logo
episode-header-image
Jul 1
57m 3s

369: What if you lit yourself on fire?

Wondery
About this episode

Suffering a life of struggle and addiction in the wake of early childhood abuse, a woman desperate for a dramatic change dowses herself in gasoline and strikes a lighter. 

 

Today’s episode featured Crystal Raye. Please find her contact and socials in her link tree here: https://linktr.ee/crhmedia. There, she also includes several links to Burn Survivor Resources and support. 


Find Crystal on Instagram @theburnedthebrokenthebeautiful and on TikTok @crystalraye111


A special thanks to Daniel Hearn of Hard Knox Talks Podcast for referring Crystal to us. You can find him here: https://linktr.ee/hardknoxtalks. Daniel has also been a storyteller on This Is Actually Happening, please listen to his episode #350.


Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, 

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: childhood sexual abuse, drug use and addiction, self-immolation, severe burn injury, attempted suicide, explicit language

 

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

 

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

 

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.com

 

Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

 

Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus

 

Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. 

 

Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com

 

Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez

Music Bed: Uncertain Outcomes

 

Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:

 

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988 

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Oct 7
378: What if your private nightmare was also theirs?
A woman, who ignores her instincts, enters a marriage that soon spirals into betrayal and control. When the truth finally comes to light, she must choose between devastation and the chance to reclaim her life. Today’s episode featured Amy Irvine. If you’d like to reach out to Amy ... Show More
59m 14s
Sep 30
377: What if you were a gay, Mormon, drug-dealing, federal informant?
After losing himself to meth and a double life as a federal informant, a man’s world collapses after one of his buyer’s overdoses, and recovery begins as he confronts the child within. Today’s episode featured Sean Hemeon. His forthcoming memoir, The Good Little Drug Lord, does n ... Show More
1h 10m
Sep 23
376: What if a car crash shattered your world?
When a sudden car crash shatters her world, a woman’s grief and struggle to keep living leads her to an unexpected rebirth of love.Today’s episode featured Polly Vickery. If you’d like to contact Polly, you can email her at pollyvickery81@gmail.com. Polly is on Instagram and Face ... Show More
54m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2
UPDATE: Ellen Greenberg
Ellen Rae Greenberg had everything going for her when she was found dead in the apartment she shares with her fiancé. Police are quick to say she died by suicide – despite the 20 stab wounds she sustained. But her heartbroken parents are sure she was murdered and their search for ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 21
448: The Murder of Hadas Winnick (from "I'm Related to a Killer")
On September 25, 2007, 22-year-old Amy Winnick left her job near Calabasas, California, and headed home. Her cell phone rang. It was was her 25-year-old brother Jesse. "Don't go home," he told her. And then he said "I just killed Mom," and then he hung up. This unimaginable night ... Show More
56m 21s
Oct 2021
Episode 64: Lori Tedesco
Thank you to this weeks sponsor, Best Fiends! Download Best Fiends on the Apple App Store, or Google Play today! This episode contains graphic descriptions of horrific acts, including being drugged, kidnapped, strangled and violent sexual assault. For those who have trouble with ... Show More
1h 35m
Aug 2024
High Design & Higher Purpose: Annita Lucchesi's Powerful Story
TW: rape, murder, police brutality  Stoners, we’re throwing it way back to our second episode ever! The first half consists of regularly scheduled programming from High Design to Dear MTs, Baked Goods, and Munchie Moments. Plus, MT and Brandi take us behind the scenes of Cyrus vs ... Show More
53m 18s
Feb 2025
Richard Pryor: Stabbing, Shooting, F***ing, Burning, and Freebasing
Richard Pryor was one of the funniest people who ever lived. He elevated stand-up comedy to an art form. But the real life that informed his stand-up – a life of pool halls, brothels, stabbings, shootings, and lots and lots of cocaine – was a source of constant pain. A pain that ... Show More
37m 23s
Apr 2025
Dude, Where’s my Sperm?
As Jake lay locked-in and unable to move or speak, a sperm sample was taken without his explicit consent, sparking a complex legal and ethical battle that would stretch far beyond his hospital bed, and Jake’s fight to reclaim what was his. Content warning: Drug use/abuse, addicti ... Show More
33m 36s
Feb 2025
Jennifer Corbin & Dr. Dolly Hearn: “A Chilling Coincidence”丨MURDERISH Ep. 180
On December 4, 2004, Jennifer Corbin was found lifeless in her bed, the victim of an apparent suicide. Soon, a mysterious death that happened over 10 years prior would provide answers for more than one grieving family.  Follow Jami on Instagram & TikTok @JamiOnAir where she comme ... Show More
59m 9s
Feb 2025
3: Wayward Son
How does a man like Jake find himself with only six months to live? Friends and family give us a glimpse into Jake’s past—a childhood that seemed ordinary until everything changed. His descent started early, having been introduced to drugs in middle school and running the trade b ... Show More
53m 23s
Aug 24
S23 Ep8: NoSleep Podcast - S23E08
It's Episode 08 of Season 23. Tune in to WNSP for tales about pernicious presences. "Nothing But Thirst" written by Don Tobin (Story starts around 00:05:30) TRIGGER WARNING! Produced by: Jeff Clement Cast: Narrator - Reagen Tacker, Jeb - Jesse Cornett "The Last Visit" written by ... Show More
1h 11m
Nov 2024
13x21: Tinder Girl
Stories in this episode: I Think Someone Tried to Rob/Scam Us | c*ntpunt2000 (0:40) Tinder Girl | Tyler (9:40)  Granny | Bearsliveinthewoods (15:45)  Might Have Saved a Woman and Her Daughter From a Nasty Encounter | alexsupertramp89 (22:23)  Bright Angel | Phat-Assests (30:04)  ... Show More
52m 3s