Fear on Hold

Carnegie Hero Fund

Step into the world of courage, compassion, and resilience with 'Fear on Hold,' a new podcast that brings to life the extraordinary stories of Carnegie heroes – ordinary people who, when faced with life-threatening situations, summoned incredible bravery to save others.

Each episode of 'Fear on Hold' delves deep into the heart-pounding moments where fear and heroism intersect, shining a light on the individuals who have been honored by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. These men and women paused their own fear to come to the aid of strangers in dire circumstances -- whether it's a daring rescue in the midst of a fire raging inside a car, a child plucked out of a swift, cold current, or a harrowing race against a train to remove someone trapped on the tracks.

Whether you're a fan of fantastic storytelling, a seeker of inspiration, or simply intrigued by the complexities of heroism, 'Fear on Hold' is will captivate your heart, expand your understanding of human nature, and leave you in awe of the indomitable power that lies within each of us when fear is put on hold.

Tone: Inspirational, Gripping, Empathetic

Target Audience: Fans of true stories and heroism, and those interested in exploring the depths of human courage and compassion.

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Episodes

From Sailor to Savior
Nov 24 2023
From Sailor to Savior
Clerc Higgins Cooper was just 14 when she and two friends sailing a 19-foot Flying Scot came upon a swamped boat on Lake Pontchartrain."It was a very windy day, and Lake Pontchartrain is really long, 26 miles to the north. And so when the wind blows from the north, the waves just get bigger and bigger as they come toward the south. So by the time they get to the south shore, which is where we were sailing out of, the waves can get really big. So it was windy, wavy, and pretty cold," Cooper, now 29, sets the scene in the episode.As they approached the boat, its three occupants where in the water struggling to stay afloat. "As soon as I realized that these people were not strong swimmers and that their boat was no longer acting as a vessel to keep somebody afloat, that's when I realized that this was a bad situation," Cooper said. "My name is Clerc Higgins Cooper, and I put fear on hold when I threw my life jacket to a struggling swimmer and jumped in the water to help two more."Listen to the story of 14-year-old Clerc Higgins Cooper who helped save three people from drowning after their boat swamped and capsized on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans.For more about Clerc Higgins Cooper, visit their hero pages at carnegiehero.org.Fear on Hold is produced by the Carnegie Hero Fund, Big Science Pods, and Bill Garrison. To nominate someone for the Carnegie Medal: https://www.carnegiehero.org/nominate/investigative-process/To search the database of more than 10,000 Carnegie heroes: https://www.carnegiehero.org/heroes/search-heroes/To learn more about the Hero Fund: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLRhEnfJ3AsLogo Design: Dave HughesVideo Production: Untitled ContentArt Direction: Dan MinskeyMedia Planning: GH AdvertisingMusic: Jay GreenNarration: Rebecca Senneway
Rescue on the Rails
Sep 22 2023
Rescue on the Rails
Despite being a longtime Brookhaven, New York, firefighter for decades, on Oct. 10, 2017, Peter C. Di Pinto, Sr., found himself in situation he had never encountered. After hearing the unmistakable sounds of a car accident near their home, Di Pinto and his wife responded to offer any immediate help before on-duty officials arrived on scene. When they came up on the scene they only found one car. The other car involved had left the roadway and came to rest straddling a railroad track. As Di Pinto approached the minivan and its dazed driver, the crossing signals sounded and the gates lowered. A commuter train was approaching at 65 m.p.h. With the wreckage preventing the driver's door from opening, Di Pinto only had a few moments to react."I knew, basically, that we're gonna get her out or we're gonna die together," Di Pinto said. Listen to hear Di Pinto and the minivan driver, Janice C. Esposito, retell their harrowing tale of the Rescue on the Rails.For more about Di Pinto's rescue: https://www.carnegiehero.org/hero-search/peter-c-di-pinto/To see the Carnegie Medal presented to Di Pinto: https://www.carnegiehero.org/cmp-di-pinto/Fear on Hold is produced by the Carnegie Hero Fund, Big Science Pods, and Bill Garrison. To nominate someone for the Carnegie Medal: https://www.carnegiehero.org/nominate/investigative-process/To search the database of more than 10,000 Carnegie heroes: https://www.carnegiehero.org/heroes/search-heroes/To learn more about the Hero Fund: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLRhEnfJ3AsLogo Design: Dave HughesVideo Production: Untitled ContentArt Direction: Dan MinskeyMedia Planning: GH AdvertisingMusic: Jay GreenNarration: Rebecca Senneway
Fear on Hold trailer
Sep 12 2023
Fear on Hold trailer
Follow the stories of five Carnegie heroes who risked it all to save strangers who were looking death in the face. From a fiery car wreck on a Los Angeles freeway to a boat capsizing in Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain, these men and women put fear on hold to face extreme danger.Fear on Hold's season one delves into the stories of Peter C. Di Pinto, Jr., Hiedi Johnston, Clerc Higgins Cooper, Jenna Fanelli, and Donald E. Thompson who were awarded the Carnegie Medal for acts of extraordinary heroism. Firsthand accounts and emotional interviews unravel the events leading up to these awe-inspiring acts of heroism. Listeners will be drawn into the intensity of each story.Listeners will be transported into the minds of these Carnegie heroes, gaining insight into what drove them to pause their own fear and push the boundaries of human compassion. Join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals who remind us that courage knows no bounds and that the human spirit can triumph over even the most daunting of challenges.Fear on Hold is produced by the Carnegie Hero Fund, Big Science Pods, and Bill Garrison. To nominate someone for the Carnegie Medal: https://www.carnegiehero.org/nominate/investigative-process/To search the database of more than 10,000 Carnegie heroes: https://www.carnegiehero.org/heroes/search-heroes/To learn more about the Hero Fund: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLRhEnfJ3AsLogo Design: Dave HughesVideo Production: Untitled ContentArt Direction: Dan MinskeyMedia Planning: GH AdvertisingMusic: Jay GreenNarration: Rebecca Senneway