Since 2014 this longstanding podcast favourite has been creating hard-hitting cinematic stories about love, bodies and all of the things between humans that we don’t know how to name. Creator Kaitlin Prest works with her friends, idols and all kinds of loved ones to bring you into an expansive sonic universe that is both tender and raw. From <a href="https://mermaidpalace.org/">Mermaid Palace </a>and <a href="http://radiotopia.fm/">Radiotopia</a>.

How NK &amp; Phoebe fell in art love.

How NK & Phoebe fell in art love.

Lesbian Separatism Is Inevitable

A window into the set-up from which an audio heartthrob emerged: Charlie Park. A neurotic and immensely talented puppeteer conceived of by artist Phoebe Wang and performed by sound artist Mitchell Akiyama. 

This is episode 2 of The Shadows from CBC Podcasts: an auto-fictional series in which KP explores the life she would have had if she’d become a puppeteer instead of a radio producer. There IS a Terry Gross cameo in this episode. Listen closely. You also hear the real life puppetry aficionados: Jessie Orr, Max Kelly and <a href="http://www.bekky.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bekky O’Neil</a>. 

<a href="https://www.radiotopia.fm/donate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It’s fundraiser time! Donate to Radiotopia to support new Heart content and all of the other incredible shows on the network. We need your help to make more beautiful and heartfelt audio!</a>

 
AND: Don’t forget to call your representatives and support a ceasefire in Palestine. 

<a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-ceasefire-now?source=IG_ceasefire" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In the U.S</a>. 

<a href="https://ceasefirenow.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In Canada</a>. 

<a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/648292" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In the U.K</a>.

<a href="https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/take-action/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jewish Voice for Peace</a>

A window into the set-up from which an audio heartthrob emerged: Charlie Park. A neurotic and immensely talented puppeteer conceived of by artist Phoebe Wang and performed by sound artist Mitchell Akiyama. 
This is episode 2 of The Shadows from CBC Podcasts: an auto-fictional series in which KP explores the life she would have had if she’d become a puppeteer instead of a radio producer. There IS a Terry Gross cameo in this episode. Listen closely. You also hear the real life puppetry aficionados: Jessie Orr, Max Kelly and Bekky O’Neil. 
It’s fundraiser time! Donate to Radiotopia to support new Heart content and all of the other incredible shows on the network. We need your help to make more beautiful and heartfelt audio!

AND: Don’t forget to call your representatives and support a ceasefire in Palestine. 
In the U.S. 
In Canada. 
In the U.K.
Jewish Voice for Peace

You don’t f*ck a mermaid. A mermaid f*cks you. 

Realist

As people all over the world grieve and struggle, KP invites you to take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, manifest and grapple with the question of what those of us who are not there can do.

Links and Resources from this episode:

<a href="https://medium.com/@hussansk/how-to-stop-a-genocide-while-in-the-global-north-0e83994a3fbc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Stop a Genocide (while in the global north)</a>, Hussan S.K

<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-influence-could-international-opinion-have-on/id1587936366?i=1000632939045" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Inside Story Podcast: What Influence Can International Opinion Have on the War In Gaza?</a> [Al Jazeera]

<a href="https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/take-action/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jewish Voice for Peace</a>: visit this site for straightforward actions to take in the U.S.A

<a href="https://www.justiceforallcanada.org/palestine-solidarity.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Save Palestine: Justice for All Canada</a>: visit this site for straightforward actions to take in Canada

<a href="https://www.quaker.org.uk/blog/5-solidarity-actions-you-can-take-for-palestine-and-israel-oct-2023" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5 Solidarity Actions You Can Take in the UK</a>

<a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=do+better+rachel+ricketts&amp;hvadid=580689464842&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocint=9030954&amp;hvlocphy=9000970&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=13767840241420805681&amp;hvtargid=kwd-1144568622192&amp;hydadcr=15525_13517362&amp;tag=googhydr-20&amp;ref=pd_sl_49r6v9wcai_e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy</a> by Rachel Ricketts

@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/officialjakegyllenhalal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">officialjakegyllenhalal</a>

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MCAbdulOfficial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MC Abdul</a>

Thank you to all of the friends of KP who lent their voices and their experiences to this episode.

As people all over the world grieve and struggle, KP invites you to take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, manifest and grapple with the question of what those of us who are not there can do.
Links and Resources from this episode:
How to Stop a Genocide (while in the global north), Hussan S.K
The Inside Story Podcast: What Influence Can International Opinion Have on the War In Gaza? [Al Jazeera]
Jewish Voice for Peace: visit this site for straightforward actions to take in the U.S.A
Save Palestine: Justice for All Canada: visit this site for straightforward actions to take in Canada
5 Solidarity Actions You Can Take in the UK
Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy by Rachel Ricketts
@officialjakegyllenhalal
MC Abdul
Thank you to all of the friends of KP who lent their voices and their experiences to this episode.

Our humanity hangs in the balance as the crescendo of an atrocity unfolds. What power do we have to change the outcome?

Processing Palestine

The story underneath the story: what happened after we made “Movies In Your Head”. In a clawfoot bathtub moaning in agony, “The Shadows” was conceived. KP’s first serialized fiction show: the story of having to choose between romanticism and realism. 

Does the fairy tale really exist? Or does it only exist at the beginning of a relationship? Our main character believes that she’ll be one of the outliers who will fall in love, and stay in love FOREVER. 

 
Featuring: episode 1 of “The Shadows” from <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CBC Podcasts</a>. Edited by Sharon Mashihi, senior produced by Phoebe Wang, written directed and performed by Kaitlin Prest. Performances by Mitchell Akiyama, Jessie Orr, Max Kelly, <a href="http://www.bekky.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bekky O’Neil</a>, Meagan Castle, Harry Knazan, Rizz Young. Special thanks to Haley Lewis. You hear the real Rumi restaurant in this episode. You can find this beautiful establishment on rue Hutchinson in Montreal.

The story underneath the story: what happened after we made “Movies In Your Head”. In a clawfoot bathtub moaning in agony, “The Shadows” was conceived. KP’s first serialized fiction show: the story of having to choose between romanticism and realism. 
Does the fairy tale really exist? Or does it only exist at the beginning of a relationship? Our main character believes that she’ll be one of the outliers who will fall in love, and stay in love FOREVER. 

Featuring: episode 1 of “The Shadows” from CBC Podcasts. Edited by Sharon Mashihi, senior produced by Phoebe Wang, written directed and performed by Kaitlin Prest. Performances by Mitchell Akiyama, Jessie Orr, Max Kelly, Bekky O’Neil, Meagan Castle, Harry Knazan, Rizz Young. Special thanks to Haley Lewis. You hear the real Rumi restaurant in this episode. You can find this beautiful establishment on rue Hutchinson in Montreal.

The story underneath the story: what happened after we made “Movies In Your Head” and a walk into the fictional world it inspired. 

Romantic

Have you ever fallen a little too hard a little too fast in love with someone you’ve just met? Have you ever caught yourself imagining the beautiful house in the country the two of you would grow old together in?

We go back in time to the era before the term ‘ghosting’ had been coined and explore the phenomenon that Ayinde Bennett calls “making movies in your head”. 

Featuring: the Prix Italia Gold Award winning radio play (the first podcast to win a Prix Italia! That’s some radio history!) co-created with composer and sound designer Shani Aviram. Associate production by Shira Bannerman, editing and performance by Mitra Kaboli, advising by Sharon Mashihi, performed written and directed by Kaitlin Prest, art by Jen Ng.

Have you ever fallen a little too hard a little too fast in love with someone you’ve just met? Have you ever caught yourself imagining the beautiful house in the country the two of you would grow old together in?
We go back in time to the era before the term ‘ghosting’ had been coined and explore the phenomenon that Ayinde Bennett calls “making movies in your head”. 
Featuring: the Prix Italia Gold Award winning radio play (the first podcast to win a Prix Italia! That’s some radio history!) co-created with composer and sound designer Shani Aviram. Associate production by Shira Bannerman, editing and performance by Mitra Kaboli, advising by Sharon Mashihi, performed written and directed by Kaitlin Prest, art by Jen Ng.

“You’re in post production before you even know it...when the reality is, you don’t know this person.” –Ayinde Bennett

Don't Make Movies In Your Head

In the final episode of the series Kaitlin isn't sure whether or not she truly wants to get into it with her father. Kaitlin is conflicted. Is having one last conversation with her Dad on tape a good idea? Does she have the courage to confront her dad face to face?

Resources for accountability and healing at <a href="https://www.theheartradio.org/dad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.theheartradio.org/dad</a>

In the final episode of the series Kaitlin isn't sure whether or not she truly wants to get into it with her father. Kaitlin is conflicted. Is having one last conversation with her Dad on tape a good idea? Does she have the courage to confront her dad face to face?
Resources for accountability and healing at https://www.theheartradio.org/dad

Is having one last conversation with Kaitlin's Dad on tape a good idea?

DAD: Take the Bull by the Horns

Episode 3: At age 33, Kaitlin is stranded living with her parents in Ottawa, living in their basement just like she did when she was a teenager. It's the first time she and her dad have lived together since the period the family euphemistically calls 'the dark years'.

Trigger Warning - discussion and depictions of parental abuse. For resources go to theheartradio.org/dad

Episode 3: At age 33, Kaitlin is stranded living with her parents in Ottawa, living in their basement just like she did when she was a teenager. It's the first time she and her dad have lived together since the period the family euphemistically calls 'the dark years'.
Trigger Warning - discussion and depictions of parental abuse. For resources go to theheartradio.org/dad

It's the pandemic and Kaitlin lives with her Dad for the first time since the period the family euphemistically calls 'the dark years'.

DAD: What Goes Around Comes Around 

Episode 2: Kaitlin's father, Greg, proudly claims the title of mister mom in 1986. He's always wanted to be a dad. When the apple of his eye enters her tween years and starts hating him he struggles to be the kind of dad he thought he should be.

Trigger Warning: topics related to parental abuse, trauma, self-gaslighting, gaslighting. For resources go to theheartradio.org/dad

Episode 2: Kaitlin's father, Greg, proudly claims the title of mister mom in 1986. He's always wanted to be a dad. When the apple of his eye enters her tween years and starts hating him he struggles to be the kind of dad he thought he should be.
Trigger Warning: topics related to parental abuse, trauma, self-gaslighting, gaslighting. For resources go to theheartradio.org/dad

Greg proudly claims the title of mister mom in 1986.

DAD: It Takes Two to Tango

Episode 1: Kaitlin and her Dad fought so much when she was a teenager that the family calls those years '“World War III”. She tells the story of what happened after she left home and decided to love him anyway. As she became an adult, therapists and friends urged her to examine what really happened in those years. When she tries to talk about it with the family, she knows she has a big decision to make.

Trigger Warning: topics related to parental abuse, trauma, self-gaslighting, gaslighting, defensiveness, victim blaming

Resources at theheartradio.org/dad

Episode 1: Kaitlin and her Dad fought so much when she was a teenager that the family calls those years '“World War III”. She tells the story of what happened after she left home and decided to love him anyway. As she became an adult, therapists and friends urged her to examine what really happened in those years. When she tries to talk about it with the family, she knows she has a big decision to make.
Trigger Warning: topics related to parental abuse, trauma, self-gaslighting, gaslighting, defensiveness, victim blaming
Resources at theheartradio.org/dad

A father-daughter love story about forgiveness. What does it give, and what does it take?

DAD: Forgive and Forget 

Kaitlin and Natalie Prest do a post-game analysis after creating the 5 episode series: SISTERS. The two sisters unpack all the things that didn’t get said in the narrative series, discuss topics that were raised and answer a couple of listener questions. The sisters open up about their personal experiences touching on topics such as mental health, diagnoses, self-care, borderline personality disorder, dialectical based therapy, and methods to ask for help from loved ones during times of struggle.

Kaitlin and Natalie Prest do a post-game analysis after creating the 5 episode series: SISTERS. The two sisters unpack all the things that didn’t get said in the narrative series, discuss topics that were raised and answer a couple of listener questions. The sisters open up about their personal experiences touching on topics such as mental health, diagnoses, self-care, borderline personality disorder, dialectical based therapy, and methods to ask for help from loved ones during times of struggle.

Kaitlin and Natalie debreif about making SISTERS

SISTERS: Debreif-isode

Kaitlin and Natalie try to create boundaries for the first time in their lifelong relationship. They work to navigate their relationship together and separately. As they embark on creating the final episode of this series, they realize they are having fun again.

Kaitlin and Natalie try to create boundaries for the first time in their lifelong relationship. They work to navigate their relationship together and separately. As they embark on creating the final episode of this series, they realize they are having fun again.

SISTERS: But Beautiful 

We go back in time to before Kaitlin hired Natalie. She brings us inside of her uncertain world, and her journey to figure out what is wrong.

 
TRIGGER WARNING: suicidal ideation, reference to childhood and sexual trauma (no depictions), borderline personality disorder

We go back in time to before Kaitlin hired Natalie. She brings us inside of her uncertain world, and her journey to figure out what is wrong.

TRIGGER WARNING: suicidal ideation, reference to childhood and sexual trauma (no depictions), borderline personality disorder

SISTERS: What's Wrong-isode

It’s the pandemic, and KP hires her younger sister to work at her company. As an assistant producer. Natalie is having flashbacks to their youth, when she performed as the butler at Kaitlin’s dinner parties. Is this the new version of the butler role? As they set out to make art together, attempting to do it in a way that doesn’t reinforce old childhood patterns Natalie finally sees who Kaitlin is on a day to day basis.

TW: suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, alcohol.

It’s the pandemic, and KP hires her younger sister to work at her company. As an assistant producer. Natalie is having flashbacks to their youth, when she performed as the butler at Kaitlin’s dinner parties. Is this the new version of the butler role? As they set out to make art together, attempting to do it in a way that doesn’t reinforce old childhood patterns Natalie finally sees who Kaitlin is on a day to day basis.
TW: suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, alcohol.

SISTERS: Work-isode

Natalie and Kaitlin go into their 20s living separate and faraway lives. Kaitlin comes home from New York for christmas every year, and they hug and talk into the night, falling asleep spooning like they did when they were little girls. Kaitlin makes a grand gesture and buys tickets to go on a special sister adventure: to the Jem and Holograms Convention. What ends up happening at the convention is something neither of them saw coming.

Natalie and Kaitlin go into their 20s living separate and faraway lives. Kaitlin comes home from New York for christmas every year, and they hug and talk into the night, falling asleep spooning like they did when they were little girls. Kaitlin makes a grand gesture and buys tickets to go on a special sister adventure: to the Jem and Holograms Convention. What ends up happening at the convention is something neither of them saw coming.

SISTERS: Jem-isode

Kaitlin was Daddy’s little girl. And then: Natalie was born. The older and the younger sister: competing for attention, being bossed around, borrowing clothes, getting in petty fights and loving each other anyway. As little girls Kaitlin and Natalie fought because they were too similar. As teenagers Kaitlin and Natalie fought because they were total opposites. What does their adult future hold? Will they be friends or a family obligation?

 
TW: Light reference to abusive parental behaviour. No mentions of physical violence.

For resources on parental child abuse go to theheartradio.org/sisters

Kaitlin was Daddy’s little girl. And then: Natalie was born. The older and the younger sister: competing for attention, being bossed around, borrowing clothes, getting in petty fights and loving each other anyway. As little girls Kaitlin and Natalie fought because they were too similar. As teenagers Kaitlin and Natalie fought because they were total opposites. What does their adult future hold? Will they be friends or a family obligation?

TW: Light reference to abusive parental behaviour. No mentions of physical violence.
For resources on parental child abuse go to theheartradio.org/sisters

In this series we hear archival audio of a sister relationship from birth until present day. 

SISTERS: Chapter One-isode

She’s the talented one. She’s the hard worker. She’s the pretty one. She’s the one that Dad likes more….SISTERS. A preview into our newest series coming to you February 14th: on the day the world celebrates love, we celebrate Sisterhood.

The new season is coming to you as part of a brand new partnership with the incredible: CBC Podcasts!

She’s the talented one. She’s the hard worker. She’s the pretty one. She’s the one that Dad likes more….SISTERS. A preview into our newest series coming to you February 14th: on the day the world celebrates love, we celebrate Sisterhood.
The new season is coming to you as part of a brand new partnership with the incredible: CBC Podcasts!

The trailer for the new mini-series of The Heart: SISTERS

SISTERS: A Preview

Welcome to The Heart. We’ve been in operation for 14 years! What’s next? An overview for those new to the feed. And a window into what double double toil and radio we’ve been cooking up for 2022.

Support The Heart and donate to Radiotopia Now! <a href="https://on.prx.org/3HK9OIh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://on.prx.org/3HK9OIh</a>. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you!

Welcome to The Heart. We’ve been in operation for 14 years! What’s next? An overview for those new to the feed. And a window into what double double toil and radio we’ve been cooking up for 2022.
Support The Heart and donate to Radiotopia Now! https://on.prx.org/3HK9OIh. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you!

An overview of our past and our future. (START HERE)

Welcome to The Heart

Surprise, it’s a holiday special! Join us for a little queer holiday cheer as journalist America Stevens tracks down Santa’s older, gayer, drunker, sister… Sandy Claus.

This piece is an adaptation of a live show written and performed by comedian, <a href="https://www.kristenbecker.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kristen Becker.</a> Produced by <a href="https://www.missguidedastrology.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Katie Fitzgerald</a>.

Surprise, it’s a holiday special! Join us for a little queer holiday cheer as journalist America Stevens tracks down Santa’s older, gayer, drunker, sister… Sandy Claus.
This piece is an adaptation of a live show written and performed by comedian, Kristen Becker. Produced by Katie Fitzgerald.

A surprise holiday special featuring Santa's older, gayer, drunker sister.

Sandy Claus

Love found in an unlikely place: a natural disaster. As we cozy down and prepare to say goodbye to 2020, The Heart is here to wish you all some pandemic love for 2021.

Love found in an unlikely place: a natural disaster. As we cozy down and prepare to say goodbye to 2020, The Heart is here to wish you all some pandemic love for 2021.

A little bit of love found in an unlikely place: a natural disaster. As we cozy down and prepare to say goodbye to 2020, The Heart is here to wish you all some pandemic love for 2021.

Hurricane Boyfriend

Melanie, her family (the voices in her head), and her ill-fated lover discuss potentially having a baby, and her first pregnancy 9 years ago.

Appearances is an audio mindtrip by Sharon Mashihi and Mermaid Palace. Subscribe to the series where you listen to podcasts, or on MermaidPalace.org/Appearances.

Melanie, her family (the voices in her head), and her ill-fated lover discuss potentially having a baby, and her first pregnancy 9 years ago.
Appearances is an audio mindtrip by Sharon Mashihi and Mermaid Palace. Subscribe to the series where you listen to podcasts, or on MermaidPalace.org/Appearances.

Meet Melanie, her family, and her ill fated lover. 

Appearances

All parents shape our identities. Phoebe’s affluent white parents made a particular set of choices to raise her in an all-white neighborhood with a sordid history. Phoebe investigates what she inherited as a result.

Part 3 of a 3 part series. Produced by Phoebe Unter, edited by Sharon Mashihi and hosted by Kaitlin Prest.

All parents shape our identities. Phoebe’s affluent white parents made a particular set of choices to raise her in an all-white neighborhood with a sordid history. Phoebe investigates what she inherited as a result.
Part 3 of a 3 part series. Produced by Phoebe Unter, edited by Sharon Mashihi and hosted by Kaitlin Prest.

All parents shape our identities. Phoebe’s affluent white parents made a particular set of choices to raise her in an all-white neighborhood with a sordid history. Phoebe investigates what she inherited as a result.

Race Traitor: what makes a mom a white mom?

In a community with a strict “no new white friends” policy, Phoebe asks: how does my being white affect our relationship?

Part 2 of a 3 part series. Produced by Phoebe Unter, edited by Sharon Mashihi and hosted by Kaitlin Prest. Featuring Nicole Kelly &amp; Kamala Puligandla.

In a community with a strict “no new white friends” policy, Phoebe asks: how does my being white affect our relationship?
Part 2 of a 3 part series. Produced by Phoebe Unter, edited by Sharon Mashihi and hosted by Kaitlin Prest. Featuring Nicole Kelly & Kamala Puligandla.

In a community with a strict “no new white friends” policy, Phoebe asks: how does my being white affect our relationship?

Race Traitor: can we be friends?

Phoebe is surprised to learn that even she, an angry Jewish dyke, still participates in upholding white supremacy culture.

Part 1 of a 3 part series. Produced by Phoebe Unter, edited by Sharon Mashihi and hosted by Kaitlin Prest.

Phoebe is surprised to learn that even she, an angry Jewish dyke, still participates in upholding white supremacy culture.
Part 1 of a 3 part series. Produced by Phoebe Unter, edited by Sharon Mashihi and hosted by Kaitlin Prest.

Phoebe is surprised to learn that even she, an angry Jewish dyke, still participates in upholding white supremacy culture.

Race Traitor: who taught you to be white?

Meet Goldie. 

The cycle begins, in episode 1 of Asking For It, a new fictional series from Mermaid Palace.

Meet Goldie. 
The cycle begins, in episode 1 of Asking For It, a new fictional series from Mermaid Palace.

The cycle begins...

Asking For It 

When trauma is held in the individual and collective body, shame, grief, and rage are passed down for generations.

Part 3 of a 3 part series. 

Divesting From People Pleasing is a mini series produced by Nicole Kelly, edited by Chiquita Paschal, and hosted by Kaitlin Prest.

When trauma is held in the individual and collective body, shame, grief, and rage are passed down for generations.
Part 3 of a 3 part series. 
Divesting From People Pleasing is a mini series produced by Nicole Kelly, edited by Chiquita Paschal, and hosted by Kaitlin Prest.

Trauma is held in the individual and collective body. Shame, grief, and rage are passed down for generations. 

Divesting From People Pleasing: Memory

The body has information.

Part 2 of a 3 part series.

Divesting From People Pleasing is a mini series produced by Nicole Kelly, edited by Chiquita Paschal.

The body has information.
Part 2 of a 3 part series.
Divesting From People Pleasing is a mini series produced by Nicole Kelly, edited by Chiquita Paschal.

The body has information.

Divesting From People Pleasing: Power

As NK gets older, she gets smaller, she gets more and more quiet. But the self loathing voice in her head just gets louder.

Part 1 of a 3 part series.

Divesting From People Pleasing is a mini series produced by Nicole Kelly, edited by Chiquita Paschal.

As NK gets older, she gets smaller, she gets more and more quiet. But the self loathing voice in her head just gets louder.
Part 1 of a 3 part series.
Divesting From People Pleasing is a mini series produced by Nicole Kelly, edited by Chiquita Paschal.

As NK gets older, she gets smaller, she gets more and more quiet. But the self loathing voice in her head just gets louder.

Divesting From People Pleasing: Threat 

Named after the very bedroom within which many of the episodes of The Heart were made. 

In this ep you heard the singing of Sharon Mashihi and phone answering of Mooj Zadie. The manifesto writing of Nicole Kelly and Phoebe Unter, the mic meandering of Dylan Gauche, the phone answering of Mooj Zadie, the song of Drew Denny and Christina Gaillard and the big dream of Kaitlin Prest.

Additional credits: Jen Ng, Mo LaBorde, Allie Pinel, Chiquita Paschal, AJ Moultrie, Sarah Rose, Allison Light, Caitlin Thompson, Rider Alsop, Bianca Grimshaw, Alexandria Fisk, and one long phone call with Jenna Weiss Berman.

Extra special thanks to Jen Ng, our design queen. You can see her incredible work on the website, <a href="http://www.mermaidpalace.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mermaidpalace.org</a>.

Named after the very bedroom within which many of the episodes of The Heart were made.  
In this ep you heard the singing of Sharon Mashihi and phone answering of Mooj Zadie. The manifesto writing of Nicole Kelly and Phoebe Unter, the mic meandering of Dylan Gauche, the phone answering of Mooj Zadie, the song of Drew Denny and Christina Gaillard and the big dream of Kaitlin Prest.
Additional credits: Jen Ng, Mo LaBorde, Allie Pinel, Chiquita Paschal, AJ Moultrie, Sarah Rose, Allison Light, Caitlin Thompson, Rider Alsop, Bianca Grimshaw, Alexandria Fisk, and one long phone call with Jenna Weiss Berman.
Extra special thanks to Jen Ng, our design queen. You can see her incredible work on the website, www.mermaidpalace.org.

Named after the very bedroom within which many of the episodes of The Heart were made.  

Mermaid Palace 

It’s here. Finally. All 6 episodes of The Shadows, presented by Kaitlin Prest and CBC Podcasts.

<a href="http://hyperurl.co/5yjm07" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Subscribe to The Shadows</a>. 

Follow on Insta / Twitter at @theshadowscbc. You can find our FB group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheShadowsCBC/?source_id=933216900160620" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.

It’s here. Finally. All 6 episodes of The Shadows, presented by Kaitlin Prest and CBC Podcasts.
Subscribe to The Shadows. 
Follow on Insta / Twitter at @theshadowscbc. You can find our FB group here.

An excerpt of The Shadows: Ep 1, "Romantic" 

The Shadows

Kaitlin has a dream, and The Heart says goodbye (for now). Listen on headphones.

Produced by Kaitlin Prest with help from Phoebe Wang. Thank you to all of the listeners who sent us your voices so KP could meet you on the moon. In this episode, you also heard the voices of Mitra Kaboli, Phoebe Wang, Jen Ng, Sharon Mashihi, Samara Breger, Meg Bell, Jessica Grosman, Pejk Malinovski, Sean Cole, Lulu Miller, Veronica Simmonds, Johnny Spence, Nancy Prest, Natalie Prest, Allen Watts and Brendan Baker.

Music by Inne Eysermans, special thanks to Katharina Smets.

If you wanna keep up with KP: <a href="http://eepurl.com/ddKDnH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">~*click here*~</a>

Kaitlin has a dream, and The Heart says goodbye (for now). Listen on headphones.
Produced by Kaitlin Prest with help from Phoebe Wang. Thank you to all of the listeners who sent us your voices so KP could meet you on the moon. In this episode, you also heard the voices of Mitra Kaboli, Phoebe Wang, Jen Ng, Sharon Mashihi, Samara Breger, Meg Bell, Jessica Grosman, Pejk Malinovski, Sean Cole, Lulu Miller, Veronica Simmonds, Johnny Spence, Nancy Prest, Natalie Prest, Allen Watts and Brendan Baker.
Music by Inne Eysermans, special thanks to Katharina Smets.
If you wanna keep up with KP: ~*click here*~

Kaitlin has a dream, and The Heart says goodbye (for now). Listen on headphones.

Dream

In 2018, The Heart will be taking a break.

<a href="https://theheartradio.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3c8e0ba50f790ad9d0625c90b&amp;id=4bd5201ebf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">~* The Secret Link *~</a>

In 2018, The Heart will be taking a break.
~* The Secret Link *~

In 2018, The Heart will be taking a break.

An Announcement

Sharon is a weirdo and refuses to conform to cultural standards. Her mom does not approve. They confront their longstanding differences on a Persian self-help cruise.

Sharon is a weirdo and refuses to conform to cultural standards. Her mom does not approve. They confront their longstanding differences on a Persian self-help cruise.

Sharon is a weirdo.

Man Choubam (I Am Good)

Growing up, Phoebe was a Jesus kid. In college, after Tinder-swiping her way to gayness, she comes out to Christians and hopes that they’ll accept her. In this episode, Phoebe goes on a mission to find out how people with fundamentally different beliefs, can be friends.

Growing up, Phoebe was a Jesus kid. In college, after Tinder-swiping her way to gayness, she comes out to Christians and hopes that they’ll accept her. In this episode, Phoebe goes on a mission to find out how people with fundamentally different beliefs, can be friends.

Phoebe was a Jesus kid.

God + The Gays

There is a way that these narratives are supposed to go. But life isn’t simple and linear, it’s messy and loud, and everything keeps coming back again and again and again. This piece by Dylan Gauche won the Best Student award at the 2017 Hearsay International Audio Festival. [Trigger Warning]

There is a way that these narratives are supposed to go. But life isn’t simple and linear, it’s messy and loud, and everything keeps coming back again and again and again. This piece by Dylan Gauche won the Best Student award at the 2017 Hearsay International Audio Festival. [Trigger Warning]

I still hear his voice. [Trigger Warning]

Signature Research

Being a queer or trans person of color is hard anywhere, but can feel especially isolating if you’re living in Seattle, WA. A heavily fractured city that is undergoing massive gentrification. Darqness, an electronic music collective, is working to dismantle that and bring QTPOC together.  Producer Ellie Lightfoot, a Seattle native, spent the last year with this seven person crew to find out why these parties are so necessary.

Being a queer or trans person of color is hard anywhere, but can feel especially isolating if you’re living in Seattle, WA. A heavily fractured city that is undergoing massive gentrification. Darqness, an electronic music collective, is working to dismantle that and bring QTPOC together.  Producer Ellie Lightfoot, a Seattle native, spent the last year with this seven person crew to find out why these parties are so necessary.

Darqness: where techno, party, and, protest all meet in one beautiful, sweaty night.

Darqness

Maria is a poet and activist living in Houston, Texas who Mitra spent a few days with.  Mitra got to meet some of Maria’s family, hung out with her pets and ate delicious food during her time with Maria. For Maria’s whole life all she has wanted was breasts. Big breasts to be specific. This story follows the poet, Maria from childhood to adolescence to womanhood.  In this piece you heard poetry from book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Confessions-Maria-R-Palacios/dp/0972648364/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1505432465&amp;sr=1-6&amp;keywords=maria+r+palacio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Poetic Confessions Vol 1</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Amaria+r+palacio&amp;keywords=maria+r+palacio&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1505432462" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">more</a>.  To learn more about Maria’s work you can check out <a href="http://www.goddessonwheels.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">her website.</a> Maria is also the co-founder of <a href="http://nwwdef.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The National Women with Disabilities Empowerment Forum.</a>

Maria is a poet and activist living in Houston, Texas who Mitra spent a few days with.  Mitra got to meet some of Maria’s family, hung out with her pets and ate delicious food during her time with Maria. For Maria’s whole life all she has wanted was breasts. Big breasts to be specific. This story follows the poet, Maria from childhood to adolescence to womanhood.  In this piece you heard poetry from book Poetic Confessions Vol 1 and more.  To learn more about Maria’s work you can check out her website. Maria is also the co-founder of The National Women with Disabilities Empowerment Forum.

How Maria R Palacios became a woman.

Bodies: Goddess

For years, Cassie has been plagued with an itch in her butt. The itch has travelled with her across the country, from one apartment to the next and transcended all of her major relationships. Cassie talks to past and present partners to see what they think she is up to when she is scratchin’ her bum late at night.

For years, Cassie has been plagued with an itch in her butt. The itch has travelled with her across the country, from one apartment to the next and transcended all of her major relationships. Cassie talks to past and present partners to see what they think she is up to when she is scratchin’ her bum late at night.

Cassie has an itch.

Bodies: Itch

<a href="http://www.meatpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meat</a>is an international podcast created on the surface of a person’s skin. It is a vision of the world from the point of view of human flesh. In people’s everyday life, there’s a wall between their ideas, dreams and desires and the real world: our body. A cage for the human behaviour made by flesh and bones that affects the way we interact with the rest of the world: the sound of our voice, the line of our movements, the space we take up on a bus because of our weight, the dominant or submissive position we are forced to take when we argue with someone because of our height: our reality is a constant argument between what we have in our head and what the body we are born with is able to do.

In the inaugural episode of Meat, Jonathan Zenti candidly and beautifully discusses his body and how he loves it despite the fact that not everybody else does.

This episode was created for Radiotopia’s Podquest, by PRX and made possible with funds from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Meatis an international podcast created on the surface of a person’s skin. It is a vision of the world from the point of view of human flesh. In people’s everyday life, there’s a wall between their ideas, dreams and desires and the real world: our body. A cage for the human behaviour made by flesh and bones that affects the way we interact with the rest of the world: the sound of our voice, the line of our movements, the space we take up on a bus because of our weight, the dominant or submissive position we are forced to take when we argue with someone because of our height: our reality is a constant argument between what we have in our head and what the body we are born with is able to do.
In the inaugural episode of Meat, Jonathan Zenti candidly and beautifully discusses his body and how he loves it despite the fact that not everybody else does.
This episode was created for Radiotopia’s Podquest, by PRX and made possible with funds from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Jonathan Zenti is fat.

Bodies: Meat

Abigail wants to have penetrative sex but it’s not working. She is worried it’s her fault or at least her vagina’s fault. In her quest to find out why she cannot have penetrative sex, Abigail finds <a href="http://therumpus.net/2016/03/frigid/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">an essay called Frigid</a> and a community of women who have similar issues. In talking to them she realizes that her partner’s are contributing force to her pain and discomfort during sex.

Abigail wants to have penetrative sex but it’s not working. She is worried it’s her fault or at least her vagina’s fault. In her quest to find out why she cannot have penetrative sex, Abigail finds an essay called Frigid and a community of women who have similar issues. In talking to them she realizes that her partner’s are contributing force to her pain and discomfort during sex.

When penetrative sex is painful or impossible.

Bodies: It’s not me it’s you

Samara and Kelsey got hitched. We celebrate their marriage by re-releasing this episode (originally ‘Samara + Kelsey’) with a life / wife update.  

This episode was originally produced by Samara Breger with The Heart.

Samara and Kelsey got hitched. We celebrate their marriage by re-releasing this episode (originally ‘Samara + Kelsey’) with a life / wife update.  
This episode was originally produced by Samara Breger with The Heart.

A re-release of ‘Samara + Kelsey’ with a life / wife update.

People Who Need People

This story is part of Radiotopia’s network-wide theme, Doing Time. In the early 2000’s, Kathleen reads through the personal ads of a magazine; on a whim, she writes to a man. Thus begins a relationship with the greatest love of her life.

‘Private family visits’ is the correct term for conjugal visits. Its purpose is not just for sex, but to help maintain strong relationships between inmates and their families. Studies have shown that private family visits can help reduce recidivism.

Original interviews by Dee LaComte.

This story is part of Radiotopia’s network-wide theme, Doing Time. In the early 2000’s, Kathleen reads through the personal ads of a magazine; on a whim, she writes to a man. Thus begins a relationship with the greatest love of her life.
‘Private family visits’ is the correct term for conjugal visits. Its purpose is not just for sex, but to help maintain strong relationships between inmates and their families. Studies have shown that private family visits can help reduce recidivism.
Original interviews by Dee LaComte.

This story is part of Radiotopia’s network-wide theme, Doing Time. In the early 2000’s, Kathleen reads through the personal ads of a magazine; on a whim, she writes to a man. Thus begins a relationship with the greatest love of her life.

Doing Time

Episode Four: Many listeners were left with lingering questions and thoughts after the first three episodes.  What do I tell my kids? What if my no DOES mean yes? What role does alcohol play in consent? In this episode, some Heart producers and Samara Breger (our trusted sex educator) unpack some blind spots and larger themes around consent. [Trigger Warning]

Part of “No”, a mini-season.

Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

Episode Four: Many listeners were left with lingering questions and thoughts after the first three episodes.  What do I tell my kids? What if my no DOES mean yes? What role does alcohol play in consent? In this episode, some Heart producers and Samara Breger (our trusted sex educator) unpack some blind spots and larger themes around consent. [Trigger Warning]
Part of “No”, a mini-season.
Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

A processing party. [Trigger Warning]

No: Questions

Episode Three: Kaitlin’s search for the answer to why coercion is so omnipresent lands her in one obvious place. Straight, cis-gendered men. In this episode, Kaitlin consults the men in her life that she trusts the most to see if they had ever pressured someone into having unwanted intimacy. But she knows she cannot end her search here. [Trigger Warning]

Part of “No”, a mini-season.

Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

Episode Three: Kaitlin’s search for the answer to why coercion is so omnipresent lands her in one obvious place. Straight, cis-gendered men. In this episode, Kaitlin consults the men in her life that she trusts the most to see if they had ever pressured someone into having unwanted intimacy. But she knows she cannot end her search here. [Trigger Warning]
Part of “No”, a mini-season.
Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

Kaitlin questions the men in her life she trusts the most. [Trigger Warning]

No: Answers

Episode Two: We catch up to Kaitlin while she is in her mid-twenties, waiting to fall in love. [Trigger Warning]

Part of “No”, a mini season.

Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

Episode Two: We catch up to Kaitlin while she is in her mid-twenties, waiting to fall in love. [Trigger Warning]
Part of “No”, a mini season.
Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

Episode two of No: We catch up to Kaitlin while she is in her mid-twenties, waiting to fall in love. [Trigger Warning]

No: Inheritance

Episode One: We meet young Kaitlin as she navigates her first sexual experiences and the confusions of girlhood. [Trigger Warning]

Part of “No”, a mini-season.

Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

Episode One: We meet young Kaitlin as she navigates her first sexual experiences and the confusions of girlhood. [Trigger Warning]
Part of “No”, a mini-season.
Produced with the generous support of the IWMF.

Episode One of No: the story of Kaitlin's non-psychedelic trip through girlhood. [Trigger Warning]

No: Advance

Our new season, starting May 9th. Kaitlin explores her sexual boundaries from youth to adulthood.

Our new season, starting May 9th. Kaitlin explores her sexual boundaries from youth to adulthood.

Our new season, starting May 9th.

Trailer: No

Arranged marriages, although they sound scary to our Western ears, are considered extremely successful. Divorce rates are much lower. But those are statistics. What about being in love with the person that you married? A Harvard study found that partners in arranged marriages, over time, end up being more in love than couples who marry for love. Our friend Ryan Kailath has known this his whole life, because he grew up with it. His parents met for 15 minutes before they married.

*Includes the trailer for our upcoming season, “No.”

Arranged marriages, although they sound scary to our Western ears, are considered extremely successful. Divorce rates are much lower. But those are statistics. What about being in love with the person that you married? A Harvard study found that partners in arranged marriages, over time, end up being more in love than couples who marry for love. Our friend Ryan Kailath has known this his whole life, because he grew up with it. His parents met for 15 minutes before they married.
*Includes the trailer for our upcoming season, “No.”

Ryan Kailath’s parents met for 15 minutes before they married.

First Comes Marriage

Local Honey is a transfemme performance artist and musician living in New Orleans. Let her modulated voice and soft giggles croon you into her reality, where feminine sound is a weapon, a force, a celebration. Local Honey explores family, performance, noise, trauma and gender.

Ep 4 of ‘Pansy’: A season where masculinity and femininity meet.

Credits: Writing and <a href="https://ifellasleeplikethis.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">music</a> by <a href="http://cargocollective.com/localhoney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Local Honey</a>. Production support from Julia Alsop. Editorial Support from Cassie Wagler. Special thanks to <a href="http://www.juliaserano.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Julia Serano</a>.

Local Honey is a transfemme performance artist and musician living in New Orleans. Let her modulated voice and soft giggles croon you into her reality, where feminine sound is a weapon, a force, a celebration. Local Honey explores family, performance, noise, trauma and gender.
Ep 4 of ‘Pansy’: A season where masculinity and femininity meet.
Credits: Writing and music by Local Honey. Production support from Julia Alsop. Editorial Support from Cassie Wagler. Special thanks to Julia Serano.

transfemme artist + noise diva

Pansy: Local Honey

Some say there are as many genders as there are people.  And even more ways to creatively think about and claim them. In this story, Allen’s gender is complicated by a discovery he makes through meditation.

Ep 3 of ‘Pansy’: A season about where masculinity and femininity meet.

Credits:   Written and produced by Allen J. Watts. Production support from Julia Alsop. Editorial support from Cassie Wagler.

Some say there are as many genders as there are people.  And even more ways to creatively think about and claim them. In this story, Allen’s gender is complicated by a discovery he makes through meditation.
Ep 3 of ‘Pansy’: A season about where masculinity and femininity meet.
Credits:   Written and produced by Allen J. Watts. Production support from Julia Alsop. Editorial support from Cassie Wagler.

A Meditation

Pansy: The Beloved

Blake’s crushing. Hard. On his new best friend and favorite person: Korry. They spend every day together. They sleep in the same bed together. They plan their futures together. But there are signs that show that Korry might not be feeling the same way about Blake. Blake begins to suspect it has something to do with the fact that Korry’s attracted to straight-acting, masculine-looking, manly men.  

And Korry’s not alone.

In this episode, we continue our conversation on gender and femininity and look at what happens when we move out of the heterosexual dating world and into the queer one. Kaitlin assumed that gay and queer life is one big femme-loving genderfuck. But flipping through gay hook-up apps, it’s easy to spot a “no fats, no femmes” trend. So what’s the deal?

Ep 2 of “Pansy”: A season about where masculinity and femininity meet.

Credits:   Produced with Julia Alsop. Editorial support by Cassie Wagler. Special thanks to the folks at the <a href="http://food4thotpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Food 4 Thot Podcast</a> and to <a href="http://www.juliaserano.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Julia Serano</a>.

Blake’s crushing. Hard. On his new best friend and favorite person: Korry. They spend every day together. They sleep in the same bed together. They plan their futures together. But there are signs that show that Korry might not be feeling the same way about Blake. Blake begins to suspect it has something to do with the fact that Korry’s attracted to straight-acting, masculine-looking, manly men.  
And Korry’s not alone.
In this episode, we continue our conversation on gender and femininity and look at what happens when we move out of the heterosexual dating world and into the queer one. Kaitlin assumed that gay and queer life is one big femme-loving genderfuck. But flipping through gay hook-up apps, it’s easy to spot a “no fats, no femmes” trend. So what’s the deal?
Ep 2 of “Pansy”: A season about where masculinity and femininity meet.
Credits:   Produced with Julia Alsop. Editorial support by Cassie Wagler. Special thanks to the folks at the Food 4 Thot Podcast and to Julia Serano.

No Fats//No Femmes

Pansy: Ultraslut

Todd once loved a woman. And she loved him back, but there was one thing that she just couldn’t get over, he twirls. This piece explores what it means to be effeminate when you’re a straight cis-dude. Kaitlin talks to men who embrace and resist their femininity.

Ep 1 of “Pansy”: A season of stories about letting your feminine flag fly.

Produced with help from Julia Alsop and editorial support from Cassie Wagler. Special thanks to Julia Serrano.

Todd once loved a woman. And she loved him back, but there was one thing that she just couldn’t get over, he twirls. This piece explores what it means to be effeminate when you’re a straight cis-dude. Kaitlin talks to men who embrace and resist their femininity.
Ep 1 of “Pansy”: A season of stories about letting your feminine flag fly.
Produced with help from Julia Alsop and editorial support from Cassie Wagler. Special thanks to Julia Serrano.