357: What if you were the girl locked upstairs?
This Is Actually Happening
Wondery
4.6 • 9.9K Ratings
🗓️ 8 April 2025
⏱️ 63 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
A vulnerable girl, having already endured abuse from her schizophrenic mother, loses her freedom and innocence when a trusted adult lures her into an unthinkable decade of captivity.
Today’s episode featured Tanya Kach. You can email Tanya at [email protected] or find her on social media via the following:
Facebook @Tanya Nicole Kach (Mimi)
Instagram @libragirl1481
Tanya wrote an autobiography “Memoir of a Milk Carton Kid”, available where books are sold. She’s done many speaking engagements, as well as television, podcasts, school speaking engagements and book readings.
A special thanks to Todd Rennebohm of the Bunny Hugs & Mental Health podcast for referring Tanya to us.
Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz
Content/Trigger Warnings: childhood abuse and neglect, divorce, bullying, child grooming, predation and assault, rape and sexual assault, kidnapping, imprisonment, explicit language
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We’ve come up with a short audience survey, which you can find linked in our show notes and in the bio of our Instagram page @actuallyhappening. We’d love to hear your opinions and feedback, and we’d really appreciate your point of view. Link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxV-6qeNAOuIAbBnuSJpoyqE3tlvusxb069dZCUC1RWeLfEg/viewform
Social Media:
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Twitter: @TIAHPodcast
Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com
Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com
Website for Aviva Lipkowitz: avivalipkowitz.com
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Intro Music: ""Illabye"" – Tipper
Music Bed: Re-Entry
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)
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Wondry Plus subscribers can listen to exclusive episodes of This Is Actually Happening |
| 0:05.0 | by joining Wondry Plus in the Wondry app or on Apple Podcasts. |
| 0:09.6 | This Is Actually Happening features real experiences that often include traumatic events. |
| 0:13.9 | Please consult the show notes for specific content warnings on each episode |
| 0:17.0 | and for more information about support services. |
| 0:34.0 | This is what he wants and that's what I have to do because he owned me. |
| 0:41.4 | My life and my body weren't mine anymore. They were his. I felt there was no possibility of me getting that back. |
| 0:52.4 | From Wondery, I'm Whit Misseldine. |
| 0:55.0 | You're listening to This Is Actually Happening. |
| 1:03.0 | Episode 357. |
| 1:08.0 | What if you were the girl locked upstairs? |
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| 2:03.4 | That's audible.com slash Wondery, UK. |
| 2:07.5 | I would define reclaiming as to take back what was yours. |
| 2:11.8 | Something you possess is lost or stolen, and ultimately you triumph in finding it again. |
... |
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