The Canadian Gothic

On Keep Canada Weird, Jordan and Aaron Airport typically explore the weirdest and most offbeat Canadian news stories from the past week. But this week, they're making history. Not just Keep Canada Weird history, but podcasting history. For the first time ever, Brian, a rural mailman, has generously agreed to pull back the curtain on one of the world's most mysterious professions and answer the questions humanity has been dying to ask a rural mailman. No topic is off-limits. In this groundbreaking Keep Canada Weird special, we proudly present... You've Got Brian! (ask a rural mailman) Series Links Keep Canada Weird Series: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/keep-canada-weird⁠ Send a voice memo:⁠ www.thecanadiangothic.com/contact⁠ Join the Keep Canada Weird Discussion Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepcanadaweird⁠ Provide feedback and comments on the episode: ⁠thecanadiangothic.com/contact⁠ Subscribe to the show: ⁠thecanadiangothic.com/subscribe⁠ Contact: Website:⁠ https://www.thecanadiangothic.com⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheCanadianGothic⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecanadiangothic/⁠ Support the show: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thecanadiangothic⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2022, Kaitlyn Braun began contacting doulas with a harrowing story involving a sexual assault and it’s resulting pregnancy. Over 40 doulas ultimately became involved, many providing emotional, physical and financial support before discovering that Braun's story was built on lies. The case would eventually lead to dozens of criminal charges, a prison sentence, many twists and turns, and some of Canada’s most bizarre and disturbing headlines. In this episode, Jordan is joined by filmmaker Nathalie Bibeau, writer and director of the new three-part documentary series Doula: A True Crime to discuss the extraordinary case, the impact on Braun's victims, and the difficult question at the center of the story: why did she do it? Episode Link Watch ‘Doula: a True Crime’ - https://gem.cbc.ca/doula-a-true-crime Send a voicememo to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/contact⁠ Subscribe to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/subscribe⁠ Musical Theme: Noir Toyko by Monty Datta Social Links: Website: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheCanadianGothic⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecanadiangothic/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Nova Scotia teacher is facing a disturbing series of criminal charges involving students at a Pictou County school. Matthew Donahoe, 53, was arrested in September 2026 and charged with 10 offences, including sexual assault, sexual interference, assault by choking, assault with a weapon, and administering a noxious substance. Court documents indicate the allegations involve four students and incidents said to have occurred during the first week of the school year. In this episode, Jordan and Madeleine examine the timeline of the investigation, what the court documents reveal, Donahoe’s release conditions, and questions surrounding his history as an educator. They also discuss accounts from former students who have since come forward publicly with their own experiences. The charges against Matthew Donahoe are allegations that have not been tested in court. He has not been convicted of these offences and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Send a voicememo to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/contact⁠ Subscribe to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/subscribe⁠ Musical Theme: Noir Toyko by Monty Datta Social Links: Website: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheCanadianGothic⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecanadiangothic/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In August 2026, Edmonton father Scot MacDermid disappeared with his two children, George and Lesley, setting off a search that would stretch beyond Alberta and raise troubling questions about an already bitter family dispute. But the disappearance did not come out of nowhere. Years earlier, Scot and the children’s mother, Edilenia, had built a life between Canada and the Dominican Republic before their relationship eventually fractured amid allegations of domestic violence, protection orders, and an international custody battle. In this episode, we trace the relationship, Edilenia’s allegations, Scot’s previous attempt to take the children to the Dominican Republic, and the current search for Scot MacDermid and his missing children. Episode Links: Watch Edilenia’s Interview with Vladimir Jaquez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4K3czfQMZ8&t Send a voicememo to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/contact⁠ Subscribe to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/subscribe⁠ Musical Theme: Noir Toyko by Monty Datta Social Links: Website: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheCanadianGothic⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecanadiangothic/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 30, 2026, the search for 11-year-old Parker Wells came to a heartbreaking end when his body was discovered in a drainage pipe in northeast Calgary. Parker, who was autistic, neurodivergent and nonverbal, disappeared from his day home on July 16, prompting one of the largest search efforts in Calgary's recent history. Hundreds of police officers, firefighters, search-and-rescue teams, trained volunteers and members of the public dedicated countless hours to finding him. In the end, new evidence led investigators back to an area near Deerfoot Trail, where Parker was found. In this episode of Canadian Gothic, we examine the final days of the search, the discovery that brought hope to an end, what investigators have revealed about how Parker was found, and the extraordinary community response that rallied around one little boy and his family. Send a voicememo to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/contact⁠ Subscribe to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/subscribe⁠ Musical Theme: Noir Toyko by Monty Datta Social Links: Website: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheCanadianGothic⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecanadiangothic/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 16, 2026, 11-year-old Parker Wells disappeared from his day home in Calgary. Parker is autistic, neurodivergent and nonverbal, and operates more like a 2-3 year old. His disappearance has prompted an enormous search involving police, firefighters, search-and-rescue teams and hundreds of volunteers. Surveillance footage has helped investigators trace some of Parker’s movements, but major questions remain about where he went and how he has remained missing despite such an extensive effort. In this episode of Canadian Gothic, we will focus on what is currently known, what remains unclear and how the public can help find Parker Wells. Episode Links: Calgary Police Service Map of Parker’s Movements - https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1485/c693dabe-0cd8-4239-b58f-de87ebdb92fb/1920_parkermap.jpg?10000 Send a voicememo to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/contact⁠ Subscribe to the show: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/subscribe⁠ Musical Theme: Noir Toyko by Monty Datta Social Links: Website: ⁠https://www.thecanadiangothic.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheCanadianGothic⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecanadiangothic/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices