Your Traitor Within

In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW, sits down with dating and confidence coach Terri Boucher (@terri_boucher) to explore how the Traitor Within shows up in modern dating. Terri shares her story of growing up in chaos, emotional neglect, poverty, and hyper independence, and how those early wounds pushed her into survival mode, masculine energy, and relationships wit...

Emily Colligan is a somatic trauma and narcissistic abuse recovery coach who helps women break trauma-bond cycles, regulate their nervous system, and rebuild a secure sense of self after toxic relationships. Through body-based healing, attachment work, and deep pattern rewiring, Emily guides clients out of survival mode and into the grounded, empowered version of themselves they've never been...

In honor of National Adoption Month, Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW, sits down with her longtime friend and fellow adoptee, Barbara Eckert of All The Feels Healing Space, to share the parts of their adoption stories that shaped their “Traitor Within” — the protective inner voice that helped them survive but later drove people-pleasing, over-trusting, secrecy, and self-silencing. They discuss late dis...

"My brother used to openly call himself a master manipulator — he was proud of it. And honestly, he did have a lot of people manipulated, including my parents. The painful irony is that when he died at forty from an overdose, my father — the one who had been so controlled by him — was the most devastated. He died six months later. My mother was already gone. And while I can’t prove it, I’ve a...

In Part 2, Jessica and David J. Weeks (@djweeks_) move from the facts of David’s childhood into the adult fallout—and the work of repair. David traces how early chaos trained his body to confuse intensity with intimacy , how disorganized attachment and the survival role of “the chameleon” kept him safe then but costly now, and how narcissistic partners can exploit abandonment wounds through tactic...

(Part 1) Content note: Discussion of childhood abuse and sexual assault/trafficking (non-graphic). Summary Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW, sits with David J. Weeks —a complex-trauma survivor and Trauma & Recovery Coach—to tell the truth of his childhood and the long road back. Raised by a narcissistic mother and an antisocial stepfather , David endured years of torment. By age 14 , he had experie...

Join me with Marge Sr. (Margaret Kiss, @margesr) as she reflects on fleeing communist Hungary as a child, rebuilding her life in the U.S., navigating intergenerational wounds, and choosing daily acts of love over hate—while also offering hard-earned wisdom on mental health, advocacy, and staying grounded in turbulent times. @margesr  Support the show

On this episode of Your Traitor Within , Jessica Anne Pressler welcomes a dear friend and creative powerhouse, photographer Janet Barnett . Jessica and Janet’s friendship is rooted not only in their professional collaborations—Jessica has been one of Janet’s subjects, using her portraits across her own platforms—but also in the deep mutual respect and trust they share. That closeness gives this co...

Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW, and producer Anthony have a candid, non-graphic conversation about C-PTSD and Jessica’s experience surviving a suicidal crisis—naming the “Traitor Within,” how emotional flashbacks show up, and the small nervous-system tools that helped her choose to stay. Short, compassionate, and practical. (If you need help in the U.S., call or text 988 .) Support the show

On this episode of Your Traitor Within , Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Stephanie Schultz—founder of Blue Blood Metal Jewelry , Senior Art Consultant with SH Modern, and Pure Barre Fort Myers instructor. Stephanie’s journey has taken her from museum fundraising to the world of fine art and one-of-a-kind jewelry, with features in British Vogue and even the Real Housewives universe. But today,...

Jessica sits down with April Kirkwood —licensed holistic therapist, ageless style advocate, and TV favorite from The Golden Bachelor and the latest Bachelor in Paradise —to talk about healing as a lifelong commitment. They unpack triggers (“what in me still needs healing?”), boundaries as self-protection (not punishment), and what it means to live “large” in your own power, not for applause. Big t...

Laura is an international podcaster, #1 bestselling author , and speaker dedicated to empowering women. Through her global podcast That’s Where I’m At and her bestselling book Married To A “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse , she shares her recovery from a 32-year marriage to a narcissist . Her mission: shine a light on narcissistic abuse so women know they’re never alone and that healing...

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, host Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW and producer Anthony take listeners into the core concept of the show: the traitor within . Jessica shares her definition of the traitor — the part of ourselves shaped by pain, trauma, and old beliefs that holds us back or keeps us in unhealthy cycles. Anthony offers his perspective on recognizing his own traitor, and toge...

Finding Strength by Facing Your Inner Traitor – with John Graham In this deeply powerful episode, host Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW, sits down with remarkable guest John Graham, former U.S. Diplomat, adventurer, author, and co-leader of the renowned Giraffe Heroes Project. They explore how confronting your internal “traitor”—the self-sabotaging critic born from past wounds—is essential for discover...

In today’s powerful episode, Jessica Anne Pressler speaks openly with Amanda Marino , a Certified Intervention Professional, Certified Recovery and Life Coach, international speaker, and the inspiring co-founder of Next Level Recovery Associates . Amanda courageously shares her personal journey, beginning with a childhood scarred by trauma, abuse, and instability. She vividly describes how these e...

Your Traitor Within Podcast – Special Guest Steve Hopper In today's powerful episode of Your Traitor Within , Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Steve Hopper , an internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, and peak performance expert. Steve shares his gripping story—from prison inmate to global influencer—and explores how confronting the "traitor within" helped him turn h...

"Trusting Your Inner Voice" with Mike Rudnicki In this episode of Your Traitor Within , Jessica sits down with Mike Rudnicki , author, mindfulness coach, Reiki master, and devoted advocate for empowering children through self-awareness and mindfulness. Mike shares how he overcame his own internal doubts—his "traitor within"—by learning to trust his intuition rather than relying...

🎙️ Episode Show Notes: Bobbi Rudnicki – Healing From a Father's Betrayal  Join Jessica Anne Pressler for an intimate and transformative conversation with Bobbi Rudnicki, an accomplished professional, dedicated mentor, and advocate for women’s emotional and career empowerment. In this heartfelt episode, Bobbi courageously opens up about her journey with her "traitor within"—the inter...

Join Jessica Anne Pressler in an uplifting and transformative conversation with Lisa McCourt, acclaimed author and joyful living expert whose radiant books have captivated over 9 million readers worldwide. As the dynamic host of the Joy Zone podcast and visionary founder of Joy School, Lisa masterfully teaches the rare art of emotional buoyancy, guiding thousands towards joy and emotional maturity...

Join Braunwyn Spinner (@braunwynwindhamburke), sobriety and queerness advocate, media personality, and former Real Housewives of Orange County star, as she opens up about confronting her "traitor within"—that internal voice shaped by past experiences that can hold us back. Braunwyn candidly discusses her unique journey through reality TV, sharing the profound challenges and powerful reve...

Award-winning TV host, author, and motivational speaker Marci Hopkins joins Jessica Anne Pressler to share her journey from addiction and shame to sobriety, self-love, and empowerment. After stepping away from her hit show Wake Up with Marci , Marci now hosts her own podcast where she dives even deeper into topics like healing, motherhood, and mental health. She’s also the author of Chaos to Clari...

In this powerful episode, Jessica sits down with Nicole B. Gebhardt — a best-selling author, transformational coach, and certified child life specialist — to discuss the deep grief of pregnancy and infant loss, and the internal voice that kept her trapped in shame, silence, and survival mode. Nicole shares how she found the strength to break free, step into her healing, and help others do the same...

Join Jessica Anne Pressler in conversation with Dr. Nadine Macaluso , therapist and real-life inspiration behind Naomi Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street. Dr. Nae shares candidly about her turbulent marriage to Jordan Belfort, trauma bonds, and her inspiring journey toward healing. In this powerful episode, you'll learn about: Recognizing and breaking trauma bonds Understanding intermittent r...

What happens when the person you're trying to become is constantly hijacked by the version of you that learned to survive? In this deeply personal episode of Your Traitor Within , Arci Grey shares her story—one that begins with unthinkable trauma: childhood abuse, kidnapping, rape, and an attempted murder that she wasn't supposed to survive. But Arci did survive. And then came the harder...

Trigger Warning: This podcast episode contains explicit descriptions and themes of abuse. To prevent overwhelming the audience, the episode will be split into two parts. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you're in distress, we strongly encourage you to seek support from a mental health professional — or call 988 or 911 for immediate help. Stay tuned for Part 2. Arci Grey is a l...