After a chaotic upbringing and early adulthood, Jessie Sanders carved a life for himself in Rancho Tehama, California and formed a deep friendship, but when his sister reported hearing gunshots at the elementary school that day, Jessie knew exactly what he needed to do, confronting the horror, heroism and traumatic aftermath of loss and violence. Today’s episode is Part Four of our limited series, “Point Blank,” featuring five stories of people impacted by the spree killing of Rancho Tehama Cali...
Apr 04, 2023•57 min•Season 12Ep. 272
Coming from a career in the military, law enforcement and police dispatch, Ken Yuers found his true calling as a teacher for at-risk youth, and eventually landed a job at Rancho Tehama elementary, when one day in 2017, gunshots outside the classroom brought a horror on him and his students that he never imagined. Today’s episode is Part Two of our limited series, “Point Blank,” featuring five stories of people impacted by the spree killing of Rancho Tehama California in 2017. There, a lone gunma...
Mar 28, 2023•45 min•Season 12Ep. 271
After losing her daughter to a freak accident, Sissy Feitelberg focuses on supporting her grandson Gage who lives in Rancho Tehama with his widowed father, Danny, but when a shooting spree begins, a deeper horror falls on the family and leaves Sissy to pick up the pieces. Today’s episode is Part Two of our limited series, “Point Blank,” featuring five stories of people impacted by the spree killing of Rancho Tehama California in 2017. There, a lone gunman killed his wife, then his neighbors and ...
Mar 21, 2023•43 min•Season 12Ep. 270
After navigating a hardscrabble, working-class life, Troy McFadyen finally settles down with his wife in rural California, when one day driving down the road, they are aggressively T-boned by a stranger, and suddenly find themselves in the middle an unthinkable tragedy. Today’s episode is Part One of our limited series, “Point Blank,” featuring five stories of people impacted by the spree killing of Rancho Tehama California in 2017. There, a lone gunman killed his girlfriend, then his neighbors ...
Mar 14, 2023•44 min•Season 12Ep. 269
Having grown up in a safe, sheltered home, a woman balances her career, marriage and five children, but one morning, when her husband is traveling on a two-month tour of duty, a man enters her home and a nightmare begins that lasts well beyond the first 48 hours of hell. Today’s episode featured Brittany Todd. You can find out more about Brittany and her daughter on Instagram @fortis_liberque. You can also reach out to her over email at animusfortis87@gmail.com Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew...
Mar 07, 2023•54 min•Season 12Ep. 268
Born to an affluent Mormon family, a boy befriends a rotating set of nannies that help raise him and become part of the family unit, but his favorite nanny starts playing games that reveal darker intentions. Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse of a minor, suicide attempt, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com Show Sponsors...
Feb 28, 2023•48 min•Season 12Ep. 267
While in the depths of a toxic relationship, a woman begins experiencing a magical, unseen world around her, but on a layover on a flight through LA, the world becomes all too real. Today's episode featured Kimberly Rose. If you'd like to reach out to her, you can email at contactkimberlyrose@gmail.com , or find her on Instagram at @thefakekimberlyrose. Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Editing: Matt Volla Content/Trigger Warnings: substance abuse, mental illness, sexual abuse of a minor...
Feb 21, 2023•54 min•Season 12Ep. 266
Reeling from the early loss of his father and abuse in the family, a man finds an outlet through cars and becomes a repo agent, but on a routine job one night, he faces a life-altering danger that will change him forever. Today’s episode featured Brian White. If you’d like to reach out to Brian, you can email him at A73vdub@yahoo.com Producer: Whit Missildine, Aviva Lipkowitz Content/Trigger Warnings: death, domestic violence, abuse of a minor, assault, graphic bodily injury, explicit language S...
Feb 14, 2023•51 min•Season 12Ep. 265
A woman struggles to break free from the rules of her strict and sheltered upbringing, but after battling a derealization disorder and finding a new life for herself, she faces a danger she could never have imagined. Producer: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli Content/Trigger Warnings: mental illness, depression, derealization/depersonalization, kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual abuse, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyh...
Feb 07, 2023•45 min•Season 12Ep. 264
A woman grows up in a loving Libyan family in California, but after recession hits and her dad falls on hard economic times, a darkness enters the family that destroys everything. Today's episode featured Nour Naas. To find out more about Nour, you can find her writing online at: nourmnaas.com . You can also find her on Instagram at @nourbabyyy and if you'd like to reach out to her, you can email her at nouralnaas@gmail.com . Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Content/Trigger Warnings: dome...
Jan 31, 2023•55 min•Season 12Ep. 263
While hunting in the Canadian wilderness, a man accidentally comes between a grizzly bear cub and its mother and a terrifying a fight for his life ensues that will change him forever. Today's episode featured Jeremy Evans. You can find many more details about Jeremy and this story in his incredible memoir, 'Mauled: Lessons Learned from a Grizzly Bear Attack', published by Rocky Mountain Books. To contact Jeremy you can reach out to his Publicist at genevieve@rmbooks.com or contact Jeremy directl...
Jan 24, 2023•50 min•Season 12Ep. 262
A woman learns shocking truths about what happened to her mom when she was young, while caretaking her mentally ill father and grappling with revelations that haunt the family forever. Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: www.andrdewwaits.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show pr...
Jan 17, 2023•53 min•Season 12Ep. 261
After a chaotic upbringing ending with her parents’ divorce, a woman falls into the hands of a man whose promises are too good to be true. Today's guest requested to remain anonymous, but if you'd like to reach out to her, you can email at journeyforward808@gmail.com . Producer: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening W...
Jan 10, 2023•50 min•Season 12Ep. 260
While pregnant and navigating a rocky relationship, a woman coming home from a local fair stops for a soda one night and suddenly faces the brutal terror of a notorious serial killer. Today's episode featured Jane Boroski. Jane is the only survivor of the Connecticut River Valley killer who murdered at least seven people, whose identity still remains unknown and the case remains unsolved. Jane has started her own podcast called "Invisible Tears" in which she shares more of her own story, explore...
Dec 13, 2022•58 min•Season 12Ep. 259
After suffering the horrific abuses of his Southern grandmother, father and mother, a teenage boy discovers his own queer identity through a fantasy world, but when it becomes all too real, everything he believes is called into question. Today’s episode featured Michael. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email at vVsanctionVv@hotmail.com . Producers: Whit Missildine Content/Trigger Warnings: graphic domestic abuse, abuse of a child, mention of rape, mention of drinking blood, explicit l...
Dec 06, 2022•56 min•Season 12Ep. 258
After leaving the Jehovah’s Witness faith of her childhood, a woman redefines her life with her husband and child and becomes a loving foster parent for many, but as one of her foster children comes of age, the chaos threatens to unravel the entire family. Today's guest requested to remain anonymous. But if you'd like to reach out to her, you can email at Friends13459@gmail.com . Producers: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli Content/Trigger Warnings: child endangerment, sexual assault and rape of a...
Nov 29, 2022•53 min•Season 12Ep. 257
After losing her father at a young age, a woman begins apprenticing as a funeral director, but when tragedy strikes again, the loss takes an exponential toll. Today’s episode featured Kelsie. You can find out more about her on Instagram and Twitch: @HumanPterodactyl Content/Trigger Warnings: mental illness, suicidal ideation, suicide, graphic medical descriptions, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Website...
Nov 22, 2022•52 min•Season 12Ep. 256
A man growing up in the closet joins the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell” and numbs his identity with alcohol, but after becoming a nurse and after COVID wreaks havoc, his downward spiral hits a new rock bottom that will decide his life or death. Today’s guest requested to remain anonymous, but if you’d like to contact him, you can email at M2980737@gmail.com . Content/Trigger Warnings: murder of an animal, domestic abuse, miscarriage, bullying, alcoholism, addiction, self-harm, suicidal i...
Nov 15, 2022•48 min•Season 12Ep. 255
A woman grows up in a home chronically terrified by her father’s abuse, but when her parents split and he starts another family, she learns of the true, horrifying danger she was in her entire life. Today's episode featured Lisa Nikolidakis. You can read much more about this story in her incredible memoir, No One Crosses the Wolf. You can also find out more about Lisa on Instagram @lisanik or on Twitter @lisanikol, and check out her other award-winning essays, at lisanikolidakis.com Content/Trig...
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 12Ep. 254
As a teenager struggling with severe depression and anxiety, a woman finds dance as her only outlet, but on a night that is lost to memory, a horrific accident transforms her body, her brain and her identity. Today's episode featured Desiree Ford. You can find out more about her on Instagram @fesireedord. Out of their experience of the accident, Desiree and her mother have also begun holding workshops and speaking engagements for resilience training to help others adapting to major life changes....
Nov 01, 2022•44 min•Season 12Ep. 253
A man tries to put the pieces of his life back together after growing up with a mother who suffered from severe OCD and anorexia. Today’s guest requested to remain anonymous, but if you’d like to reach out to him directly you can email him at viking0531@gmail.com. Content/Trigger Warnings: severe eating disorder, anorexia, OCD, sexually explicit material, mention of suicide, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodc...
Oct 25, 2022•46 min•Season 12Ep. 252
A woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder experiences a roller coaster of destroyed relationships and mental storm, but after stabilizing through therapy and medication her mentally compromised mother makes an accusation that cannot be revoked. Content/Trigger Warnings: mental illness, domestic abuse, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.face...
Oct 18, 2022•41 min•Season 12Ep. 251
Growing up Black and queer in the South, a man finds an identity for himself through the arts and establishes a wonderful marriage with children, until one day, when his husband is late coming home, there’s a ring at the door and his entire life unravels. Content/Trigger Warnings: use of a derogatory racial slur, use of a derogatory homophobic slur, mention of gun violence, mention of suicide, mental illness, drug use, drug overdose, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli S...
Oct 11, 2022•55 min•Season 12Ep. 250
Coming from a charmed, conservative, Catholic upbringing, a woman must confront her deepest beliefs as she struggles with the reality and implications of the most devastating news a mother can receive. Content/Trigger Warnings: traumatic pregnancy, death of an infant, explicit language Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/ W...
Oct 04, 2022•47 min•Season 12Ep. 249
After surviving a chaotic and abusive upbringing, a woman develops an undiagnosable autoimmune disorder that threatens to take her vision and her livelihood, but when a friend brings a blow-up doll to play a practical joke one night, everything changes. Today’s episode featured Gina Hessburg. You can find out more about her and Rafael on Instagram @blowinguprafael or on her website, blowinguprafael.com . On the website, you can also buy Gina’s book, Blowing Up, featuring her journey with Rafael....
Sep 27, 2022•47 min•Season 12Ep. 248
Bill Mitchell built a successful career, marriage and family, but just as his bright and loving daughter graduates from college with big dreams, an unthinkable event irreversibly changes everything. Today’s episode featured Bill Mitchell. Bill has a book and podcast, both called When Dating Hurts. You can find out more about Bill, his book and his podcast, all at whendatinghurts.com . You can also find his book on Amazon. Bill was originally featured on Scott Johnson’s amazing podcast, What Was ...
Sep 20, 2022•50 min•Season 12Ep. 247
Always feeling she had failed the ideals of her strict Muslim, South Asian family and community, a woman struggles to navigate trauma, shame and self-expression, when unexpected news forces her into a powerful reckoning. Today‘s episode featured Azzah Ahmad. You can find out more about Azzah by visiting her Instagram page @Lifeazziknowit. Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse of a minor, suicidal ideation, explicit language Producer: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli Social Media: Instagram: @act...
Sep 13, 2022•46 min•Season 12Ep. 246
A woman struggling to find herself finally discovers a place where she belongs and forms a deep friendship, but when she experiments with a powerful psychedelic the experience reveals more than she bargained for. Today's episode featured Ash Stryker. You can find out more about Ash and see her illustration and artwork by going to her website: ashstryker.com/ Content/Trigger Warnings: eating disorder, drug use, drug overdose, hallucinations, explicit language Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Wai...
Sep 06, 2022•48 min•Season 12Ep. 245
A man struggles to free himself from his father’s iron grip on the family, but when an unsettling truth about his past is revealed, his entire life comes into focus. Today's storyteller was originally featured on the incredible podcast, The Secret Room, created and hosted by Ben Hamm. Ben's guests share stories they've never told before, giving you a front row seat to the hidden lives of people all around you. Ben and I have collaborated before on a previous episode, and if you love This Is Actu...
Aug 30, 2022•41 min•Season 12Ep. 244
After a woman’s Mormon family falls apart following the death of her father, her mother brings her to a Scientology Center where she leaves everything behind. Today’s episode featured Katherine Mcelhinny. If you’d like to reach out to her, you can email at canadiankat9@icloud.com . She also has a gofundme page. If you’d like to donate to her, you can do so here: https://gofund.me/3ab57d56 Content/Trigger Warnings: abuse of a minor, parental neglect, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, explicit la...
Aug 23, 2022•57 min•Season 12Ep. 243
