Independent podcast network Mashed Pumpkin Productions has achieved a significant milestone in the US market, with its newly launched series What I Survived charting at #31 in the overall US Apple Podcasts chart.

What I Survived is also #1 in Documentary Podcasts and #4 in Society and Culture, all achieved within its first 47 days of release.

The show, hosted and produced by network founder Jack Laurence, has accumulated over 440,000 downloads since launch in February this year.

Laurence notes that in its peak week, the show recorded over 200,000 downloads in seven days, with a single day high of 61,000 downloads following an editorial feature on the Apple Podcasts US homepage.

The achievement is particularly notable given the company operates independently out of Queensland, competing directly against shows produced by major US networks including iHeartPodcasts, Wondery, NPR, Barstool Sports and the New York Times.

Laurence says “It’s honestly wild to see my show sitting amongst some serious heavy hitters in the world of US podcasting, it’s a market I’ve been trying to crack for the last four years, the fact that WIS is the show to do it was honestly very unexpected”

What I Survived documents the stories of survival and psychological recovery from extreme ordeals including plane hijackings, hostage situations, shipwrecks and life-threatening accidents.

The show’s US audience accounts for approximately 74% of total listenership, with New York, Los Angeles and Chicago among its top listening cities.

The milestone comes as Mashed Pumpkin Productions crosses 15 million all-time downloads across its network of shows, which also includes long-running true crime series One Minute Remaining, Crime at Bedtime, and Mysteries at Bedtime.

Laurence believes the success of his catalogue of shows can largely be attributed to his commercial radio background.

“Having worked in radio for 15 years definitely gave me an advantage in the podcast space but there’s also an element of luck!”

“Landing that feature on the US Apple platform was totally unexpected but I’m extremely grateful to the Apple team for the support as well as the incredible audience who have supported me for the past three and a half years.” 

What I Survived Season Two is scheduled for release in May 2026.

Images supplied.