What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.

Not everyone likes surprises. Personally, I love being surprised – as long as it’s a GOOD surprise. And even more than that, I love surprising people and just seeing their reaction. About 3-4 years ago, I got what I think is the biggest surprise of my life. At that time, my dad had been gone for about 6 or 7 years. And one night my mom invited all the family over for a game night at her place. This happens all the time, so nothing unusual. But while we were all there, she made an announcement that, at age 80, she was going to get married again. I never saw it coming. But it has worked out great. Jim and my dad were actually best friends for most of their lives. Jim’s wife had passed away a few years earlier, so… it really all made sense. And it made for a crazy and wonderful surprise for all of us. Today you’ll hear about a surprise that Victoria got one day, from a former neighbor. It was about her dad, and it was not a good surprise. Victoria told this story on the podcast about 4 years ago, and after our conversation you’ll hear an update on what has happened with her family – and her dad – since then. This episode contains discussion of child sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Graphics for this episode by Bob Bretz. Transcription was done by James Lai. Want to discuss this episode and other things with thousands of other WWTL listeners? Join our podcast Facebook group at WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook (many of the podcast guests are there as well) Get every episode ad-free, AND get all the Raw Audio exclusive episodes to binge, by joining the other listeners at What Was That Like PLUS. Try What Was That Like PLUS free: iPhone: at the top of the What Was That Like podcast feed, click on “Try free” Android: on your phone, go to WhatWasThatLike.com/PLUS and click to try it free on any app Sponsor deals: Visit AuraFrames.com and use promo code WHATWAS at checkout to get $45 off. If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up. Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well here we are at the end of 2025. It’s been a crazy year in a lot of different ways. And it’s a tradition here for the What Was That Like podcast for the last episode of the year to be a collection of all of this year’s Listener Stories. For every main episode of the podcast, we end it with a story sent in by a listener. It can be something happy, sad, funny – just about anything – as long as it’s something interesting that happened to you. We limit these to around 5-10 minutes, and all you have to do is record it on your phone and email it to me at Scott@WhatWasThatLike.com So what we have here in this final episode of 2025 is over 3 hours of those listener stories from this past year. Keep in mind that some of these stories deal with sensitive topics such as suicide or other things that could be triggering for some listeners. Feel free to fast forward to the next story if you need to. And now, here are the Listener Stories of 2025. Get every episode ad-free, AND get all the Raw Audio exclusive episodes to binge, by joining the other listeners at What Was That Like PLUS. Try What Was That Like PLUS free: iPhone: at the top of the What Was That Like podcast feed, click on “Try free” Android: on your phone, go to WhatWasThatLike.com/PLUS and click to try it free on any app Sponsor deals: If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up. Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every other Tuesday, we grab a past question from the Facebook group, then Meredith and Scott answer it and read some of the answers given by other listeners. The question for this episode: What's the most NSFW thing you've witnessed in public? Links for this episode: Mirrors for sale subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Mirrorsforsale/ the Charcuterie board with the lid https://a.co/d/17amSKV Meredith’s podcast is Meredith For Real – the Curious Introvert: https://MeredithForReal.com To check out the new Tuesday Question and get in the discussion, join us at WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook. Sponsor deals: Visit AuraFrames.com and use promo code WHATWAS at checkout to get $45 off. If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up. Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Strange entered a bizarre radio station contest. Sponsor deals: Visit AuraFrames.com and use promo code WHATWAS at checkout to get $45 off. If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up. Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mountain climbing is safer when you do it with a climbing partner. If you want to see something really crazy, something that might even bring up some anxiety as you watch it, check out the documentary called Free Solo. This is a National Geographic documentary about a young rock climber named Alex Honnold. His dream was to climb this 3000 foot rock called El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park. Just climbing it is a great achievement for most rock climbers. But Alex Honnold is not like most rock climbers. He wanted to do it without any ropes, and without any safety equipment. That’s what “free solo” climbing is. Alex planned and trained extensively for it. And he was successful. My guest today is Dan. Dan loves to climb. One day he was out with his friend and long-time climbing partner, Jim. It was a beautiful day and they were having a great time. That was the day that Dan learned that when you’re on the mountain, having a partner there with you can mean the difference between life and death. If you’d like to contact Dan, all of his contact details are at his website – danwenker.com Dan’s Instagram – agelesshiker_danwenker Dan’s book – Staying on Guard https://www.amazon.com/Staying-Guard-Spiritual-Encounter-Gratitude/dp/1636183557/ref=sr_1_1 Full show notes and pictures for this episode are here: https://WhatWasThatLike.com/239 Graphics for this episode by Bob Bretz. Transcription was done by James Lai. Want to discuss this episode and other things with thousands of other WWTL listeners? Join our podcast Facebook group at WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook (many of the podcast guests are there as well) Get every episode ad-free, AND get all the Raw Audio exclusive episodes to binge, by joining the other listeners at What Was That Like PLUS. Try What Was That Like PLUS free: iPhone: at the top of the What Was That Like podcast feed, click on “Try free” Android: on your phone, go to WhatWasThatLike.com/PLUS and click to try it free on any app Sponsor deals: If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up. Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every other Tuesday, we grab a past question from the Facebook group, then Meredith and Scott answer it and read some of the answers given by other listeners. The question for this episode: What was the most traumatizing thing to happen at your school? Links for this episode: Shattered Dreams - https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2015-04-29-shattered-dreams-program-aims-reduce-underage-drinking-injuries-texas Content warnings for all types of content: https://DoesTheDogDie.com Meredith’s clothes hook pole https://a.co/d/cWb99Tc Meredith’s podcast is Meredith For Real – the Curious Introvert: https://MeredithForReal.com To check out the new Tuesday Question and get in the discussion, join us at WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook. Sponsor deals: Visit AuraFrames.com and use promo code WHATWAS at checkout to get $45 off. If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up. Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monica shares her unexpected love story with Kevin, detailing their initial chemistry despite her hesitations. Their journey together comes to a shocking halt when Kevin is found unresponsive, leading to a heart-wrenching account of grief and recovery. As Monica discusses the impact of Kevin's health issues, she highlights the importance of appreciating loved ones and navigating life with their absence. The conversation offers a poignant look at love, loss, and the strength of family in the face of tragedy.

There’s really something pretty amazing about giving birth.   I mean, you are actually using your body to grow a whole new human, and then this new person comes into the world, and your whole life changes. For many people, being pregnant is a time filled with happy anticipation. You’ve probably heard people talk about this thing called the “pregnancy glow”, and it’s a real thing.   In spite of the discomfort, and nausea, and unusual food cravings and everything else that sometimes comes with having a baby inside you, the thought of holding that brand new human in your arms – your child – that’s often the thing that can help you get through it.   Mariela was pregnant. She and her husband, Stephen, were excited about growing their family.   Then, partway through the pregnancy, things got complicated.   Facebook groups recommended by Mariela: Healthy Otherwise is a Fort Worth based Breast Cancer Support Group and Community – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1337164927864563/   Pregnant With Cancer Support Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1337164927864563/   If you’d like to contact, she’s in the WWTL Facebook group – https://WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook   Full show notes and pictures for this episode are here: https://WhatWasThatLike.com/237   Graphics for this episode by Bob Bretz. Transcription was done by James Lai.   Get every episode ad-free, AND get all the Raw Audio exclusive episodes to binge, by joining the other listeners at What Was That Like PLUS.   Try What Was That Like PLUS free: iPhone: at the top of the What Was That Like podcast feed, click on “Try free” Android: on your phone, go to WhatWasThatLike.com/PLUS and click to try it free on any app   Sponsor deals: If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod   Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up.   Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!   Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod   Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every other Tuesday, we grab a past question from the Facebook group, then Meredith and Scott answer it and read some of the answers given by other listeners. The question for this episode: What song always brings back a particular memory? Links for this episode: Meredith’s song: The Bare Necessities https://youtu.be/6BH-Rxd-NBo?si=tmwDOPkc1f5s7w_T Scott’s song: Free Fallin’ https://youtu.be/1lWJXDG2i0A?si=NoOtl0muZqqOYdvD To see Scott’s video of bungee jumping at age 30, join the Facebook group: https://WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton - https://youtu.be/JxPj3GAYYZ0?si=66Nn74XhNOmTZ2Ae Kiona’s podcast, Birth As We Know It - https://BirthAsWeKnowItPodcast.com I just called to say I love you by Stevie Wonder - https://youtu.be/djHiBp5oRnY?si=WB4Iq1QLRhJ_8wHx Baby Beluga - https://youtu.be/mIBY-LQYkVA?si=yf8oZK3kertQ4n3- I try by Macy Gray - https://youtu.be/WEQ0l_m3Xm0?si=vX9IGMwfGuRa_aBB Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol - https://youtu.be/GemKqzILV4w?si=7U7yh_1Ok94A8vUY The Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine - https://youtu.be/iWOyfLBYtuU?si=IzK2I7Az1W-CO-xS Meredith brings her Uncle George to school for Show and Tell: https://whatwasthatlike.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Uncle-George.jpg Meredith for Real ep 303 – When Grief Gets Complicated: A Story of Addiction, Shame and Truth - https://www.meredithforreal.com/podcast-episodes/episode/7d6624bf/ep-303-when-grief-gets-complicated-a-story-of-addiction-shame-and-truth Meredith for Real ep 240 – Hot Car Infant Death: How is this happening? https://www.meredithforreal.com/podcast-episodes/episode/7de81598/ep-240-or-hot-car-infant-death-how-is-this-happening Merlin App https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ The Similar Songs Finder https://www.chosic.com/playlist-generator/ Meredith’s podcast is Meredith For Real – the Curious Introvert: https://MeredithForReal.com To check out the new Tuesday Question and get in the discussion, join us at WhatWasThatLike.com/facebook. Sponsor deals: Visit AuraFrames.com and use promo code WHATWAS at checkout to get $45 off. If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up. Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott reads A Piece of Steak, by Jack London     Get every episode ad-free, AND get all the Raw Audio exclusive episodes to binge, by joining the other listeners at What Was That Like PLUS.   Try What Was That Like PLUS free: iPhone: at the top of the What Was That Like podcast feed, click on “Try free” Android: on your phone, go to WhatWasThatLike.com/PLUS and click to try it free on any app   Sponsor deals: If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code [WHATWAS] at https://inda.shop/[WHATWAS]! #indacloudpod   Go to ThriveMarket.com/WHATWAS to get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift just for signing up.   Go to Quince.com/whatwas for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!   Get 15% off OneSkin with the code [WHATWAS] at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod   Try Mint Mobile for 3 months, for just 15 bucks a month - MintMobile.com/WHAT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices