How I Survived

That's Life!

4.8 (799)
Documentary
Updated Biweekly

Amazing, first-hand survival stories from people who have faced the unimaginable and escaped with their lives.

5d ago

Alexa Leary Was Told She’d Die - Now She’s a Gold Medallist

She was told she wouldn’t survive. Years later, she’s a Paralympic gold medallist. This is the extraordinary story of Alexa Leary. A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-gonna-want-to-hear-this/id1849312864 From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. Paralympic gold medallist Alexa Leary joins us for one of the most raw and powerful conversations we’ve ever had. At just 19, Alexa was involved in a catastrophic cycling accident that left her with a severe traumatic brain injury. Doctors told her family she wouldn’t survive. She lost her memory, had to relearn how to walk and talk, and now describes herself as living a “second life.”In this episode, Alexa opens up about the reality of brain injury - the emotional highs and lows, the loss of friendships, the struggle to regulate her behaviour, and the daily challenges most people never see.She shares what it felt like to be told she might die, what recovery really looked like behind hospital doors, and how she went from ICU to standing on the Paralympic podium.We also talk about her new book Sink or Swim, why she’s chosen to tell her story so honestly, and the message she wants every woman to hear.This is a story about resilience, identity, and what it truly means to start again. In this episode, we cover: The accident Alexa can’t remember - and the moment everything changed Being told she wouldn’t survive What it’s really like living with a traumatic brain injury Losing friendships and rebuilding relationships Emotional regulation, anger and recovery From hospital bed to Paralympic gold Why she says she’s living a “second life” The truth behind her memoir Sink or Swim Learning to love and accept herself again Follow & Listen Don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 23

Danielle Bensky: I Was A Teenage Ballerina When I Met Jeffrey Epstein

At 17, Danielle Bensky was a ballerina in New York with dreams of making it in dance. She thought she had found a way to earn some extra money. Instead, she was drawn into Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network and spent years carrying the silence, trauma and shame that followed. Now, Danielle is telling her story: of grooming, manipulation, survival and what it took to finally reclaim her voice.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains themes of abuse, trauma and coercive control. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, call 000. For confidential 24/7 crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. Support is also available through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at beyondblue.org.au. A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-gonna-want-to-hear-this/id1849312864 From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. The episode: In this powerful and deeply personal episode of You’re Gonna Want To Hear This, marieclaire editor Georgie McCourt speaks with Danielle Bensky - a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’strafficking network - about grooming, silence, survival and the long road to reclaiming yourvoice. Before the headlines and court cases, Bensky was a 17-year-old ballerina in New York withdreams of a career in dance. In this conversation, she reflects on how the intense culture ofballet - with its pressure for perfection, body scrutiny and constant need for approval - createdvulnerabilities that Epstein later exploited. Bensky shares how she was first introduced to Epstein while searching for ways to earnmoney as a teenager, and how what began with conversation and flattery slowly becamemanipulation, coercion and abuse. She also speaks candidly about the moment her mother’sbrain tumour diagnosis deepened Epstein’s control over her life. But this episode is not only about what happened inside Epstein’s world. It’s also about whatcame after: the years of silence, the trauma and dissociation that followed, and the healingpower of creativity, community and finally speaking the truth. Today, Bensky is an advocate for survivors and accountability. In this moving conversation,she explains why telling the story matters - not only for justice, but for the countlesssurvivors who still feel too ashamed or frightened to speak. Her message is simple but powerful: you are not alone. In this episode we discuss: Danielle Bensky’s life as a teenage ballerina in New York How grooming and manipulation often begin with trust and promises The culture of vulnerability within the dance world The moment Epstein used her mother’s illness as leverage Why so many people around Epstein remained silent Trauma, dissociation and the long path to healing How art and movement helped Bensky reconnect with her body The power of survivor communities Why speaking out can help break cycles of shame and silence A note to listeners:This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse, trafficking and trauma. Listener discretionis advised. Resources:If this conversation raises difficult feelings for you, support is available. 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 Lifeline - 13 11 14 Follow Danielle Bensky on Instagram here @dbinthesky See more: Jeffrey Epstein Survivors Margot Robbie Things Changing In Hollywood 👀Watch and listen to the full episode of You’re Gonna Want To Hear This here and wherever you get your podcasts. Visit Marie Claire for style and substance See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 16

Robbed Of Her Childhood: Bek Condello On Escaping A Cult

What if leaving your faith meant losing everyone you'd ever loved? CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains themes of childhood abuse, physical punishment, sexual trauma and coercive control. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, call 000. For confidential 24/7 crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. Support is also available through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at beyondblue.org.au. A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. What if leaving your faith meant losing everyone you'd ever loved? This week on You're Gonna Want To Hear This, Marie Claire Australia Editor Georgie McCourt speaks with author Bek Condello about her extraordinary journey out of one of Australia's most controlling Pentecostal churches. Raised inside the Geelong Revival Centre, Bek grew up believing the outside world was dangerous. Every aspect of life, from education and friendships to marriage and work was dictated by church leaders. Curiosity was discouraged, obedience was demanded, and fear shaped almost every decision. In this deeply personal conversation, Bek reflects on the childhood she now recognises as abusive, the lasting impact of religious trauma and the heartbreaking reality that leaving meant losing her family, community and identity. She also opens up about purity culture, consent, body shame, marrying to escape one form of control only to enter another, and the years it took to trust herself and build a life on her own terms. Today, Bek has transformed unimaginable loss into purpose. As the state of Victoria investigates high-control religious groups, she explains why sharing her story has become about much more than personal healing... it's about helping others recognise coercion, reclaim their autonomy and know they're not alone. This episode covers: Growing up inside the Geelong Revival Centre How high-control religions shape identity Religious trauma and childhood abuse The psychological impact of fear-based faith Purity culture, consent and bodily autonomy Escaping a controlling church Rebuilding life after leaving a cult Learning to trust yourself again Why leaving is a process, not a single moment Bek's advocacy for survivors of coercive religious groups Can You Handle a Girl Like Me? by Bek Condello is available from mid-July. Stay up to date with Marie Claire Australia on Instagram 🎧 Listen to You're Gonna Want to Hear This and follow us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 👀 Watch and subscribe to You're Gonna Want to Hear This on YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips. Credits: Host Georgie McCourt Edited by Leah Porges Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain With thanks to our amazing team at Marie Claire Learn More: You're Gonna Want to Hear This is a production of Marie Claire and Are Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 9

Stephanie Browitt: “I Survived the Volcano. Half My Family Didn’t.”

Could you survive a volcanic eruption? It's a question Stephanie Browitt never thought she'd have to answer. And yet in 2019, a volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s White Island changed Stephanie's life forever. At just 23, she suffered burns to 70 per cent of her body and lost her younger sister, Krystal, and her father, Paul, in the tragedy. Seven years later, she's written a book about it. Out Of The Ashes has just been published, co-written with her mother Marie. A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. In this episode of marie claire's podcast You’re Gonna Want To Hear This, Stephanie shares, in extraordinary detail, what it felt like to be caught in the eruption - the moment she heard the bang, the fight to stay conscious, and the thought that kept her alive - getting back to her mum.What you'll hear is a deeply moving conversation about survival, grief, and recovery. Stephanie speaks openly about the physical and emotional toll of her injuries, the long road back, and the moment she had to relearn how to see love again. Today, she is an advocate for body positivity and resilience, using her story to challenge perceptions of beauty, strength, and what it means to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. This episode is confronting, powerful, and ultimately, a story about love.In this episode, we discuss: The moment the White Island volcano erupted The fight to stay conscious and survive The loss of Stephanie’s father and sister The role of her mother in her survival and recovery The realities of burn recovery and rehabilitation Body image, identity, and learning to live with scars Grief, resilience, and rebuilding a life Listen now wherever you get your podcasts Follow You’re Gonna Want To Hear This for new episodes every week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 2

The Day I Learned My Stepdad Was A Child Killer - Sherele Moody

What does it mean to put a name and a story to every woman and child lost to violence? For more than a decade, journalist and activist Sherele Moody has been documenting the lives behind the statistics, creating a record of Australia’s femicides through Australian Femicide Watch and the Red Heart Movement. But this isn’t just advocacy for Sherele, it’s very personal. A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. This week on You're Gonna Want To Hear This, Marie Claire Australia Editor Georgie McCourt is joined by Sherele Moody to share the story that changed her life - the moment she discovered her stepfather was responsible for the murder of two young girls. A revelation that would go on to shape her life’s work. From a childhood marked by abuse and instability, to building one of the most significant databases of violence against women in Australia, Sherele speaks with unflinching honesty about trauma, survival, and the cost of speaking out. She also unpacks the systemic failures that continue to put women at risk - and why the question isn’t why women stay, but why it remains so difficult to leave. This episode covers: The personal story behind Sherele’s activism The reality of femicide in Australia - and what the numbers miss Why domestic violence systems are failing women The emotional toll of documenting over 3,000 deaths How community, connection and action can drive change If this conversation raises issues for you, support is available. In Australia, contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (13 11 14). To find out more about Sherele's work, go to australianfemicidewatch.org 🎧 Listen now to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This 🎧 👀 Watch You’re Gonna Want to Hear This on YouTube 📺 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 26

Jess Denham: The Story She Was Never Allowed To Tell

What if the person who was meant to protect you was the one you needed protection from? This is a story of survival, resilience and reclaiming your voice after years of being silenced. Jess also speaks publicly for the first time about living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), sharing what it's really like to live with a condition that is so often misunderstood. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains themes of childhood abuse and coercive control. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, call 000. For confidential 24/7 crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. Support is also available through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at beyondblue.org.au. A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. This week on You're Gonna Want To Hear This, Marie Claire Australia Editor Georgie McCourt speaks with world champion runner Jess Denham, who is telling her story publicly after years of being unable to do so. Raised in isolation and controlled by her parents, Jess appeared to be a sporting prodigy. But behind closed doors, she was enduring unimaginable abuse. Today, both of her parents are in prison for those crimes. In this deeply personal conversation, Jess also shares why she's fighting for stronger protections for survivors and helping change the way Australia responds to sexual violence. This episode covers: Growing up as a homeschooled child prodigy under total parental control Living a hidden double life as a champion runner while surviving abuse Isolation as a tool of abuse and why escape felt impossible Finding the courage to report abuse to police Living with dissociative identity disorder (DID) and dismantling the stigma around it How trauma shapes the brain and body in survival mode Rebuilding trust, identity and community after a lifetime of betrayal Healing through art and creative expression The fight against victim-blaming and sensationalized media reporting Advocating for stronger protection of survivors' counseling records A message of hope for survivors: "you're not your worst chapter" Stay up to date with Marie Claire Australia on Instagram 🎧 Listen to You're Gonna Want to Hear This and follow us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 👀 Watch and subscribe to You're Gonna Want to Hear This on YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips. Credits: Host Georgie McCourt Edited by Helen Smith Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain With thanks to our amazing team at Marie Claire You're Gonna Want to Hear This is a production of Marie Claire and Are Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 19

Charlie Verco: He Paddled Towards The Shark To Save Her

When everyone else swam for shore, Charlie Verco paddled the other way: straight towards a great white shark. On a clear, busy Saturday morning at Coogee Beach in June 2026, the 25-year-old surf lifesaver and elite board paddler was training when a woman, Leah Stewart, was attacked just ahead of him. What he did next made headlines around the world. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains detailed descriptions of a shark attack and serious injury that some listeners may find distressing. A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. More on Charlie Verco's incredible story of courage: Charlie grew up a North Bondi nipper and is now one of the country’s best ocean paddlers, the youngest ever winner of the Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard World Championships. In this conversation he walks Marie Claire Editor Georgie McCourt through the rescue minute by minute: reading the shark’s behaviour, the moment Leah was dragged under, towing her to shore one-armed when she lost consciousness, and the lifeguards and paramedics whose training saved her life on the sand. It is a story about courage, but Charlie is uneasy with the word hero. He talks honestly about fear, adrenaline and imposter syndrome, how surf lifesaving and sport trained him to think under extreme stress, what a shark expert later told him, and why he is now urging two things: better shark safety on Australian beaches, and for people to donate blood. In this conversation, Charlie Verco joins Marie Claire Editor Georgie McCourt to talk about the Coogee Beach shark attack, what it takes to act in a crisis, fear of the ocean, surf life saving, and why blood donation saves lives. This episode covers: The Coogee Beach great white shark attack: what Charlie Verco saw on Saturday 13 June 2026 Why he paddled towards the shark instead of swimming to safety What it is like to come face to face with a great white shark How surf lifesaving training and Ironman racing prepared him to act under extreme stress Towing an unconscious woman to shore one-armed on a paddleboard What a shark expert later told him about great white behaviour The beach response: tourniquets, lifeguards and the teamwork that saved a life Managing fear, adrenaline and the shakes after a traumatic rescue Going back into the ocean: how Charlie feels about the water now Shark safety in Australia: drones, detection and what he thinks needs to change On being called a hero, and the imposter syndrome that comes with it Why he is urging Australians to donate blood, especially O negative If this conversation raises issues for you, support is available. In Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support. To support the cause Charlie raises in this episode, you can donate blood through Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (O negative is especially needed in emergencies). Donate blood (Australian Red Cross Lifeblood): https://www.lifeblood.com.au Support Leah Stewart (family GoFundMe): https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-leah-stewart-victim-of-shark-attack-in-coogee Follow Charlie Verco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/char1ieverco/ 🎧 Listen to You’re Gonna Want to Hear This and follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-gonna-want-to-hear-this/id1849312864 Listen and follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vsxq2nZIMJLnywOXfuxqZ 👀 Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marieclaireau Credits: Host: Marie Claire Editor Georgie McCourt Supervising Producer: Leah Porges Head of Vodcasting: Rachel Fountain Learn More: You’re Gonna Want to Hear This is a production of Marie Claire and Are Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trailer

BONUS: You’re Gonna Want To Hear This — Stories of Survival

A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners! We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening. If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this. And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning. Stay up to date with Marie Claire Australia on Instagram 🎧 Listen to You're Gonna Want to Hear This and follow us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 👀 Watch and subscribe to You're Gonna Want to Hear This on YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips. You're Gonna Want to Hear This is a production of Marie Claire and Are Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See All (44)

William Pike

Guest
Riah Matthews

Guest

4.8

out of 5

799 Ratings

SO GOOD

04/16/2025

Bibbitybopittyboo

I looooove the narrators voice and the sound quality of each story is really good! I enjoy the pacing of the stories as well I hope you guys make a new season soon!!
I like the stories

03/08/2025

alex loves annie lol

I like how the story is told by the person who went through it but the sound effects added are just a little to much for me & I wish the title didn’t spoil the stories so much
Great Show - Narrator Voice One Note

11/10/2024

JLeeC1300

This is a great show. If you’re reading this review, that probably means you should listen to the podcast. The narrator’s voice is okay except that it’s one note - it’s constantly tense and trying to get you to feel the intensity of every moment. But when a tense tone is over just driving in the car, it doesn’t seem all that intense and effective when someone has shattered their pelvis in the desert.
Come back!

02/27/2024

Jheath4

This is such a great show! It’s so well done, it makes me so sad that they stopped producing, please come back!