A woman born into the notorious Mormon cult, Church of the Firstborn, grows up in constant fear of their fatal practice of “blood atonement”, but after suffering under the oppression of her husband and caretaking his multiple wives, she plots a daring international escape. Today’s episode featured Pamela Jones. If you’d like to reach out to her, you can email her at hello@pamelaspeaks.live, or you can find her on Instagram @pamela_speaks Visit pamelaspeaks.live to find out more about her life as...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 14Ep. 336
After rising as a teenage drug dealer in Oklahoma, a man joins a larger operation after meeting his soulmate and shadowy chemist, but as his power grows, he becomes a guinea pig in an underworld much darker than he bargained for. Today’s episode featured Brandon Andres Green. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email him at brandonAndresGreen@gmail.com , or you can find him on Facebook or on Instagram at BrandonAndresGreen. Brandon's story came to us by way of Amy Chesler. Amy is a storyt...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 14Ep. 335
After coming out and finding self-acceptance, a man faces his greatest physical and emotional struggle yet when a celebratory skydive takes a terrifying turn. Today’s episode featured Brad Guy. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email him at hello@bradguy.com , or you can find him on Instagram and TikTok @bradjguy. Visit bradguy.com to order his memoir “Freefall” and to book him for speaking engagements. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz Content/Trigger Warnings: ...
Oct 08, 2024•52 min•Season 14Ep. 334
After facing years of abuse, a determined woman dedicates her life to the pursuit of success, becoming a renowned broadcaster, fundraiser and cyclist; but after a grueling, multi-continental bike ride, she faces ultimate darkness, forcing her to confront the deepest wounds of all. Today’s episode featured Charlie Webster. If you’d like to reach out to her, you can visit her website at charliewebster.com/contact or you can find her on Instagram @charliewebster, on Twitter @charliecw or on TikTok ...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr•Season 14Ep. 333
After healing from a major trauma as a teenager, featured in Episode 111 of this show, our storyteller returns to share a dramatic follow up. In this episode, in the wake of his grandmother’s death, he begins taking a volatile medication cocktail and suffers a severe manic break, living on the streets among society’s most disregarded, confronting his deepest shadows and being forced to piece his life back together once again. Today’s guest requested to remain Anonymous. If you want to reach out ...
Sep 24, 2024•55 min•Season 14Ep. 332
A teenage boy comes of age through an eclectic mentor, but ends up in the arms of a predator. Producer: Whit Missildine Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: www.actuallyhappeningstore.com to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Content/T...
Sep 20, 2024•40 min
Growing up in poverty with an absent father, a boy finds family in a gang, but after his best friend is murdered, he unravels into a spiral of rage, violence, prison, and ultimately, an unexpected forgiveness. Today’s episode featured Chris Diep. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email him at chrisdiep2023@gmail.com , or you can find him on LinkedIn as Christopher Diep. Special thanks to Yoana Tchoukleva for bringing us Chris's story. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Wait, Aviva Lipko...
Sep 17, 2024•57 min•Season 14Ep. 331
An ambitious mother settles with her two sons into the quiet, idyllic life of her dreams, but after losing her son in a massacre that shakes the nation, she dedicates her life to carrying on her son’s message of love. Today’s episode featured Scarlett Lewis. Scarlett founded the Choose Love Movement after her six-year-old son, Jesse, was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012, which remains one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history. Through the Choose Lov...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 14Ep. 330
A Port Authority employee narrowly escapes from the 68th floor after a plane hits the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001, but the most devastating impact comes from the psychological wounds that haunt her life for decades after. Today's episode featured Kayla Bergeron. In addition to serving as chief of public and government affairs for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Kayla has also served in senior roles for the New York State Housing Finance Agency and South Florida Wate...
Sep 03, 2024•51 min
A horrific accident leaves a man severely disabled, but after hitting rock bottom in his recovery a new life opens he could never have imagined Today’s episode featured Dustin Reynolds. Since this interview, Dustin has made it down to Colombia, and is planning on heading to Panama, Galapagos, and Polynesia before returning to Hawaii. To find out more about Dustin, see pictures and follow his journey or donate to help him complete the voyage, go to thesinglehandedsailor.com. You can follow him on...
Aug 27, 2024•50 min
A mother faces the ultimate tragedy at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and serve. Today’s episode featured Taun Hall. To find out more about Taun and Miles and the Miles Hall Foundation, go to justiceformileshall.org . There you can see the video mentioned in the episode, donate to the campaign, learn more about the case or get involved. You can also join the community on Instagram @justiceformileshall or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/justiceformileshall Producers: Whit ...
Aug 20, 2024•44 min
Growing up in a home of abandonment and neglect, a teenager finds a grand, new reality in the rabbit hole of addiction until they can no longer find their way back. Today’s guest prefers to remain anonymous, but if you’d like to reach out to them, you can email at artichoke.heart456@gmail.com Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Content/Trigger Warnings: psychosis, drug use, child neglect, childhood trauma, explicit language W...
Aug 13, 2024•47 min
Growing up in the projects and a broken home, a man learns survive on the streets through dealing drugs and brutal violence, when a desperate moment leaves him with a choice that changes everything. Today’s episode featured Kenneth Ginlack, Sr. Kenneth has been the Director of Outpatient Programs for Milwaukee County Behavior Health Division (BHD), an ad-hoc instructor at the University of Wisconsin Continuing Education extension program, president of the board of directors for Revive Youth and ...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min
This episode is a recording of a live event held at Manny’s in San Francisco on July 24th, 2024. In this live recording of the event, Whit Missildine hosts conversations with two of the storytellers in the 82 Percent series, David Jay and Koe Creation, as well as with members of the Modern Family Institute including Lily Lamboy, Heath Schechinger and Marlon Williams. If you’d like to find out more about the Modern Family Institute, donate to help advance their work, or get engaged, please visit ...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 48 min
An obstetrician must find healing and forgiveness after an unexpected tragedy opens old wounds. Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual molestation of a minor, incest, death, infant death, pregnancy trauma, medical trauma, explicit language Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening Wond...
Jul 30, 2024•52 min
In this special bonus episode, Whit Missildine interviews Alex Chen. Alex Chen is the Founding Director of the Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic and a founding member of Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition. In this conversation we discuss the legal and historical roots of the nuclear family, monogamy and the challenges and successes in the fight for rights for diverse family structures. Alex is one of the nation’s leading experts in LGBTQ+ civil rights law. He also teaches Gender Identity...
Jul 25, 2024•42 min
At 21 years old, Kris marries Brandon, the love of her life, but after Brandon suffers a severe traumatic brain injury, Kris must restructure everything about how she imagined what her family would be. Today’s episode featured Kris Amstrong. You can donate to the Go Fund Me effort to purchase Brandon Smith a new sports wheelchair at gofund.me/d34ed0ea . You can contact Kris at KArmstrong@mickeytravels.com and you can find out more about her, and her family on TikTok and on Instagram @followmetot...
Jul 23, 2024•59 min•Season 13Ep. 329
Assigned female at birth, Kayden Coleman navigates abuse, racism, housing insecurity, and a deep questioning of gender, but after finally accepting who he is and transitioning fully to being a man, he finds out he’s pregnant. Today’s episode featured Kayden Coleman. You can find out more about him on Instagram and TikTok @kaydenxofficial. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email at Kaydenxcoleman@gmail.com. This episode is the fifth of our six-part miniseries called the 82 Percent: Moder...
Jul 16, 2024•58 min•Season 13Ep. 328
After immigrating from Brazil to the US, a man struggles with isolation, depression, faith and sexual orientation, when one day an awakening leads him on a path to celibacy and to a family he never thought he’d have. Today’s episode featured Art Pereira. If you’d like to reach out to Art, you can email him at art@revoice.org or find him on Instagram @art_per. Art Pereira is the director of events and partnerships for Revoice, a Christian ministry that supports LGBTQ+ Christians who follow a hist...
Jul 09, 2024•54 min•Season 13Ep. 327
In this special bonus episode, Whit Missildine interviews Jessica Fern. Jessica Fern is a renowned psychotherapist, trauma and relationship expert, and the author of two books: Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Non-Monogamy, and Polywise: A Deeper Dive into Navigating Open Relationships. In her international private practice, Jessica works with individuals, couples, and people in multiple-partner relationships who no longer want to be limited by their reactive patterns, cultural cond...
Jul 04, 2024•39 min
Growing up in the crack epidemic surrounded by gangs, drugs, and violence a man begins repeating these patterns of abuse and infidelity in his relationships, but after a family tragedy, he finds a new path, opening his marriage and his heart. Today’s episode featured Adrian McCoy. This episode is the third of a six-part miniseries called the 82 Percent: Modern stories of love and family, produced in collaboration with the Modern Family Institute @modernfamilyinstitute. If you’d like to find out ...
Jul 02, 2024•52 min•Season 13Ep. 326
As a child growing up in a polyamorous family and community, Koe Creation learns to navigate the beauty and complications of their upbringing, but once they begin to find and express their own voice, they face society’s larger shadows. Today’s episode featured Koe Creation. You can find out more about Koe at their website, koecreation.com and on Instagram @koecreation. You can also learn more about their journey growing up in a polyamorous family in their book, “This Heart Holds Many” available ...
Jun 25, 2024•56 min•Season 13Ep. 325
In this special bonus episode, Whit Missildine interviews Heath Schechinger and Lily Lamboy of the Modern Family Institute @modernfamilyinstitute, collaborators on our six-part miniseries, “The 82%: Modern Stories of Love and Family.” In this conversation we discuss the historical roots of the nuclear family and monogamy, how family and relationship structures have changed over the 20th century, the contemporary landscape of diverse families and Consensual Non-Monogamy, and the future of love an...
Jun 20, 2024•53 min
A man grows up waiting for his sexuality to bloom, but after that moment never comes, he feels a longing for intimacy that leads him to transform the meaning of partnership, family and fatherhood for himself and for society. Today’s episode featured David Jay. David is the founder of asexuality.org. David’s new book, titled “Relationality: How moving from transactional to transformational relationships can reshape our lonely world” is available for preorder on Amazon, and wherever books are sold...
Jun 18, 2024•52 min•Season 13Ep. 324
A woman growing up in worn torn Colombia comes to the US and builds a new life, but when she suffers a freak accident and loses her sense of self, a new beginning transforms the scars of her past. Today’s episode featured Ingrid Rojas-Contreras. If you’d like to learn more about Ingrid you can find her on Instagram @i__rojascontreras, on Twitter @ingrid_rojas_c and on her website: ingridrojascontreras.com. Ingrid’s memoir The Man Who Could Move Clouds was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Natio...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 13Ep. 323
After a childhood feeling unworthy of love and belonging, a man finds his path to the Coast Guard and a solid marriage, but after a minor back injury, he’s prescribed painkillers that send him on a tragic spiral of addiction. Today’s episode featured Jamie. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email at japo081@gmail.com. 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 won...
Jun 04, 2024•51 min•Season 13Ep. 322
Growing up in the remote Ozark mountains with a mother who believed she was God and a father with deeper abuses, a man paves his own rocky healing path to become a healer for others. Today’s episode featured Merle Yost. You can find out more about Merle on his website, merleyost.com , and about his workshop, Unspoken Boundaries, at unspokenboundaries.com . If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email him at merle@merleyost.com , and you can find him on Instagram @loveyost . Merle is a writer...
May 28, 2024•48 min•Season 13Ep. 321
Growing up with a mother who used practiced an abusive form of spiritual voodoo, a man seeks to numb his pain, but after tragedy and a descent into crack addiction, he finally finds the cure he’d been looking for. Today’s episode featured Will Taylor. 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. Producers: Whit Missildine, A...
May 21, 2024•50 min•Season 13Ep. 320
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? Listen to exclusive episodes of...
May 14, 2024•58 min•Season 13Ep. 319
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 Bil...
May 07, 2024•57 min•Season 13Ep. 318
