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September 16, 2025 67 mins

After a prominent life filled with passion and adventure ends with the death of her brilliant but volatile husband, a woman journeys to Guatemala to heal, only to be captured, and her fight to survive transforms her life forever. 

 

Today’s episode featured Brenda Coffee. You can email Brenda at bcoffee@1010parkplace.com. She is on Instagram @1010ParkPlace. Visit her website at brenda-coffee.com.


Brenda is the author of MAYA BLUE: A Memoir of Survival, published 05/25, a memoir that reads like a thriller. It is Working Girl meets Taken. A true story of love, cocaine, Big Tobacco, abduction, and survival. Nominated for the 2025 Kirkus Prize and included on Maria Shriver's 2025 Summer Reads list.

 

Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Aviva Lipkowitz

 

Content/Trigger Warnings: parentification, domestic violence, intimate partner abuse, drug making and using, addiction, gun violence, sexual assault/attempted rape, child exploitation, cancer & illness, death & grief, explicit language

 

Social Media:

Instagram: @actuallyhappening

Twitter: @TIAHPodcast

 

Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com

 

Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com

Website for Aviva Lipkowitz: avivalipkowitz.com

 

Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening

 

Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus

 

Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. 

 

Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com

 

Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott Velasquez

Music Bed: Ambient Themes

 

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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