This Is Actually Happening By cover art

This Is Actually Happening

By: Wondery
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  • Summary

  • 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.

    New episodes come out every Tuesday for free. Listen 1-week early and to exclusive past episodes - all ad-free - with Wondery+ or Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
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Episodes
  • 319: What if you couldn’t find your way home?

    319: What if you couldn’t find your way home?
    May 14 2024

    Escaping her troubled past, a suburban mother finds stability in marriage and family, but when her reality suddenly begins to fall apart, she descends into an underworld of chaos.


    Today’s episode featured Billy Macy. If you’d like to reach out to her, you can email at bmacy78@gmail.com. This episode is the second of a two-part series featuring Billy and her sister, Misty Watterson. Misty’s story aired last week, as episode 318: What if your daughter went missing?


    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock


    Content/Trigger Warnings: abuse of a minor, drug use, suicide attempt, sexual assault, missing persons, death, graphic bodily injury, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast


    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com


    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

    Website 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: "Illabye" – Tipper

    Music Bed: “Uncertain Outcomes” – SkyeVoyager

    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 and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

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

    National 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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    58 mins
  • 318: What if your daughter went missing?

    318: What if your daughter went missing?
    May 7 2024

    A woman spirals into drug use, coping with an abusive childhood, a failing marriage and post-partum depression, but on the road to recovery, her daughter goes missing and a new realm of horror opens.


    Today’s episode featured Misty Watterson and the story of her daughter Allyson Watterson. If you’d like to reach out to her, you can email at mwatterson34@gmail.com. You can also find her on Instagram @wattersonmisty. This episode is the first of a two-part series featuring Misty and her sister Billy Macy.


    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits


    Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual assault of a minor, domestic violence, drug use, missing persons, death, graphic bodily injury, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast


    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com


    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.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: "Illabye" – Tipper

    Music Bed: “Cylinder Four” – Chris Zabriskie

    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 and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

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

    National 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.
    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • 317: What if you found peace in the fog of war?

    317: What if you found peace in the fog of war?
    Apr 30 2024

    A Thai-Filipino-American man fulfills his life-long dream of escaping his chaotic past and joining the Army, but after lingering scars from multiple deployments to Iraq threaten to destroy him, he finds an unexpected awakening.


    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits


    Content/Trigger Warnings: war, graphic violence, murder, graphic bodily injury, suicidal ideation, domestic violence, explicit language

    Social Media:

    Instagram: @actuallyhappening

    Twitter: @TIAHPodcast


    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com


    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.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: "Illabye" – Tipper

    Music Bed: “Union Flow” – Spuntic

    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 and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988

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

    National 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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    1 hr
True Crime History Social Sciences
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What listeners say about This Is Actually Happening

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Profile Image for CyB

Redemption through sacrifice and pain

this was a twisting narrative. the speaker is absolutely amazing. he's inspiring and I just want to thank him for his continued sacrifice every day to save the lives of the innocent. I commend him for coming through what he has in his life to still want to give back to others.

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Profile Image for Liluofshallot

Heartbreaking powerful

Although this story was a trigger , sometimes triggers are necessary. To remember and to move forward. I wish the best life for this woman

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Profile Image for Jack Attack

excellence

While I don't like every story being told on here (due to personal comfort levels) I think they're necessary. The school shooter one really shook me to my core.

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Profile Image for Heatherjo B.

Great find

Loved this, the realness, the truth that was expressed in a heartfelt way. Excellent story of life and survival

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

going to HS with gun

Your stories, presenters, are more than brave. I so honour their their lives, heart, compassion. INCREDIBLE, thank you so much

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Profile Image for lacy j.

this is my favorite podcast

I've listened to every single episode and I cannot wait for new ones to come out. this podcast has set the tone for all my future podcasts and has got me through a lot of days. the stories are so real and relatable. thank you wit milseldine

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

like the stories and the storytellers

great stories lots of info and well told stories amazing choices for whom monologues each episode

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Profile Image for Lady Deelay

Enthralling

It's incredible the things people can survive. Great variety of stories. Limited narration and great flow.

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Profile Image for melissa renee

me too

you don't know until you know...and I know (I'm a five cat mama and a one human mama)

#itsucks
#ribbonsdonthelp
#itcomesandgoes
#teaminvisible

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