Free Daily Podcast Summary
What I survived: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jack Laurence
What I Survived is a true survival podcast featuring extraordinary first-hand stories from people who survived kidnapping, hostage situations, disasters, accidents and other extreme life-or-death ordeals. Each story takes you back to who these people were before everything changed, then inside the moment their lives were pushed to the edge — shipwrecked at sea for weeks, held captive by terrorists, falling 15,000 feet from a plane after a parachute failure, and other extraordinary fights for survival. Through intimate first-hand accounts, we follow the ordeal as it happened, the decisions made under unimaginable pressure, and the resilience and will it took to survive. Then we explore what came after — the physical and psychological recovery, the impact of trauma, and the process of rebuilding a life forever altered. What I Survived is hosted by Australian podcaster Jack Laurence, creator of the award-winning podcasts One Minute Remaining, Wanted and more.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 days agonarrative31 min5-min read
The Mobster's Son: Anthony Ruggiano Jr.
This episode provides a raw, unflinching look into the life of Anthony Ruggiano Jr., detailing his upbringing within the Gambino crime family, his rise to becoming a made man, and the ultimate tragic collision of the mob lifestyle with drug addiction and incarceration.
- 1 weeks agonarrative30 min5-min read
Introducing One Minute Remaining
This episode of One Minute Remaining delves into the complex and controversial case of Abraham Lee Shakespeare, a Florida lottery winner who died, and Dorice Moore, an inmate serving a life sentence for his murder, who vehemently maintains her innocence.
- 1 weeks agonarrative37 min5-min read
Zoya Phan: Refugee Camps, Exile and a Hit List (Part 2)
This episode tells the harrowing and inspiring story of Zoya Phan, a Karen human rights activist who survived multiple military attacks, displacement, and assassination attempts while growing up in war-torn Burma, ultimately becoming a powerful voice for her people in exile. Her journey from jungle survival to international advocacy underscores the enduring trauma of forced displacement and the resilience required to transform pain into purpose.
- 2 weeks agonarrative30 min5-min read
Zoya Phan: Surviving Ethnic Cleansing in Burma (Part 1)
The episode introduces Zoya Phan, a Karen woman who survived repeated attacks on her village in Burma by the military, and traces the roots of the country’s ethnic conflict back to colonialism and the broken promise of 'never again' after the Holocaust. It reveals how the world’s longest-running civil war has been largely ignored despite decades of violence.
- 3 weeks agonarrative46 min6-min read
Rob Langdon: Seven Years in an Afghan Prison P2
This episode of What I Survived tells the harrowing true story of Rob Langdon, an Australian former soldier and private security contractor who killed an Afghan colleague in self-defense during a high-stakes convoy operation in Afghanistan, only to be imprisoned for seven years under a death sentence that was later commuted. The episode explores the brutal realities of war-zone logistics, corruption, and survival in one of the world’s most notorious prisons.
- Oct 6, 2026narrative31 min5-min read
Rob Langdon: Sentenced to Death in Afghanistan P1
Rob Langdon, a former Australian soldier and private contractor, recounts his harrowing seven-year ordeal in Afghanistan after being sentenced to death for killing an Afghan colleague in self-defense. His story exposes the moral ambiguity, cultural complexities, and institutional failures embedded in modern conflict zones.
- Sep 29, 2026narrative34 min6-min read
Benedict Allen: Becoming a Crocodile Man P3
Benedict Allen, a seasoned explorer, reflects on his near-death experiences and psychological motivations for repeatedly risking his life in extreme environments, culminating in a profound journey of self-understanding through ritual, survival, and connection with indigenous cultures. His story is not just about physical endurance but about confronting inner demons forged in isolation and trauma.
- Sep 22, 2026narrative29 min5-min read
Benedict Allen: He Ate His Dog to Survive P2
This episode of What I Survived recounts explorer Benedict Allen’s harrowing first expedition in the Amazon, where after losing all supplies and his dog, he faced starvation, cerebral malaria, and the agonizing decision to kill his dog for survival. The story is a visceral exploration of human fragility, moral collapse under duress, and the mind’s power to sustain life through imagination.
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What What I survived Covers
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About What I survived
What I Survived is a true survival podcast featuring extraordinary first-hand stories from people who survived kidnapping, hostage situations, disasters, accidents and other extreme life-or-death ordeals. Each story takes you back to who these people were before everything changed, then inside the moment their lives were pushed to the edge — shipwrecked at sea for weeks, held captive by terrorists, falling 15,000 feet from a plane after a parachute failure, and other extraordinary fights for survival. Through intimate first-hand accounts, we follow the ordeal as it happened, the decisions made under unimaginable pressure, and the resilience and will it took to survive. Then we explore what came after — the physical and psychological recovery, the impact of trauma, and the process of rebuilding a life forever altered. What I Survived is hosted by Australian podcaster Jack Laurence, creator of the award-winning podcasts One Minute Remaining, Wanted and more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of What I survived as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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How often does What I survived release new episodes?
What I survived publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does What I survived cover?
What I survived covers topics including PTSD, Torture and imprisonment, Trauma and survival, Undercover operations. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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