Captain Brian Udell is an elite fighter pilot at the top of his game. But there are still some scenarios that defy all expectations. When his F15 suffers a major malfunction, Brian must hit eject… while travelling at supersonic speed. It’s never been done before - for very good reason. This routine mission is about to become an extraordinary scientific experiment... A Noiser production, written by Rowan Coleman. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join...

As a wildfire breaks out in Minnesota, a ranger crew is dispatched to clear the forest of members of the public. But unbeknownst to Todd Stefanic and his colleagues, this will rapidly become the largest and fastest-moving blaze in state history. Penned in on all sides, Todd must dodge the flames amidst the woodland’s waterways. But will these lakes and rivers provide a safe haven? Or condemn them to a watery grave? A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus...

A mother and daughter relax into ten days of luxury on a tropical island. But fate has other plans. A day trip gone wrong leaves Michelle Hamilton alone in a small canoe, drifting out to sea. Over three terrifying days she’ll come face to face with punishing weather and apex predators. And her own beliefs will be profoundly changed… A Noiser production, written by Emily Webb. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to...

Two men soar over the majestic Himalayas, risking their lives to save others. Richard Lehner and Daniel Aufdenblatten must extract a group of climbers marooned deep in the Annapurna range. With time and oxygen running out, they’ll employ an audacious rescue technique… dangling Richard on the end of a rope, hanging beneath a helicopter at 23,000 feet… A Noiser production, written by Fiona Ford. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the...

In Tasmania, a deadly seismic tremor brings Todd Russell’s world crashing down on top of him. As a miner, he’s used to working far underground - extracting precious metals from the deep. But when he finds himself trapped in a tiny air pocket, Todd must draw on untapped deposits of fortitude if he’s to survive the unsurvivable… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get...

A tranquil boat trip around Indonesia becomes a terrifying test of will and endurance. Els Visser is a trainee doctor enjoying some well deserved downtime. But when her tourist vessel starts sinking in the middle of the ocean, she embarks on a life-or-death slog through the treacherous waters. A live volcanic island offers her best hope of survival. And not everyone will make it through the ordeal alive… A Noiser production, written by Martin McNamara. For ad-free listening, bonus material...

This is a taster episode from our sister show, Short History Of… which is also hosted by John Hopkins. Daniel Defoe’s 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe is one of the most widely published books in history. This story of a man stranded alone on an island is said to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. But who was Defoe’s inspiration for creating one of the best-known protagonists in literature? And what led to this real-life sailor spending years of his life cut off from human...

A private flight to Scotland runs into serious trouble. With his passengers safely on board and sipping bubbly, pilot Jonathan Moss takes off on what should be a quick and easy job. But when the weather takes a drastic turn and his aircraft loses power, the situation quickly becomes anything but routine. Without lights, navigation, radio or heating, Jonathan will have to estimate and improvise his way through an unfolding disaster in the skies… A Noiser production, written by Fiona...

Most don’t make it to the finish. Some don’t survive. Two months into a monumental sailing race, Pete Goss is beset by the worst storm he’s ever faced. And then… a distress call comes in. A fellow skipper is sinking and needs urgent help. Suddenly, Pete’s battle to stay alive becomes the most daring of rescue missions… A Noiser production, written by Sean Coleman. For more on this story read Pete’s book Close to the Wind. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new...

An outdoor instructor plummets into peril on the misty, mythical Isle of Skye. Iain Afshar is traversing a precipitous sawtooth ridgeline in the Cuillin Hills when he tumbles blindly into impenetrable fog. Bloodied, broken and stranded, it seems he has minutes to live. But as he clings to life, his ultimate salvation will come from the unlikeliest of sources… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+....

Deep in New Zealand’s North Island, William Pike climbs a volcano. But amidst the stunning scenery - used as a location for the Lord of the Rings films - he soon finds himself stuck in the mountains… facing doom. Consumed and entombed by a volcanic flood, William is buried under rock, mud, ice and ash. He’ll have to draw on his deepest reserves of physical strength, and strength of mind, if he’s to survive… A Noiser production, written by Jane Deith. For more on this story read William’s...

In 2017, Australian sailor Lisa Blair is going for a record - the fastest ever solo circumnavigation of Antarctica. She is nearing the finish line when out of nowhere disaster strikes. With her boat breaking in two, Lisa must pull off the most desperate of emergency procedures… all while battling the most treacherous waters on the planet… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For more on this story read Lisa’s book Facing Fear. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to...

Two young backpackers from Germany throw themselves deep into the wilds of Canada. Wolf and Johannes embark on an epic adventure down the remote Hayes River. But when disaster befalls their canoe, the friends will find themselves on a different kind of journey - not away from civilisation, but desperately seeking a way back to it… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get...

A family outing takes one wrong turn… literally. In 2016, the Kleins drive out towards the Grand Canyon. But in the height of winter, the roads are deserted and the route is unclear. A small slice of misfortune sends their vacation into a tailspin. As mother Karen heads off alone to find help, she has no idea how close she’ll come to never seeing her family again… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+....

In 2003, a former special forces soldier journeys into the wilds of Romania. But here, in this land of myth and legend - of Bram Stoker’s Dracula - Ken Jones finds himself in a horror story of his own. After nature deals him a hammer blow, he’s left alone in the wilderness, battered and broken. Ken will have to summon every ounce of his resilience to escape… A Noiser production, written by Paul Olding. For more on this story read Ken’s book Darkness Descending. For ad-free listening, bonus...

A family road trip through the south of France goes up in flames. In the scorchingly hot summer of 2021, Fiona is relaxing with her husband and kids among the lavender fields and vineyards of Provence. But that all suddenly changes. As the picturesque landscape ignites, the family will find themselves trapped in their accommodation - marooned on a lonely hillside with no hope of escape… A Noiser production, written by Macalister Bexon. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access...

Joe Lentini is an elite mountain rescuer in New Hampshire. He regularly faces high-stakes decisions and dilemmas. But in 1982, during one treacherous mission to find two missing teenagers, disaster strikes Joe’s own team. What should he do now that one of his own is in the line of fire?… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android,...

In northern Australia, two friends venture deep into the bush on the lookout for a mysterious serpent. But after weeks trekking through desert plains and ancient jungle, Will and Geoff’s plans start falling apart. Out of supplies, with the weather and the wildlife against them, they must find a way to stave off starvation… without becoming food themselves… A Noiser production, written by Macalister Bexon. For more on this story check out Swimming With Crocodiles by Will Chaffey. For...

A couple are torn apart by one of the most terrible natural disasters the world has ever seen. In December 2004, Brits Pat and Pete Etheridge are on holiday in Sri Lanka. But one tranquil day, the island is engulfed by a devastating tsunami. Swept away in the torrent, the Etheridges will face their own individual battles to survive before they can even begin to find their way back to each other… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early...

Canadian Jill Heinerth has one of the most dangerous jobs on earth. She’s a cave diver - she explores underwater tunnels and caverns. In 2001, she travels to the Southern Ocean, attempting to become the first person to swim inside an iceberg. Needless to say, Jill gets more than she bargained for… A Noiser production, written by Macalister Bexon. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on...

We return to Annelise Cochran and the Lahaina wildfire. As the blaze intensifies, she and her neighbours must band together to keep each other going. But as the night deepens, new and unexpected travails present themselves. The locals will find themselves trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on...

Annelise Cochran is a marine conservationist who lives a tranquil life in Hawaii. But in 2023, the island paradise she calls home transforms into a hellish inferno. As a colossal wildfire tears through her historic seaside town, the terrified locals take refuge along a small strip of coastline. There, Annelise will be forced into a terrifying decision… A Noiser production, written by Joe Viner. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the...

Two friends from Australia attempt the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic Peninsula. The brutal conditions of the world’s southernmost continent have defeated many an intrepid explorer. But Peter Bland and Jay Watson are undeterred. Disaster strikes though, in the middle of the night. When Peter is mysteriously swept away, it’ll be down to Jay to find his mate and keep him alive… A Noiser production, written by Paul Olding. For more on this story read A Step Too Far: Peter Bland and...

Geoff Hunter sets out on an epic maritime adventure. He’s attempting to circumnavigate Britain in a tiny, homemade kayak. Fierce weather, rough seas and even run-ins with the military all add hurdles to the journey. But it’s off the coast of Scotland that things go from dangerous to life-threatening. Geoff will find himself half-drowned and alone - clinging onto a piece of bobbing metal - in the middle of the sea… A Noiser production, written by Macalister Bexon. For ad-free listening, bonus...