PODCAST · true crime
Dead or Survive
by Rob and Cheryl Riches
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/robert-riches/subscribeTales of amazing survival stories...and those who weren't so lucky.Each week Cheryl will tell a story of somebody surviving against all odds. Rob follows by sharing some Darwin awards (where people do something really dumb and remove themselves from the gene pool)
Episodes
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4.2 Trapped in the Dark: The Thai Cave Rescue + Darwin Awards & the Male Idiot Theory
In this episode of Dead or Survive, Cheryl takes you deep into one of the most incredible survival stories of our time—the 2018 Thai cave rescue. Twelve boys and their soccer coach are trapped four kilometers underground as monsoon rains flood the cave behind them. For ten days, no one knows if...
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4.1 ARCTIC TERROR — and What NOT to Do with That Thing
We’re back! Did you miss us? Because we’ve got an episode that’ll make you clutch your limbs and your pearls. Cheryl kicks things off with a chilling survival story straight from the Arctic — a terrifying polar bear attack that left victims fighting for their lives. It’s brutal, it’s real, and…
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3.5 ROOTED in RESISTANCE — A Tree, a Woman, and a Mission
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the remarkable story of Julia Butterfly Hill, the environmental activist who lived in a redwood tree for over 700 days to save it from being cut down. Perched high above the ground on a small platform in a 1,500-year-old redwood named Luna, Julia…
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3.4 8 YEARS UNDERGROUND — The Escape of Natascha Kampusch
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the harrowing and inspiring story of Natascha Kampusch, the Austrian girl who was abducted at age 10 and held captive for over eight years in a hidden cellar. Subjected to intense psychological and physical abuse, Natascha’s survival — and eventual…
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3.3 FLASH FLOOD HELL — and COMMON SENSE GONE MISSING
On the night of July 31, 1976, a wall of water tore through Big Thompson Canyon in Colorado, triggered by an unexpected and devastating thunderstorm. The flood caught residents and tourists off guard, killing 144 people in one of the deadliest flash floods in U.S. history. But not everyone was...
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3.2 HE WAS ALREADY INSIDE — A Survivor’s Nightmare
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the chilling story of Tina Bowen, a young woman who survived an encounter with one of the most disturbing predators in modern true crime — Daniel LaPlante. Before becoming a convicted murderer, LaPlante was already breaking into homes, stalking his...
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3.1 BRAINWASHED or BAD GIRL? The TRIAL of the CENTURY
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl unpacks the wild, head-spinning tale of Patty Hearst — the kidnapped heiress who became one of America’s most controversial figures. In 1974, Patty was abducted by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army, and what followed was a transformation no one saw…
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Ten second survival part 1
It's the off season, summer has begun! We know that you will miss us though, so from time to time we will be posting these mini episodes throughout the summer. This episode is Cheryl's turn. This week's submissions include a scary bike trail ride, an evil aunt and listening to your gut. Hope you...
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2.28 THE CLOUSE FAMILY MYSTERY — Found After Four Decades
Imagine losing your children — and your grandchild — without a trace. That’s what the Clouse family endured for over four decades. In 1981, Dean and Tina Clouse were murdered, their bodies discovered but never identified. Their infant daughter, Holly, was nowhere to be found. Then, 42 years…
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2. 27 THE GREAT FIRE — and the HERO of the HELLSTORM
Imagine being completely surrounded by roaring flames — the air thin with smoke, cinders raining down like artillery, and everything around you turning to ash. That was the reality for Ed Pulaski and his crew during the Great Fire of 1910. But with grit, leadership, and one bold move, Ed saved...
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Johnny on the spot #1
Welcome to the first ever Johnny on the spot! Rob takes control of the mike for a very short dose of Darwin award. If you enjoy this, and think we should do it more, please let us know!
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2.26 SURVIVING the GOLDEN STATE KILLER
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl dives into the horrifying case of Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. — the Golden State Killer. A former police officer turned serial predator, DeAngelo terrorized California from 1974 to 1986 with a spree of violence that included at least 13 murders, 51 rapes, and…
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2.25 ALCATRAZ’S GREAT ESCAPE — Dead or Survive?
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl takes a different approach. It’s not a survival story — it’s a mystery: Did they survive? In 1962, Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin pulled off one of the most daring prison breaks in history — escaping from Alcatraz and disappearing into the...
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2.24 THE DEADLIEST TIGER — and the MAN Who Hunted HER
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl dives into one of the deadliest survival-adjacent stories in recorded history — the tale of the Champawat tiger, a female Bengal tiger responsible for over 400 human deaths across Nepal and India in the early 1900s. Villagers lived in terror until legendary...
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2.23 HOLLYWOOD NEAR-DEATHS — and EASTER with the DARWINS
Happy Easter from Dead or Survive! 🐣 This week, Cheryl brings the Hollywood heat with real-life survival stories from actors who almost didn’t make it off the set. From Johnny Depp’s mid-air horse disaster, to Uma Thurman’s terrifying car crash, to Jackie Chan literally cracking his skull —…
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2.22 TRAPPED UNDERGROUND — The WORLD Watched Baby Jessica
In October 1987, the world stood still for 58 hours as Baby Jessica McClure was trapped 22 feet below ground in a narrow well in Midland, Texas. It was one of the first true “live” rescue stories, with CNN’s 24/7 coverage making Jessica “everybody’s baby.” Cheryl recounts the tension, triumph…
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2.21 HE KILLED 15 — But She Lived to Tell the Story
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl tells the powerful and heartbreaking story of Holly K. Dunn — the only known survivor of the infamous Railroad Killer, Ángel Maturino Reséndiz. After witnessing her boyfriend brutally murdered in front of her, Holly was left beaten, stabbed, and left for dead...
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2.20 LOST in the MOUNTAINS — and RUN OVER by REGRET
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl recounts the incredible Cold War survival story of Lieutenant David Steeves. After his military jet crashed deep in California’s rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains, Steeves was presumed dead. But 54 days later, he reappeared with a tale of ice, starvation, injury,...
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2.19 180 MILES of HELL — Mauro vs. the Sahara
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the unbelievable survival story of Mauro Prosperi. While competing in the grueling Marathon des Sables, Mauro became disoriented during a sandstorm and veered over 180 miles off course into the heart of the Sahara Desert. With no help in sight, he...
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2.18 One Brother Saved a Life… The Other Took Four
We’ve officially hit 50 episodes! Thank you to all our amazing listeners—your support means the world. 🎉 And yes, we announce the winner of our Yeti giveaway on this episode! This week, Cheryl dives into the haunting true story of the Stayner family. In 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner was…
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2.17 DEATH in the DARK: Glacier’s Grizzly Horror
On August 13, 1967, two young women were attacked and killed by grizzly bears in separate incidents on the same night in Glacier National Park. It was a perfect storm of poor park policies, habituated bears, and ignored warnings—until tragedy struck. Cheryl walks you through the terrifying events...
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2.16 DANELLE & TAZ: A Canyon, a Fall, and a Furry Hero
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the jaw-dropping survival story of Danelle Ballengee. In 2006, this elite trail runner took a brutal fall during a solo training run in the Utah desert, shattering her pelvis and becoming stranded at the bottom of a canyon. For 56 hours, she fought for...
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2.15 HOLLYWOOD, HEARTBREAK, and a KNIFE
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the jaw-dropping survival story of Kendra Beebe. On August 10, 2008, Kendra was ambushed in her own home by actor Shelley Malil—best known for his role in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. What followed was a brutal, unprovoked attack that left her with 23 stab...
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2.14 STABBED for SLENDER MAN — and Still Standing
In one of the most chilling cases of friendship turned nightmare, 12-year-old Payton Leutner was lured into the woods by her two best friends—and stabbed 19 times. Their motive? To please Slenderman, a fictional internet myth they believed was real. But Payton didn’t die. She survived the attack,...
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2.13 JENNIFER SCHUETT & WHERE DO ALL THESE PEOPLE FIND DYNAMITE?!
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the powerful survival story of Jennifer Schuett. In the summer of 1990, 8-year-old Jennifer was abducted from her bedroom window, assaulted, and left for dead in a field. But through sheer willpower and determination, she stayed alive — and even played…
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2.12 BURIED ALIVE, BITING FROGS & BAD FISHING DECISIONS
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the wild survival story of Ricky Megee, who was left for dead in the middle of the Australian outback — buried alive, shoeless, and without water. Over the next 71 days, Ricky survived by eating whatever he could catch or scavenge: frogs, insects,...
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2.11 Ada Blackjack and instant karma
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the haunting and heroic tale of Ada Blackjack, the seamstress who was never meant to be a survivor. Hired to cook and sew for a small expedition on remote Wrangel Island, Ada found herself alone in the Arctic wilderness after the men around her...
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please stand by
Rob and I have had a tragic event happen this weekend. Because of this we are taking a week off of recording. Thanks for your understanding
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2.10 STOLEN IN THE NIGHT: The Elizabeth Smart Story
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl dives into the heartbreaking and inspiring survival story of Elizabeth Smart, a 14-year-old girl abducted from her bedroom in the middle of the night. Taken by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee, Elizabeth endured nine months of...
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2.9 CHRISTMAS MIRACLES & FRIENDS YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE!
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl unwraps not one, but three Christmas miracles. From a father who nearly lost his entire family, to an unbelievable discovery under the tree, and finally, a record-breaking rescue at sea that made maritime history — it's a powerful set of stories that prove…
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2.8 THE WOMB RAID, THE SPY WHO SAVED THE WORLD & THE DARWIN DETONATION!
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl dives into a chilling true crime tale of betrayal, obsession, and survival — the horrifying story of Angelique Robledo and Kassandra Toruga. What starts as a fractured friendship ends with an attempted womb-snatching that could rival any horror film. Then we...
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2.7 JUNGLE MADNESS: Survival, Betrayal, and Botflies
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl dives into the wildest Amazon jungle survival story you’ll ever hear — the tale of Yossi Ghinsberg, a backpacker whose dream adventure turned into a real-life nightmare. Left completely alone in the rainforest for weeks, Yossi faced jaguar attacks, quicksand,...
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2.6 Jose Salvador Alveranga, and, when it rains it pours!
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the unbelievable survival story of Jose Salvador Alvarenga — a fisherman who got caught in a storm and ended up adrift at sea for 438 days. With nothing but a cooler of supplies, a dying companion, and a whole lot of mental strength, he became a…
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2.5 FROZEN, BEATEN, UNBROKEN: The Teri Jendusa-Nicolai Story
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl brings you the freezing, terrifying story of Teri Jendusa-Nicolai, who was beaten by her ex-husband, stuffed in a garbage can, and left for dead in a storage unit during a brutal Wisconsin winter. But against all odds — and in temperatures far below zero —…
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2.4 Jayme Closs, and listen to your mother!
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl tells the heartbreaking and heroic story of Jayme Closs — a 13-year-old girl who witnessed her parents' murder and was kidnapped by the killer. After 88 days in captivity, she found a way to escape and bring her captor to justice. Her story is one of pure...
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2.3 NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES — SOME ESCAPE SUBMARINES
This week, Cheryl shares the unbelievable but true survival story of John Capes — the man who escaped a sunken submarine, swam for hours through enemy waters, and lived to tell the tale... only to be called a liar for decades. His heroism was doubted in life, but proven long after death. Then Rob...
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2.2 ENTOMBED: Two Women Who Fought Their Way Out
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares not one — but two nearly unbelievable stories of women who were buried alive by their partners... and survived. First, we revisit the shocking 2011 case of Michelina Lewandowska, a mother who was tasered, bound, stuffed in a cardboard box, and buried in…
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2.1 LOCKED AWAY: The Colleen Stan Story
This week, Cheryl shares the heartbreaking and powerful story of Colleen Stan, also known as The Girl in the Box. In 1977, Colleen was kidnapped and held captive for seven years, most of that time spent inside a crude, coffin-sized wooden box, subjected to psychological torment and abuse. Her...
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Season 2 promo
Where did we go??! We know, we disappeared for a few months. We are sorry. But we're back now for season 2! This season will still have Cheryl telling amazing stories of survival, followed by tales of Darwin award winners by Rob. We hope you will join us for our new season!
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1.32 10 YEARS IN HELL: The Cleveland Kidnapping Survivors
This week’s episode of Dead or Survive tells one of the most harrowing and powerful survival stories in recent history. Cheryl shares the ordeal of Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus — three young women kidnapped and held captive for more than a decade in a Cleveland home. Their…
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1.31 The Unkillable Soldier & the brothers who buried themselves
It’s a Dead or Survive role reversal this week — and Rob’s the one bringing the epic survival story. He introduces us to Adrian Carton De Wiart, the so-called unkillable soldier who survived plane crashes, bullet wounds, shell blasts, and losing body parts — all while insisting war was “fun.”…
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1.30 Lost and Found: A Father, a Son, and Historical Stupidity
This week, Cheryl tells the unbelievable survival story of Michael and his 10-year-old son Matthew Couillard, who were stranded for days in the deep Canadian wilderness. Armed with little more than determination and a good pair of boots, their tale is one of grit, love, and serious dad energy.…
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1.29 THE UNSINKABLE AND THE UNTHINKABLE
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl dives into the icy depths of history with the story of R. Norris Williams, a first-class passenger aboard the Titanic who not only survived the disaster — but went on to become a world-class tennis champion. With frozen legs, sheer willpower, and a strange...
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1.28 SHE SURVIVED A MONSTER — THEN TOOK HIM DOWN
This week, Cheryl tells the incredible survival story of Lisa McVey — a 17-year-old girl who was kidnapped, assaulted, and nearly killed by a serial predator. But instead of breaking down, Lisa used her wits to escape... and then helped police bring down the man responsible for a string of brutal...
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1.27 4 YEARS ALONE: The Real Robinson Crusoe
Before Robinson Crusoe hit bookshelves, there was Alexander Selkirk — a real-life castaway who survived four years alone on a remote island in the South Pacific. Cheryl dives into the true story behind the legend: a marooned sailor, wild goats, and a battle against isolation that redefined what…
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1.26 Outback Ordeal: A Father, A Daughter, and a Desert
This week on Dead or Survive, Cheryl shares the harrowing true story of Matthew McGough and his 5-year-old daughter Shannon, who vanished into the Australian outback and somehow survived over a week in the scorching desert with no food, no water, and no clear way out. Their strength and instincts...
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1.25 Escape from the Moorhouse Murder House
This week, Cheryl shares the terrifying true story of Kate Moir, the lone survivor of the infamous Moorhouse Murders in Australia. Abducted by a serial killer couple, Kate managed to escape their house of horrors — and in doing so, may have saved countless future victims. Then Rob brings us back…
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1.24 CRASHES, CONSPIRACIES & CATCHING DINNER
🎉 It’s our 6-month anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with a few wild stories and a sprinkle of conspiracy? Cheryl kicks things off with the true tale of an 11-year-old thrill-seeker who survived a plane crash in the mountains — alone, injured, and against the odds. It’s a story…
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1.23 Wildfires and penis tossing
On November 8, 2018, the town of Paradise, California, was consumed by the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history. What began as a faulty transmission line exploded into a 154,000-acre inferno that destroyed homes, schools, and lives — all in a matter of hours. Cheryl shares survival stories...
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1.22 Surviving a serial killer and kung fu fighting
This week’s episode opens with a chilling story of true survival against pure evil. Cheryl recounts the terrifying attack on Kris and Doug Wells, a Montana couple who found themselves face-to-face with serial killer Wayne Nance — the so-called Missoula Mauler. After tying them up and stabbing…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/robert-riches/subscribeTales of amazing survival stories...and those who weren't so lucky.Each week Cheryl will tell a story of somebody surviving against all odds. Rob follows by sharing some Darwin awards (where people do something really dumb and remove themselves from the gene pool)
HOSTED BY
Rob and Cheryl Riches
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dead or Survive have?
Dead or Survive currently has 67 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dead or Survive about?
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/robert-riches/subscribeTales of amazing survival stories...and those who weren't so lucky.Each week Cheryl will tell a story of somebody surviving against all odds. Rob follows by sharing some Darwin awards (where people do something really dumb and...
How often does Dead or Survive release new episodes?
Dead or Survive has 67 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Dead or Survive?
You can listen to Dead or Survive on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dead or Survive?
Dead or Survive is created and hosted by Rob and Cheryl Riches.
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