology of extreme experiences. A notable strength is the careful storytelling and editing that let gripping, harrowing details emerge without sensationalism, though some episodes have sparked debates about narrative focus versus broader context. The show's breadth across disaster, viol... more

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How many listeners does This Is Actually Happening get?

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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. Criminal

How many episodes of This Is Actually Happening are there?

This Is Actually Happening launched 14 years ago and published 503 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.

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What guests have appeared on This Is Actually Happening?

Recent guests on This Is Actually Happening include:

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

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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