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This Is Actually Happening: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Audible Original
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.
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- 2 days ago59 min
438: What if your brother jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge?
Growing up in a family that prized achievement over vulnerability, a man’s troubled relationship with his older brother ends in devastating loss, sending him on a decades-long search to understand the guilt and shame he left behind.Today’s episode featured Chad Herst. If you’d like to reach out to Chad, you can email him at chad@herstwellness.com. Chad is on LinkedIn @ linkedin.com/in/chad-herst-6040629Chad Herst is an executive coach and acupuncturist in Sebastopol, California, and the author of The Performance Trap: The Ache No Success Will Ever Fix, out October 1, 2026. The book grew out of the story told in this episode. Website: herstwellness.com, where the opening chapter is available free.ProducersWhit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva LipkowitzContent/Trigger WarningsSuicide, suicidal ideation, mental illness, substance abuse, bullying and hazing, physical abuse, family dysfunction, psychiatric hospitalization, grief and traumatic loss, explicit language.Social MediaInstagram: @actuallyhappeningFacebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion GroupWebsite: thisisactuallyhappening.com Substack - Beyond the Storywhitmissildine.substack.comIf you’d like to share an UNSAID short story from your life, you can find it on our website: thisisactuallyhappening.com/submittheendoftheknown or on the Substack at whitmissildine.substack.com. Support the Show on Substack by becoming a Paid SubscriberFree subscribers get access to Whit’s weekly episode reflections and some show updates.Paid subscribers get access to AMAs with the team, follow up interviews with past guests, frequently asked questions, deeper insights into the creative process of the show and live events. A paid Substack subscription is also the best way to support the show. You can also support on Patreon patreon.com/happeningWebsite for Whit Missildinewhitmissildine.comWebsite for Andrew Waitsandrdewwaits.comWebsite for Aviva Lipkowitzavivalipkowitz.comSubscribe on Audible to Listen Ad-FreeAudible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.Shop at the StoreFind This Is Actually Happening branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop:thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop TranscriptsFull transcripts of each episode are now available on the website:thisisactuallyhappening.com MusicIntro Music:"Sleep Paralysis" – Scott VelasquezMusic Bed:Salib (SAL) - Tension Underscore 33A ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1
- 1 weeks ago1h 11m
437: What if a peptide stole your sanity?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago1h 11m
437: What if a peptide stole your sanity?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago6 min
Listen Now— Over My Dead Body: Operation Sideswipe
A Hollywood stuntwoman turned personal injury attorney. A handsome disbarred lawyer with a dark past. And an elaborate scheme that leads to murder.Vanessa Motta gives up a career of fake car crashes for real ones. But her law career in New Orleans gets off to a rocky start — until she meets Sean Alfortish, a charming man who offers her the perfect space for her law office. Vanessa and Sean fall hard for each other, and as a former lawyer himself, Sean becomes her mentor. So, what if he's done some prison time for fraud?When Sean introduces Vanessa to one of the city's most prolific case runners, Cornelius Garrison, the money starts rolling in. Cornelius brings her a steady stream of accident victims looking to sue. There's just one problem: the accidents aren't real. And once the secret gets out, someone will have to pay.Reported and hosted by Mitch Moxley, Over My Dead Body: Operation Sideswipe is a six-part series about greed, betrayal, and who gets thrown under the bus when everything is on the line.Audible subscribers can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible App or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Listen now: HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 2 weeks ago1h 6m
436: What if your father was a mass murderer?
After a childhood shaped by her father’s unpredictable volatility, a young woman faces an unimaginable act of violence and must come to terms with complicated grief, shame and an erratic path to healing.Today’s episode featured Lucia. If you’d like to email her, you can at poorloochie@gmail.com. ProducersWhit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara MarinelliContent/Trigger WarningsChild abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, mass shooting, gun violence, murder, suicide, death, traumatic grief, racism, racial slurs, dissociation, graphic imagery, serious injury, explicit language.Social MediaInstagram: @actuallyhappeningFacebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion GroupWebsite: thisisactuallyhappening.com Substack - Beyond the Storywhitmissildine.substack.comIf you’d like to share an UNSAID short story from your life, you can find it on our website: thisisactuallyhappening.com/submittheendoftheknown or on the Substack at whitmissildine.substack.com. Support the Show on Substack by becoming a Paid SubscriberFree subscribers get access to Whit’s weekly episode reflections and some show updates.Paid subscribers get access to AMAs with the team, follow up interviews with past guests, frequently asked questions, deeper insights into the creative process of the show and live events. A paid Substack subscription is also the best way to support the show. You can also support on Patreon patreon.com/happeningWebsite for Whit Missildinewhitmissildine.comWebsite for Andrew Waitsandrdewwaits.comWebsite for Sara Marinellisaramarinelli.comSubscribe on Audible to Listen Ad-FreeAudible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.Shop at the StoreFind This Is Actually Happening branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop:thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop TranscriptsFull transcripts of each episode are now available on the website:thisisactuallyhappening.com MusicIntro Music:"Sleep Paralysis" – Scott VelasquezMusic Bed:Music to Air (MTA) by Houses ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264National 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.
- 3 weeks ago9 min
Listen Now: Audible True Crime – Ghost Story
Audible True Crime is a dedicated podcast feed where we bring you the best podcasts in true crime, with episodes dropping every single week. Just in time for spooky season, we’re releasing a show called Ghost Story, a series about a hidden family secret, unexplainable events and jaw-dropping coincidences. Tristan Redman doesn’t believe in ghosts. But weird things happened in his teenage bedroom. And when he discovers later that occupants of his family home have seen the ghost of a faceless woman, he’s intrigued. Because it just so happens that his wife’s great grandmother, Naomi Dancy, was murdered in the house next door…killed by two gunshots to the face. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes on Audible True Crime early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible App or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. Listen Now: HERE See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 3 weeks ago1h 4m
435: What if your body became the war zone?
A young photographer finds purpose documenting humanitarian work in Afghanistan, but encounters with death force him to confront what it means to survive and the trauma we carry home.Today’s episode featured Ivan Lo. If you’d like to email Ivan, you can at ivan@ivanlo.com. Ivan has begun writing a book about his experiences, and you can follow his progress at ivanlo.com.ProducersWhit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason BlalockContent/Trigger WarningsWar and armed conflict, racism, bullying, graphic descriptions of death and human remains, suicide bombings and terrorism, death of colleagues, survivor’s guilt, cancer and serious illness, chronic pain and disability, suicidal ideation, chemotherapy and medical trauma, PTSD and trauma, death of a parent, grief and loss, Nanjing Massacre and wartime atrocities, explicit language.Social MediaInstagram: @actuallyhappeningFacebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion GroupWebsite: thisisactuallyhappening.com Substack - Beyond the Storywhitmissildine.substack.comIf you’d like to share an UNSAID short story from your life, you can find it on our website: thisisactuallyhappening.com/submittheendoftheknown or on the Substack at whitmissildine.substack.com. Support the Show on Substack by becoming a Paid SubscriberFree subscribers get access to Whit’s weekly episode reflections and some show updates.Paid subscribers get access to AMAs with the team, follow up interviews with past guests, frequently asked questions, deeper insights into the creative process of the show and live events. A paid Substack subscription is also the best way to support the show. You can also support on Patreon patreon.com/happeningWebsite for Whit Missildinewhitmissildine.comWebsite for Andrew Waitsandrdewwaits.comWebsite for Jason Blalockjasonblalock.comSubscribe on Audible to Listen Ad-FreeAudible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.Shop at the StoreFind This Is Actually Happening branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop:thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop TranscriptsFull transcripts of each episode are now available on the website:thisisactuallyhappening.com MusicIntro Music:"Sleep Paralysis" – Scott VelasquezMusic Bed:KPM Main Series (KPM) by Barely There ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at
- Oct 6, 202657 min
434: What if you left the church only to find hell next door?
After leaving the Mormon church and rebuilding her life from the ground up, a woman and her family move to a rural property hoping for a fresh start, only to find themselves trapped in an escalating nightmare with a neighbor whose harassment pushes them to the limits of fear, trust, and restraint.Today’s episode featured Jessica. If you’d like to email Jessica, you can reach out to her at jessicajill2010@gmail.com. Jessica has a small business making credit card covers. Here is her etsy link: https://creativechaosjess.etsy.com/listing/4454553658ProducersWhit Missildine, Andrew WaitsContent/Trigger WarningsReligious trauma / faith deconstruction, Postpartum depression, Suicidal ideation, Sexual abuse allegations, Child Protective Services investigation, Stalking / harassment, Threats and intimidation, Animal cruelty and animal death, Missing / presumed killed pets, Graphic animal imagery, Gun violence toward animals, Threatening effigy / simulated violence, Panic attacks and anxiety, Police / law-enforcement inaction, explicit language.Social MediaInstagram: @actuallyhappeningFacebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion GroupWebsite: thisisactuallyhappening.com Substack - Beyond the Storywhitmissildine.substack.comIf you’d like to share an UNSAID short story from your life, you can find it on our website: thisisactuallyhappening.com/submittheendoftheknown or on the Substack at whitmissildine.substack.com. Support the Show on Substack by becoming a Paid SubscriberFree subscribers get access to Whit’s weekly episode reflections and some show updates.Paid subscribers get access to AMAs with the team, follow up interviews with past guests, frequently asked questions, deeper insights into the creative process of the show and live events. A paid Substack subscription is also the best way to support the show. You can also support on Patreon patreon.com/happeningWebsite for Whit Missildinewhitmissildine.comWebsite for Andrew Waitsandrdewwaits.comSubscribe on Audible to Listen Ad-FreeAudible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.Shop at the StoreFind This Is Actually Happening branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop:thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop TranscriptsFull transcripts of each episode are now available on the website:thisisactuallyhappening.com MusicIntro Music:"Sleep Paralysis" – Scott VelasquezMusic Bed:Discovery Studios Tracks (DTS) - Dark Oasis ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noop
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About This Is Actually Happening
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.
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