After publishing the story of a woman trapped in a marriage with a narcissist, I wasn't sure how it would land. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t end in violence or arrest. But the response was overwhelming. Listeners wrote in to say, “That was me.” Some still carry the trauma years later. Others are just now realizing what they went through was abuse.
In this episode, we hear from listeners who saw their own relationships reflected in Ashley’s story. We also speak with criminal behavior analyst Laura Richards to understand how abuse often hides in plain sight—through gaslighting, coercive control, and emotional manipulation. And we ask: what happens when the narcissist isn’t a partner—but a parent? Or when the survivor is a man?
This bonus episode is about the quiet kind of abuse—the kind people are afraid to talk about but desperately need to hear.
🔊 Featuring: Laura Richards and listeners who bravely shared their experiences
⚠️ Trigger warning: discussions of abuse, addiction, and coercive control
🛑 Warning Signs of Narcissistic Abuse:
- Love-bombing followed by emotional withdrawal or cruelty
- Gaslighting: making you doubt your memory, emotions, or reality
- Blaming you for their self-harm threats or emotional instability
- Constant criticism or belittling over mundane issues
- Financial control or sabotage
- Isolating you from family or friends
- Guilt-tripping, triangulation, or passive-aggressive threats
- Refusing accountability or twisting facts during arguments
📌 If you’re in a similar situation, here are resources that can help:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.): 800-799-7233 or thehotline.org — 24/7, free, confidential
- Psychology Today Therapist Finder: psychologytoday.com
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – for substance abuse and mental health support
- Domestic Shelters: domesticshelters.org – helps identify resources near you
- One Mom’s Battle: onemomsbattle.com – for navigating high-conflict custody and divorce
- Love is Respect: loveisrespect.org – support for young people in abusive relationships
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices