For decades, Maria Grazia Filipucci carried on a secret love affair with a Catholic priest. They met as children and became friends, but when he turned 14, his parents sent him off to seminary. They stayed in touch, and as adults began a romantic relationship. Through periods of separation and togetherness, she had to navigate the emotional complexity of loving a man bound by a religious vow of celibacy.

Filipucci wasn't alone. Over a decade ago, a group of Italian women went public about their secret relationships with priests. They wanted to break their silence to challenge the church's stance on celibacy and expose the emotional toll these hidden affairs have on everyone involved.

This week on Storylines, "Unfaithful", a doc from CBC’s Rome-based correspondent, Megan Williams, about the heartbreak of falling in love with a priest.

Produced by Megan Williams and Joan Webber / original aired on The Current in 2014

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit

On B.C.'s Sunshine Coast, climate change is changing the region in surprising ways, especially considering it’s nestled in a rainforest.

In five of the last eight summers, the region has experienced drought and severe water restrictions. In 2022 it got so bad, The Sunshine Coast Regional District declared a local state of emergency. It’s the first time that’s been done in Canada because of drought. Politicians were worried that there wouldn’t be enough water for the hospital or to fight fires. Businesses had to shut down, farmers lost crops and the crisis has left deep divisions over who gets the water in times of drought.

In her documentary, Drought in the Rainforest, CBC docmaker Liz Hoath visits the region to find out about the lasting damage left by the droughts and find out what’s being done to prepare for the dry summers ahead. It’s a story that experts say other parts of the country need to pay attention to because it’s bound to happen again.

Produced by Liz Hoath and Joan Webber/ originally aired on What on Earth

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit

Julia Pagel hosting

When a Whitehorse resident wrote a letter to the mayor of a little Alaska border town to say she's boycotting the US and that she's "breaking up with America," it captured a feeling many Canadians have right now. But breakups hurt. And this one cuts deep, upending a tradition of connection between these two northern towns.

In the small port town of Skagway, about two hours from Whitehorse, locals are feeling the loss of their northern neighbors. Some residents are handing out Canadian flags, while Alaska state representatives push resolutions affirming Canada's sovereignty. CBC's Julia Pagel travels to Skagway to hear from business owners, tourism officials, and local politicians about their attempts to heal this division.

Produced by Julia Pagel and Joan Webber / original aired on The Current

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit