logo
episode-header-image
May 2020
27m 39s

Jim: Fight, Flight or Freeze

BBC Sounds
About this episode

Since childhood, Jim has suffered from a terrifying form of psychosis. In 2017, a game called Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice helped him come to terms with it. Jim tells us his story and meets with the game's developers: actor Melina Juergens and director Tameem Antoniades.

Aoife Wilson and Julia Hardy are best mates who love video games and have worked in the industry for years. They find the most shocking, moving and inspiring true stories about how gaming changed people’s lives forever. Join them to hear about the guy who works for NASA because of a game, the couple who fell in love on an MMORPG, the man who turned his escape from civil war into a video game and the gamers who caught a killer in real time.

If you were affected by any of the issues raised in this programme then you can find help and resources by visiting www.mind.org.uk

Do you have a great, true story about a video game? Email us at thisgamechangedmylife@bbc.co.uk

Producer: Nathan Jones

Up next
Jan 2021
Maroon: Tracking a Killer
In 2019, gamers from across the globe turned detective in order to track down and apprehend an active killer in a nerve-shredding manhunt. This is Maroon's true story.Aoife Wilson and Julia Hardy are best mates who love video games and have worked in the industry for years. They ... Show More
23m 20s
Jun 2020
Laurie & Josh: Love and Warcraft
What happens when a druid catches feelings for a rogue? A love story, as told by world of Warcraft.Aoife Wilson and Julia Hardy are best mates who love video games and have worked in the industry for years. They find the most shocking, moving and inspiring true stories about how ... Show More
21m 48s
May 2020
Fly & N0tail: Gaming's Biggest Grudge Match
In 2018 esports saw an underdog story that would go down in gaming history. A story of betrayal, a bitter rivalry and 11 million dollars.Aoife Wilson and Julia Hardy are best mates who love video games and have worked in the industry for years. They find the most shocking, moving ... Show More
28m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
Ep 208 | Katurah Topps | Civil Rights Lawyer, Motivational Speaker, and Fan Favorite on Survivor 45
The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 208 features Katurah Topps, a NYC civil rights lawyer and motivational speaker, most recently known for her appearance on CBS’ Hit Reality TV Show “SURVIVOR,” season 45. While on Survivor, Katurah revealed that she spent her childhood raised in ... Show More
1h 37m
Jan 2025
Dangers of the Dark Web: Kill List, with Carl Miller
We've all heard of the Dark Web -- and it's often mischaracterized in popular media. But what happens when you find a site people genuinely think will help them pay for murder? In tonight's special interview, Ben and Matt join the award-winning tech researcher and author Carl Mil ... Show More
1h 12m
Aug 2024
Pat Cummins - 'My mother’s death taught me cricket isn’t as important as family'
Considered by many as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, the Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is extremely well-placed to tell me how he wins but also how he’s been shaped by losing. But his losses have not been limited to the cricket pitch. In an extremely moving ... Show More
43m 51s
May 2024
Louise Thompson - ‘I asked myself: Am I alive?’
TW: this episode contains graphic descriptions of birth trauma and PTSD. You might know Louise Thompson as the former Made in Chelsea star. Or the fitness influencer who launched two businesses and graced the cover of Women’s Health magazine twice. But when she gave birth to her ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2024
Checking On You: Stories about concern for others
There are many ways you can ask someone “Are you okay?” In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers navigate the complexities of human connection and how we show concern for those we love. Part 1: Dave Kalema keeps lying to his sick mother about how bad his knee injury is. P ... Show More
30m 22s
Nov 2024
Woman Of The Hour with Ian McDonald
In 1978, a Texan-born man went on national TV, competing in and ultimately winning an episode of the popular American game show The Dating Game. This man was, according to host Jim Lange, a "successful photographer" who you might find "skydiving or motorcycling." Left out of that ... Show More
59m 26s
Nov 2024
From Yugoslavia to Australia — Jelena Dokic on tennis and the truth
Jelena Dokic overcame adversity, poverty and violence to rise to the top of the tennis world. Years later, her revelations about her father's abuse stunned the world. (CW: discussion of domestic violence and coercive control).This episode of Conversations also talks about sport, ... Show More
52m 48s
Oct 2024
What Jack Reacher did next — Lee Child on our favourite lone wolf
How a Birmingham boy became best-selling thriller writer, Lee Child, and the creator of one of the literary world's most popular loners. (R)James Grant grew up in Birmingham when it was a bustling industrial city.While huge workforces would pour of the factories as men ended thei ... Show More
51m 42s
Apr 22
£200 MILLION to MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON - THE INSANE STORY OF RIORDAN MAYNARD
This episode is a little bit different: it’s with someone whose name I doubt you’ll know, but it’s a story which, as soon as I heard, I knew I wanted to share with you all on Great Company.Riordan Maynard was a high flying business man until one day it all came crashing down - he ... Show More
1h 16m
Sep 2024
Life as a Trans Woman and an AFL Football Legend - Uncut with Danielle Laidley
Before being known as Danielle Laidley, she was a hugely successful AFL player and played 151 games for West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne football clubs, and winning premierships  and going onto be the youngest senior coach ever at 36, coaching North Melbourne for 149 games a ... Show More
44m 7s