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Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse This month: Six survivors talk about what medical providers got right and what they got wrong in treatment for their domestic abuse injuries and trauma. Topics: 1) The medical community. 2) Physical symptoms of emotional abuse. 3) Why survivors reveal and do not reveal the real cause of their partner-inflicted injuries. Guests: Mary Kamradt, Mary Lou Smith, Laudan Ghayebi, Bethany McInnis, Sydney, Amy About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 4/10/26: Survivors Share experiences with the medical community first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse This month: Sharon Kennedy talks from prison where is serving a 48 year prison sentence about the extreme abuse her ex subjected her and her child to, leading to the death of 10 year old Marisa. Topics: 1) Coercive control. 2)  Child abuse. 3)  incarceration. 4) Domestic violence victims charged as the perpetrators. Guests: Sharon Kennedy About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 3/13/26 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse Topics: Katherine talks about how her ex tried to cut her head off with a knife, got an obscenely low prison sentence, and was released to strangle another girlfriend. Guests: Katherine Erbes About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 1/9/26 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse Liz Eckman talks about how Portland Maine city officials publicly recognized October as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month even as they were silent about criminal charges against their tax assessor for domestic violence assault against her. Topics: 1. Hypocrisy of town officials regarding domestic abuse 2. Court failure to notify victims of domestic abuse 3. Importance of survivors speaking out publicly Guests: Liz Eckman About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 11/14/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse Sarah Doucette, author of Stronger Than That: A Domestic Violence Survivor Uncovers the Truth About Her Abuser, talks about the many factors that trapped her with a sociopath. Topics: 1. Financial abuse 2. Religion trapping you in abuse 3. Parental enabling  Guests: Sarah Doucette About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 10/10/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse The director of a Maine public library Rachel Davis talks about growing up with a violent father. In Part 2, 85-year-old Mary Lou Smith reflects on her 20-year anniversary of freedom. Topics: 1. Abusive fathers 2. Impact of domestic abuse on siblings 3. Breaking the cycle Guests: Rachel Davis and Mary Lou Smith About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 9/12/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse The owner of a popular cupcake shop breaks her silence about a first husband who regularly strangled her. Topics: 1. Misplaced shame. 2. Domestic Violence Strangulation. 3. How abusers do not change. Guests: Vicki Murray About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 7/11/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse When your ex tries to burn your house down with you and your daughter in it and is out of jail in less than a year. Topics: 1. Broken Judicial System 2. Domestic Violence Arson 3. Impact of Domestic Violence on Children Guests: Agnes Brackett About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 5/9/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse When your ex who almost killed you is released early from prison to now be charged with strangling another woman to death. Topics: 1. Broken Judicial System 2. Domestic Violence Strangulation 3. Impact of Domestic Violence on Children Guests: Darcia Maning and Dezarae Caron About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 3/7/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse When your best friend is murdered by her father. Topics: 1. Guns. 2. Growing up with abuse. 3. Police and VA response to domestic violence. Guest: Kerry Smith whose mother’s boyfriend was abusive and whose best friend was murdered by her father. About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 12/12/24 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence Homicide—Actual and Almost Topics: 1. Strangulation. 2. From charmer to psychopath. 3. Femicide in Maine. Guest: Michelle, survivor; Kerry and Amber, best friends of two of the four women domestic violence homicide victims in Maine in October. About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 11/8/24 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse He burned her house down, with her dog inside, and she is estranged from her children and grandchildren. Topics: 1. Arson. 2. Sexual abuse. 3. Family siding with the abuser. Guest: Mary Kamradt, Chief of Staff of Finding Our Voices. About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 10/11/24 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse Caroline McKuen shares how her pastor minimized the financial and sexual abuse and criminal activity of her ex-husband. Topics: 1. Financial abuse. 2. Patriarchal churches enabling domestic abuse. 3. Sexual abuse. Guest: Caroline McKuen, director of the Presbyterian Advocacy Coalition. More info at www.presbyterianadvocacycoalition.org About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 9/13/24 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse The devastation of financial abuse, as experienced by Lora, a Maine nurse, and explained by Jeannine, a domestic abuse survivor/victim’s advocate with Finding Our Voices. Topics: 1. Financial Abuse 2.Sexual Abuse 3. Manipulation of Abusers Guest: Lora and Jeannine. Jeannine is a survivor from Southern Maine who led the passage of LD 947: An Act to Address the Long-Term Impact of Economic Abuse by a Spouse. findingourvoices.net/jeannine-archive static1.squarespace.com/static/5ea1c13f9388622c75e02f04/t/5ea71229440a354e415493ea/1588007466061/Jeannine+Bill+.pdf About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 8/9/24 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Patrisha McLean Production Assistance: Tammy Oropesa Music: Jackie Lee McLean Let’s Talk About It: Conversations with Survivors of Domestic Abuse He strangled her, tried to smother her, forced her at gunpoint to take a bottle of sleeping pills and a judge lowered his bail so he could be released from custody. Topics: 1. Domestic violence murder hidden as suicide 2. Puffball sentencing of domestic abusers 3. Reckless Maine judges Guest: Anonymous About the host: Patrisha McLean is the founder/president of Finding Our Voices, the grass roots survivor-powered non profit organization breaking the silence of domestic abuse one conversation and community at a time all across Maine. The post Let’s Talk About It 7/12/24 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.