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This Is Actually Happening

Wondery
Mental Health
Trauma
Death
Childhood Trauma
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
Drug Policy Reform

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 weeklyEpisodes476Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

Latest Episodes

The life of a promising actor takes a devastating turn when she is attacked in her home, sending her into an 18-year fight to reclaim her sense of safety, her career, and the date that haunts her every year.

Today’s episode featured Amy Benedict. Yo... more

When a woman is brought to her knees by unimaginable grief, she finds her way forward by transforming her pain into a sanctuary for forgotten dogs.

Today’s episode featured Tamara Corbitt. If you’d like to reach out to Tamara, you can email her at t... more

After being run over three times and left pinned beneath a car, a woman emerges into a world she no longer recognizes and must piece together a new identity from the ruins of the old one.

Today’s episode featured Naseem Rochette. You can email Nasee... more

When a young model finally escapes Jeffrey Epstein’s world of coercion, gaslighting and abuse, her battle to reclaim her self-worth becomes a testament to resilience and truth.

Today’s episode featured Lisa Phillips. If you’d like to reach out to Li... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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What Came Next
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Recent Guests

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?
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

Host

Whit Missildine
Host of This Is Actually Happening

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17.5k ratings
  • Thank you for featuring healthcare workers in Gaza

    Thank you for featuring doctors who worked in Gaza.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zaydoo
    United States18 days ago
  • foh

    mark furman? jeff toobin?? yeah no foh

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Greg-Paris-NYC
    United States22 days ago
  • The one I listened to was self indulgent and boring. So I’m put off. But there might be some really good episodes. I’m going to go listen to something written by a writer.

    Audible
    2
    H. Winslow
    United States23 days ago
  • Good show except…

    Ok 11/4/25 the doctor in Gaza… I literally couldn’t listen to another word with the stupid beeping randomly every few seconds o r so. Apparently he was not interesting enough to not notice other things or take my mind off those things. But once it was there it was never NOT there. Ya know?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jana1469
    United Statesa month ago
  • Bias and one-sided

    Used to love this show but it is clear they are trying to push a narrative/agenda. Only platforming one side. It’s sad. So gross.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    IzzyyP
    United Statesa month 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. Something Was Wrong
3. The Secret Room | True Stories
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 476 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This Is Actually Happening?

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What guests have appeared on This Is Actually Happening?

Recent guests on This Is Actually Happening include:

1. Lisa Phillips
2. Emily Caldwell
3. Azzah Ahmad
4. Katherine McElhinney
5. Dr. Amanda Eller
6. Gladden Rangel
7. Crystal Raye
8. Keeva Baxter

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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