7 episodes

Pauline Dakin’s childhood was marked by unexplained events, a sense of unseen menace, and secretive moves to new cities with no warning. When Pauline was a young adult, her mother finally told her what they were running from – organized crime, secret police and double lives.

It was a story so mind-bending, so disturbing, Pauline’s entire world was turned upside down. Run Hide Repeat is the story of Pauline’s life on the run, her quest for the truth – and her search for forgiveness. Based on the best-selling 2017 memoir, this powerful 5-part journey spans decades and an entire country — and it will leave listeners questioning what’s real and who they can trust.

Run, Hide, Repeat CBC STORIES

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.2 • 276 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Pauline Dakin’s childhood was marked by unexplained events, a sense of unseen menace, and secretive moves to new cities with no warning. When Pauline was a young adult, her mother finally told her what they were running from – organized crime, secret police and double lives.

It was a story so mind-bending, so disturbing, Pauline’s entire world was turned upside down. Run Hide Repeat is the story of Pauline’s life on the run, her quest for the truth – and her search for forgiveness. Based on the best-selling 2017 memoir, this powerful 5-part journey spans decades and an entire country — and it will leave listeners questioning what’s real and who they can trust.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    EP 1: Don't Tell

    EP 1: Don't Tell

    It’s 1971 and Ruth Dakin is going through a messy divorce and fears for the future of her young children, Pauline and Ted. She meets Stan Sears, a United Church Minister, a man who offered comfort and safe harbour. But the encounter would change her life – and the lives of her children – forever.

    Soon, odd, unexplained things start to happen and the young family is suddenly on the run, uprooted from their cozy home in North Vancouver to Winnipeg and then eventually to New Brunswick. The children are told not to tell anyone, and there are no goodbyes — not even to their father. Also on the move? Stan and his wife Sybil.

    For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/run-hide-repeat-transcripts-listen-1.6682766

    • 32 min
    EP 2: On The Run

    EP 2: On The Run

    Now a teenager living in Saint John, the secrecy and unexplained moves wear Pauline down. Eventually she graduates and starts a career in journalism thinking she can start to live a normal life. That changes in February 1988 when her mother Ruth says she’s finally ready to tell Pauline everything.

    Sitting alongside Stan, Ruth’s secret shocks Pauline. Pauline realizes her life is in danger — and she will never look at her past the same way.

    For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/run-hide-repeat-transcripts-listen-1.6682766

    • 36 min
    EP 3: The Weird World

    EP 3: The Weird World

    Based on her mother and Stan’s stunning revelations, Pauline and her brother Ted start sifting through their childhood memories and matching them to the once unexplained events.

    Stan and Ruth, now openly a couple, are going deep undercover — and they want Pauline to join them.

    Pauline must choose between joining her mother in the unknown and leaving behind everyone else she loves in the world she knows.

    For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/run-hide-repeat-transcripts-listen-1.6682766

    • 54 min
    EP 4: Saving Mom

    EP 4: Saving Mom

    Pauline is struggling with doubts — the details of her family’s secret seem outrageous. But why would Stan and her mother lie to her?

    Pauline sets up a sting to find out once and for all if Stan and Ruth are telling the truth. And what she discovers changes her relationship with Ruth forever.

    Pauline, desperate to reconcile what Ruth has done to her, turns to understanding her mom’s troubled past.

    For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/run-hide-repeat-transcripts-listen-1.6682766

    • 41 min
    EP 5: Stan's World

    EP 5: Stan's World

    Pauline sets out to understand Stan’s mind and motives. She meets up with his son, John, who has some very strange stories of his own. And Pauline finally comes across a potential answer – something that could explain all of Stan's actions.

    But will it be enough to forgive him?

    For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/run-hide-repeat-transcripts-listen-1.6682766

    • 52 min
    Introducing: Run, Hide, Repeat

    Introducing: Run, Hide, Repeat

    Best-selling author and journalist Pauline Dakin takes you on an immersive journey into a childhood spent on the run, one where unexplained moves and disturbing events took place under a shroud of secrecy. When Pauline was finally told what her family was running from, she was left with more questions than answers. Five episodes, released every Monday starting Nov. 14.

    • 2 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
276 Ratings

276 Ratings

Janith ,

Stretched out and unsatisfying

And the narrator could use a lesson on when to use “me” and “I.” Where are proofreaders when you need them?

Laukelmomof3 ,

Great story

I disagree with the reviewers that say it could be told in a couple episodes - I think it paced well and was fascinating. Well told story of a couple families’ worlds. Sincere, interesting, told as the facts were revealed to the writer. I enjoyed it!

StupendousKale ,

Absolute Madness

This story is so gripping and engaging and so troubling. I’m so sad for what this family went through.

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