What does leaving actually look like? What does it mean for a space to become yours? Like, really, truly become yours?

For Roia Atmar, it began in a burns unit in a Perth hospital during the summer of 1998. After a brutal domestic assault from her then husband, the shy 20-year-old had never ventured out of the suburban home she shared with her partner’s family… at least since arriving in Australia from Pakistan six years prior as a 14-year-old bride.

In episode 1 Something Burning, Roia harnesses her strength: musing on how, when something goes up in flames, it becomes larger than itself.  

Co-producers: Madison Griffiths and Beth Atkinson-Quinton
Lead Storyteller: Roia Atmar
Sensitivity Editor: Shakira Hussein
Assistant Producer: Danae Gibson
Sound Designer and Engineer: Jon Tjhia
Guests in this episode: Carol*, Jess Hill and Ashlee Donohue. Thank-you to Danae Gibson who voiced Carol, and Jon Tjhia who voiced the nurse. And, a heartfelt thank-you to Carol and Patricia who supported Roia through these early days in her recovery process.

For episode transcripts and more information visit our website and stay in touch across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @broadwavepods, and @tenderpodcast on Twitter.

Tender season two is Broadwave podcast supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and proudly sponsored by the Victorian Women’s Trust.