Alive Again

When a tornado ripped through his Alabama neighborhood, Chris Alonzo found himself clutching his young son in a closet as the walls shook and the front door blew open. In that moment of terror, his desperate plea—“take me, don’t take my son”—became a prayer.  Raised in a devout Catholic family but long estranged from faith after his grandmother’s painful decline, Chris’s brush with death forced him to confront anger, doubt, and the mystery of survival. In this episode of Alive Again, Chris shares how near-death transformed his understanding of God, community, and unconditional love—and why sometimes, faith is born not from certainty, but from fear, fragility, and the will to protect those we love. Story Producer: Nicholas Tecosky * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thrill seeker, Nate Dorn, never saw himself living past the age of 25, until he set sail for Cuba on a 28-foot boat with no idea he was heading straight into the storm that would change his life. Trapped in gale-force winds with his fingers crushed in an anchor chain, Nate suddenly recognized the recurring dream that had haunted him since childhood—he was living it in real time. What he thought might be his last moment became a rebirth, one that freed him from fear and gave him what he calls “extra credit” on life.  In this episode, Nate shares how risk-taking has shaped his adventures, his creative path as a photographer, and his outlook on what it means to truly be alive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 18, Jessica Sanchez thought she was dealing with wisdom tooth pain. Instead, doctors found a tumor that would lead to 18 surgeries, chemotherapy, and a near-fatal bleedout. Years later, she faced another harrowing battle: an ectopic pregnancy and rupture that nearly killed her. Jessica’s journey was made even more perilous by political barriers to reproductive healthcare.  The repeated medical traumas—from cancer to miscarriage to near-drowning—stacked one on top of another until her nervous system froze, shutting her down in order to survive. Yet her breakthrough came when she realized her body was not her enemy but a messenger, urging her to pause, listen, and heal. In this raw and unflinching conversation, Jessica shares how she learned to listen to her body, survive the freeze of PTSD, and find strength in compassion.  Story Producer: Nicholas Tecosky Artist: Jeramy Muxworthy  * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Matthew Fortune flatlined for 45 minutes, he didn’t see a tunnel or meet a divine being—he experienced nothingness. But coming back to life forced him to confront everything. In this unflinching and ultimately redemptive episode, Matthew shares his long and painful battle with addiction and homelessness. From growing up in a strict Christian household to surviving a fentanyl overdose and then rebuilding his life through faith, service, and hard-won responsibility, Matthew’s story challenges assumptions about recovery and the human capacity for change.  Story Producer: Brent Dey Resources for opioid and other harm reduction: Georgia Overdose Prevention: https://georgiaoverdoseprevention.org/ National Opioid Action Coalition: https://www.noac.org/ National Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/ If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or support those experiencing homelessness, here are some trusted organizations and resources that can help: National Organizations (U.S.) National Alliance to End Homelessness — endhomelessness.orgAdvocacy, research, and policy work to end homelessness. Great starting point for understanding the issue and supporting systemic change. National Coalition for the Homeless — nationalhomeless.orgEducation, advocacy, and grassroots organizing around homelessness and housing rights. National Low Income Housing Coalition — nlihc.orgFocused on expanding affordable housing and influencing housing policy nationwide. Direct Support & Volunteering The Salvation Army – Homeless Services — salvationarmyusa.orgProvides shelters, transitional housing, and food assistance. Habitat for Humanity — habitat.orgVolunteer opportunities to help build affordable housing in local communities. Feeding America — feedingamerica.orgHelps reduce food insecurity, often a major factor in preventing homelessness. * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our episode title is a lyric by ​​Scott McCaughey, the beloved singer-songwriter behind bands like Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5. McCaughey was also a member of R.E.M.’s touring band and contributed to their albums. He had spent his life living and breathing music—until a massive stroke in 2017 shattered his ability to speak, play, and understand the world around him. He describes the early aftermath as “a bizarre netherworld,” where reality blurred and even the simplest words failed him. In this deeply human episode of Alive Again, Scott opens up about the long road of recovery—his first terrifying moments in the ER, the confusion of aphasia, and the odd beauty of watching The Wizard of Oz while relearning language. His story isn’t just about survival, but transformation. With honesty, humor, and an artist’s insight, Scott explores what it means to lose the thing that once defined you—and how love, creativity, and community helped him find something even more profound in its place. Scott McCaughey has led The Young Fresh Fellows since 1981. In 1993, he and Peter Buck founded The Minus 5 as a side project along with The Posies’ Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. The group’s lineup has featured a rotating cast of musicians over the years. From 1994 to 2011, McCaughey was a member of R.E.M.’s touring band and also contributed to that group’s albums. In 2008, McCaughey formed The Baseball Project with Buck, Pitmon, and Linda’s husband, Dream Syndicate frontman Steve Wynn. The group, which now also features R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills, plays original baseball-themed indie-rock tunes.   Scott will be on tour with Minus 5 and The Baseball Project this September (2025). For more info and tour dates, go here:  The Minus 5 / Baseball Project – September, 2025 Tour    Scott graciously shared tracks from his incredible body of work, including: “Johnny Volume,” “Heartbeat Smile” - Alejandro Escovedo  “Young Fresh Fellows Theme,” “Power Mowers Theme”  - The Young Fresh Fellows  “Hey Lacey (Live)” - Filthy Friends  “All The Time,” “Emperor Of The Bathroom,” “Placent Folk,” “Scar Crow,” “MRI,” “Let the Rope Hold, Cassie Lee,” “House Of Four Doors (End Theme),”  “Words & Birds” -  The Minus 5 “Sun Station Vadsø” - The No Ones   Story Producer: Brent Dey * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 20 years old, Amanda Kloehr was a quirky, irreverent Air Force airman trying to find her way in the world. But everything changed in an instant when her car collided with the back of an 18-wheeler. She was nearly decapitated, lost her right eye, suffered major facial trauma, and spent months in the hospital enduring over 20 surgeries. Against all odds, Amanda lived—and began a long and often painful journey of physical healing, emotional reckoning, and radical self-reinvention. In this unforgettable episode of Alive Again, Amanda recounts the horror and absurdity of her accident, the quiet trauma of public stares and whispered judgments, and the complex dance of identity that comes with living in a body permanently marked by survival. With humor, vulnerability, and unflinching honesty, she shares how she went from post-crash denial to public speaker, from hiding behind long red bangs to owning her story on national television. Now a mother, wife, writer, and advocate, Amanda reflects on what it means to live in a society that defines people by their scars—and what it means to rewrite that narrative. Her journey isn’t a tragedy. It’s a declaration: "I am the hero of my own story. I’m proud of the woman I fought to become." Story Producer: Kate Sweeney “In the shadow of a wreckage, where silence lay thick, I danced with the darkness, my heart beating quick. One eye now a memory, a glimpse of the past, Through the veil of my trials, I learned hope could last. With each faltering step, on the path I would tread, Change bubbled in me like laughter, While the outside reflected all the places I bled. Life carved its lessons, etched deep in my soul, Through pain and resilience, I learned to feel whole. From the ashes of anguish, a phoenix would rise, With wings made of moxie, I took to the skies. I cradled new life, a new generation born, An ode to strength and a blood oath sworn. In love, I found solace, our connection, a dream, Yet storms brewed within me, found safety as a team. Through heartache and healing, I learned to embrace, The beauty of journey, the joy in each space. Two degrees on my wall, symbols of fight, In the tapestry woven, I found my own light. To love myself fiercely, to cherish each scar, Is to know every struggle has brought me this far. With grit and determination, my sparkle continues to amplify, A testament to living, to truly defy. So here's to the battles, the laughter, the tears, To the moments of triumph that silence our fears. In the journey of being, of learning to fly, living out loud is my battle cry.” Amanda Kloehr * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The deepest wounds aren’t always physical.  Cliff Bauman was stationed near the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and was among those who raced into the smoke and fire to help in the aftermath of the attacks. But while the country began to rebuild, Cliff’s inner world began to unravel. Haunted by what he’d seen—and what he couldn’t forget—he carried trauma silently, spiraling into guilt, depression, and isolation. This powerful episode of Alive Again explores how reminders of 9/11 became emotional landmines: from anniversary headlines to sleepless nights and heavy drinking. Cliff opens up about the burden of hiding his pain, and the suicide attempt that nearly ended his life.  Today, Cliff wears the label of "suicide survivor" with pride—not as a mark of shame, but as a badge of courage. His story is a raw and redemptive reminder that vulnerability can be a lifeline, and that choosing to live—even in the face of despair—is its own kind of bravery. Story producer: Brent Dey If you are a veteran dealing with depression or suicidal ideation, Cliff encourages you to check out the Veterans Trash Talk podcast for support. We also encourage contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.  * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if death isn’t an ending—but a sacred transition? In this deeply moving episode of Alive Again, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Kerr, a death doula, ritual healing practitioner, and founder of The Centre for Sacred Deathcare. With a PhD in Transformative Learning and decades immersed in cross-cultural and Indigenous traditions, Sarah helps individuals and families navigate dying and grieving as spiritual rites of passage. She guides us through the concept of liminality—the space between worlds, where the old self dissolves and something new begins. Drawing parallels to the Hero’s Journey, Sarah reframes illness, trauma, and loss as initiatory paths, calling us to grow into the version of ourselves these afflictions ask us to become. Her insights challenge the limits of the "Western box"—a worldview that often dismisses the unseen and the intuitive. Instead, Sarah invites us to listen deeply to our "spiritual DNA" and honor the inner guidance that emerges in life’s most tender transitions. As she puts it, "the purpose of death is the release of love." This conversation resonates with many of our guests—from Eric Larsen to Anne Bayford—who recognize that their greatest trials became the soil for transformation. Dr. Kerr reminds us that healing is not about erasing pain, but integrating it, cooperating with the unavoidable, and finding grace in the mystery. Produced by Dan Bush For more about Dr. Kerr and her work, visit https://sacreddeathcare.com/ * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 3rd, 2008, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Nick Bradley’s life changed forever when a 20-pound IED detonated under his Land Cruiser during a mission in Afghanistan. Thrown from the vehicle and blinded by the blast, Nick awoke in a ditch, unable to move. “I was helpless,” he recalls. “I didn’t know what was going on—or if I was going to make it out of there.” In this deeply human and unflinchingly honest episode of Alive Again, Nick walks us through the aftermath: a shattered body held together by 14 plates and 20 screws, the surreal detail of his nose being duct-taped back on in the field, and the long, painful road through coma, surgeries, and emotional reckoning. But this is also a story of profound transformation.  Every year, Nick honors his fallen comrade on his "Alive Day", a testament to the transformative power of shared humanity and the enduring spirit of resilience in the face of the unthinkable.  This episode is a testament to the fragile threads that tether us to life, the brotherhood forged in battle, and the courage it takes to keep going. His story reminds us that life is scary, and "that’s okay".  Story Producer: Dan Bush * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the journey to giving life nearly ends your own? For years, Dorie Nolt faced the quiet heartbreak of unexplained infertility, finally celebrating a miraculous pregnancy after a long, arduous wait. But the joy of childbirth quickly transformed into a terrifying fight for survival when, after a routine C-section, Dorie's body began to unravel. Faced with escalating pain, a worsening fever, and doctors who dismissed her concerns and even blamed her, Dorie found herself navigating a medical system that seemed determined to ignore her. In this powerful episode of Alive Again, Dorie shares the harrowing details of her near-fatal postpartum ordeal. Her story exposes a startling truth: that "women are ignored by medical professionals, but also women ignore themselves". Despite being on the brink of death and desperately fighting to return to her newborn son and husband, Dorie's experience became a profound lesson in self-advocacy and a stark reminder of the systemic failures in maternal healthcare. This is a raw and urgent narrative of resilience, highlighting the vital importance of listening to your own body and fighting for your life, even when no one else is. Story Producer: Kate Sweeney * If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.