Have you ever heard of someone swimming 110 miles without a shark cage? That’s exactly what endurance swimmer Diana Nyad accomplished when she crossed the treacherous waters from Cuba to Florida at 64 years old. This week, we dive into her incredible story—a journey of resilience, determination, and grit. From battling jellyfish stings and strong currents to ... Show More
Jun 2025
Jumping Off a High Dive on a Horse (While Blind)
June 14, 1938. It’s 8:30 PM at Lake Worth Casino in Fort Worth, Texas. All eyes are on a huge high-dive platform, 40 feet in the air. And at the top? A woman… on a horse. Horse diving is one of the most popular acts in America, and Sonora Carver is one of its stars. She’s been do ... Show More
40m 6s
Aug 2018
Tessa Fontaine, “The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts” (FSG, 2018)
Who doesn’t remember their first trip to the county fair? The greasy hotdogs and popcorn and cotton candy. The lights and sounds of the seemingly endless games and rides and shows on the midway. But maybe most of all, the sense of wonder inspired by real people who could contort ... Show More
48m 50s
Dec 2022
William Trubridge: Freediving, Dolphins, and Creating a Mental Immune System
Send us a textWilliam Trubridge is the world’s deepest man, with an unassisted freediving record to 102m or 334 feet. He holds eighteen freediving records and six world champion titles, and is able to hold his breath for over seven minutes. He has spent an extraordinary amount ti ... Show More
47m 15s
Feb 2022
Game Changers: Standing on the edge of a cliff to realise your dreams - Rhiannan Iffland
Australian cliff diving sensation, Rhiannan “Rhi” Iffland has leapt from hot air balloons, helicopters and plunged into oceans all across the globe. But even as a five time world series champion and two time FINA world champion, Rhi says she still experiences fear and sometimes ... Show More
30m 16s
Mar 2020
The refugee who swam 20 people to safety: Yusra Mardini, Series 1, Episode 5
As a boat bound for Greece, filled with passengers attempting to flee war-torn Syria starting sinking - those on board feared the worst. But, over the course of three and a half monumental hours, Yusra Mardini and her sister Sara achieved the unthinkable as they jumped into the A ... Show More
31m 29s
Oct 2
Jane Goodall on Optimism, Hope and Conservation
We said goodbye to Jane Goodall, who passed away yesterday at 91 after a life that inspired millions. I feel so grateful to have had the chance to speak with her back in July 2022, a conversation I’ll never forget. Today, in honour of her incredible legacy, I want to re-share it ... Show More
1 h
Aug 29
“Self-care isn’t selfish!” How to keep fit and have fun
Fearne’s been loving the UEFA Women’s EUROS, so this episode celebrates the huge summer of sport we’re having by listening back to some brilliant sportspeople who’ve told their stories on Happy Place. Plus, if you’ve been inspired to move your own body more, how can you set your ... Show More
44m 43s
Oct 21
CLASSIC: Gustaf Broman Tried to Cross the Atlantic in a Canoe . . . Or Did He?
Ben here: Noel and I are sailing the seas this week -- wish us luck! Luckily, our Super Producer Max is holding it down with some of our favorite Classic episodes. Here's one I especially enjoyed from 2019, all about strange ocean travels: "In 1895, Gustaf Broman announced he wou ... Show More
38m 59s