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Wondery

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.

This Is Actually Happening

A woman who seeks awakening through myriad healing practices finds her ultimate challenge when she goes missing in a Maui forest.

Today we bring you the fourth 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 went missing?” originally aired as episode 196 on June 22, 2021. 

Today's episode featured Dr. Amanda Eller. You can find out more about Amanda by going to AmandaEllerPT.com. You can also find her on Instagram: @amandaeeller

And on Facebook: @amandaeeller. Amanda is currently living on the island of Maui and is offering her healing services to both the local and global community through in-person and online sessions. 

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: near death, eating disorder, body dysmorphia, hallucinations, 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: “Re-Entry” – 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.

What if you went missing? [Rebroadcast #196]

Decades after her brother disappeared in the early 1980s, a woman becomes deeply involved in the search for a missing friend. 

Today we bring you the third 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 never stopped searching?” originally aired as episode 195 on June 15, 2021. 

Today’s episode featured Sarah Haynes. Somebody out there knows something about her brother Jon Haynes, who went missing in Boulder July 1981 just days after arriving for college. If you know anything, please contact the Boulder police department. There is a $10,000 reward for info leading to his body, his car, or for information about who may have harmed him https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=258

 

Sarah’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sarahspitfire 

Her animal sanctuary on Maui is called Kitty Charm Farm and the Facebook page is:

https://www.facebook.com/KittyCharmFarm

 

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: missing person, abusive threats, 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: “Ambient Themes” by Nigel Coutinho

 

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.

What if you never stopped searching? [Rebroadcast #195]

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.

What if you ran through the pain? [Rebroadcast #208]

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.

What if you entered the belly of the NARCO beast? [Rebroadcast #281]

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.

374: What if a brutal assault saved your life?

Still reeling from an abusive relationship and the loss of her mother, a single woman travels to Mexico, plunging into a whirlwind situationship where nothing is as it seems.

 

Today’s episode featured Aly. If you’d like to reach out to Aly, you can email her at hello@AlyRice.com. Aly is on Instagram @AlySpeaksUp. 

Aly is a certified coach, and host of Sex, Lies & Tacos & This Could Get Messy podcasts. 

 

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: cancer/death from cancer, suicidal ideations, romantic con, divorce, disordered eating, gaslighting, physical/emotion/financial abuse of a partner, revenge/blackmail with use of private, personal photos and videos, explicit language

 

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

 

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

 

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website for Aviva Lipkowitz: avivalipkowitz.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: Union Flow

 

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.

373: What if your boyfriend ghosted you for his wedding?

It’s not that hard to kill a planet. All it takes is a little drilling, some mining, a generous helping of pollution and voila! Earth over. When you take stock of what’s left, it starts to look like a crime scene: decapitated mountains, poisoned rivers, oil-soaked pelicans, maybe a sun-bleached cow skull in a dried-up lake bed. The only thing missing is yellow caution tape. On each episode of Lawless Planet, host Zach Goldbaum reveals the scams, murders and cover-ups on the frontline of the climate crisis, and the life and death choices people are making to either protect our world – or destroy it.

Listen to Lawless Planet: Wondery.fm/LawlessPlanet

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

Listen Now: Lawless Planet

A young woman grows up in chaos and instability but finds strength through education and a deep connection to the outdoors—until a harrowing solo trek on the Pacific Crest Trail challenges her sense of self and reaffirms her bond with others.

 

Today’s episode featured Betty Nickerson. If you’d like to email Betty, you can reach her at Nickerson.betty@yahoo.com. 

You can find Betty on Instagram @mustang___betty. 

 

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara Marinelli 

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, suicide by gun, teen pregnancy, unhoused/rough living, poverty, being lost in the wilderness, extreme cold while lost outside, smoking, explicit language

 

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

 

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

 

Website for Andrew Waits: andrewwaits.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: Re-Entry

 

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.

372: What if you were lost on the Pacific Crest Trail?

Born and raised on a remote Bahamian island, a woman who has weathered countless storms must fight to keep herself and her family alive as the unprecedented Category 5 Hurricane Dorian consumes everything.

 

Today’s episode featured Tara Pyfrom. You can contact her here: tarapyfrom.com/contact

Find her on social media:

On Instagram @tarapyfrom

On Facebook @tarapyfromwriter

On Linkedin.com @tara-pyfrom

Tara is the author of “The Ocean in Our Blood”, available on her website, tarapyfrom.com – which also includes video of her family and dogs, and many pictures from the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. 

 

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara Marinelli

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: homophobia, hurricane, storm, near drowning, drowning deaths, PTSD from near death, flood, 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: Cylinder Four

 

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.

371: What if you survived a catastrophic hurricane?

A young father who rose up from the streets to achieve his musical dream is gunned down by a stranger during a trivial altercation, but as he rebuilds his life in the aftermath, a new, deeper dream emerges.

Today’s episode featured Jason Miller, AKA Stone-Face. If you’d like to reach out to Jason, you can email him here: Stonefaceini@gmail.com. 

Jason’s Socials:

Facebook @AshtonMiller 

Facebook Page @Stoneface of GemStarr Records 

IG @OriginalStoneface

Jason’s Website: Www.AccessiblePASS.net

Jason is also a board Director of the Pennsylvania Council of the blind. In 2024 Jason was elected to be an Honor Society leader for the American Council Of The Blind as the Derwood K McDaniel award (DKM) which is a prestigious award for leadership. 

Currently, Jason and his associates have incorporated a new nonprofit called “Paschall Community Services,” which focuses on three main targeted areas, including, accessible housing for the low vision, blind and seniors, independence services, which includes transportation, home independence, and mentorship and home healthcare training for the low vision, blind and seniors, finally, access technology training for the low vision, blind, and seniors which encompasses access technology software such as screen readers, magnification programs, and other software that AIDS the vision impaired. This education is ongoing and also touches on mobile devices and other accessible devices for the home, such as echo speakers. 

Jason Miller and his company “Paschall Access Solutions LLC” is a state approved provider for access technology training for the low vision, blind and vision impaired seniors in the state of Pennsylvania, the business has been active for eight years and running, the business serves a five County region in the greater Philadelphia area and also provides independent. Transportation services called. “PASS Transport.”

“Blindness is only a physical element, true site is spiritual, and with spiritual vision the world is your oyster.”

A special thanks to Jason’s good friend, Andrew 'William Cooper' Kissel, who brought us Jason’s story. 

 

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: absentee father, violence, gun violence, stranger crime, hospital, blindness, 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: Ambient Themes

 

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.

372: What if you were lost on the Pacific Crest Trail?

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