Day 1 Of The End Of The World

“‘Mel?’ ‘Yeah, mom?’ She paused, looking for words that wouldn’t come. Finally, she said, ‘I love you.’ That’s when I got scared. Really scared. The panic choked in my throat. Which is good, because there was no way I would shed one single tear in front of my brothers. Not now. That first was for later. My voice cracked, but the anger grounded me. ‘Don’t you do that, mom!’ I shouted. ‘Don’t do that to us!’”

Teenager Mel Harden reflects back on the first time a zombie hoard came through the sleepy town of Yellow Springs, Ohio in their story, “Firsts.”

“I said to myself, ‘Jon, your Papa gave his life as a member of the Dutch resistance and his sacrifice will not be made in vain. Not today. Today you will find and protect your daughter.’”

82-year-old Jon Vogel survived the occupation of the Netherlands during World War II as a child. But he found the true test of his character when the first zombie wave broke against his sleepy town. Tune in for his story.

Day 1 of the End of the World is a collection of first-hand accounts of what happened on the first day of the zombie apocalypse. This collection of anecdotes showcases the human elements, chaos, heroism, and tragedy as seen through the eyes of people from around the world. Find out more about this podcast at http://www.necrodemic.com.

"It’s very important that you all talk to your Big People and figure out what your 'just in case' plans are, where your supplies are, and where you will meet up if you get separated..."

Podcaster Sandy Douglas, based in Boulder, Colorado, was well-known for her child-focused programming pre-necrodemic. Her podcast’s mission was to help kids accept and love themselves as they navigate a world that doesn’t always look like them. She recorded her original music with her two children: Sammy (then age 10) and Sherry (then age 7). Her final song is credited with helping children survive and stay calm in countries around the world. Ms. Douglas declined to be interviewed, but she has graciously shared the recording of her final broadcast, loved by so many.

Janelle found herself working in the unlikeliest of places. Flagstone Manor is a cheap facade of a medieval castle slapped up with a dirt Florida arena, just off State Highway 21. A scream from the crowd shattered the moment. Disruptions were common, and security was usually pretty quick to shut that sort of thing down, but that scream said something different was happening...