
The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: A Sticky Historical Disaster | E126
In this weeks episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh unravel one of history’s most unusual disasters—the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. Sparked by listener Amy from Stockton Springs, Maine, this episode dives into the bizarre yet tragic tale also known as the Boston Molasses Disaster. When a massive steel storage tank collapsed, it sent a towering wave of molasses flooding through Boston’s North End, killing 21 people and injuring over 150. Julie and Kaycee explore the factors that led to the disaster, the devastating aftermath, and the extraordinary personal survival stories that emerged. From firsthand accounts to the legal battles that followed, this episode highlights the lasting impact of the event and the crucial lessons on industrial safety and corporate accountability. Tune in as the hosts also share listener messages and encourage fans to continue suggesting stories that deserve a spotlight. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Welcome and Host Introductions 00:20 – Listener Shout-out and Story Setup 00:58 – Unfolding the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 02:43 – The Infamous Molasses Tank: A Disaster Waiting to Happen 06:39 – The Moment of Collapse: A Molasses Tsunami 10:02 – Chaos in the Aftermath: Eyewitness Accounts 12:22 – A Wave of Destruction: The Molasses’ Initial Impact 12:47 – Survivor Spotlight: Martin Cloherty’s Narrow Escape 14:35 – Survivor Spotlight: Frank P. Smith’s Quick Thinking 16:51 – Survivor Spotlight: Anthony Distasio’s Harrowing Experience 17:47 – The Herculean Cleanup Effort 19:58 – Legal Ramifications and the Fight for Accountability 24:12 – Remembering the Great Molasses Flood: Its Legacy 24:50 – Final Thoughts and Call to Action for Listeners Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
23 Syys 202425min

Surviving the Wild: Shane Burke's Battle with a Grizzly in the Tetons | E125
In this gripping episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen sit down with Shane Burke, who recounts his terrifying encounter with a grizzly bear in the Tetons. Shane, an avid nature enthusiast and photographer, describes how his search for a great gray owl turned into a life-threatening ordeal. Despite the adrenaline and chaos, Shane's survival was a result of quick thinking, bear spray, and the support of his EMT-trained wife, Chloe. Shane's story is not just about the attack but also about overcoming immense personal challenges and finding solace in photography. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of preparedness in the wild. 00:00 Introduction to True Survival Stories 00:43 Meet Shane Burke: A Life of Resilience 01:54 Shane's Love for the Outdoors 02:27 The Honeymoon Adventure 03:24 The Day of the Bear Attack 05:59 The Grizzly Bear Encounter 08:55 Surviving the Attack 16:25 The Rescue Operation 22:57 Moment of Relief and Rescue 23:23 Concerns and First Aid 25:21 Evacuation and Hospitalization 27:17 Bear Spray Aftermath 29:36 Reflections and Recovery 30:58 Lessons and Advocacy 42:28 Conclusion and Gratitude Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Shayne's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/n0beefstew4u/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
16 Syys 202443min

Terror in the Skies: Pilots Lose Control of a Flight at 37,000 Feet | E124
In this gripping episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the harrowing and heroic tale of United Flight 232. On July 19, 1989, Captain Al Haynes and his crew confronted a nightmarish scenario at 37,000 feet, grappling with a catastrophic engine failure that rendered them powerless over the aircraft's vital hydraulic systems, leaving the pilots with complete loss of control of the aircraft. Join us as we uncover the courageous decisions and collaborative efforts that transformed what seemed inevitable disaster into one of aviation's most astounding feats of survival. Explore the immediate, life-saving rescue operations that rescued 185 out of 296 passengers, and discover the enduring impact this incident had on aviation safety standards. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:19 Setting the Scene: United Flight 232 01:27 Debunking Airplane Safety Myths 05:30 Captain Al Haynes: The Man Behind the Miracle 07:40 The Fateful Flight: Catastrophe at 37,000 Feet 09:34 The Emergency Landing: A Fight for Survival 14:56 Aftermath and Legacy of United Flight 232 19:22 Conclusion and Listener Engagement Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
9 Syys 202420min

Escape from Hell: One Photographer's Fight to Survive Mount St. Helens | E123
In this episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen recount the harrowing experiences of photographers Robert Landsburg and Reid Blackburn during the catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18th, 1980. They explore the immense power of the volcano and its impact on both human lives and the natural landscape. The episode also highlights David Crockett’s incredible survival story, emphasizing quick thinking and resilience amidst chaos. With heartfelt shoutouts and fascinating insights, this episode is a gripping exploration of nature's fury and human courage. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:38 Special Shoutout to Teva 01:24 Recap of Mount St. Helens Eruption 04:15 Impact on Wildlife 05:00 Photographers at Mount St. Helens 05:38 Robert Landsberg's Final Moments 13:57 Reed Blackburn's Story 17:21 David Crockett's Survival 18:17 David Crockett's Intuition 18:36 The Morning of the Eruption 20:49 David's Harrowing Escape 22:04 Reflections on Intuition 24:56 The Eruption's Aftermath 30:14 A Miraculous Rescue 33:46 Lessons from Survival 36:37 Podcast Outro and Next Episode Teaser Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reid_Blackburn https://thatoregonlife.com/2022/05/mt-st-helens-eruption-images/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/robert-landsburg https://vintagenewsdaily.com/photographers-brave-final-shots-of-the-1980-mount-st-helens-eruption/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2 Syys 202438min

The Epic Mt. St. Helens Eruption: Venus Dergan and Ronald Reitan's Unexpected Survival | E122
In this episode of the Crux True Survival podcast, host Kaycee McIntosh and co-host Julie Henningsen recount the harrowing events of the Mount St. Helens eruption. They share vivid survivor stories, including Venus Dergan, Ronald Reitan's narrow escape, and explore the geological forces that led to the catastrophic 1980 event. The episode delves into the science behind the eruption, the warning signs observed by volcanologists, and the legacy of the event that claimed 57 lives, including that of USGS volcanologist David Johnston. 00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Podcast 00:18 Mount St. Helens Eruption: A Personal Connection 01:33 Survivors' Harrowing Experiences 01:59 Memories and Impact of the Eruption 07:42 Scientific Insights and Volcanic Activity 15:35 The Growing Danger and Public Response 19:44 Mount St. Helens: The Unseen Danger 20:27 The Terrifying Escape 21:06 A Nightmare Come True 23:06 The Aftermath and Rescue 28:40 Understanding Volcanoes 30:56 The Eruption's Impact 34:13 Remembering the Victims 37:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Further Reading: https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2017/10/survivors-of-the-mount-st-helens-eruption-tell-their-story https://www.columbian.com/news/2005/may/15/survivors-story-taste-death/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toutle,_Washington https://www.census.gov/history/www/homepage_archive/2020/may_2020.html#:~:text=When%20Mount%20St.%20Helens%20erupted%20on%20May%2018%2C,1980%2C%20the%20county%20was%20home%20to%207%2C919%20people. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
26 Elo 202439min

Torpedoed: The Remarkable WWII Survival of Ray Downs and His Family | E121
In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh delve into the remarkable WWII-era survival story of 8-year-old Ray Downs and his family. On May 19, 1942, aboard the merchant ship Heredia, the Downs family’s voyage from South America to New Orleans takes a devastating turn when their ship is struck by torpedoes from a German U-boat. The episode recounts young Ray’s vivid memories of the terrifying moments following the attack, the incredible ordeal the family faced floating for 18 hours at sea, and the miraculous series of events leading to the rescue and reunion of the entire family. By the end of their harrowing tale, listeners will be amazed by the resilience and ingenuity displayed by Ray and his family in the face of overwhelming odds. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:15 Setting the Scene: World War II Era 00:55 The Downs Family Background 01:53 Voyage on the Heredia 04:30 The Night of the Attack 09:10 Chaos and Survival 14:11 Adrift in the Open Ocean 14:47 A Father's Ingenious Distraction 16:55 A Miraculous Rescue 18:56 Reunion Against All Odds 23:20 Life After the Ordeal 26:38 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ More reading about this story: https://www.historynet.com/conversation-with-u-boat-survivor-ray-downs/ https://www.amazon.com/So-Close-Home-American-Survival/dp/1681774321 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
19 Elo 202427min

100 Miles in the Sonoran Desert: Pablo Valencia's Fight for Survival | E120
In this episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the incredible survival story of Pablo Valencia, a prospector who endured eight days in the treacherous Sonoran Desert with minimal water. The narrative delves into the perilous journey along the 100-mile stretch of El Camino del Diablo, Pablo’s battle against dehydration and extreme heat, his desperate survival measures, and the eventual rescue that saved him. The episode also explores the physiological impacts of heat exhaustion and dehydration, drawing parallels to other survival stories and highlighting the critical importance of hydration. 00:00 Introduction and Host Greetings 00:18 Setting the Scene: Montana's Heatwave 00:27 Introducing the Sonoran Desert Survival Story 01:01 Historical Context: El Camino del Diablo 02:17 The Journey Begins: Pablo Valencia's Expedition 05:26 The Separation and Initial Struggles 08:30 Desperation and Survival Tactics 16:25 Understanding Dehydration and Heat Challenges 25:10 Understanding Basal Metabolic Rate and Heat Production 25:22 The Ideal Temperature for Human Comfort 26:25 Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke 27:32 Pablo's Desperate Measures for Survival 30:19 The Final Struggle and Near-Death Experience 33:04 Rescue and Recovery 40:10 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned 41:03 Stay Hydrated and Support the Podcast Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
12 Elo 202443min

Overboard: Stories of Two Men Who Defied the Odds After Falling from Cruise Ships | E119
In this episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the harrowing experiences of individuals who fell overboard from cruise ships and survived. They recount the survival stories of James Michael Grimes, who endured nearly 20 hours in the Gulf of Mexico, and Tim Sears, who swam for 17 hours after falling off a carnival cruise ship. The episode also covers some missing persons cases, statistics on overboard incidents, and safety tips for cruise ship passengers, emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior and preparedness. 00:00 Introduction to True Survival Stories 00:18 Terrifying Cruise Ship Incidents 01:28 Personal Cruise Experiences 02:23 Alcohol and Safety on Cruises 03:25 Cruise Ship Safety Statistics 04:10 Falling Overboard: Risks and Realities 08:44 Survival Stories and High Falls 14:01 Cruise Ship Safety Tips 18:42 Mysterious Disappearances on Cruises 22:13 Investigating Cruise Ship Disappearances 22:34 The Tragic Case of Annette Meisner 23:31 James Michael Grimes: A Miraculous Survival 30:16 Tim Sears: Lost in the Gulf of Mexico 38:54 Lessons in Resilience and Survival 41:15 Conclusion and Safety Tips Email: thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Article mentioned about people who went missing on cruise ships https://www.ranker.com/list/cruise-ship-disappearances/juliet-bennett-rylah Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
5 Elo 202443min





















