"You're Wrong About: The Auralyn with Blair Braverman"

Release Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Sarah Marshall | Guest: Blair Braverman

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, survival expert Blair Braverman joins Sarah Marshall to recount the extraordinary true story of Maurice and Marilyn Bailey—a British couple who survived 118 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean in 1973 after their yacht, the Auralyn (often referred to as the Orlan or Orin in the account), was sunk by a whale. The conversation explores both the harrowing adventure of the Baileys and the often-overlooked role of femininity and hope in survival narratives, as well as broader themes of resilience, partnership, and the gendering of wilderness stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mystery Story Setup

Blair surprises Sarah with a story she hasn't researched, building suspense and letting the audience learn along with Sarah.
[03:00] B: "I heard a story. And I thought, I want to tell this story to Sarah… I'm not going to tell her anything about it."

2. Introducing Maurice and Marilyn

Early 1960s, suburban England: Maurice, a shy, self-deprecating man with a difficult childhood, meets Marilyn, an adventurous, stubborn, and vivacious young woman.
Their romance defies societal expectations; both decide they don’t want children, which Sarah and Blair discuss as both a practical and subversive choice.
[12:35] B: "Marilyn's fine with that. She doesn't want to be a mom… She's bored with the suburbs in general. And she's like Maurice, let's sell our house and live on a boat."

3. Planning the Adventure

Marilyn convinces Maurice to sell everything and sail to New Zealand—despite neither knowing how to sail nor owning a boat.
Four years of meticulous preparation culminate in a 31-foot yacht, "Orlan" (a portmanteau of their names).

4. Setting Sail—and Disaster

June 1972: They depart Southampton, enjoying a leisurely journey (Spain, Portugal, the Canaries, Caribbean, through Panama Canal).
Critical error: They opt not to take a radio transmitter, relying instead on celestial navigation for a "pure" experience.
[17:07] A: "Guys, why did they decide that? Wanted to save 15 bucks."
March 4, 1973: Their yacht is fatally struck by a dying sperm whale. Within an hour, they abandon ship to a rubber life raft and a dinghy, with roughly 20 days' supplies and no way to signal for help.

5. Life on the Raft(s): Survival, Hope, and Dynamic Shift

Maurice, initially the captain, is quickly paralyzed by despair, even contemplating suicide.
Marilyn adopts a relentlessly hopeful and pragmatic perspective, immediately taking charge.
[20:44] B: "It's clear that Marilyn is the new captain."
Attempts at rowing to the Galapagos Islands are thwarted by unfavorable currents; they pivot to seeking shipping lanes.
Miraculously, sea turtles and seabirds become both obstacles and resources—food and, for a time, attempted "sled dogs" (Marilyn tries to use turtles to pull the rafts, only for them to pull in opposite directions).
[27:05] B: "She catches a turtle … Sure enough, it immediately starts pulling them just in a straight line… She catches another turtle… It immediately starts swimming in the opposite direction."
Resourcefulness highlighted: Marilyn fashions fishhooks from safety pins, invents a smoke flare from burned paper in a turtle shell, and makes playing cards from her journal for morale.

6. The Role of Gender & Femininity in Survival

The conversation delves into how survival narratives are traditionally gendered and the unique endurance and ingenuity Marilyn brings, through both "housekeeping" tasks and maintaining morale.
[42:13] B: "Survival stories are rarely about women, and even less often do they recognize traditionally female tasks as the actual work of survival—not decorations of life, but the fight for life at its most essential."
[43:41] A: "It doesn't depict it that, you know, isn't it nuts that she was such an accomplished survivalist and also wanted to make a pink and brown paisley dress? And it's like, no, she was good at surviving because she wanted to make that dress and was thinking about… the future that she wanted to live for."

7. Physical and Psychological Hardships

As weeks pass, supplies dwindle; Marilyn invents ways to catch food (turtle blood, fish eyes, seabirds), handles worsening skin and health issues, and persists in caring for Maurice as his condition deteriorates.
Enduring traumas: sores "down to the bone," sleep deprivation, failed resupply attempts (contaminated water, spoiled food), and psychological stress from being overlooked by passing ships.
[52:07] A: "It feels like they could have and maybe should have died, like many, many times… there are many things that could easily have killed them at this point."

8. Role Reversal, Luck, and the Narratives of Survival

Discussion of credit: Maurice, though initially paralyzed, ultimately gives Marilyn full credit for their survival—though media narratives often place him at the center.
[47:19] B: "Maurice said… if there had been two men there in that life raft, we wouldn't have been able to survive it. Just that Marilyn was able to sustain the will to live. That's what females of the species usually do."
The duo reflects on how survival is shaped by luck as much as skill, and how Marilyn's creativity and will to live were exceptional but underappreciated.

9. Rescue and Aftermath

After 118 days, a South Korean tuna ship spots and rescues them. The couple is so weak they must crawl on board.
Marilyn, ever forward-thinking, proclaims, "Now for Orlan II!"—they later buy a new boat with proceeds from their book rights.
The media again skews the story toward Maurice, calling Marilyn "the small brunette."
[54:44] B: "The media really focuses on Maurice as the hero of the story. He continually tries to give all the credit to Marilyn."
Both eventually become lifelong vegetarians; Maurice outlives Marilyn by two decades, continuing to celebrate her and their remarkable joint survival.

10. Reflections—Why We Tell Survival Stories

Sarah and Blair muse on survival as a universal metaphor, not just exclusively a wilderness phenomenon, and point to the importance of companionship, adaptability, and the unsung value of "domestic" work in survival situations.
[68:52] B: "That's my sort of annoying thing that I preach is that survival is not relegated to the wilderness. It's something that everyone's doing at all times."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Role of Hope and Adaptation:
"[Survival is] about things getting worse and worse and worse… they're about lowered expectations… time passing and survival itself is really tedious."
—Blair Braverman (29:11)
Femininity as Survival:
"Survival stories are rarely about women, and even less often do they recognize traditionally female tasks as the actual work of survival—not decorations of life, but the fight for life at its most essential."
—Blair Braverman ([42:13])
On Media Narrative & Gender:
"The media really focuses on Maurice as the hero of the story. He continually tries to give all the credit to Marilyn… but he can’t fight against all the sexism of the world."
—Blair Braverman ([54:44])
Survival and Companionship:
“A good companion is the best survival tool you could have.”
—Blair Braverman ([65:25])
Rescue and Resilience:
"They drop down a rope ladder… The crew brings them up on deck. They have to crawl because they can't walk. Their legs are just too weak now. And so they sit on a blanket and they drink milk. And Maurice says to Marilyn, 'We made it.' And Marilyn says, 'Now for Orlan II.'"
—Blair Braverman ([54:08])
On Survival in Everyday Life:
"Survival is not relegated to the wilderness. It's something that everyone’s doing at all times."
—Blair Braverman ([68:52])

Timestamps for Major Segments

[03:00] – Blair introduces the mystery survival story to Sarah.
[06:01] – Introduction to Maurice and Marilyn, the unlikely suburban couple.
[12:35] – Marilyn proposes selling everything and living on a boat.
[17:44] – The ill-fated voyage begins.
[18:21] – The Auralyn is struck by a whale; the real survival journey begins.
[20:44] – Marilyn emerges as the new captain, organizing their survival tactics.
[27:05] – Turtle "sled dog" debacle and ongoing resourcefulness.
[29:11] – Tedious, repetitive, and increasingly dire routines of daily survival.
[42:13] – In-depth discussion of gender, femininity, and survival narratives.
[47:19] – Maurice reflects on gender and Marilyn's will to live.
[54:08] – The Baileys' dramatic rescue after 118 days.
[56:42] – Life after rescue, lifelong partnership, legacy.
[62:47] – What did Marilyn get from Maurice? Exploring relationship dynamics.
[65:16] – Survival as camaraderie: parallels drawn to other survival events.
[68:52] – Survival stories as blueprints for everyday resilience.

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is marked by warmth, humor, and mutual admiration between Sarah and Blair. The conversational style blends incisive social and gender analysis with lively retellings, personal anecdotes, and moments of comic relief—even the darkest situations are leavened by wit and humanity. Blair in particular foregrounds the labor of daily hope and "feminine" tasks as integral to survival, challenging traditional hero archetypes.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in survival stories, feminist narratives, and human resilience. It uniquely blends history, adventure, and social commentary, foregrounding the untold stories and lessons often overlooked in traditional accounts of adversity. The Bailey story, as told by Blair and Sarah, is not just about surviving against the odds, but about the relationships, values, and small daily acts that keep people alive—at sea or anywhere.

"You're Wrong About: The Auralyn with Blair Braverman"

Release Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Sarah Marshall | Guest: Blair Braverman

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mystery Story Setup

Blair surprises Sarah with a story she hasn't researched, building suspense and letting the audience learn along with Sarah.
[03:00] B: "I heard a story. And I thought, I want to tell this story to Sarah… I'm not going to tell her anything about it."

2. Introducing Maurice and Marilyn

Early 1960s, suburban England: Maurice, a shy, self-deprecating man with a difficult childhood, meets Marilyn, an adventurous, stubborn, and vivacious young woman.
Their romance defies societal expectations; both decide they don’t want children, which Sarah and Blair discuss as both a practical and subversive choice.
[12:35] B: "Marilyn's fine with that. She doesn't want to be a mom… She's bored with the suburbs in general. And she's like Maurice, let's sell our house and live on a boat."

3. Planning the Adventure

Marilyn convinces Maurice to sell everything and sail to New Zealand—despite neither knowing how to sail nor owning a boat.
Four years of meticulous preparation culminate in a 31-foot yacht, "Orlan" (a portmanteau of their names).

4. Setting Sail—and Disaster

June 1972: They depart Southampton, enjoying a leisurely journey (Spain, Portugal, the Canaries, Caribbean, through Panama Canal).
Critical error: They opt not to take a radio transmitter, relying instead on celestial navigation for a "pure" experience.
[17:07] A: "Guys, why did they decide that? Wanted to save 15 bucks."
March 4, 1973: Their yacht is fatally struck by a dying sperm whale. Within an hour, they abandon ship to a rubber life raft and a dinghy, with roughly 20 days' supplies and no way to signal for help.

5. Life on the Raft(s): Survival, Hope, and Dynamic Shift

Maurice, initially the captain, is quickly paralyzed by despair, even contemplating suicide.
Marilyn adopts a relentlessly hopeful and pragmatic perspective, immediately taking charge.
[20:44] B: "It's clear that Marilyn is the new captain."
Attempts at rowing to the Galapagos Islands are thwarted by unfavorable currents; they pivot to seeking shipping lanes.
Miraculously, sea turtles and seabirds become both obstacles and resources—food and, for a time, attempted "sled dogs" (Marilyn tries to use turtles to pull the rafts, only for them to pull in opposite directions).
[27:05] B: "She catches a turtle … Sure enough, it immediately starts pulling them just in a straight line… She catches another turtle… It immediately starts swimming in the opposite direction."
Resourcefulness highlighted: Marilyn fashions fishhooks from safety pins, invents a smoke flare from burned paper in a turtle shell, and makes playing cards from her journal for morale.

6. The Role of Gender & Femininity in Survival

The conversation delves into how survival narratives are traditionally gendered and the unique endurance and ingenuity Marilyn brings, through both "housekeeping" tasks and maintaining morale.
[42:13] B: "Survival stories are rarely about women, and even less often do they recognize traditionally female tasks as the actual work of survival—not decorations of life, but the fight for life at its most essential."
[43:41] A: "It doesn't depict it that, you know, isn't it nuts that she was such an accomplished survivalist and also wanted to make a pink and brown paisley dress? And it's like, no, she was good at surviving because she wanted to make that dress and was thinking about… the future that she wanted to live for."

7. Physical and Psychological Hardships

As weeks pass, supplies dwindle; Marilyn invents ways to catch food (turtle blood, fish eyes, seabirds), handles worsening skin and health issues, and persists in caring for Maurice as his condition deteriorates.
Enduring traumas: sores "down to the bone," sleep deprivation, failed resupply attempts (contaminated water, spoiled food), and psychological stress from being overlooked by passing ships.
[52:07] A: "It feels like they could have and maybe should have died, like many, many times… there are many things that could easily have killed them at this point."

8. Role Reversal, Luck, and the Narratives of Survival

Discussion of credit: Maurice, though initially paralyzed, ultimately gives Marilyn full credit for their survival—though media narratives often place him at the center.
[47:19] B: "Maurice said… if there had been two men there in that life raft, we wouldn't have been able to survive it. Just that Marilyn was able to sustain the will to live. That's what females of the species usually do."
The duo reflects on how survival is shaped by luck as much as skill, and how Marilyn's creativity and will to live were exceptional but underappreciated.

9. Rescue and Aftermath

After 118 days, a South Korean tuna ship spots and rescues them. The couple is so weak they must crawl on board.
Marilyn, ever forward-thinking, proclaims, "Now for Orlan II!"—they later buy a new boat with proceeds from their book rights.
The media again skews the story toward Maurice, calling Marilyn "the small brunette."
[54:44] B: "The media really focuses on Maurice as the hero of the story. He continually tries to give all the credit to Marilyn."
Both eventually become lifelong vegetarians; Maurice outlives Marilyn by two decades, continuing to celebrate her and their remarkable joint survival.

10. Reflections—Why We Tell Survival Stories

Sarah and Blair muse on survival as a universal metaphor, not just exclusively a wilderness phenomenon, and point to the importance of companionship, adaptability, and the unsung value of "domestic" work in survival situations.
[68:52] B: "That's my sort of annoying thing that I preach is that survival is not relegated to the wilderness. It's something that everyone's doing at all times."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Role of Hope and Adaptation:
"[Survival is] about things getting worse and worse and worse… they're about lowered expectations… time passing and survival itself is really tedious."
—Blair Braverman (29:11)
Femininity as Survival:
"Survival stories are rarely about women, and even less often do they recognize traditionally female tasks as the actual work of survival—not decorations of life, but the fight for life at its most essential."
—Blair Braverman ([42:13])
On Media Narrative & Gender:
"The media really focuses on Maurice as the hero of the story. He continually tries to give all the credit to Marilyn… but he can’t fight against all the sexism of the world."
—Blair Braverman ([54:44])
Survival and Companionship:
“A good companion is the best survival tool you could have.”
—Blair Braverman ([65:25])
Rescue and Resilience:
"They drop down a rope ladder… The crew brings them up on deck. They have to crawl because they can't walk. Their legs are just too weak now. And so they sit on a blanket and they drink milk. And Maurice says to Marilyn, 'We made it.' And Marilyn says, 'Now for Orlan II.'"
—Blair Braverman ([54:08])
On Survival in Everyday Life:
"Survival is not relegated to the wilderness. It's something that everyone’s doing at all times."
—Blair Braverman ([68:52])

Timestamps for Major Segments

[03:00] – Blair introduces the mystery survival story to Sarah.
[06:01] – Introduction to Maurice and Marilyn, the unlikely suburban couple.
[12:35] – Marilyn proposes selling everything and living on a boat.
[17:44] – The ill-fated voyage begins.
[18:21] – The Auralyn is struck by a whale; the real survival journey begins.
[20:44] – Marilyn emerges as the new captain, organizing their survival tactics.
[27:05] – Turtle "sled dog" debacle and ongoing resourcefulness.
[29:11] – Tedious, repetitive, and increasingly dire routines of daily survival.
[42:13] – In-depth discussion of gender, femininity, and survival narratives.
[47:19] – Maurice reflects on gender and Marilyn's will to live.
[54:08] – The Baileys' dramatic rescue after 118 days.
[56:42] – Life after rescue, lifelong partnership, legacy.
[62:47] – What did Marilyn get from Maurice? Exploring relationship dynamics.
[65:16] – Survival as camaraderie: parallels drawn to other survival events.
[68:52] – Survival stories as blueprints for everyday resilience.

The Auralyn with Blair Braverman

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Summary

"You're Wrong About: The Auralyn with Blair Braverman"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mystery Story Setup

2. Introducing Maurice and Marilyn

3. Planning the Adventure

4. Setting Sail—and Disaster

5. Life on the Raft(s): Survival, Hope, and Dynamic Shift

6. The Role of Gender & Femininity in Survival

7. Physical and Psychological Hardships

8. Role Reversal, Luck, and the Narratives of Survival

9. Rescue and Aftermath

10. Reflections—Why We Tell Survival Stories

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Suggested Further Reading & Materials

Overall Tone & Style

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

Summary

"You're Wrong About: The Auralyn with Blair Braverman"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mystery Story Setup

2. Introducing Maurice and Marilyn

3. Planning the Adventure

4. Setting Sail—and Disaster

5. Life on the Raft(s): Survival, Hope, and Dynamic Shift

6. The Role of Gender & Femininity in Survival

7. Physical and Psychological Hardships

8. Role Reversal, Luck, and the Narratives of Survival

9. Rescue and Aftermath

10. Reflections—Why We Tell Survival Stories

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Suggested Further Reading & Materials

Overall Tone & Style

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode