How I Survived

Imagine one day waking up next to a stranger.

A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners!

We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-gonna-want-to-hear-this/id1849312864

From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening.

If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this.

And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning.

In this episode of You’re Gonna Want To Hear This, marie claire editor Georgie McCourt sits down with writer and author Belle Burden for a conversation about love, loss - and what happens when your life changes overnight.

During the early days of Covid lockdown, Belle believed she was safe inside a happy, 20-year marriage. Then, within 24 hours, everything changed. A phone call from a stranger revealed her husband was having an affair. By the next morning, he had packed a bag, told her he wanted a divorce, and left. There was no warning. Just what he later described as “a switch” that had flipped.

In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Belle takes us inside that moment - and the aftermath that followed. From the shock of abandonment and the physical reality of heartbreak, to the patterns many women are now recognising in their own lives, this episode explores what it means to lose not just a partner, but the life you thought you were living.

Belle also speaks candidly about the financial lessons she learned, the expectations placed on women to stay quiet, and how writing her memoir Strangers became a way of reclaiming her voice.This is a conversation about devastation, but also about rebuilding. About identity. About resilience. And about the possibility that, even in the wake of something unimaginable, a new life can take shape.

In this episode, we cover:

The moment Belle’s marriage ended - and what happened the night before The psychology of sudden abandonment and “runaway husbands” The physical and emotional impact of shock and heartbreak Why so many women are recognising themselves in this story The financial blind spots that can leave women vulnerable in long marriages Co-parenting, emotional detachment, and navigating life after divorce Rebuilding identity - and finding yourself again after everything changes

About Belle: Belle Burden is a writer and former lawyer. Her Modern Love essay for The New York Times was one of the most widely read columns of the year. Her memoir, Strangers, expands on that story - exploring marriage, betrayal, and the process of rebuilding a life from the ground up.

A note to listeners:This episode discusses themes of infidelity, divorce, and emotional distress. Please listen with care.

Listen now:Follow You’re Gonna Want To Hear This on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you loved this episode, rate and review - it helps us grow.

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How do you keep going after losing your child? Dr Lucy Hone lost her twelve-year-old daughter, Abi, in a tragic road accident. What followed was an extraordinary journey through grief, resilience and learning how to live again.

A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners!

We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-gonna-want-to-hear-this/id1849312864

From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening.

If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this.

And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning.

Now before 2014, today’s guest, Dr Lucy Hone, was a resilience psychologist studying how people cope with stress, uncertainty and change. She was immersed in the science of flourishing, working with schools, organisations and emergency response teams – and basically, helping others navigate unwanted disruption. 

And then, on a bright morning in May 2014, her twelve-year-old daughter Abi was killed in a road accident. As a mother of an almost 12 year old daughter (and a 13 year old daughter), this feels excruciatingly heartbreaking to me. How do you actually get over something so unimaginably tragic? I honestly can’t imagine I ever could.  

In an instant, everything Lucy understood about resilience stopped being theoretical. She needed to find a way to live with what she describes as “the difference between where your life is, and where you thought it would be.” 

That experience reshaped her life - and her work. 

Today, Lucy is an internationally recognised resilience expert, bestselling author and the voice behind one of the most watched TED Talks of recent years, Three Secrets of Resilient People. Her new book 'How Will I Ever Get Through This?' has just been published. 

Lucy's message remains grounded and human: tough times are affected times are part of life - and with the right tools, we can all find our way through. Yes, we really can.  

In this episode, we talk about the myths of grief - including why the five stages don’t tell the whole story. We unpack why grief can be so physically exhausting. We explore intrusive rumination, post-traumatic growth, and bravery that looks like simply getting up and showing up again the next day.  

This is a conversation about loss. But it’s also a conversation about love, meaning and choosing life, even when it feels unbearable. 

We talk about: 

Why most people are more resilient than they think The concept of oscillation - how you can live and grieve at the same time The difference between toxic positivity and pragmatic hope Post-traumatic growth (and why 60% of people experience it) The quiet bravery of getting up again tomorrow

Thank you for listening ❤️  

But before you leave...       

🗣️ Get in touch  What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly marie claire community and share your thoughts (link DM us on Instagram)  

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She was told she wouldn’t survive. Years later, she’s a Paralympic gold medallist. This is the extraordinary story of Alexa Leary.

A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners!

We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-gonna-want-to-hear-this/id1849312864

From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening.

If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this.

And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning.

Paralympic gold medallist Alexa Leary joins us for one of the most raw and powerful conversations we’ve ever had. At just 19, Alexa was involved in a catastrophic cycling accident that left her with a severe traumatic brain injury. Doctors told her family she wouldn’t survive. She lost her memory, had to relearn how to walk and talk, and now describes herself as living a “second life.”In this episode, Alexa opens up about the reality of brain injury - the emotional highs and lows, the loss of friendships, the struggle to regulate her behaviour, and the daily challenges most people never see.She shares what it felt like to be told she might die, what recovery really looked like behind hospital doors, and how she went from ICU to standing on the Paralympic podium.We also talk about her new book Sink or Swim, why she’s chosen to tell her story so honestly, and the message she wants every woman to hear.This is a story about resilience, identity, and what it truly means to start again.

In this episode, we cover:

The accident Alexa can’t remember - and the moment everything changed Being told she wouldn’t survive What it’s really like living with a traumatic brain injury Losing friendships and rebuilding relationships Emotional regulation, anger and recovery From hospital bed to Paralympic gold Why she says she’s living a “second life” The truth behind her memoir Sink or Swim Learning to love and accept herself again

Follow & ListenDon’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

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At 17, Danielle Bensky was a ballerina in New York with dreams of making it in dance. She thought she had found a way to earn some extra money. Instead, she was drawn into Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network and spent years carrying the silence, trauma and shame that followed. Now, Danielle is telling her story: of grooming, manipulation, survival and what it took to finally reclaim her voice.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains themes of abuse, trauma and coercive control. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, call 000. For confidential 24/7 crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. Support is also available through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at beyondblue.org.au. 

A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners!

We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/youre-gonna-want-to-hear-this/id1849312864

From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening.

If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this.

And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning.

The episode:

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of You’re Gonna Want To Hear This, marie
claire editor Georgie McCourt speaks with Danielle Bensky - a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s
trafficking network - about grooming, silence, survival and the long road to reclaiming your
voice.

Before the headlines and court cases, Bensky was a 17-year-old ballerina in New York with
dreams of a career in dance. In this conversation, she reflects on how the intense culture of
ballet - with its pressure for perfection, body scrutiny and constant need for approval - created
vulnerabilities that Epstein later exploited.

Bensky shares how she was first introduced to Epstein while searching for ways to earn
money as a teenager, and how what began with conversation and flattery slowly became
manipulation, coercion and abuse. She also speaks candidly about the moment her mother’s
brain tumour diagnosis deepened Epstein’s control over her life.

But this episode is not only about what happened inside Epstein’s world. It’s also about what
came after: the years of silence, the trauma and dissociation that followed, and the healing
power of creativity, community and finally speaking the truth.

Today, Bensky is an advocate for survivors and accountability. In this moving conversation,
she explains why telling the story matters - not only for justice, but for the countless
survivors who still feel too ashamed or frightened to speak.

Her message is simple but powerful: you are not alone.

In this episode we discuss:

Danielle Bensky’s life as a teenage ballerina in New York How grooming and manipulation often begin with trust and promises The culture of vulnerability within the dance world The moment Epstein used her mother’s illness as leverage Why so many people around Epstein remained silent Trauma, dissociation and the long path to healing How art and movement helped Bensky reconnect with her body The power of survivor communities Why speaking out can help break cycles of shame and silence

A note to listeners:
This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse, trafficking and trauma. Listener discretion
is advised.

Resources:
If this conversation raises difficult feelings for you, support is available.

1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 Lifeline - 13 11 14

Follow Danielle Bensky on Instagram here @dbinthesky

See more: 

Jeffrey Epstein Survivors

Margot Robbie Things Changing In Hollywood 

👀Watch and listen to the full episode of You’re Gonna Want To Hear This here and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Visit Marie Claire for style and substance 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could you survive a volcanic eruption? It's a question Stephanie Browitt never thought she'd have to answer. And yet in 2019, a volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s White Island changed Stephanie's life forever. At just 23, she suffered burns to 70 per cent of her body and lost her younger sister, Krystal, and her father, Paul, in the tragedy. Seven years later, she's written a book about it. Out Of The Ashes has just been published, co-written with her mother Marie. 

A special bonus series for How I Survived listeners!

We’re bringing you some of the best stories of survival from Marie Claire's podcast, You’re Gonna Want To Hear This. 

From extraordinary stories of survival and resilience to raw, intimate conversations about style, substance and the moments that change us, these are the stories you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished listening.

If you love How I Survived, you’re gonna to want to hear this.

And if you like what you hear, head over to You’re Gonna Want To Hear This wherever you listen to or watch your podcasts. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube, and you’ll get a brand-new episode in your feed every Thursday morning.

In this episode of marie claire's podcast You’re Gonna Want To Hear This, Stephanie shares, in extraordinary detail, what it felt like to be caught in the eruption - the moment she heard the bang, the fight to stay conscious, and the thought that kept her alive - getting back to her mum.What you'll hear is a deeply moving conversation about survival, grief, and recovery. Stephanie speaks openly about the physical and emotional toll of her injuries, the long road back, and the moment she had to relearn how to see love again. Today, she is an advocate for body positivity and resilience, using her story to challenge perceptions of beauty, strength, and what it means to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. This episode is confronting, powerful, and ultimately, a story about love.In this episode, we discuss:

The moment the White Island volcano erupted The fight to stay conscious and survive The loss of Stephanie’s father and sister The role of her mother in her survival and recovery The realities of burn recovery and rehabilitation Body image, identity, and learning to live with scars Grief, resilience, and rebuilding a life

 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts
 Follow You’re Gonna Want To Hear This for new episodes every week

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've been patiently waiting on new episodes of How I Survived, so please accept this little treat from us! On Marie Claire Australia's podcast, You're Gonna Want to Hear This, you'll hear extraordinary stories of style, substance and survival. If you like this incredible episode, just pop on over to wherever you like to listen to or watch your podcasts to binge the Marie Claire's incredible back catalogue. Find, follow, subscribe or hit the + on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube and you'll get a new episode in your feed every Thursday morning.

And now to Chloe & Christine's incredible story:

On an ordinary morning in a Sydney apartment building, Chloe and Christine - two neighbours who barely knew each other - were violently attacked by a stranger inside their own homes.Christine, a wellness therapist and yoga teacher, had just stepped into the shared laundry. Chloe, a photographer and mother of three, was working at her desk with her front door slightly open. Within minutes, both women were assaulted in separate random encounters by the same man - a dentist called Steven Lin from the Central Coast who has later shot dead by police. In this deeply confronting conversation, they share what happened, how they survived, and what recovery looks like just two weeks later. Their stories are raw, powerful, and ultimately grounded in resilience, instinct, and the unexpected strength that emerges in moments of crisis.

In this episode

Two parallel attacks unfold inside the same apartment building The moment instinct takes over: fight, survival, and split-second decisions What trauma feels like in the immediate aftermath The emotional and physical road to recovery Community support, kindness, and unexpected connection The reality of women’s safety - even inside the home Where the system is falling short, and what needs to change

Support and resourcesIf this episode raises anything for you, support is available:

1800RESPECT (Australia) Lifeline – 13 11 14 In an emergency, call 000

Support Chloe and ChristineLinks to support Chloe and Christine during their recovery are below: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/violence-survivor-support-chloes-recovery

https://www.gofundme.com/f/surviving-violence-please-support-christines-recovery

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.