Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Phoenix about her experience as a spiritual cult member and her marriage to a physically abusive husband. It's a story of manipulation, threats, fear, obligation, guilt, shame in the aftermath of abuse, self esteem, family enmeshment, isolation, emotional abuse, gaslighting, trauma bonding, and stockholm syndrome. CONTENT WARNING - This...

In this episode of "Narcissist Apocalypse," host Brandon Chadwick introduces "Isolation and Control Volume 1," featuring stories from past guests about manipulation and isolation tactics used by abusers. The stories cover a range of experiences, including working without pay, being isolated from friends and family, and being controlled through fear and manipulation. The guests describe how their a...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Mae shares her journey as a survivor of domestic violence and narcissistic abuse. She describes the early red flags, including love bombing, control, and isolation. Despite initial displays of love and support, her husband's behavior deteriorated, becoming marked by physical violence, emotional abuse, and financial manipulation. Key incidents included a Ne...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon Chadwick interviews Ashley Badgley, Director of Survivor Support at Survivors.org, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending sexual violence and supporting survivors. They discuss sexual coercion, its definition, and its prevalence. Badgley emphasizes the importance of survivor stories and the role of peer-led support groups in providing a safe...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, past guests share their wisdom on dealing with narcissistic abuse. Key advice includes not dismissing loved ones experiencing abuse, trusting one's instincts, and surrounding oneself with supportive people. Emphasis is placed on self-compassion, recognizing red flags, and the importance of community support. The guests stress the need to let go of self-bla...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we unravel the intricate web of emotional turmoil that accompanies this festive season, especially for those trying to co-parent with a controlling partner or ex-partner. Together with Jean, we traverse the challenging path of the holidays with abusive partners and family members. Additionally, we put a spotlight on self-care and proactive planning to hand...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Divine recounts the story of her abusive her ex. Divine describes her ex's insecurities and jealousy that led to violent outbursts and attempts to control her. Divine's story highlights the cycle of abuse, the impact on her mental and physical health, and the challenges of leaving for good. It's a story of walking on eggsells, love bombing, post separation...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Vox about her journey through an abusive relationship with a manipulative conman. Vox believed she had found true love, but soon uncovered deception, financial manipulation, multiple secret lives, and escalating abuse. Despite her efforts to escape, her abuser's smooth tactics kept her trapped. Vox's story, filled with unexpected twists,...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Alma about her toxic relationship with a future faking conman. It's a story of grand gestures, elaborate scenes, victim playing, constant little lies, belief systems, coping versus doing the work, serial narcissist dating, Osama Bin Laden, testing boundaries, overwhelming love bombs, guilt, body image, infidelity, hating friends, standin...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Vida shares the story about her traumatic upbringing and subsequent relationship with a narcissistic abuser. Vida describes her father's mental illness and involvement in a patriarchal religious cult, which fostered a culture of control and abuse. She details her escape at 16, emancipation, and subsequent legal battles with her abusive partner, who used th...

In this episode of Brandon talks with Henrietta about her manipulative narcissistic mother. Imagine having cancer as a young child and having the Make A Wish Foundation grant your dream of seeing the Backstreet Boys, only for your mother to convince you to take a trip to Vietnam instead because that's what she wanted to do. Well, that's Henrietta's mother for you. It's a story of generational trau...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Sally shares her journey from a stable childhood to an abusive marriage. Sally met her abuser in college and, at first, their relationship seemed normal. However, about six months into their marriage, abuse began to surface, driven by his jealousy and insecurities. As the jealousy intensified, the situation quickly escalated to physical abuse. Like many ot...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon talks with Erika Guest (Behavioral Therapist) about the behavior shaping techniques used by abusive narcissists to condition their victims for long-term abuse. Using clips from the survivor series episodes, Erika and Brandon break down the techniques and how to recognize when the abusive narcissist is using them against you. If you want to be a...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Maria reveals how her toxic marriage to a boundary-violating emotional abuser unfolded. The main point: Maria thought she found love, but was mirrored and manipulated, leading to relentless boundary violations and a powerful trauma bond she struggled to break while enduring cycles of abuse. It's a story of financial abuser, mirroring, long distance relatio...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon talks with Alisa Stamps (LCSW) about the Top 12 Hoovering Tactics of a Toxic Narcissist & Narcissistic Abuse. Plus they discuss, threats, self harm, love bombing, future faking, faith based abuse, and much more. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or send u...

In this gripping episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Valentine bravely recounts her experience of being married to a controlling religious abuser. Valentine met her husband at church and was initially attracted by his spirituality. However, Valentine eventually found out that he was only spiritual when it was convenient for him. Religion was a device to control Valentine's mind, her body, her life,...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Romana discusses the emotional and physical abuse she endured at the hands of her mother, the dissociation it created, and how everything effected her future abusive relationships. Of the many abusive relationships Romana endured, the most abusive one was with her first ex-husband, who became her lifelong stalker. It's a story of intergenerational trauma,...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Krystal about being raised by an abusive mother who demonized her very existence. Krystal, barely knowing her father, was unfairly compared to him. Her mother used this as an excuse to take out her own traumas on Krystal. During this time, Krystal was parentified, forced to care for her mother's feelings. Meanwhile, Krystal's own feeling...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Tori shares her powerful story of growing up in an unstable home, a cult-like church, and eventually marrying an altruistic abuser. Tori offers valuable insights into recognizing red flags, navigating abusive relationships, and finding the strength to break free. It's a story of food and sleep deprivation, control, manipulation, idealization, chaos, infide...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Lin recounts being married to a terrorizing abuser. Lin met her ex on Yahoo Personals, and he presented himself as a top-secret ex-military veteran who had gone through an immense amount of trauma. With these stories, Lin's ex was able to isolate her, instill fear in her, and control her life. For 17 years, Lin lived inside a prison with an alternate reali...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Macy about her toxic relationship with an AWARE partner with mental health issues and abusive behaviors. It's a story of caretaking, jealousy, manipulation, paranoia, not wanting to do the work, gaslighting, projection, narcissistic parents, child abuse, reactive abuse, push/pulls, the silent treatment, hoovering, and discards. *** CONTE...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with LaDonna about her experiences growing up with a father who engaged in sexual abuse. The abuse began when LaDonna was three, continuing through her childhood. Despite moving to different towns and cities, these experiences persisted, and LaDonna was left to navigate complex thoughts, feelings, and relationships on her own. It's a story of...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Leighton talks about being raised by a predator father. From the moment Leighton was born, her dad used her as either a pawn or a prop for his nefarious needs. Leighton's dad was part grifter, part abuser, part predator, and because of that, Leighton lived her life in constant chaos. Leighton lived a lonely life, shuffling around from state to state, being...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Katrina about being raised by a hostile abusive mother. Katrina discusses her mother's childhood instability, abandonment, insecurity issues, as well as the abuse she inflicted on her. Katrina recounts her own traumatic experiences, including physical and emotional abuse, and her struggle with low self-esteem and codependency. Katrina al...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Kate shares her story of dating a destabilizing narcissistic abuser. Kate met her abuser at a musical jam, and they hit it off instantly. The relationship progressed quickly, with Kate finding herself at her abuser's home five days a week. From there, Kate's abuser hijacked her time, manipulating her into self-isolation, and once that was accomplished, he...