This Is Actually Happening

400: What if you suspected your father was the infamous Tylenol Murderer?

A man grows up in a home defined by violence, secrecy, and fear, and decades later a deathbed confession confirms his belief that his father was responsible for the Chicago Tylenol murders, forcing him to reckon with a lifetime shaped by trauma and silence.   Today’s episode featured Joseph Cibelli. Joe is a former salon entrepreneur turned author, legal scholar, and forensic psychologist. He wrote The Tylenol Murders: A Father’s Confession to His Son, which investigates the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders.  If you’d like to contact Joe, you can email him at jcibelli71@gmail.com [jcibelli71@gmail.com]. Joe is on Facebook @JosephCibelli and on Instagram @jcibelli71  You can visit Joe’s website at josephcibelli.com [http://josephcibelli.com].  Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock   Content/Trigger Warnings: child abuse, domestic violence, psychological and physical abuse, sexual abuse, child endangerment, murder, poisoning, death, terminal illness, and threats of violence, explicit language   Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group   Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com [http://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/]   Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com [http://www.andrdewwaits.com] Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com [http://jasonblalock.com]   Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening [https://www.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 [http://audible.com].  Read more about Whit’s insights into each episode on Beyond The Story Substack: whitmissildine.substack.com [http://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 [https://www.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 [http://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com]   Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez Music Bed: Music To Air (MTA) - Houses   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 [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

399: What if a hormonal disorder rewrote your identity?

After decades of stability, a woman’s experience of menopause brings back a lifetime of buried symptoms and reveals an unexpected truth about her identity, forcing her to reexamine everything she thought she knew about herself.   Today’s storyteller wishes to remain Anonymous. If you’d like to reach out to her, you can email her at SunflowerSpark44@gmail.com [SunflowerSpark44@gmail.com].    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Ellen (Elly) Westberg   Content/Trigger Warnings: Suicidal ideation, mental illness, child abuse (mentioned), sexual abuse (mentioned), medical trauma, emotional distress, divorce, death of a loved one, explicit language   Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group   Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com [http://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/]   Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com [http://www.andrdewwaits.com]   Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening [https://www.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 [http://audible.com].  Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop [https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop] to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.  Read more about Whit’s insights into each episode on Beyond The Story Substack: whitmissildine.substack.com [http://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.    Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com [http://www.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 [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

398: What if you witnessed the best and the worst of humanity?

After years working as a humanitarian aid worker in war zones and disaster areas around the world, a man is forced to confront the psychological toll of witnessing a broken world he could never fix.     Today’s episode featured Gray Doyle.  If you’d like to email Gray, you can reach him at graydoyle@meetmeinzanzibar.com [graydoyle@meetmeinzanzibar.com].  You can purchase Gray’s book on his website, https://meetmeinzanzibar.com/ [https://meetmeinzanzibar.com/].    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock   Content/Trigger Warnings: War and armed conflict, Genocide, Mass casualties, Sexual violence / rape, Child soldiers, Violence against children, Severe physical injury and medical trauma, Death and dying, Bombings and explosions, Kidnapping and torture, Humanitarian disaster / extreme suffering, PTSD and psychological trauma, Emotional distress and rage, explicit language   Social Media: Instagram: @actuallyhappening Twitter/X: @TIAHPodcast Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group   Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com [http://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/] To subscribe, find Beyond the Story on Substack by going to whitmissildine.substack.com [http://whitmissildine.substack.com].   Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com [http://www.andrdewwaits.com] Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com [http://jasonblalock.com]   Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening [https://www.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 [http://audible.com].  Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop [https://www.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 [http://www.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 [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

397: What if you survived a terrorist attack in Paris?

After surviving the 2015 ISIS terrorist attacks at a Paris café, a woman begins the painful work of confronting buried childhood trauma and reclaiming a life she had never fully allowed herself to live.   Today’s episode featured Mandy Palmucci. You can email Mandy at mandypalmucci@gmail.com.  Mandy is on Instagram @palmuccim   Mandy is currently working on a book about her experience.    Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits   Content/Trigger Warnings: Childhood sexual abuse, Terrorism / mass shooting, Graphic violence and death, Severe injury, Survivor’s guilt, PTSD / trauma responses, Self-hatred and shame, Emotional abuse in childhood, 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.  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 [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

396: What if you were held captive by child soldiers?

When a family sailing journey ends in capture by child soldiers during Mozambique’s civil war, a man must protect his children while confronting the unsettling truth that his captors are both perpetrators of violence and children shaped by it.   Today’s episode featured Dave Muller. Dave has written about his experiences in a book entitled, “Not Child’s Play”, available where books are sold or at https://notchildsplay.co.uk/  You can email Dave at dave.muller@notchildsplay.co.za  Dave is on Instagram @davenotchildsplay, on Facebook @Dave Muller and on YouTube @DaveMuller-NotChildsPlay In the 1960s and 1970s, both South Africa and Mozambique were part of the larger decolonization of Africa, with South Africa gaining full independence from Britain in 1961 and Mozambique gaining independence from Portugal in 1975. However, in the decolonization process, both were thrown into proxy battles, between old structures clinging to power and the larger global cold war between communist and capitalist superpowers. South Africa, even after independence, was still ruled by a white minority government, under the National Party. The National Party was populated mostly by the white ethnic group known as Afrikaners who spoke a language called Afrikaans. The National Party instituted apartheid, a brutally oppressive system of institutionalized racial segregation and white supremacy enforced in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s. South Africa shares a northeastern border with Mozambique. When Mozambique gained independence in 1975, they were ruled by the Communist party known as FRELIMO. FRELIMO became a major force opposing apartheid in neighboring South Africa. The South African apartheid government, in response to FRELIMO’s opposition, actively destabilized Mozambique from the inside by propping up a rebel group known as RENAMO. This led to a violent 15-year civil war in Mozambique, between the ruling, communist-backed FRELIMO party and the South African-backed RENAMO rebel group.  In the first part of today's episode, you'll hear our storyteller speak about growing up in South Africa during apartheid as a white man, but he was not an Afrikaner, and grew up in a family that was opposed to apartheid. The second part of the story takes place in Mozambique, where he and his family are held by the RENAMO rebel group and caught in the chaos and fighting between FRELIMO and RENAMO, the two warring factions in the civil war there.  Of course there is much more to say about all of this, and Dave will speak to some of these issues as he experienced them. I encourage you all to read more about the brutal and complex history of decolonization and apartheid in Africa.  And one final note, you’ll hear Dave talking about “Arwen” several times. In case it isn’t clear right away, he is referring to his boat that he built.   Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz   Content/Trigger Warnings: War and armed conflict, Child soldiers, Kidnapping / hostage situation, Graphic violence, Murder (including stabbing / bayoneting), Violence against the elderly, Exposure to blood, Threats of execution, Weapons (guns, rockets, mortar fire), Terrorism / militant groups, Civil war, Psychological trauma, PTSD, Panic attacks / emotional breakdown, Spiritual distress, Political violence, Forced recruitment of children, Coercion and intimidation, 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 Website for Aviva Lipkowitz: avivalipkowitz.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.  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 [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].