
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 | 502 | Founded | 14 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentarySociety & Culture | |||

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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Thank you for sharing these special and personal stories.
It fascinates me and I appreciate it enormously, thank you.
One of the best podcasts I listen to. Amazing story’s every week told by the actual storyteller.
This is my sister in the podcast. She is sick and none of what she said happened. She was drunk and almost killed herself and talks about me saying and doing things I never did. I'm sure a lot of the stories are true but this one is all a lie.
I listen to a lot of storytelling podcasts – honestly they’re a better reflection of the state of the world than any news program. And this one’s my favorite of all of them. You can’t go wrong.
I love this show because the stories are incredibly interesting and compelling. At the same time, I sometimes find myself getting frustrated—especially when an episode hits close to home. It can bring back memories of what I went through and how I coped, and that can be really triggering and emotional for me.
I also struggle when it feels like people minimize their actions or don’t fully take accountability. That part can be hard to listen to. Still, I understand that it’s all part of human emot... 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.
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Apple Podcasts | #181 | |
Apple Podcasts | #6 | |
Apple Podcasts | #22 | |
Apple Podcasts | #31 |
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 502 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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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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.