Here's a little Valentine's Day love with a throwback to one of our favourite early episode and to remind you all that we love you.

CW: Attempted Suicide, Substance Use, Sex work

The Now What Pod talks with Kaitlin Bick, a survivor of domestic sex trafficking. Kaitlin shares her story from meeting her trafficker, developing a relationship with him, being trafficked, and finally leaving, and now advocating for others. Kaitlin’s enthusiasm, positivity, and resilience to deliver a message of hope to other survivors and those who are struggling.

About Kaitlin:

Kaitlin Bick is a survivor of domestic sex trafficking. She is a former substance user who uses both her lived and professional experience to support and advocate for others.

For the past four years, Kaitlin has worked on the frontline with survivors of human trafficking and precariously-housed individuals, ensuring that all their basic needs are being met. She uses her enthusiasm, positivity, and resilience to deliver a message of hope to other survivors and those who are struggling.

Kaitlin facilitates workshops and training to service providers and community members and is dedicated to bringing awareness to domestic human trafficking and ending homelessness.

Resources:

For more information about Human Trafficking

Canada Suicide Prevention Service

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The Now What Pod chats with Leslie about the moment she decided to end her marriage. Despite being high school sweethearts, and married with 3 children, Leslie threw her husband out of the house after discovering he’d been cheating on her. Listen as Leslie describes how he began pulling away, the way he made her feel insignificant throughout their marriage, and how she found out he’d been unfaithful to her. Leslie talks about the challenge of suddenly becoming a single mother and full-time student, and what it means to be a strong independent woman. 

Topics Discussed:

Meeting her Future Husband Marriage with Young Children Finding Out He’d been Cheating Throwing Him Out of the House Marriage Counseling Parenting after Divorce The Importance of Support Systems Emotional Abuse Narcissism

Resources:

Emotional Abuse https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/abuse/youre-not-crazy-but-emotional-abuse-can-make-you-think-you-are/?utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=Search_PPC_c&utm_term=PerformanceMax&utm_content=&network=x&placement=&target=&matchtype=&utm_campaign=17990185911&ad_type=responsive_pmax&adposition=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1ZGcBhCoARIsAGQ0kkrt48OaqASHR5K-5YLkXUszes6TX6Pq43gBgmw-uhnElrJj8TwIkDUaAv1OEALw_wcB

Narcissism https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/narcissism-symptoms-signs

Taylor Swift Dance Party  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-taylor-swift-dance-parties-midnights/

Taylor Swift Broke Ticketmaster https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/11/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-presale-concert-tickets/672181/

About Leslie:

Leslie has been a primary teacher at schools in Scarborough for 17 years. Teaching is a third career as she was a fisheries biologist after graduating university, then became a stay at-home-mother, teaching music in the community, while raising 3 children. She went back to school to get her teaching certification at the age of 44 and is passionate about her teaching career. While studying to become a teacher, Leslie separated from her husband of 20 years, who had also been her high-school boyfriend. Leslie’s hobbies include music, playing a few instruments and singing, and outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking.

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Buy Us a Coffee

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The Now What Pod sits down to chat with Kareema for another episode in our “Bad Boyfriend Month”. Kareema tells us the story of how her religious beliefs led her to getting married young to somebody she’d known for only 3 months. Kareema sensed early on that something wasn't right within her marriage, but ignored her intuition and tried to be patient. It wasn’t long before her husband had managed to isolate her from her friends and community, and began mistreating her. Kareema shares the story of how she finally left, and began finding herself again. 

Topics Discussed Meeting her Ex-husband Quickie Marriage The influence of Islam on the decision to marry Healthy Marriage Gaslighting  Being isolated from her friends and family Deciding to end the marriage Support from family  Co-parenting Finding herself again after marriage

Resources:

Gaslighting

https://canadianwomen.org/blog/gaslighting-how-to-recognize-this-form-of-emotional-abuse/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAg_KbBhDLARIsANx7wAy1WRrcpc_Pz8vWC28zSAg0Lq33LXK3dVy3AOfqzFQ1KXEW_7BCGJoaArQlEALw_wcB

Types of Abuse

https://reachma.org/blog/6-different-types-of-abuse/

What is a Healthy Relationship?

https://www.awhl.org/what-is-a-healthy-relationship

Domestic Violence Resources for those who are or know someone who is seeking help (Canada)

https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources#resources

Domestic Violence Resources for those who are or know someone who is seeking help (US)

https://ncadv.org/RESOURCES

The Now What Pod Episode Quotes: 

“I feel like within the first 6 months that I knew something wasn't right”

“Keep everything silent. Don't say anything”

“What kind of Muslim woman am I?” 

About Kareema: My name is Kareema. I’m a 26 year old recruiter for a national  non-profit organization. I have 1 son that will be 7 years old in November. I believe very heavily in healing, self awareness, and constant development of self. In my free time I enjoy making TikTok content, spending time with friends, and engaging in various forms of self care activities.

Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee

Patreon - and access special episodes and content

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Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com

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