Send us a text This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on something few of us talk about—the emotional toll of surviving narcissistic abuse after the relationship ends. Healing is hard. Helping others heal while still navigating your own recovery? Even harder. In this episode, I share why I’m taking a short summer hiatus—and how you can still stay connected and supported during this time. 💌 For Paid Substack Subscribers: Here’s What’s Ahead This Summer -July 9th @ 5pm CT – Ask Me Anything: A Re...
Jun 02, 2025•9 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Send us a text This US holiday weekend, let’s revisit three of your favorite podcast episodes. Interestingly, they all have the same theme: why narcissistic abuse survivors initially think they’re the problem. Clip 1 is from Season 3 Episode 64: "How mad can I make you?" The Toxic Games Covert Narcissists Play” Video: https://youtu.be/pfU0y1ycgtg Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2150391/episodes/15052505 Clip 2 is from Seoson 3 Episode 57: “Am I The Narcissist? When Toxic People Accuse You of B...
May 26, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 118
Send us a text Why do we pick bad partners? Is purely because of deception or are we missing early warning signs of a toxicity? This week, author and clinician, Mary Crocker Cook joins us to discuss the problems of early socialization and different expectation in the dysfunctional relationship. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Mary Crocker Cook? 🔹 Are you wondering how to exit a toxic relationship safely? Mary shares some powerful no-nonsense advice on how to prepare to leave. Subsc...
May 19, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Send us a text Can someone be both narcissistic and neurodivergent? This week, ADHD coach and neurodiversity educator Sheila Henson joins Dr. Kerry to explore the nuanced overlap between narcissistic traits and ADHD. Together, they unpack how these two very different dynamics can sometimes co-exist—and what that means for the health of your relationship. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Sheila Henson? 🔹 Are you wondering if your narcissistic partner who’s struggling with ADHD can ch...
May 12, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 116
Send us a text Is your relationship displaying signs that it’s over? Maybe it’s on its last legs, and you wonder if it can be saved? In this episode, Dr. Becky Whetstone delves into the complexities of relationships, particularly focusing on the challenges faced during marriage crises. She shares her experiences and insights as a marriage therapist, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and recognizing the signs of an unhealthy relationship. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Dr...
May 05, 2025•31 min•Season 3Ep. 115
Send us a text Are you living with a narcissist or a stressfully demanding person? These types of relationships often require us to step up with extra emotional labor without us even realizing it. This week, psychotherapist and author Terri Cole joins us to explore the hidden costs of high-functioning codependency. Learn why over-helping is often a trauma response, not a personality trait—and what to do if you're living with a boundary bully. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Terri Co...
Apr 28, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 114
Send us a text Are female friendships just as damaging as pathological love relationships? This week, Sabrina Kirberg, author of We Used to be Best Friends , joins us to discuss the harmful consequences of toxic women friendships. Learn why we often miss spotting toxic female relationships and their common harmful dynamics. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Sabrina Kirberg? 🔹Does your best friend fit one of the toxic female stereotypes? Learn the most common toxic women relationships...
Apr 21, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 113
Send us a text Living with a narcissistic or emotionally toxic person will wreak havoc on your personality or sense of self. This week, Lynn Strathdee, mental health therapist and expert, joins us today to discuss the effects of chronic exposure to narcissistic abuse. Learn how dysfunctional relationship shapes your personality, giving “echoistic” tendencies. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Lynn Strathdee? 🔹Can the psychological damage done to our personality be repaired? Learn the...
Apr 14, 2025•29 min
Send us a text Are you trying to heal from a betrayal? If you have survived a narcissistic relationship then you have experienced betrayal. Often repetitive, devastating breaches of trust. This week, Dr. Debi Silber joins us to discuss how to rebuild renewed confidence after betrayal. She outlines the five stages of betrayal recovery as well the common pitfalls that keep survivors stalled from fully healing after abuse. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Dr. Silber? 🔹Is your healing a...
Apr 07, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 111
Send us a text Toxic relationships tremendously impact our emotional selves, but what about our sexual selves? Dr. Lisha Antiqua, an expert in sexual intimacy and soul psychology, joins us to discuss how common toxic dynamics in narcissistic relationships, such as objectification and transactional relationships, diminish our intimate connection with one another. She also defines the importance of healthy interpersonal and sexual boundaries. Looking for the Podcast Interview with Dr. Lisha Antiqu...
Mar 31, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 110
Send us a text Is it autism or narcissism? It’s become trendy lately to excuse toxic/abusive behavior as neurodivergence. Today, Erica Little-Herron, an expert/advocate on autism, joins us to discuss the key differences between narcissism and autism. Looking for the Podcast Interview with Erica Little-Herron? 🔹Learn in this week's exclusive Podcast Extra interview why Erica Little-Herron thinks the autistic community is frequently targeted by narcissists when you subscribe to the Breaking Free ...
Mar 24, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 109
Send us a text Going no contact with a parent, particularly when it’s your mother, is a gut-wrenching decision. Alex Anderson, an independent film-maker and writer joins me to discuss his timely movie, FOG, which explores a toxic mother-daughter dynamics. He describes how Fog-Obligation-Guilt drives this challenging relationship. Learn more about Alex and his work here: https://www.youtube.com/@alexanderson2467 To watch the FOG trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DacCvo7ngLA See the full mo...
Mar 17, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 108
Send us a text Why do men abuse? How does this behavior benefit them? Today, Chuck Derry, the co-founder of the Gender Violence Institute, joins us to discuss the disturbing reasons for male violence and what community responses are needed to curb these toxic/dangerous behaviors. To learn more about the results of Chuck Derry’s study, visit: https://voicemalemagazine.org/abusive-men-describe-the-benefits-of-violence/ Gender Violence Institute: https://www.genderviolenceinstitute.org Looking for ...
Mar 10, 2025•22 min•Season 3Ep. 107
Send us a text You’re barely picking up the pieces, and your ex has already moved on—posting picture-perfect snapshots of their new, fabulous life. Meanwhile, you're left wondering: Were they always this happy, or is this just for show? In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Lisa Sonni dive into why narcissists and toxic personalities seem to seamlessly transition into a "perfect" new relationship. Is it real, or is it just another illusion? And if you’re struggling with the gut-punch of watching your e...
Mar 03, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 106
Send us a text Ever wondered if your partner’s cruelty is intentional? Do they know they’re being hurtful, or is it just thoughtlessness? This week, Dr. Kerry and Lisa Sonni expose a chilling but often-overlooked dynamic in toxic relationships: sadism. Learn what sadism really is, how it shows up in narcissistic partnerships, and why some toxic individuals seem to take pleasure in your pain. ➡️ Want to watch the Podcast Extra Interview? https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse 🔹 Need support...
Feb 24, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 105
Send us a text What signs warn that we’ve met not just a toxic person, but someone dangerous? This week Joe Navarro, author and former FBI special agent joins us to discuss the four most dangerous personalities. Navarro is most well-known for his work as a body language expert. He’s authored several books, including What Every Body is Saying, Dangerous Personalities, Louder Than Words, and The Dictionary of Body Language. To Watch the Podcast Extra Interview ▶︎ Get practical help on how to recog...
Feb 17, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 104
Send us a text Narcissists often claim to love us. That they want the save the relationship; but do they? In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Lisa Sonni discuss the confusing dynamic of narcissistic partners claiming to be changing and addressing the relationship issues, only aren’t. Learn how survivors can tell the difference between genuine effort from sophisticated manipulation. Is it tricky to distinguish real from fake love? Be sure to check out this week’s podcast extra on how to spot someone l...
Feb 10, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 103
Send us a text Narcissists know they are being abusive--that they're being manipulative and exploitative. This week, Dr. Peter Salerno is back to discuss his latest book, Traumatizing Cognitive Dissonance. He discusses with Lisa Sonni why abusive relationships with narcissists leave survivors feeling psychologically battered and confused. Are you looking for help battling the mental confusion caused by a narcissist? Dr. Salerno gives practical steps to reduce this mental confusion so that mental...
Feb 03, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 102
Send us a text Narcissists will use any means to control you, especially guilt. In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Lisa discuss the common reasons guilt is such a powerful weapon in the hands of a narcissist or toxic personality. For practical examples of common guilt phrases and how to break free from this toxic dynamic, join the Podcast Extra’s newsletter on SubStack for immediate access to this week’s exclusive video. Join here: substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse ********************************...
Jan 27, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 101
Send us a text Have you noticed how upset narcissists get? How they can't regulate themselves? Anna Runkle of the wildly popular Crappy Childhood Fairy YouTube channel joins me today to talk about the importance of learning how to regulate yourself, especially after living with a narcissist. Learn more about the role of psychological regulation plays in setting us free from the lingering effects of trauma and abuse. Want to know the first steps to gaining peace and control after an upsetting eve...
Jan 20, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 100
Send us a text There are powerful psychological reasons why love bombing works nearly every time. In this episode, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, the ex-wife of the Wolf of Wall Street shares what she’s uncovered about why we fall so easily spellbound for a toxic or narcissistic individual. What questions you have asked Dr. Nae about the movie, The Wolf of Wall Street? Find out ours when you subscribe to the Podcast Extra Substack newsletter. Unlock access here: http://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse ...
Jan 13, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 99
Send us a text Victims return to a narcissistically abusive relationship an average of seven times. In this episode, Lisa and I discuss why leaving a narcissist or toxic partner is so extremely difficult and share some thoughts on how to view leaving differently. Are you struggling to stay out of a toxic relationship? Does your partner’s emotional pleas or guilting convince you to stay? Learn practical steps to leaving a toxic relationship for good in this week’s Podcast Extra. Get immediate acc...
Jan 06, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 98
Send us a text Trauma bonds are one of the most misunderstood yet powerful connections that narcissists and toxic individuals exploit to keep their partners trapped. These bonds create a confusing dynamic where the very person causing harm becomes the source of comfort—a cycle that is as addictive as it is painful. In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to break down the making and breaking of trauma bonds. Together, we uncover how these devastating ties form, why they’re ...
Dec 30, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 97
Send us a text Today you are in for a treat with a longer interview, featuring three of my favorite experts on narcissism: Dr. Les Carter, Dr. Peter Salerno, and Bill Eddy. In this episode, each of these men will describe what is narcissism, how narcissists view relationships, and why they behave as bullies. Instead of a podcast extra interview, this week I’m offering a holiday survival guide to help you get ready to spent time the very people you’ve probably tried to avoid all week. Learn how t...
Dec 23, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 96
Send us a text Have you been told that you should just leave? In this episode, Lisa Sonni and I discuss why this advice severely misses the mark. Why exiting a narcissistically abusive relationship is difficult and even dangerous for most abuse survivors. Resources Mentioned in the Episode The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker Character Disturbance by George Simon Dangerous Personalities by Joe Navarro The Passionate Marriage by Dr. David Schnarch Are struggling to figure out what you should do in...
Dec 16, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 95
Send us a text Narcissistic abuse often leaves devastating consequences to the survivor’s confidence and self-esteem. Today, Kristin Arden, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Mindbloom’s Clinical Director, and Shari Botwin, LCSW, trauma counselor, join me to discuss the use of ketamine therapy as a new alternate treatment option for trauma survivors. If you would like to learn more about Mindbloom or ketamine therapy, please see https://mindbloom.com/kerrym100 . To take advantage of the $100 off total of your...
Dec 09, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 94
Send us a text Have you considered that a narcissistically abusive relationship is actually a cult of two? Daniella Mestyanek-Young, author of Uncultured and expert in cult dynamics, joins us to discuss the similarities between cult leaders and narcissists. Be sure to follow Daniella! TikTok - @knittingcultlady Website: Uncultureyourself.com And get a copy of her book, Uncultured: https://amzn.to/3CDhFcY Could you be in a coercively controlling relationship? In this week’s podcast extra, Daniell...
Dec 02, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 93
Send us a text As a nod to this week’s holidays, let’s revisit three of my favorite episodes that discuss how to handle being too big- or kind-hearted. We at the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse podcast hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Are you interested in the Podcast Extra Interviews? Get immediate access by subscribing to the Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse Substack newsletter. Every Podcast Extra interview can be found inside the weekly newsletter. You’ll also get h...
Nov 25, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 92
Send us a text Narcissistic relationships are parasitic in nature. Toxic personalities often drain others of their time, money, attention, and resources. In this podcast, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss the high and sometimes hidden cost of narcissistic relationships. Reference: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van de Kolk: https://amzn.to/3AtGt6z Ready to heal from narcissistic abuse? Join Lisa and my upcoming Healing Strong live group coaching. Groups limits to 8 and the next group begins Jan...
Nov 18, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 91
Send us a text Have you noticed that when you’re finally ready to leave, your toxic or narcissistic partner suddenly does something amazing? Do they keep you off balance and confused about the state of the relationship? In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss how narcissists and other toxic people use emotional manipulation to keep their partners and loved ones psychologically stuck in a bad relationship. And, in this week’s Podcast Extra, Lisa and I discuss one listener’s struggles to l...
Nov 11, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 90
