PODCAST · comedy
Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel
by Jake Haendel
Dive into the unexpected with "Ya Never Know," the podcast where unbelievable true stories come to life. Join host Jake Haendel as he shares his own incredible journey and unearths other wild, surprising, and sometimes unbelievable narratives that prove you truly never know what's around the corner. If you love gripping personal accounts and tales that defy expectation, this is your next listen.
Episodes
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31: Nurse Erica Tells Us How She’s Seen Munchausen By Proxy Firsthand—And Why My Story Raised Red Flags
In this episode of Ya Never Know, we sit down with Nurse Erica — RN, healthcare leader, nurse advocate, podcast host, and someone who’s seen healthcare from every angle. We dive into the real-world signs of factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly Munchausen by proxy), how it shows up…
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30: Bethany Tells Us How She Literally Needed To Have Her Head Screwed Back On To Stay Alive
Bethany grew up in a small town outside of Winnipeg, Canada, living with chronic illness since birth—without ever knowing why. For years, her symptoms were dismissed, misunderstood, or left unexplained, until she was finally diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare connective tissue…
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29: Bernenda Tells Us How War, Loss, Death, And Mental Health Collided — Changing Everything For A Soldier And Police Officer
Bernenda’s life is a story of service, sacrifice, and survival—revealing the hidden cost of being both a Soldier and a police officer, and how war, loss, and untreated mental health trauma can collide. Born into an undocumented Haitian family, Bernenda learned resilience early. A high-achieving...
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28: A Not-So-Special YNK Holiday Special (with Jake & Big A)
Jake and Big A talk holiday plans, how Jake is completely wiped from working on the BLINK Q&A episodes (released the Tuesday before Christmas), and fighting off a cold while trying to wrap everything up. We also talk about the kind of guests we’re looking for. If you’ve got a story you want to...
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27: Brooke Tells Us: Part 2 – The Case That Ended in Death and the Corruption Around It
In Part Two, Brooke takes us deeper inside Missouri’s family-court system, sharing the most intense cases she has encountered as an advocate and court watcher — including one case that ended in death and raised serious, unanswered questions. She breaks down recurring patterns she says are...
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26: Brooke Tells Us: Part 1 - How She Beat Addiction and a Corrupt System to Win Her Kids Back
Brooke tells us how she beat addiction and a corrupt system to win her kids back. Her story starts in California, where doctor shopping spiraled into a pain-pill addiction, then heroin, then homelessness. Thirteen years sober, Brooke rebuilt her life in Missouri — but when a divorce and custody...
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25: Karl Tells Us All The Way From Sweden How A Simple Tick Bite Became A Nightmare
Karl joins us all the way from Sweden to share the story of the tick bite he got at his summer home in the archipelagos — a chain of islands off the coast of Sweden — a bite he barely noticed but that almost cost him his life. What began as an ordinary weekend turned into a full medical emergency...
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24: Elizabeth Tells Us: Part Two - The Eight-Year Search for Answers in Margaret’s Unsolved Death (20 and Pregnant)
In this chapter, Elizabeth walks us through the eight-year investigation into her sister Margaret’s death — the unanswered questions, the inconsistencies, and why certain details in this episode are censored and beeped because the case is still open. Margaret was 20 years old and pregnant when…
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23: Elizabeth Tells Us: Part One — Growing Up in a Cult, Purity Culture, Abuse, and Her Sister’s Unsolved Death
In Part One of Elizabeth’s story, she opens up about a childhood shaped by a cult-like environment, strict purity culture, and an abusive father. She walks us through the hidden rules, the fear, and the control that defined her upbringing—and how it all set the stage for a deeply painful, messy...
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21: Leah Tell Us How Her Back Surgery Caused CRPS And Her Sober Father Started Growing Her Marijuana
Leah tells us how one back surgery changed her entire life. What should’ve been a simple procedure ended up causing CRPS, a nerve condition so brutal that many people lose hope the moment they hear the diagnosis. For Leah, it started in her foot and turned into nonstop pain — something she...
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20: Kyle Tells Us How Weed Literally Saved His Life
Kyle’s story is unlike anything you’ve ever heard. A prolific weed grower, a transgender man, and a terminal brain cancer survivor — somehow, he’s still here. After years of building his life in California and Colorado, Kyle was diagnosed with an aggressive, “incurable” form of brain cancer that…
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19: Dr. Ellen Reed Tells Us How She Helps People Grow — While Big A and I Talk About Our Own Recovery and Growth
In this episode of Ya Never Know, Dr. Ellen Reed (@drellenreed) joins us to share her journey as a performance coach and expert in Relentless Solution Focus. We talk about how we met, how she’s helped me as my coach, and how her work has shaped both my mindset and Big A’s approach to recovery.…
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18: Breaking Free From The Cult — Daniella’s Journey From The Children Of God To Military Intelligence (Part 2)
This episode picks up where Part One left off — after Daniella’s daring escape from the Children of God cult. What came next was a new kind of structure, discipline, and control: the U.S. military. Daniella (@daniellamyoung_) opens up about serving two tours in military intelligence, the...
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17: Daniella The Knitting Cult Lady Tells Us What It’s Like Growing Up In Children Of God — And How She Escaped The Cult (Part One)
This episode dives into a story so wild it sounds like fiction — but it’s all very real. Daniella, also known as the knitting cult lady, was born into Children of God as a third-generation member. From birth, she suffered control, abuse, and was even trafficked across borders under the guise of...
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16: Caitlyn Tells Us The Power Of Speaking Up As A Model TikTok Star And Advocate
Caitlyn (@caitlyn.cohen) is a model, TikTok star, and passionate advocate who’s opening up about life with a stutter. In this episode she shares what it’s really like, how she found the courage to speak out, and why using her platform matters so much. Keep up with Caitlyn’s journey here:...
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15: Joanne Tells Us How She Survived The Tragedy Of The Century After The Captain And Crew Fled
A vacation ferry ride turned into the Greek Tragedy of the Century when the ship began sinking like the Titanic. Joanne shares what it felt like to be trapped on a foreign vessel as the captain and crew abandoned ship and left everyone to die. Against all odds she survived—and even risked her…
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14: Ashley Tells Us What It’s Like To Love Someone Who’s Trapped In Locked-In Syndrome
Ashley tells us about her high school sweetheart, Travis, whose life was turned upside down when he became locked in. He is still currently fighting to survive, fluctuating through different states of consciousness while facing the medical complexity of locked-in syndrome. Ashley opens up about…
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13: Hannah Tells Us What It Was Like Being Sexually Assaulted By A Teacher For Years
Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault. Hannah opens up about how her entire high school career was shaped by years of sexual assault from a teacher — which later turned into a full-blown inappropriate relationship. She shares how she survived, found justice, and now maintains a...
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12: Emily Tells Us Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Strange Nipples, And How She’s Living for Tomorrow
Emily joins us with a story that starts with something unexpected: strange nipple changes that turned out to be cancer. She opens up about the fear, the fight, and the strength it took to survive — and why paying attention to your body could save your life. We also talk about what it means to…
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11: Lindsey Tells Us About T & A Art, Desert Life In Terlingua, And Picking Up Cartel Guns.
Lindsey tells us about building her startup T & A Art @titsandartwork, what it’s really like living out in Terlingua, Texas, and the wild story of picking up cartel guns. From shady run-ins to desert survival, this episode has it all—art, chaos, and grit. Follow Lindsey on Instagram:...
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10: Sam Tells Us How Having The World’s Biggest Gape Led To Going Viral And A Massive Audience
In this episode, we sit down with Sam Ramsdell — the Guinness World Record holder for the biggest gape in the world. We talk about what it’s like stepping on stage for America’s Got Talent, building a massive following, and why Sam’s hysterical, open-book personality is exactly how we should all...
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9: Alex Tells Us About An Abduction Attempt In Fiji And Living With Chronic Illness
In this episode, Jake Haendel and Adrienne sit down with Alexandra Cain to hear her wild story of almost being abducted as a teenager while traveling with friends in Fiji. But that’s just the beginning — Alex talks with us about living with chronic illness, navigating life’s curveballs, and how…
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8: Street Deals To Scrubs, Adrienne Talks Elle And Signs Onto Cohost
In this episode Jake goes deep with his ex girlfriend Adrienne into his relationship with Elle. What did she think of her when she first met her? What was their relationship like? Were there any red flags? Then Adrienne talks about where she is now, which concludes with a partnership with Jake?!
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7: Old Photos, A $50,000 Bail, And The Fall That Set Her Free
In this episode, Adrienne talks about her arrest, her crazy bail, and how it all helped her get clean. Jake and Adrienne talk about life after addiction, and give some words of advice to others who might be struggling. Oh, and some old photos of Jake and Adrienne are quite something.
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6: I Needed Her, She Needed More, And The Crossroads Of Adrienne And Elle
In this episode, Jake and Adrienne discuss why she left him, what she was in search of, some of her story that includes arrests, getting clean, and a glimpse into life after.
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5: Young Love, Drugs, And The Madness Before Illness With Ex-Girlfriend Adrienne
In Episode 5 we bring in Jake's ex-girlfriend, Adrienne, to talk about his life before illness. Crazy stories include being young and dumb, love, arrests, and so much more.
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4: Did She Try To Save Me, But Actually Destroy Me?
In this episode Jake tells his side of the story. Given everything that's happened in his life the last 7 years, the hospitalization, locked in, hospice stay, slow but steady recover, what is his theory as to what actually happened?
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3: A Chef's Knife, A Gun, And The Apron She Bought For The Occasion
In this episode, Chelsea returns with stories that include changed locks, a knife, a gun, a frilly apron, and so much more.
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2: An Old Roommate, The Lube, and A Kiddie Pool
We meet one of Jake's ex-wife's roommates, Chelsea - the stories are unhinged. The involve first falling in love, then 100s of bottles of lube and a kiddie pool. Buckle up — this one’s as messy as it sounds. There's so much here that our interview with Chelsea will be split into 3 parts. Strap in!
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1: Reflections On Blink, Legal Review, Sperm Related Medical Records
In episode 1, Jake reflects on the last 3 months of Blink, what it's been like, who's reached out, and more. We also dive into some of legal matters that surrounded the podcast, and pull up a medical record related to his sperm. Juicy first episode, lock in!
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1: Trailer
Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel launches June 9th!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dive into the unexpected with "Ya Never Know," the podcast where unbelievable true stories come to life. Join host Jake Haendel as he shares his own incredible journey and unearths other wild, surprising, and sometimes unbelievable narratives that prove you truly never know what's around the corner. If you love gripping personal accounts and tales that defy expectation, this is your next listen.
HOSTED BY
Jake Haendel
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel have?
Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel currently has 31 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel about?
Dive into the unexpected with "Ya Never Know," the podcast where unbelievable true stories come to life. Join host Jake Haendel as he shares his own incredible journey and unearths other wild, surprising, and sometimes unbelievable narratives that prove you truly never know what's around the...
How often does Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel release new episodes?
Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel has 31 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel?
You can listen to Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel 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 Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel?
Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel is created and hosted by Jake Haendel.
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