This episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosted by Kaycee McIntosh, recounts the harrowing tale of Eric Murda, a 43-year-old irrigation contractor from Sarasota. On July 17, 2022, Eric’s routine day turned into a nightmare when a seven-foot alligator attacked him while he swam across Lake Manatee in Florida. The attack resulted in Eric losing his arm, leading to a grueling 72-hour survival ordeal in the harsh Florida swamp. He faced severe blood loss, venomous snakes, disease-carrying water, and other predators. Despite being disoriented and gravely injured, Eric's mental resilience and instinctive survival skills allowed him to navigate through dense vegetation, signal for help, and eventually find rescue. His story underscores the importance of preparation, mental fortitude, and situational awareness in wilderness survival. The episode also touches on winter travel preparation and survival strategies, reflecting on another tragic survival story and discussing improvements in search and rescue protocols.

Join Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen on The Crux True Survival Story Podcast as they dive into the extraordinary journey of Tony Peniche, Founder of the Pacific Northwest Survival Games. Discover how a backyard BBQ among friends evolved into a viral survival competition, attracting contestants and survival celebrities from popular TV shows. Tony shares his transition from a serial entrepreneur to a key figure in the survival community, the challenges and excitement of organizing survival events, and the importance of problem-solving and realistic survival training. This episode is packed with thrilling tales, insights into survival skills, and the spirit of camaraderie and competition.

In this episode, we dive into a harrowing story of a bear attack on a popular hiking trail in Anchorage, Alaska, involving a 67-year-old woman. She is attacked and dragged into the dense wilderness but manages to call 911. With her life hanging in the balance, cutting-edge drone technology is deployed to find her. We explore the specifics of the rescue operation, the capabilities of search and rescue drones, and how modern technology is revolutionizing wilderness rescues. The episode also highlights the importance of preparation, the effectiveness of bear spray, and survival tips for anyone finding themselves in similar situations. Join us as we unravel this remarkable story of survival and technological innovation in the wilderness.

00:00 A Peaceful Hike Turns Deadly

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Primary News Sources - Alaska Bear Attack

Search and Rescue Drone Technology

Professional SAR Organizations

Training and Certification

Technical Resources

Wilderness Safety Resources

Academic and Research Sources

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the astonishing real-life story of six teenage boys from Tonga who were stranded on a deserted island for 15 months in 1965. Contrary to the dark narrative of 'Lord of the Flies,' these boys formed a harmonious and organized mini-society, showcasing the best of human nature under harrowing conditions. The hosts dive deep into the boys' journey from near-death encounters and sheer survival to their eventual rescue by an Australian sea captain. Join us for this heartwarming tale of ingenuity, camaraderie, and the indomitable human spirit.

00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

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References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHO_RlJxnVI

Wikipedia: "Tongan castaways"

Existing Films and Media

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen explore the harrowing survival stories from the South Tower during the 9/11 attacks. When United Airlines Flight 175 struck between floors 77-85, only one stairwell remained intact - Stairwell A. Faced with conflicting information and impossible choices, 18 people made the critical decision that saved their lives.

The episode follows the remarkable stories of Brian Clark, who risked his own escape to save a trapped stranger, and Stanley Praimnath, who survived the plane's wing slicing through his office.  Kaycee and Julie examine how split-second decisions, leadership under pressure, and trusting your instincts can mean the difference between life and death.

A powerful reminder that in our darkest moments, the choices we make and the compassion we show can change everything.

00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

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References for Stairwell A Episode

Primary Survivor Accounts

Official Documentation & Reports

Aircraft and Technical Details

Building Construction & Design

Evacuation Analysis

Emergency Response & Aftermath

Documentaries Referenced

This episode of the Crux True Survival Stories Podcast examines the events of July 26, 2003, when a lightning strike on Grand Teton's Exum Ridge triggered what became known as the most spectacular rescue in American mountaineering history.

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References

Primary Sources

American Alpine Club Publications

Contemporary News Reports

Book Source

Woodlief, Jennifer

Additional Sources

Outside Magazine

Casper Star-Tribune

In March 2012, two lifelong friends and former Marines, Ken Henderson and Ed Cohen, embarked on what should have been a perfect fishing trip to the oil rigs 50 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Within minutes, their 30-foot boat suffered catastrophic failure and sank beneath them, leaving them stranded in frigid 65-degree waters with no rescue in sight.

Learn about this harrowing 30+ hour survival ordeal that tested every limit of human endurance, friendship, and sacrifice. Ken, a retired sheriff's deputy and water rescue expert, and Ed, a devoted father and grandfather, faced hypothermia, hallucinations, and the vast emptiness of the Gulf's treacherous currents.

This deeply moving story explores the unbreakable bond between Marines, the impossible choices that love sometimes forces us to make, and the devastating reality that sometimes survival comes at the ultimate cost. Through expert analysis of cold water survival, Gulf of Mexico maritime hazards, and the psychology of extreme situations, discover how preparation, training, and the power of human connection can mean the difference between life and death.

Warning: This episode contains mature themes and emotional content related to life-and-death survival situations.

A tribute to friendship, sacrifice, and the courage to make impossible decisions when everything depends on it.

Timestamps:

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News Articles and Reports:

Television Documentation:

Gulf of Mexico Information:

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the harrowing tale of a French family's dream vacation that turned into a nightmare at White Sands National Park in New Mexico. The episode delves into the extreme conditions and decisions that led to the deaths of David and Ornella Steiner, who sacrificed their lives to save their 9-year-old son amidst the park's unforgiving heat. Through expert insight and a step-by-step narrative, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the physiological and psychological challenges faced in such harsh environments, emphasizing the critical importance of preparation and caution when venturing into nature's most perilous landscapes.

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References

Medical Sources: 12. Cleveland Clinic - "Heat Stroke: Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery" (2021) 13. NHS - "Heat exhaustion and heatstroke" 14. Healthline - "Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion: What's the Difference?" (May 26, 2023) 15. PMC/NCBI - "Exertional heat stroke: pathophysiology and risk factors" 16. StatPearls/NCBI - "Heat Stroke" 17. New England Journal of Medicine - "Heatstroke"

In this explosive episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen dive into five days of pure terror on the high seas. When four armed Somali pirates stormed the Maersk Alabama in 2009, Captain Richard Phillips made a split-second decision that would either save his crew—or cost him his life.

What followed was a heart-pounding standoff in a sweltering lifeboat with AK-47-wielding captors, while Navy SEALs prepared for one of the most precise rescue shots in military history. But here's the twist: was Phillips the hero Hollywood portrayed, or did his reckless decisions put everyone in danger?

Kaycee and Julie unpack the shocking controversies, the three-bullet rescue that captivated the world, and why Phillips' own crew sued him. Plus, they reveal the terrifying reality of modern piracy—it's bigger, deadlier, and closer to your daily life than you think.

00:00 Introduction to Case Knives

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Wikipedia - "Maersk Alabama hijacking" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maersk_Alabama_hijacking

Wikipedia - "MV Tygra" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Tygra

Wikipedia - "Richard Phillips (merchant mariner)" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Phillips_(merchant_mariner)

ScreenRant - "The True Story Behind Captain Phillips & The Maersk Alabama Hijacking" https://screenrant.com/captain-phillips-maersk-alabama-hijacking-true-story/

All That's Interesting - "The Story Of The Real Captain Richard Phillips Who Was Kidnapped By Somali Pirates" https://allthatsinteresting.com/captain-richard-phillips

TIME Entertainment - "The True Tale of Captain Phillips" https://entertainment.time.com/2013/10/12/movie-fact-check-captain-phillips/

The Toronto Star - "Captain Phillips: The True Story Behind the Dramatic Rescue" https://www.thestar.com/news/world/captain-phillips-the-true-story-behind-the-dramatic-rescue/article_a347bd32-76db-5474-9f2c-51253d2f64b7.html

The Cinemaholic - "The Scary True Story Behind Captain Phillips, Explained" https://thecinemaholic.com/is-captain-phillips-based-on-a-true-story/

Is True Story - "The True Story Behind Captain Phillips: Separating Fact from Fiction" https://istruestory.com/captain-phillips-story-true/

Maritime Page - "Modern Day Pirates: A Closer Look at Maritime Crime in the 21st Century" https://maritimepage.com/modern-day-pirates-a-closer-look-at-maritime-crime/

World Atlas - "Modern Day Pirate Attacks By Country" https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/modern-day-pirates-countries-with-the-most-maritime-piracy-today.html

History18 - "Modern Piracy: Do Pirates Still Exist?" https://history18.com/modern-pirates/

9News Australia - "Pirates of the 21st Century: Modern Threat Costing the Global Economy $37 Billion Per Year" https://www.9news.com.au/world/modern-day-pirates-what-are-they-everything-to-know-explainer/c56da778-e0a1-4f40-8e93-22b673742c3a

National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum - "Maersk Alabama Lifeboat" https://www.navysealmuseum.org/maersk-alabama

Captain Phillips Fandom Wiki - "Maersk Alabama hijacking" https://captain-phillips.fandom.com/wiki/Maersk_Alabama_hijacking

VB Attorneys - "Captain Phillips and the Truth About What Happened" https://www.vbattorneys.com/blog/maersk-alabama-and-somali-pirates-suit

gCaptain - "Maersk Alabama Hijacking: Ten Years Later, Could It Happen Again?" https://gcaptain.com/maersk-alabama-hijacking-anniversary/

Britannica - "Maersk Alabama hijacking" https://www.britannica.com/event/Maersk-Alabama-hijacking

Phillips, Richard, and Stephan Talty. A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea. Hyperion Books, 2010.

International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre

U.S. Navy Official Reports on the Maersk Alabama Incident

Note: All sources accessed and verified as of June 2025. Some URLs may have been shortened or modified for formatting purposes.

On December 20th, 1980, 19-year-old Jean Hilliard experienced what doctors call medically impossible. After her car slid off an icy road in rural Minnesota during a blizzard with temperatures at -22°F, Jean made the difficult decision to walk two miles through whiteout conditions to reach her friend Wally Nelson's farmhouse. Dressed only in cowboy boots and a winter coat, she battled brutal winds and life-threatening cold for over an hour.

In a cruel twist of fate, Jean collapsed just 15 feet from Wally's front door, where she lay face-down in the snow for six hours. When Wally found her the next morning, she was frozen solid - literally crystallized, with her body rigid as a board and her skin hard as stone. Hospital staff initially thought he was bringing them a corpse, as her body temperature was too low to register on their thermometers and they couldn't find a pulse or blood pressure.

Yet incredibly, Jean not only survived but made a complete recovery with no amputations or permanent damage. After 49 days of observation, she walked out of the hospital completely healthy, leaving medical professionals baffled. This episode explores the science behind her miraculous survival, featuring insights from hypothermia expert Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht (aka "Professor Popsicle"), and examines how Jean returned to a normal life after becoming briefly famous as "The Miracle Girl from Lengby, Minnesota."

0:00 Introduction to Case Knives

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