Against The Odds

Latest Episodes:

Nightmare in Tornado Alley | The Aftermath With Journalist Holly Bailey | 4 Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Journalist Holly Bailey returned to Moore, Oklahoma on May 21st, 2013, the day after an EF5 tornado ripped through the city. As a child, she attended school in Moore, but now, the place looked unrecognizable, with cars wrapped around trees and houses ripped from their foundations. Bailey spoke with residents, teachers, meteorologists and bereaved families. She wrote about the aftermath in her book, The Mercy of the Sky: The Story of a Tornado. She joins Cassie to share her memories and stories of how people coped after the storm.

In this episode, we discussed suicide and depression. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 9-8-8.

For more on this story, we recommend:

The Mercy of the Sky by Holly Bailey

(also available as an audiobook on Audible).

Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nightmare in Tornado Alley | What Remains | 3 Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

When the tornado finally passes, survivors crawl from the wreckage to find their town in ruins. A shaken Gary England and his team at KWTV report on the destruction. First responders claw through mountains of rubble looking for survivors. As some families experience miracles and others face heartbreaking loss, the true scale of the devastation begins to sink in.

For more on this story, we recommend:

The Mercy of the Sky by Holly Bailey

(also available as an audiobook on Audible).

Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nightmare in Tornado Alley | It's Here | 2 Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

As a massive mile-wide tornado approaches the town of Moore, Oklahoma, meteorologist Gary England warns viewers to take shelter wherever they can. For principal Amy Simpson and the students and faculty of Plaza Towers Elementary School, that means hallways and bathrooms. At Briarwood Elementary, LaDonna Cobb is one of many teachers who try to shield children with their bodies, as the tornado rips the school apart.

For more on this story, we recommend:

The Mercy of the Sky by Holly Bailey

(also available as an audiobook on Audible).

Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nightmare in Tornado Alley | Storm Watch | 1 Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

On May 20, 2013, residents of Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City, awoke to a severe weather watch. But no one was overly concerned. Tornadoes are a fact of life in the Midwest, especially in Moore, which had already survived a devastating EF5-strength twister on May 3rd, 1999, packing winds of 321 miles per hour. No one really believed it could happen again. But soon, a powerful new tornado would be heading towards Moore – and two elementary schools, Plaza Towers and Briarwood, were right in its path.

For more on this story, we recommend:

The Mercy of the Sky by Holly Bailey

(also available as an audiobook on Audible).

Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Against the Odds ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

FAN FAVORITE: Crash in a Volcano | Climbing Out | 2 Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Rescue workers search for the camera crew trapped inside Kilauea’s Pu’u O’o crater, but they’re forced to abandon their efforts when an incoming storm makes conditions too hazardous. Cameramen Chris Duddy and Mike Benson struggle to survive a night inside the volcano. When daylight comes and there’s still no sign of rescue, Chris makes a fateful decision — to try to save his own life and bring back help for his friend.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

FAN FAVORITE: Crash in a Volcano | Into the Crater | 1 Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

In November 1992, a Hollywood camera crew soars above Hawaii’s Kīlauea, one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes, to capture footage for a major feature film. But suddenly their helicopter’s engine cuts out, and they plunge into an active crater. Trapped and inhaling toxic fumes, the men will have to battle for survival — even for every breath — if they’re going to escape the volcano and see their loved ones again.

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Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | A Pilot Remembers | 4 Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

When Coast Guard pilot Steve Torpey got called into work on a Friday night back in January, 1998, he had no idea he was heading into the most challenging flight of his career. At that point, two Coast Guard helicopters had already failed to rescue the crew of the sunken fishing vessel La Conte. Torpey’s crew — manning the third helicopter — were the stranded fishermen’s last hope. Now retired, Steve Torpey joins host Mike Corey to share his memories of that fateful rescue mission.

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Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Hanging On | 3 Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

With two helicopter teams exhausted and out of fuel after hours of failed attempts, the Coast Guard was forced to send out a third and final team to try to pluck the stranded fishermen from the icy waters. With no other pilots left, it fell to base commander Ted LeFeuvre to lead the final crew. And as the high winds and waves of the brutal storm refused to let up, he was forced to take unorthodox and risky measures.

For more on this story, we recommend:

The Last Run by Todd Lewan

Coming Back Alive by Spike Walker (also available as an audiobook on Audible)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Rogue Wave | 2 Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Forced to abandon the La Conte, the five fishermen — Bob Doyle, Mark Morley, Mike DeCapua, Giggy Mork and David Hanlon — find themselves at the mercy of towering waves and galeforce winds as they float in the frigid sea. As they prayed for a swift rescue, the Coast Guard helicopter crew sent from Sitka soon discovered this wasn’t an ordinary, or predictable, storm.

For more on this story, we recommend:

The Last Run by Todd Lewan

Coming Back Alive by Spike Walker (also available as an audiobook on Audible)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coast Guard Rescue on Alaska's High Seas | Black Line | 1 May 26, 2026

Show notes

On January 30, 1998, five fishermen finally hit the jackpot in a fishing bank known as Fairweather Ground off the southeastern coast of Alaska. They were aboard a wooden ship called the La Conte, which had seen better days. Despite a brewing storm approaching and the ship taking on water, the men decided to throw out one more fishing line. They’d soon learn they’d made a grave mistake.

For more on this story, we recommend:

The Last Run: A True Story of Rescue and Redemption on the Alaska Seas by Todd Lewan

Coming Back Alive: The True Story of the Most Harrowing Search and Rescue Mission Ever Attempted on Alaska’s High Seas by Spike Walker (also available as an audiobook on Audible)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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