The CRUX: True Survival Stories

By: Kaycee McIntosh Julie Henningsen Bleav
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  • Summary

  • Are you drawn to thrilling survival stories where characters overcome impossible odds? The Crux: True Survival Stories is your podcast. Join us for gripping tales of resilience and invaluable insights into wilderness survival and the mindset needed to overcome adversity. Hosted by Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen, both passionate about wilderness and medicine, our podcast is fueled by real-life stories and the pivotal moments that determine life or death outcomes. Tune in for captivating narratives that entertain and educate. Airing every Monday!
    Kaycee McIntosh, Julie Henningsen
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Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • In the Jaws of Polar Bears: Surviving Arctic's Apex Predator | E 157

    In the Jaws of Polar Bears: Surviving Arctic's Apex Predator | E 157
    Apr 14 2025
    In this episode of The Crux, Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen, delve into the terrifying encounters between humans and polar bears. The episode recounts the harrowing survival stories of individuals like Matt Dyer and Elijah Carner, who faced life-threatening polar bear attacks in remote Arctic regions. The hosts discuss the increasing frequency of such encounters due to climate change, which causes bears to move closer to human territories. They also explore the biology of polar bears, the environments where attacks typically occur, and the essential survival tactics and safety measures required when traveling in polar bear regions. This episode emphasizes the importance of preparation, quick thinking, and the evolving strategies to ensure the safety of both humans and bears in an ever-changing Arctic landscape. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:35 Polar Bear Encounters: A Growing Concern 02:07 Understanding Polar Bears and Their Habitat 08:13 Matt Dyer's Harrowing Survival Story 25:05 Elijah Carner's Close Call 29:09 A Tragic Incident in Wales, Alaska 29:49 First Fatal Polar Bear Attack in 30 Years 31:08 Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bear Behavior 31:42 Recent Polar Bear Attacks and Their Implications 32:47 Survival Factors in Polar Bear Attacks 38:15 Psychological Impact of Surviving a Polar Bear Attack 41:49 Notable Polar Bear Incidents 45:44 Practical Advice for Polar Bear Encounters 53:18 Community Efforts to Reduce Polar Bear Conflicts 54:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References Arctic Today. (2021, August 18). Polar bear attack survivor played dead to save his life. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/polar-bear-attack-survivor-played-dead-to-save-his-life-1.1389918 BBC News. (2020, August 28). Dutch man killed by polar bear on Norway's Svalbard islands. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53945950 BBC News. (2023, January 20). Alaska polar bear attack: Mother and son killed while walking in Wales. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgq20qd59yyo Dyer, M. (2017, March 24). I survived a polar bear attack. Backpacker. https://www.backpacker.com/survival/surviving-animal-attacks/i-survived-a-polar-bear-attack/ Lester, K. (2014, July 28). A year after surviving polar bear attack, he is mellowed, undaunted, and ready to hike again. Portland Press Herald. https://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/28/a-year-after-surviving-polar-bear-attack-he-is-mellowed-undaunted-and-ready-to-hike-again/ Hopper, T. (2021, August 18). Nunavut man who survived polar bear attack recounts experience. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/polar-bear-attack-survivor-1.6142932 Hymas, D. (2015, January). The man who survived a polar bear attack. Sierra. https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2015-1-january-february/feature/man-who-survived-polar-bear-attack Pappas, S. (2023, January 18). Polar bear attacks and kills woman and boy in remote Alaska village. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/polar-bear-attack-alaska Polar Bears International. (n.d.). Polar bear attacks: Causes & prevention. https://polarbearsinternational.org/news-media/articles/polar-bear-attacks-causes-prevention Slisco, A. (2014, July 26). Maine man survives polar bear attack. WMTW. https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-man-survives-polar-bear-attack/1996996 Welz, A. (2017, July 12). Polar bear attacks on people set to rise as climate changes. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2140701-polar-bear-attacks-on-people-set-to-rise-as-climate-changes/ Wikipedia. (n.d.). Polar bear. Retrieved April 12, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear
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    58 mins
  • Disaster Strikes! Tragedy in Death Valley: The German Tourist Mystery | E 156

    Disaster Strikes! Tragedy in Death Valley: The German Tourist Mystery | E 156
    Apr 10 2025

    In this inaugural episode of the new podcast segment 'Disaster Strikes,' host Kaycee McIntosh, joined by Julie Henningsen, explores a tragic outdoor adventure case. They recount the story of four German tourists who vanished in Death Valley in 1996, leading to one of the park’s most enduring mysteries. Through an in-depth examination of their journey and the subsequent discovery of their remains over a decade later, the episode highlights the extreme dangers of Death Valley and provides essential lessons for wilderness survival. The narrative underscores the importance of preparation, understanding the environment, and making prudent decisions in the face of nature's unforgiving challenges.

    00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes

    01:25 The Death Valley Germans: A Mysterious Disappearance

    01:57 Understanding the Dangers of Death Valley

    04:05 The Fateful Journey Begins

    08:11 The Search and Discovery

    17:25 Piecing Together the Tragedy

    21:52 Lessons Learned from the Death Valley Germans

    28:14 Final Thoughts and Cautionary Advice

    Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/

    Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

    Primary Source Documentation

    1. Mahood, Tom. "The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans." OtherHand.org. Accessed March 2025. A comprehensive account written by the person who ultimately solved the case in 2009.

    News Articles and Official Resources

    1. "Death Valley Germans." Wikipedia. Last edited February 23, 2025. A general overview of the case with multiple sources cited.
    2. "Death Valley skeletons solve riddle of missing German tourists." The Telegraph. November 14, 2009.
    3. "Remains May Be Tourists Missing 13 Years." CBS News. November 13, 2009.
    4. Flinchum, Robin. "Interest continues in 20-year Death Valley mystery." Pahrump Valley Times. July 22, 2016.
    5. Flinchum, Robin. "Twentieth anniversary of one of Death Valley's baffling mysteries." Pahrump Valley Times. July 20, 2016.
    6. "Van of Missing German Tourists Found in Death Valley Park." Los Angeles Times. October 25, 1996.
    7. Gorman, Tom. "Search Ends for 4 Missing German Tourists." Los Angeles Times. October 31, 1996.
    8. "Children Still Missing in 1996 German Tourist Case." Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News. March 8, 2010.
    9. National Park Service. "Safety." Death Valley National Park. Official park safety guidelines.

    Online Resources and Documentaries

    1. "One Family's Desperate Attempt to Survive in the Scorching Desert | The Death Valley Germans Story." Outdoor Disasters YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjEOYOZpGPo
    2. "Death Valley Germans - companion reading." Medium.com. September 11, 2016.
    3. "The German Tourists in Death Valley - Disturbing deaths in U.S. national parks and deserts." StrangeOutdoors.com.
    4. "Searching for the Death Valley Germans." Compiled by Cassidy Garrett. June 3, 2021.
    5. "Death Valley Germans." OddMurdersAndMysteries.com. August 10, 2020.
    6. "Missing German Family." Vanished.us. Death Valley Cases.

    Technical Information

    1. Death Valley National Park. "Weather and Climate." Information on temperature records and climate conditions in Death Valley.
    2. National Weather Service. Historic weather data for Death Valley, July 1996.
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    29 mins
  • Alone in Antarctica: Richard Byrd's Deadly Solitude | E 155

    Alone in Antarctica: Richard Byrd's Deadly Solitude | E 155
    Apr 7 2025

    In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh explore the harrowing experience of Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd in Antarctica during the winter of 1934. Byrd, already famous for his polar explorations, volunteered for a solo mission to collect meteorological data in a tiny buried shack during the Antarctic winter. With temperatures plummeting to -70°F in perpetual darkness, Byrd's scientific dedication was tested when his poorly ventilated stove began leaking carbon monoxide, slowly poisoning him over months. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued his meteorological observations and initially concealed his condition during radio check-ins to prevent endangering potential rescuers. After a failed first attempt, a rescue team led by Dr. Thomas Poulter finally reached Byrd, finding him emaciated but alive. Byrd's ordeal, which he later documented in his book "Alone," not only contributed valuable scientific data but influenced isolation studies for military and space programs and led to the prohibition of solo Antarctic missions. The episode presents a remarkable testament to human endurance in one of Earth's most unforgiving environments.

    00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
    00:31 Setting the Scene: Antarctica, 1934
    01:00 Meet Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Bird
    01:27 Bird's Polar Expeditions
    04:25 The Second Antarctic Expedition
    06:14 Bird's Solo Winter Mission
    07:52 Life in Isolation
    12:08 The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide
    18:04 Struggling with the Stove
    19:17 Bird's Deteriorating Condition
    19:52 Maintaining the Facade
    22:04 Rescue Mission Begins
    25:25 Second Rescue Attempt
    27:53 Bird's Return and Recovery
    30:36 Legacy and Impact
    33:18 Epilogue and Final Thoughts

    Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/

    Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

    Primary Sources
    1. Byrd, Richard E. (1938). Alone. G.P. Putnam's Sons. [Byrd's personal memoir of his five months at Advance Base]
    2. Byrd, Richard E. (1935). Discovery: The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
    3. Byrd, Richard E. (1930). Little America: Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic, The Flight to the South Pole. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
    4. Poulter, Thomas C. (1935). "The Advance Base Rescue." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 79(4), 593-609. [First-hand account of the rescue mission by Dr. Poulter]
    5. Byrd Antarctic Expedition Papers, 1925-1938. Ohio State University Archives & Special Collections. [Includes original journals, logbooks, and correspondence]
    Secondary Sources
    1. Hoyt, Edwin P. (1968). The Last Explorer: The Adventures of Admiral Byrd. John Day Company.
    2. Rose, Lisle A. (2008). Explorer: The Life of Richard E. Byrd. University of Missouri Press.
    3. Goerler, Raimund E. (1998). To the Pole: The Diary and Notebook of Richard E. Byrd, 1925-1927. Ohio State University Press.
    4. Beekman, Daniel (2014). "The Worst Journey in the World: Admiral Richard E. Byrd's Lonely Antarctic Winter." Weatherwise, 67(5), 18-25.
    5. Murphy, David Thomas (2002). German Exploration of the Polar World: A History, 1870-1940. University of Nebraska Press. [Provides context for international polar exploration]
    6. Darack, Ed (2011). "Against the Cold: Admiral Byrd's Dangerous Antarctic Winter." Alpinist, 13, 54-61.
    7. Demas, Coleen (2016). "Searching for Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Advance Base." Antarctic Sun, National Science Foundation. [Information on the 2016 search for the Advance Base]
    8. Johnson, Charles W. (1971). Antarctica: First Person Accounts. Dodd, Mead & Company.
    9. Pyne, Stephen J. (1986). The Ice: A Journey to Antarctica. University of Washington Press. [Contextual information on Antarctic exploration]
    10. Sullivan, Walter (1957). Quest for a Continent: The Story of Antarctic Exploration by the Men Who Did It. McGraw-Hill.
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    38 mins
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Profile Image for Ashley Stockel

All of it is great! Definitely recommend!

It gives you unbelievable story's and is great for just doing chores and listening to it. I love how they give so much detail. Though I do recommend telling a few scary story's that are like myths that actually came true. Like some stupid teenagers doing stupid stuff and then they see something coming after them that doesn't seem like an animal but seems like someone watching, or following them. But overall it is a great podcast and I love listening to it!!! :D

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Profile Image for Wendy B.

Great survivor stories

I love the banter. Y'all make me laugh. I love hearing the stories. Makes work so much more enjoyable.

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