True stories of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary survival situations. Stranded in the desert. Lost in the jungle. Marooned in the mountains. Shipwrecked on the high seas. You'll hear from individuals who had everything against them. But even then, they refused to give in…
Hosted by John Hopkins. New episodes Thursdays. Get every episode a week early and ad-free with Noiser+. Click the banner at the top of the feed to get started or head to noiser.com/subscriptions.
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Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Accident on the Farm: Famous Overnight
On a frosty January morning in 1992, John Thompson - a high school student from North Dakota - gets up. It promises to be an ordinary day of chores on his family’s farm.
Oct 29 45 min
Hurricane at Sea: Out of the Depths…
A former special forces soldier embraces a nomadic existence, sailing the seas aboard his catamaran. But Micha Moeller’s plans for the future come crashing to a halt when
Oct 21 58 min
Tangled Parachute: Hurtling to Earth
Two skydivers sign up to perform a complex mid-air routine. But on their practice run, Craig Stapleton and his diving partner Katie are thrust into chaos when one small e
Oct 14 48 min
Blind and Alone on Top of the World
In 2011, mountaineer Brian Dickinson is attempting to scale his fourth major peak in just three years. It’s the turn of Mount Everest, as the navy veteran takes on the ta
Oct 7 56 min
Modern Viking Adventure: Fateful Voyage
In 2024, a small crew embark on a daring voyage across the North Sea aboard the Naddoddur - a replica Viking ship. Skipper Andy Fitze’s aim is to honour Viking culture, p
Sep 30 55 min
Snowmobile Survival: It’s a Trap…
Two brothers are pushed to the brink in the mountains of British Columbia. Chad and Brad MacDonald are enjoying a day of snowmobiling on the slopes near their hometown, k
Sep 23 53 min
Cruise Liner on Fire: Typhoon Incoming
At 48 years old, John Graham has already lived more lives than most.
Formerly of the US Foreign Service and State Department, he’s now
working as a lecturer aboard a cr
Sep 16 48 min
Nuclear Missile Malfunction: Into the Silo…
A young technician is called into action when the USA is threatened with nuclear disaster. In September 1980, Greg Devlin receives an emergency call from his commanding o
Sep 9 49 min
Introducing Jane Austen Stories: Emma
This is a preview of a brand-new audiobook from the Noiser Podcast Network. Join Dame Julie Andrews as she reads another beloved Austen classic, Emma, on the Jane Austen
Sep 6 46 min
Vineyard Misadventure: Long Crawl Out
In 2017, Noah Messenger is a teenager working in the lush and luxurious environs of the Maryhill Winery in Washington State. One late sunny afternoon, while happy guests
Sep 2 47 min
K2 Disaster: Alone in the Death Zone
Catastrophe unfolds on one of the deadliest mountains on Earth - the mighty K2. When a massive ice fall hits the peak and their ascent spirals into chaos, Wilco van Rooij
Aug 26 53 min
Stranded in the Outback: Stuck Fast in Mud
Brendan Cook, his partner Mel and two of their friends take a trip along the legendary Birdsville Track - one of Australia’s most notorious outback roads. But an unusual
Aug 19 46 min
Glissading Gone Wrong: Into the Abyss
On a remote mountain, the sun glints brilliantly off the snow. Two specks are visible on the slope - two men. One stationary, the other moving at speed. The second man is
Aug 12 52 min
Seven-Hour Swim: Real-Life Jaws
It’s August 1981. On a lazy Sunday, an impromptu sailboat trip around the coastal waters of Volusia County, Florida seems the perfect way to enjoy the sunshine. But then
Aug 5 48 min
Winter Storm: Two Friends in a Swirling Vortex
In 2008, James Osborne sets out on his first winter hike, guided by his friend and colleague, Fred. But a combination of bad luck and bad judgement means a simple day tri
Jul 29 50 min
Electrocuted in a Hot Air Balloon
A perfect spring morning in the English countryside becomes something else entirely. High above the patchwork quilt of green and golden-brown fields a balloon glides thro
Jul 22 44 min
Avalanche at the Mine: Buried Under a Machine
Les Morlang is a mechanic at a gold mine in the mountains of Colorado. In November 1985, he’s racing to complete some essential construction work before a blizzard rolls
Jul 15 49 min
Seaplane Crash: Flipped Upside Down
In May 2025, a hardworking Dutch couple book an extended holiday to Canada. Désirée and Marko Kruithof hope to reconnect and take some time to plan the next phase of thei
Jul 8 50 min
Apex Predator: Stalked by a Wild Beast
A young park ranger wakes up late, skips his chores, and heads out for an invigorating hike instead. It will prove a monumentally fateful decision. On the forested slopes
Jul 1 51 min
Walk in the Woods: Submerged in Icy Water
Winter 2011 in New Hampshire. David Dwyer is at home in his study when he notices that his wife Kelly hasn’t come back from her walk in the woods. Strapping on his snowsh
Jun 24 52 min
Chart trend
Position in the History chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#29#56JulAugSepOct
#11
all-time peak
667
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Real Survival Stories ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 29, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I love this podcast and I’m giving it 5 stars. The episode about the hang glider flying up into the stratosphere should win awards! The one about the whale saving the woman from a tiger shark was beautiful. The host’s voice is delightful and the writing is riveting. I do wish that there were a lot less mountain climbing episodes and a lot more animal encounter stories. The one about the disembodied snake head had me screaming! More sharks ! More reptiles! More big cats! More primates! I look forward to each new episode.
markroch · Oct 2026
I love that you allow people to share their whole story. It’s important how we heal just as much as how we survive. Everyone heals and finds peace through their trials in different ways and I love hearing it all!!
B.e.hopkins · Sep 2026
I have a long commute and listen to a ton of podcasts. This show has been my longest-running addiction. The honey voice of the narrator, the incredible pacing, the masterful effects and music—chef’s kiss.
FeeFiFoHum · Jul 2026
I never miss an episode, sometimes I listen to them twice over and I send them to people who I believe would find them inspirational. And the stories are wild and they keep you on the edge of your seat. As someone who enjoys being outdoors, I like to think that if I’m ever in a situation, my mind might pop back to the things others have done in this podcast to survive.
K!m!J · Jul 2026
Why have the stories gotten so religio lately? Every ep seems to wrap with someone preaching. Just stick to relaying what happened and the facts, edit out the rest. It's fine if these people are religious, but no one's listening to an outdoor survival podcast for that. Especially when it's as heavy handed as it has been lately -- it's every episode, as though there's an agenda here. I'll stop listening if this is what this podcast is becoming.
pnw24climber · Aug 2026
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Real Survival Stories, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
