Ever feel like your decisions were made for you before you even knew it? It’s not magic—it's a set of cunning maneuvers social psychologist Robert Cialdini calls "Pre-Suasion". In this episode, we dive into the clever, subtle tactics that influence how we make choices long before a pitch is even made. From strategic questions to the power of background music, we examine the hidden methods Persuaders and Influencers of all kinds use to nudge you into saying yes. This includes playing off your ...

Ever wonder just how much you care for the people in your life - or how much they truly care for you? Discover a straightforward approach to finding out, no awkward conversations or confrontations required. Join us for an eye-opening episode and strengthen the bonds that matter most. The Circles of Intimacy is a simple tool that allows you to gauge the strength of your feelings for the people in your life and gives you rare insight into what they feel about you. Simple, accessible and su...

Fear is a powerful tool of manipulation. But equally potent is the art of calming those fears to gain control — a tactic Abusers and Manipulators know all too well. In this episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we’ll expose how abusers exploit the power of reassurance, distraction, and false security to make you ignore genuine threats.From minimizing risks to offering protection, these strategies are subtle yet dangerous, often leaving you oblivious to the red flags. Join us as we break down these...

In this crucial episode, Dr. Dina McMillan dives into one of the most powerful weapons in a manipulator’s toolkit—fear. Fear is a natural, protective instinct that helps keep us safe. But once manipulators learn what makes your heart race and your stomach drop, they can exploit it to control you. In this episode, Dr. McMillan explains the different types of fear and the main strategies employed by those seeking to take advantage of this fundamental drive. She offers real-life examp...

In this compelling episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we explore an event that touched everyone’s lives—the Covid pandemic. More than just the fear of the virus itself, we dive into the emotional and social rifts caused by differing responses to mandates and directives. How has the Covid era shaped our world today? Can the wounds it opened be healed? And how prepared are we for the next potential crisis?Join us as we step back to reflect on these pivotal questions and, as always, sharpen our un...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked but crucial phases of manipulation: Testing and Training. While tactics like Love Bombing and Gaslighting grab headlines, these initial maneuvers — Testing and Training — lay the groundwork for all the other manipulative strategies. Without successfully testing new targets and then training them to comply, Abusers and Manipulators wouldn't be able to acquire the control they need to take advantage and misuse. They'd be thwarted from the...

In this vital episode, we wrap up the eBook, Brief Overview of Abusers' Strategies and Tactics, covering Chapter 7: "Tactics of Abusers," Chapter 8: "Honorable Mention Tactics," and the concluding section.Just like the eBook itself—available for only $10 at www.drdinamcmillan.com—this episode gives you the essential tools to recognize and counter abusers' most insidious strategies. Every tactic is explained clearly and concisely, including those that earn an "Honorable Mention." These ma...

In this crucial episode, we delve further into the explosive insights unveiled in my latest eBook, "Brief Overview of Abusers' Strategies and Tactics."We explore chapters four through six, uncovering not just the selection process —how Abusers pinpoint their romantic victims based on specific traits — but also the deceptions, strategies, and facades they employ to conceal their true intentions. We examine the sly methods Abusers use to dodge rejection in the initial stages of a relationship.T...

I put a lot of thought into creating my eBook, Brief Overview of Abusers' Strategies and Tactics. I'm excited to dive into its key insights in this episode and the next.Research shows that the more often you engage with information across different formats, the better you retain it — especially when you pair it with a visual reference. This is exactly why I’m breaking down the eBook here on the Unmasking the Abuser podcast.The eBook is under 60 pages, designed to be read in less than an hour....

This is another key episode with a slightly different twist. Most of the time we discuss ways to recognize efforts to take advantage of you, using slick words and clever moves to influence, persuade and exploit.This time we stand back and discuss three core factors that can improve your shield against these devious efforts. These simple moves can make it less likely any tactics of persuasion will be effective, whether the person using the maneuvers is a potential romantic partner, a friend, a...

Some of the most crucial information about abusive relationships is how they start. What are they like at the very beginning? Most victims and survivors don't recognize the manipulation that happened at the start. That's why this can be a key to preventing new victims in the future. This episode provides a general overview of the manipulative moves and maneuvers that are used most often - and most successfully - to entice a new target into a relationship with an Abuser. This is one episode...

Important Valentine's Day Episode - no roses required. Most of our episodes are about choosing a better romantic partner. This episode is all about YOU, whether you're female or male, in a relationship or single. It guides you as you identify any beliefs or behaviors that are holding you back, causing you or your partner pain.  It helps expose the mistakes you repeat - no matter how much you promise that you won't - that may be keeping you from manifesting your happily-ever-after. The steps...

This is one of the most important Episodes we've done. Inspired by a request from a podcast audience member, this Episode explores the tricks and maneuvers used to entice a mistreated partner to return to an abusive relationship. How is it done? What does it take for someone who's fed up and perhaps deeply afraid to dive back into a highly volatile and even dangerous situation? What strings are Abusers most likely to pull?  Are there ways to tell if someone is genuinely trying to heal and...

This short podcast needs to be bookmarked and saved somewhere convenient. It contains key tips for emotional survival during the holiday season - or any time your family gets together. If you have a volatile partner, a difficult relative, a troublesome partner of a relative, don't go into their lair without protecting yourself. That's what this Episode is all about. All always, the crucial tips are simple, accessible and effective. Be prepared as you head into the holidays, so your day isn't...

This is still the only podcast series that exposes the specific tactics used by Abusers to lure in and trap romantic partners. It offers rare insight into manipulation that's relevant everywhere in your life, not only in romance. But have you ever wondered if we've missed something - another risk factor that could be significant? In this explosive episode, we discuss a crucial danger that's backed by decades of research yet seems to remain a relative secret. It's unknown by most people...

I'm always learning. This episode is an incredible shared experience with A. Garcia, a woman who's experienced severe abuse and violence.  She decided to use what happened to her as a platform to help others.  The interview was via Zoom, not in a studio, but I promise you'll get so caught up you won't mind. Please listen as A. discusses what she endured, and how she is a big proponent of PTG, post-traumatic growth, that encourages us all to use our painful life events to make ourselves...

In the last Episode we looked at the efforts made to help Abusers to change. Batterers' Intervention Expert Kevin Tarrance from the Department of Children and Families in Florida shared his insights. He offered the various stages he believes Abusers have to traverse in order to fundamentally alter their expectations and behaviors in their intimate relationships.  In this Episode we look at change and YOU - the core principles to help you understand what change is and how it's achieved. We...

This is an exciting episode, and not only because I had to quickly learn how to use a virtual interview on Zoom as a podcast episode.   Whether or not Abusers can change is the #1 question I'm asked by those who've been involved with these individuals. Yes and no.  That's the answer and why it takes two episodes to discuss it. I interviewed my first guest, Kevin (Michael) Tarrance, an experienced Domestic Violence Intervention Specialist in Jacksonville, Florida.  Kevin has been put in...

This is a must-listen Episode. I discuss why my book, But He Says He Loves Me, is still essential knowledge for anyone wanting to quickly and clearly spot the signs of an abusive relationship.  I've just finished production for the audio version of the book - out soon - and offer some exciting previews for my listeners. The book, But He Says He Loves Me, was written in two voices: myself as a domestic abuse expert, and the voice of an Abuser (a fictional blend of real men) who offers men...

The holidays are here! Well, if you count family birthdays, reunions and other special events, the holidays are always here. How do you get through with your sanity intact? How can you still grab joy even if some family members insist on being difficult? Is it even possible? This special holiday edition is filled with tips on how to handle difficult people and situations during family get-togethers. How do you prepare? What do you keep telling yourself so you can remain in control? How do...

If you only listen to one Episode of this series, this podcast Episode is it. We cover the basics of the entire abuse prevention program: Selection, Main Tactics and Honorable Mentions.  All of Abusers' secret and most effective tactics laid bare for you to examine. The insights here offer a powerful review session for regular listeners and can bring new listeners up to speed. In addition, the information in this podcast are available to anyone who requests it. Just email me at...

We've discussed Abusers' tactics at length. I thought it would also be useful to cover some of their most common tricks - smaller moves that may be part of a bigger tactic.  The 15 most common tricks are included in this Episode. These tricks are sinister, effective, and can cause a lot of trouble.  That's the bad news. The good news is these moves are often easy to spot. They're scripted ploys that help Abusers gather in a new Target, get a Victim to back down, or convince a Target, Victim...

With previous Episodes you've done a lot of work to develop a new superpower, a set of valuable skills that help you identify Abusers early, to spot the tactics of manipulation, coercion and unfair persuasion in romantic and non-romantic settings. In this Episode we talk about how to protect your new knowledge, how to shield yourself from influences that would try to prevent you from using what you know. We look at some simple mistakes that can easily be avoided, and why your brain is your...

As promised, this is the crucial second Episode on Resilience, filled with crucial insights and key tips to start building this central core life skill right away. No life is without pain, trouble, disappointment, regret. Resilience is the ability to...