#066 Kareema Plays the Good Wife

#68 Encore Episode: Kaitlin Survives Domestic Sex Trafficking

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 [https://www.ontario.ca/page/human-trafficking] Canada Suicide Prevention Service [https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/]   Support The Now What Pod (so we can be a little less tired) Buy Us a Coffee [http://buymeacoffee.com/nowwhatpod] Patreon [http://patreon.com/nowwhatpod] - and access special episodes and content Merch [https://thenowwhatpod.sellfy.store/]    Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com [thenowwhatpod@gmail.com] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod [https://www.instagram.com/thenowwhatpod] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenowwhatpod.substack.com [https://thenowwhatpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#067 Leslie Throws Him Out

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 [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 [https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/narcissism-symptoms-signs]   Taylor Swift Dance Party  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-taylor-swift-dance-parties-midnights/ [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/ [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.   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee [http://buymeacoffee.com/nowwhatpod] Patreon [http://patreon.com/nowwhatpod] - and access special episodes and content Merch [https://thenowwhatpod.sellfy.store]    Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com [thenowwhatpod@gmail.com] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod [https://www.instagram.com/thenowwhatpod] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenowwhatpod.substack.com [https://thenowwhatpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#066 Kareema Plays the Good Wife

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 [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/ [https://reachma.org/blog/6-different-types-of-abuse/]   What is a Healthy Relationship? https://www.awhl.org/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 [https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources#resources] (Canada) https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources#resources [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 [https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources#resources] (US) https://ncadv.org/RESOURCES [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 [http://buymeacoffee.com/nowwhatpod] Patreon [http://patreon.com/nowwhatpod] - and access special episodes and content Merch [https://thenowwhatpod.sellfy.store]    Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com [thenowwhatpod@gmail.com] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod [https://www.instagram.com/thenowwhatpod] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenowwhatpod.substack.com [https://thenowwhatpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#065 Annesa’s Dream Turned Nightmare

CW: Domestic Violence  Annesa has earned herself 400,000+ followers on TikTok for her advocacy against Domestic Violence. This week, she sits down with The Now What Pod to vulnerably share her own personal experience as a survivor. She tells us about being raised in a traditional Bengali family, how she met a man who sold her a dream and married him fast and young, only to have those dreams shattered a few weeks into the marriage. She explains the role that culture and religion played in her life before, during, and after her marriage. Now, Annesa is inspiring women and bringing light to important issues within the South Asian community.    Topics Discussed: Meeting “The One” Red flags  Love bombing  Getting engaged  The first time he hit her Family response to abuse The Decision to Leave South Asian Culture Healing after Domestic Violence   Resources: Love Bombing https://www.healthline.com/health/love-bombing [https://www.healthline.com/health/love-bombing]   Trauma Bond https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/ending-domestic-violence/what-is-trauma-bonding?gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-Np87S0Gc5GVl6C4D6SdwiDMvKVqxyoGrwzspChIRp756VsvKeeILfhoCn1AQAvD_BwE [https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/ending-domestic-violence/what-is-trauma-bonding?gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-Np87S0Gc5GVl6C4D6SdwiDMvKVqxyoGrwzspChIRp756VsvKeeILfhoCn1AQAvD_BwE]   Domestic Violence Resources for those who are or know someone who is seeking help [https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources#resources] (Canada) https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources#resources [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 [https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources#resources] (US) https://ncadv.org/RESOURCES [https://ncadv.org/RESOURCES]     About Annesa: Annesa is a Nurse, Survivor, and Advocate based in Austin, TX. She brings awareness to social issues in the South Asian community that are often stigmatized and looked past. She hopes to continue to inspire and bring light to important issues the community faces in order to help the next generation of men and women of this community. IG: @ovo_nesa [https://www.instagram.com/ovo_nessa] TikTok: @ovo_nesa [https://www.tiktok.com/@ovo_nesa] Email: itsannesa@dulcedo.com [itsannesa@dulcedo.com]   Support The Now What Pod Send us an anonymous Voice Note [https://form.jotform.com/nowwhatpodcastinfo/anonymous-voice-note-submission] Buy Us a Coffee [http://buymeacoffee.com/nowwhatpod] Patreon [http://patreon.com/nowwhatpod] - and access special episodes and content Merch [https://thenowwhatpod.sellfy.store]    Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com [thenowwhatpod@gmail.com] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod [https://www.instagram.com/thenowwhatpod] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenowwhatpod.substack.com [https://thenowwhatpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

#064 Bre’s Story of Fairytales & Fraud

In this second episode of “Bad Boyfriend” Month, the Now What Pod sits down to chat with Bre about her past relationship with a narcissist. She walks us through their courtship and engagement, to finding out he’d actually been defrauding her.    Topics Discussed: Love Bombing Discovering she’d been defrauded Breaking up Getting back together Lies and Manipulation Rebuilding her finances Picking herself back up   Resources: Love Bombing https://www.healthline.com/health/love-bombing [https://www.healthline.com/health/love-bombing] Financial Abuse https://www.verywellmind.com/financial-abuse-4155224 [https://www.verywellmind.com/financial-abuse-4155224]   About Brea: Bre(She/Her) is an empathic professional counselor who strives to create a comforting and safe space to grow. Bre received her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Ohio and has since worked in a variety of settings helping people overcome anxiety, depression, trauma. She specializes in adolescent issues and parenting, LGBTQ and sexuality, and emotional regulation. When not working you can find Bre enjoying the outdoors, specifically in or near water kayaking, waterskiing, and swimming. She also enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog. Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee [http://buymeacoffee.com/nowwhatpod] Patreon [http://patreon.com/nowwhatpod] - and access special episodes and content Merch [https://thenowwhatpod.sellfy.store]    Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: thenowwhatpod@gmail.com [thenowwhatpod@gmail.com] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod [https://www.instagram.com/thenowwhatpod] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenowwhatpod.substack.com [https://thenowwhatpod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]