In today’s episode of The Ashley Berges Show , I’m deep diving into something we don’t talk about enough: how we only understand ourselves. We have people in our lives, such as partners, parents, siblings, and best friends, but even they can only interpret what they think we say or feel. They can’t fully grasp what we’re going through internally. I’m exploring what it means to truly know yourself, how we continue to learn about who we are, and why outside perspectives, even well-meaning ones, of...
Jul 09, 2025•29 min
Welcome to The Ashley Berges Show. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s more relevant than ever: gaslighting. It’s showing up everywhere, in our personal lives, professional environments, and across the media. In this episode, I examine how constant manipulation affects us, particularly when it begins at home and resonates throughout every other aspect of life. I break down what gaslighting means, how to recognize it, and why it’s crucial to call it out. Additionally, I explore the various ty...
Jul 02, 2025•28 min
On today’s episode of The Ashley Berges Show, I invite you to shift your focus from society’s distractions to real sources of peace, joy, and freedom. Are you overwhelmed by the news, social media, and life's personal pressures? Join me as I explore how our so-called small things may hold the deepest value, and how to reconnect with them. We’ll also take a closer look at the people and situations that bring unnecessary drama into your life. Once you start experiencing drama-free days and nights,...
Jun 18, 2025•19 min
In order to safeguard yourself, you must be able to identify malignant narcissists that are in your personal life, family dynamic, work environment, and people you may listen to on the news, on social media, and in politics. A malignant narcissist believes they are above you and everyone else. They will say anything and do anything to you no matter the pain and suffering you will endure. They have no remorse and no empathy for your pain and suffering. For some listeners of this podcast, you will...
May 20, 2025•30 min
What happens when Borderline Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder overlap? Many of us understand narcissism and some of us understand borderline. However, what do you do when you find yourself in a relationship with a person who exhibits both narcissistic and borderline signs and symptoms? These relationships began very different than they present currently. When you are dealing with straight boilerplate BPD and the person is working on self-awareness, it can be manageable ...
May 13, 2025•31 min
It's time to stop your brain from talking you out of what really happened, what was really said, and what events actually transpired that day in your life. It’s interesting how we create narratives in our minds as to what happened in a given situation, we change and augment those events to better align with keeping our current situation to offset the feelings of fear or uncertainty. We allow this reality augmentation to occur when it comes to current overwhelming events, phenomena without logica...
Apr 30, 2025•30 min
An imbalanced relationship is a relationship where one of the two people in the relationship is held to a higher standard than the other. In these relationships, one person creates a set of rules for the relationship but the person that creates the rules doesn’t follow them. This creates a double standard within the relationship and puts one person in control and the other being controlled. This double standard leaves one feeling confused, used, and resentful. In the podcast, we examine what it ...
Apr 23, 2025•26 min
Are you being manipulated or controlled mentally and emotionally by another person? Do you feel as though you can’t make your own choices and that everything you do is questioned and put under the microscope? When we identify manipulative and controlling behaviors in others, it helps us to understand what is taking place in our personal and professional relationships. In this podcast, I’m deep diving into the signs and symptoms of manipulative behavior, specific types of manipulation, specific p...
Apr 16, 2025•31 min
Are you feeling more codependent in your personal relationship than ever before? Do you feel that you are being taken advantage of and feeling as though you are loosing your identity? Some relationships begin in a whirlwind style -fast and furious and then when the dust settles you begin to observe the ups and downs. You begin to see the extremes in the other person’s actions, attitudes, responses, and general attitude towards you. You may be on top of the pedestal one day and the very next day ...
Apr 09, 2025•30 min
Many of us suffer or have previously suffered with self-limiting beliefs holding us back throughout our lives. As adults we either realize those beliefs exist or are unaware of their existence. We develop these self-limiting beliefs throughout childhood and they carry into our teen and adult lives impacting us daily. Ashley is joined on the podcast by children’s author and hypnotherapist Jo Galloway. Jo realizes the impact self-limiting beliefs have on us as adults and she wants to stop them in ...
Apr 08, 2025•41 min
Processing and understanding our emotions and seeing our inherent value are two things we strive to achieve in our lifetime. Some of us are still struggling to master one or both of these goals. As adults many of us aren’t taught this by our family or parental unit because they were not taught it by their parents. The younger we are able to grasp these concepts and implement them the happier we will be with ourselves and in life. Joining me on today’s show is Sharmilla Fassbender, counselor, mot...
Feb 18, 2025•47 min
Many of us suffer with some type of ailment. And many of us don’t want to take a pill or live in pain. What if you could solve the problem with no side effects? I came across a life-changing device that I wear everyday since May of 2024. After experiencing positive effects on a daily basis, I decided it was time to interview the creator of this life-changing device. Are you ready to embrace a healthier, more balanced way of living? The WAVwatch uses the power of sound therapy, sending frequencie...
Feb 11, 2025•47 min
A quarter-life crisis typically occurs in your 20s or 30s, bringing feelings of uncertainty and questioning the path your life is taking. This crisis affects a lot of people. Many factors go into why people have this crisis in their lives. It’s a common experience influenced by various factors, with comparison being significant. Many young adults find themselves measuring their progress against others, often leading to feelings of inadequacy or incompleteness. Today, we’re joined by Erica Connor...
Feb 03, 2025•46 min
We hear the term narcissist thrown around a lot in daily discussion. However not all narcissism and narcissists are created equal. Some people possess a few narcissistic tendencies while others seem to display all signs and symptoms. However their is a more extreme form of narcissism that makes the regular brand of narcissism look like child’s play. A Malignant Narcissist is a narcissist that demonstrates others signs and symptoms that an overt or covert narcissist does not. This type of narciss...
Jan 29, 2025•39 min
Empathy is a wonderful personal quality, caring for others goes hand-and-hand, and giving others the benefit of the doubt goes a long way with respect to specific situations and circumstances. We can acknowledge other people's pain and life stressors. However at what point does making excuses for others actions and choices become unhealthy? Are we unintentionally enabling unhealthy behaviors? During this podcast, I fully discuss and explain when making excuses crosses the line into unhealthy ter...
Jan 22, 2025•47 min
There is no better time than right now! We need to think about the value of the present moment and how important that is to all of us. It's time to get off the couch and get moving. Joining me today is children’s author Russ Rogers. Russ has written a new children’s book series called, The Today Series. Russell’s inspiration comes from being outdoors and experiencing life in the moment. He emphasizes that movement is not only physical but mental. Russ’ books are for parents wanting to make a cha...
Jan 03, 2025•42 min
As one of the youngest philanthropists in the country and children’s author, ten-year-old Amelie Anastasia is chasing her dreams and accomplishing things most adults have only dreamt about. Amelie wrote her first book at the age of eight and now has just released her third book, Wolf Tales. Amelie enjoys writing books about friendship, courage, and preserving our natural world. All of the earnings from her books go to supporting animal welfare programs and wildlife conservation efforts. Listen i...
Dec 30, 2024•41 min
Are you feeling New Year’s Eve FOMO creeping in? Every year, all the pomp and circumstance leading up to New Year's celebrations can make us feel like we are missing out. Some of us love the evening, and others deplore it. Perhaps you used to love it, but as time has gone on, you have realized that it’s over-hyped and just another night in the books. Maybe you have been jaded by a previous experience and do not want to repeat it. Listen to this podcast to get real how-to ways to get over disappo...
Dec 27, 2024•42 min
Self-Limiting beliefs hold us back, creating life obstacles that impair our ability to cultivate healthy relationships, pose a barrier to understanding and embracing our true identity, and stands in the way of our personal success. Our self-limiting beliefs lead to patterns of self-sabotage that keep us from enjoying our life. It’s important to understand where these beliefs come from and learn techniques on how to reprogram them. Lea Fisher joins me on Live Your True Life Perspectives to discus...
Dec 18, 2024•43 min
False hope makes you more vulnerable to manipulation and emotional triggers from a narcissist. Understanding how false hope works is crucial otherwise, it often leads us to lose our identity and life goals. The narcissist will use future faking in an attempt to manipulate and control you, making promises that will never be fulfilled. Once we can recognize what is happening, we can then safeguard ourselves and move forward in a healthier life and direction. Become a supporter of this podcast: htt...
Dec 11, 2024•43 min
Being in a toxic relationship is painful but even more painful is trying to free yourself from the relationship and move on with your life. Telling your friends and family about the relationship can be helpful until they begin to question why you are still in the relationship. They have heard you speak of the lying, the cheating, the screaming, and anything else that has taken place that is less than healthy and wonder why you are still exposing yourself to the situation. If you’re in one of the...
Dec 04, 2024•49 min
Narcissists have a unique ability to manipulate and trigger you to get the supply they crave, often without you even realizing it's happening. This powerful form of manipulation can leave you feeling out of control, as they repeatedly push your buttons and bait you into doing things you would not normally do. This narcissistic tactic is used to control and find fault with you. In today’s episode, we’ll dive deep into narcissistic manipulation and emotional abuse and explore steps you can take to...
Nov 22, 2024•58 min
Reconnecting with your Inner child, overcoming personal fears, putting yourself out there, helping children to express their feelings, and the Adventures of Snuggs. On today’s show, I’m thrilled to speak with author Ashley Donegan. Ashley has recently published her book, Adventures of Snuggs, Ashley draws motivation from her love for animals to create delightful and heartwarming stories. Teaming up with her daughter, her creative partner, and her greatest inspiration, Ashley combines her storyte...
Nov 15, 2024•42 min
On today’s show, we will dive into the concept of trauma bonds, exploring what they are and how to understand them. We’ll break down the seven stages of trauma bonding and learn how to distinguish a trauma bond from real love. Additionally, we’ll examine why some individuals are more vulnerable to forming trauma bonds than others. Many people are unaware of the extreme emotional pain that comes with ending a trauma bond relationship. Understanding this dynamic is essential to protect yourself an...
Nov 06, 2024•42 min
Are you the black sheep or the golden child of your family? Your role within the family can significantly shape your experiences and relationships. What parental dynamics led to this structure? As we age, how does this dynamic change? As young children, we often don’t realize whether we are the golden child or the black sheep, but over time, the division between siblings grows, along with feelings of resentment. The parents create this division to make them look better in front of others, braggi...
Oct 01, 2024•42 min
Our thoughts often revolve around where we are, what we're facing, and the uncertainties of the future. We may wonder what will happen to us, our friends, or our aging parents. Fear of the unknown can creep in, especially if we're an only child or only responsible adult child with all of these responsibilities. It can feel overwhelming. How do we navigate these challenges? How do we process and respond to them? There are no right or wrong answers, there are no directions. We’re all just trying t...
Sep 30, 2024•41 min
Love bombing and real love are two completely different things. The scariest part of being love bombed is that most of us don't know we're being love bombed. On this episode of the podcast, I’ll address what is love bombing, the phases of love bombing, the signs and symptoms of being a victim of love bombing, the relationship patterns of a love bomber, and why we fall into the trap of believing this is true love and a perfect relationship. In the beginning, of a relationship that begins with lov...
Sep 12, 2024•41 min•Ep. 774
When we are raised in an environment with a parent who has the signs and symptoms of BPD, we do not realize the impact that it has on our daily lives. As children, we often had no idea what was going on with mom or dad. One minute everything seemed great and the next minute it felt as though we were living amid an emotional roller coaster. It was always confusing, wondering which version of them we would get on any particular day. As children, this is a very difficult situation to live with, no ...
May 30, 2024•42 min
Many of us feel let down by others. Being let down seems to happen more than not in today’s society. They tell us they are going to do something and they don’t. What do we do about this? How do we handle it? How do we move on? On Today’s show, we are going to take a deep dive as to why we are let down, understand the process that takes place, and enable us to look at our own lives. This will allow us to figure out why this happens to us and what we can do to move on. Become a supporter of this p...
May 01, 2024•41 min
On today’s show, I am talking about adjacent stress. Adjacent stress is the stress that others have and its impact on your life. It is other people’s stress and because of our relationship with them, it affects our lives. This stress can come from our spouse, our children, parents, best friend, family, and other friendships. Some people do not feel this stress, while others are highly impacted by it. If you are dealing with someone’s adjacent stress, this is the podcast for you. We need to under...
Feb 14, 2024•41 min
