His miraculous survival story became the subject of Danny Boyle’s film 127 Hours—but what happened inside Aron’s mind and spirit during that ordeal is even more profound.

In 2003, Aron Ralston was trapped alone in a remote Utah canyon for nearly six days with his right arm pinned beneath an 800-pound boulder. In this episode of Alive Again, the man who cut off his own arm to live shares the transformation that made him more whole than ever before.

Aron recounts the vision that gave him the courage to survive, the moment he saw his future son, and the paradox of how intense suffering gave birth to overwhelming gratitude. As his body teetered on the edge of death, his consciousness expanded beyond it, leading to a radical reordering of what it means to be alive. This is not just a story of survival; it’s a story of spiritual awakening.

Story Producer: Dan Bush

For more about Aron’s adventures and advocacy, go to www.aronralstonspeaker.com

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Delaney Tarr survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, her life split in two. One part became instantly visible: the fiery, articulate youth activist who co-founded March for Our Lives and stood on national stages demanding change. The other part—quieter, more complicated—was still inside the girl who had to hide in a closet and text her parents goodbye while her classmates were being murdered.

In this raw and fiercely poetic episode of Alive Again, Delaney recounts her experience in two acts: a spellbinding live performance at Write Club Atlanta, followed by an intimate studio conversation. With striking metaphors—like the lifecycle of a fig or the stench of rotting flowers—Delaney reflects on trauma, identity, media scrutiny, and the strange burden of becoming a symbol before she had time to grieve.

And just weeks after recording this, Delaney’s younger sister survived a school shooting of her own, echoing the tragedy that upended Delaney’s life nearly seven years earlier. The cycle continues. But so does Delaney.

This is not just a story about surviving a mass shooting—it's about the rot that remains, the uncomfortable beauty in grief, and what it means to carry a cause through years of transformation.

Story producer: Nicholas Tecosky

Learn More:
Delaney is a freelance writer, reporter, and photographer based in Atlanta, GA. You can explore her work and advocacy at delaneytarr.wordpress.com

You can follow Delaney on Instagram and X: @delaneytarr

To find out more about March for Our Lives and to support the movement: marchforourlives.com

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I didn’t feel the van hit me. But I remember the voice. And then I was somewhere else.”

When Anne Bayford was struck by a van while crossing a London street, her body was left broken—but her spirit was transported into a realm of profound peace, radiant light, and unconditional love. In this episode of Alive Again, Anne shares the extraordinary story of her near-death experiences and the many lifetimes of insight these brought her.

But her NDE was only one chapter of a much deeper journey.

Anne’s story weaves through a childhood marked by poverty, abuse, racism, and trauma—experiences that would later shape her calling as a counselor, psychic medium, and trauma-informed healer. We talk about soul blueprints, the illusion of reality, and how near-death experiences can strip away ego and illusion to reveal something larger: empathy, purpose, and connection. Anne’s powerful wisdom—grounded in both personal survival and deep spiritual exploration—offers a reminder that even the darkest moments can become portals to transformation.

Story producer: Dan Bush.

For more about Anne and her work, you can visit her website, www.annebayford.com

Instagram:

Anne Bayford

YouTube channel

Anne Bayford

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He flatlined twice. What came back was a different man—and a different artist.

In 2008, artist and musician Rodney White survived a catastrophic car accident that left him in a coma, fighting for his life. He flatlined twice and underwent emergency surgery to piece his body back together. But what followed was an even deeper reconstruction of identity, purpose, and spirit.

In this intimate conversation, Rodney reflects on the surreal experience of waking from a coma, his struggle to reconcile memory loss with selfhood, and the mystical moments that guided his recovery—including a spiritual encounter that revealed the presence of his late father. He shares how his near-death experience reshaped his creativity, moving him beyond painting into clothing, poetry, and new forms of expression. We talk about the body as a vessel for spirit, the importance of protecting that spirit, and the challenge—and freedom—of rebuilding a life when the old one no longer fits.

This is a story about the invisible threads that connect past and present, art and healing, death and transformation. Rodney’s journey reminds us that sometimes we don’t go back to who we were… because we’re meant to become something more.

Story producer: Kate Sweeney.

Episode Cover Art by Rodney White.

To learn more about Rodney and his work, go to www.rodney-white.com

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was pulled beneath a speeding train… and awakened to something beyond this world.

David Ditchfield was saying goodbye to a friend when his coat became trapped in the closing doors of a train. He was dragged under the moving cars, suffering massive trauma and blood loss. As surgeons fought to save his life, David left his body—and entered another realm entirely.

In his near-death experience, David encountered guides who enveloped him in peace, love, and a sense of cosmic belonging. When he returned, everything had changed. Despite having no formal training in art or music, he began composing symphonies and painting vivid works inspired by what he saw on the other side.

This episode explores the mystery of where creativity comes from, and how a brush with death can awaken something extraordinary within us.

Story producer: Kate Sweeney.

For more on David and his symphony, you can read his book, “Shine On: The Remarkable Story Of How I Fell Under A Speeding Train, Journeyed To The Afterlife, And The Astonishing Proof I Brought Back With Me”

Or visit David’s Website, and check out his social medial links:
David on Instagram
David on Threads
David on YouTube
David on Facebook
David on SoundCloud
David on X

Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners.

* If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the fall, he was chasing a dream. After the fall, he found his sound.

Musician Blair Crimmins was spiraling—caught between fading dreams, destructive habits, and an unshakable feeling that something needed to change. Then one night, after a day of drinking and being dragged behind his dog on a skateboard, he cracked his skull on the pavement outside his apartment in Atlanta. He nearly died. He lost his sense of smell. He lost himself.

But that accident became a turning point.

In this episode, Blair shares the long and uncertain road to healing—physically, emotionally, and creatively. From vestibular therapy to olfactory training, from depression to the rediscovery of music through piano, banjo, and ukulele, Blair found his way not back, but forward. He left behind the rockstar dream and built something entirely new: a vibrant, genre-defying sound that would become Blair Crimmins and the Hookers.

This is a story about injury, isolation, and rebuilding—not just a career, but an identity. It’s about how the worst night of your life might just be the one that wakes you up.

For more about Blair and his band, Blaire Crimmins And The Hookers, chack out www.blaircrimminsandthehookers.com Here you can find his music, videos, a show calendar with all of his upcoming concerts and links to social media. You can also listen to Blair Crimmins And The Hookers on the iHeart Radio App, Spotify, and Apple Music

Story producer: Dan Bush.

Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners.

* If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perhaps the tools to face death— heal from trauma— and transform life—have been within us all along.

In this special episode of Alive Again, host Dan Bush sits down with Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and one of the most influential voices in psychedelic research today. Together, they explore how psychedelic-assisted therapy is changing the landscape of trauma recovery, end-of-life care, and the very nature of what it means to heal.

Rick shares insights from decades of groundbreaking work using MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin in clinical settings—particularly for those facing terminal illness or deep psychological wounds. He discusses brain plasticity, the release of DMT at death, and the profound similarities between near-death experiences and guided psychedelic journeys.

With warmth and depth, this episode moves between the personal and the universal—grief, meaning, mortality, and the liminal spaces where transformation begins. Whether you're curious about the science or seeking a deeper understanding of the human spirit, this conversation offers a powerful look at how we might approach death—not with fear, but with expanded awareness.

More About Rick Doblin:

Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a nonprofit that has been at the forefront of exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for over 35 years. His groundbreaking work has helped transform how we approach healing, trauma recovery, and end-of-life care, particularly through the use of psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and DMT. Rick’s dedication to this field has given countless individuals— and their families—hope, understanding, and peace in the face of immense challenges, including terminal illness. In our conversation, we explore the intersection of his work with the themes of this podcast: transformation, adaptation, and the profound mysteries surrounding death and near-death experiences.

Important links based on our conversation with Rick:

1. Psychedelic Science 2025
2. MAPS Integration Workbook
3. Donate to MAPS — MAPS relies on financial support from people like you. If you support the advancement of psychedelic research, policy reform, and education, please make a donation to fuel their work.

Social Media links:

MAPS

Instagram: @MAPS__org

Facebook: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

Linkedin: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

Twitter (X): @MAPS

Threads: @MAPS__org

Bluesky: @mapsorg.bsky.social

TikTok: @MAPS.org

YouTube: @MAPSMDMA

Rick Doblin

Instagram: @RickDoblinPhD

Facebook: Rick Doblin

Twitter (X): @RickDoblin

Linkedin: Rick Doblin

* If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was electrocuted—and came back with a blueprint for existence.

In February 2018, Adam Tapp was doing some woodworking in his front yard when a freak accident electrocuted him. Paramedics revived him—but not before he crossed into another realm.

What he experienced during those moments mirrored earlier psychedelic journeys, yet went even deeper. In his near-death state, Adam gained a radical new understanding of consciousness, fear, and the chemical nature of reality. His fear of death dissolved—and what replaced it was a profound curiosity about life itself.

This episode is a mind-expanding look at how close encounters with death—and the brain’s own internal pharmacy—can shift our understanding of everything.

Story producer: Kate Sweeney.

For more about Adam and his exploration of the fascinating world of psychoactive substances and their therapeutic use, tune in to his podcast Tapped Into Psychedelics

Warning: This series contains graphic descriptions of trauma, violence, abuse, and other content that may not be suitable for certain listeners.

* If you have a transformative experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.