Podcast Summary: "My Daughter Has Been Abducted for 15 Years"

Podcast: We're All Insane
Date: November 25, 2025
Guest: Ian Bryson
Host: [Name not specified]

Episode Overview

In this raw and deeply personal episode, Ian Bryson shares his heartbreaking journey of losing his daughter to familial abduction and the 15-year battle to reunite with her. Bryson recounts the psychological and legal challenges he faced, the family dynamics and alleged abuse that led to the abduction, his subsequent imprisonment and forced hospitalization in Poland, and the deafening silence from U.S. and international authorities. The episode is an unfiltered account of a father's desperate fight for justice, child safety, and recognition in the face of systemic failures and personal trauma.

Major Topics & Discussion Chronology

1. The Day His Daughter Was Taken ([00:00–01:22], [11:08–18:10])

Background: Ian’s wife, originally from Poland, had been increasingly erratic, mentioning her family being a cult in the weeks prior to the abduction. Ian believed her mental health was deteriorating and tried to seek help, both for her and their daughter.
The Abduction: Two days after Christmas in 2010, Ian gives his daughter a hug, believing she was heading to the library with her mother. He never sees her again.
Systemic Failures: Ian’s efforts to involve local psychologists and police in the Netherlands are ignored; he’s told the abduction would be "illegal and can’t happen" ([15:10]).

"She convinced me she was taking her to the library and I let my guard down... watched them both go down the stairs and never saw my daughter again."
— Ian Bryson ([17:16])

2. Early Relationship & Family Red Flags ([02:17–10:00])

Meeting and Marriage: Ian meets his wife soon after college while she was in the U.S. on a visa. They quickly move in together and get engaged.
Her Family: When living in Poland during the visa process, Ian encounters disturbing behaviors: severe alcoholism, inappropriate remarks by in-laws, lack of childhood memories or photos for his wife.
Signs of Trauma: Ian documents early suspicions of borderline personality disorder and trauma in his wife, noting dissociative episodes and difficulty communicating about her past.

"She had no memories of her childhood... her father and grandfather would say very strange things to me, like ask me how she is in bed."
— Ian Bryson ([04:10])

3. Life Abroad & Deteriorating Dynamics ([08:09–11:06])

Moves to the Netherlands: Seeking compromise between his wife’s pull to Poland and their family, they relocate. Frequent visits to Poland exacerbate her instability and lead to episodes where she would disappear with their daughter.
Strain: Ian often feels isolated, not speaking Dutch or Polish, enduring cycles of “all good” and deep dysfunction.

"We'd go to Poland and... she would say, 'When I'm here, I'm not with you. I am my dad's.' She would just disappear... I would just be like, in the apartment by myself, terrified and panicking."
— Ian Bryson ([09:53])

4. Discovery, Desperation, and Institutional Betrayal ([18:12–34:41])

Aftermath: Ian frantically contacts embassies, police, family, and the media. He observes signs of abuse in his daughter and links them to stories and behaviors related to his wife's family.
Family Betrayal: Ian’s own family turns against him, staging interventions instead of helping retrieve his daughter.
Hospitalization: His family lures him back to the U.S. under the pretense of legal help, only to have him involuntarily hospitalized and later left homeless and unsupported.

"My family still wasn't helping me... I walked five miles through the snow to my mother's house. She gave me my car key and $20 and said, you got to go."
— Ian Bryson ([27:32–29:20])

5. Legal Dead-Ends & The Breaking Point ([36:08–45:24])

Hague Convention: Ian is told legal recourse could take up to two years—unacceptable for a four-year-old in a dangerous situation. Without resources, he plans to take direct action.
Confrontation in Poland: Ian travels to Poland with intentions, not clear if to re-abduct or create official intervention. In a moment of desperation, he confronts and attacks his father-in-law, resulting in his arrest.

"I didn't have any money, all of the Polish people in prison get a stipend... I was just there on my own."
— Ian Bryson ([63:39])

6. Imprisonment & Psychiatric Abuse ([45:24–65:07])

Polish Prison: Ian spends 18 months imprisoned—then forcibly committed to psychiatric hospitals for an additional two years, subjected to heavy medication, language isolation, and Kafkaesque legal proceedings.
Denial by All Sides: Consistently, health and legal professionals conflate his concerns with delusion or madness, and he is banned from even mentioning his daughter in court.

"They would take whatever I said and use it as evidence I was crazy. One of the psychiatrists said, 'Wouldn't it be nice if you were crazy? So then your daughter isn't being abused.'"
— Ian Bryson ([61:14])

7. Release and Return ([65:33–70:46])

Return to the U.S.: After release, a friend provides reprieve in Amsterdam before he returns to Connecticut, nearly 40 years old. He is still determined to keep fighting, albeit now with depleted health, resources, and support.

"I never stopped fighting... just giving myself a mental break so I can get back to where I need to be."
— Ian Bryson ([65:19–65:33])

8. Building a New Life, Writing the Book, and Continuing the Fight ([70:46–78:47])

New Relationships: Ian develops a relationship with Emily, who quickly becomes an advocate and partner in his mission.
Writing "My Daughter Has Been Abducted for 15 Years": With Emily's help, he writes a 600-page account, blending journal entries and research. The book is both a personal catharsis and a call to action about organized/ritual abuse, particularly in contexts shielded by family or border jurisdiction.
Ongoing Attacks & Allies: After publishing, Ian faces retaliatory attacks from Poland, including false accusations and attempts to ruin his career and reputation. Yet, the survivor and abuse-awareness communities support him.

"You can't get all of them. There's something in there that's saying, no, I'm gonna fight this, I'm gonna get away when I can."
— Ian Bryson ([93:27])

9. Advocacy, Awareness, and Future Steps ([78:47–101:30])

Public Awareness: Ian now speaks at conferences, participates in the survivor and ritual/organized abuse community, and is translating his book into Polish and recording an audiobook.
Reflection: He grapples with sorrow for lost years with his daughter, the inadequate international systems for child protection, and gratitude for those who stood by him. He remains committed to never giving up hope—"just keep swinging the sledgehammer".

"All I wanted was to be my daughter's dad... The only thing that's changed is time has gone by."
— Ian Bryson ([35:16], [84:11])

"It's a blessing that I'm in a position to know that other people are suffering because society refuses to look at it... despite all of the evidence that's out there."
— Ian Bryson ([100:17])

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

On letting his guard down:
"She convinced me that she was taking her to the library. And I let my guard down, which I hadn't for that three weeks... watched them both go down the stairs and never saw my daughter again." ([17:16])
On systemic failures:
"I'm alone in this foreign country, my U.S. citizen daughter is... the U.S. Government is telling me to re-abduct my daughter." ([18:10])
On forced institutionalization:
"My family... drove straight to a hospital. My mom sat there crying and said, I need to go in and get answers. I'm not doing well. And because of her emotional state, I was like, yes, she does need help. I walked in there, and then they trapped me." ([27:30])
On not being believed:
"My parents, nothing. When it first happened, I sent them a letter and said, I told you. My daughter was abducted and is being abused. Now I'm in prison, now you have to get a lawyer. And they... never responded." ([63:39])
On relentless hope:
"You just have to have somebody who's aware, who cares, and is aware of what we're dealing with. If you looked at it when the child was 4, it would have been simple to get to the bottom of it. Now at 18... not impossible, but tougher." ([97:22], [97:35])
On trauma and public perception:
"There’s a trauma wound there... I know what crazy is and what crazy isn’t. But it’s still just like, people look at you—and even my parents don’t believe me." ([99:03])
On meaning and mission:
"I don't wonder who I am or what I'm doing here or what my purpose is. It's right there in front of me. It's a blessing." ([100:17])
On never giving up:
"Just keep swinging and swinging. And then one day this stone shatters... you can't see, but little cracks are happening all along the way." ([94:48])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

00:00–04:09 – Early relationship, first signs of trouble
10:00–17:22 – Move to the Netherlands, family cycles, abduction event
18:10–23:33 – Ian’s desperate search for support and help, initial family response
27:30–34:41 – Forced hospitalization and abandonment by family
36:08–45:24 – Legal failures, Ian’s “direct action,” confrontation in Poland
45:24–57:39 – Imprisonment, mental health system abuses
65:03–70:46 – Recovery, return to U.S., beginning the book
73:01–75:27 – New marriage and support network
83:43–85:56 – Present-day advocacy, grappling with outcomes
92:13–98:19 – Building a new life, working with survivors, public awareness work

Conclusion & Tone

The episode is a harrowing but resolute account of a father’s anguish, the failings of institutions on both sides of the Atlantic, and the nearly-impossible journey to have his voice—and his daughter's safety—taken seriously. Throughout, Ian’s tone is earnest, at times weary but pervaded by a quiet, enduring conviction that "good wins," that he must keep swinging the metaphorical sledgehammer, and that awareness, however hard-won, is essential for change. The host maintains a gentle, validating approach, encouraging Ian’s honesty and affirming the urgency of his message.

Resources & Follow-Up

Ian Bryson’s Book: [Title not specified; published May 2024]
Contact: wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com
Submit Your Story: Google Form

For listeners:
This episode is highly recommended for anyone interested in parental abduction, child safety, mental health, and how bureaucracy and disbelief compound trauma. Ian’s story is a call to listen to the unheard and to take allegations of abuse seriously—no matter how complex the context.

Podcast Summary: "My Daughter Has Been Abducted for 15 Years"

Podcast: We're All Insane
Date: November 25, 2025
Guest: Ian Bryson
Host: [Name not specified]

Episode Overview

Major Topics & Discussion Chronology

1. The Day His Daughter Was Taken ([00:00–01:22], [11:08–18:10])

Background: Ian’s wife, originally from Poland, had been increasingly erratic, mentioning her family being a cult in the weeks prior to the abduction. Ian believed her mental health was deteriorating and tried to seek help, both for her and their daughter.
The Abduction: Two days after Christmas in 2010, Ian gives his daughter a hug, believing she was heading to the library with her mother. He never sees her again.
Systemic Failures: Ian’s efforts to involve local psychologists and police in the Netherlands are ignored; he’s told the abduction would be "illegal and can’t happen" ([15:10]).

"She convinced me she was taking her to the library and I let my guard down... watched them both go down the stairs and never saw my daughter again."
— Ian Bryson ([17:16])

2. Early Relationship & Family Red Flags ([02:17–10:00])

Meeting and Marriage: Ian meets his wife soon after college while she was in the U.S. on a visa. They quickly move in together and get engaged.
Her Family: When living in Poland during the visa process, Ian encounters disturbing behaviors: severe alcoholism, inappropriate remarks by in-laws, lack of childhood memories or photos for his wife.
Signs of Trauma: Ian documents early suspicions of borderline personality disorder and trauma in his wife, noting dissociative episodes and difficulty communicating about her past.

"She had no memories of her childhood... her father and grandfather would say very strange things to me, like ask me how she is in bed."
— Ian Bryson ([04:10])

3. Life Abroad & Deteriorating Dynamics ([08:09–11:06])

Moves to the Netherlands: Seeking compromise between his wife’s pull to Poland and their family, they relocate. Frequent visits to Poland exacerbate her instability and lead to episodes where she would disappear with their daughter.
Strain: Ian often feels isolated, not speaking Dutch or Polish, enduring cycles of “all good” and deep dysfunction.

"We'd go to Poland and... she would say, 'When I'm here, I'm not with you. I am my dad's.' She would just disappear... I would just be like, in the apartment by myself, terrified and panicking."
— Ian Bryson ([09:53])

4. Discovery, Desperation, and Institutional Betrayal ([18:12–34:41])

Aftermath: Ian frantically contacts embassies, police, family, and the media. He observes signs of abuse in his daughter and links them to stories and behaviors related to his wife's family.
Family Betrayal: Ian’s own family turns against him, staging interventions instead of helping retrieve his daughter.
Hospitalization: His family lures him back to the U.S. under the pretense of legal help, only to have him involuntarily hospitalized and later left homeless and unsupported.

"My family still wasn't helping me... I walked five miles through the snow to my mother's house. She gave me my car key and $20 and said, you got to go."
— Ian Bryson ([27:32–29:20])

5. Legal Dead-Ends & The Breaking Point ([36:08–45:24])

Hague Convention: Ian is told legal recourse could take up to two years—unacceptable for a four-year-old in a dangerous situation. Without resources, he plans to take direct action.
Confrontation in Poland: Ian travels to Poland with intentions, not clear if to re-abduct or create official intervention. In a moment of desperation, he confronts and attacks his father-in-law, resulting in his arrest.

"I didn't have any money, all of the Polish people in prison get a stipend... I was just there on my own."
— Ian Bryson ([63:39])

6. Imprisonment & Psychiatric Abuse ([45:24–65:07])

Polish Prison: Ian spends 18 months imprisoned—then forcibly committed to psychiatric hospitals for an additional two years, subjected to heavy medication, language isolation, and Kafkaesque legal proceedings.
Denial by All Sides: Consistently, health and legal professionals conflate his concerns with delusion or madness, and he is banned from even mentioning his daughter in court.

"They would take whatever I said and use it as evidence I was crazy. One of the psychiatrists said, 'Wouldn't it be nice if you were crazy? So then your daughter isn't being abused.'"
— Ian Bryson ([61:14])

7. Release and Return ([65:33–70:46])

Return to the U.S.: After release, a friend provides reprieve in Amsterdam before he returns to Connecticut, nearly 40 years old. He is still determined to keep fighting, albeit now with depleted health, resources, and support.

"I never stopped fighting... just giving myself a mental break so I can get back to where I need to be."
— Ian Bryson ([65:19–65:33])

8. Building a New Life, Writing the Book, and Continuing the Fight ([70:46–78:47])

New Relationships: Ian develops a relationship with Emily, who quickly becomes an advocate and partner in his mission.
Writing "My Daughter Has Been Abducted for 15 Years": With Emily's help, he writes a 600-page account, blending journal entries and research. The book is both a personal catharsis and a call to action about organized/ritual abuse, particularly in contexts shielded by family or border jurisdiction.
Ongoing Attacks & Allies: After publishing, Ian faces retaliatory attacks from Poland, including false accusations and attempts to ruin his career and reputation. Yet, the survivor and abuse-awareness communities support him.

"You can't get all of them. There's something in there that's saying, no, I'm gonna fight this, I'm gonna get away when I can."
— Ian Bryson ([93:27])

9. Advocacy, Awareness, and Future Steps ([78:47–101:30])

Public Awareness: Ian now speaks at conferences, participates in the survivor and ritual/organized abuse community, and is translating his book into Polish and recording an audiobook.
Reflection: He grapples with sorrow for lost years with his daughter, the inadequate international systems for child protection, and gratitude for those who stood by him. He remains committed to never giving up hope—"just keep swinging the sledgehammer".

"All I wanted was to be my daughter's dad... The only thing that's changed is time has gone by."
— Ian Bryson ([35:16], [84:11])

"It's a blessing that I'm in a position to know that other people are suffering because society refuses to look at it... despite all of the evidence that's out there."
— Ian Bryson ([100:17])

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

On letting his guard down:
"She convinced me that she was taking her to the library. And I let my guard down, which I hadn't for that three weeks... watched them both go down the stairs and never saw my daughter again." ([17:16])
On systemic failures:
"I'm alone in this foreign country, my U.S. citizen daughter is... the U.S. Government is telling me to re-abduct my daughter." ([18:10])
On forced institutionalization:
"My family... drove straight to a hospital. My mom sat there crying and said, I need to go in and get answers. I'm not doing well. And because of her emotional state, I was like, yes, she does need help. I walked in there, and then they trapped me." ([27:30])
On not being believed:
"My parents, nothing. When it first happened, I sent them a letter and said, I told you. My daughter was abducted and is being abused. Now I'm in prison, now you have to get a lawyer. And they... never responded." ([63:39])
On relentless hope:
"You just have to have somebody who's aware, who cares, and is aware of what we're dealing with. If you looked at it when the child was 4, it would have been simple to get to the bottom of it. Now at 18... not impossible, but tougher." ([97:22], [97:35])
On trauma and public perception:
"There’s a trauma wound there... I know what crazy is and what crazy isn’t. But it’s still just like, people look at you—and even my parents don’t believe me." ([99:03])
On meaning and mission:
"I don't wonder who I am or what I'm doing here or what my purpose is. It's right there in front of me. It's a blessing." ([100:17])
On never giving up:
"Just keep swinging and swinging. And then one day this stone shatters... you can't see, but little cracks are happening all along the way." ([94:48])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

00:00–04:09 – Early relationship, first signs of trouble
10:00–17:22 – Move to the Netherlands, family cycles, abduction event
18:10–23:33 – Ian’s desperate search for support and help, initial family response
27:30–34:41 – Forced hospitalization and abandonment by family
36:08–45:24 – Legal failures, Ian’s “direct action,” confrontation in Poland
45:24–57:39 – Imprisonment, mental health system abuses
65:03–70:46 – Recovery, return to U.S., beginning the book
73:01–75:27 – New marriage and support network
83:43–85:56 – Present-day advocacy, grappling with outcomes
92:13–98:19 – Building a new life, working with survivors, public awareness work

Conclusion & Tone

Resources & Follow-Up

Ian Bryson’s Book: [Title not specified; published May 2024]
Contact: wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com
Submit Your Story: Google Form

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My Daughter Has Been Abducted for 15 Years

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Summary

Podcast Summary: "My Daughter Has Been Abducted for 15 Years"

Episode Overview

Major Topics & Discussion Chronology

1. The Day His Daughter Was Taken ([00:00–01:22], [11:08–18:10])

2. Early Relationship & Family Red Flags ([02:17–10:00])

3. Life Abroad & Deteriorating Dynamics ([08:09–11:06])

4. Discovery, Desperation, and Institutional Betrayal ([18:12–34:41])

5. Legal Dead-Ends & The Breaking Point ([36:08–45:24])

6. Imprisonment & Psychiatric Abuse ([45:24–65:07])

7. Release and Return ([65:33–70:46])

8. Building a New Life, Writing the Book, and Continuing the Fight ([70:46–78:47])

9. Advocacy, Awareness, and Future Steps ([78:47–101:30])

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion & Tone

Resources & Follow-Up

Summary

Podcast Summary: "My Daughter Has Been Abducted for 15 Years"

Episode Overview

Major Topics & Discussion Chronology

1. The Day His Daughter Was Taken ([00:00–01:22], [11:08–18:10])

2. Early Relationship & Family Red Flags ([02:17–10:00])

3. Life Abroad & Deteriorating Dynamics ([08:09–11:06])

4. Discovery, Desperation, and Institutional Betrayal ([18:12–34:41])

5. Legal Dead-Ends & The Breaking Point ([36:08–45:24])

6. Imprisonment & Psychiatric Abuse ([45:24–65:07])

7. Release and Return ([65:33–70:46])

8. Building a New Life, Writing the Book, and Continuing the Fight ([70:46–78:47])

9. Advocacy, Awareness, and Future Steps ([78:47–101:30])

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion & Tone

Resources & Follow-Up