This Is Actually Happening

After losing her daughter to a freak accident, Sissy Feitelberg focuses on supporting her grandson Gage who lives in Rancho Tehama with his widowed father, Danny, but when a shooting spree begins, a deeper horror falls on the family and leaves Sissy to pick up the pieces.Today’s episode is Part Two of our limited series, “Point Blank,” featuring five stories of people impacted by the spree killing of Rancho Tehama California in 2017. There, a lone gunman killed his wife, then his neighbors and then began a shooting spree, attacking 8 different locations in the span of only 25 minutes, ending at elementary school, and leaving 6 people dead and 18 wounded. This series is co-produced by This Is Actually Happening creator and host, Whit Missildine and Connor Sheets, investigative journalist with the Los Angeles Times, with special thanks to Jason Blalock, and Andrew Waits. To find out more about the shooting, you can read the original article by Connor that inspired the story, titled: “It was California

After navigating a hardscrabble, working-class life, Troy McFadyen finally settles down with his wife in rural California, when one day driving down the road, they are aggressively T-boned by a stranger, and suddenly find themselves in the middle an unthinkable tragedy.Today’s episode is Part One of our limited series, “Point Blank,” featuring five stories of people impacted by the spree killing of Rancho Tehama California in 2017. There, a lone gunman killed his girlfriend, then his neighbors and then began a shooting spree, attacking 8 different locations in the span of only 25 minutes, ending at an elementary school, and leaving 6 people dead and 18 wounded. This series is co-produced by This Is Actually Happening creator and host, Whit Missildine and Connor Sheets, investigative journalist with the Los Angeles Times, with special thanks to Jason Blalock, and Andrew Waits. To find out more about the shooting, you can read the original article by Connor that inspired the story, titled: “It was Cal

Having grown up in a safe, sheltered home, a woman balances her career, marriage and five children, but one morning, when her husband is traveling on a two-month tour of duty, a man enters her home and a nightmare begins that lasts well beyond the first 48 hours of hell.Today’s episode featured Brittany Todd. You can find out more about Brittany and her daughter on Instagram @fortis_liberque. You can also reach out to her over email at animusfortis87@gmail.com Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Content/Trigger Warnings: home invasion, graphic violence, graphic bodily injury, child endangerment, child abduction, sexual abuse of a minor, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: www.andrdewwaits.com Show Sponsors: Betterhelp: This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on yo

Born to an affluent Mormon family, a boy befriends a rotating set of nannies that help raise him and become part of the family unit, but his favorite nanny starts playing games that reveal darker intentions. Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse of a minor, suicide attempt, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com Show Sponsors: Betterhelp: This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on your way to being your best self.” Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.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

While in the depths of a toxic relationship, a woman begins experiencing a magical, unseen world around her, but on a layover on a flight through LA, the world becomes all too real.Today's episode featured Kimberly Rose. If you'd like to reach out to her, you can email at contactkimberlyrose@gmail.com, or find her on Instagram at @thefakekimberlyrose. Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason BlalockEditing: Matt Volla Content/Trigger Warnings: substance abuse, mental illness, sexual abuse of a minor, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, psychosis, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com Show Sponsors: Betterhelp: This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on your way to being your best self.” Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreo

Reeling from the early loss of his father and abuse in the family, a man finds an outlet through cars and becomes a repo agent, but on a routine job one night, he faces a life-altering danger that will change him forever. Today’s episode featured Brian White. If you’d like to reach out to Brian, you can email him at A73vdub@yahoo.com Producer: Whit Missildine, Aviva Lipkowitz Content/Trigger Warnings: death, domestic violence, abuse of a minor, assault, graphic bodily injury, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Show Sponsors: Betterhelp: This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on your way to being your best self.” Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wo

A woman struggles to break free from the rules of her strict and sheltered upbringing, but after battling a derealization disorder and finding a new life for herself, she faces a danger she could never have imagined.    Producer: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli Content/Trigger Warnings: mental illness, depression, derealization/depersonalization, kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual abuse, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Sara Marinelli: www.saramarinelli.com Show Sponsors: Betterhelp: This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on your way to being your best self.” Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium servic

A woman grows up in a loving Libyan family in California, but after recession hits and her dad falls on hard economic times, a darkness enters the family that destroys everything.   Today's episode featured Nour Naas. To find out more about Nour, you can find her writing online at: nourmnaas.com. You can also find her on Instagram at @nourbabyyy and if you'd like to reach out to her, you can email her at nouralnaas@gmail.com. Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Content/Trigger Warnings: domestic violence and abuse, graphic violence, murder, death, police violence, suicidal ideation, explicit language Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: www.andrdewwaits.com Show Sponsors: Betterhelp: This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on your way to being your best self.”&nbs

While hunting in the Canadian wilderness, a man accidentally comes between a grizzly bear cub and its mother and a terrifying a fight for his life ensues that will change him forever.Today's episode featured Jeremy Evans. You can find many more details about Jeremy and this story in his incredible memoir, 'Mauled: Lessons Learned from a Grizzly Bear Attack', published by Rocky Mountain Books. To contact Jeremy you can reach out to his Publicist at genevieve@rmbooks.com or contact Jeremy directly at Grizzlydude01@gmail.com Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: www.andrdewwaits.com Show Sponsors: Betterhelp: This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on your way to being your best self.” Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https:

A woman learns shocking truths about what happened to her mom when she was young, while caretaking her mentally ill father and grappling with revelations that haunt the family forever.   Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: www.andrdewwaits.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.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 https://wondery.com/plus Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.&

After a chaotic upbringing ending with her parents’ divorce, a woman falls into the hands of a man whose promises are too good to be true. Today's guest requested to remain anonymous, but if you'd like to reach out to her, you can email at journeyforward808@gmail.com. Producer: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.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 https://wondery.com/plus Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, sticke

While pregnant and navigating a rocky relationship, a woman coming home from a local fair stops for a soda one night and suddenly faces the brutal terror of a notorious serial killer. Today's episode featured Jane Boroski. Jane is the only survivor of the Connecticut River Valley killer who murdered at least seven people, whose identity still remains unknown and the case remains unsolved. Jane has started her own podcast called "Invisible Tears" in which she shares more of her own story, explores other unsolved cases, and gives a platform to expand awareness around trauma, PTSD, truth and healing. You can find out more about Jane, her podcast and connect on social media by visiting her link tree at linktr.ee/invisibletearspodcast Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason BlalockContent/Trigger Warnings:  graphic violence inflicted on a pregnant woman, graphic bodily injury, attempted murder, stabbing, traumatic pregnancy, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningT

After suffering the horrific abuses of his Southern grandmother, father and mother, a teenage boy discovers his own queer identity through a fantasy world, but when it becomes all too real, everything he believes is called into question.  Today’s episode featured Michael. If you’d like to reach out to him, you can email at vVsanctionVv@hotmail.com. Producers: Whit MissildineContent/Trigger Warnings:  graphic domestic abuse, abuse of a child, mention of rape, mention of drinking blood, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com 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 https://wondery.com/plus Shop at the Stor

After leaving the Jehovah’s Witness faith of her childhood, a woman redefines her life with her husband and child and becomes a loving foster parent for many, but as one of her foster children comes of age, the chaos threatens to unravel the entire family. Today's guest requested to remain anonymous. But if you'd like to reach out to her, you can email at Friends13459@gmail.com. Producers: Whit Missildine, Sara Marinelli Content/Trigger Warnings:  child endangerment, sexual assault and rape of a minor, drug use, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastSupport the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Website: thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.com 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

After losing her father at a young age, a woman begins apprenticing as a funeral director, but when tragedy strikes again, the loss takes an exponential toll.    Today’s episode featured Kelsie. You can find out more about her on Instagram and Twitch: @HumanPterodactylContent/Trigger Warnings:  mental illness, suicidal ideation, suicide, graphic medical descriptions, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com 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 https://wondery.com/plus Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Shop at the Store: The This Is Actua

A man growing up in the closet joins the military under “don’t ask, don’t tell” and numbs his identity with alcohol, but after becoming a nurse and after COVID wreaks havoc, his downward spiral hits a new rock bottom that will decide his life or death. Today’s guest requested to remain anonymous, but if you’d like to contact him, you can email at M2980737@gmail.com.Content/Trigger Warnings:  murder of an animal, domestic abuse, miscarriage, bullying, alcoholism, addiction, self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, COVID death, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.comSponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HAPPENING and get on your way to being your best self. Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery

A woman grows up in a home chronically terrified by her father’s abuse, but when her parents split and he starts another family, she learns of the true, horrifying danger she was in her entire life.Today's episode featured Lisa Nikolidakis. You can read much more about this story in her incredible memoir, No One Crosses the Wolf. You can also find out more about Lisa on Instagram @lisanik or on Twitter @lisanikol, and check out her other award-winning essays, at lisanikolidakis.com Content/Trigger Warnings:  domestic violence, sexual abuse, incest, suicidal ideation, eating disorder, self-harm, graphic scrime scene detail, murder, death, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.comWondery 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

As a teenager struggling with severe depression and anxiety, a woman finds dance as her only outlet, but on a night that is lost to memory, a horrific accident transforms her body, her brain and her identity. Today's episode featured Desiree Ford. You can find out more about her on Instagram @fesireedord. Out of their experience of the accident, Desiree and her mother have also begun holding workshops and speaking engagements for resilience training to help others adapting to major life changes. You can find out more about this project on Instagram @resilientspirit_ as well as on their website resilientspirit.ca. Content/Trigger Warnings:  mental illness, suicidal ideation, car accident, graphic bodily injury, death, death of an animal, traumatic brain injury, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastThis Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/20

A man tries to put the pieces of his life back together after growing up with a mother who suffered from severe OCD and anorexia. Today’s guest requested to remain anonymous, but if you’d like to reach out to him directly you can email him at viking0531@gmail.com. Content/Trigger Warnings:  severe eating disorder, anorexia, OCD, sexually explicit material, mention of suicide, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastThis Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/ Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com 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 https://wondery.com/plus Support the Show: 

A woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder experiences a roller coaster of destroyed relationships and mental storm, but after stabilizing through therapy and medication her mentally compromised mother makes an accusation that cannot be revoked.Content/Trigger Warnings:  mental illness, domestic abuse, explicit language Producers: Whit Missildine, Jason Blalock Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastThis Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/ Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.comWebsite for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com 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 https://wondery.com/plus Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening Shop at the Stor