Send us a text A trauma bond is a fear-based connection between abusers and victims. Combine that with the mental confusion of cognitive dissonance, and the victim is stuck. In this podcast episode, we’ll examine why this powerful dynamic makes it so difficult to leave. We’ll also cover the five types of narcissists and the difference between overt and covert narcissism. If you missed the live webinar with Dr. Milstead, copies of the replay are now available . Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Y...
Sep 01, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Send us a text Gaslighting has become a pretty popular term. Sometimes it’s used properly, but not always. Gaslighting, however, is a common experience of narcissistic abuse victims. In this episode, we’ll discuss the history of gaslighting as well as how it shows up in toxic relationships. We’ll also touch on when does the first symptoms of narcissism make its appearance and how to address our children’s confusion about an uninvolved or missing parent. Toxic-Free Relationship Club Get $3 off th...
Aug 29, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Send us a text With the popularity of social media's focus on narcissism, are we overusing the term? Isn’t everyone a little bit narcissistic? In this episode, we will explore what defines pathological narcissism as well as how to deal with narcissistic loved ones and family members. If you missed the live webinar with Dr. Milstead, copies of the replay are now available . Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you looking for community support after narciss...
Aug 25, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Send us a text There’s nothing worse than knowing you’re in a bad relationship but can’t leave. What is a trauma bond, and why does it make acting on our behalf so difficult? In this podcast episode, we’ll explore the role mental confusion and fear play in creating an intense bond with the one harming us. If you missed the live webinar with Dr. Milstead, copies of the replay are now available . Other books referenced: Women Who Love Psychopaths by Sandra L. Brown, LCSW Why Can’t I Just Leave? A ...
Aug 22, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Send us a text Most of the time, our everyday problem-solving skills work, but not for those stranded in toxic relationships. In this podcast episode, we will delve into why our love or spiritual intervention often doesn’t help. Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Ta...
Aug 18, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Send us a text I drove to my therapy appointment four years ago, praying and pleading for answers. Something was terribly wrong in my marriage. Should I stay? Or was I being naive for believing our relationship could be fixed? In this podcast episode, I share more of my story and what I know now and wish I’d known then. Get your ticket to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you looking for c...
Aug 15, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Send us a text What makes it so difficult to leave a toxic relationship? This question is the one I most frequently get asked. So why don’t those trapped in a narcissistically abusive relationship walk out? In this episode, we will discuss the underlying dynamics that make it challenging to end a toxic relationship. Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Get your ticket to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for commu...
Aug 11, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Send us a text Is all of this focus on narcissism and narcissists productive? Isn’t it attacking a broken group of people? Could we be demonizing them? In this episode, I tackle this tough topic, the difference between a mental condition and a personality disorder, how to recognize a toxic person on the first meeting, and what to do about a smear campaign. Women Who Love Psychopaths by Sandra L. Brown Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Get your ticket to the...
Aug 08, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Send us a text Surviving narcissistic abuse is tough enough. How do we know when we are ready to start date again? What are the red flags we should watch out for so we don’t end up in another toxic relationship? In this episode, we will tackle this topic as well as the importance of learning to listen to your gut and why narcissists give such mixed signals. Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Get your ticket to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. K...
Aug 04, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Send us a text When relationships start to go wrong, it’s common for us to wonder if we’re the problem. Especially if there’s been a string of failed relationships. In this replay of a TikTok live, we will take a closer look at this issue as well as discuss how to resolve a trauma bond and start our healing after narcissistic abuse. Follow me on Tiktok , Instagram , Youtube and Facebook ! @kerrymcavoyphd Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear D...
Aug 01, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Send us a text Most of us slowly realize something is wrong in a relationship. We often think the problems are a normal part of a new relationship—we don’t consider that maybe the problem isn’t us but our partner. What should we do when we realize we are in a relationship with a narcissist? How do we get out? In this replay of a TikTok live, we will explore what to do when we feel stuck in a destructive relationship, why we gaslight victims instead of hold predators responsible for their behavio...
Jul 28, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Send us a text Nearly every abuse survivor wants to know why they got into a relationship with a narcissist. Are we co-dependent, people-pleasers or could there be another dynamic in play? In this episode we’ll talk about the latest research into this area as well as discuss the definition of marital coercion and how to grow empathy in our children. For more on marital coercion, see Nat’s (@mendingme) account . Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come...
Jul 25, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Send us a text If narcissists are such awful people, why have so many fallen in love with one? It’s because of the mask. They create an illusion that you’ve met someone just like you. In this episode, we will explore how this happens along with other common narcissistic tactics in this replay of a TikTok live. NarcAvengers' Durham Meet-Up Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpl...
Jul 21, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Send us a text We often know something is terribly wrong with our relationship. Yet, many abuse survivors struggle to set boundaries. In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at why it’s challenging to do so for victims along with other topics, including how to help a friend who’s being abused and my post-trial thoughts on Amber Heard and Johnny Depp. NarcAvengers' Durham Meet-Up Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cogni...
Jul 18, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Send us a text Narcissistic abuse victims’ biggest complaint is the confusion. They can’t tell if they have partnered with someone who’s good or bad. In this episode, we’re going to explore what creates the narcissist’s dual sense of self. Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships by Dr. David Schnarch NarcAvengers' Durham Meet-Up Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this is the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonan...
Jul 14, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text It takes the average narcissistic victim an average of seven tries before they are able to leave. I contemplated abandoning the relationship for a long time before I finally was able to. Why are these toxic relationships so difficult to end? As mention in this episode, here are the channels of Sam Vaknin and Dr. Ramani . Here are the books referred to: Something’s Not Right by Wade Mullen and Sandra Brown: Women Who Love Psychopaths Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship ...
Jul 11, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text Have you noticed how difficult it is to manage relationships with a narcissist? Why do things seem to go wrong? Could we be the problem hoping that they would change? What is the cognitive dissonance, the Marsha Mitchell effect, the mask of sanity? We will tackle this issue in a replay of a TikTok live. Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this IS the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming ...
Jul 07, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text Are narcissists aware they are hurting me? Why are they so ruthless? In this episode, we will take a closer look at the predatory nature of many narcissists and sociopaths. Kolhberg's Theory of Moral Development Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship? Then this IS the event for you! Come hear Dr. Milstead define cognitive dissonance and why it renders us helpless in this upcoming live event , "Why Can't I Just Leave?" August 18, 6:30 p.m. EST Be sure to get your ticket to...
Jun 30, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text Do you have a narcissistic family member? Someone who frequently stirs up trouble? Or maybe they insist on doing things their way. What's the best way to navigate these tricky dysfunctional family relationships? We will be addressing this issue on this replay of a TikTok live. Passive-Aggressive Compliment Video Get your ticket to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's ...
Jun 27, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text When we meet someone new how much should we share? Predatory people use basic details to create their mask during initial meetings. Should we be more careful in what we reveal to prevent lovebombing? In this episode we will discuss this and other topics on this replay of a TikTok live. Ego Strength video Get your ticket to the Cognitive Dissonance Live Webinar with Dr. Kristen Milstead! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Fr...
Jun 24, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text The latest research has found the brain of narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths to be different, causing them not to see the world differently. In this episode we will tackle this difficult topic, including if it's going too far to call narcissists' behavior evil. You don’t want to miss this incredible live webinar, “ Why Can’t I Just Leave? ” on August 18th 6:30 pm EST. Psychologist and author, Dr Kristen Milstead will discuss the power of cognitive dissonance to confuse us a...
Jun 20, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text Why did we miss the early warning signs that we've met a toxic person? It's common to blame ourselves for this mistake. Most of us, however, don't think to analyze a person's ego strength, but maybe we should. Let's take a closer look at issue in this episode of TikTok live replay. Want to know what the 12 areas of ego strengths are? Check out this video ! Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to ...
Jun 17, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text Are victims to blame for getting trapped in a narcissistic abusive relationship. And why do we struggle to hold healthy boundaries? These are a couple of the issues addressed in this podcast episode. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available here at the following online st...
Jun 13, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text In this episode we will review Dr. Milstead's definition of narcissistic abuse along with address how to handle the tricky situation of co-parenting with a toxic parent. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available here at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up f...
Jun 06, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text How do we find support when we come from a narcissistic home? Is it wrong to want to be seen as special? These are the types of questions addressed in this podcast episode. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available here at the following online stores. And be sure to sign u...
Jun 03, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text Does narcissistic abuse only happen in love relationships or can it happen in other kinds of relationships or communities? Dr. McAvoy tackles this question in this episode. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available here at the following online stores. And be sure to sign u...
May 31, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text Why is it so hard to leave a toxic relationship? What does a trauma bond have to do with it? Dr. McAvoy addresses this issue in this episode. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available here at the following online stores. And be sure to sign up for Dr. McAvoy's 50 free Surv...
May 27, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text Do you wonder if you're being too sensitive? Maybe you're overreacting to your partner's behavior. Perhaps you're the one with the problem. In this episode, Dr. McAvoy answers these and TikTok listeners' other questions about narcissism and narcissistic abuse. YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrow...
May 23, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text Do narcissists change? What realizable expectations should we have? In this episode, we will address this question along with other listener-related concerns. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE: The Harrowing Tale of Lies, Sex Addiction, & Double Cross Available here at the following online stores And be sure to sign up for Dr. McAvo...
May 20, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text Narcissistic abuse doesn't end when the relationship is over. Many narcissistic exes find new ways to abuse their former partners, including using the legal system. In this episode of a TikTok live replay, we will explore how to protect yourself better, along with addressing other listeners' questions. Are you looking for community support after narcissistic abuse? Check out Dr. McAvoy's Toxic-Free Relationship Club ! Want to read a true story of narcissistic abuse? LOVE YOU MORE:...
May 16, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 10
