Let’s Talk About It 4/10/26: Survivors Share experiences with the medical community

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.

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Let’s Talk About It 1/9/26

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.

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Let’s Talk About It 11/14/25

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Let’s Talk About It 10/10/25

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Let’s Talk About It 9/12/25

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Let’s Talk About It 7/11/25

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Let’s Talk About It 5/9/25

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Let’s Talk About It 3/7/25

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download