In this episode, join Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh as they dive into the astonishing story of Dr. Alain Bombard, a French physician and biologist who, in 1952, undertook an audacious scientific experiment. To prove that humans could survive adrift at sea using only ocean resources, Bombard set off to drift across the Atlantic Ocean in a small inflatable dinghy, without food or water. Over the course of 65 harrowing days, he endured severe conditions, subsisting on raw fish, plankton, and minimal sea water. Explore his motivations, the challenges he faced, and how his journey revolutionized maritime survival techniques. Despite criticism and controversy, Bombard's story is a testament to human endurance, ingenuity, and the relentless drive to push the boundaries of what is deemed possible.
00:00 Introduction and Setup
00:23 The Craziest Ocean Experiment in History
01:30 Meet Dr. Alain Bombard
03:19 The Motivation Behind the Journey
05:42 The Harsh Realities of Maritime Survival
08:30 Bombard's Unwavering Determination
24:28 Preliminary Voyages and Lessons Learned
31:16 The Resilience of Seaweed and Plankton
32:43 Bombard's Departure and Initial Challenges
36:00 Surviving on Plankton and Isolation
37:48 Nature's Cruel Challenges
40:22 Wildlife Encounters and Near-Death Experiences
45:24 The Encounter with the British Cargo Vessel
49:15 Final Stretch and Arrival in Barbados
55:32 Bombard's Legacy and Influence
01:00:25 Modern Survival Stories and Techniques
01:03:34 The True Lesson of Bombard's Journey

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In this episode of 'Disaster Strikes,' host Julie Henningsin dives into the haunting story of Randy Morganson, a legendary backcountry ranger who vanished without a trace in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1996. This episode explores Randy's life, his profound connection to the wilderness, and the tragic series of events that led to his disappearance. Over nearly three decades, Randy was known for his extensive knowledge of the Sierra Nevada, his ability to find lost hikers, and his dedication to protecting the wilderness. Despite his experience, he fell victim to the very dangers he had spent his career rescuing others from. Through Randy's story, listeners are reminded of the unpredictable nature of the wilderness and the importance of respecting its power. The episode provides valuable lessons on wilderness safety and the psychological and physical demands faced by backcountry rangers. It concludes with a reflection on Randy's legacy and a call to learn from past mistakes to improve future survival.
00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes
00:51 The Story of Randy Morganson Begins
02:17 Randy's Background and Experience
05:06 The Sierra Nevada Wilderness
10:59 The Disappearance of Randy Morganson
12:09 The Search and Discovery
16:26 Lessons from Randy's Story
18:20 Other Notable Wilderness Disappearances
21:19 Conclusion and Legacy

To see photos of Randy and for more information about the book The Last Season visit: https://www.ericblehm.com/books/the-last-season

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh delve into the harrowing survival story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis, which sank in July 1945. The episode covers the catastrophic events leading up to and following the ship's sinking, where the crew faced extreme conditions, including dehydration, exposure, and shark attacks. The hosts discuss the psychological and physical trials endured by the survivors, the failures in communication that led to a delayed rescue, and the eventual exoneration of Captain Charles McVay. The story emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude, group cohesion, and hope in survival situations. Additionally, the episode touches on the broader implications of the disaster, including changes in naval procedures and the enduring legacy of the survivors.
00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:30 Introduction to the USS Indianapolis Tragedy
02:22 Historical Context and Crew Background
11:25 The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis
15:57 Survival in the Open Ocean
19:35 The Ordeal of the Survivors
22:12 Communication Failures and Rescue Challenges
23:03 Critical Communication Failures
24:34 The Remarkable Rescue
29:58 The Controversial Court-Martial
34:48 Lessons in Survival
39:05 The Sullivan Brothers' Tragedy
43:58 Modern Reflections and Resources

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In this inaugural episode of the new podcast segment 'Disaster Strikes,' host Kaycee McIntosh, joined by Julie Henningsen, explores a tragic outdoor adventure case. They recount the story of four German tourists who vanished in Death Valley in 1996, leading to one of the park’s most enduring mysteries. Through an in-depth examination of their journey and the subsequent discovery of their remains over a decade later, the episode highlights the extreme dangers of Death Valley and provides essential lessons for wilderness survival. The narrative underscores the importance of preparation, understanding the environment, and making prudent decisions in the face of nature's unforgiving challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes

01:25 The Death Valley Germans: A Mysterious Disappearance

01:57 Understanding the Dangers of Death Valley

04:05 The Fateful Journey Begins

08:11 The Search and Discovery

17:25 Piecing Together the Tragedy

21:52 Lessons Learned from the Death Valley Germans

28:14 Final Thoughts and Cautionary Advice

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Primary Source Documentation

1. Mahood, Tom. "The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans." OtherHand.org. Accessed March 2025. A comprehensive account written by the person who ultimately solved the case in 2009.

News Articles and Official Resources

1. "Death Valley Germans." Wikipedia. Last edited February 23, 2025. A general overview of the case with multiple sources cited.
2. "Death Valley skeletons solve riddle of missing German tourists." The Telegraph. November 14, 2009.
3. "Remains May Be Tourists Missing 13 Years." CBS News. November 13, 2009.
4. Flinchum, Robin. "Interest continues in 20-year Death Valley mystery." Pahrump Valley Times. July 22, 2016.
5. Flinchum, Robin. "Twentieth anniversary of one of Death Valley's baffling mysteries." Pahrump Valley Times. July 20, 2016.
6. "Van of Missing German Tourists Found in Death Valley Park." Los Angeles Times. October 25, 1996.
7. Gorman, Tom. "Search Ends for 4 Missing German Tourists." Los Angeles Times. October 31, 1996.
8. "Children Still Missing in 1996 German Tourist Case." Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News. March 8, 2010.
9. National Park Service. "Safety." Death Valley National Park. Official park safety guidelines.

Online Resources and Documentaries

1. "One Family's Desperate Attempt to Survive in the Scorching Desert | The Death Valley Germans Story." Outdoor Disasters YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjEOYOZpGPo
2. "Death Valley Germans - companion reading." Medium.com. September 11, 2016.
3. "The German Tourists in Death Valley - Disturbing deaths in U.S. national parks and deserts." StrangeOutdoors.com.
4. "Searching for the Death Valley Germans." Compiled by Cassidy Garrett. June 3, 2021.
5. "Death Valley Germans." OddMurdersAndMysteries.com. August 10, 2020.
6. "Missing German Family." Vanished.us. Death Valley Cases.

Technical Information

1. Death Valley National Park. "Weather and Climate." Information on temperature records and climate conditions in Death Valley.
2. National Weather Service. Historic weather data for Death Valley, July 1996.

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh explore the harrowing experience of Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd in Antarctica during the winter of 1934. Byrd, already famous for his polar explorations, volunteered for a solo mission to collect meteorological data in a tiny buried shack during the Antarctic winter. With temperatures plummeting to -70°F in perpetual darkness, Byrd's scientific dedication was tested when his poorly ventilated stove began leaking carbon monoxide, slowly poisoning him over months. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued his meteorological observations and initially concealed his condition during radio check-ins to prevent endangering potential rescuers. After a failed first attempt, a rescue team led by Dr. Thomas Poulter finally reached Byrd, finding him emaciated but alive. Byrd's ordeal, which he later documented in his book "Alone," not only contributed valuable scientific data but influenced isolation studies for military and space programs and led to the prohibition of solo Antarctic missions. The episode presents a remarkable testament to human endurance in one of Earth's most unforgiving environments.

00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:31 Setting the Scene: Antarctica, 1934
01:00 Meet Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Bird
01:27 Bird's Polar Expeditions
04:25 The Second Antarctic Expedition
06:14 Bird's Solo Winter Mission
07:52 Life in Isolation
12:08 The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide
18:04 Struggling with the Stove
19:17 Bird's Deteriorating Condition
19:52 Maintaining the Facade
22:04 Rescue Mission Begins
25:25 Second Rescue Attempt
27:53 Bird's Return and Recovery
30:36 Legacy and Impact
33:18 Epilogue and Final Thoughts

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1. Byrd, Richard E. (1938). Alone. G.P. Putnam's Sons. [Byrd's personal memoir of his five months at Advance Base]
2. Byrd, Richard E. (1935). Discovery: The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
3. Byrd, Richard E. (1930). Little America: Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic, The Flight to the South Pole. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
4. Poulter, Thomas C. (1935). "The Advance Base Rescue." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 79(4), 593-609. [First-hand account of the rescue mission by Dr. Poulter]
5. Byrd Antarctic Expedition Papers, 1925-1938. Ohio State University Archives & Special Collections. [Includes original journals, logbooks, and correspondence]

1. Hoyt, Edwin P. (1968). The Last Explorer: The Adventures of Admiral Byrd. John Day Company.
2. Rose, Lisle A. (2008). Explorer: The Life of Richard E. Byrd. University of Missouri Press.
3. Goerler, Raimund E. (1998). To the Pole: The Diary and Notebook of Richard E. Byrd, 1925-1927. Ohio State University Press.
4. Beekman, Daniel (2014). "The Worst Journey in the World: Admiral Richard E. Byrd's Lonely Antarctic Winter." Weatherwise, 67(5), 18-25.
5. Murphy, David Thomas (2002). German Exploration of the Polar World: A History, 1870-1940. University of Nebraska Press. [Provides context for international polar exploration]
6. Darack, Ed (2011). "Against the Cold: Admiral Byrd's Dangerous Antarctic Winter." Alpinist, 13, 54-61.
7. Demas, Coleen (2016). "Searching for Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Advance Base." Antarctic Sun, National Science Foundation. [Information on the 2016 search for the Advance Base]
8. Johnson, Charles W. (1971). Antarctica: First Person Accounts. Dodd, Mead & Company.
9. Pyne, Stephen J. (1986). The Ice: A Journey to Antarctica. University of Washington Press. [Contextual information on Antarctic exploration]
10. Sullivan, Walter (1957). Quest for a Continent: The Story of Antarctic Exploration by the Men Who Did It. McGraw-Hill.

In this episode of Crux True Survival Stories, host Kaycee Macintosh revisits the remarkable survival story of Matt Ruem, who endured six grueling days trapped in his truck after an accident on I-90 in Indiana. From enduring severe injuries and contaminated rainwater to the complex rescue operation and difficult medical decisions, including the amputation of his left leg, Matt shares his transformative experience. This compelling tale highlights Matt's resilience, his journey through medical recovery, and the profound impact the ordeal had on his life, inspiring countless others worldwide. Tune in to hear how he overcame unimaginable odds and what he's learned from his darkest moments.
00:00 Introduction to Matt's Survival Story
01:15 The Moment of Rescue
04:37 The Complex Rescue Operation
10:30 Medical Challenges and Recovery
16:27 Media Attention and Personal Reflections
23:16 Detailed Medical Assessment
26:24 Facing the Reality of Amputation
26:48 Family Support and First Amputation
28:23 Second Amputation and Recovery
29:29 Navigating Hospital Life
31:03 Media Attention and Social Media
33:02 Writing a Book and Public Speaking
35:54 Adjusting to Life with a Prosthetic
38:33 Running Again and Overcoming Challenges
41:08 Mental and Emotional Healing
44:15 Lessons Learned and Advice for Others
49:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Follow Matt on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/matt_reum/

Matt's Book:https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-SEVEN-MIRACLES-MATTHEW/dp/1665764104