Tell Me What Happened

A Daring Whitewater Rescue

After more than a decade kayaking flat water, Daniel Hartung wanted to try some rapids. His opportunity came during a bluegrass and whitewater festival in Hope, Alaska. As he made his way down Six Mile Creek and between steep canyon walls, he went over a set of falls and hit a rock. His kayak filled with water, and he was thrown into the river. He drifted until his foot was snagged in an underwater branch. Then things got worse. We also talk to an Alaskan travel expert about how to safely experience the ruggedness of the Far North. Guests include: Daniel Hartung Obadiah Jenkins Zen Godfrey - https://www.alaska.org/community/zen-godfrey For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Escaping the Palisades Fire

In January 2025, a deadly fire blazed through the hills north of Los Angeles. Amidst the inferno, Aaron Samson needed to get his 83-year-old father-in-law, Ron, to safety. Aaron didn’t have a vehicle, and Ron has Parkinson’s disease. They tried 911. They tried to get a rideshare. They were on foot when they encountered Andrew Lin. He was attempting a different rescue when he stopped to save them instead. We also talk with Jennifer Oteng, a geriatric outreach nurse, about helping people during an emergency — specifically elderly people with physical or cognitive limitations. Guests include: Aaron Samson Andrew Lin Jennifer Oteng — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-oteng-aa945768/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Heatstroke in the Superstition Mountains

While on vacation, Colt Johnson went in search of a little fresh air and headed toward Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. Five hours into his hike, he began to feel lightheaded. He knew the heat was probably getting to him. His water was gone. Colt started losing his balance, and then his body started to fail. He laid down under a thorny bush and passed out. Before that, however, he fired three shots into the sky and hoped someone heard them. We also talk with Tami Hew-Butler about the dangers of dehydration and of having too much water. Guests include: Colt Johnson John Zeto Tamara ‘Tami’ Hew-Butler — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-hew-butler-dpm-phd-facsm-86390742/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Seen and Saved Through a Camera Lens

Antoinette Foley has had a tough life. She lost her children, struggled with addiction and ended up living in a tent by a river in Ireland. Her story could have ended there if not for a stranger who asked an unusual question. One day, on the sidewalk outside his shop, James Mahon asked if he could take her photo. That began an unlikely friendship that has lasted and greatly impacted both of them. We also talk with Donald Whitehead Jr., the executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless based in Washington, D.C., about the perception and reality of people who live on the street. Guest include: Antoinette Foley James Mahon Donald Whitehead Jr James and Antoinette have released a book of their photographs titled, “The Hawk Against the Dove.” You can view some of the photographs and order the book here: https://www.hawkagainstthedove.com/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Struck by Lightning on the Trail

Minko Nikolov is an avid rock climber. Bouldering? Big vertical walls? He does it all. But he’s no risk-taker. In fact, on this day, he was only hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. The weather didn’t look good, so Minko turned around and was heading back to his car when he was struck by lightning. When hikers found him, his body was smoking. We will also talk with Katie Flanagan about the dangers of lightning strikes and dispel a few myths in the process. Guests include: Minko Nikolov Philip Magistro Katie Flanagan — http://www.lightningsafetycouncil.org/LSC-About%20Katie%20Flanagan.html For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.