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This Is Actually Happening

This Is Actually Happening

This Is Actually Happening probes extraordinary true stories that dramatically altered the lives of ordinary people. Hosted by Whit Missildine, a PHD in Social Psychology, these riveting, moving stories will stick with you long after you listen.

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55 min•
Tuesday

332: What if the worst was yet to come?

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 to him, please email him at [email protected]. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz Content/Trigger Warnings: drug use, death, grooming, sexual exploitation, sexual assault & rape, manic break/manic behavior, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrewwaits.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: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: Re-Entry 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.

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57 min•
17 Sep

331: What if you killed the wrong person?

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 Missildine, Andrew Wait, Aviva Lipkowitz  Content/Trigger Warnings: Vietnam war, graphic violence, gang violence, familial separation, drug use, robbery, prison, death of a parent, death of a child, racism, suicide, 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: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: “Cylinder Four” - Chris Zabriskie 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.

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1 hr, 4 min•
10 Sep

330: What if your son was murdered at Sandy Hook?

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 Love Movement, Scarlett teaches everyone from young children to prison inmates how to deal with feelings of anger before they escalate into violence. The Choose Love curriculum has been accessed in over 14,500 schools across 120 countries. Scarlett is the author of two best-selling books: Nurturing Healing Love: A Mother’s Journey of Hope & Forgiveness, and From Sandy Hook to the World: How the Choose Love Movement Transforms Lives.If you’d like to learn more about Scarlett, you can find her on Instagram @ChooseLoveMovement, on Twitter/X @ChooseLoveM, on Facebook @JLChooseLove and on her website: chooselovemovement.org, or email: [email protected]’s story came to us by way of Todd Rennebohm. Scarlett was originally featured on Todd's podcast, Bunny Hugs and Mental health, which focuses on conversations with survivors, professionals and families of those who have lost someone to mental illness and addictions. So please check out Bunny Hugs and Mental Health, and a special thanks to Todd for referring today's guest. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, guns/gun violence, suicide, homicide, murder, school shooting, death, death of children, funeral, Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook denier, 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: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: Ambient Themes by Nigel Coutinho 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.

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40 min•
20 Sep

What if you had to relearn who you are?? [Rebroadcast #111]

A teenage boy comes of age through an eclectic mentor, but ends up in the arms of a predator.Producer: Whit MissildineSocial Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningWebsite: www.thisisactuallyhappening.comSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happeningShop 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/Trigger Warnings: explicit languageIntro Music: ""Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed:   "Cylinder Four" "Cylinder Five" - Chris ZabriskieOutro Music: "The Moon is Down" - El Diablo & Adam Schraft (Rojo y Negro) @eldiablosf @rojo-y-negro www.eldiablobass.com/ ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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59 min•
23 Jul

329: The 82 Percent #6: What if you became your husband’s guardian?

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 @followmetothemouse. Kris is currently writing a book. This episode is the final of a six-part miniseries called the 82 Percent: Modern stories of love and family, produced in collaboration with the Modern Family Institute. If you’d like to find out more about the Modern Family Institute, donate to help advance their work, or get engaged, please visit their website, modernfamilyinstitute.org. We are hosting a live This Is Actually Happening event on July 24th in San Francisco at Manny’s to celebrate the series. To find tickets to the event, go to www.welcometomannys.com/events and find “The Other 82%” or, for a direct Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-82-living-and-loving-beyond-the-monogamous-nuclear-family-tickets-940666046467Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason BlalockContent/Trigger Warnings: traumatic accident, traumatic brain injury, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastWebsite: thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.comSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happeningWondery 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.comIntro Music: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: “Uncertain Outcomes” – SkyeVoyager 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.

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57 min•
16 Jul

328: The 82 Percent #5: What if you were a seahorse dad?

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] episode is the fifth of our 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 more about the Modern Family Institute, donate to help advance their work, or get engaged, please visit their website, modernfamilyinstitute.org. 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.We are hosting a live This Is Actually Happening event on July 24th in San Francisco at Manny’s to celebrate the series. To find tickets to the event, go to www.welcometomannys.com/events and find “The Other 82%” or, for a direct Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-82-living-and-loving-beyond-the-monogamous-nuclear-family-tickets-940666046467Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara MarinelliContent/Trigger Warnings: child abuse, post-partum depression, suicidal ideation, sexual themes, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastWebsite: thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.comSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening 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.comIntro Music: "Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed: “Cylinder Four” – Chris Zabriskie 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.

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