Some lived to tell the tale. Others weren’t so lucky.
Dead or Survive dives into the most gripping true stories of human endurance — from savage animal attacks and chilling crimes to wilderness battles and near-death escapes.
Each episode explores the razor-thin line between life and death, spotlighting those who made it out... and those who didn’t.
Twisted fate, raw survival, and a dash of dark humour — because sometimes the line between brave and boneheaded is thinner than you think.
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor. (https://anchor.fm/robert-riches/subscribe)
4.2 Trapped in the Dark: The Thai Cave Rescue + Darwin Awards & the Male Idiot Theory
In this episode of Dead or Survive, Cheryl takes you deep into one of the most incredible survival stories of our time—the 2018 Thai cave rescue. Twelve boys and their soccer coach are trapped four kilometers underground as monsoon rains flood the cave behind them. For ten days, no one knows if they're alive. What follows is a global rescue effort involving divers, engineers, medics, monks, and one impossible plan that should never have worked... but did.
You'll meet unsung heroes, brave kids, and a Buddhist coach who kept them calm in total darkness.
Then Rob lightens the mood with a new Darwin Awards segment, complete with stats from the Male Idiot Theory and a tale of a cliff dive that went very, very wrong.
🍪 Snacks are forgotten.
😱 Oxygen runs low.
🙏 And somehow, humanity pulls off a miracle.
🎧 Follow, like, and send us YOUR survival stories.
🧠 And remember—common sense is the best survival tool.
9 Jun 2025
4.1 ARCTIC TERROR — and What NOT to Do with That Thing
Cheryl shares a harrowing Arctic survival story of a polar bear attack, while Rob recounts unfortunate Darwin Award incidents involving bad decisions and body parts.
12 Nov 2023
3.5 Luna & Julia "Butterfly" Hill, plus the dangers of fitness
Julia Butterfly Hill is an environmental activist known for her passionate commitment to nature. Born on February 18, 1974, in Mount Vernon, Missouri, Hill gained fame for her courageous two-year tree-sit in a California redwood named "Luna." Living on a small platform high above the ground, she successfully advocated for the protection of Luna and its surrounding forest, capturing global attention and inspiring others to join the cause. Beyond her tree-sit, Hill remains dedicated to environmental activism, using her voice to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and sustainable practices.
Cheryl will tell you about her 700+ day adventure on this week's episode
Rob follows with reasons that fitness may not be good for your health. Well, at least for Johnny, who definitely took fitness a little too far
Hear all about when you press play!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
67
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.7 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
50
Social presence
0
YouTube
63
Engagement
31
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