242: What if you woke up and couldn't move?
This Is Actually Happening
Wondery
4.6 • 9.9K Ratings
🗓️ 16 August 2022
⏱️ 58 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
After growing up queer with a complicated father in the 1960s, a man forges his own path, identity and career in the arts, but suddenly, after a routine surgery, he wakes up unable to move.
.
Today’s episode featured John Killacky. You can find out more about John by going to johnkillacky.com with links to his book, “because art: commentary, critique, & conversation” as well as links to some of his films.
"I was so used to being adaptive, resilient, always seeing the horizon ahead....The complexity for me in that hospital is that there wasn’t a horizon. I was so stuck in the now of nothing."
Content/Trigger Warnings: graphic medical descriptions, paralysis, suicidal ideation, explicit language
Producer: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits
Social Media:
Instagram: @actuallyhappening
Twitter: @TIAHPodcast
This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/
Website: www.thisisactuallyhappening.com
Website for Andrew Waits: www.andrdewwaits.com
Episode Sponsor: Betterhelp: betterhelp.com/happening
Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at https://wondery.com/plus
Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/happening
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Union Flow" - Spuntic
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line: Within the US, text HOME to 741741
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This is actually happening features real experiences that often include traumatic events. |
| 0:04.2 | Please consult the show notes for specific content warnings on each episode |
| 0:07.6 | and for more information about support services. |
| 0:17.4 | I was so used to being adaptive, resilient, |
| 0:21.2 | always seen the horizon ahead. |
| 0:24.2 | The complexity for me in that hospital is that there wasn't a horizon. |
| 0:28.7 | I was so stuck in the now of nothing. |
| 0:43.7 | From Wondery, I'm Whit Missaldine. |
| 0:46.8 | You are listening to this is actually happening. |
| 0:49.4 | Episode 242. |
| 1:00.0 | What if you woke up and couldn't move? |
| 1:08.4 | Hey, prime members, you can listen to this is actually happening. |
| 1:12.2 | Add free on Amazon Music. |
| 1:14.4 | Download the app today. |
| 1:16.1 | Hi, I'm David Brown, the host of Wondery's podcast business wars. |
| 1:20.0 | In our latest series, two visionary automakers each believe they can beat Detroit |
| 1:25.6 | and build America's favorite cars. |
| 1:28.2 | Listen to business wars on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. |
| 1:33.4 | It's hard to imagine losing a loved one, a wife, a husband, a child. |
| 1:37.8 | For many, it's their biggest fear. |
| 1:39.8 | I'm Marissa Jones, host of The Vanished. |
| 1:42.3 | A podcast that tells the stories of often overlooked and unsolved missing persons cases. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.