
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 | 503 | Founded | 14 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureDocumentary | |||

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
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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
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!
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.
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!
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.
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 | #35 | |
Apple Podcasts | #223 | |
Apple Podcasts | #7 | |
Apple Podcasts | #25 | |
Apple Podcasts | #36 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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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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
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.
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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
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