Voices Unlocked Ep. 2 | Finding Out a Parent Is in Prison, Grief, and the Power of Support Groups

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In episode two of Voices Unlocked, the hosts remind listeners they are not therapists and encourage self-care during emotional conversations. They reflect on how their long friendship shaped their lives, then discuss how families tell children when a parent goes into custody and what that moment feels like.

Liv shares learning at age eight that her mum was in prison after being told she was “working away,” describing delayed grief, unanswered questions, fears shaped by cartoons, and the stigma that made her feel responsible for defending her mum. Lorna explains concepts including ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief and why carers may delay disclosure while they figure things out. They highlight the value of peer support groups, differences in coping at different ages, and preview episode three on prison visits and contact, ending with Liv reading her award-winning poem “Dear Mum.”

Chapters:
00:00 Podcast Disclaimer
00:29 Episode Two Catchup
03:18 Telling Kids The Truth
04:01 Finding Out At Eight
07:35 Grief And Judgment
10:21 Ambiguous Loss Explained
14:27 Justin Bieber Support Group
17:28 Why Peer Support Works
20:04 Second Time Around
21:51 Support Group Nerves
23:08 New Kids Find Belonging
24:26 Family Connection Magic
24:51 Why Support Groups Help
26:26 Moms vs Dads in Prison
28:02 Finding Out the Truth
30:12 Suitcase Kid Childhood
32:05 Second Time Anger
34:07 Posting Parcels in Uniform
36:14 Halloween Party Detour
39:39 Dear Mom Poem Finale
43:44 Gratitude and Wrap Up