Ya Never Know w/ Jake Haendel

In this episode of Ya Never Know, we sit down with Nurse Erica — RN, healthcare leader, nurse advocate, podcast host, and someone who’s seen healthcare from every angle. We dive into the real-world signs of factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly Munchausen by proxy), how it shows up, and why it’s so difficult to recognize in real time. From there, the conversation widens to nurse advocac...

Bethany grew up in a small town outside of Winnipeg, Canada, living with chronic illness since birth—without ever knowing why. For years, her symptoms were dismissed, misunderstood, or left unexplained, until she was finally diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder. As her condition worsened, Bethany learned that her C1 and C2 vertebrae were unstable, causing brains...

Bernenda’s life is a story of service, sacrifice, and survival—revealing the hidden cost of being both a Soldier and a police officer, and how war, loss, and untreated mental health trauma can collide. Born into an undocumented Haitian family, Bernenda learned resilience early. A high-achieving student and the first in her family to join JROTC, she enlisted in the military and deployed overseas at...

Jake and Big A talk holiday plans, how Jake is completely wiped from working on the BLINK Q&A episodes (released the Tuesday before Christmas), and fighting off a cold while trying to wrap everything up. We also talk about the kind of guests we’re looking for. If you’ve got a story you want to tell, feel free to reach out — we’d love to have you on. Happy holidays and happy New Year to everyon...

In Part Two, Brooke takes us deeper inside Missouri’s family-court system, sharing the most intense cases she has encountered as an advocate and court watcher — including one case that ended in death and raised serious, unanswered questions. She breaks down recurring patterns she says are impossible to ignore: the same judges, the same GALs, the same families financially and emotionally devastated...

Brooke tells us how she beat addiction and a corrupt system to win her kids back. Her story starts in California, where doctor shopping spiraled into a pain-pill addiction, then heroin, then homelessness. Thirteen years sober, Brooke rebuilt her life in Missouri — but when a divorce and custody battle hit, the St. Louis family-court system made her feel like she was the problem. She wasn’t. As Bro...

Karl joins us all the way from Sweden to share the story of the tick bite he got at his summer home in the archipelagos — a chain of islands off the coast of Sweden — a bite he barely noticed but that almost cost him his life. What began as an ordinary weekend turned into a full medical emergency when his body suddenly crashed, forcing doctors to airlift him by helicopter from the islands to Sahlg...

In this chapter, Elizabeth walks us through the eight-year investigation into her sister Margaret’s death — the unanswered questions, the inconsistencies, and why certain details in this episode are censored and beeped because the case is still open. Margaret was 20 years old and pregnant when she died, adding even more weight to the mystery and the grief that followed. We also talk about her fath...

In Part One of Elizabeth’s story, she opens up about a childhood shaped by a cult-like environment, strict purity culture, and an abusive father. She walks us through the hidden rules, the fear, and the control that defined her upbringing—and how it all set the stage for a deeply painful, messy marriage she didn’t see coming. Elizabeth also shares the heartbreaking story of her sister’s death at 2...

Leah tells us how one back surgery changed her entire life. What should’ve been a simple procedure ended up causing CRPS, a nerve condition so brutal that many people lose hope the moment they hear the diagnosis. For Leah, it started in her foot and turned into nonstop pain — something she describes as feeling like she was “walking to her death daily.” Her sober father started growing her marijuan...

Kyle’s story is unlike anything you’ve ever heard. A prolific weed grower, a transgender man, and a terminal brain cancer survivor — somehow, he’s still here. After years of building his life in California and Colorado, Kyle was diagnosed with an aggressive, “incurable” form of brain cancer that no one else has survived. Forced to leave everything behind and return home to the South Side of Chicag...

In this episode of Ya Never Know, Dr. Ellen Reed (@ drellenreed ) joins us to share her journey as a performance coach and expert in Relentless Solution Focus. We talk about how we met, how she’s helped me as my coach, and how her work has shaped both my mindset and Big A’s approach to recovery. Dr. Reed opens up about what it means to help people unlock their potential, stay solution-focused, and...

This episode picks up where Part One left off — after Daniella’s daring escape from the Children of God cult. What came next was a new kind of structure, discipline, and control: the U.S. military. Daniella (@daniellamyoung_) opens up about serving two tours in military intelligence, the psychological aftermath of leaving one cult only to find herself in another, and how she ultimately reclaimed h...

This episode dives into a story so wild it sounds like fiction — but it’s all very real. Daniella, also known as the knitting cult lady, was born into Children of God as a third-generation member. From birth, she suffered control, abuse, and was even trafficked across borders under the guise of loyalty to the cult. What makes her story even more extraordinary is how she broke free. As a teenager s...

Caitlyn (@ caitlyn.cohen ) is a model, TikTok star, and passionate advocate who’s opening up about life with a stutter. In this episode she shares what it’s really like, how she found the courage to speak out, and why using her platform matters so much. Keep up with Caitlyn’s journey here: linktr.ee/caitlyn.cohen

A vacation ferry ride turned into the Greek Tragedy of the Century when the ship began sinking like the Titanic. Joanne shares what it felt like to be trapped on a foreign vessel as the captain and crew abandoned ship and left everyone to die. Against all odds she survived—and even risked her life going back inside to grab her brand-new $40 Skechers. From chaos on the water to the shocking afterma...

Ashley tells us about her high school sweetheart, Travis, whose life was turned upside down when he became locked in. He is still currently fighting to survive, fluctuating through different states of consciousness while facing the medical complexity of locked-in syndrome. Ashley opens up about the challenges of navigating hospital care, the emotional weight of raising their young daughter during...

Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault. Hannah opens up about how her entire high school career was shaped by years of sexual assault from a teacher — which later turned into a full-blown inappropriate relationship. She shares how she survived, found justice, and now maintains a powerful outlook on life. Hannah also offers advice for anyone currently going through something similar...

Emily joins us with a story that starts with something unexpected: strange nipple changes that turned out to be cancer. She opens up about the fear, the fight, and the strength it took to survive — and why paying attention to your body could save your life. We also talk about what it means to live after cancer, how to stay empowered through the hardest battles, and what to say to your kids when yo...

Lindsey tells us about building her startup T & A Art @titsandartwork , what it’s really like living out in Terlingua, Texas, and the wild story of picking up cartel guns. From shady run-ins to desert survival, this episode has it all—art, chaos, and grit. Follow Lindsey on Instagram: @lindseyroseweiss

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Ramsdell — the Guinness World Record holder for the biggest gape in the world. We talk about what it’s like stepping on stage for America’s Got Talent, building a massive following, and why Sam’s hysterical, open-book personality is exactly how we should all be. From hilarious stories to freaking out on way too many mushrooms in Italy and calling the cops on h...

In this episode, Jake Haendel and Adrienne sit down with Alexandra Cain to hear her wild story of almost being abducted as a teenager while traveling with friends in Fiji. But that’s just the beginning — Alex talks with us about living with chronic illness, navigating life’s curveballs, and how she manages it all.

In this episode Jake goes deep with his ex girlfriend Adrienne into his relationship with Elle.  What did she think of her when she first met her?  What was their relationship like?  Were there any red flags?  Then Adrienne talks about where she is now, which concludes with a partnership with Jake?!

In this episode, Adrienne talks about her arrest, her crazy bail, and how it all helped her get clean.  Jake and Adrienne talk about life after addiction, and give some words of advice to others who might be struggling.  Oh, and some old photos of Jake and Adrienne are quite something.

In this episode, Jake and Adrienne discuss why she left him, what she was in search of, some of her story that includes arrests, getting clean, and a glimpse into life after.