Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera

By Wondery

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Category: Society & Culture

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Rate for this podcast

Subscribers: 654
Reviews: 5
Episodes: 11


 Apr 17, 2023

goodkidd
 May 16, 2022
Really well done and told.

cathleen
 Apr 20, 2022
Really good!

graham
 Jan 19, 2022
thank you!

Brooke
 Dec 31, 2021
This is really a great story: well researched, well written, and well narrated. I love Trace's voice, it's very easy to listen to, calming, interesting, clear, and precise. I was actually pretty impressed by her. Def recommend this!!

Description

It was supposed to be a reality show with a twist. In a sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, six hot guys compete for a cash prize and for the love of the beautiful and mysterious Miriam. It’s meant to be her big break: the moment she becomes the superstar she was born to be. But this is the era of “cruel reality TV” and the show producers have a different goal: they want to surprise the men with the fact that Miriam is trans. A new six-episode investigative series from Wondery, the makers of The Shrink Next Door and The Apology Line, and from Novel, HARSH REALITY is the story about love, lies, reality TV and a woman before her time: Miriam Rivera. Written by Agnes Borinsky and hosted by Trace Lysette.

All episodes of are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.


Episode Date
Introducing: Morbid
00:07:09

It’s all a lighthearted nightmare on the MORBID podcast. Hosted by Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley, Morbid is a full dose of true crime with a splash of comedy.

Join us all month long as we celebrate 5 years of MORBID with a special anniversary series, a festive edition of listener tales, and more surprises to come.

Listen to Morbid wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/MBD_HR

Hey Prime Members you can listen to Morbid early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Download the Amazon Music app today.

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

May 08, 2023
Introducing Foretold: Can a fortuneteller change her future?
00:08:04

Foretold is a deeply engrossing podcast that follows the life of Paulina Stevens, a Romani fortune teller as she makes the extraordinary decision to leave her community. In this preview feature we begin with a frantic meeting in a cafe where a panicked Paulina blurts out she has escaped her family's psychic shop with her children, that she is a scam artist born and bred, that she was in an arranged marriage and taken out of school in the 6th grade to prepare for a life pre-determined for her. And so begins the journey to unpack each of those claims, learning about the context and culture of Romani people (commonly known as the pejorative 'Gypsy') along the way. This podcast explores cultural identity, evolution of culture, women's roles, modernization and tradition, and group dynamics --all wrapped up in a compelling and universally relatable life story of a unique woman who is curious about the world and yet metaphysically and culturally connected to her people's history. Listen and follow Foretold at latimes.com/foretold or wherever you get your podcasts.

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

Apr 11, 2023
Introducing: Bad Dates with Jameela Jamil
00:08:47

Everybody has had them. Everybody can relate to them. And now it's time to laugh at them on BAD DATES, a hilarious new comedy podcast hosted by Jameela Jamil. Each week Jameela's favorite comedians, celebrities and funny friends share their epic and true dating nightmares and misfires. Like the tale of the guy who could only get frisky on top of a pile of stuffed "Garfield" toys, or the enraged beauty queen with food poisoning who chased her date through a kitchen window. There's even a bad date that involved gay Bigfoot.

 

From the team behind the hit podcast SmartLess, BAD DATES will make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and cringe just enough. Because as we all know - the worst dates make the best stories.

 

Listen to BAD DATES WITH JAMEELA JAMIL wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/BadDates-HR

 

Hey Prime Members, you can listen to BAD DATES WITH JAMEELA JAMIL early and ad-free on Amazon Music. Download the Amazon Music app today. 

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

Mar 27, 2023
Behind the Lens | 7
00:36:02

Executive Producer Morgan M. Page speaks with Miriam’s former bandmate Nomi Ruiz about her time as a Speed Angel, her relationship with the reality star, and the current media landscape surrounding trans people and trans femininity. Morgan also speaks with Shon Faye, author of The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice, and Producer Eleanor Biggs speaks with Andy Dehnart about the strange and sometimes dangerous world of reality TV.

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Dec 27, 2021
Speed Angel | 6
00:56:35

Everyone receives some shocking news. As they pick up the pieces they are left to figure out what it all means. 


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Dec 27, 2021
Scene of a Crime?  | 5
00:46:15

Miriam has disappeared, the producers are in hiding and the contestants are out for revenge. Will the show ever see the light of day?

For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives.

Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.

Archive provided by BBC Motion Gallery via Getty Images and ITV Archive.


Support us by supporting our sponsors!

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

Dec 20, 2021
Sh*t Show | 4
00:32:11

Miriam and the contestants film their final scene. She picks her man. It’s time for her big reveal.

For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.


Support us by supporting our sponsors!

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

Dec 13, 2021
Champagne, Canapés and Clubbing | 3
00:41:37

With 24 hours until the finale a psychiatrist is rushed to the villa. What he sees disturbs him, but is it too late to change course?


For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.


Support us by supporting our sponsors!

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

Dec 06, 2021
Outlaw Superstar | 2
00:41:33

Before she even arrived on the island Miriam had crossed borders, triumphed in the ball scene and made it as a Speed Angel but what if she wants more?


For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.

Support us by supporting our sponsors!

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

Nov 29, 2021
Something About Miriam | 1
00:41:28

When a TV exec hears a pitch for a dating game show with a twist she’s sold. But from the very beginning Miriam must risk everything for the show to succeed. 

For this story Wondery has partnered with Translash Media, the trans journalism and personal narrative project that is committed to telling Trans Stories to save Trans lives. Visit www.translash.org to learn more about Translash.


Support us by supporting our sponsors!

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

Nov 29, 2021
Introducing: Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera
00:03:00

It was supposed to be a reality show with a twist. In a sun-drenched villa in Ibiza, six hot guys compete for a cash prize and for the love of the beautiful and mysterious Miriam. It’s meant to be her big break: the moment she becomes the superstar she was born to be. But this is the era of “cruel reality TV” and the show producers have a different goal: they want to surprise the men with the fact that Miriam is trans. A new six-episode investigative series from Wondery, the makers of The Shrink Next Door and The Apology Line, and from Novel, HARSH REALITY is the story about love, lies, reality TV and a woman before her time: Miriam Rivera. Written by Agnes Borinsky and hosted by Trace Lysette.

All episodes of are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

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

Nov 22, 2021