Save Your Sanity - Help for Toxic Relationships

I loved the TV series, Lie To Me. I watched the whole series three times. Why? Because it is fascinating to see what can be determined from the face with no words required! You likely see things in the relentlessly difficult person's face that you respond to. You may not recognize this, but you do. Facial coding is Dr. Dan Hill's specialty, and he's published about it extensively. He's the expert,...

It's SO "sticky" to be with a covert narcissist, a #Hijackal! By "sticky" I mean that you think they're doing something but you're not sure. You hate what they're doing but you can't quite put your finger on it. You don't feel safe around them but they play on your empathy and you end up reassuring them. Sound familiar? You may be with a covert narcissist! By now, if you've been listening to my po...

Heart-wrenching, heart-warming story of how my guest, Jennifer Maneely, found her way back from addiction to success in every way, on every level! Be inspired by her story, and her willingness to share her journey. You may have an addicted family member, and you so want to help. Learn what is actually helpful. Also, though, learn what may be well-meaning, but is actually unhelpful and alienating!...

Ever wonder why it feels like you're hitting your head against a titanium wall when you try to make a #narcissist see your point? Or, wonder why a #narcissistic #Hijackal does not understand the concept of constructive criticism? It will all be much clearer when you listen to this episode, I promise! When I say that this is a little-known reason that you must know, I mean it! Understand these mind...

Sometimes, you might not recognize that old patterns are running in current feelings and experiences. That's a great moment of realization because, starting then, life can consciously change. That's powerful! Learning about Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as Tapping, gives you back some power to calm anxiet y and change patterns. Deborah Miller works with energy through reiki, EMT, and coa...

Narcissists, sociopaths, psychopaths, or those with any of those tendencies are incapable of sincere apologies. In fact, they are also incapable of apologizing at all! That's why they can only make a "near apology sounding" few words! Unsatisfying? Yes! Underwhelming? Yes. But, too many people buy into them because there hope is high. Today, I share with you all the things you need to know to squa...

Bliss is a word that sometimes makes people's head spin and eyes roll. But, wouldn't you like to feel that you had things covered and eliminated your worries. That can be bliss! Moneeka Sawyer shares her emotional journey that allowed her to overcome limiting beliefs and defeat negative mindsets to create the life she wanted. She did it, and she shares how you can, too. Sure, she's made a fortune...

Underhanded and manipulative, so-called "emotional facts" are used freely by #Hijackals--relentlessly difficult, toxic people like narcissists, borderlines, anti-socials--to frustrate, confuse, and blame. (You'll notice the same in #Hijackal attorneys.) You need to recognize emotional facts. Learn to question and refute them quickly. Tips for empowering responses here, too. Hijackals® use emotiona...

Are you shying away from a tough conversation that you know is important? Would clearing the air really help but you're avoiding it? Sometimes steering clear of a difficult conversatio n is unwise. In fact, usually, it's unwise. Today's tips, strategies, and insights can empower you to step up and step in to difficult conversations that you may be avoiding because you're unsure how to do it with a...

Passive-aggressive much? You wonder if it's your fault, and #Hijackals definitely want you to do just that. So do non-Hijackals who are passive-aggressive! In today's episode, I give you thirty things passive-aggressive people say that are crazy-makin g, and show you clearly why and how they cause you to second-guess yourself and question your sanity. Why? So, you can see the patterns and recogniz...

So excited to bring you a guest who talks about Ayurveda again! I've studied it for years and I know the health benefits, for sure. I met Dr. Atousa Mahdavi at the New Media Summit, and knew she would bring great insights and tips to add to your health and well-being. Who knew then that we'd be in this pandemic situation where anxiety is a constant in most people's lives, even when they lose aware...

Did you slowly recognize that you were on the receiving end of abuse? In a relationship that you hoped would improve and you thought you might help? Have you become entangled with life issues with someone you recognize as dangerous? Lana's story is powerful. But, that power had to be developed, stepped into, and leveraged to walk away from an abusive relationship. It wasn't easy, or quick. Take in...

Do you know when you're being lied to? Does your antenna go up? Or, do you so want to believe the lie that you find a way to justify it? Liars--particularly Hijackal liars--count on you to believe their lies. It's all part of their need to feel powerful and in control. Don't believe them! Use today's episode to sort out what's really coming at you, and recognize the lies. You know it never works w...

What about the state of fatherhood in the U.S. just now? Alec Lace, podcast host of First-Class Fatherhood, has some definite views on what is required. Father of four with a full-time job and a part-time shift with Uber, shares what he has learned talking with men in his car, as well as celebrities in many fields. In less than two years Alec Lace has soared to the top of the podcasting industry b...

Feeling trapped? Feeling stuck? Not sure how to move from feeling things are impossible to a new direction? You need to deeply consider these two things! When we start a relationship, things are rosy. Or, at least, we think they are. That sets up a dynamic that may go unexamined for too long, and a relationship can become very lop-sided. Is that how you feel about your relationship? Today's episod...

Too many people--especially, unfortunately, women--feel they are at a disadvantage in seeking a divorce because of financial control. If you're married to a narcissistic #Hijackal, that will usually be the case. What can you do? I'm delighted to bring Victoria Lowell to Save Your Sanity to discuss very real concerns people have when wanting to leave a toxic relationship but finances seem too troub...

Are you wrong every time you turn around? Does your partner--or mother--have to win in every conversation? Someone who has to be right all the time is verifying, not validating. That can not only be infuriating and frustrating, it's nasty! Sound familiar? Is there someone in your life who always thinks they have the facts. They remember events better than you. Know what you should do? That's gasli...

You'll never have the partnership you want if you continue to see your partner as a project. You'll never be loved when your partner wants to fix or change you. BIG PROBLEMS! The three essential elements in a healthy relationship all need equal consideration for their well-being: 2 Me's and 1 WE! Too often, those elements are not considered equally. Each "ME" wants the floor, and the "WE" takes a...

You spend many hours a day at work. Whether you go to a business setting or work from home, you will occasionally meet difficult, toxic people who are dedicated to putting you down and wearing you down. Michele PW shares her experience as a young copywriter and how it impacted her for years before she recovered true trust in herself. Toxic workplaces abound . I've been invited to work with individ...

You know that look, that jerky look of superiority that #Hijackals give you? I call it The Hijackal Smirk. It's that look of disdain, disrespect, and "I'm superior and you are a fool" that Hijackals are infamous for. Got it? Contempt is lethal, hurtful, demoralizing , and a much deeper emotion that fleeting ones that we all have during the day. It is more complex. Contempt is the opposite of empat...

Are toxic relationships ruining your health? Is your immune system being depleted by constant anxiety? Walking on eggshells is a stressful way to get exercise. You need to change that and here are some ways. You can do so much for your own health. Dr. Sundardas Annamalay has made this is lifelong study and his mission is to help you recognize and realize all that you can do to overcome the exhaust...

You long to be known, seen, heard, acknowledged, approved of and accepted. Those are the very things that a person with narcissistic or anti-social tendencies will not give you. That's how they manipulate you. You want those things and they pretend, suggest, or promise them. You know now that you're not going to receive them. I hate to have to be so strong, but it's essential: STOP HOPING! That pe...

When you're with a toxic person, you recognize that they love to keep you in uncertainty, on edge, and hyper-vigilant. Recognize that? Do you find your shoulders creeping up to your earlobes when you're around the #Hijackal? When that is so, you lose energy, and the stress makes decision-making difficult, right? You second-guess yourself. You argue with yourself. You get quickly exhausted, and dec...

So exasperating! Your partner seems like an extra child. Not what you signed up for, right! And, no amount of pointing out his/her failures, incompetencies, or lack of thought seems to change things, either. Infuriating! OK...I understand, but it's definitely not going to help if you are viewing your partner as an extra child. That alone needs your immediate attention! If you actually treat your p...

For women to be in their power does not mean they are seeking power over other humans! It's an inside job! Even though women have made strides towards equality for all humans , there are still many ways to address. Today, we're talking about the internal journey of finding our sense of self, getting in touch with how we may not be being our own best friends! How do you feel when you hear the term,...