RE-THREADING MADNESS

Re-Threading Madness

A radio show and podcast that dares to change how we think about madness.

Host, Bernadine Fox, was awarded a 2022 Courage to Come Back Award from Coast Mental Health for not just surviving traumatic events in her life but her work as a Mental Health Advocate over the last 30+ years. She brings all of that to ReThreading Madness each week.

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Show Line-up

Bernadine chats with two musicians: Hamish J. A. McDonald about how the surprising response he had to COVID and his depression and then with Rex Smallboy about his response to the public recognition of children's bodies buried in unmarked graves at Kamloop's Residential School (repeat).

Author of Preyed Upon, Amy Nordhues, chats with Bernadine on ReThreading Madness about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her therapist and how she survived. Will be uploaded soon.

On ReThreading Madness we interview Laurie Melenka about her recent experience of trying to get help for her ailing parents and being met with obstacles and closed doors: from trying to keep them in their home, to ER admission, and eventual Long Term Care. Within a short period of time, her mother died from preventable illnesses, alone, strapped to a wheelchair, sitting in her own urine and feces. It is not a pretty story. In fact, it is downright scary. We are all getting old. I hope this story will help us learn how to avoid these pitfalls for ourselves.

For several weeks during the summer of 2022, Bernadine was in Alberta. RTM was recorded and uploaded from location there on Tsuut'ina on Treaty 7 land. She talks with Keith Chief Moon about the Sundance he and his partner, Karen, hold on Kainai. Keith talks about and explains his reasons for holding this controversial Sundance. In 1895, the Canadian government banned the Sundance. Intent on destroying the first nation’s way of life and spiritual practices, the colonizers banned various ceremonies and certain practices (like piercing) along withholding sacred objects required for those ceremonies. While this was legally reversed in 1951, it took many years before all First Nation Communities were aware of this change, many more for the fear of retribution and arrest to lift, and even more to feel empowered to engage again in activities such as piercing. Overall, the damage to this important ceremony, based on oral traditions, has had long lasting repercussions that stretch into our present day. There are now several Sundances held in Southern Alberta. Keith and Karen Chiefmoon share one on Kainai in Southern Alberta. Several decades ago, an elder told Keith – and sternly so - that the spirits had identified him to bring back the traditional Sundance. During several days of praying and fasting on Chief Mountain those spirits outlined this Sundance: the location, the arbor, dancing, drumming, singing, praying, fasting, and piercing (a very sacred offering) – “The old way,” Keith says. And the Spirits were clear: he was to accept any person who wanted to Sundance regardless of their colour: First Nation, black, white, or Asian. This Sundance is currently the only one which does so. Photo: Colin Bolin

ReThreading Madness brings you three interviews. A repeat of Lani Elliott describes the backlash she received after going public about being a domestic violence survivor and Christa Ovenell, a funeral director and end of life doula, discussed the emotional impact of death. With these we also talk with Jujube with Moroti George about her upcoming exhibition at Gallery Gachet entitled "Rainbow Formula". Image: Twin Flames by Jujube

Kassandra, a former foster child, describes the horrors of sexual abuse that were commonplace in her childhood and how she has emerged from this trauma. Trigger warrning.

Feedback from a listener:
I was driving home from my job in Abbotsford, to Surrey. I heard your conversation on Tuesday 7 June with Kassandra. Wow. Please tell her thanks for sharing her story, thanks for her courage, just thanks for her humanity. I chose today to NOT listen to the news, because it's always negative, horrible, repetitive; as if the media are all slaves to just horrifying everyone else. I was wishing for some "good news." Kassandra's story sucks, but what she has done, who she has made of herself; that is wonderful news. It was humbling, and a wonderful listen. I was scanning across the radio for something worth my time. I could not stop listening. Thank you. I don't know why, but you two really spoke to me today. Thanks for doing what you do. Jim Forliti/gr. 9 teacher, Abbotsford.

ReThreading Madness brings you three interviews. Lani Elliott describes the backlash she received after going public about being a domestic violence survivor. Christa Ovenell, a funeral director and end of life doula, discussed the emotional impact of death. And Rory HIggs with Moroti George talk about the upcoming exhibition at Gallery Gachet entitled the Beauty of Life in Psychosis. Podcast

Bernadine chats with Carolyn Clement, an award-winning family photographer, mother of 2 & survivor of therapy, child, and sibling abuse AND Amy Avalon, retired private-practice therapist and a passionate advocate for survivors of sexual and emotional abuse by their therapist. They sit down over a candid discussion about ethics in therapy and what happens when the person in charge of ensuring the boundaries stay in place - doesn't. The issue of ethcial boundary violations in therapy seems to be a rampant problem. Do you know if your therapist is following adhering to their ethical boundaries? Stay tuned for an extra follow up discussion.

Do you know what a porn addiction is? Think you or someone you know is addicted? Or, are you a neophyte about it all like I am? Bernadine Fox interviews Joshua Shea about porn addiction, an expert from Maine USA, who is gonna answer all her questions and maybe yours. Transcript available on Resource page

Artist, Leef Evans, and artist and author, Sandra Yuen MacKay, talk about the impact COVID played on their lives and their art: the good, the bad and the crazy.

Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall when two people with dissociative identities have a frank conversation? Well - here you go. An interview with award winning, recent TEDx speaker, Suzanne Venuta. (Photo Dan Toulgoet)

Karen Moe, author, talks about her new book entitled Victims: A Feminist Manifesto from a Fierce Survivor. An intense but insightful hour.

Covid's Anxiety: Christopher Hall, Brian Jones, and Jake talk about their anxiety and how they cope with it.

Bullseye The Clown on Bullying

Rebecca chats with Bernadine about childhood sexual trauma and its impact on her life now. Image: Resonance by Rebecca

Charlotte Watson on Estrangement from Family

Mike Levin and Gabe Jacob Ferman talk about living with schizoaffective disorder.

Corey Preston talks about a new Facebook group called Mental Health Simplified: what is it and how does it support those with mental health challenges

Rex Smallboy, Canadian Rapper, on the impact locating 215 buried children on the grounds of the Kamloops Residential School and Michelle Oucharek-Deo on being an author.

Social worker and film producer and 2021 Courage to Come Back award winner about coming out as gay within the South Asian community. Alex lives with bipolar. #rethreadingmadness #mentalhealth #mad #crazytalk #bernadinefox #traumainformed #survivor #stigma #alexsangha #emergence

Shari Ulrich talks with Bernadine about COVID, Family Gatherings, and what the future holds. #rethreadingmadness #mentalhealth #mad #crazytalk #bernadinefox #traumainformed #survivor #stigma #shariulrich #family #covid

Kagan Goh a multidisciplinary artist: published author, spoken word poet, playwright, actor, mental health advocate and activist on being Bipolar.

David Roche, Order of Canada Recipient, Public Speaker at the White House and the Olympic Arts Festival in Australia speaks on an issue that is important to all of us: Facial Difference