This Is Actually Happening

Society & Culture
Documentary
True Crime

tiah

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.

Credits

Whit Missildine

1: What if your boyfriend lit himself on fire? (1st episode)

"We're still here. What part are we playing in all this?"

Producer: Whit Missildine

Episode Summary: After finally deciding to settle into a long term relationship, a woman becomes tangled in a web of confusion, guilt and grief as her partner self-destructs

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

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

Content/Trigger Warnings: mental illness, suicide, explicit language

Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: "Cat Wearing Glasses" – 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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

130: What if you had thoughts of harming those you love most?

“People say you should always trust your gut feelings. But I couldn’t trust my gut feeling and I still can’t to this day, because to me a gut feeling is in turn thinking about hurting somebody else.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editor: Nigel Coutinho

Episode Summary: After coming to terms with her identity, a woman develops intrusive thoughts that consume her most important relationships.

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: Ambient Themes by Nigel Coutinho

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

131: What if a psychotic break split your life wide open?

“I have a fear every single day am I going crazy and I don’t even know it? I didn’t know the things that I was doing and the things that I was saying were so extreme.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editor: Nigel Coutinho

Episode Summary: After surviving a father whose mental illness consumed the family, a woman spirals down into psychosis and compulsive behaviors, finally leading her on the path to healing.

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: “Union Flow” - Spuntic

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

132: What if you were kept from the one you loved most?

“It’s interesting always having this void, knowing that you have something so wonderful that could love you so much and you could love so much that exists out there.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editor: Nigel Coutinho

Episode Summary: A young man falls deeply in love after meeting the girl of his dreams, leading to an unexpected event that leaves him with an irreparable void.

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: Ambient themes by Nigel Coutinho

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

133: What if your life went up in flames?

“All that traumatized people are really looking for is not a fix-it but more like a validation or acknowledgement that it matters.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editor: Nigel Coutinho

Episode Summary: A woman finally establishes a life for herself after years of caring for her mother’s illness, only to watch her entire life be consumed before her eyes.

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: “Wake Up” - Spuntic

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

134: What if your singular dream fell to pieces?

“How could I allow myself to mourn what I had lost? Because if I mourned it, then it was like a death, and I couldn’t accept that the me that I knew had died.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editor: Whit Missildine

Episode Summary: After devoting his life to a singular passion, a man develops a rare condition that threatens to crush his dreams forever.

Today’s episode featured Stefan Weiner. As a musician, he goes by Stefan Alexander and you can hear more about his music on his website at www.stefanalxndr.com, on Instagram @stefanalxndr, or look for Stefan Alexander on any music platform.

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: “Cylinder Four” “Cylinder Five” – Chris Zabriskie

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

Season 9 Announcements

Announcements for Season 9 of This Is Actually Happening. Includes updates on the release schedule, the new This is Actually Happening store, and more. If you'd like to submit a design for a This Is Actually Happening t-shirt or poster, send your artwork to actuallyhappeningpodcast@gmail.com

All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are available ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ to access the full This is Actually Happening catalog, along with exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/happening

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

135: What if a minor procedure left you permanently altered?

“My personhood had been shattered into a thousand pieces that I and my family were left to pick up one at a time.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editor: Whit Missildine

Episode Summary: After self-medicating for years to cope with the emotional aftermath of an abusive, religious upbringing, a woman goes in for a minor surgery, and when she emerges, everything has changed.

Today's episode features Olivia Wilder. You can find out more about Olivia in Instagram @oliviaamputeefitness

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: medical trauma, explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: Ambient themes by Nigel Coutinho

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

136: What if you had to fight for your life?

“I did have the feeling that someone was gonna come back and do something horrible again after that.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editors: Nigel Coutinho, Whit Missildine

Episode Summary: Terra Newell is thrown a nightmare scenario as her mother’s new love life spins out of control, while the ordeal takes on a new life as the centerpiece of the famous Dirty John podcast and TV series.

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: physical violence, assault, emotional abuse, explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: Ambient themes by Nigel Coutinho

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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

137: What if you were the one to break the silence?

“I don’t know what I was thinking but I just kept feeling like the waves of shame because of the shame I made them feel.”

Producer: Whit Missildine

Editor: Whit Missildine

Episode Summary: Growing up in a household full of both love and violence in Mississippi, Kiese Laymon struggles with generational trauma, career success, and addiction before finally facing the silences of his past.

Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com

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

Engage with the Community: Join the This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/

Content/Trigger Warnings: physical violence, assault, emotional abuse, explicit language

Intro Music: ""Illabye" – Tipper

Music Bed: “Re-entry” – Lee Rosevere

Outro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/

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 Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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

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

Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741

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