Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera

By: Wondery
  • Summary

  • It was supposed to be a reality show with a twist. In a sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, six hot guys compete for a cash prize and for the love of the beautiful and mysterious Miriam. It’s meant to be her big break: the moment she becomes the superstar she was born to be. But this is the era of “cruel reality TV” and the show producers have a different goal: they want to surprise the men with the fact that Miriam is trans. A new six-episode investigative series from Wondery, the makers of The Shrink Next Door and The Apology Line, and from Novel, HARSH REALITY is the story about love, lies, reality TV and a woman before her time: Miriam Rivera. Written by Agnes Borinsky and hosted by Trace Lysette.

    Binge all episodes of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-story-of-miriam-rivera/ now.

    © 2021 Wondery LLC. All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Introducing: Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera
    Nov 22 2021

    It was supposed to be a reality show with a twist. In a sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, six hot guys compete for a cash prize and for the love of the beautiful and mysterious Miriam. It’s meant to be her big break: the moment she becomes the superstar she was born to be. But this is the era of “cruel reality TV” and the show producers have a different goal: they want to surprise the men with the fact that Miriam is trans. A new six-episode investigative series from Wondery, the makers of The Shrink Next Door and The Apology Line, and from Novel, HARSH REALITY is the story about love, lies, reality TV and a woman before her time: Miriam Rivera. Written by Agnes Borinsky and hosted by Trace Lysette.

    You can binge all episodes of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.


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

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    3 mins
  • Something About Miriam | 1
    Nov 29 2021

    When a TV exec hears a pitch for a dating game show with a twist she’s sold. But from the very beginning Miriam must risk everything for the show to succeed.

    For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.


    Support us by supporting our sponsors!

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

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    41 mins
  • Where to find Episodes 2-6 of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera
    Feb 1 2024

    In the first episode of Harsh Reality, a TV executive heard a pitch for the juiciest reality dating game show ever. Filmed in sun-drenched Ibiza, the show would feature six gorgeous men competing for the beautiful Miriam Rivera. Sounds like a dream, right? But as was often the case in the era of “cruel reality TV,” the producers insisted on a shocking twist.


    If you want to hear the rest of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera, you can binge the rest of this six-part series exclusively on Wondery Plus.


    On Wondery Plus, you can listen to all your favorite podcasts early and ad-free. With a library featuring over 50 #1 Apple Podcast hits and 45,000 binge worthy episodes, there’s something for everyone.


    Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or an Apple Podcasts.

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

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    1 min

What listeners say about Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera

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Great Podcast, Very interesting

The person doing the podcast has the most amazing voice. She also describes people and situations in a way that removes you from wherever you're listening and poof you are in the middle of it all. I found myself wishing Miriam could have been hatched ( lol ) ten years later and witnessed how far things have come...and could be here to help get the world moving down the still long road ahead to trans rights and full acceptance of all people...just because they are people. None of the other stuff matters.

Again, LOVED IT AND SO WILL YOU

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Very Enjoyable

The story of Miriam Rivera was captivating, inspiring, and enjoyable with a tragic ending, This podcast left me wanting to learn more about her story, great job!

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A disturbing look into the depravity of humanity

Miriam and the men recruited for this game show were nothing more than dollar signs and ratings to these people. They should be ashamed of themselves. This was a well presented podcast, and I binged the whole thing today. It's so very sad to hear when anyone's life is cut so short.

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