9 episodes
Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera Wondery
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- Society & Culture
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4.2 • 992 Ratings
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It was supposed to be a reality show with a twist. In a sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, six hot guys compete for a cash prize and for the love of the beautiful and mysterious Miriam. It’s meant to be her big break: the moment she becomes the superstar she was born to be. But this is the era of “cruel reality TV” and the show producers have a different goal: they want to surprise the men with the fact that Miriam is trans. A new six-episode investigative series from Wondery, the makers of The Shrink Next Door and The Apology Line, and from Novel, HARSH REALITY is the story about love, lies, reality TV and a woman before her time: Miriam Rivera. Written by Agnes Borinsky and hosted by Trace Lysette.
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What to Listen to Next: Life is Short
Is it just me or is time flying by? How do we make the most out of our short time here on Earth? That’s what we’re here to find out. I’m Justin Long and I’ve been an actor for most of my life, so I’m used to getting inside the heads of the characters I play. But now that I’m getting older (I’m 43 now, yikes), I want to peek inside the heads of real people to learn how they find meaning in life. I’m also very curious what their favorite snack food is, and what emoji they use most often — ya know, the REALLY important stuff. Every episode I’ll get personal with all kinds of people, from actors to musicians to deep thinkers who fascinate me. My brother Christian is on hand each episode to keep me honest, and occasionally remind me about some of the embarrassing things I’ve done over the years. Join us, or if you have more important things to do, that’s okay too — life is short!
Listen to Life is Short: wondery.fm/HR_LIS
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Behind the Lens
Executive Producer Morgan M. Page speaks with Miriam’s former bandmate Nomi Ruiz about her time as a Speed Angel, her relationship with the reality star, and the current media landscape surrounding trans people and trans femininity. Morgan also speaks with Shon Faye, author of The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice, and Producer Eleanor Biggs speaks with Andy Dehnart about the strange and sometimes dangerous world of reality TV.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
Simplisafe- Harsh Reality listeners get 40% off your new home security system by visiting simplisafe.com/harshreality
Talkspace- Match with a licensed therapist at talkspace.com, and get $100 off your first month with promo code HARSHREALITY
Modern Fertility- Get $20 off your fertility test when you go to ModernFertility.com/harshreality
Hunt a Killer- Get $10 off when you go to huntakiller.com/harshreality and use code HARSHREALITY
DoorDash- Harsh Reality listeners get 25% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code REALITY
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Speed Angel
Everyone receives some shocking news. As they pick up the pieces they are left to figure out what it all means.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
Simplisafe- Harsh Reality listeners get 40% off your new home security system by visiting simplisafe.com/harshreality
Talkspace- Match with a licensed therapist at talkspace.com, and get $100 off your first month with promo code HARSHREALITY
Modern Fertility- Get $20 off your fertility test when you go to ModernFertility.com/harshreality
Hunt a Killer- Get $10 off when you go to huntakiller.com/harshreality and use code HARSHREALITY
DoorDash- Harsh Reality listeners get 25% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code REALITY
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Scene of a Crime?
Miriam has disappeared, the producers are in hiding and the contestants are out for revenge. Will the show ever see the light of day?
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives.
Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
Archive provided by BBC Motion Gallery via Getty Images and ITV Archive.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
Simplisafe- Harsh Reality listeners get 40% off your new home security system by visiting simplisafe.com/harshreality
Talkspace- Match with a licensed therapist at talkspace.com, and get $100 off your first month with promo code HARSHREALITY
Modern Fertility- Get $20 off your fertility test when you go to ModernFertility.com/harshreality
Hunt a Killer- Get $10 off when you go to huntakiller.com/harshreality and use code HARSHREALITY
DoorDash- Harsh Reality listeners get 25% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code REALITY
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Sh*t Show
Miriam and the contestants film their final scene. She picks her man. It’s time for her big reveal.
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
Simplisafe- Harsh Reality listeners get 40% off your new home security system by visiting simplisafe.com/harshreality
Talkspace- Match with a licensed therapist at talkspace.com, and get $100 off your first month with promo code HARSHREALITY
Modern Fertility- Get $20 off your fertility test when you go to ModernFertility.com/harshreality
Hunt a Killer- Get $10 off when you go to huntakiller.com/harshreality and use code HARSHREALITY
DoorDash- Harsh Reality listeners get 25% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code REALITY
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Champagne, Canapés and Clubbing
With 24 hours until the finale a psychiatrist is rushed to the villa. What he sees disturbs him, but is it too late to change course?
For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.
Support us by supporting our sponsors!
Simplisafe- Harsh Reality listeners get 40% off your new home security system by visiting simplisafe.com/harshreality
Talkspace- Match with a licensed therapist at talkspace.com, and get $100 off your first month with promo code HARSHREALITY
Modern Fertility- Get $20 off your fertility test when you go to ModernFertility.com/harshreality
Hunt a Killer- Get $10 off when you go to huntakiller.com/harshreality and use code HARSHREALITY
DoorDash- Harsh Reality listeners get 25% off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code REALITY
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Customer Reviews
Very interesting
I had no idea about this story! So heartbreaking! It definitely made it more interesting hearing it from someone who knew Miriam and is trans as well. My only complaint is that some parts were a little slow.
Heartbreaking
While I really enjoyed this podcast I feel heartbroken that Miriam ending up being the butt of the joke on the reality show. No one deserves to be treated like that.
Such an important story
Thank you for sharing this tragic story about your friend. Very well done..