Welcome to Paradise

by CBC

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).

Latest episodes

Showing 10 · updated from the feed

Welcome to Paradise Introduces: Creation Myth

Get lost in someone else’s life. From a mysterious childhood spent on the run, to a courageous escape from domestic violence, each season of Personally invites you to exp

Feb 10
40 min

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

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 t

May 16 2023
16 min

Ep. 6: "The Visitation"

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, yo

Mar 15 2022
32 min

Ep. 5: "The Message"

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 resou

Mar 8 2022
31 min

Ep. 4: “The Long Tail”

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 fa

Mar 1 2022
29 min

Ep. 3: “L is for Love”

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 affect

Feb 22 2022
33 min

Ep. 2: “See What You Made Me Do”

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 b

Feb 14 2022
29 min

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

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 r

Feb 14 2022
30 min

Introducing: Welcome to Paradise

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 dan

Feb 8 2022
2 min

Teaser: Welcome to Paradise | Content Warning

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 s

Jan 20 2022
1 min