After robbing an undercover police officer, a bright, ambitious kid faces a life sentence in prison, and after enduring 31 years of confinement, uses his freedom to help others find theirs. Today’s episode featured William Palmer. If you want to reach out to him, you can email him at [email protected] . If you’d like to Support William's Fight for Justice & Advocacy, please find his GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/14b9126f For more information about William’s non-profit...
Dec 03, 2024•58 min•Season 14Ep. 342
A man, who grew up seeking danger and adventure, pursues greater and greater risks despite many losses and his own brushes with death. Today’s episode featured Kerry McCauley. You can reach out to him at [email protected] or kerrymccauley.com , or on his socials: Instagram @kerry_d_mccauley Facebook @Kerry D McCauley YouTube @kerryDmccauley Kerry has written two best selling books: "Ferry Pilot" and "Dangerous Flights". He is also one of the main pilo...
Nov 26, 2024•57 min•Season 14Ep. 341
A man, scarred by a troubled childhood, finds comfort in alcoholism, but when he faces a terrifying, violent encounter with two strangers, his addiction deepens, ultimately leading to a tragic accident that forces him to confront his past and forge a new identity. Today’s episode featured Tom. You can reach out to him at [email protected]. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Forrest Chiras Content/Trigger Warnings: alcohol use/abuse, child custody, divorce, robbe...
Nov 19, 2024•49 min•Season 14Ep. 340
Haunted by the chaos of her family and teenage years, a young woman finally finds refuge and belonging in a solid new group of friends, but after a camping trip ends in tragedy, she must find a new pathway to acceptance. Today’s episode featured Kristen Smith. You can reach out to Kristen at [email protected] or on Instagram @kristendsmith_ You can also find out more about her and what she does at kristendawnsmith.com. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Cat...
Nov 12, 2024•59 min•Season 14Ep. 339
Growing up a lonely latchkey kid, a young boy numbs himself with drugs and alcohol, but after one night of binging, a surge of violent rage changes his life forever, spiraling from depths of depravity to the heights of redemption. Today’s episode featured Patrick Hibbard. If you would like to reach out to Patrick, you can email him at [email protected] . To learn more about a network in which he finds support, please visit ficgn.org (Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network...
Nov 05, 2024•58 min•Season 14Ep. 338
A self-described geek finds his voice as a sci-fi author and amasses an audience on social media, but after he posts a seemingly innocuous tweet, a hoard of internet stalkers fixate on destroying his life. Today’s episode featured Patrick S. Tomlinson. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email him at [email protected] , or you can find him on Twitter @stealthygeek, on Threads @pstomlinson and on Blue Sky @stealthygeek.bsky.social Visit www.patrickstomlinson.com to find out ...
Oct 29, 2024•51 min•Season 14Ep. 337
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 [email protected], or you can find her on Instagram @pamela_speaks Visit pamelaspeaks.live to find out mor...
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 [email protected] , or you can find him on Facebook or on Instagram at BrandonAndresGreen. Brandon's story came to us by way of Amy Chesl...
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 [email protected] , 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...
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 @char...
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 rea...
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, pos...
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 [email protected] , or you can find him on LinkedIn as Christopher Diep. Special thanks to Yoana Tchoukleva for bringing us Chris's story. Producers: Whit Missi...
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 th...
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 Financ...
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...
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/justiceformileshal...
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 [email protected] Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter: @TIAHPodcast Content/Trigger Warnings: psychosis, drug use, child neglect, childhood tr...
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 Yout...
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 ...
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 ...
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 Id...
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 [email protected] and you can find out more about her, and her family on TikTok and on Instagram ...
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 [email protected]. This episode is the fifth of our six-part miniseries called the 82 Percent:...
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 [email protected] 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 ...
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 fin...
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” avail...
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
