Welcome to Paradise

Personal narrative about domestic abuse, trauma and healing AI summary

CBC Visit website › Society & Culture · EN · 10 episodes · latest 2026-09-28

Rank 4004
0 upvotes, 0 downvotes
0

What it is about

Love, marriage… and a secret history of trauma. Anna Maria Tremonti has been keeping her past a secret for over 40 years. As one of Canada’s most respected journalists, she has a reputation for being fearless and hard-hitting. She’s reported from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. But none were as immediately threatening as life at home. In her early 20s, she fell in love with a man who seemed worldly and charming. Behind closed doors he was incredibly violent. They were only married for a year but the consequences of the abuse have lasted a lifetime. This is the first time Anna Maria has told anyone—including family or close friends—the details of what she endured. Working with her therapist, she reveals the intimate details of a past she’s kept to herself for most of her life. The result is a profoundly intimate portrait of a powerful woman confronting the source of tremendous pain and trauma and, remarkably, freeing herself from a life-long sense of shame. Written and hosted by Anna Maria Tremonti (The Current), produced by Daemon Fairless (Hunting Warhead, Boys Like Me) and mixed by Mira Burt-Wintonick (Wiretap, Love Me, Sorry About The Kid).

Publisher’s own description, taken unchanged from the podcast feed.
Copyright © CBC 2026

Listen

Available at these services — the RSS feed works in any podcast app.

Latest episodes

  1. Welcome to Paradise Introduces: Agent Layla

    2026-09-28 · 41 min

    When she was 20 years old, something terrible happened to Vienna Luke. And for more than a decade, the truth of that night remains buried. But when Vienna becomes a mother, she realizes she must confront the past and…

  2. The story Anna Maria never thought she’d tell: On stage at Hot Docs

    2023-05-16 · 16 min

    For Anna Maria Tremonti, the decision to speak publicly about being abused by a former partner was complex; she wanted to tell it, but didn’t know how. Live on stage at the Hot Docs festival, Anna Maria unpacks what led…

  3. Ep. 6: "The Visitation"

    2022-03-15 · 33 min · Season 1, episode 6

    Anna Maria makes a trip to find out more about Pat's past and confirms something she’d suspected. If you or someone you know is affected by intimate partner violence, you can find a list of resources at…

  4. Ep. 5: "The Message"

    2022-03-08 · 31 min · Season 1, episode 5

    As Anna Maria prepares to contact Pat, she makes a startling discovery. If you or someone you know is affected by intimate partner violence, you can find a list of resources at…

  5. Ep. 4: “The Long Tail”

    2022-03-01 · 29 min · Season 1, episode 4

    Getting out is only half the battle. After separating from her abusive husband, Anna Maria faces the most dangerous period of the relationship… and long-term emotional fallout that follows her for years. If you or…

  6. Ep. 3: “L is for Love”

    2022-02-22 · 33 min · Season 1, episode 3

    Anna Maria is living a double life. In public she and Pat seem like the perfect couple. At home, he’s becoming increasingly violent. If you or someone you know is affected by intimate partner violence, you can find a…

  7. Ep. 2: “See What You Made Me Do”

    2022-02-14 · 30 min · Season 1, episode 2

    Pat seems charming, funny and worldly – the perfect husband. But shortly after their wedding, Anna Maria discovers the man she’s married is an entirely different person behind closed doors. If you or someone you know is…

  8. Ep. 1: “One of Those People You Hear About”

    2022-02-14 · 30 min · Season 1, episode 1

    Ready to reveal her longest-held secret, Anna Maria Tremonti talks to her therapist about a trauma from 40 years ago that’s the source of shame and self-loathing. She’s reported on gender-based violence many times as a…

  9. Introducing: Welcome to Paradise

    2022-02-08 · 2 min

    The secret's out. As one of Canada’s most respected journalists, Anna Maria Tremonti has a reputation for being fearless. She’s reported from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. But there’s one story…

  10. Teaser: Welcome to Paradise | Content Warning

    2022-01-20 · 1 min

    Content warning: contains descriptions of intimate partner violence. Please take care when listening. Anna Maria Tremonti is sharing a 40-year secret. She reported from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones…

Episode details from the publisher’s feed. Playback happens at the publisher.

Publisher details

Oldest episode in feed
01/2022 · over 4 years
Typical length
25 min
Format
Episodic Newest first, episodes stand alone

For podcasters

Is this podcast yours? Verify it — afterwards you can correct details, get the widget for your website, and we let you know when your podcast is nominated or wins.

Without an account you can use an email address on your show’s own domain — we create the account along the way. The other methods need a login.