The Nurturing After Narcissism Podcast

We all deserve relationships that uplift us, where we feel safe, respected, and cherished. But sometimes, in the everyday currents of life, it can be incredibly hard to spot the subtle, insidious patterns that signal something is deeply wrong. You might feel a persistent unease, a sense that something isn't quite right, but you can't put your finger on it. If you've been feeling this way, you're n...

It's a startling truth: approximately one in ten people exhibit narcissistic personality traits. And while we often think of the chaos they cause in personal relationships, these traits can silently, and powerfully, destroy your career. You might not see it at first, but over time, you'll notice the tell-tale signs: missed opportunities, damaged relationships, and a creeping self-doubt that leaves...

Is It Really Abuse? 10 Warning Signs You Might Be Missing It can be sneaky. Sometimes, it’s so hard to realize what’s even happening. You find yourself wondering, "Is it really that bad?" or second-guessing if what you feel is real. I’m not just talking about physical abuse. Emotional and narcissistic abuse often don't leave visible scars, making them difficult to pinpoint. One client told me, "He...

Do you feel drained or even doubt your own memory after meetings? Does your job sometimes feel like an emotional battlefield? If this sounds familiar, I want you to know that you are not imagining it , and you are definitely not alone. As a certified trauma recovery coach and a survivor of narcissistic abuse myself, I've dedicated my work to helping people heal, rebuild, and thrive after toxic rel...

If you've built what appears to be a beautiful and amazing life on the outside, the job, the home, the image of success but behind the scenes you're miserable, second-guessing everything, and emotionally drained, this is for you. Today, we're talking about the silent struggle many successful women face: emotional abuse that hides behind a mask of perfection. One of the biggest myths about emotiona...

It’s not just tiring; it’s a constant state of mental and emotional aerobics just to keep the peace. It feels like you're juggling flaming swords while balancing on a tightrope, all while pretending to everyone else that everything is fine. You show up to work, help the kids with homework, and reply to texts, all while managing an internal storm that no one else can see. If this sounds familiar, p...

If you've ever found yourself lying awake at night wondering, "What if I’m the problem?" , you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common and painful questions I hear from survivors of narcissistic abuse. And let me say this clearly: the fact that you're even asking this question is often the biggest sign that you are not the narcissist. In this post, I want to unpack 7 reasons survivors s...

Welcome back, friends. In my coaching work and live Q&A sessions, I’m often asked a question that weighs heavily on many hearts: “Can I begin to heal even if I’m still in the abusive relationship?” It’s a brave question. And if you’re asking it, I want you to know—it means that some deep part of you already knows something isn’t right. That inner voice is powerful. Let’s listen to it. Now here’s t...

Hello, beautiful souls. Welcome back to this space where we walk the path from surviving to thriving after narcissistic abuse and domestic violence. Today, I want to speak to something heavy, timely, and deeply personal for many in our community — the federal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, and the powerful, heartbreaking testimony of Cassie Ventura. Whether you’re still in the thick of survival or m...

Hey friend, If you’ve found yourself stuck in a loop — one day ready to walk away, the next day paralyzed by guilt, fear, and the ripple effect of it all — I want you to know you're not alone. This week, I shared a deeply personal and gentle reflection exercise that I recently walked through with a client. She was in the painful space between staying and leaving an abusive marriage. The emotional...

Too many people are suffering in silence—confused, heartbroken, and wondering if it’s really them that’s the problem. In this week’s episode, we uncover the hidden signs of emotional abuse that are often brushed off, romanticized, or completely misunderstood. Emotional abuse doesn’t always scream. Sometimes, it whispers, jokes, or wraps itself in concern. Here’s what we talk about: * The shocking...

“It wasn’t just the physical abuse. It was the control. It was feeling like I wasn’t allowed to be myself.” If you've ever been in a relationship that looked fine from the outside, but inside felt like walking on eggshells… this is for you. We don’t talk enough about coercive control —the invisible abuse that erodes your identity, your confidence, and your freedom. It doesn’t always leave bruises....

When I watched the Gabby Petito documentary with my teenage daughter, one moment shattered me: Gabby, sobbing to police, taking full blame for her fiancé’s rage. Brian, calm and smirking, the picture of innocence. This wasn’t just a true crime story. It was a masterclass in how covert abuse disguises itself as love —and why so many girls miss the warning signs until it’s too late. Here’s what ever...

That voice whispering "If I leave, I've failed" ?It's not your conscience. It's the last thread of control your toxic partner clings to. As a trauma recovery coach, I've watched brilliant, capable women stay in soul-crushing relationships for one devastating reason: They'd rather endure abuse than face the shame of a "failed" marriage. Let's dismantle this lie together. The "Failure" Myth That Hur...

That gut feeling something's "off" in your relationship? It's trying to save you. After working with hundreds of survivors, I've found toxic partners follow the same predictable patterns—patterns designed to keep you doubting yourself while they maintain control. Here are the 5 most dangerous red flags you must recognize: 🚩1. The "Death by a Thousand Cuts" Effect They don't need to scream to brea...

If you've ever left a couples therapy session feeling more confused, guilty, or controlled than when you walked in, you're not imagining things. Narcissistic abusers don't just manipulate relationships—they manipulate the entire therapeutic process . What should be a safe space for healing often becomes another arena for their psychological warfare. Here's what every survivor needs to know about t...

If you've ever blamed yourself for "falling for" a narcissist's manipulation, I need you to hear this: It wasn't your weakness that made you vulnerable. It was your strength. For years, we've been fed a dangerous myth that only "broken" women with low self-esteem and poor boundaries end up in narcissistic relationships. But groundbreaking research reveals a very different truth—one that might chan...

If you’ve survived domestic violence or narcissistic abuse, you know the aftermath isn’t just about physical scars. The emotional pain—the shame, the anxiety, the relentless self-doubt—can feel unbearable. And for many of us, substances (whether alcohol, drugs, food, or even behaviors like gambling) become a way to numb that pain. But here’s what you need to know: This isn’t a moral failing. It’s...

If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, you’ve likely noticed: The damage doesn’t stop at divorce. While we talk endlessly about protecting ourselves (parallel parenting, gray rocking, etc.), we rarely discuss the specific ways narcissists sabotage their children’s development —and what we can actually do to reverse the harm during our parenting time. Here’s the hard truth: Your ex may never cha...

If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, you already know: The abuse doesn’t end at divorce. The manipulation, gaslighting, and control tactics often escalate—especially when children are involved. But here’s the truth I learned the hard way (and now teach as a trauma recovery coach): Your children’s ability to thrive starts with your healing first. Why "Selfish" Parenting Isn’t Selfish At All We...

A well-meaning person recently said to me, “You’re better for it,” while I shared the ongoing challenges of my abusive marriage—even a decade after leaving. My gut reaction? I certainly don’t feel better for it. I know they meant to highlight my resilience. But here’s the truth: Survivors don’t owe their strength to their trauma. And phrases like this, however kindly intended, can erase the raw, n...