Setting off to hike to the Lost Palms Oasis, hidden deep within the Joshua Tree National Park, 35-year-old Kiwi Claire Nelson couldn't wait to immerse herself in the Californian desert's otherworldly beauty. She had everything she needed for the four-hour hike, including plenty of water. She'd even left an extra bottle in the car for when she got back. But, in the blazing hot desert, she'd need every single drop... For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It was a steaming hot March afternoon in Weipa, a mining town on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia. At a safety course, 28-year-old mine worker Todd Bairstow couldn’t wait to knock off, treat himself to an ice-cold beer and go fishing. But, finishing up and trudging down to the creek with his little puppy running alongside him, they weren't completely alone. See, crocodiles lurked in the murky waters... *Thinking of you all, and hope you're staying safe and well in...

*Quick note: We're working from home due to Covid-19, so this podcast is coming to you from Beth's wardrobe. Enjoy, and we hope you're all staying safe and sound. Lots of love, the HIS team xxx Heaving his massive backpack on, 22-year-old Kiwi William Pike was itching to get up the mountain. He and his mate James Christie – who he’d met at uni while studying to be a primary school teacher – were about to conquer Mt Ruapehu, on New Zealand’s north island. It was James’ first taste of...

With the TV murmuring softly in the background, Desiree Page, 39, relaxed back into the reclining sofa, cuddling her 13-month-old son Cory. It was late at night, and her husband Gary, a long-haul charter bus driver, was away for work. Usually, Desiree would religiously lock every door and window before she went to bed. But, with her sleeping son in her arms, she dozed off. A sound sleeper, she didn’t hear a peep as a stranger stealthily broke into her home. Suddenly, someone was tugging on...

When Pepita Nicholls asked her husband of 18 years, Robert Ridgeway, for a divorce, he hatched a dark plan to get revenge. Now, there's been an update in Pepita's incredible story... Host: Beth Young/Interview: Riah Matthews/Producer: Denis Duggan *Police interview published with permission from Queensland Police. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It was a sunny, crisp winter’s day in Interlaken, Switzerland, and Florida couple Chris and Gail Gursky, married for 26 years and parents to a grown-up son, had the perfect plan to get their hearts pumping – hang-gliding over the gorgeous terrain. They loved zip-lining. Now, it was time to up the ante. And they were keen to get started – it was their first day on holidays. The instructor strapped Chris in, then they ran off the edge of the cliff together. But as soon as Chris' feet left the...

A devoted single mum-of-three, Simone O’Brien, then 37, was looking for love. She’d been divorced amicably from her ex, the kids’ dad Trevor, for more than four years. But, working two jobs to make ends meet, and ferrying her kids between school, basketball and playdates didn’t leave much time for romance. So, she decided to try online dating. Meeting a successful 42-year-old real estate agent named Glenn Cable, they hit it off and went out on a date. Their relationship quickly grew. A...

Knocking off after a hard day of work as a labourer, 32-year-old Joe Green, from Indiana, in the United States, was looking forward to an icy cold beer.   Meeting his mum and brother for dinner and drinks, he planned to head home around 10pm. Instead, he dropped off at another bar and kept drinking. One led to another, and by 2am Joe had lost track of how much alcohol he’d consumed.   Recklessly deciding to drive home, he fell asleep behind the wheel. Waking up in hospital a fortnight later,...

Season 4 of How I Survived is back on the 25th of February. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

You're listening to the Best Of series of How I Survived...We'll be back soon with season 4. When Leisa Bennett couldn't be there for her three-year-old granddaughter Aurora, Max the dog stepped in.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Your listening to the Best Of series of How I Survived...We'll be back soon with season 4. Victorian grandpa Bill Singleton, 70, was working in the bush when horror struck. He'd accidentally sliced his face while cutting wood. He joins Beth to share his story... For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Your listening to the Best Of series of How I Survived...We'll be back soon with season 4. Victorian neurosurgeon Dr Michael Wong was stabbed at the hospital where he worked 14 times by a former patient, Kareem Al-Salami. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

At the age of 21, Tiffany Johnson was having the time of her life. Travelling Europe on a Contiki tour, she was waking up in a new place almost every day and making incredible friends along the way. It was July 1999 and her tour had stopped in the beautiful tourist town of Interlaken in Switzerland. Surrounded by the Alps, Interlaken was a world away from the family farm in Australia where Tiffany had grown up. To experience the mountains as closely as she could, Tiffany decided to take part...

Growing up, Angelo Gargasoulas knew his brother James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas was strange. They had a difficult relationship and Jimmy could be unpredictable and violent, but Angelo never thought he'd hurt him. Then, one night, Jimmy not only attacked Angelo to within an inch of his life but he also went on to carry out one of Australia's worst attacks, known as the Bourke Street Massacre. Angelo shares his terrifying story. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It was Mother’s Day - and at Susan O’Brien’s home in Wellington, New Zealand, it was hectic. Instead of waking up to breakfast in bed, she was getting ready to compete in a 20-kilometre fun run at the Remutaka Forest Park. Her husband, Daniel, and their two kids, Meisha, nine months, and Jayden, two were coming to cheer her on. It was a mad rush to get out of the house – Jayden needed his breakfast, Meisha was still breastfeeding and in a last-minute dash, Daniel searched the house high and...

Friends, we have a new podcast that you might love. It's called Investigates and if you love mystery shows, you will love this. Investigates lifts the veil on some of the world’s most horrific crimes and baffling mysteries. From Australia’s most haunted house to the 37-year-old missing person’s case that started a national movement, it's the new podcast that explores some of the most fascinating stories the world has ever seen.  You can subscribe by searching for Investigates in your...

Each stroke of 27-year-old safari guide Paul Templer’s paddle took his canoe closer to the stunning mist-shrouded Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Along with two local guides, Ben and Evans, and a safety kayaker, Mac, they were paddling six clients – a German couple, Joe and Gundy, and four Air France crew - down the Zambezi River into the sunset with a tray of snacks and an eskie full of drinks. The Zambezi River teemed with wildlife, and a hippo – a fully-grown territorial male bull - was...

Training for her first marathon 38-year-old Kelly Herron, would often find herself pounding the pavement after work. She lived in the Pacific Northwest in the US, which often meant that Kelly would be running in the dark, by herself. Sometimes she’d feel a flicker of fear.  So when Kelly’s work offered a free self-defence class for all employees on Valentine’s Day 2017, she jumped at the chance. Peppering the instructor with questions, Kelly asked, as a runner, what she should do if she...

With his young son in his arms, Maike faced a fight for their lives. Interviewed and hosted by Beth Young/sound design by Denis Duggan. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Andrew and Kathy McLaren were at the mall when a terror attack unfolded. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Allena Hansen was working on her property with her faithful dogs when disaster struck. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

A freak wind ripped off 12-year-old Harriet Davis' hand.

Neurosurgeon Dr Michael Wong was stabbed 14 times at work, but he lived to tell the tale.

When Pepita Nicholls asked her husband of 18 years, Robert Ridgeway, for a divorce, he hatched a dark plan to get revenge.