Fake Love and Flying Monkeys

Tired of constantly being pulled into arguments and mind games with a narcissist? In this must-listen episode, I unpack five ways to shut down a narcissist and protect your peace. I explore the psychology behind the narcissist’s need for validation and why your refusal to play their game is the ultimate win. It’s time to stop falling into the traps of justifying, arguing, defending, and explaining...

If you're facing a narcissist in your life, whether it's during a breakup, divorce, custody battle, or even in a work-related dispute, one thing is clear—you need a lawyer. Narcissists are experts at manipulation, twisting the truth, and using the legal system as a weapon to control or punish you. In this episode, Courtney explains why getting legal support is not just a good idea but a...

In the beginning, the narcissist will sweep you away by painting a dazzling picture of your future together—talks of marriage, kids, dream holidays, or maybe that forever home. But then, as time goes on, none of it ever materialises. That’s future faking, a manipulative tactic narcissists use to hook you emotionally while avoiding any real commitment. In this episode, I  explain how future faking...

 If you’ve ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells, questioning your own reality, or stuck in a cycle of self-blame and shame after dealing with a narcissist, this episode is for you. In this episode, I dive deep into the lesser-talked-about but incredibly important topic of NVS - Narcissistic Victim Syndrome. I unpack 15 key signs that indicate you might be experiencing Narcissistic Victim Syn...

Despite their outward confidence and need for control, narcissists are often deeply afraid of specific things that threaten their carefully crafted personas.  In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the hidden fears that narcissists don’t want you to know about. I discuss why "exposure" terrifies the narcissist. I also explore their intense fear of "being alone."   Don’t mi...

Recognising narcissistic abuse can be confusing, especially when manipulative behaviours are masked by charm, seemingly innocent comments, or even grand gestures. Many survivors find themselves questioning their own reality, blaming themselves, or wondering if they’re simply "too sensitive". Whether you suspect you're experiencing narcissistic abuse or are simply looking to understa...

 Narcissistic abuse doesn’t just affect your mental state; it can lead to serious physical ailments. From constant fatigue to digestive issues, this type of abuse manifests in ways that are often overlooked, leaving victims feeling worn out, both mentally and physically. We’ll explore each of these symptoms, breaking down why they happen, how narcissistic relationships can trigger them, and what y...

Cutting ties with a narcissistic partner, parent or friend is difficult enough, but then you have to think of those shared connections—their family members, mutual friends, and even those who may act as "flying monkeys" to gather information or sway your decisions.   "No contact" with a narcissist includes distancing yourself from their family and friends as well.  In this epis...

If you grew up feeling like the "black sheep" of the family, constantly blamed or criticised, or if you were always the “favoured” one, given praise and special treatment, you may have lived these roles. I look at how these dynamics affect relationships, career paths, self-esteem, and overall mental well-being as an adult. In this episode, I dive deep into the family roles of the scapego...

In this episode, we dive into the complex story of leaving a relationship after being swept off your feet and seduced by someone who knew exactly how to exploit you. We explore how the predatory narcissist can appear as a saviour when you're vulnerable, you’re at a low point, using charm, attentiveness, and validation to pull you in. Yet behind this facade lies manipulation, gaslighting, and...

Do you ever find yourself thinking, “Do they miss me?” even after all the hurt they’ve caused? It’s a question so many survivors of narcissistic abuse struggle with — and it can feel impossible to shake. In this episode, I'm diving into why you might still be thinking about them and what’s really behind that nagging question, “Do they miss me?” I’ll break down why it’s so common to have these...

Coping mechanisms like minimizing and denial often develop as a way to survive the narcissistic abuse. In this episode, we're unpacking some of the most complex coping mechanisms people develop when they’re stuck in a narcissistic relationship: rationalising the abuser’s behaviour, blaming themselves, and defending the narcissist.  constant chaos.  These survival techniques are incredibly com...

Narcissists have a way of twisting words to make you doubt yourself, and in this episode, we break down those common phrases they use and reveal the hidden intentions behind them. In this episode, "10 Things Narcissists Say vs What They Really Mean," we dive into the confusing, manipulative language narcissists often use to control and distort reality.  You’ve likely heard things like, “...

Have you ever found yourself in the passenger seat with someone driving aggressively, not for fun but to make you feel scared or helpless? In this episode, I shed light on a terrifying but often overlooked tactic that narcissists use to dominate and terrorise their victims: Reckless driving. This is no accident—it’s a deliberate form of control that narcissists use to assert dominance and make you...

More victims are realising they’re with a Covert Narcissist. It's just a buzzword to many, but for the victims, it's a devastating, often very covert form of abuse that destroys their lives, and there is little support and understanding for them.  So what’s driving this surge in narcissistic talk on social media?  In this episode, I dive into why narcissistic abuse is all over social med...

In this episode, I speak with Chris Daw KC who provides incredible insights and discussion around stalking behaviours, the impact to victims and the resources needed to protect victims and address future stalking behaviour. Stalking is one of the most alarming and pervasive issues affecting countless lives today. Stalking is not just about unwanted attention; it’s a serious and sometimes life-thre...

Narcissists thrive on control, and each time you come back, they feel like they’ve won—so they push the boundaries even further. In this episode, we dive into why narcissists become more abusive each time you go back. I explain how the cycle of love-bombing, gaslighting, and control escalates with every return. We’ll talk about why narcissists push boundaries even further, how emotional abuse inte...

From subtle guilt trips to full-blown gaslighting, we unpack the common strategies narcissists use to provoke you, whether in romantic relationships, friendships, or even at work. In this episode, 10 Ways Narcissists Get You to React, we dive deep into the manipulative tactics narcissists use to push your buttons and get the emotional reaction they crave.  You'll learn how they set up situati...

Narcissists thrive on power, control and manipulation, and when you try to explain your feelings, they often turn the situation around, making you feel guilty, ashamed, or even questioning your own reality In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, we dive deep into a question that so many victims of narcissistic abuse wrestle with: Should you tell the narcissist how they hurt you? While it...

Narcissists thrive on power, control and manipulation, and when you try to explain your feelings, they often turn the situation around, making you feel guilty, ashamed, or even questioning your own reality In this episode we take a deep dive into the striking parallels between narcissists and cult leaders. Narcissists, much like cult leaders, create an environment where they exert extreme control,...

In this episode, we sit down with Evelyn, who shares her heartbreaking experience of how the Family Court system allowed her abuser to manipulate the legal process. Evelyn opens up about the emotional and legal struggles she faced, the lack of support, and how her abuser used the court to continue their control, culminating in her losing custody of her child. If you're navigating the Family C...

Narcissists often use selective kindness as a calculated tactic to keep you invested in the relationship, but these “nice” moments are usually just a way to manipulate and control. In this episode, we dive deep into why narcissists are nice to you—and it’s rarely out of genuine care.  It’s important to remember that the percentage of nice times never compensates for the overwhelming bad times. In...

 From manipulation to smear campaigns, we'll break down the sneaky ways narcissists try to tear you apart. In this episode, we dive into 10 cruel tactics narcissists use to destroy you and how these toxic behaviours can leave you feeling drained and powerless. Whether you're dealing with a narcissist in a relationship, friendship, or family, this episode offers valuable insights into the...

In this episode I explore the hidden traits of the covert narcissistic female. Our guest bravely shares his journey, detailing the emotional manipulation, gaslighting, and constant invalidation he faced, which left him doubting his reality. This episode also sheds light on how male victims often struggle to come forward due to societal expectations and the covert nature of the abuse.  Through the...

Covert narcissists often seem charming and harmless to outsiders, but behind closed doors, they can cause emotional turmoil for their victims. In this episode, learn how they expertly disguise their true nature, making it difficult for others to believe their victims' experiences. Listen to the practical advice I share on identifying the signs and protecting yourself from their hidden abuse....