This Is Actually Happening

Tamara Corbitt, a rescue advocate and founder of Travieso Dog Sanctuary, channels her profound grief from losing her daughter into a mission to save abandoned dogs. She shares her journey from personal tragedy to founding a sanctuary, discussing her shift from horticulture to animal rescue. Tamara reflects on the challenges she faced, like health issues in rescued puppies, and highlights emotional bonds with community dogs. Her inspiring story shows how her daughter’s spirit motivates her, turning sorrow into purpose and hope.

Naseem Rochette, a resilience expert and author of *The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over*, shares her harrowing journey of being run over three times and the aftermath that followed. She discusses the invisible scars of traumatic brain injury and how it reshaped her identity and relationships. Naseem reflects on her experience with the driver, the importance of embracing her visible scars, and how kintsugi became a metaphor for her healing. She also emphasizes the power of sharing her story to build community and support.

Lisa Phillips, a former model and advocate, shares her harrowing journey of surviving Jeffrey Epstein's manipulative world. She discusses the insidious grooming tactics he employed, the emotional aftermath of her experiences, and her eventual confrontation with him. Lisa reveals the complexities of reclaiming her self-worth, the support from fellow survivors, and her commitment to advocacy work. Through her powerful narrative, she sheds light on the modeling industry's dark corners and empowers others to speak out against abuse.

Explore the gripping true story of Wachari Tangte during the catastrophic 2004 tsunami in Thailand. Feel the tension as she notices an ominous line on the horizon, signaling danger. Watch her heroic race against time to save her daughters from the impending wave. Experience the raw emotions as she confronts the unrelenting force of nature, all while reflecting on resilience in the face of disaster. This tale of survival captures the essence of human strength and determination.

In this episode, humanitarian aid physician Travis Meleen shares his harrowing experiences working in Gaza amid conflict. He discusses the severe realities of trauma care, detailing the overwhelming influx of casualties during bombings and the scarce resources available. Travis provides insight into the emotional toll and moral dilemmas faced by medical staff under pressure, as well as his journey through PTSD after returning home. His reflections on human nature and the complexities of humanitarian work are both haunting and enlightening.

Emilie Lemire, a nurse with a captivating knack for storytelling, shares her eerie encounters with a supernatural entity that began during childhood. She recounts chilling moments like waking to a ghostly figure and sharing a home filled with unsettling orbs and disturbances. With her partner experiencing the same phenomena, they seek spiritual guidance to confront the presence, eventually moving to a new place. Emilie's journey intertwines her belief in the spirit world with her medical career, deepening her compassion as a caregiver.

A woman's journey through the tumultuous world of Rajneeshpuram reveals profound themes of abandonment and addiction. She recounts the chaotic blend of joy and discomfort as she navigates childhood and communes. A dramatic shift occurs with pregnancy, leading to sobriety and a career rebuild. Her spontaneous awakening during meditation unlocks deep self-love and clarity. Reflecting on her past and her mother's choices fosters compassion, while she critiques the commercialization of enlightenment, emphasizing personal truth.

A man shaped by cruelty devotes his life to defending the condemned, discovering that real courage lies not in victory, but in standing beside the most despised. Today’s episode featured Clive Stafford Smith. If you’d like to reach out to Clive, you can email him at clive@justiceleague.org.uk. You can find Clive on X/Twitter @CliveSS and on Instagram @clivestaffordsmith To find out more about the work Clive does, visit https://justiceleague.org.uk/.  Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock Content/Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, Child Molestation, Child Murder, Physical violence, Emotional neglect, Execution, Capital punishment, Racism, Racial violence, Torture, State violence, Mental illness, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite 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: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott VelasquezMusic Bed: Uncertain Outcomes ServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National 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.

A woman, who ignores her instincts, enters a marriage that soon spirals into betrayal and control. When the truth finally comes to light, she must choose between devastation and the chance to reclaim her life. Today’s episode featured Amy Irvine. If you’d like to reach out to Amy, you can email her at pinkishfx@gmail.com. You can find Amy on social media @pinkish_7 and/or @pinkish_77 on Instagram A special thanks to Todd Renenbohm of the Bunny Hugs & Mental Health Podcast for referring Amy to us. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz Content/Trigger Warnings: Child emotional abuse and neglect, Body shaming and eating-related control, Sexual coercion and marital rape, Drugging and sexual assault, Domestic violence and attempted strangulation, Psychological and emotional manipulation, Infidelity and betrayal, Threat to animals, Discussion of multiple victims of sexual assault, Trauma recovery and PTSD, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite for Aviva Lipkowitz: avivalipkowitz.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: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott VelasquezMusic Bed: Union Flow ServicesIf 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: 1-800-950-6264National 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.

Sean Hemeon, a memoirist and former drug dealer, shares his gripping journey from addiction to recovery. He recounts the darker sides of his life as a federal informant, the harrowing experience of losing a buyer to overdose, and how that shaped his path to finding redemption. His story reveals the complexities of growing up queer in a strict Mormon environment, grappling with trauma, and eventually embracing sobriety. Through introspection and writing, he finds healing and reconnects with his true self and family.