Blink | Jake Haendel's Story

Hannah Smith sits down with Jake Haendel to answer the questions listeners have been waiting for—what really happened behind the scenes, why the show suddenly paused, and how legal realities shaped what he could and couldn’t say at the time. Jake revisits the sperm-bank situation in greater depth, breaking down what’s known, what remains unresolved, and how returning to it has reshaped his understanding of that moment. The conversation also dives into the limits of transparency, lingering fears of running into Ellen, and what comes next for blink. Content warning: Drug use/abuse, addiction, sexual assault (SA), medical trauma, serious illness, paralysis/coma, death & dying, emotional distress, and mature content. Resources can be found on our website, blinkthepodcast.com . . . . . Created by Jake Haendel Hosted by Hannah Smith Edited by Scott Somerville Original composition by Michael Marguet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Journalist Hannah Smith hosts an intimate BLINK Q&A with Jake Haendel, responding to listener questions submitted across platforms. Jake revisits locked-in syndrome, the exact moment he finally broke free—and what it felt like—along with storming, recovery updates, and life after going public. The conversation also explores addiction, resilience, and what comes next. Part 2 dives into the break, the legal fallout, and the truth behind what’s been unfolding off-mic—details Jake has never fully shared before. Content warning: Drug use/abuse, addiction, medical trauma, serious illness, paralysis/coma, death & dying, emotional distress & mature content. Resources can be found on our website, blinkthepodcast.com . . . . . Created by Jake Haendel Hosted by Hannah Smith Edited by Scott Somerville Original composition by Michael Marguet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the final episode of Blink, Jake brings us into his world today, offering a raw, powerful look at what healing truly means—and what comes after survival. Content warning: Drug use/abuse, addiction, medical trauma,  mental health crises, emotional distress & mature content. Resources can be found on our website, blinkthepodcast.com . . . . . Hosted and produced by Corinne Vien Co-created by Jake Haendel Original composition by Michael Marguet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jake’s search for answers pulls him into the unsettling world of Munchausen by proxy—a rare, insidious form of abuse where illness is manufactured for attention. And as he revisits his own medical history, he’s left to wonder: did a real diagnosis conceal something even darker? Content warning: Drug use/abuse, addiction, medical trauma,  child abuse, child loss, pregnancy loss, medical child abuse, death and dying, mental health crises, emotional distress & mature content. https://www.munchausensupport.com/ Resources can be found on our website, blinkthepodcast.com . . . . . Hosted and produced by Corinne Vien Co-created by Jake Haendel Original composition by Michael Marguet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jake’s long-held theory—that his illness wasn’t accidental—takes a jarring turn when a Facebook message arrives from someone he’s never met. Content warning: Drug use/abuse, addiction, medical trauma, death and dying, mental health crises, emotional distress & mature content. Resources can be found on our website, blinkthepodcast.com . . . . . Hosted and produced by Corinne Vien Co-created by Jake Haendel Original composition by Michael Marguet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices