Let’s Talk About It
On WERU 89.9
"This I believe is one of the best programs on WERU. It brought back a lot of my pain but it was so worth it because one gets one's power back, getting beyond it."
"I was glued to the stereo speaker. It was so personal. I felt I was listening to friends over wine or coffee, discussing a dark but important subject."
"I give this show A++++"
Episode Eleven
Hannah reconnected at 30 with someone from high school, not knowing that his history of domestic abuse went back that far. Leniency in the courts for his repeated violence toward women endangered her and their son, and affects them still.
This episode is sponsored by Mom's Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Mom's Demand Action works to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. They know, and we know that the intersection of gun violence and domestic violence is deadly for women and families. To learn more about their work to keep children families and communities safe from gun violence, please visit https://MomsDemandAction.org
Episode Ten
Mandy from the Ellsworth area met her abuser when she was 16 years old. His violence ramped up as his drug use increased, and the terrorizing of her and her family for years when it finally came to the attention of authorities netted him less than a year in jail.
This episode is sponsored by Mom's Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Mom's Demand Action works to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. They know, and we know that the intersection of gun violence and domestic violence is deadly for women and families. To learn more about their work to keep children families and communities safe from gun violence, please visit https://MomsDemandAction.org
Episode Nine
Nicky and Kathi, best friends forever and longtime partners of a house-cleaning business, discuss how they were each lured into dangerous relationships with sociopaths masquerading as lovers, and how they helped each other to escape.
This episode is sponsored by Mom's Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Mom's Demand Action works to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. They know, and we know that the intersection of gun violence and domestic violence is deadly for women and families. To learn more about their work to keep children families and communities safe from gun violence, please visit MomsDemandAction.org.
Episode Eight
Guests are a mother and daughter, Rhonda and Ashley, discussing the damage done to the entire family by Rhonda's abusive husband of 20 years and Ashley's father. Listen to how their perspectives on the abuse merge and divert about the man who dominated both of their lives for so long, and to some extent still dominates it even though he is no longer physically present.
Rhonda
Ashley
Episode Five
A two-parter with Mia from Lincolnville and Jessica from Union. Mia married young: Everyone in their small town saw the physical abuse and few intervened. For Jessica, the chaos of physical and emotional abuse was made crazier by drug use.
Jessica
Mia
Episode Four:
Two-parter around the theme of Revelations. Part 1 is sisters Patti, an airline pilot in Portland and Julie, a teacher in Houston. Patti was angry at Julie for years over how her "not leaving" hurt their parents. Part 2 is Linda from Rockport, who has answered the domestic violence hotline for years but only recently come to realize that her 20-year first marriage was abusive.
Julie
Episode Two:
Courtney recounts how Mr. Popular/Charming stripped her of her personality. After the show's intermission she is joined by Jess, the best friend who both introduced her to her abuser, and helped her escape.
Courtney
Episode One:
Guests are three women in various stages of freedom and entrapment. Alison is preparing for her husband's release from jail. Sarah is feeling legally harassed. Eve is managing visitation by the childrens' father.
Sarah
Alison
Eve
Intro and exit music for radio show: “Just a Bully” by Nora Willauer. Written by Nora based on Patrisha's experience.
You swept me off my feet
You erased my history
You took all of me
And filled it up with you
You’re a bully
You’re just a bully
I was scared you’d leave me
I was afraid you’d kill me
I tied myself in knots
because I knew what you could do
You’re a bully
You’re just a bully
When I walk in town
I keep my head down
I wear a mask
To cover my bruises
I do what I can
to keep the peace
I am too strong to be broken
You were weak one time
You were in bed with the flu
I loved you then
Cause you were really you
You’re a baby
You’re just a baby
You were so afraid
That people would think you were weak
So all you ever did was
Push them around,
And beat them down
You’re a baby
You’re just a baby
When I walk in town
I keep my head down
I wear a mask
To cover my bruises
I do what I can
to keep the peace
I am too strong to be broken
You broke down the door
That set me free
I always thought you were strong
But I was wrong that is me
I don’t need your strength
I’ve got my own
And you’re a bully
You’re just a bully