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DAD: Forgive and Forget

Release Date: June 18, 2023

Kaitlin and her Dad fought so much when she was a teenager that the family calls those years '“World War III”. She tells the story of what happened after she left home and decided to love him anyway. As she became an adult, therapists and friends urged her to examine what really happened in those years. When she tries to talk about it with the family, she knows she has a big decision to make.


TRIGGER WARNING: Topics related to parental abuse, trauma

Resources:

  • Support is available for anyone affected by family violence. You can access support services and local resources by visiting this website.

  • Learn more about how to deal with abuse Here

  • If your situation is urgent, please contact emergency services in your area.

DAD: It Takes Two to Tango

Release Date: June 27, 2023

Kaitlin's father, Greg, proudly claims the title of mister mom in 1986. He's always wanted to be a dad. When the apple of his eye enters her tween years and starts hating him he struggles to be the kind of dad he thought he should be.


TRIGGER WARNING: topics related to parental abuse, trauma, self-gaslighting, gaslighting.

Resources:

If you are experiencing interpersonal violence, here are some resources:

  • For the United States: the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a list of helplines for kids, teens, and adults as well as culturally-specific and differently-abled assistance. 

  • The Government of Canada's family violence resource list (with local provincial organizations identified)

  • The 211.ca website is a general starting place for help (and can direct you to the proper resources).

  • Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available 24 hours a day to anyone in Canada aged 5 to 29 who wants confidential and anonymous care from trained responders.

DAD: What Goes Around Comes Around

Release Date: July 4 2023

At age 33, Kaitlin is stranded living with her parents in Ottawa, living in their basement just like she did when she was a teenager. It's the first time she and her dad have lived together since the period the family euphemistically calls 'the dark years'.

TRIGGER WARNING: discussion and depictions of physical abuse

Resources:

  • the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a list of helplines for kids, teens, and adults as well as culturally-specific and differently-abled assistance. 

  • The Government of Canada's family violence resource list

  • The 211.ca

  • Support is available for anyone affected by family violence. You can access support services and local resources by visiting this website.

  • Learn more about how to deal with abuse Here

DAD: Take the Bull by the Horns

Release Date: July 18 2023

In the final episode of the series Kaitlin isn't sure whether or not she truly wants to get into it with her father. Kaitlin is conflicted. Is having one last conversation with her Dad on tape a good idea? Does she have the courage to confront her dad face to face?

Resources:

This season is a production of CBC Podcasts, Radiotopia and Mermaid Palace.

Please reach out to TheHeart@MermaidPalace.org with any questions, thoughts, feedback. We would love to hear from you!