In this episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen dive into the gripping tale of Robert Schock, a 39-year-old drifter who vanished during a day run in the North Cascades with his dog. Schock defied the odds, surviving nearly a month in the wild with no shoes and minimal supplies before being miraculously found by trail crew members.

The episode explores the treacherous terrain of the North Cascades, known for its high disappearance rates, and examines the psychological and physical toll survival takes in such hostile environments. Other chilling stories of lost hikers, like Rachel Lakoduck and Samantha Sayers, are also discussed, highlighting the unforgiving and unpredictable nature of the wilderness. The hosts emphasize the vital importance of preparation, proper equipment, and awareness for anyone venturing into remote areas.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:23 The Story of Robert Schock
01:11 Miraculous Rescue and Survival
02:24 The Treacherous Terrain of the North Cascades
03:13 The Dangerous Beauty of the North Cascades
05:40 Robert Schock’s Fateful Journey
08:17 Lost and Battling for Survival
14:00 The Search and Final Moments
18:40 A Mother's Reflection
18:52 The Trail Crew’s Heroic Effort
19:32 Survival Strategies and Key Lessons
20:29 Rescue and Recovery
22:50 Robert’s Future and Reflections
24:03 The Dark Reality of Wilderness Disappearances
27:33 The Case of Rachel Lackaduck
30:52 The Search for Samantha Sayers
35:14 Key Lessons from the Wilderness
36:11 Essential Survival Gear and Preparation
38:37 Closing and Listener Engagement

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Cascades_National_Park

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/missing-persons-by-state#google_vignette

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2024/sep/19/a-month-lost-in-the-north-cascades-without-food-or-shelter-hiker-details-improbable-rescue/

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/chilliwack-river

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/02/deadliest-national-park-would-you-believe-north-cascades-national-park

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/how-the-body-of-missing-hiker-rachel-lakoduk-was-found-in-the-north-cascades-almost-two-years-after-she-disappeared/

https://nypost.com/2020/07/04/why-hundreds-of-people-vanish-into-the-american-wilderness/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/national-park-highest-death-rate-country-rcna68317

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In this weeks episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh unravel one of history’s most unusual disasters—the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. Sparked by listener Amy from Stockton Springs, Maine, this episode dives into the bizarre yet tragic tale also known as the Boston Molasses Disaster. When a massive steel storage tank collapsed, it sent a towering wave of molasses flooding through Boston’s North End, killing 21 people and injuring over 150.

Julie and Kaycee explore the factors that led to the disaster, the devastating aftermath, and the extraordinary personal survival stories that emerged. From firsthand accounts to the legal battles that followed, this episode highlights the lasting impact of the event and the crucial lessons on industrial safety and corporate accountability. Tune in as the hosts also share listener messages and encourage fans to continue suggesting stories that deserve a spotlight.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – Welcome and Host Introductions
• 00:20 – Listener Shout-out and Story Setup
• 00:58 – Unfolding the Great Molasses Flood of 1919
• 02:43 – The Infamous Molasses Tank: A Disaster Waiting to Happen
• 06:39 – The Moment of Collapse: A Molasses Tsunami
• 10:02 – Chaos in the Aftermath: Eyewitness Accounts
• 12:22 – A Wave of Destruction: The Molasses’ Initial Impact
• 12:47 – Survivor Spotlight: Martin Cloherty’s Narrow Escape
• 14:35 – Survivor Spotlight: Frank P. Smith’s Quick Thinking
• 16:51 – Survivor Spotlight: Anthony Distasio’s Harrowing Experience
• 17:47 – The Herculean Cleanup Effort
• 19:58 – Legal Ramifications and the Fight for Accountability
• 24:12 – Remembering the Great Molasses Flood: Its Legacy
• 24:50 – Final Thoughts and Call to Action for Listeners

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In this gripping episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen sit down with Shane Burke, who recounts his terrifying encounter with a grizzly bear in the Tetons. Shane, an avid nature enthusiast and photographer, describes how his search for a great gray owl turned into a life-threatening ordeal. Despite the adrenaline and chaos, Shane's survival was a result of quick thinking, bear spray, and the support of his EMT-trained wife, Chloe. Shane's story is not just about the attack but also about overcoming immense personal challenges and finding solace in photography. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of preparedness in the wild.
00:00 Introduction to True Survival Stories
00:43 Meet Shane Burke: A Life of Resilience
01:54 Shane's Love for the Outdoors
02:27 The Honeymoon Adventure
03:24 The Day of the Bear Attack
05:59 The Grizzly Bear Encounter
08:55 Surviving the Attack
16:25 The Rescue Operation
22:57 Moment of Relief and Rescue
23:23 Concerns and First Aid
25:21 Evacuation and Hospitalization
27:17 Bear Spray Aftermath
29:36 Reflections and Recovery
30:58 Lessons and Advocacy
42:28 Conclusion and Gratitude

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In this gripping episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the harrowing and heroic tale of United Flight 232. On July 19, 1989, Captain Al Haynes and his crew confronted a nightmarish scenario at 37,000 feet, grappling with a catastrophic engine failure that rendered them powerless over the aircraft's vital hydraulic systems, leaving the pilots with complete loss of control of the aircraft. Join us as we uncover the courageous decisions and collaborative efforts that transformed what seemed inevitable disaster into one of aviation's most astounding feats of survival. Explore the immediate, life-saving rescue operations that rescued 185 out of 296 passengers, and discover the enduring impact this incident had on aviation safety standards.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:19 Setting the Scene: United Flight 232

01:27 Debunking Airplane Safety Myths

05:30 Captain Al Haynes: The Man Behind the Miracle

07:40 The Fateful Flight: Catastrophe at 37,000 Feet

09:34 The Emergency Landing: A Fight for Survival

14:56 Aftermath and Legacy of United Flight 232

19:22 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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In this episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen recount the harrowing experiences of photographers Robert Landsburg and Reid Blackburn during the catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18th, 1980. They explore the immense power of the volcano and its impact on both human lives and the natural landscape. The episode also highlights David Crockett’s incredible survival story, emphasizing quick thinking and resilience amidst chaos. With heartfelt shoutouts and fascinating insights, this episode is a gripping exploration of nature's fury and human courage.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:38 Special Shoutout to Teva
01:24 Recap of Mount St. Helens Eruption
04:15 Impact on Wildlife
05:00 Photographers at Mount St. Helens
05:38 Robert Landsberg's Final Moments
13:57 Reed Blackburn's Story
17:21 David Crockett's Survival
18:17 David Crockett's Intuition
18:36 The Morning of the Eruption
20:49 David's Harrowing Escape
22:04 Reflections on Intuition
24:56 The Eruption's Aftermath
30:14 A Miraculous Rescue
33:46 Lessons from Survival
36:37 Podcast Outro and Next Episode Teaser

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Further reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reid_Blackburn

https://thatoregonlife.com/2022/05/mt-st-helens-eruption-images/

https://allthatsinteresting.com/robert-landsburg

In this episode of the Crux True Survival podcast, host Kaycee McIntosh and co-host Julie Henningsen recount the harrowing events of the Mount St. Helens eruption. They share vivid survivor stories, including Venus Dergan, Ronald Reitan's narrow escape, and explore the geological forces that led to the catastrophic 1980 event. The episode delves into the science behind the eruption, the warning signs observed by volcanologists, and the legacy of the event that claimed 57 lives, including that of USGS volcanologist David Johnston.
00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Podcast
00:18 Mount St. Helens Eruption: A Personal Connection
01:33 Survivors' Harrowing Experiences
01:59 Memories and Impact of the Eruption
07:42 Scientific Insights and Volcanic Activity
15:35 The Growing Danger and Public Response
19:44 Mount St. Helens: The Unseen Danger
20:27 The Terrifying Escape
21:06 A Nightmare Come True
23:06 The Aftermath and Rescue
28:40 Understanding Volcanoes
30:56 The Eruption's Impact
34:13 Remembering the Victims
37:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2017/10/survivors-of-the-mount-st-helens-eruption-tell-their-story

https://www.columbian.com/news/2005/may/15/survivors-story-taste-death/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toutle,_Washington

https://www.census.gov/history/www/homepage_archive/2020/may_2020.html#:~:text=When%20Mount%20St.%20Helens%20erupted%20on%20May%2018%2C,1980%2C%20the%20county%20was%20home%20to%207%2C919%20people.

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh delve into the remarkable WWII-era survival story of 8-year-old Ray Downs and his family. On May 19, 1942, aboard the merchant ship Heredia, the Downs family’s voyage from South America to New Orleans takes a devastating turn when their ship is struck by torpedoes from a German U-boat. The episode recounts young Ray’s vivid memories of the terrifying moments following the attack, the incredible ordeal the family faced floating for 18 hours at sea, and the miraculous series of events leading to the rescue and reunion of the entire family. By the end of their harrowing tale, listeners will be amazed by the resilience and ingenuity displayed by Ray and his family in the face of overwhelming odds.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:15 Setting the Scene: World War II Era

00:55 The Downs Family Background

01:53 Voyage on the Heredia

04:30 The Night of the Attack

09:10 Chaos and Survival

14:11 Adrift in the Open Ocean

14:47 A Father's Ingenious Distraction

16:55 A Miraculous Rescue

18:56 Reunion Against All Odds

23:20 Life After the Ordeal

26:38 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement

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https://www.amazon.com/So-Close-Home-American-Survival/dp/1681774321

In this episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the incredible survival story of Pablo Valencia, a prospector who endured eight days in the treacherous Sonoran Desert with minimal water. The narrative delves into the perilous journey along the 100-mile stretch of El Camino del Diablo, Pablo’s battle against dehydration and extreme heat, his desperate survival measures, and the eventual rescue that saved him. The episode also explores the physiological impacts of heat exhaustion and dehydration, drawing parallels to other survival stories and highlighting the critical importance of hydration.

00:00 Introduction and Host Greetings

00:18 Setting the Scene: Montana's Heatwave

00:27 Introducing the Sonoran Desert Survival Story

01:01 Historical Context: El Camino del Diablo

02:17 The Journey Begins: Pablo Valencia's Expedition

05:26 The Separation and Initial Struggles

08:30 Desperation and Survival Tactics

16:25 Understanding Dehydration and Heat Challenges

25:10 Understanding Basal Metabolic Rate and Heat Production

25:22 The Ideal Temperature for Human Comfort

26:25 Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

27:32 Pablo's Desperate Measures for Survival

30:19 The Final Struggle and Near-Death Experience

33:04 Rescue and Recovery

40:10 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned

41:03 Stay Hydrated and Support the Podcast

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