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This Is Actually Happening

Audible
Mental Health
Trauma
Family Dynamics
Childhood Trauma
Survival Stories
Death
Survival
Restorative Justice
Sexual Abuse
Recovery
Obstetrics
Artificial Intelligence
2004 Tsunami
Drug Trafficking
Thailand
Natural Disasters
Crack Cocaine
Cocaine
Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorder

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 weeklyEpisodes533Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for This Is Actually Happening

Latest Episodes

After leaving the Mormon church and rebuilding her life from the ground up, a woman and her family move to a rural property hoping for a fresh start, only to find themselves trapped in an escalating nightmare with a neighbor whose harassment pushes t... more

After losing his older brother on K2, a man travels to Pakistan years later to say goodbye, but on his flight home, he is taken hostage in a terrifying hijacking that will change the course of his life.

Today’s episode featured Mike Thexton. If you’... more

Lauren Malloy was a baby when her mother, Lori, was murdered in East Providence, Rhode Island. For thirty years, no one told her. Everyone said Lori died of natural causes. Then a stranger sent Lauren a message — and the lie collapsed. Now Lauren is ... more

A woman leaves behind the wounds of her alcoholic father, only to find out that her husband’s addiction is threatening to ruin their family; but when he goes to find healing through a plant medicine ceremony, a shocking, darker truth is revealed.

To... 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

Dan Frolec
Author of The Cave, survivor of the Croatia cave incident
Author, The Cave
Episode: 408: What if your friend was lost in an underwater cave?
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]

Host

Whit Missildine
Host of This Is Actually Happening

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 18.1k ratings
  • Lazy ai content

    This used to be one of my favorite podcasts until they started using AI. As many other listeners have stated, this is the last thing any of us want.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    fjouxetvllub
    United States23 days ago
  • The other woman

    I certainly felt sorry for this woman. She was addicted to a man who was exactly what his wife said he was. This was not a relationship, this was ab addiction. Feeling “present” is how you feel when you’re high. It was never love but she’s too lonely to understand that men who do this do not love you. They are in love with themselves.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WhitOpp
    United States23 days ago
  • Life affirming

    Top 3 favorite podcasts. These raw human stories make people feel less alone and are incredibly interesting, I learn something new every time. Life affirming podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    qwerghvbnc
    United States24 days ago
  • This has ads

    Came here from Apple Podcasts because audible subscribers can supposedly listen to this amazing podcast ad free : but nope, full of ads here :/

    Audible
    2
    Ayesha
    United States24 days ago
  • Inspirational

    I adore this podcast and have for years now. Each episode is so fascinating with the insights of the authors. There is always a valuable lesson to take away from these experiences and I cherish them and learn from their struggle and wisdom. HOWEVER it’s very frustrating to constantly post rebroadcasts. either continue taping episodes or stop posting altogether.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    T Swizzy Main
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many fans value the empathetic approach to trauma and resilience, though some critique shifts toward AI-centric topics.
Listeners appreciate the intimate, survivor-centered storytelling and the emotional depth of episodes.
The show is praised for high production quality and compelling guest conversations, even as opinions on topics vary.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Introducing Unreal: When AI Becomes Us
Q: Are there questions you're not comfortable answering?
I'm comfortable discussing most things; if you have questions about specific topics, feel free to ask.
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.

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?

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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How many listeners does This Is Actually Happening get?

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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. Betrayal Season 6

How many episodes of This Is Actually Happening are there?

This Is Actually Happening launched 15 years ago and published 533 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?

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What guests have appeared on This Is Actually Happening?

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

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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