Have you ever found yourself in a cycle of leaving an unhealthy relationship only to return, feeling trapped and unable to break free? This phenomenon, known as trauma bonding, is one I know well from my time with my ex-husband, but also stemming from my relationship to my father.   In this episode, we delve into: What is trauma bonding and how to recognise it How trauma bonding affects all types of relationships, not just romantic ones The negative impact it can have on your...

Do you ever experience a sense of detachment from your surroundings? Even in the presence of others, you might feel as though you're not fully engaged.   My former spouse exhibited covert narcissistic traits, and I found myself stuck in a freeze response for decades. I was completely disconnected from reality, wearing a smile that masked my functional freeze.    In this episode, you will learn: What a freeze response actually is How to break out of a freeze response Practical ways to...

Have you been cheated on? My ex-husband was a perpetual cheater, and yet I blamed myself for not being good enough for him. It took years of self-reflection and understanding to see that it wasn’t my fault, and so I want to pass on to you how to break the vicious cycle of cheating and betrayal.   In this episode, you will learn: What is betrayal trauma and how it affects us Why cheating is NOT normal How to stop blaming yourself and see cheating for what it really is   Cheating causes a...

Are you ready to reclaim your body from the grip of trauma? A healing path exists that will loosen trauma's roots and give you back control. Your wellness is within reach - all it will take is courage to face the past and it will give you power over your present.   In this episode you will learn: Why trauma still lingers in your body after all these years How to set yourself free from stored trauma in your body How addressing core wounds helps healing Insights into health conditions from...

Is narcissism more common in leadership roles? I believe that it is!   Successful leaders in business and politics may have to exhibit narcissistic traits in order to progress in their careers.   Narcissistic bosses tend to only show empathy and care when it benefits them, but may privately abuse you to gain "narcissistic supply." While not all leaders are narcissists, a handful of leaders can be very cut-throat, manipulative and abuse their power in subtle ways.   What you will learn...

I used to focus solely on narcissistic abuse and trauma recovery however, I realised I wanted to broaden the podcast to look at trauma and narcissism in a more holistic way.   I'll be sharing my personal journey with you - what led me to make the decision to rebrand and why I now call the show "Trauma and Narcissism Redefined". I'll also introduce you to some new frameworks I've learned, like Internal Family Systems therapy. In IFS we see our inner parts as having good intentions, even when...

We often picture a narcissist as being the person who enters a room full of confidence and aims to get the whole room to notice them, however, not all narcissists are the same, and in this episode, I’m going to discuss a type of narcissist that doesn’t get much attention, the Vulnerable Narcissist. What you will learn in this episode: The typical behaviours of a Vulnerable Narcissist How a Vulnerable Narcissist uses sympathy to get what they want What I look for when spotting a...

We hear the word ‘narcissist’ thrown around so much these days, so much so that it feels like everyone is branded with the word. In this episode, I’m going to discuss how the word is used and the differences between the word being used casually and the actual diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. What you will learn in this episode: What the word ‘narcissist’ actually represents. Is the word ‘narcissist’ overused? How a person becomes a narcissist and why we can’t rely on...

There are two words that should never be used at the same time, narcissism and parenting. Unfortunately, having children with a narcissist is a situation that so many people find themselves in, and it’s one of the biggest issues people come to me with. So, in this episode, I will discuss how you can raise your children successfully, even when their other parent is a narcissist.  What you will learn in this episode: Why healing yourself is the biggest gift you can give to your children. ...

When the narcissist knows you know and they’re exposed for who they truly are, it all unravels for them, but how does their behaviour change? One thing is guaranteed, they won’t admit to being in the wrong and they won’t change their behaviour for the better. All too often, they will try to shift the blame onto you and will do everything in their power to make you look like the bad person. So, in this episode, I will tell you how to deal with a narcissist when the truth starts coming out...

Have you ever reacted to a situation in such a negative way that you end up questioning if you’re the problem? This is what we call Reactive Abuse. I had never heard of the term when I came out of the relationship with my narcissistic husband. Still, when I learnt what it meant, I was so grateful, as it meant that my reactions were a result of all of the abuse I had endured and not a reflection of my personality. What you will learn in this episode: What reactive abuse is and how a...

Many people feel that a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or ADHD is a permanent label. However, it doesn't have to be like that. These conditions often stem from past experiences. To heal, it's important to understand and address the root causes of our feelings. In this episode, I’ll discuss how we can look inside and heal from our past, instead of putting a band-aid on our feelings like so many medical diagnoses will do.  What you will learn in this episode: Why modern diagnoses and...

Narcissistic abuse causes us to act in so many different ways as a response to the trauma, this is our body creating a protector part of ourselves to try and make us feel safe. One of these protector parts can show up as over-explaining! Do you find it hard to simply say “no” to a request, without going into an essay into why you can’t do something? This is over-explaining, and I was the QUEEN of over-explaining.  What you will learn in this episode: How our body creates safeguards that...

One of the hardest things for me after leaving my narcissistic husband was getting back into the dating scene. Not only do we feel a lack of self-worth after narcissistic abuse, but we are often so afraid to end up in a relationship with another narcissist. So, in this episode, I’m going to share with you 10 ways to spot a narcissist on a first date. What you will learn in this episode: The common behaviours of a narcissist. How to safely get back into the dating scene. What your...

Navigating the challenges of co-parenting with a narcissist can be emotionally taxing. To address this, it's crucial to develop strategies for managing our own emotions in these situations, especially when they're the other parent of our children. In this episode, I’ll explore how to understand the root causes of our emotional responses and share techniques to handle them. What you will learn in this episode: The impact our nervous system has on our healing. How to manage our emotions...

One of the most asked questions I receive is how do you parent your children with a Narcissistic partner? Parenting alongside a narcissist is challenging, but my aim for this episode is to equip you with the knowledge to create a positive environment for your children. I’ll explore strategies to navigate and overcome the obstacles a narcissistic partner or ex-partner might present, helping you ensure the best upbringing for your kids. What you will learn in this episode: How to minimise...

Suppressing emotions is a one-way path to stress and deeper suffering. In today's episode, I'll explore effective strategies for expressing rage and other intense emotions. This way, we can prevent these feelings from simmering within us, leading to a healthier emotional state. What you will learn in this episode: How to healthily express our emotions. Why internalising emotions can lead to illness and disease. Methods to not be so critical of ourselves and how to find self-worth. ...

Recently I had some conversations with members from my Facebook group who, after enduring narcissistic abuse, struggle with feelings of unattractiveness and unworthiness due to their single status. In this episode, I dispel the misconception that our value is tied to our romantic relationships. I hope this episode helps you to discover and embrace your intrinsic self-worth, independent of others' opinions or actions. What you will learn in this episode: How to take ownership of our own...

When we’re in an abusive relationship with a narcissist, our behaviour tends to change, it’s a way that our body attempts to adapt to the situation to ensure that we can stay as safe as possible. Unfortunately, this shift in behaviour can often lead you to seek out medical help which all too commonly results in a diagnosis of Borderline or Bipolar Personality Disorder. In this episode, I’m going to discuss why so many people are being misdiagnosed and how healing from narcissistic abuse will...

Who is around you when you’re feeling hurt? Who is there to listen to you when you need to talk to someone? Unfortunately, it’s all too common to feel isolated when you’re suffering from narcissistic abuse or you’re trying to heal. I felt isolated for so long, and I want you to know that it does not have to be that way.  What you will learn in this episode: How to find a community that understands you. Why there are always people who will help you and how to find them. A way to...

It’s time to take ownership of our happiness. It took me a long time to realise that to feel happy and to love myself was completely my responsibility. We cannot and should not look externally for others to make ourselves feel worthy. It’s a hard realisation, but it can immediately change your outlook on the world and bring happiness to you, as you’re no longer waiting around for something to change, you can make the change immediately.  What you will learn in this episode: Why...

The medical diagnosis of narcissists is wrong and it’s time to re-envision narcissism. In this episode, I talk about rethinking narcissism beyond its usual stereotypes and the standard medical view of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. I look at how misdiagnosis is common and why the medical industry's approach needs to change. I'll also explain why it's rare for narcissists to seek help and how they often go unnoticed by healthcare professionals.  What you will learn in this episode: Why...

Childhood experiences, like lack of praise or excessive attention, often shape codependent behaviours. These patterns can attract relationships with narcissists. In this episode, we'll explore the roots of codependency, its connection to seeking love in unhealthy ways, and ways to heal from both narcissistic relationships and codependent tendencies. What you will learn in this episode: Understanding Codependency: A deep dive into the nature and characteristics of codependent behaviour. ...

From withholding money to asking you to sign your name onto debt, financial abuse can come in so many different shapes and sizes, and the impact it can have on your life can be truly horrific. Unfortunately, so many people suffer from financial abuse, and oftentimes they don’t even know it. In this episode, I’m going to help you see the signs of financial abuse and how you can get yourself out of the abuse and build your own financial backing.   What you will learn in this episode: The...