Each episode pulls me in as the listener, as if I’m right there. Mr Hopkins as Narrator carries the survival story with rich context & surreal reality. One can’t depart from a story without being reminded how fragile life is, and how strong the human will is. Miracles in every challenge of surviving.

Though I occasionally tune into this show simply to hear John pronounce “glass-e-er,” the Timor episode was fantastic - the best example of what this show can be when the subject is a truly compelling character who brings real emotional complexity and humor to a story. Strong rec for that episode.

I listen to podcasts based on my great interest of survival stories, true crime, missing in national parks under very strange circumstances, weird encounters in national parks etc. (you get it) so important of other reviews/ratings, and the number one reason…the podcaster and how he or she can vocalize the story and the background music and sounds integrated within the story told. If the tone of the podcasters voice has a certain effect on me (ability to relax and enjoy, not be annoyed) and captivates me, so that it can help me go to sleep at night … (okay sometimes the scarier the better). My preference is the male deeper soprano voice with the capability to draw a listener like myself in. One who is prepared…this podcaster!!!! I am hooked !!!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am describing this podcaster to a “T” 😊

I absolutely love this podcast. Incredibly heartbreaking, suspenseful, gallantly heroic, inspiring and educational. However I can tell some of the survivors’ testimonies about the faith that got them through the darkest parts of their respective journeys are heavily edited, especially on the recent episode entitled “Spider Crack in Plane Window.” These strong, brave survivors should be honored by letting them have their full say about who really rescued them. Shame on the editors who silence their message.

Just listened to the spider crack plane crash one and it’s great 👍 soo great I mean not what happened but the story how it was told really pulls the podcast together I 💜 the podcast I listen to it every time a episode comes out and that’s all I have to say about that

Please keep it going strong. Also maybe do a special on historical survival stories? Maybe fictionalized around one “hero.” Pompei through the eyes of a young mother would be incredible.

Really enjoy this one generally speaking. That said please fix a few things 1. Skip the 5 minutes upfront of story snippets and intro. I have to imagine we all fast forward to the story’s beginning. 2. The commercial breaks are SO jarring. You go from a quiet, dark moment of silence to a brutally cheery or loud ad. 3. As a long time Out Alive listener, you’re doubling up on a lot of the stories that have already be told there. 4. Often I think you over index on dramatic storytelling at the detriment of the facts. For example, acting like someone was on the brink of consciousness when there’s video of the incident showing them joking with rescuers. This is especially apparent when you duplicate a story already told (much more plainly) on Out Alive.

My girlfriend and I listen to this one religiously. Soooo goood. His voice and cadence is perfect. Thank you for producing it!

This is an amazing pod I listen to it in bed John Hopkins is so chill His voice is smooth as butter The first hand accounts of the survivors is unique and blends well with the storytelling

I love this podcast and have been listening to it for about a year. However I’ve noticed that the number of ads in a 30-40 minute segment has steadily increased. I’ve counted 6 ads in one session. In this crazy economy I can’t afford to subscribe just to avoid the ads, and I hate to delete the podcast from my library. Can the ads be placed at the beginning and end of each session instead of several in the middle? As someone famous writes, “thank you for your attention to this matter.” ☺️

So well written. So well spoken. Have binged my way thru in a week. More more more

We need more and more and more! Please keep these coming. These are so well done, much appreciate the excellent storytelling.

John Hopkins is an amazing storyteller. I’m binge-listening and lose track of space and time - the stories are so absorbing. That said, I prefer the stories that are real survival stories, not those resulting from risk-taking (like mountain climbing) that potentially endangers others’ lives with the rescue

This podcast is excellent for its engaging storytelling by the skill of John Hopkins. His style of speaking brings these riveting tales to life, and they are so well written. Fun discovery: I love the British cozy mystery series Midsomer Murders and started watching old episodes, when a certain Sgt. Scott appeared in series 7 from 2004, I thought “hmm I recognize that voice!” Imagine my surprise when I discovered he’s John Hopkins from this podcast, which I’ve been listening to since episode 1! Thank you for this great show (both of them). It’s inspiring to learn how people persist and grow from survival crises.

The writing on this survival podcast is excellent, with gripping stories full of tension and detail. Unfortunately, the narrator’s flat and monotone delivery takes away from the drama, making it harder to stay engaged. With a more dynamic voice, this could easily be one of the best storytelling podcasts out there.

Content is important to me but if a narrator has a voice that grates on my nerves, I cannot listen. This podcast has both original content and an excellent narrator—his voice is like butter.

Just about every story depicted on the podcast is compelling. The narration and sound production is excellent, including testimony from firsthand witnesses makes the episode come alive. This podcast does not shy away from the experiences of people, and the many instances in which they cite their faith as the reason why they have fortitude, regardless of the adversity they faced. There are many different stories with many different diverse components that entice the listener.

These stories are told with suspenseful timing. Very limited sound effects add atmosphere, and the survivors voice adds authenticity, very well done. I await each new episode. Thank you

I want to address a couple one star reviews I’ve seen about this podcast promoting recklessness. I personally think it is foolish to think that way. People do reckless things everyday from texting and driving to exploring 20k feet in the ocean. People live their lives the way they want. This podcast, in my opinion, is a warning. It tells the stories of people who narrowly survive these accidents and issues they struggle with for the rest of their lives because of it. This is narrated beautifully, and getting to hear from the people who went through it adds an incredible amount of emotion and intrigue.

Not the best podcast but I’ll live with it

In my opinion episode 41 is the best that I have listened to so far I don’t know why but I love it. Also this podcast is amazing a love that we can hear the person talking so even when I think there’s no way they survive I know they did because I can hear them talking. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️five stars this is AMAZING

Great!

The narrators voice all anyone would want for a tale of adventure and hazards.

At what point is this podcast actively encouraging reckless behavior? I’ve been listening from the very beginning and at first the stories were great, people caught up in terrible situations due to no fault of their own and how they managed to survive and what they learned along the way. Now it has devolved to mentally unstable people making ridiculous decisions that endanger not just themselves but others lives too, totally disregarding their families and responsibilities for some misguided need to prove themselves. Then this show thinks it’s a good idea to lionize these people. These are the kind of people who drive rangers and rescuers bonkers, especially when they have lost people due to this kind of extreme stupidity. This last one sent me over the edge as he learned absolutely nothing, is completely indifferent to the lives of everyone around him (sociopath?), and is giggling the whole time telling the story. Morally reprehensible.

It is so well done that you are right there with them

Well done. Interesting. Please keep'm coming.

I love this podcast and John Hopkins as host. The stories keep me hooked the whole time. I appreciate the variety of backgrounds and all the different types of situations the survivors faced. Please keep telling their stories. Thank you!

This is an amazing podcast! Since finding it, I’m binge listening and find myself telling anyone/everyone they have to listen to it. Unbelievable stories. So well put together. The whole time I’m listening, I’m saying “oh my, oh my goodness, no way!” Absolutely fantastic!!

This production is just so beautifully researched, written, and edited! I’ve binged other survival story podcasts before, but I’m enjoying this one in a special way. The descriptions are so gorgeous, the scene setting so evocative, that there are times I go back and listen again, because I really want to take it in. I’m also learning about the common characteristics and motives of people who survive the unsurvivable, and I’m making a list of mistakes as well. Not that I plan to hike in the desert anytime soon, but if I do, I’ll be better prepared that that Kiwi gal who broke her pelvis. And if I’m somewhere where it’s a good idea to carry bear spray, I won’t bury it in the bottom of my pack!

I lovvvve this podcast!! The suspense is soo good and I love it when Christian’s talk about how they pray during the experience and how their life is better after the trauma. Also, think, the people who aren’t Christians usual end up with trauma and stress about the experience a lot, but the Christians talk about having a better life. That’s not true for everyone, but I thought that was interesting. Also, Hopkins does such a good job! It’s so good. Also how do people get on the podcast?

This podcast is so well written and researched I binged every episode—my only complaint is that I’ve run out of episodes. I could literally listen to John Hopkins talk all day long—what a great voice!!

So much suspense. I love it.

Honestly, one of the best narratives along with research journalism and upmost a heart pumping adrenaline you can get from a real survivor story podcast 10 out of 10 recommended thank you so much. I listen to you constantly and can’t wait for more and more.

My favorite podcast! Love the true stories and the narrators voice!

The stories are engaging and the writer does a great job of prolonging the drama. But some of the stories seem downright fake at many points. There are some example of “survivors” dining off their experiences by writing books which seems to me just self aggrandizing oneself for being stupid and placing oneself and others at risk. Some of the stories seem more genuine than others. And as another reviewer stated- shipwreck stories are repetitive and boring.

I really love this series. John Hopkins is a brilliant storyteller and virtually all the subject matter is edge-of-your-seat captivating. Bravo!!

This is our favorite podcast for survival stories. Very well written and engaging episodes. For true outdoors people, this is your podcast.

This podcast is interesting, but they push so much global warming politics it has become very annoying.

The sailing episodes are soooo repetitive and boring. Bring more animal attacks please.

Just listened to E70. Amazing!

Can’t get enough of this podcast!

Well done podcast with great stories.

I recommend this podcast constantly! It’s so real, uplifting, & humbling to hear how resilient people are.

This is the best podcast ever

This podcast starts out pretty great, but every single story is an ad for Jesus! Other adventures die, yet each person in these episodes survives because God has chosen to save them because they “prayed” to them. The idea that “god” choose who to kill and who to let live is such a disconnect and the delusion that YOU are special. Show deleted.

It would be interesting to hear MORE stories from another demographic than the almost exclusivity provided considering many of these stories are from all over the world

Buried Alive in a Gold Mine had me hyperventilating! I love every episode but this one especially got to me. Amazing story!

This is the only podcast I check for to see if the new episode has dropped yet. It’s the only podcast that I care if I miss something if I have to do something else while I’m listening ~ I rewind it. It’s well done, well told, a great mix of real life and a touch of drama to make you feel like you’re there with the survivors. Love this podcast ~

Interesting stories, great pacing. The host’s tone and accent make for great storytelling… I could listen to him read a phone book and be totally delighted.

Another great podcast from noiser! Highly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys stories of humans displaying a fight for life and the rescue teams and personnel around the globe who risk it all to save another’s life.