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PODCAST

What It Was Like

Conversations with people who have lived through extreme events. Some stories are dark and twisted, others are light and funny. In all cases, we get an intimate portraitof "what it was like" to be there.Find us on TikTok: @whatitwaslikepodcastFind us on Youtube: @whatitwaslikepodcastFollow us on Instagram: whatitwaslikepodcastHosted by Julian MorgansThis is a Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

1:18:49

We Hunted Down a Mystery Killer in the Outback

What It Was Like ·

2025/01/23

It was June 1987 and an unknown person had murdered five campers in Australia's remote northwest. In this episode, we speak with Bob Brown, the former leader of Western Australia's Tactical Response Group. Bob and his team were flown into the Kimberley region to find and arrest the murderer. But, as you’ll hear, things didn’t go exactly as planned.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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33:12

I'm the Lowest-Ranked Tennis Player to Ever Win a...

What It Was Like ·

2025/01/17

Mark Edmondson was ranked 212th when he was invited to compete at the 1976 Australian Open. He was a 21-year-old with sideburns, juggling odd jobs to fund his tennis dreams. In this episode, Mark recounts the experience of defeating his idols to win—then accidentally dropping the trophy on the podium.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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46:27

Inside the Life of the Pizza Bomber

What It Was Like ·

2025/01/09

In 2003, a pizza deliveryman robbed a Pennsylvania bank with a bomb locked to his neck—a heist that ended in tragedy when the bomb exploded. The mastermind? Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, later sentenced to life in prison. In this episode, we hear from a criminologist who befriended Marjorie behind bars and uncovers how and why this "evil genius" orchestrated such a bizarre crime.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

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1:32:28

I Dated a Celebrity as a Non-Famous Person

What It Was Like ·

2025/01/02

Myah Morgenstern isn't famous. But when she met actorTony Revolori, (Spiderman, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Scream), she was ushered into a whole new world of red carpets, VIP parties and weird social dynamics. In this episode,Myah describes her real-lifeNotting Hillexperience ofdating a celebrity as a non-famous person.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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44:54

The Woolworths Christmas Bombers (Rerun)

What It Was Like ·

2024/12/27

In the lead up to Christmas of 1980, three Woolworths stores were bombed around New South Wales. It's a crazy story involving Australia's largest supermarket chain, two larrikin crooks, and a $1 million ransom thrown into the Sydney Harbour. We'll hear about it from two people: Former policeofficer Allan Duncan who was injured in one of the explosions, and Forgotten Australia podcast host, Michael Adams.This is a rerun from 2022 but it's one of our favourite Christmas throwbacks so we're giving it a

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57:05

My Husband's Client Stalked Us for Years

What It Was Like ·

2024/12/20

Sandra Miller wasn't overly concerned when her therapist partner's client admitted to eavesdropping outside their window. Until this client started calling the house, relentlessly. In this episode, we dive into a real life version of 'Fatal Attraction' to learn what happens when a stalker invades a relationship.\Check out Sandra's USA TODAY best-selling book Wednesdays at One. It's a great read.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See

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33:53

How I Got Revenge for My Parking Fines

What It Was Like ·

2024/12/12

Julian Morgans, host of What it Was Like, getsparking fines all the time. In his own words "I could wallpaper my house with them." But instead of doing that, he's embarked on a scheme to get revenge, while learning a few things about the inner workings of the parking industryalong the way.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1:04:10

What I Learned After 27 Years Investigating Violence...

What It Was Like ·

2024/12/05

Narelle Fraser spent much of her career in Victoria's Rape and Homicide squads, placing her at the coalface of the epidemic of violence against women. In this episode, she walks us through the murder of Melbourne-mother Maria Korp, as a way to explore the mindset of men who perpetrate such violence.Keep up to date with Narelle and find links to her podcasthere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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51:51

The Swiss Cult That Ended With 5 Mass Suicides (Part 2)

What It Was Like ·

2024/11/29

Between 1994 and 1997, the sect known as The Order of the Solar Temple snuffed itself out via five mass murder suicides. We spend this episodelooking at what happened—and why.For further info, check out some of our sources:QubecCoroner's Report 1996The challenge of identification following the tragedy of the Solar TempleSolar Temple in Salvan: 25 years later, a luxury chalet on the site of the massacreCult Horror Maims Prominent French Family: The New York TimesThe Philosophy of Fanaticism:Paul

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44:32

The Swiss Cult That Ended With 5 Mass Suicides (Part 1)

What It Was Like ·

2024/11/23

In 1994, a series of ritualistic mass suicides exposed the world to The Order of the Solar Temple—a secretive doomsday sect with members spread across Switzerland, France, and Canada. In this episode, we explore how its two leaders transitioned from promoting New Age health remedies to orchestrating massacres.For more information, check out these sources:The Order of the Solar Temple: Temple of Death. Edited by James R. LewisApocalypse Observed by John R. Hall. Philip D. Schuyler and Sylvaine

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44:24

The NZ Dad Who Abducted His Kids to Live in the...

What It Was Like ·

2024/11/14

Tom Phillips has been hiding out in New Zealand's remote northwest with his three young children since 2021. Despite extensive searches, the family has managed to evade capture—even after Tom allegedly robbed a bank with his 10-year-old daughter. In this episode, we’re speaking with journalist Tony Wall, who’s covered the case from the beginning. He’ll share insights on those who may be helping Tom and why he’s been so difficult to catch.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA

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50:34

How a Fake Cop Duped McDonald's Managers Into...

What It Was Like ·

2024/11/08

For a decade, a man posing as a police officer called fast-food chains across theUS and asked managers to strip-search their employees. Dozens complied, leading to multiple cases of sexual assault. In this episode, we speak with a detective named Buddy Stump who solved the case after a friend'sdaughter became a victim.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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53:41

My Dad Is America's Worst Serial Arsonist

What It Was Like ·

2024/11/01

John Leonard Orr is a convicted arsonist and mass murderer. He is believed to have set nearly 2,000 fires in a 30-year spree, making him the most prolific serial arsonist in American history. But his daughter Lori hasn't always seen him this way. She talks about her childhood memories of seeing John as a hero firefighter. A man who always had a special knack for being the first on the scene.Contact Lori here for a chance to win a signed copy of her book: Burned.Find us on TikTokFind us on

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1:07:12

My Date With a Serial Killer (Rerun)

What It Was Like ·

2024/10/24

When Lorraine Murphy met up with a pig farmer at a cafe in Vancouver, she couldn't have been less impressed. "Willy," as everyone called him, was creepy and smelled terrible. She left and didn't see him again for 12 years — when Willy was arrested as the most prolific serial killer (by body count) in Canada's history.This is a rerun from 2022 but it's one of our favourites so we're giving it a second play. If you haven't already heard it, you're in for a treat.Find us on TikTokFind us on

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1:04:03

I Barely Survived the Bali Bombing

What It Was Like ·

2024/10/18

On October 12, 2002, Phil Britten arrived in Bali with his footy mates from Perth. A few hours into their first night, a van packed with explosives detonated outside the nightclub. Phil barely made it out alive. On this anniversary of the Bali Bombing, we reflect on one of Australia’s darkest periods.Follow Phill onInstagramand check out hissite.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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51:49

I Murdered Michael Jordan's Dad (Rerun)

What It Was Like ·

2024/10/10

In June of 1993 Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their third championship victory. A month later, his dad was shot dead and Jordan quit the NBA. Now, for the first time, one of the two men convicted with James Jordan's murder tells his story.We originally published this story in 2022 but it's a banger so we're giving it a second run.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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27:00

One Cursed Shipwreck and Four Mysterious Deaths

What It Was Like ·

2024/10/04

In the early 1960s, Melbourne businessman Marshall Gibson salvaged a handful of brass portholes from a shipwreck and gave them to his friends. Over the next few years, many of these men, including Marshall himself, died in a series of strange accidents. In this episode, his son David examines the claim that the portholes were cursed.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1:05:13

I'm Mad at Blake Lively too

What It Was Like ·

2024/09/26

Actress Blake Lively has been facing backlash for her alleged tone-deaf, bullying behaviour. But according to Hollywood hairstylist Emanuel Millar, this is typical behaviour among stars. In this somewhatunusual episode, we're unpacking rudenessin the film industry. Why are so manysuccessful, beautifulpeople so damn mean?Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeFollow us on InstagramA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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47:02

The Quick Rise and Fall of Studio 54

What It Was Like ·

2024/09/19

Studio 54 remains the most iconic nightclub in history, despite being around for only three years. In this episode, former employee Myra Scheer delves into what made the club so legendary. It's a story about celebrity culture and the vibrant LGBTQ community before the AIDS crisis. But mostly it's about people searching for a place to belong.Photo by: MiestormFind us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1:16:07

How Two Suicides Led to a Miracle

What It Was Like ·

2024/09/11

An R U OK Day special: Two strangers, each grieving a brother lost to suicide, meet in a support group and have a baby. It's a story that illustrates how there's always hope.Also this is your annual reminder to frequently check in with your friends and family. Ask how they're really doing. Tell them you love them.For more information please visit:https://www.ruok.org.au/.Find us on TikTokFind us on YoutubeA Superreal production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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108 results

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