Escaping the Palisades Fire

In January 2025, a deadly fire blazed through the hills north of Los Angeles. Amidst the inferno, Aaron Samson needed to get his 83-year-old father-in-law, Ron, to safety. Aaron didn’t have a vehicle, and Ron has Parkinson’s disease. They tried 911. They tried to get a rideshare. They were on foot when they encountered Andrew Lin. He was attempting a different rescue when he stopped to save them instead. We also talk with Jennifer Oteng, a geriatric outreach nurse, about helping people during an emergency — specifically elderly people with physical or cognitive limitations. Guests include: Aaron Samson Andrew Lin Jennifer Oteng — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-oteng-aa945768/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

While on vacation, Colt Johnson went in search of a little fresh air and headed toward Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. Five hours into his hike, he began to feel lightheaded. He knew the heat was probably getting to him. His water was gone. Colt started losing his balance, and then his body started to fail. He laid down under a thorny bush and passed out. Before that, however, he fired three shots into the sky and hoped someone heard them. We also talk with Tami Hew-Butler about the dangers of dehydration and of having too much water. Guests include: Colt Johnson John Zeto Tamara ‘Tami’ Hew-Butler — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-hew-butler-dpm-phd-facsm-86390742/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Antoinette Foley has had a tough life. She lost her children, struggled with addiction and ended up living in a tent by a river in Ireland. Her story could have ended there if not for a stranger who asked an unusual question. One day, on the sidewalk outside his shop, James Mahon asked if he could take her photo. That began an unlikely friendship that has lasted and greatly impacted both of them. We also talk with Donald Whitehead Jr., the executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless based in Washington, D.C., about the perception and reality of people who live on the street. Guest include: Antoinette Foley James Mahon Donald Whitehead Jr James and Antoinette have released a book of their photographs titled, “The Hawk Against the Dove.” You can view some of the photographs and order the book here: https://www.hawkagainstthedove.com/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Minko Nikolov is an avid rock climber. Bouldering? Big vertical walls? He does it all. But he’s no risk-taker. In fact, on this day, he was only hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. The weather didn’t look good, so Minko turned around and was heading back to his car when he was struck by lightning. When hikers found him, his body was smoking. We will also talk with Katie Flanagan about the dangers of lightning strikes and dispel a few myths in the process. Guests include: Minko Nikolov Philip Magistro Katie Flanagan — http://www.lightningsafetycouncil.org/LSC-About%20Katie%20Flanagan.html For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Blaine Russell-Webster was going about his day when he suffered sudden cardiac arrest, lost consciousness, and rolled his work truck in front of a cemetery in Buffalo, New York. People rushed to help, even breaking the front windshield to pull him out. But what Blaine needed was someone who knew CPR, and he needed them fast.We also talk with Drew Ashley about the time he used lifesaving techniques to save a fellow passenger on an airplane.Guests include:Blaine Russell-WebsterSarah BrownDrew Ashley — https://thelifesaviours.com/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Janet He likes to ski. She does the blue runs and a few of the blacks, but she sticks to the in-bounds slopes and always minds weather warnings. None of that mattered one morning in Lake Tahoe. Out of nowhere, she heard a thunderous roar. Within seconds, Janet was buried alive under an avalanche. If not for the quick action of a passing skier, she never would have survived.We also talk with Leslie Desrosiers, an injury prevention expert and doctor of Physical Therapy with ACL Strong. She will provide tips for high-level and recreational skiers.Guests include:Janet HeLoren EnnisLeslie Desrosiers For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

As a sports columnist in Washington, D.C., Mike Wise loved unwinding with a run along the C&O Canal with his dog Looly. One fiercely cold night, Looly chased a stick onto a thin layer of ice and fell through. Soon, they were both in the frigid water and in danger of drowning, despite being blocks from the shops and restaurants of Georgetown. We also talk with Jay Ingram about the special bond between people and their pets.Guests include:Mike Wise — https://www.facebook.com/mike.wise.5621/Jason CoatesJay Ingram — https://www.jayingram.ca/ For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

Tell Me What Happened is back for a sixth season with eight new heroic, true stories of people helping people. This season, we’ll take you to a raging river in Alaska, the searing heat of Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, the chaos of the Los Angeles fires, the icy waters of a Washington, D.C., canal and beyond. Each episode features a harrowing tale told by the people who were there and includes an expert who can offer practical tips that could help keep you and your loved ones safe. Tell Me What Happened, the award-winning original podcast by OnStar, returns January 26.Tell Me What Happened was created by OnStar to showcase the importance of a human connection when you are in trouble. The series launched in 2021, has been downloaded more than 1 million times and has a back catalog of more than 35 episodes. Enjoy! For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.

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.

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.