Podcast · Society & Culture

Against The Odds

by Audible · English · Society & Culture

Humans are resilient. In our toughest moments, we will fight, we will struggle, and we will triumph...often against the odds. In this immersive series, host-adventurers Mike Corey and Cassie De Pecol will share thrilling stories of survival. From the daring rescue of a soccer team trapped in an un

Start from episode 1WhatsApp

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 44 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 9 minNew

Listen Now: Audible True Crime – Ghost Story

Audible True Crime is a dedicated podcast feed where we bring you the best podcasts in true crime, with episodes dropping every single week. Just in time for spooky season, we’re releasing a show called Ghost Story, a series about a hidden family secret, unexplainable events and jaw-dropping coincidences. Tristan Redman doesn’t believe in ghosts. But weird things happened in his teenage bedroom. And when he discovers later that occupants of his family home have seen the ghost of a faceless woman, he’s intrigued. Because it just so happens that his wife’s great grandmother, Naomi Dancy, was…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S80 · E4 · 12 Oct 2026 · 37 minNew
The Great Northern Railroad Avalanche | Stranded on a Train | 4
In the early hours of March 1st, 1910, an avalanche roared down onto passengers stranded on the Seattle Express, smashing the cars into the ravine below. Photographs from the scene showed a mess of upside down rail cars, huge tree trunks and debris. Ninety-six people died in the disaster. Gary Krist covered the tragedy in his book The White Cascade: The Great Northern Railway Disaster and America's Deadliest Avalanche. He joins host Mike Corey to share insights and stories.If you’d like to learn more, you can listen to the audiobook version of “The White Cascade: The Great Northern Railway…
S80 · E3 · 29 Sep 2026 · 49 min
The Great Northern Railroad Avalanche | A Roaring Cascade | 3
It’s been a week since the train was stranded. Finally, railroad employees agree to escort the passengers on foot nine miles down the tracks to another rail stop less impacted by the snow. But the night before they’re supposed to leave, the snow turns to rain, destabilizing the snowpack. At around 2:00 in the morning, the avalanche they’ve all been dreading hits them. As the passengers and railroad workers who survived dig out, they’ll have to use all their wits and resources for the rescue effort. They realize they’re alone and isolated on the mountain, facing the aftermath of the deadliest…
28 Sep 2026 · 5 min
Listen Now: My Mom’s Murder
Lauren Malloy was a baby when her mother, Lori, was murdered in East Providence, Rhode Island. For thirty years, no one told her. Everyone said Lori died of natural causes. Then a stranger sent Lauren a message — and the lie collapsed. Now Lauren is investigating her own mother’s murder. She’s recorded hundreds of hours of interviews with law enforcement, family, childhood friends, and people who won’t stop contradicting each other. Every answer opens a darker question. Every person she trusts seems to be hiding something. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes the…
S80 · E2 · 22 Sep 2026 · 44 min
The Great Northern Railroad Avalanche | Buried Deep | 2
Superintendent James O’Neill races to clear the tracks of snow so the train stuck in the Cascade Mountains can escape before an avalanche hits. But the snow is relentless, coming down ferociously. And O’Neill faces one setback after another, keeping the train stuck for days on end. Tensions grow among the passengers. The railroad workers assure the passengers they’re safe and just need to be patient. But as the coal stock grows low and avalanches rumble all around them, some passengers decide they’re done waiting. They’re going to hike down the mountain, no matter the risk.If you’d like to…
S80 · E1 · 15 Sep 2026 · 47 min
The Great Northern Railroad Avalanche | Snowed In | 1
On February 22, 1910, passengers board the Seattle Express train in Spokane, Washington. They include a pair of lawyers, a new widow, and a paper salesman. They are due to arrive in Seattle the next morning after traveling over the Cascade mountain range. But when a snow storm hits, the train gets stuck at a small, isolated railroad depot. Railroad superintendent James O’Neill must work to free the train and get them off the mountain before they run out of food or an avalanche strikeIf you’d like to learn more, you can listen to the audiobook version of “The White Cascade: The Great Northern…
S79 · E1 · 8 Sep 2026 · 36 min
In Their Own Words: 9-11: A Survivor Remembers | 1
Sujo John and his wife Mary emigrated from India to the U.S. in February, 2001. Both found work at the World Trade Center – one in the North Tower, one in the South Tower. Life was good for the young couple; they had jobs, and they were expecting their first child. Then, they went to work on September 11th. Today, On this episode, Sujo John shares his story of how he survived the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, and how it changed his life forever. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible…
S78 · E4 · 1 Sep 2026 · 43 min
FAN FAVORITE: Fire at Sea: Cruise Ship Rescue | The Last Lifeboat | 4
Rescue workers begin the painstakingly slow process of airlifting cruise ship evacuees one by one from their lifeboats. But a typhoon has turned the Gulf of Alaska into a raging sea, and as they await rescue, many of the passengers fear they’ll either drown or die of hypothermia. Just when rescuers think they’ve saved everyone, they realize they’ve overlooked one lifeboat. Amid rain and massive waves, and with darkness approaching, they worry they might never find it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S78 · E3 · 25 Aug 2026 · 44 min
FAN FAVORITE: Fire at Sea: Cruise Ship Rescue | Adrift | 3
With the fire aboard Prinsendam now burning out of control, the captain gives the order to abandon ship. Passengers, some dressed only in pajamas and nightgowns, scramble into wooden lifeboats, which are lowered into the dark and frigid waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Meanwhile, rescue vessels – both military and private – rush to the scene. But with over 500 passengers and crew in need of saving, and a typhoon closing in, they’re in a race against time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S78 · E2 · 18 Aug 2026 · 39 min
FAN FAVORITE: Fire at Sea: Cruise Ship Rescue | Dead in the Water | 2
As crew members aboard Prinsendam work to contain the fire, passengers shiver on the decks in the cold night air. The mood is mostly festive; everyone expects that the fire will be extinguished soon. But when the blaze spreads to the dining room, the ship’s captain realizes he has no choice. He issues an SOS. If help doesn’t come soon, they’ll have to abandon ship — with a typhoon headed straight toward them.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…
S78 · E1 · 11 Aug 2026 · 42 min
FAN FAVORITE: Fire at Sea: Cruise Ship Rescue | The Blaze | 1
In October of 1980, the luxury cruise ship Prinsendam set sail from Vancouver with more than 300 passengers aboard, many of whom were elderly. But just after midnight on the cruise’s fourth day, in the Gulf of Alaska, a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room. The crew battled to contain the blaze, but with limited firefighting equipment, it was unclear if they could prevent the fire from spreading, and threatening the entire ship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S77 · E1 · 4 Aug 2026 · 38 min
In Their Own Words: Andrew Cotton — Wipeout at Nazaré | 1
Professional big wave surfer Andrew Cotton — “Cotty” — discovered he had a knack for riding waves that most other surfers wouldn’t dream of tackling. His journey took him around the globe, from California to Hawaii, Ireland and Australia. But when Cotty got an invite to join surf legend Garrett McNamara in a small seaside town in Portugal called Nazaré, he discovered swells bigger and wilder than he’d ever encountered before. Today, Andrew Cotton is here to tell the story of his quest to surf the world’s biggest breaks – and how he bounced back from the wipeout that nearly ended his surfing…
S76 · E4 · 28 Jul 2026 · 37 min
Nightmare in Tornado Alley | The Aftermath With Journalist Holly Bailey | 4
Journalist Holly Bailey returned to Moore, Oklahoma on May 21st, 2013, the day after an EF5 tornado ripped through the city. As a child, she attended school in Moore, but now, the place looked unrecognizable, with cars wrapped around trees and houses ripped from their foundations. Bailey spoke with residents, teachers, meteorologists and bereaved families. She wrote about the aftermath in her book, The Mercy of the Sky: The Story of a Tornado. She joins Cassie to share her memories and stories of how people coped after the storm. In this episode, we discussed suicide and depression. If you…
S76 · E3 · 21 Jul 2026 · 51 min
Nightmare in Tornado Alley | What Remains | 3
When the tornado finally passes, survivors crawl from the wreckage to find their town in ruins. A shaken Gary England and his team at KWTV report on the destruction. First responders claw through mountains of rubble looking for survivors. As some families experience miracles and others face heartbreaking loss, the true scale of the devastation begins to sink in.For more on this story, we recommend:The Mercy of the Sky by Holly Bailey(also available as an audiobook on Audible).Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by…
S76 · E2 · 14 Jul 2026 · 46 min
Nightmare in Tornado Alley | It's Here | 2
As a massive mile-wide tornado approaches the town of Moore, Oklahoma, meteorologist Gary England warns viewers to take shelter wherever they can. For principal Amy Simpson and the students and faculty of Plaza Towers Elementary School, that means hallways and bathrooms. At Briarwood Elementary, LaDonna Cobb is one of many teachers who try to shield children with their bodies, as the tornado rips the school apart.For more on this story, we recommend:The Mercy of the Sky by Holly Bailey(also available as an audiobook on Audible).Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the…
S76 · E1 · 7 Jul 2026 · 48 min
Nightmare in Tornado Alley | Storm Watch | 1
On May 20, 2013, residents of Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City, awoke to a severe weather watch. But no one was overly concerned. Tornadoes are a fact of life in the Midwest, especially in Moore, which had already survived a devastating EF5-strength twister on May 3rd, 1999, packing winds of 321 miles per hour. No one really believed it could happen again. But soon, a powerful new tornado would be heading towards Moore – and two elementary schools, Plaza Towers and Briarwood, were right in its path.For more on this story, we recommend:The Mercy of the Sky by Holly Bailey(also available as an…
S75 · E2 · 30 Jun 2026 · 43 min
FAN FAVORITE: Crash in a Volcano | Climbing Out | 2
Rescue workers search for the camera crew trapped inside Kilauea’s Pu’u O’o crater, but they’re forced to abandon their efforts when an incoming storm makes conditions too hazardous. Cameramen Chris Duddy and Mike Benson struggle to survive a night inside the volcano. When daylight comes and there’s still no sign of rescue, Chris makes a fateful decision — to try to save his own life and bring back help for his friend. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S75 · E1 · 23 Jun 2026 · 43 min
FAN FAVORITE: Crash in a Volcano | Into the Crater | 1
In November 1992, a Hollywood camera crew soars above Hawaii’s Kīlauea, one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes, to capture footage for a major feature film. But suddenly their helicopter’s engine cuts out, and they plunge into an active crater. Trapped and inhaling toxic fumes, the men will have to battle for survival — even for every breath — if they’re going to escape the volcano and see their loved ones again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S74 · E4 · 16 Jun 2026 · 36 min
Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | A Pilot Remembers | 4
When Coast Guard pilot Steve Torpey got called into work on a Friday night back in January, 1998, he had no idea he was heading into the most challenging flight of his career. At that point, two Coast Guard helicopters had already failed to rescue the crew of the sunken fishing vessel La Conte. Torpey’s crew — manning the third helicopter — were the stranded fishermen’s last hope. Now retired, Steve Torpey joins host Mike Corey to share his memories of that fateful rescue mission. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at…
S74 · E3 · 9 Jun 2026 · 49 min
Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Hanging On | 3
With two helicopter teams exhausted and out of fuel after hours of failed attempts, the Coast Guard was forced to send out a third and final team to try to pluck the stranded fishermen from the icy waters. With no other pilots left, it fell to base commander Ted LeFeuvre to lead the final crew. And as the high winds and waves of the brutal storm refused to let up, he was forced to take unorthodox and risky measures. For more on this story, we recommend:The Last Run by Todd LewanComing Back Alive by Spike Walker (also available as an audiobook on Audible) See Privacy Policy at…
S74 · E2 · 2 Jun 2026 · 44 min
Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Rogue Wave | 2
Forced to abandon the La Conte, the five fishermen — Bob Doyle, Mark Morley, Mike DeCapua, Giggy Mork and David Hanlon — find themselves at the mercy of towering waves and galeforce winds as they float in the frigid sea. As they prayed for a swift rescue, the Coast Guard helicopter crew sent from Sitka soon discovered this wasn’t an ordinary, or predictable, storm. For more on this story, we recommend:The Last Run by Todd LewanComing Back Alive by Spike Walker (also available as an audiobook on Audible) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at…
S74 · E1 · 26 May 2026 · 47 min
Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Black Line | 1
On January 30, 1998, five fishermen finally hit the jackpot in a fishing bank known as Fairweather Ground off the southeastern coast of Alaska. They were aboard a wooden ship called the La Conte, which had seen better days. Despite a brewing storm approaching and the ship taking on water, the men decided to throw out one more fishing line. They’d soon learn they’d made a grave mistake.For more on this story, we recommend:The Last Run: A True Story of Rescue and Redemption on the Alaska Seas by Todd LewanComing Back Alive: The True Story of the Most Harrowing Search and Rescue Mission Ever…
S73 · E1 · 19 May 2026 · 48 min
In Their Own Words: Slipped Off a Glacier | 1
In July of 2025, climate reporter Alec Luhn was in his element hiking around a glacier in Norway’s Folgefonna National Park. But when Alec slipped off a boulder and broke his leg, he found himself unable to move and trapped in a remote area with no one expecting him home for days. On this episode of In Their Own Words, Alec recounts the story of his fall, being caught in a storm, and doing everything he could to give himself a chance to see his family again. To follow Alec’s work, subscribe to his newsletter: https://icemushroom.substack.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…
S72 · E6 · 12 May 2026 · 37 min
WWII Nurses Turned Prisoners of War | The "Battling Belles" of Bataan | 6
The capture of American nurses in the Philippines is often described as an “untold story” of WWII; Dr. Elizabeth Norman set out to change that. She conducted extensive interviews with 20 of the 77 nurses who were captured. Norman collected the nurses’ firsthand accounts, and pored over their diaries and letters, weaving these sources together in her book, We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of the American Women Trapped on Bataan. Norman joins Cassie to delve into what it was like to care for patients while trapped in an internment camp for three years.…
S72 · E5 · 5 May 2026 · 47 min
WW II Nurses Turned Prisoners of War | A Risky Plan | 5
The rations at the Los Baños P.O.W. camp are now down to just 400 calories per day. Every day, the nurses tend to patients who die from starvation. They don’t know how much longer they can hold on. Unbeknownst to them, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Muller of the U.S. Army launches his plan to liberate the camp. But it’s complex and dangerous, with many moving pieces. It’s very likely it could fail, leading to the death of his soldiers and the prisoners of Los Baños.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible…
S72 · E4 · 28 Apr 2026 · 46 min
WW II Nurses Turned Prisoners of War | A Taste of Freedom | 4
Conditions at the Los Baños camp are deteriorating. More and more prisoners have been transferred there, leading to overcrowding, and rations have been cut to under 1,000 calories per day. Prisoners are resorting to desperate acts to survive as they’re pushed to the physical and psychological brink. The nurses are also malnourished and struggling to care for their fellow prisoners. But the tide of the war has finally turned and an ambitious U.S. Army paratrooper named Henry Muller is developing a plan to liberate the camp. But first Muller has to get buy-in from his superiors for his risky…
S72 · E3 · 21 Apr 2026 · 50 min
WW II Nurses Turned Prisoners of War | The Devil You Know | 3
Desperate to get away from the sadistic commandant in charge of their P.O.W. camp, the twelve Navy nurses, who call themselves the Twelve Anchors, agree to transfer to a new camp. It’s called Los Baños and it’s located deep in the jungle, 40 miles outside of Manilla. But when the nurses arrive, they realize this new camp has no medical supplies, not enough beds for prisoners to sleep on, not even running water. The nurses soon wonder if they made a grave mistake.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible…
S72 · E2 · 14 Apr 2026 · 42 min
WW II Nurses Turned Prisoners of War | Captured | 2
After Japan invades the Philippines, the twelve Navy nurses find themselves imprisoned at a military hospital turned P.O.W. camp. They make the best of it, continuing to tend to their patients, confident that the American military will quickly defeat Japan and liberate them. But as the weeks drag into months, with no rescue in sight, the nurses are transferred to another camp. They soon discover that their new home is led by a sadistic commandant who likes nothing more than to make his prisoners miserable. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now.…
S72 · E1 · 7 Apr 2026 · 47 min
WW II Nurses Turned Prisoners of War | An Act of War | 1
It’s the Depression and twenty-three-year-old-Dorothy Still is desperate for a job. She joins the US Navy as a nurse, and by 1941, she’s given a dream posting at an American base in the Philippines. Dorothy lives in a beautiful location, with easy work, and a thriving night life. But after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, the Philippines becomes Japan’s next target. Dorothy and eleven other Navy nurses find themselves in an active war zone, with a conquering army bearing down.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by…
S71 · E2 · 31 Mar 2026 · 50 min
Lightning Strike on Half Dome | Survive the Night | 2
As the hikers slowly regain consciousness, they realize the worst has happened: they’ve been struck by lightning. By chance, a pair of EMTs finds their way to the summit in time to help. But they soon realize that if they don’t get the men off Half Dome and airlifted to a hospital fast, they won’t make it till morning. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

About Against The Odds

Against The Odds is a English society & culture podcast from Audible. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Audible
Language: English
Category: Society & Culture
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 44 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1553335461

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English society & culture

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.