A young man channels his early struggles with anger into a dangerous undercover law enforcement career, facing the shadows of a double life and ultimately discovering that only love can fight hate.

Today’s episode featured Scott Payne. You can find Scott on Instagram, LinkedIn & X

@scottpaynebigcountry

Scott has been a featured guest on Joe Rogan Experience, Armchair Expert, Business Insider, Dr.Phil, KLOVE Morning Show, and The Glenn Beck Program.

You can hear more about Scott’s story on Season 2 of the podcast White Hot Hate, https://lnk.to/WHHcbc, from CBC Podcasts. White Hot Hate was produced alongside a book co-written by Scott Payne and Michelle Shephard titled Code Name: Pale Horse: How I Went Undercover to Expose America's Nazis. @cbcpodcasts

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Forrest Chiras

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, animal death/sacrifice/ritual, murder, talk of domestic terrorism/neo-nazi/white supremacy, drug buy use, undercover sting operations, gruesome cartel murders, explicit language

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Contacts for Forrest Chiras: On Instagram & Spotify @Stegoforrest

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 Velasquez

Music Bed: Cylinder Four

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)

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A young woman is kidnapped, assaulted and released by perpetrators, but a far greater trauma lurks as the powers meant to protect her do not believe any of it happened.

Today’s episode featured Denise Huskins Quinn. If you’d like to reach out to Denise, please find her on Instagram @huskins.denise

Denise has written a book with her husband, Aaron Quinn titled ""Victim F: From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors"", available now where books are sold. You can also find it here:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/617482/victim-f-by-denise-huskins-and-aaron-quinn-with-nicole-weisensee-egan/

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, sexual assault to a child/minor by a family friend, sexual trauma, home invasion, kidnapping, threat of violence, partner in distress, defamation of character by trust institution and media, civil lawsuit, criminal trial, explicit language

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website 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 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)

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inspired by Wondery’s hit podcast Against the Odds—learn how to survive whatever nature can throw at you through gut-twisting true stories of survival on the brink

How to Survive Against the Odds places you at the center of fifteen real life-or-death scenarios. Each story explores the physiological responses of the human body under unbearable conditions, how to counteract them, and strategies for survival from doctors and psychologists. Through these tales, we see the grit, willpower, and know-how needed to navigate out of a host of merciless situations.

This invaluable survival guide includes tips on how to endure being:

• ADRIFT AT SEA: Learn how to cure turtle meat, procure potable water, and survive on a life raft.
• MAULED BY A BEAR: Black bears? Fight back. Grizzly bears? Play dead. Polar bears? Start praying. You’ll learn how to triage wounds using the MARCH method and how to spot the difference between a bear’s bluff charge and an actual attack.
• BURIED BY AN EARTHQUAKE: Find out how to survive the initial crush, maintain your sanity if trapped under the rubble, and “think away your hunger.”
• And so much more!

This might just be the most important book you’ll ever read. Armed with the information in How to Survive Against the Odds and when faced with similar threats, you may also find that you have what it takes to defy death and live to tell your story.

Order your copy of HOW TO SURVIVE AGAINST THE ODDS now at

Wondery.fm/survivalguidebook

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A privileged young man, on the cusp of reconciling with his true love, is tied up in a home invasion and his girlfriend is kidnapped with her whereabouts unknown, but a far greater trauma lurks as the powers meant to protect him frame him as the monster.

Today’s episode featured Aaron Quinn. If you’d like to reach out to Aaron, please find him on Instagram @aaron_quinn_pt

Aaron has written a book with his wife, Denise Huskins titled ""Victim F: From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors"", available now where books are sold. You can also find it here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/617482/victim-f-by-denise-huskins-and-aaron-quinn-with-nicole-weisensee-egan/

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock

Content/Trigger Warnings: home invasion, kidnapping, police interrogation, assault, partner in distress, explicit language

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website 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 Velasquez

Music Bed: Uncertain Outcomes

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)

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dedicated to eradicating human trafficking, a purpose-driven young man's world is shattered by a politician's unwarranted lawsuit, destroying his reputation and forcing him to find a new path forward.

Today’s episode featured Raymond Bechard. If you’d like to reach out to Ray, please email him at RaymondBechard@gmail.com. You can also find him here: Contact Raymond

For Raymond’s Socials & a link to his book: https://linktr.ee/daggerwingmedia

His book: "The Berlin Turnpike: A True Story of Human Trafficking in America"

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara Marinelli

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, depression, suicide, human trafficking, sex trafficking, sex work, poverty, disease/childhood death, lawsuit, explicit language

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.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 Velasquez

Music Bed: Union Flow

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.

Cultivating rage as a solution to inherited trauma, a young man commits murder over a five-dollar dispute, but once in prison, he devotes his life to liberation from systems of oppression and the jailor within himself.

Today’s episode featured Emile Suotonye DeWeaver. If you’d like to contact Emile, please email him at emiledwriter@gmail.com or find him on social media:

Substack: @reframeconsults

Instagram: @emilesuotonyedeweaver

Bluesky: Bluesky

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Emile’s first book, Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine: Reform, White Supremacy, and an Abolitionist Future, comes out today, May 13, 2025, from The New Press.

Per Emile, “I wrote this book for many reasons. I’d been organizing for a decade in prison, and I witnessed the ways we in justice work have beautiful, courageous intentions and yet we often exacerbate the problems we fight against. Back then I felt like I didn’t have the right frameworks to have this conversation. I dedicated the next ten years to thinking them through. I wrote Ghost in the Criminal Justice System not as a solutions book. I wrote it as an offering of these frameworks in the hopes that you will share them in your communities, so that we can come up with solutions together.”

Confirmed Book tour dates in Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Chicago: https://www.reframeconsults.com/events - please RSVP!

Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine: Reform, White Supremacy, and an Abolitionist Future is also a great teaching tool. A perfect fit for classrooms, movement organizing, book clubs. Get it for your community, then invite Emile to come talk to you! His goal is to take this conversation to all the corners of this country so we all can build a better future.

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz

Content/Trigger Warnings: drug use and dealing, murder, bodily injury from attack, attempted murder, injury from gunshot, prison, white supremacy, racism, explicit language

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website 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 Velasquez

Music Bed: Re-Entry

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)

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Driven by her sister's mysterious death, a woman's life transforms into a struggle for understanding and justice, as the truth remains elusive.

Today’s episode featured Jana Guyewski-Lautigar. If you’d like to reach out to Jana, please email her at jglautigar@gmail.com.

You can find Jana and her sister’s cause on social media:

Facebook, Tiktok, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram @JusticeforCrystalMcCroryJones. Jana’s Instagram @jana_marie_1989

Jana has written a book that is waiting to be published titled ""Justice Denied- A Sister's Fight for Justice- The True Story of Crystal McCrory Jones"".

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara Marinelli

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, suicide, homicide, guns, death by gun, violence, blood, death, cremation, mental illness, explicit language

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.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 Velasquez

Music Bed: Cylinder Four

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)

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A man’s elective amputation sets him free to be the adventurer he’s always wanted to be, but the trip of a lifetime to the Canadian Arctic profoundly tests the limits of his new body.

Today’s episode featured Stephen Evans. If you’d like to reach out to Stephen, you can email him at gotevans@gmail.com.

You can also find him on social media:

Instagram: @stephenandevans & @peglegstudio

Facebook: Stephen Evans

Find out more about what Stephen makes at www.peglegstudio.com.

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Forrest Chiras

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorce, bodily injury, amputation, elective amputation, chronic pain, descriptions of pain, extreme weather, hypothermia, suffering, explicit language

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Contacts for Forrest Chiras: On Instagram & Spotify @Stegoforrest

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"" – Tipper

Music Bed: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez

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)

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.