Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Rogue Wave | 2

FAN FAVORITE: Crash in a Volcano | Climbing Out | 2

Jun 30, 202642 minSummary

In this episode of Against The Odds, listeners follow the harrowing survival story of two cameramen, Chris Duddy and Mike Benson, who were stranded inside the Pu’u ‘O’o crater after their helicopter crashed into the active Hawaiian volcano. Following the initial rescue of their pilot, a violent tropical storm moved in, forcing emergency responders to suspend operations due to extreme winds, toxic volcanic gases, and dangerous, unstable terrain. The episode details the brutal reality of their environment, where the men spent two nights clinging to narrow ledges, suffering from dehydration, exposure, and the inhalation of sulfuric fumes. The narrative highlights the intense psychological and physical toll of their isolation, as the men battled hallucinations and the constant threat of falling rocks. While Chris eventually makes a desperate, agonizing climb to reach the crater rim, Mike remains trapped below, waiting for a final, perilous extraction as the rescue teams scramble to coordinate a plan. This gripping account showcases the resilience of the human spirit when faced with one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth.

FAN FAVORITE: Crash in a Volcano | Into the Crater | 1

Jun 23, 202643 minSummary

The podcast Against The Odds explores the harrowing true story of a 1992 film production gone wrong in Hawaii. During an aerial shoot for a movie, a helicopter carrying cameramen Chris Duddy and Mike Benson, along with pilot Craig Hosking, is forced to crash-land inside the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater of the active Kīlauea volcano. The incident is triggered when shifting winds fill the cabin with toxic sulfuric gases, causing the engine to stall and the aircraft to plummet. The episode chronicles the immediate aftermath of the crash, focusing on the survival instincts of the three men as they struggle to breathe in the suffocating volcanic fumes. Stranded on the jagged, inhospitable floor of the crater, they face the constant threat of lethal gases and the looming arrival of a storm. The narrative highlights the pilot’s desperate ingenuity in repairing the helicopter’s radio using a camera battery to broadcast a Mayday signal, as well as the intense pressure felt by the production team coordinating a rescue. It is a gripping tale of human endurance and the fragile line between a Hollywood set and a life-or-death emergency.

Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | A Pilot Remembers | 4

Jun 16, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of Against the Odds, host Mike Corey recounts a harrowing Coast Guard rescue mission that took place in the Gulf of Alaska in January 1998. The episode features retired Coast Guard Captain Steve Torpi, who piloted the third helicopter sent to rescue the crew of the Le Conti, a fishing vessel that sank during a violent Arctic storm. The discussion provides a vivid look at the extreme challenges of flight operations in Alaska, where pilots must navigate narrow fjords and towering mountains at low altitudes in near-total darkness. Captain Torpi details the intense conditions of that night, including fifty-foot waves and hurricane-force winds that pushed his helicopter toward its mechanical limits. The conversation highlights the incredible teamwork required between pilots and crew, especially when maneuvering a helicopter in a hover to lower a rescue basket. Torpi also reflects on the heavy psychological toll of the mission, which involved the successful rescue of two survivors but also the devastating loss of a third fisherman during a mid-air complication. This episode offers a compelling look at the bravery, technical skill, and emotional resilience required by those serving on the front lines of high-stakes maritime search and rescue.

Listen Now: Foul Play

Jun 15, 20267 minSummary

In this episode of Against The Odds, investigative journalist Gabriel Gatehouse teams up with Ed Jervis to unravel a bizarre and compelling mystery surrounding the legendary English goalkeeper Gordon Banks. The story centers on the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where the defending champions’ campaign was derailed after Banks suddenly fell ill with food poisoning. While the incident was long dismissed as an unfortunate case of bad luck, Ed has spent years questioning whether his grandfather was actually the victim of a targeted poisoning plot. Gatehouse, known for his expertise in international espionage and conspiracy theories, initially approaches the claims with deep skepticism. However, the investigation takes an unexpected turn when the duo uncovers files within the archives of the Mexican secret police, revealing that Banks was being surveilled by intelligence agencies at the time. The hosts explore the potential intersection of high-stakes Cold War politics and professional football, questioning if a geopolitical motive could have led to a calculated effort to sabotage the team. It is a gripping blend of family history, sports lore, and international intrigue that challenges everything known about the beautiful game.

Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Hanging On | 3

Jun 9, 202648 minSummary

In this gripping episode of Against the Odds, the podcast recounts the harrowing 1998 rescue mission carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard during a devastating winter storm off the coast of Alaska. After a fishing vessel sinks in the notorious Fair Weather Ground, five men are left fighting for survival in freezing, seventy-foot seas. The narrative focuses on the desperate struggle of the crew, particularly Bob Doyle, who attempts to keep his hypothermic skipper, Mark Morley, alive while tethered to other survivors in the chaotic ocean. The episode highlights the immense technical and physical challenges faced by the Sitka Air Station crew. Operating with limited visibility and extreme weather, the rescuers must perform a complex aerial mission, even resorting to unconventional, high-risk pilot techniques to maintain stability. The story underscores the intense psychological pressure on both the survivors and the rescuers, culminating in a heartbreaking moment during the extraction. This deeply researched account captures the bravery, split-second decision-making, and profound human toll involved when attempting a rescue against the backdrop of one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth.

Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Black Line | 1

May 26, 202647 minSummary

In this episode of Against the Odds, the podcast explores the harrowing story of the fishing vessel LaConti and the troubled man who became part of its crew. The narrative focuses on Bob Doyle, a former Coast Guard warrant officer whose life spiraled into turmoil after a painful divorce and subsequent battle with alcoholism. After losing his career and struggling to find his footing in Sitka, Alaska, Doyle finds unlikely employment on an aging, dilapidated fishing boat alongside a charismatic but volatile fisherman named Mike DeCapua. The episode chronicles their desperate attempt to secure a living on the dangerous waters of the Fairweather Ground. As the crew struggles with poor equipment, unreliable pumps, and the looming threat of the unpredictable Alaskan environment, tensions rise between the crew and their inexperienced captain, Mark Morley. The atmosphere shifts from hopeful to life-threatening when a massive, fast-moving storm—symbolized by a dark black line on the horizon—overtakes the vessel. The episode serves as a gripping introduction to a maritime crisis, highlighting the fragile line between seeking redemption at sea and facing an improbable, deadly disaster.

WW II Nurses Turned Prisoners of War | An Act of War | 1

Apr 7, 202646 minSummary

In this episode of Against The Odds, listeners are introduced to the harrowing journey of Dorothy Still, a young woman who joins the U.S. Navy as a nurse during the Great Depression. Seeking stability, she secures a dream assignment in the Philippines in 1941, enjoying a vibrant life stationed in paradise. However, the atmosphere shifts dramatically following the attack on Pearl Harbor, as the Philippines becomes a prime target for the Japanese military. Suddenly thrust into an active war zone, Dorothy and eleven fellow Navy nurses find their lives upended by a rapidly encroaching enemy force. This gripping narrative explores the transition from a peaceful posting to the terrifying reality of life on the front lines, setting the stage for a dramatic story of survival and resilience as these women face the prospect of becoming prisoners of war.

Lightning Strike on Half Dome | Survive the Night | 2

Mar 31, 202650 minSummary

In this harrowing installment of Against the Odds, the narrative picks up in the immediate aftermath of a terrifying lightning strike on the summit of Half Dome. As the injured hikers regain consciousness, they must confront the gravity of their life-threatening situation. The story takes an unexpected turn when a pair of EMTs happens upon the scene, providing critical medical intervention. However, the discovery is only the beginning of a desperate race against time. Listeners are taken through the intense logistical struggle to transport the victims off the treacherous peak and secure an emergency airlift before the window for survival closes. This gripping episode highlights the fragile boundary between adventure and catastrophe, showcasing the grueling physical and mental endurance required to survive an unthinkable encounter with nature in the high mountains.

Lightning Strike on Half Dome | The Storm | 1

Mar 24, 202638 minSummary

In this gripping premiere of The Storm, the podcast explores a harrowing survival story set against the iconic backdrop of Yosemite National Park. On July 27, 1985, a group of friends embarked on a climb to the summit of Half Dome, choosing to press forward despite clear indications of an approaching thunderstorm. As conditions deteriorated rapidly, climbers Adrian Esteban and Tom Rice found themselves joined by others at the peak, where they sought refuge in a small, cave-like enclosure. This decision, intended to provide safety from the elements, instead led to a life-altering tragedy. Listeners can expect a tense, meticulously detailed account of the events leading up to the lightning strike, examining the dangerous intersection of human ambition and the uncontrollable power of nature. It is a chilling introduction to a series defined by human resilience and the sudden fragility of life.

In Their Own Words: Chris Lemons – Deep Sea Diving Crisis | 1

Mar 17, 202637 minSummary

In this harrowing installment of Against The Odds, listener-favorite guest Chris Lemons recounts the terrifying incident that nearly cost him his life. In 2012, while working on oil infrastructure deep beneath the North Sea, a routine dive turned into a fight for survival when Lemons was suddenly cut off from his support vessel. Stranded 300 feet underwater with nothing but a minimal supply of emergency oxygen, he faced the impossible reality of waiting for rescue while trapped in total darkness. Throughout this episode, Lemons provides a gripping, firsthand account of his mental and physical state during those desperate thirty minutes. Listeners will gain insight into the fragility of human life in extreme environments and the incredible circumstances that allowed him to defy the odds and return to the surface. It is a powerful exploration of resilience, survival, and the profound will to live.