Struggle, survival and strength: Dayton shares stories from year of terror

>> Oregon District tavern owner displaced by tornadoes after son’s death: ‘We are doing fine. We are very lucky.’

Community members share stories of struggle, survival and strength in this special episode of the “What Had Happened Was" podcast.

>> 100+ Daytonians of the Week: A shoutout to Daytonians who did something when the city needed them 

Dayton-area residents were invited to the Dayton Metro Library a few weeks ago to tell stories related to the terrifying Memorial Day tornadoes, Oregon District mass shooting and community unifying events that included response to a KKK rally.

>> RELATED: Dayton kids write book about the tornadoes, and you can help get it published 

>> Dion Green on pain, grief and fighting through darkness after Dayton mass shooting and tornadoes

They told podcast host Amelia Robinson and Dayton Daily News reporter Cornelius Frolik tales of courage, generosity and personal pain. Participants ranged from a video-game obsessed preteen who lost everything in the tornadoes to a football coach who rushed to pick his son up from the Oregon District after nine people were murdered.

This two-episode series is part of the Dayton Strong Storytelling Sessions.

Additional stories will be shared soon as part of a WHIO-TV special.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

"What Had Happened Was" is a podcast for Dayton, powered by Dayton.com and recorded in the WHIO Radio studios. You won't believe the stories that come from right here. Host Amelia Robinson shares the best tales from the Gem City, Land of Funk and Birthplace of Aviation: Dayton, Ohio.

This podcast is brought to you by Cox Digital Marketing and is sponsored by Premier Health. 

>> “What Had Happened Was...” podcast finalist for prestigious Marconi award

WHERE TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE 

Listen to each show below or get the latest episodes delivered directly to you. Find the What Had Happened Was podcast and subscribe on Apple Podcast (iTunes), Google Play, Stitcher and other services. If you like what you hear, rate this podcast.

CATCH UP ON PAST EPISODES

EPISODE 64

Dayton police Chief Richard Biehl on not having a clear ‘why,’ tears that wouldn’t stop, yoga for depression and police community relations

EPISODE 63

Tear gas and calls for change: reporters on covering George Floyd protests in Dayton

EPISODE 62 

George Floyd killing sparks ‘courageous,’ often intense conversation about race and police in Dayton

EPISODE 61

Rajeev Venkayya, the Dayton-raised doctor who wrote the U.S. strategy against pandemic

EPISODE 60

>> The long way back: Reporter Laura Bischoff explains how Ohio will reopen from coronavirus and how it will not

EPISODE 59

>> Daughter on mom’s death to coronavirus: ‘It literally takes all prisoners … your organs, and your blood, and your faculties’

EPISODE 58

The ‘pest house,’ Grim Reaper and how the ‘Spanish Lady’ brought the Gem City to its knees

EPISODE 57

Amaha Sellassie on the old guard’s last stand, the power of people and the Above Ground Railroad

EPISODE 56

Calm before an unprecedented storm: ER Doc Randy Marriott answers your coronavirus questions

EPISODE 55

Coronavirus in Ohio: “It might slow me down, but it might kill her,” daughter of nursing home patient says.

EPISODE 54

[‘This not a drill.’ Reporter Laura Bischoff explains dramatic steps Gov. Mike DeWine just took against coronavirus in Ohio]Edit Info

EPISODE 53

Jana Collier on the big breakup, pop-star dreams and the future of the Dayton Daily News

EPISODE 52

The ‘kick-ass’ women who gave Dayton Art Institute its shine

EPISODE 51

Comedian Megan Stalter on landing ‘National Lampoon Radio Hour’ and being booted out of a Dayton improv class

EPISODE 50

‘This is my home, these are my people.’ Cloudy with a Chance of What Happened podcast with McCall Vrydaghs & Kirstie Zontini

EPISODE 49

Struggle, survival and strength 1 : Dayton shares stories from year of terror

EPISODE 48

Struggle, survival and strength 2 : Dayton shares stories from year of terror

EPISODE 47

Reporter Cornelius Frolik on the Dayton garage killings

EPISODE 46

Dion Green on pain, grief and fighting through darkness after Dayton mass shooting and tornadoes

EPISODE 45

Delusion, Delight and Drag: A deep dive into Ms. Demure’s mind

EPISODE 44

Tales of old-school murder in Dayton