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This Is Actually Happening

289: What if you walked into your high school with a shotgun?

This Is Actually Happening

Audible

Documentary, Tiah, Society & Culture

4.610.4K Ratings

🗓️ 12 September 2023

⏱️ 69 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary


After facing abuse at a young age, a man develops a festering, unseen sense of emptiness that finds expression in an act of violence that would haunt him forever.


Today’s episode featured Jon Romano. You can find out more about Jon by following him on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Threads and Snapchat all with the same handle: @JonSeekingPeace. If you’d like to reach out to him directly, you can also email him at JonSeekingPeace@gmail.com


Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz


Content/Trigger Warnings:  sexual abuse of a minor, incest, gun violence, suicidal ideation, suicide, school shooting, graphic bodily injury, incarceration, explicit language

 

Social Media: 

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast


Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com


Website for Andrew Waits: andrewwaits.com

Website for Aviva Lipkowitz: avivalipkowitz.com/ 


Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.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 wondery.com/plus

 

Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: 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: “Uncertain Outcomes/Embers” – SkyeVoyager

 

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 and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988 

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

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.

0:16.1

High listeners, today we launch season 13 of this is actually happening.

0:21.3

I'm so thrilled to return from summer break refreshed

0:24.3

and with a slate of unbelievable news stories for you all this season.

0:28.2

A few announcements before we start this year we're expanding the design and artwork related to the show

0:33.7

all of which will be added to the store every month with new items.

0:37.4

So if you want shirts postcards stickers posters and other items or if you just want to check out some of the new designs

0:44.2

go to this is actually happening dot com as always stay updated by following us on Instagram at actually happening

0:52.0

or by joining that this is actually happening discussion group on Facebook.

0:56.0

We've also decided to start posting on threads this year after leaving the graveyard of Twitter

1:01.0

so you can follow us on threads as well at actually happening.

1:04.8

Thank you all again for your continued support throughout the break this summer.

1:08.5

And now we bring you the unthinkable story of John Romano for the first episode of season 13

1:15.1

what if you walked into your high school with a shotgun.

1:19.1

Instead of fixing my own pain instead of fixing my suffering I believe that I couldn't.

1:28.1

So I wanted to spread pain and suffering to others.

1:32.1

I wanted to make sure that they would see something that they would never unsee

1:37.1

that they wouldn't be able to forget about me.

1:49.1

From Wondery I'm with Missildine you are listening to this is actually happening.

2:05.1

Episode 289 what if you walked into your high school with a shotgun.

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