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This Is Actually Happening

This Is Actually Happening

By: Wondery
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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 edge of your seat waiting to hear what happens next.

Listen to exclusive episodes of This is Actually Happening ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/this-is-actually-happening/ now.

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Episodes
  • 385: What if you found healing through saving abandoned dogs?

    385: What if you found healing through saving abandoned dogs?
    Nov 25 2025

    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 tamara.corbitt@yahoo.com. You can find her and her rescue, Travieso Dog Sanctuary on Facebook and Instagram @Traviesodogsanctuary


    To see dogs available for adoption or to donate, please visit the website for Travieso Dog Sanctuary at http://traviesodogsanctuary.com.


    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock

    Content/Trigger Warnings: Child loss, Fatal car accident, Grief and traumatic bereavement, Parental abuse (physical and emotional), Substance use as coping, Animal illness and death (parvo, puppy loss), Rescue of abused/abandoned animals, Family estrangement, Descriptions of emotional distress and trauma processing, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com


    To Pre-Order the Limited Edition BOOK, hand-numbered and signed by Whit for shipping by December 8: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/the-book

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrewwaits.com

    Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com

    Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

    Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus

    Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.

    Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez

    Music Bed: Uncertain Outcomes

    Services

    If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

    National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

    National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

    National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • 384: What if you were run over three times?

    384: What if you were run over three times?
    Nov 18 2025

    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 Naseem at nas@misfitblue.com. She is on Instagram @nasrocs. You can find out more about Naseem on her website at naseemrochette.com.


    Her book, The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over is available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Benefits-Being-Run-Over/dp/B0BW4MZ517



    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara Marinelli

    Content/Trigger Warnings: Suicide attempt, Suicidal ideation, Racial discrimination / identity-based shame, Graphic accident description, Being run over by a vehicle (multiple times), Traumatic brain injury, Medical trauma, Child witnessing parent in medical crisis, Emotional dysregulation / screaming at children, PTSD symptoms, Alcohol use / self-medication, Courtroom confrontation, Lack of remorse from perpetrator, Themes of mortality and near-death experience, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

    Website for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.com

    Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

    Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus

    Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.

    Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez

    Music Bed: Music To Air (MTA) - Houses

    Services

    If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

    National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

    National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

    National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)



    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • 383: What if you survived Jeffrey Epstein?

    383: What if you survived Jeffrey Epstein?
    Nov 11 2025

    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 Lisa, you can email her at lisa@lisaphillips.la. She is on Instagram @iamlisaphillips and @fromnowonpod

    Lisa is also on YouTube https://tr.ee/FLEx90p6Ss and TikTok https://tr.ee/P1oWtIWF9D


    You can visit Lisa’s website as well https://www.lisaphillips.la/press


    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits

    Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse, grooming, manipulation, trauma, self-worth struggles, emotional abuse, discussion of Jeffrey Epstein, and recovery from exploitation, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

    Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

    Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus

    Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.

    Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez

    Music Bed: KPM Main Series (KPM) - Barely There

    Services

    If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

    National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

    National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

    National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
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