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Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera
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Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera

Author: Wondery

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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.

Binge all episodes of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-story-of-miriam-rivera/ now.


4 Episodes
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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.You can binge all episodes of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
In the first episode of Harsh Reality, a TV executive heard a pitch for the juiciest reality dating game show ever. Filmed in sun-drenched Ibiza, the show would feature six gorgeous men competing for the beautiful Miriam Rivera. Sounds like a dream, right? But as was often the case in the era of “cruel reality TV,” the producers insisted on a shocking twist.If you want to hear the rest of Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera, you can binge the rest of this six-part series exclusively on Wondery Plus.On Wondery Plus, you can listen to all your favorite podcasts early and ad-free. With a library featuring over 50 #1 Apple Podcast hits and 45,000 binge worthy episodes, there’s something for everyone.Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or an Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Behind the closed doors of government offices and military compounds, are hidden stories and buried secrets from the darkest corners of history. Each week, Luke Lamana, a Marine Corp Reconnaissance Veteran, pulls back the curtain on what once was classified information exposing the secrets and lies behind the world’s most powerful institutions. From the hitmakers at Wondery and Ballen Studios, we bring you REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana. The stories are real, and the secrets are shocking.Listen Now: http://wondery.fm/REDACTEDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Comments (35)

Johnny socket

Her shady behavior wasn't from trauma. That sounds like an excuse for being a bad person to me. She was just a shady person like everyone said.

Apr 5th
Reply

Dave Davidson

I'm not really comfortable with this podcast portraying the men as the bad guys in much of this podcast. They were the only ones who were not complicit in this 'prank'. I'd like to see how the makers of this Podcast would feel if they were duped into romantically pursuing an individual who was not of their sexual preference. It was interesting that when they dressed up as women Miriam said "I don't want a sister, I want a man"

Mar 8th
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Mike Bee TV

If twin brothers, one is dating a woman, they swap places, and the brother has sex with the girlfriend that is rape. The same too if a trans person not only doesn't revieal but tricks someone for, of all things, a reality show and is intimate with you under false pretenses, that is sexual assault. Full stop.

Jan 23rd
Reply (1)

Teresa Wilkinson

there's a dominant culture (driven by religion) of hetrosexuality, and it's destroyed the lives of millions, the astonishing arrogance, even now, of the producers and others involved, to portray Miriam as 'strange' infuriates me, but sadly I believe we haven't, in this podcast, heard enough about changing that perception or challenging heterosexual thinking, I'm very glad it's been made but I would have liked so much more to hear from others like Miriam about changing perceptions and acceptance, rather than having to listen to a show almost all of which is made up of advertising or advertising for other podcasts, that was very disappointing & a waste of valuable time ... I feel so sad that Miriam never got a chance to truly shine or to live her best life all of which she surely deserved 🌈❤

Jan 6th
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Heidi Cahir

This episode whole podcast made me feel so many emotions, but episode 6 hit me right in the heart. I cried so much for what Miriam went through. it seems like the people with inner light and beauty are often targeted by cruel and brutish people who have little to offer. So sad right now but hopeful that the world will continue to get better for all diverse communities 💓

Jan 3rd
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Henry P

Producer is in total denial about his feverish lust for money, power and influence; THE SHOW WAS A CONVERSION CAMP. Truly trans-women are women to their soul but to truly respect their sexual identity is to accept and even love their bodies for how they are, not to senselessly deny it and try to airbrush out of reality. Imagine this sickening formula in reverse: 7 trans-women are taken on reality TV to compete for a handsome man's affection, only to discover the handsome gentleman is a trans-man. I absolutely uphold and will die for a world where everyone including trans people are accepted as equals with respect. I do not believe the key to this world is publicly shaming and villainising middle-aged white heterosexual men. God rest your soul Miriam I hope you are at peace now looking fabulous at the disco in the sky x

Jan 2nd
Reply (1)

B. Val

I am a supporter of the LGBTQ community, but how do you expect Tom to react if anything he reacted pretty good . Deceiving people like that is absolutely wrong, just like how homosexuals don't chose to be that we have to respect heterosexual people too. This was wrong.

Dec 26th
Reply (2)

Shannon Compton

I can so identify with men not supposed to be attracted to you. As a chubby woman, I was given messages that men are not supposed to like me. Going out with me was a kindness or charity. Men liked me in secret. Its painful. It also isn't true, but the messages blur a sense of authenticity and living a "real life in the real world."

Dec 21st
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Heidi Cahir

Where is the kindness and humanity in the way we treat people in this world. At the heart of it, everyone deserves love and respect. The way Miriam was treated by men made me so angry and sick. What the fuck is wrong with just being a decent human and accepting people as you find them. I felt so angry and sad, the injustice made me nearly explode with rage

Dec 20th
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Kimica Z

No trans woman is born a man (or boy). They are born WOMEN/GIRLS with male genitalia, which is a condition that can be treated. Saying that a trans woman was a man or boy at any time in her life is a gross misrepresentation of the facts. A person is not defined by their genitals.

Dec 20th
Reply (6)

Darude Sandstorm

Too many ads.

Dec 20th
Reply

nme

just so wreckless, the whole idea & all the shit that came from it, so wreckless.

Dec 13th
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Kimica Z

First ad not even five minutes in ☹️

Dec 7th
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Alaska

It's kind of weird and unfortunate that they're not addressing another huge issue here that seems to be at the forefront of everything right now: consent. To hold back this type of information when you're putting people together romantically is not only wrong but irresponsible and just asking for trouble.

Dec 4th
Reply (9)

george henderson

I love this show https://castbox.fm/channel/id4692182?country=us

Dec 1st
Reply

Jen Tabernus

So Sky TV (owned by Murdoch) wants a TV programme so outrageous it gets on the front page of the tabloid's (owned by Murdoch) ... can't see the issue with that at all 🙄

Nov 29th
Reply