In this solo episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked reasons people remain stuck in abusive cycles: the inability to name what they’re experiencing. I explore how the lack of clear language- not just individually, but across society- keeps people confused, doubting themselves, and trapped far longer than they should be.We unpack the cultural habit of mislabeling harmful behavior, and how this reluctance to “call it what it is” creates conditions where abuse can thrive in plain sight. I break down why accurate terminology isn’t just semantics- but a lifeline.Together, we reframe abuse not as a spectrum where people try to measure what “counts,” but as an umbrella of behaviors rooted in the same belief system of entitlement, control, and disregard. By understanding abuse as a unified framework rather than a sliding scale, we remove the ambiguity that keeps so many people questioning their reality.Articles and writings mentioned: Maine Case: https://cbn.com/news/us/judge-orders-maine-mom-not-take-her-daughter-church-or-read-her-bibleAlyssa Wiest Article: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/michael-dutkiewicz-guilty-of-first-degree-murder-death-girlfirend/4287021/Ohio Article: https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/us-news/deranged-husband-kills-baby-wifes-7-year-old-and-the-boys-father-before-turning-gun-on-himself/Black Blouse Coercive Control: https://x.com/shadows_control/status/1805945219344486824?lang=en Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ep. 77: The Threshold That Never Comes: The Ambiguity That Keeps Survivors Silent
In this episode, I sit down with Hannah to explore abuse that is intentionally designed to be unrecognizable. Hannah shares how her abuser strategically created gray areas and emotional ambiguity, making it almost impossible for her to pinpoint what was happening.She also talks about the “threshold” she carried in her mind- her preconceived idea of what “real abuse” was supposed to look like- and how her abuser deliberately stayed just below that line. This left her constantly second-guessing herself, blaming herself, and feeling unable to trust her own perception.Together, we unpack why this type of abuse is so confusing, how abusers use subtlety as a tactic, and the internal conflict survivors experience when their reality doesn’t match the stereotypes of abuse they’ve been taught.Guest information private for now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ep. 76: Will The Abuser Change For The New Supply? | Dr. Jaime Zuckerman
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a nationally recognized clinical psychologist who specializes in narcissistic abuse and relationship trauma. Together, we dive deep into one of the most painful and confusing stages of recovery- learning to detach from the abuser’s narrative.We explore questions so many survivors wrestle with: Will the abuser change for the next person? Why does it feel like they’re thriving while you’re left in pieces? And most importantly, how can you begin to reclaim your truth after so much manipulation and emotional chaos?Dr. Jaime Zuckerman's links: LinkTree for all links: https://linktr.ee/drzpsychologist?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad7NNTCigjpDAiBeChMvfyAgR-y93OH9X-jCXHbD55VYt9YJaT1_SxIKA5wwQ_aem_YPJ2kBTJJcEnBmKCKOSYkwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.z_psychologist/Dr. Z's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1aeBenKtsnHZcAMy4JekqP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ep. 75: "He Poisoned Me With Abortion Pills" - Catherine's Story
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Catherine opens up about the years she spent trapped in an abusive marriage marked by emotional abuse, infidelity, and alcohol use by her former spouse. What began as a hopeful relationship spiraled into something she never imagined when she discovered her husband’s shocking attempts to secretly poison her with abortion pills in an effort to end her pregnancy.With courage and honesty, Catherine shares how she uncovered the truth, the steps she took to protect herself, and the journey toward rebuilding her life after trauma.Together, we talk about the complexities of abuse, the warning signs that are often overlooked, and the strength it takes to break free.Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic abuse, substance abuse, and physical harm through abortion pills.For more about Catherine's story, please visit her social media pages and links related to her story: Socials: @catherinepresslyherring@sayhmfoundationArticles:https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-attorney-poisoned-pregnant-wife-abortion-medication-sentenced-18-rcna138065https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2024/03/06/shreveport-senator-files-bill-after-sisters-husband-tried-to-secretly-abort-baby-with-abortion-pill/72863621007/https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/the-catherine-and-josephine-herring-act-heads-to-gov-landrys-desk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ep. 74: Their Weight On Our Shoulders: How Abuse Makes Us Feel Responsible For Them | Wendy's Story
In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy as she bravely shares her story of surviving abuse and how it manipulates your sense of duty, love, and identity.Wendy opens up about how her abuser made her feel responsible for his well-being, and how that emotional weight kept her trapped in a cycle of guilt and silence. We explore why so many survivors feel sorry for the very people hurting them, and how that misplaced empathy is a product of manipulation by the perpetrator.We also dive into the more subtle and often overlooked signs of financial control, the ways abusers rationalize physical violence, and how Wendy’s experience as a Latina woman added a layer of cultural confusion around expectations, and what it means to “stand by your man.”This conversation is a testament to resilience, clarity, and the power of naming what we’ve survived.Wendy's Instagram: @wendyc0rtes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A podcast where we dive deep into what really goes on inside of domestic violence relationships that makes it so hard to simply "just leave". Through stories of survivors, and practical conversations with guests, I am going to put the microscope back on what the abuser is doing that causes us to become so trapped in the first place, and how each survivor was eventually freed. We will discuss what abusive relationships look like, sound like, and feel like for the purpose of educating and relating to one another in a much needed way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
México