What do you do when the people and systems you expect to help you—neighbors, city officials, schools, or even family—simply don’t?
In this raw and revealing episode, Dr. Kathy Marshack shares her personal battles with “systems failure,” from the current environmental crisis on her property in Tillamook County to the heartbreaking day the school system threatened to call the police on her 14-year-old autistic daughter.
We explore the painful reality of being gaslit by those in power and the devastating impact of parental alienation when a father chooses “narrative” over his child’s safety. This episode isn’t just about the trauma of being ignored; it’s about the radical act of telling your story anyway.
Learn why waiting for external validation is a trap, how Dr. Kathy used writing to survive the impossible, and how you can take your power back when no one is coming to save you.
Want to skip ahead? Episode Highlights
[01:34] Flooding and Feces: When neighbors and county officials fail to protect your home.
[02:53] Threatening a 14-year-old: When the school system chooses police over autism support.
[04:22] The Police Report: A father’s betrayal and the abandonment of autistic distress.
[05:02] Reclaiming the land: Taking physical and emotional steps to fix what others broke.
[05:28] Writing as Survival: How “Going Over the Edge” became a lifeline for the unseen.
[05:35] The After Party Prompt: What story do you need to tell right now?
The Discussion Continues: Join the confidential Podcast After Party for this episode! Check the schedule at Thinkific and the Meetup group.
Future of Healing: Dr. Kathy is developing two innovative video games: Radiant Empathy: A Journey of Heartbreak and Healing and The University of NeuroDiversity: Radiant Empathy Campus.
Check out Dr. Kathy’s latest book, “Life with a Partner or Spouse with Asperger Syndrome (ASD): Going over the Edge? Anniversary Edition”
➡️ Follow Dr. Kathy on Facebook
