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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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Social Sciences
Episodes
  • What if you ran through the pain? [Rebroadcast #208]
    Aug 14 2025

    A man searches for healing after his father, a disgruntled post office worker, falls into a violent downward spiral.


    Today we bring you the second episode of our annual 5-week summer rebroadcast series, airing 2 episodes a week. We will return with all new episodes starting Tuesday, September 16, 2025 . Today’s rebroadcast episode “What if you ran through the pain?” originally aired as episode 208 on October 19, 2021.

    Today’s episode featured Miles. Today’s episode featured Miles. You can reach out to Miles by emailing him at Miles1357@yahoo.com.


    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock

    Content/Trigger Warnings: suicide, mental illness, graphic violent imagery, workplace abuse, sexual harassment, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.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” by Scott Velasquez

    Music Bed: “Cylinder Four/Five” by Chris Zabriskie

    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
  • What if you entered the belly of the NARCO beast? [Rebroadcast #281]
    Aug 12 2025

    Escaping the tumult and abuses of his childhood through music, a young man lands a dream gig at a premiere nightclub in Mexico, but when the party’s over, he finds himself inside the underbelly that lurks beneath the glamour.


    Today we begin our annual 5-week summer rebroadcast series, airing 2 episodes a week. We will be on hiatus starting today and will return with all new episodes starting Tuesday, September 16, 2025 . Today’s rebroadcast episode “What if you entered the belly of the NARCO beast?” originally aired as episode 281 on June 6, 2023.

    Today’s episode featured Gladden Rangel. You can find out more about him on Instagram @gladden_sane or on Facebook at Eddie IZM. You can also contact him over email at GladdenRangel@gmail.com

    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock

    Content/Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, drug use, murder, torture, incarceration, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.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: ReEntry by Lee Rosevere

    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
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 374: What if a brutal assault saved your life?
    Aug 5 2025

    After being violently attacked outside a bar, a man who spent his life motivated by loneliness and rage, begins forging a new path to peace and healing through Buddhism and awakening to the thread that connects us all.

    Today’s episode featured Cesar Cardona. If you’d like to reach out to Cesar, you can email him at cesarspeak6@gmail.com.


    Cesar’s socials: IG- @beautyinthebreakpod // @TikTok - Beautyinthebreak


    Find out more about Cesar at his website: https://cesarcardona.com/


    A special thanks to Scott Johnson, Host of the What Was That Like podcast

    “real people in unreal situations”: WhatWasThatLike.com, who brought us Cesar’s story.


    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Cathy Sitzes

    Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, gang activity, criminal activity including drugs and violence with weapons, racism, brutal assault including kicking & stomping, severe facial injuries in the mouth, punctured organ injury, heavy alcohol use, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

    Website for Cathy Sitzes: cathysitzes.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
    1 hr
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