Season 6 will debut on Monday, January 26th, 2026.Big news! Eight new Tell Me What Happened episodes are coming in 2026. During Season 5, we celebrated 1 million downloads. Now, Season 6 is teeing up true stories of people helping people in places like Rocky Mountain National Park, Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, the fiery hills of Los Angeles and a frozen canal in Washington, D.C.Every story features a stranger stepping up to help someone whose day has gone wrong. And every story is told by those people in their words. Each episode wraps with a conversation between our host, Torah Kachur, and an expert, someone who can share practical tips that could help keep you safe.If you’re looking for a reminder that people are good and that a human connection still matters — especially when things go sideways — stay tuned for Season 6 of Tell Me What Happened, presented by OnStar.
For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.
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Hiker Rescues Bridesmaids from Hurricane
Six hundred miles from where Hurricane Helene slammed into the Florida coast, a group of bridesmaids found themselves trapped on a mountainside.Kayla Donnelly is getting married in a couple months… but before her big day, she’s planned a bachelorette weekend to remember. She’s booked a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina for herself and her 10 best friends.Her idyllic plans turn disastrous when the remnants of Hurricane Helene flatten the surrounding forest and flood the nearby city of Asheville. They are trapped with no food, water, or electricity, and they have no idea how to escape.But thanks to a stranger, who was actually looking for other people who might need help, they get what they need to find their way home.We also talk to travel influencer Johnny Jet about travelling during hurricane season.Kayla Donnelly and her friends started a GoFundMe page to raise money to send to the citizens of Asheville, NC.https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-families-stranded-on-asheville-mountainsideBen Moore still lives in the Asheville area. He continues to help with the recovery efforts.Johnny Jet has flown millions of miles and visited over 75 countries. If something can go wrong while travelling, it has probably happened to him! https://johnnyjet.com/
For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.
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Musicians Rescue Hundreds on Sinking Ship
As a luxury cruise ship sinks, unlikely heroes come to the rescue.Rose-Marie Howe was shocked when her cruise was interrupted by a blackout. But she soon realized the loss of power was the least of her concerns. The ship was sinking, and no one seemed to know what to do.Moss Hills, a guitarist in the ship’s band, decided to go to the lounge to investigate. He found instruments thrown about the stage and realized he couldn’t hear the ship’s engines. He also couldn’t find the captain or any of the senior crew. This is the story of how a guitarist, a bass player and two magicians saved hundreds of lives.We also talk to marine historian Mallory Haas about what we can learn from disasters at sea.Rose-Marie Rowe maintains a blog dedicated to the disaster.Moss Hills is still working on cruise ships and is currently a cruise director for Silversea Cruises. He maintains a webpage dedicated to the disaster.Mallory Haas is the director of The SHIPS Project, a volunteer non-profit organization that undertakes research and exploration of maritime historical sites and events.
For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.
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Pulled Free and Paid Forward
A simple drive home becomes a life-or-death struggle.The weather wasn’t great, but Bryan Pederson was just a few blocks from home on a street he had driven a thousand times. Still, the wind was howling and rain was pouring down. Sitting at a traffic light, he heard a loud crack. Instantly, he was trapped in a car being crushed by a tree.Ten cars drove past the scene, peering through the rain at the crumpled SUV and the tree blocking the road. Nine of them turned around and drove away. This is the story of the driver who didn’t: a single mom with three kids in the car. Later, Bryan would have an opportunity to thank her in an unexpected way.Also, we talk with David Bennett, a driving safety expert who explains the importance of your tires when it comes to making your vehicle “road ready.”Bryan Pederson and Veronica Marin have remained close friends.David Bennett is the manager of repair systems for AAA.
For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.
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One Hug, Two Lives Changed
From a crowd of onlookers, one person steps forward to help.A teenage girl named Maddie walked to a highway overpass and stopped. As dozens of cars sped past, she climbed a railing, looked over the edge and considered stepping off. A few cars stopped then and people began to gather, but only person, David Johnson, sat down and talked to Maddie. That conversation led to a scream, a laugh and eventually a hug. This is the story of how someone was saved and someone else was changed.We also speak with Martha Thomas, the mother of a young woman who took her own life and the co-founder of an organization called “The Defensive Line.”Maddie is now in college and wants to work in the mental health field to help people who find themselves in a situation like hers.David Johnson is now a mental health counselor. (https://yourmindinmyhand.com/).Martha and Chris Thomas and their son Solomon Thomas, a defensive lineman in the NFL, have founded The Defensive Line. (https://thedefensiveline.org/) It is an organization focused on reducing stigma and creating connections to save young lives.
For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.
Every day we wake up not knowing exactly what will happen. A hike up a mountain or a float down a river can turn dangerous. A night out in a faraway land can end in the bottom of a ravine. A simple hug can save a life. And strangers can turn into heroes.
Tell Me What Happened, the award-winning original podcast by OnStar, returns for a fifth season of stories about people helping people. Each episode also includes a conversation with an expert to provide context and advice about what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
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