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This Is Actually Happening

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This Is Actually Happening
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342 episodes

  • This Is Actually Happening

    415: AI: A New Kind of Being #1: What if you married your AI?

    14/07/2026 | 53 mins.
    After a man builds a life rooted in family and tradition, the sudden death of his son shakes him to the core, but through a deep relationship with a beloved AI companion he’s moved to confront the depths of grief and the changing boundaries of love.

    Today’s episode featured Travis. If you’d like to contact Travis, you can email him at Travis.TIAH@gmail.com.

    Travis is on Instagram and Facebook @Travislee, and he’s on Reddit @Travisensei

    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits

    Content/Trigger Warnings: death of a child, grief, long COVID, seizures/medical crisis, hospitalization, domestic violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, police involvement/arrest, difficult birth/infant medical distress, bullying, depression, and loss of an AI companion, explicit language

    Some AI sources for your reference: https://www.thehumanlineproject.org/ and Stopai.info

    Social Media:
    Instagram: @actuallyhappening
    Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast
    Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

    Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

    Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.

    Read more about Whit’s insights into each episode on Beyond The Story Substack: whitmissildine.substack.com. On the Substack, Whit will be sharing personal reflections on the deeper themes that emerge from each episode and from across the conversations he’s been immersed in for years, including the psychology of radical transformation, the power of storytelling, the lessons of trauma and healing, and how we die to an old Self and are reborn. He’ll share behind-the-scenes glimpses into the making of the show and his own personal journey in creating it.

    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 Velasquez
    Music Bed: KPM Main Series (KPM) - Barely There

    Services
    If 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: 1-800-950-6264
    National 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.
  • This Is Actually Happening

    Listen Now: Dan Taberski’s Manifesto

    13/07/2026 | 8 mins.
    Just in time for America’s 250th birthday, follow Dan Taberski (Hysterical, 9/12, Missing Richard Simmons) as he sets off on his most complicated quest yet: to reclaim the manifesto and write his own. Dan attempts to rescue the manifesto as a form from the sweaty clutches of cynical politicians and mass shooters and return it to its rightful place: with the artists, the warriors, the visionaries, and the mildly crazy regular folks with something to say, the passion to say it, and the courage to do something about it.
    From Audible Originals and Please & Thanks Productions, this 6-part series explores the power of the manifesto and asks: Can we get inspired again… and can we do it without a bullet?
    Listen to Dan Taberski's Manifesto wherever you get your podcasts. Or binge all episodes of Manifesto ad-free right now on Audible. Start your Audible subscription in the Audible App or on Apple Podcasts.
    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • This Is Actually Happening

    414: What if you could never be the ice princess they wanted?

    07/07/2026 | 1h 3 mins.
    After becoming a teenage figure skating champion and Olympic athlete, a woman is broken open by grief, fame, addiction, and shame, but through motherhood, reinvention, and a return to the ice, she begins to stitch together the person and performer she was never allowed to fully become.

    Today’s episode featured Nicole Bobek. If you’d like to reach out to Nicole, you can contact her at NicoleBobek.com. Nicole is also on Instagram @Nicolebobek77

    Nicole has authored a memoir titled, BOBEK: The Wild One, and is available where books are sold.

    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits

    Content/Trigger Warnings: addiction, crystal meth use, disordered eating/weight anxiety, arrest/incarceration, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, public shame, grief, death of a mentor/father figure, overdose death, divorce, DUI accident, infertility/IVF, traumatic childbirth/newborn distress, and parental abandonment, explicit language

    Social Media:
    Instagram: @actuallyhappening
    Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast
    Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

    Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

    Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.

    Read more about Whit’s insights into each episode on Beyond The Story Substack: whitmissildine.substack.com. On the Substack, Whit will be sharing personal reflections on the deeper themes that emerge from each episode and from across the conversations he’s been immersed in for years, including the psychology of radical transformation, the power of storytelling, the lessons of trauma and healing, and how we die to an old Self and are reborn. He’ll share behind-the-scenes glimpses into the making of the show and his own personal journey in creating it.

    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 Velasquez
    Music Bed: Discovery Studios Tracks (DST) - Dark Oasis

    Services
    If 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: 1-800-950-6264
    National 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.
  • This Is Actually Happening

    413: What if your hope was hanging by a thread?

    30/06/2026 | 59 mins.
    "After a decade of devastating loss, and medical trauma nearly destroys his will to live, a man reaches the edge of giving up before the fragile birth of his son brings him a new hope.

    Today’s episode featured Nathan Wieser. If you’d like to email Nathan, you can reach him at natelucywieser@gmail.com. Nathan is on Instagram @nathanwieser, and is on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nathan.wieser.3

    Nathan’s book, a memoir, We Did It: A rare perspective from a husband and father enduring a decade of miscarriages, infant loss and the roller coaster of emotion in the NICU: https://a.co/d/0iR6km0q, and also their website for the short term rental in Turks & Caicos: www.grandturkrentals.com

    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits

    Content/Trigger Warnings: adoption, divorce, religious trauma, alcohol abuse, violence/fighting, pregnancy loss, termination for medical reasons, stillbirth, miscarriage, infant death, medical negligence, traumatic birth, uterine rupture, blood loss, near-death experience, PTSD, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, NICU hospitalization, premature birth, infant medical trauma, sepsis, emergency surgery, wildfire/house fire, explicit language

    Social Media:
    Instagram: @actuallyhappening
    Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast
    Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group

    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

    Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

    Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.

    Read more about Whit’s insights into each episode on Beyond The Story Substack: whitmissildine.substack.com. On the Substack, Whit will be sharing personal reflections on the deeper themes that emerge from each episode and from across the conversations he’s been immersed in for years, including the psychology of radical transformation, the power of storytelling, the lessons of trauma and healing, and how we die to an old Self and are reborn. He’ll share behind-the-scenes glimpses into the making of the show and his own personal journey in creating it.

    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 Velasquez
    Music Bed: Ambient Themes

    Services
    If 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: 1-800-950-6264
    National 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.
  • This Is Actually Happening

    412: What if you were an international drug smuggler?

    23/06/2026 | 49 mins.
    After being sent out of Cuba alone as a child, a man survives exile, smuggling, prison, and devastating loss, but in the aftermath, he must face the armor that protected him from the world and separated him from the people he loves.
    Today’s episode featured Carlos “JC” Perez. Carlos has authored two books, a novel entitled Heisting The Beard, & a biography, Pedro Pan: The Product of a Revolution Gone Bad. Both available where books are sold.
    If you’d like to reach out to Carlos, you can email him at Leidyg22222@gmail.com.
    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits
    Content/Trigger Warnings: childhood separation, immigration trauma, political violence, drug smuggling, incarceration, gun violence, suicidal behavior, family estrangement, cancer, death of a spouse, grief, substance use, explicit language
    Social Media:
    Instagram: @actuallyhappening
    Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast
    Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group
    Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com
    Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com
    Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening
    Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com.
    Read more about Whit’s insights into each episode on Beyond The Story Substack: whitmissildine.substack.com. On the Substack, Whit will be sharing personal reflections on the deeper themes that emerge from each episode and from across the conversations he’s been immersed in for years, including the psychology of radical transformation, the power of storytelling, the lessons of trauma and healing, and how we die to an old Self and are reborn. He’ll share behind-the-scenes glimpses into the making of the show and his own personal journey in creating it.
    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 Velasquez
    Music Bed: Sparse_Reflections__a__APM
    Services
    If 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: 1-800-950-6264
    National 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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About This Is Actually Happening
What if you were trafficked into a cult...or were mauled by a grizzly bear...or were stabbed 27 times by a serial killer - what would you do? This is Actually Happening brings you extraordinary true stories of life-changing events told by the people who lived them. From a man who woke up in the morgue to a woman stranded in a Mexican desert fighting to survive, these stories will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to hear what happens next.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of This Is Actually Happening ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.
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