This Is Actually Happening

by Wondery
8,563
All Genres #131True Crime #32

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.

Recent Episodes
Episodes loading...
Recent Reviews
  • Woah83!
    Not the same podcast
    Used to love it, but it’s gone sideways, backwards, and just weird. I’m unsubscribing for now.
  • betsymckeeman
    The Black Mask of Death - an unexpectedly beautiful gift
    I didn’t know how badly I needed this episode until I heard it. ‘What if You Saw the Black Mask of Death’ (10/1/24) is the powerful and compelling account of emotional resilience and healing from complex trauma from someone who fought hard against her inner narratives - and nearly succumbed to them. I came for the fascinating story I’ve come to expect from TIAH, but stayed for the hope. By the end, I was moved to tears. This episode is truly a gift to the audience and I’m so grateful. It’s easily one of the best episodes you’ve produced. Thank you, Whit, guest, and team.
  • JenniferBalesteri
    What if your wife had 21 personalities
    Matthew Fanning is an absolute saint, I thank him for his story! Best Podcast ever!
  • BeneathSaltySea
    I love this podcast
    It is very clear to me how much time, empathy, compassion, and talent is put into each story. I give it 5 stars, I highly recommend this podcast!
  • ESisler
    Audio Issues
    Hello! Love love love the podcast normally however I cannot stand listening to the most recent episode because every time she starts talking it’s starts out super quiet the. Goes back to normal. Hopefully you can get this figured out!
  • lexiiiiii9292
    audio issues
    i really like this podcast but please fix the audio issues. i couldn’t stand to listen to more than 10 minutes of the lastest episode. and i really wanted to listen to it too
  • MaverickAbundance
    Episode #215
    You did it! This episode made me cry. It’s amazing that he came out of the impossible and successfully changed his life and helped so many others. I’m so proud of you! Sending you love and hugs. Thank you for sharing this beautiful life story. You are a beacon of light. You have helped so many people!
  • Inpursuitofglam
    Rawness-its exactly what we need in this genre
    The man from episode #215 really touched my heart. I can imagine how many of us have been in a lot of the same situations. I really love this podcast because it allows someone to tell their story without any other voices in the episode. Stripping it back and just keeping it easy gives us a very raw story each time. There are so many epsiodes that i can clearly remember and sometimes I wonder how about them and how they are doing in their life know. Thankyou for such a great podcast! All of you!
  • Mahnicah
    82%
    I see a lot of comments hating on the 82% series which actually surprised me. I was just thinking how much I like this special series. I find the topics very interesting and very well told. Keep up the good work this is actually happening team.
  • Fuguy22
    Original was good. New direction is disappointing.
    The original content was very good. It was unifying and reflective. The past 2023-2024 year included a shift in topics and guests, which was not as interesting or thought provoking as previous years but okay overall. In 2024, the 82 percent was presented. Episode after episode, it got worse and worse. Not unifying or reflective. It is weird and just plain gross at times. It has become a different podcast in 2024 (not in a good way) and I have unsubscribed. I would recommend listening to episodes dated before 2023.
  • IronmanGranny
    82%
    Not a fan of the series 82%. Will be looking forward to your new season..hoping it goes back to how you originally started it.
  • meghie77
    Love this show
    Please please!!! no clicking of fingers on mics. Love the 82% podcasts and had to turn off this last one bc it was interrupting the speaker. While I understand the purpose, broadcasting makes this sound magnified.
  • Jkllkjjkllkj
    Totally recommend
    A bit like “I survived” but in podcast form. Interesting first person narratives, very honest, vulnerable and relatable.
  • BrandyK🤩
    Gone another direction, no longer for me
    The original premise was so good. All of a sudden it’s clearly leaning toward a certain ideology and or belief system. While everyone is entitled to that of course, this is the best way to ruin any business. I’m pretty sure 82% probably agree…..
  • Ilianaplascencia
    The best podcast!
    I loved the 82% podcasts! They were so beautiful!!! I have been listening to this podcast for years. I love everything about the story telling . Keep up the good work!
  • Brooke1983
    82% Series
    I love love love the 82% series. My eyes were opened and I felt compassion for other’s way of doing family. My heart thrilled hearing different ways to do family. I can only hope I find a structure with people I love to do family with. And now I want to work at the Modern Family Institute!
  • Molls&Frankie
    I don’t like change….
    I understand supporting the launch of other podcasts but I listen to yours because I like your format - please bring what you do back again 🙂
  • Thismisslady
    Hands down best podcast of them all
    I listen to hundreds of difference shows and “This Is Actually Happening” is just really in a league of its own. Every episode is first hand stories painting scenarios of traumatic life experiences of each different person. The creator of the podcast does such an amazing job allowing the people to showcase all the details so perfectly and personally. I absolutely love looking forward every week!
  • Nikky Kelley
    Favorite podcast
    Thank you for sharing. Wish there were more podcasts that were told as a story and not just host hearing themselves talk.
  • JessJohnyson
    Why
    are all the episodes 82% now? This was my go to for a long time. Lost me.
  • ArwenEvenstar0761
    “Seahorse dad”??
    The seahorse as a species reproduces by the males - BIOLOGICAL males - being the ones that give birth. Kayden Coleman and every other “trans man” may think she’s a man but she isn’t. She is a biological woman/female which is why she was able to become pregnant. No man/male has ever or will ever be able to get pregnant and give birth, so to try to push the idea that men can get pregnant is scientifically inaccurate. Stop trying to further the lie and cutesy up a biological inaccuracy by calling “trans men” who give birth “seahorse dads.” They aren’t. They’re simply women whose bodies are doing exactly what their reproductive organs were biologically designed to do.
  • Meljojola
    Seems like there’s a new agenda here
    This was the podcast that got me hooked on podcasts in general. Amazing story telling at the beginning, it has turned into something else. All of the stories seem to be focused on LGBQT community now. Not a fan anymore
  • Aimerzk
    Not the same
    Used to recommend this pod to friends and family years ago, unfortunately its just not the same anymore. Turning downloads off for now.
  • Suedebskillz
    Some are good, others not so much
    When there’s a topic, I’m interested in, I love the show. But when there’s not, I just can’t listen. Definitely not a fan of the latest episodes.
  • NikkiCeeee
    The 82 percent 🤢
    This series is glorifying the destruction of the nuclear family. In the polyamory episode, the narrator is in denial about growing up in an abusive household (hence why her parents were always concerned about CPS) and now wants to target young children by teaching them about sex. Absolutely disgusting! The 82 percent series is enabling the mentally ill instead of helping them. 👎 The seahorse dad episode is another example of how the failure to break the cycle leads to the destruction of families. The seahorse “dad” was abused by his mother growing up leading to him becoming trans and then birthing two babies as a “man.” In addition to how traumatic it must be to be birthed by your own “father,” the first child was abandoned by him, only for him to go ahead and get pregnant by accident AGAIN because he was not taking his testosterone. Not only does Whit use his podcast to glorify the destruction of the nuclear family, now he is glorifying a mentally ill “man” who is too dumb and too selfish to use birth control.
  • JillyLovesPodCasts
    To much trans ideology
    Likes until you push the trans agenda
  • Big B 65
    Y’ALL LOST ME WITH THE 82%
    All the best to you but I’m moving on.
  • mitorr234
    New agenda
    Not good anymore
  • candy_lllll
    eye opening!
    i love this show so much. it’s so moving, inspiring, life changing. thank you everyone for sharing your stories.
  • Poochgrandma
    Not feeling the 84%
    Before I share my honest thoughts, I need to qualify that my family is not an average, standard one. My husband is much younger than me. He helped raise my 2 children as a stepdad. We lost our son to illness at 11. Our daughter is a lesbian married to another lesbian. They have one biological child (sperm donor)and also raised a nephew who has a different ethnicity than ours. This, all feels normal to us. It’s what we know and we love and take care of one another. We are a loving family. My issue with some of these 84% stories is that something feels “off” with a few of these characters. And the Podcast seems to celebrate that. It’s as if they have chosen to present stories that make us feel uncomfortable, but urge us to accept it all as an alternative lifestyle. If someone chooses to be celibate, that’s their choice and I don’t judge them. I just don’t want to hear about it. Plain and simple. I know some won’t agree with me. And that’s fine too.
  • Pro-science, anti-snake oil
    I used to love this podcast, however…
    As somebody who recently completed their PhD in human development and family science, I was *thrilled* to see a series on diverse family structures only to learn that it’s merely a series of episodes centered on promoting polyscammery. On a related note, Jessica Fern has a master’s degree in conflict resolution and peace studies per her LinkedIn and a certificate from some organization I’ve never heard of. I recommend that folks seeking out relationship advice obtain it from a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT as accredited through the National Council of Family Relations) or a therapist who graduated from a clinical or counseling psychology program accredited by the American Psychological Association.
  • Kay Ar Vee
    The 82 percent series is beautiful!!
    Remarkable work, highly recommend you check it out and share with family and friends! :)
  • SamLynneScott
    Still a favorite, but this week is a huge miss
    This is one of my favorite podcasts ever, but I’m really disappointed that you would platform an organization like Revoice. I sympathize deeply for your guest, but feel like the organization he works for causes serious harm to the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of how much “love” they claim to have. That love is conditional upon those in their community choosing a life without the connection that he himself admits is inherent. I agree that there are many ways to find intimacy with those around you. But to say that the only “godly” path is to deny themselves of sexual connection due to who they were born to be attracted to is harmful. I hope he and everyone else attached to that organization truly are getting the connection they want, but this seems like an organization that encourages self-hatred and denial of one’s needs. True acceptance does not include rules and it doesn’t deny people the same fulfillment heterosexual people get to have.
  • EmilyCello
    When will the show go back to good?
    I’ll amend this review if they figure it out. I have no problems with people who are polyamorous or have lifestyles that I’m not a participant in. I’m happy if they’re happy. It’s not the subject matter I am objecting to. But to devote so many successive episodes to a story, there has to be a LOT of stuff to unpack and hold interest. And it’s not there with this latest series. It reminds me of writing essays as a kid in a large font and triple spacing it to make up for very little substance.
  • Ladychake
    82%??
    Are you kidding me? So you claim only 18% of people are involved in traditional nuclear families? Rubbish. Wrong. Inaccurate. You do you, I’m fine with people walking their own paths, I’m more than fine, in fact I think it’s great, but it doesn’t suit the interests of the majority, and I loathe being manipulated by false statistics. I used to be a huge fan but I haven’t listened in weeks. Push your agenda on someone else.
  • rf2023
    Sharp Decline
    This podcast used to provide a diverse view of human experiences and triumphs but the last few months are just excessive commercials and attempts to glamorize dysfunctional families and normalize polyamory. The 82% should encompass so much more than what has been shared. Unsubscribing.
  • HurricaneBrax
    Interesting show but the whole poly stuff could do without
    Great variety of perspectives but taking the lady who “counsels” couples to sleep around as serious therapist is disturbing. She tricks her man into letting her wh0re around - he isn’t into it and they break up and she lauds it as progress and is completely unchallenged on the matter. Miss me with justification of manipulation and passing it off as therapeutic. Anyone can behave as they see fit with consenting adults but it’s odd to hear someone who clearly manipulated their partner into a situation that was bad for them being praised when there are just so many stories here about people being manipulated by their partners - and to permit them to pass this off as therapeutic is insane. But again - other than the poly stuff (and honestly even the poly stuff that isn’t that lady who is praised for destroying her marriage) it’s a great show.
  • Jess8261987
    Used to love, now it’s boring
    Earlier episodes were so good please go back to that content and stop pushing the woke agenda
  • Aka11201
    So hard to take your series seriously
    It is hard to take people on your podcast seriously when those people can’t pronounce “nuclear” properly in addition to speaking with improper grammar such as saying “Him and I. The proper way of phrasing that is “He and I” when it comes at the beginning of a sentence (subject) as I heard it on your podcast. When it comes after the predicate it is “him and me.” It’s exhausting to hear nonstop when Americans only have one language to master unlike people in other countries. It makes people sound extremely stupid.
  • SrEditorLK
    Why?
    What has happened to this podcast? It was actually good & it’s taken a nosedive fast. Please go back to your original content & save this show!
  • Real Lady
    Why so many Poly episodes?
    I really love this podcast, but I wish you had been more honest about introducing the “82%” episodes. Why are they all about polyamory? I’m tired of listening about it. Just because you’re into something, doesn’t mean your listeners need this kind indoctrination- I say indoctrination because that’s what it’s starting to feel like. Not finishing the 3rd episode of the 82% with 15 minutes left. I’m just not interested anymore. If I were to join the Patreon is this what I can expect? Would have been 5 stars for all the other content.
  • Love B&T
    One of my favorites
    If you like to see the human spirit triumph over adversity in well-told stories, this one is for you. I’m continually amazed. Thanks for this.
  • mysterymach
    WOW. but....with an edit.
    This is an absolutely riveting podcast. I have loved every episode I have listened to, and I will definitely listen to them all. EDIT- its now 2024 and MY GOD how many minutes of commercials do i have to sit through now? Literally at least five minutes before the story starts. ANd more throughout! And HUGE sponsors like Audible and Air BnB. Having had a podcast of my own without sponsorship, I get that its important, but Jesus dude. It makes it very difficult to listen so i am simply not going to anymore. Do you REALLY need that many ads?
  • nancyccross
    Some Beautiful Stories
    My favorites are people who are speaking of their experiences in their clear and simple voices, expressing real human emotion. Nothing fancy and no self promotion. Thank you people for sharing in that way.
  • Kristie788
    Loving the 82 Percent series!
    Such a beautiful look into the different ways people can live and love! This is so important and needed right now. I love all the diverse topics this show covers and the unique voice of each storyteller because it’s a real person just sharing their story! I think some reviewers are expecting refinement but that’s not what this show is. It’s more about people just sharing their raw lived experiences.
  • tinalk2703
    Woke and hollow
    Earlier episodes are entertaining. Recent episodes are woke, trite, and hollow. Disappointing.
  • hannnnnnnnahhh
    I wish it would go back to an event or something that happened, not just someone’s life trauma
    Lately, example the last 82 percent #2 episode, was just a mix up of random life trauma and complaints.(also her trying to sound super smart and being arrogant for an hour straight) I miss the “this is actually happening” stories.
  • JD4_510
    I use to be a supporter
    This podcast used to be captivating with genuine, profound, and emotionally resonant episodes. Over time it seems to have deteriorated, shifting towards a predominant theme of self-pity and an overemphasis on mental health struggles. It's become less engaging, leading me to frequently skip episodes. It also appears to be aligned with a narrative that reinforces a certain agenda and the victim mentality. The quality has noticeably decreased, with the recent content feeling peculiar and not quite fitting in. I truly miss the pre-2020 episodes and hope the podcaster really hears the listeners on this issue.
  • Houston Holiday
    Ingrid who escaped the violence of South America
    And found refuge in the USA, refers to us Americans as “colonists” and accuses a man who helps her following an accident as “mocking her” and suggests that his touching her waist after the accident made her feel uncomfortable as if he did anything other than help her. Stopped listening. Her lack of gratitude and hostility towards those in the USA who have helped her was stunning.
  • crandarella
    Episode 319 is Pathetic
    I have never reviewed a podcast before, but I was so disappointed with the content of 319… here I am. Episode 319 is about a mother who becomes homeless. The majority of the episode is her recounting the experience. There is only one time where she takes any responsibility for ending up homeless “or I guess I did it to myself.” That is a direct quote and even in that quote she uses deflecting language. She talks about how she thought her situation was so unfair, she thought her friends and family were rude and unkind for not helping her when she was unstable and refusing treatment. She describes the help & treatment she did receive in negative ways. Eventually she is diagnosed with post traumatic and bipolar and is on medication for them. But she never actually acknowledges that she is the only person responsible for her choices. I live in a city with the largest homeless shelter in the country and a massive population of unhoused individuals. After listening to episode 319 it makes me wary of helping unhoused people - if they share this woman’s viewpoint that the world is unfair rather than their choices lead them to being homeless and they are solely responsible… it doesn’t matter how much help is provided. Without self accountability and responsibility there won’t be real change.
Similar Podcasts
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.