Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Narcissists know they are being abusive--that they're being manipulative and exploitative.  This week, Dr. Peter Salerno is back to discuss his latest book, Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance. He discusses with Lisa Sonni why abusive relationships with narcissists leave survivors feeling psychologically battered and confused.  To Learn More About Dr. Peter Salerno: Website  For a Copy of Dr. Salerno’s...

Narcissists will use any means to control you, especially guilt. In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Lisa discuss the common reasons guilt is such a powerful weapon in the hands of a narcissist or toxic personality. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissistic abuse resources First Steps to Le...

Have you noticed how upset narcissists get? How they can't regulate themselves? Anna Runkle of the wildly popular Crappy Childhood Fairy YouTube channel joins me today to talk about the importance of learning how to regulate yourself, especially after living with a narcissist. Learn more about the role of psychological regulation plays in setting us free from the lingering effects of trauma and ab...

There are powerful psychological reasons why love bombing works nearly every time. In this episode, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, the ex-wife of the Wolf of Wall Street shares what she’s uncovered about why we fall so easily spellbound for a toxic or narcissistic individual. To learn more about Dr. Nadine Macaluso (often known to as Dr. Nae), please visit: https://drnae.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook....

Victims return to a narcissistically abusive relationship an average of seven times. In this episode, Lisa and I discuss why leaving a narcissist or toxic partner is so extremely difficult and share some thoughts on how to view leaving differently. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissi...

Trauma bonds are one of the most misunderstood yet powerful connections that narcissists and toxic individuals exploit to keep their partners trapped. These bonds create a confusing dynamic where the very person causing harm becomes the source of comfort—a cycle that is as addictive as it is painful. In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to break down the making and breakin...

Today you are in for a treat with a longer interview, featuring three of my favorite experts on narcissism: Dr. Les Carter, Dr. Peter Salerno, and Bill Eddy. In this episode, each of these men will describe what is narcissism, how narcissists view relationships, and why they behave as bullies. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching a...

Have you been told that you should just leave? In this episode, Lisa Sonni and I discuss why this advice severely misses the mark. Why exiting a narcissistically abusive relationship is difficult and even dangerous for most abuse survivors. Resources Mentioned in the Episode The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker Character Disturbance by George Simon Dangerous Personalities by Joe Navarro The Passion...

Narcissistic abuse often leaves devastating consequences to the survivor’s confidence and self-esteem. Today, Kristin Arden, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Mindbloom’s Clinical Director, and Shari Botwin, LCSW, trauma counselor, join me to discuss the use of ketamine therapy as a new alternate treatment option for trauma survivors. If you would like to learn more about Mindbloom or ketamine therapy, please...

Have you considered that a narcissistically abusive relationship is actually a cult of two? Daniella Mestyanek-Young, author of Uncultured and expert in cult dynamics, joins us to discuss the similarities between cult leaders and narcissists. Be sure to follow Daniella! TikTok - @knittingcultlady Website: Uncultureyourself.com And get a copy of her book, Uncultured: https://amzn.to/3CDhFcY Submit...

As a nod to this week’s holidays, let’s revisit three of my favorite episodes that discuss how to handle being too big- or kind-hearted. We at the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse podcast hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Links Mentioned: • Codependent No More by Melody Beattie: Melody Beattie • Facing Codependency: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives by...

Narcissistic relationships are parasitic in nature. Toxic personalities often drain others of their time, money, attention, and resources. In this podcast, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss the high and sometimes hidden cost of narcissistic relationships. Reference: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van de Kolk: https://amzn.to/3AtGt6z Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources Recla...

Have you noticed that when you’re finally ready to leave, your toxic or narcissistic partner suddenly does something amazing? Do they keep you off balance and confused about the state of the relationship? In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss how narcissists and other toxic people use emotional manipulation to keep their partners and loved ones psychologically stuck in a bad relationship...

There comes a point when you know you need to leave, but you can’t. The connection with your loved one is too powerful. In this episode, Rossana Faye joins me to discuss the signs and symptoms of a late-stage trauma bond. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collection : Narcissistic abuse resources First...

Has someone driven you to the breaking point? When you just lose it and snap? This week, Rossana Faye joins me to discuss the destructive power of reactive abuse. Victims often feel terribly guilty afterward, yet they’ve been deliberately provoked into reacting. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou : Dr. Kerry's AI-powered coaching app The Complete Recovery Collect...

Is it Just the Silent Treatment or Really Rejection? Why Stonewalling is Harmful Silence occurs for many reasons, but sometimes it’s intentionally used as punishment. Rossana Faye joins me in this podcast episode to discuss why stonewalling is so painful. Silence can be weaponized to send powerful messages of rage and rejection. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou...

Are narcissists born or made? And why does this question matter, considering the terrible toll of narcissistic abuse? This week, psychotherapist Dr. Peter Salerno joins me to discuss the root causes of narcissism along with the common misunderstandings about Narcissistic Personality Disorder.  Learn the importance of understanding the underpinning of this character makeup when it comes to healing...

What is the impact of childhood abuse on adult relationships? Can children overcome early trauma? Nia Renee joins me this week to discuss the lasting legacy of abuse. She describes the impact of chronic gaslighting and neglect on her later relationships. Learn what role resiliency and determination played in helping break the abuse cycle. To learn more about Nia Renee: https://howtoloveabatteredwo...

Are you speaking up less? Fawning more? There’s a high cost to living with a narcissist, and it could be your identity. This week, Lynn Strathdee, psychodynamic therapist, joins me to discuss echoism, the true opposite personality style to narcissism. She shares how fawning could result in a loss of our very self. To learn more about Lynn’s work: Website:  https://www.echoismrecovery.com TikTok: h...

Dangerous relationships rarely begin physically abusive. Initially, you think you’ve met a fantastic partner, but slowly, the toxicity turns into something more insidious and lethal. Trigger warning: this week, Lisa Sonni and I share vulnerable details of how we missed the early signs of danger in our narcissistic relationships. IF YOU ARE A RISK of immediate danger or abuse, please get in touch w...

When there’s trouble in a relationship, most couples are urged to seek couples counseling. In today’s episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to talk about why this suggestion is a terrible idea if your partner is a narcissist. Too many couples therapists lack the education to identify narcissistic abuse, and narcissistic and toxic partners are highly sophisticated at manipulating the therapeutic process. Fo...

What’s the connection between attachment styles and narcissism? This week, Dr. Erin Leonard, a practicing psychotherapist, joins me to discuss the common problems narcissists have with emotional intelligence and creating secure connections with others. She’s recently authored How to Outsmart a Narcissist, where she describes the best ways to protect ourselves from narcissists’ efforts to manipulat...

Have you wondered what a narcissist was thinking? Why would they do what they do? Do they intentionally know they were being cruel? This week, I’m going to re-release an interview I did with Dr. Carter in 2023. In it, he gave a unique perspective on the narcissist’s mindset and explained their worldview and defensiveness. Learn how they so effectively turn the tables on us, making us think we’re t...

Have you noticed that too off family court becomes just another battle ground for the narcissist? Lisa Sonni joins me this week to discuss post-separation of abuse. Most of us passionately want to protect our children from our toxic ex only to experience more helplessness in the mediation and courtrooms. Resources Referenced: Emotionally Bulletproof Kids https://strongerthanbefore.ca/webinar-bulle...

Are you being abused and don’t know it? Not only is society blind to narcissistic abuse, but so are most victims. In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to talk about why narcissistic abuse is so difficult to spot, even to the victims, and the role this plays in the difficulty of getting help. Resources Mentioned: More on Hannah Neeleman & the Ballerina Farms controversy How He Gets Into Her Head by...