Claim OwnershipBreaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse
Subscribed: 237Played: 5,030
Subscribe
© 2026 Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse
Description
Confused by your relationship? Do you catch yourself second-guessing, walking on eggshells, or feeling emotionally drained? Whether you’re still in the chaos or trying to rebuild after leaving, this podcast is your lifeline.
Join retired psychologist Dr. Kerry McAvoy as she exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how destructive personalities operate, the manipulative tactics they use, and the stages of abuse—plus the practical steps to heal and reclaim your life.
If you’re ready to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and find lasting emotional freedom, hit play and start your recovery journey today.
238 Episodes
Reverse
“My doctor keeps telling me it's all in my head—but I know something's wrong. Why won't they listen?" This week's Fan Mail question comes from a podcast listener who writes: "Dear Kerry, could you do a podcast on the topic of narcissism, psychopathy and healthcare?…” In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down why healthcare settings attract people who crave power and control, how the doctor-patient dynamic creates dangerous vulnerability, and why women are especially at risk of medica...
1Ever wonder why you didn't see it coming? This week, Don Hennessy joins Dr. Kerry to expose the hidden playbook male predators use to infiltrate your mind—without you knowing it happened. We unpack the shocking truth about what predators are actually really after. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 🔹 Hennessy breaks down the grooming steps you never saw coming. Don ...
Does Narcissism Come and Go? What "Good Periods" With a Narcissist Really Mean This week's Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Dubai who writes: "Can narcissism in a person wax and wane? There's been years when my husband was acting like a narcissist, and then there's also been chunks of years where he's been incredibly supportive and uplifting. Can a narcissist change depending on their current situation?" In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why narcissistic behavior can a...
Slowly losing control in your relationship—but can't quite put your finger on what's happening? This week, Dr. Christine Cocchiola breaks down coercive control as the invisible foundation beneath all abuse. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 🔹 Think you might be losing yourself, but not sure how to tell? Dr. C provides the "identity assessment" you need and how to spot the...
"My coworker is a narcissist—and so is our boss. What happens when two narcissists have to work together?" This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who writes: "Thank you for all your content! Very helpful. I am curious to know - what tends to happen when 'a narcissist meets a narcissist' - meaning they are introduced to each other, are coworkers or need to cooperate with each other in some way or even end up being partners? Are there any patterns to or are there typi...
Why do loving parents sometimes push away the very children they'd do anything for? This week, Catherine Hickem joins Dr. Kerry to unpack one of the most painful dynamics in modern families—parental estrangement. We explore how unspoken expectations create invisible walls, why parents mistake control for connection, and how grief work (yes, grief work) is the secret to letting your adult children become who they actually are, not who you needed them to be. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE ...
A listener pushes back and asks, "How do we know the parent claiming alienation isn't actually the abuser manipulating the narrative?" When a child rejects contact with a parent after separation, is it parental alienation or justified estrangement? In this week's fan mail, a listener pushes back with a challenge about a previous episode that aired October 16, 2025, titled "Why Does My Ex Always Blame Me When the Kids Want Nothing to Do with Him?" This listener wanted to know how to tell whe...
Ever wonder why betrayal feels so devastating—like more than just cheating? This week, Hope Ray joins Dr. Kerry to introduce the concept of betrayal violence: the intersection of infidelity and abuse that most people don't recognize. We explore how sexual secrets strip partners of their consent and autonomy. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 🔹 When you're the victim: How...
"My partner has traits of both covert and overt narcissism—is that possible?" This week's Fan Mail question comes from a podcast listener who writes: "Can a person be both a covert and an overt narcissist? I'm hearing the descriptions of each and my partner has traits of both." In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down the confusing language around narcissistic types—what "covert" and "overt" actually mean (hint: they describe symptoms, not people), why your partner can absolutely show bot...
Ever wondered how someone can exploit you sexually while you still love them? This week, Pamela Takefman joins Dr. Kerry to explain how sexual coercion works—and why it doesn’t always require kidnapping or obvious physical force to be real. Learn how perpetrators gradually test boundaries until extreme exploitation feels normal, and why loving your abuser doesn’t mean the abuse isn’t real. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here...
Ever wonder why your in-laws rallied around your abusive partner instead of protecting you? This episode explores one of the most painful dynamics in narcissistic abuse: when families choose to protect the abuser and paint YOU as the problem. We revisit a past interview with Rossana where she shares her firsthand experience of this dynamic along with a Fan Mail listener who experienced something similar. PODCAST EXTRA Next week, the Podcast Extra exclusive interviews will re...
Can a psychopath be a good person? And how do we spot dangerous people when they seem so charming? This holiday special brings you an in-depth answer to one of your most-asked questions with highlights from Dr. Kerry's interview with Tara Blair Ball about the Dark Triad Personality. We explore why dangerous people don't look scary and the critical difference between niceness and kindness. PODCAST EXTRA This week, there is no exclusive Podcast Extra interview. Instead,...
"How do I know if I'm in an emotionally abusive relationship?" asks a YouTube listener. In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why even asking this question is an important sign of possible trouble. Dr Kerry will outline what emotional abuse actually looks like (hint: it's not about one-off incidents—it's about patterns) and why you might feel like you're shrinking or walking on eggshells. Abusive relationships turn people into functional objects instead of letting them shine as a fu...
Ever felt like you're the problem in your family—even when you're the one being hurt? This week, Ágatha Peters joins Dr. Kerry to explore how cultural expectations and family loyalty create the perfect conditions for narcissistic abuse to thrive undetected. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 🔹 Stuck as the family scapegoat? Wondering how to survive when you can't leave? Ág...
You dodged a bullet!" No—the bullet hit me. I just survived. This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who writes: "People tell me I dodged a bullet. But the bullet hit me—I just survived. I feel like it turned me into a monster. The PTSD caused me to start reacting more strongly to smaller triggers and even did abusive things myself in what I felt was self-defense." In this episode, Dr. Kerry addresses why "you dodged a bullet" feels so wrong, what survivor's guilt re...
Is narcissism caused by genetics or trauma? Ever heard “narcissists act that way because of bad parenting" or “because they’ve experienced trauma?” This week, Dr. Peter Salerno returns to challenge everything you thought you knew about the cause of narcissistic personality disorder. We're diving into the controversial science of heritability. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 🔹...
This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a Spotify listener: “Can you please do an episode on scapegoat children?” Why do some people get scapegoated, especially in families? Dr. Kerry explains the role of the scapegoat and how families use this person to address systemic stress and dysfunctional. Submit Your Question If you’d like your question addressed on air, send it here: 👉 https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail Submit your question to be answered on air here! Re...
Ever wonder why you didn't see the danger coming? This week, Dr. Leslie Dobson joins Dr. Kerry to unpack the psychological mechanisms that drive narcissistic and antisocial behavior. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 🔹 Red flags you're missing: how to spot pressure, boundary testing, and grooming before it's too late. Dr. Dobson breaks down the early warning signs—from gold-toothed "tests"...
Dr. Les Carter has spent decades studying narcissists, and in this retrospective, he reveals what most people miss until it's too late. We revisit five groundbreaking conversations about what's really happening behind the mask. Get a glimpse into the weekly Substack newsletter with this week’s complimentary copy. Sign up today using this link. Dr. Carter may have produced his last video, but his wisdom continues on his YouTube channel, Surviving Narcissism. Thank you, Dr. Les Carter, for all ...
“Is the Dark Triad a real disorder—or just a dangerous type?” This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Germany who writes after a recent video: “You called ‘dark triad’ a personality disorder, but it isn’t in the DSM-5. Isn’t it a subclinical descriptor?” In this episode, Dr. Kerry clarifies what is the Dark Triad and why we need to get better at spotting this type of personality. Submit Your Question If you’d like your question addressed on air, send it here: 👉 http...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States