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This Is Actually Happening

This Is Actually Happening

This Is Actually Happening probes extraordinary true stories that dramatically altered the lives of ordinary people. Hosted by Whit Missildine, a PHD in Social Psychology, these riveting, moving stories will stick with you long after you listen.

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1 hr
Tuesday

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

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: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite 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 VelasquezMusic Bed: Union Flow ServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National 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.

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56 min
22 Jul

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

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: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrewwaits.comWebsite 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 VelasquezMusic Bed: Re-Entry ServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National 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.

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56 min
15 Jul

371: What if you survived a catastrophic hurricane?

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/contactFind her on social media:On Instagram @tarapyfromOn Facebook @tarapyfromwriterOn Linkedin.com @tara-pyfromTara 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: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite 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 VelasquezMusic Bed: Cylinder Four ServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National 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.

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56 min
8 Jul

370: What if a bullet took your sight but not your vision?

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 @OriginalStonefaceJason’s Website: Www.AccessiblePASS.netJason 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: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite 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 VelasquezMusic Bed: Ambient Themes ServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National 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.

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57 min
1 Jul

369: What if you lit yourself on fire?

Suffering a life of struggle and addiction in the wake of early childhood abuse, a woman desperate for a dramatic change dowses herself in gasoline and strikes a lighter.  Today’s episode featured Crystal Raye. Please find her contact and socials in her link tree here: https://linktr.ee/crhmedia. There, she also includes several links to Burn Survivor Resources and support. Find Crystal on Instagram @theburnedthebrokenthebeautiful and on TikTok @crystalraye111A special thanks to Daniel Hearn of Hard Knox Talks Podcast for referring Crystal to us. You can find him here: https://linktr.ee/hardknoxtalks. Daniel has also been a storyteller on This Is Actually Happening, please listen to his episode #350.Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits,  Content/Trigger Warnings: childhood sexual abuse, drug use and addiction, self-immolation, severe burn injury, attempted suicide, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite 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 VelasquezMusic Bed: Uncertain Outcomes ServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National 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.

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54 min
24 Jun

368: What if you were the only one left to grieve?

A young girl's world shatters when one night, her mother’s stalker, who has threatened to annihilate her family, walks into her home with a loaded gun.Today’s episode featured Fallon Farinacci. You can reach out to her via email at contact@fallonfarinacci.com. Find Fallon on Instagram and TikTok @fallonfarinacciFind out more about Fallon at www.fallonfarinacci.com. A proud Red River Métis, Fallon is a Speaker, Survivor, & Advocate for MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). Fallon has cultivated an incredible community and uses her online platform to share her story, give back to the Indigenous community, and raise awareness for causes and organizations close to her heart. Fallon testified in the National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, sharing her story of loss and trauma. Later, Fallon joined The National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked closely with other MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ family members and the Commissioners for the National Inquiry. Fallon continues to share her family’s story & bring awareness to the ongoing Genocide Indigenous women, girls 2S+ folx face in hopes of bringing change & awareness across Turtle Island. A special thanks to Maya Samuels for bringing our attention to this devastating story.Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Cathy SitzesContent/Trigger Warnings: stalking, home invasion, death by gun, suicide by gun, suicide, racism, colonization, genocide, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, explicit languageSocial Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastWebsite: thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite for Cathy Sitzes: cathysitzes.comSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happeningWondery 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/plusShop 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.comIntro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott VelasquezMusic Bed: Union FlowServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen 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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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