In this episode of 'The Crux: True Survival Stories,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the astonishing tale of Vesna Vulović, a Serbian flight attendant who miraculously survived a fall from over 33,000 feet without a parachute. The episode explores Vesna's early life, the fateful flight in 1972, and the extraordinary series of events that led to her survival. It also discusses the psychological and political aftermath of her experience. With detailed storytelling and insightful commentary, this episode celebrates Vesna's incredible resilience and the unyielding human spirit.

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Introducing Vesna's Story

02:09 Vesna's Early Life and Aspirations

06:26 The Fateful Flight

16:10 Miraculous Survival and Rescue

24:27 Life After the Crash

30:36 Legacy and Final Years

36:45 Conclusion

References:

1. "JAT Flight 367" - Wikipedia. Comprehensive details about the flight, crash investigation, and official findings.

2. "Vesna Vulović" - Wikipedia. Biographical information, personal life, and political activism.

3. "How Vesna Vulović survived the highest fall ever with no parachute" - Guinness World Records (April 2022). Official record details and survival analysis.

4. "JAT Flight 367, A Cabin Crew Perspective: The Woman Who Fell To Earth" - Simple Flying (January 2023). Aviation industry perspective on the crash.

5. "The Miraculous Survival Story of Vesna Vulović" - Bygonely (February 2024). Detailed biographical account and historical context.

6. "Life After Death – Vesna Vulovic: Survivor's Guilt" - Europe Between East And West (May 2019). Analysis of psychological impact and later life struggles.

7. "Remembering Vesna Vulović" - CBC Radio (December 2016). Interview excerpts and obituary coverage.

8. "THE SERBIAN WOMAN WHO DEFEATED DEATH" - Serbian Times (February 2025). Cultural perspective and legacy in Serbia.

9. Various aviation safety reports and Czech Civil Aviation Authority findings regarding the bombing investigation and crash analysis.

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Join hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast as they discuss one of the most remarkable survival stories in maritime history. The episode delves into the harrowing tale of 11-year-old Terry Jo Duperrault, whose family vacation in 1961 turned into a nightmare when their chartered boat, the Blue Bell, was sabotaged by the captain, Julian Harvey. After a brutal attack that left her family dead, Terry Jo was left alone at sea for four days before being miraculously rescued. This episode covers the details of the night of the tragedy, Terry Jo's incredible survival, and the subsequent revelations about Harvey's criminal past. The story not only highlights Terry Jo's resilience and courage but also serves as a cautionary tale about trusting strangers. Listener discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of the content.

00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

00:41 The Perfect Family Vacation Turns Tragic

03:45 The Mysterious Captain Julian Harvey

06:40 The Night of Terror on the Blue Bell

14:59 Terry Joe's Miraculous Rescue

21:30 Unraveling Harvey's Web of Lies

35:56 Terry Joe's Life After the Ordeal

40:24 Reflections and Lessons from Terry Joe's Story

46:14 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

1. Duperrault, Tere and Richard D. Logan. Alone: Orphaned on the Ocean. 2010.

1. "The Sea: The Bluebelle's Last Voyage." TIME Magazine, December 1, 1961.
2. LIFE Magazine cover story on Terry Jo Duperrault, December 1961.

1. "Coast Guard Investigates 'Bluebelle' Captain who Killed Himself." November 21, 1961.
2. Various articles from The Miami Herald, November 1961.
3. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the Bluebelle case, November 1961.
4. Lawrence Journal-World coverage, November 1961.

1. United States Coast Guard Official Report into the Loss of the Bluebelle. April 25, 1962.
2. Coast Guard Investigation transcripts and hearing records, November 1961.
3. Bahamian authorities investigation records, November 1961.

1. The Oprah Winfrey Show reunion episode featuring Terry Jo Duperrault and Captain Stylianos Coutsodontis, September 1988.
2. 48 Hours interview with Tere Duperrault Fassbender.

1. "Bluebelle (ship)." Wikipedia. Accessed 2024.
2. CBS News interview with Tere Duperrault Fassbender. "Book 'Em: Alone, Orphaned on the Ocean." June 17, 2010.
3. "Terry Jo Duperrault, The 11-Year-Old Girl Lost At Sea." All That's Interesting, May 1, 2024.
4. "The Sea Waif: A Murder on the Ocean and the Little Girl Who Stayed Alive." Mental Floss, May 15, 2019.
5. "Bluebelle's last voyage: A true crime." Salon.com, August 4, 2012.

1. Press photographs from November 1961 showing Terry Jo with relatives in De Pere, Wisconsin.
2. Original rescue photographs taken by crew of the Captain Theo.
3. Harvey's suicide note and Miami Police Department records, November 1961.

1. Logan, Richard D. Academic work on psychology of solitary survival.
2. Maritime safety records documenting changes to life raft regulations following the Bluebelle incident.

1. Schechter, Harold. Psycho USA: Famous American Killers You Never Heard Of. Ballantine Books, 2012.
2. Gardner, Erle Stanley. "The Case of the Bluebelle's Last Voyage." Syndicated newspaper article, 1962.

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, medical professionals Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the extraordinary story of 11-year-old Norman Ollestad, Jr., the sole survivor of a 1979 plane crash in the San Gabriel Mountains. Despite his young age, Norman's extensive training in extreme sports, imparted by his adventurous father, equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate down an 8,600-foot mountain during a blizzard. The hosts recount how Norman's upbringing, filled with surfing and skiing challenges, prepared him for this life-threatening ordeal, highlighting the profound impact of his father's unconventional parenting. The episode not only explores the technical aspects of Norman's survival but also reflects on the psychological resilience and the enduring bond between a father and son.

00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

00:30 Norman Ollestad Jr.: The Sole Survivor

01:28 Norman's Unique Upbringing

12:32 The Plane Crash in the San Gabriel Mountains

16:42 Surviving the Descent

28:56 Reflecting on the Experience

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This episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast with Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen explores the harrowing tale of Ryan Wardwell, an experienced canyoneer who survived three days trapped in hypothermic conditions behind the Seven Teacups waterfall in California. The story delves into Ryan's ordeal, the geological and technical challenges of the canyon, the critical decisions made, and the incredible multi-agency rescue operation that saved his life. The episode also reflects on a similar tragic incident that happened a year prior, highlighting the unpredictable dangers of wilderness adventures.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:30 Ryan Wardwell's Ordeal Begins
03:00 The Seven Teacups: A Dangerous Beauty
06:29 The Impact of Social Media on Outdoor Adventures
07:27 Understanding the Technical Challenges of Canyoneering
13:40 Ryan's Decision and the Consequences
16:56 The Struggle for Survival
20:48 The Physical and Psychological Toll
26:32 Factors Contributing to Ryan's Survival
27:21 Psychological Resilience in Survival Situations
28:49 The Critical Role of Calories and Hydration
30:51 Friends' Life-Saving Decision
32:44 The Search and Rescue Operation Begins
33:37 Challenges of Aerial Detection
34:37 The Agonizing Decision to Delay Rescue
35:40 The High-Stakes Rescue Mission
41:36 Medical Treatment and Recovery
44:42 The Psychological Aspect of Survival
45:45 A Tragic History at Seven Teacups
52:40 Lessons from the Wilderness
54:33 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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This episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosted by Kaycee McIntosh, recounts the harrowing tale of Eric Murda, a 43-year-old irrigation contractor from Sarasota. On July 17, 2022, Eric’s routine day turned into a nightmare when a seven-foot alligator attacked him while he swam across Lake Manatee in Florida. The attack resulted in Eric losing his arm, leading to a grueling 72-hour survival ordeal in the harsh Florida swamp. He faced severe blood loss, venomous snakes, disease-carrying water, and other predators. Despite being disoriented and gravely injured, Eric's mental resilience and instinctive survival skills allowed him to navigate through dense vegetation, signal for help, and eventually find rescue. His story underscores the importance of preparation, mental fortitude, and situational awareness in wilderness survival. The episode also touches on winter travel preparation and survival strategies, reflecting on another tragic survival story and discussing improvements in search and rescue protocols.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:49 Setting the Scene: A Deadly Encounter
02:07 Eric Murda's Fateful Decision
04:36 The Alligator Attack
08:29 Surviving the Swamp
19:20 The Psychological Battle
21:56 Lessons in Wilderness Survival
24:42 Necrotizing Fasciitis and Waterborne Pathogens
25:06 Venomous Snakes: A Deadly Threat
26:37 Survival Skills: Plant Identification and Shelter
28:39 Eric's Final Push to Civilization
30:07 Medical Challenges and Psychological Transformation
31:31 Lessons from Eric's Ordeal
33:05 Eric's New Role as a Motivational Speaker
34:22 Podcast Outro and Listener Engagement

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Join Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen on The Crux True Survival Story Podcast as they dive into the extraordinary journey of Tony Peniche, Founder of the Pacific Northwest Survival Games. Discover how a backyard BBQ among friends evolved into a viral survival competition, attracting contestants and survival celebrities from popular TV shows. Tony shares his transition from a serial entrepreneur to a key figure in the survival community, the challenges and excitement of organizing survival events, and the importance of problem-solving and realistic survival training. This episode is packed with thrilling tales, insights into survival skills, and the spirit of camaraderie and competition.
00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:30 Meet Tony Panish: Founder of the Pacific Northwest Survival Games
01:42 The Accidental Viral Event
03:57 From Marketing Consultant to Survival Event Creator
05:12 Personal Journey: Sobriety and New Beginnings
06:33 Inspiration from Family and Community
08:58 The Power of Seizing Opportunities
09:37 Connecting with the Survival Community
10:38 What Makes the Pacific Northwest Survival Games Unique?
15:08 Challenges and Competitions: Testing Real-World Skills
23:37 Transformations in Confidence and Skills
23:54 A Memorable Example: Joel's Journey
25:37 The Importance of Problem Solving in Survival
26:36 Essential Survival Gear
27:11 The Role of Signaling Devices
28:37 Logistical Challenges of Survival Events
29:21 Expanding Survival Games: Future Plans
32:34 Memorable Moments from Past Events
35:25 Casting and Celebrity Involvement
41:26 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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