Bitch Is A Bad Word: A Domestic Violence Podcast on Healing and Empowerment

This episode is produced in partnership with The National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.orgBesties, we’re going straight into one of the most overwhelming chapters after leaving abuse: family court.Because the truth is this. Abuse does not end when the relationship ends. It escalates. It shifts. And for many survivors, it becomes weaponized through custody battles, litigation, and the legal system itself.In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Nikhita Ved of the National Domestic Violence Hotline to break down what survivors need to know when navigating family court, civil court, protective orders, and post-separation abuse.We unpack how litigation becomes the new form of control, why survivors are often retraumatized by the legal process, and how understanding court strategy, documentation, and timing can make all the difference. Nikhita brings decades of frontline experience supporting survivors through high-conflict custody cases, protective orders, supervised visitation, and court navigation, while Lindsay shares lived experience as a protective parent navigating the system.This is not about revenge.This is not about winning.This is about preparation, strategy, and protecting yourself and your children.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why abuse often escalates after separation through litigation and family court• How family court, civil court, and criminal court differ and why those differences matter• What litigation abuse looks like and how abusers use the legal system to maintain control• Why survivors need a bestie, not just an attorney, when navigating court• How judges actually think about the “best interest of the child”• How to prepare, document patterns, and protect your credibility in court• What it really means to work with a trauma-informed attorney• How pro se survivors can advocate for themselves more effectivelyAbout the National Domestic Violence HotlineThe National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support, resources, and safety planning for survivors of domestic violence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their advocates help survivors navigate abuse, custody concerns, legal options, and safety planning with compassion, patience, and care.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Besties, we’re going straight to the heart of the chaos: co-parenting after domestic abuse. Because the truth is this. Abuse does not end when the relationship ends. It shifts. It morphs. And it often gets weaponized through communication, schedules, school issues, and family court.In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, host Lindsay Abernathy sits down with Steven Nixon, CEO and Family Law Attorney at Talking Parents, and Heather Ruiz, Marketing Director, to break down why your inbox becomes the new battlefield and how one app can create clarity, proof, and peace.We unpack how post-separation abuse shows up as communication chaos, why texts, emails, and DMs can backfire in court, and how Talking Parents creates a secure, unalterable record that helps establish patterns, reduce legal fees, and protect your mental health.This is not about “winning.”This is about documentation, boundaries, and safety.We've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwWe’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented.If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why post-separation abuse often shows up as “communication chaos”• How Talking Parents helps survivors create boundaries and court-ready documentation• Why “I never got that message” and “I didn’t see it” stops working• How courts use Talking Parents in high-conflict custody cases, DV cases, and supervised visitation• How to document patterns without living on the hamster wheelThe 5 Talking Parents Features Every Bestie Needs• Secure messaging with a court-ready record• Recorded audio calls with transcripts• Recorded video calls with transcripts• Shared calendar with edit history and notifications• Payments and reimbursement requests with built-in documentationPlus:Info Library, Vault storage, and a private journal to track what’s happening while protecting your peace. About Talking ParentsTalking Parents was built in family court for families navigating high-conflict co-parenting, custody disputes, and domestic violence situations. The platform creates an unalterable record of communication that courts trust and survivors rely on. It helps reduce conflict, establish patterns, and remove emotion from exchanges when safety and accountability matter most.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pop star turned survivor advocate Tonya Mitchell is here, and Besties, this one hits every nerve. From getting signed to Motown at 15 and touring with *NSYNC to surviving covert domestic violence, smear campaigns, flying monkeys, and “kept woman” control, Tonya is turning every bruise you could not see into a battle cry. Her new song, “Nobody Loves Me Like You,” is a powerful domestic violence anthem for anyone who has ever asked, “Is this abuse or is it me?” and felt their body keeping score long before they had the language for what was happening behind closed doors.Tonya and Lindsay get brutally honest about emotional abuse, financial abuse, manipulation, narcissistic partners who smile in mug shots, and what it takes to break free, protect your kids, and reclaim your voice. If you have ever been called everything from “crazy,” “whore,” to “too sensitive,” this Bitch Sesh is your neon sign that you are not the problem.In this episode, we cover:How Tonya went from bullied teenager to Motown artist touring with *NSYNCThe difference between “perfect childhood” and adult partners who weaponize your empathyWhat domestic violence looks like when there are no bruisesFinancial abuse, hidden money, smashed laptops, and “rules for thee, not for me”Smear campaigns, flying monkeys, and estranged family members used as weaponsPostpartum depression, being a stay at home mom, and why “take a shower” is not a breakHow abuse shows up in your body through stress, rashes, hair loss, and chronic painIntermittent reinforcement, love bombing, and why leaving feels harder than stayingWhy abusing the mother of your children is abusing the children by proxyThe story behind “Nobody Loves Me Like You” and why this song is a lifeline for survivorsAbout Tonya MitchellTonya Mitchell is a singer, songwriter, and domestic violence survivor advocate. Signed to Motown as a teenager, she toured with *NSYNC and landed a Top 40 hit before walking away to build a family, only to find herself trapped in multiple abusive relationships. Today, Tonya uses her voice to speak for survivors through her new single “Nobody Loves Me Like You,” a powerful ballad about emotional abuse, coercive control, and the kind of love that suffocates instead of saves. She partners with the National Alliance of Domestic Violence Survivors and is dedicated to using music, storytelling, and lived experience to help women recognize the signs, get safe, and break the cycle.Follow & ConnectListen to “Nobody Loves Me Like You” by Tonya Mitchell on your favorite music platformWe've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwWe’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented.If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World renowned forensic psychiatrist and violence expert Dr. Bandy X. Lee joins Bitch is a Bad Word to pull back the curtain on what she calls “family court violence.” If you are a protective parent, in high conflict divorce, or walking into family court after abuse, this conversation is your survival guide. Dr. Lee explains how abusers weaponize mental health, how courts confuse calm with credibility, and how a system that claims to protect children is actually trafficking them into the hands of violent offenders for profit. This is the episode you send to every bestie who thinks she is “crazy” for feeling like court is the biggest abuser in the room.In this episode, we cover:How abusers flip the script and weaponize diagnoses, “parental alienation,” and your trauma responses in courtWhy family courts often give full custody to known violent offenders and strip safe, loving parents of their childrenHow gag orders, sealed records, fake experts and closed courts create an “abuse industry” worth billionsWhat “family court violence” is and why Dr. Lee calls it a public health emergencyThe impact on moms. financial ruin, health collapse, disability and increased risk of death after losing custodyPractical insight for protective parents walking into court after domestic violenceAbout Dr. Bandy X. LeeDr. Bandy X. Lee is a forensic psychiatrist and global violence expert who has spent 25 years working with violent offenders in maximum security settings and serving as an expert witness across the United States. She is the Chief Medical Officer of the Institute of Forensic Science and a leading voice on the intersection of psychopathy, coercive control, systemic abuse and family court. She writes and educates on “family court violence” and is organizing a landmark national conference to reform this system.Follow and connect:Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for full episodes and ad free optionsWatch full video episodes and clips on YouTubeJoin the Bestie Gang on Patreon for ad free listening, BTS, bonus content and our vetted private communityConnect with us on social to share your story, suggest guests and stay plugged into resources for survivors and protective parentsWe've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwWe’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented.If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. 👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unfortunately, and fortunately for the Bestie Gang listening, we are going to teach you some things in this episode that I desperately wish I had known sooner. That is the whole point of this show and Amy’s work: you cannot understand their behavior because you would never do it. You keep asking, “What is the point? Why would you do this? Why can’t you just be decent?” and none of it makes sense because you are not wired like someone who enjoys creating the most unsafe, emotionally brutal reality for the mother of their children.In this Bitch Sesh with therapist and narc-recovery expert Amy Watkins, LPC, we break down the post-separation mindf*ck, the breadcrumbs of decency, the mask they wear for the new supply, the way they tell the next one you are crazy while she drinks the Kool-Aid, and how you spiral back into self-doubt, body shame, and “am I the problem?” loops.We talk about the post-separation apocalypse and how to protect your peace when your ex wakes up every day seemingly asking, “How can I f*ck with her today?”Trigger Warning for SA survivors: We also go deep into Lindsay's own story, including SA I did not recognize as SA at the time, caretaking after harm, walking on eggshells in every area of life, and shrinking my needs until I stopped asking for anything because everything I loved was eventually broken or weaponized against me.In this episode, we get into:Post-separation abuse and why you do not even know you are in it until you are outHow abusers flip the script: “you are crazy, you are a bitch” to the new partnerGaslighting, confusion, and how constant reality-twisting can genuinely make you feel like you are going insaneWhy you keep asking “Am I the problem?” after behaving in ways you do not even recognizeSex as a way to stay out of trouble, sexual coercion in marriage or relationships, and why that is not a healthy dynamicFear as your first language: rehearsing basic needs, being terrified to ask for anything, and how that keeps you stuckHow unhealed childhood trauma makes toxic love feel like homeFor more on Amy Watkins, visit her at https://www.amywatkinsstudio.com/We've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this raw and powerful episode, Lindsay sits down with CEO and survivor Chelsea Husum for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends. Chelsea opens up about escaping toxic relationships that dimmed her shine, surviving rape and being left for dead in a foreign country, and the long road to rebuilding her identity, confidence, and sense of safety. Today, she’s a powerhouse in a male-dominated industry leading teams, holding boundaries like a boss, and proving your past is never your life sentence.Inside This Episode:• Toxic partners, gaslighting, trauma bonding & the cycle that hooks you• Why “boring” healthy love is actually the biggest green flag• Letting go of the “nice girl” and stepping into main-character energy• The real, messy work of healing after trauma and rebuilding your nervous system• Rewriting your story after the worst thing you’ve lived throughAbout Chelsea Husum:Chelsea is the CEO of a thriving construction company, a survivor, a truth-teller, and living proof that resilience is a superpower. Her story is a reminder that you’re not broken you’re just getting started baddie.Find out all about her new book, REAL VIBES ONLY here: https://chelseahusum.com/bookListen to her podcast Lip Service & LashesWe’ve got your back, Bestie!Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this unforgettable Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Anna, as a young wife who found herself trapped inside her abusive husband’s family home in Dubai. She was isolated, monitored, and terrified to tell anyone what was happening behind closed doors. Reporting the abuse felt impossible. Leaving felt deadly.With nothing but blind faith, a stranger who became an angel, and strength she did not know she had, Anna made a decision no woman should ever have to make. She grabbed a burner phone, walked into the unknown, and boarded a plane to save her own life.What followed was three years living on the run. Three years hiding, surviving, and rebuilding her identity in the shadows. Three years before she finally returned home safely.This episode is gripping, brave, and one of the most shocking survival stories ever shared on this show. It is a testament to the power of instinct, sisterhood, and the moment a woman decides she will be her own hero in her own story.Inside This Episode:• What life inside an abusive family system in Dubai truly looks like• The terror of being watched, controlled, and completely kept• How a single moment of faith changed everything• What it takes to run and stay alive with no safety net• How Anna rebuilt herself after three years on the lamb• Why leaving is the most dangerous and courageous choice a survivor can makeTo learn more about Anna:https://www.healingandcptsd.com/annahttps://www.oneofthe8.com/post/anna-marie-lopes-kindness-where-you-least-expect-it Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with two unstoppable forces changing the way we talk about abuse before it ever happens: Burd Beauty founders Leah (17) and Misha (15) Burdeen, and Shear Haven founder and advocate Susanne Post. Together, they are redefining what it means to use beauty, education, and community as tools for real safety.We get into how Burd Beauty is turning a hair care brand into a life saving mission, using shampoo to start conversations about teen dating violence, policy change, and giving young people language to protect themselves. Susanne breaks down how Shear Haven trains stylists around the world to recognize warning signs behind the chair and become first responders in moments that matter.This episode is a wake up call, a masterclass, and a battle cry for anyone who believes prevention starts with honest conversations, safe adults, and empowering the next generation.Inside This Episode:• How Burd Beauty is building a beauty brand that doubles as a prevention tool• Shear Haven’s global salon training movement and why cosmetologists are uniquely positioned to spot abuse• The red flags teens miss because no one teaches them what healthy is supposed to feel like• Why early education is the key to breaking generational cycles• How beauty spaces can save lives, literallyBurd Beauty: https://burdbeauty.com/ Teen sisters Leah and Misha Burdeen are using their platform to change the culture around relationships, self worth, and prevention. Their products fuel confidence and a movement.Shear Haven: https://shearhaventraining.org/Founded by Susanne Post, Shear Haven trains stylists worldwide to identify signs of abuse, respond safely, and offer resources that can save a life.-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Texties From The Exties, Lindsay reads a message from a partner where he tells her she's Jerry Springer trash. Though he doesn't say "trash" - he uses other words.Send us your Texties From Your Exties - DM us on instagram at @bitchisabadwordpod or leave us a message at (331) BITCHESEmail us at biabw@caliber-studio.com or IM us on instagram @bitchisabadwordpod with what you would have done! And join our Patreon to discuss it with other Besties!If you want us to read your "Textie From The Extie", send us it! All readings are anonymous!-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lindsay welcomes back our BFF, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, psychologist, relational trauma expert, and survivor of one of the most infamous coercive control stories of our time. Dr. Nae breaks down trauma bonding in a way that finally makes sense, explains how narcissistic personalities pull you into their cycle, and shares the five non negotiable things you must know if you are dealing with someone who thrives on power, control, and chaos.From Dirty John to Romeo style coercive control, Dr. Nadine gives a masterclass on the patterns, the psychology, and the science of why smart, capable, high functioning women get trapped in relationships that turn their world upside down. This is the episode every survivor, every bestie, and every woman rebuilding her life needs in her toolkit.Inside This Episode:• What trauma bonding actually is• How narcissistic abuse forms and hooks you• The five things you must understand to protect yourself• How coercive control works and why it escalates• Why survivors stay and what finally breaks the bond• Nadine’s lived experience and how she rebuilt her lifeAbout Dr Nadine Macaluso:Dr Nadine Macaluso is a licensed psychologist and renowned expert on relational trauma and narcissistic abuse. Her work helps survivors understand the patterns that held them captive so they can break free, reclaim their identity, and rebuild with clarity and strength.Visit her at https://drnae.com/ and get her book RUN LIKE AT HELL at https://drnae.com/product/run-like-hell-book-bundle/-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with somatic healing expert and author Beatriz (Bea) Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, SEP for a conversation that will have you rethinking how you relate to yourself and everyone else. Bea breaks down her trademarked concept, “Outsourcing Your Emotions,” and explains how we chronically and habitually give our sense of safety, belonging, and worth to everyone and everything outside of ourselves and the deep cost that has on our SELF.Together, Lindsay and Bea unpack what it means to source your sense from within, offering practical and embodied tools for nervous system regulation, co-regulation, and building a relationship with your body that feels like home again.She’s brilliant, bold, and such a damn good time. This episode is the somatic wake-up call every recovering people-pleaser and perfectionist needs.Inside This Episode:• What “outsourcing your emotions” really means• How to recognize emotional outsourcing as a habit, not your identity• Why codependency, perfectionism, and people-pleasing are nervous system strategies• Somatic and co-regulation tools to bring you back into your body• How to reclaim your safety, belonging, and worth from withinAbout Beatriz Albina:Beatriz (Bea) Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, SEP (she/her) is a UCSF-trained Family Nurse Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Master Certified Somatic Life Coach, author of the book "End Emotional Outsourcing: A Guide to Overcoming Codependent, Perfectionist and People Pleasing Habits" (Sept 30, Hachette Balance), and host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast.With over 20 years in health and wellness, Bea helps baddies all over the world, reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their joy.SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Book Website with pre-order detailsInstagram: @beatrizvictoriaalbinanpPodcast: Feminist Wellness-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this new segment, Lindsay shares listeners' text messages from their ex's!All submissions are anonymous!Send your Exties' texties to biabw@caliber-studio.com-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 of Lindsay’s epic and unfiltered conversation with Richard Grannon, the trauma expert and philosopher who’s redefining recovery, the two dive head-first into what healing actually looks like after surviving narcissistic abuse. From learning to trust yourself again to understanding how to cut off the supply that keeps toxic people fed, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to crawl out of chaos and build peace that actually lasts.Inside This Episode:• How to stop mistaking pain for love• What “cutting off the supply” really means in narcissistic relationships• The truth about co-parenting with a narcissist and protecting your kids• Why being “indifferent” is your ultimate power move• How to rebuild your self-trust and finally feel safe in your own skin-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----About Richard Grannonhttps://www.youtube.com/@RICHARDGRANNONhttps://www.richardgrannon.com/Richard Grannon is a psychotherapist, speaker, and creator of The Spartan Life Coach. Known for blending philosophy, psychology, and practical tools for emotional recovery, his work has helped millions break free from narcissistic abuse and rebuild with clarity and self-respect.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down inside the National Domestic Violence Hotline headquarters with Katie Ray-Jones, the organization’s badass CEO and lifelong advocate for survivors. Together, they pull back the curtain on what really happens when someone calls for help.From personal survivor stories to the Power and Control Wheel, tech abuse, and teen dating violence, this episode reveals the realities of modern abuse and the lifesaving work happening behind the scenes. Lindsay also shares her emotional experience being invited to serve as an “Advocate for the Day,” listening in on live calls and witnessing firsthand the compassion and strength of those answering up to 3,000 calls every single day.Inside This Episode:• What really happens behind the scenes at the National Domestic Violence Hotline• The truth about tech abuse and digital coercion in modern relationships• How the Power and Control Wheel helps survivors recognize and name abuse• The rise of teen dating violence and how to stop it early• Lindsay’s firsthand experience listening in on real hotline callsWhy This Episode Matters:Because every call is a cry for freedom and every answer is a lifeline.About the Guest:Katie Ray-Jones is the CEO of The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the nation’s leading resource for survivors of abuse. Under her leadership, the Hotline has expanded its services, implemented groundbreaking safety technology, and supported millions of callers nationwide.1-800-799-SAFE (7233)www.thehotline.orghttps://www.instagram.com/ndvhofficial/Follow & Connect: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Follow @bitchisabadwordpodcast for updates, clips, and behind-the-scenes moments Need support? Visit thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The only time you knew your worth as a child was when you were solving a tyrant’s problem.” Richard GrannonMeet Richard Grannon, trauma specialist, author of A Cult of One, and the internet’s most brutally honest voice on narcissistic abuse and emotional recovery. In this episode of B!tch Is A Bad Word, Lindsay and Richard go deep on how narcissistic parents and partners shape our sense of self, why chaos can feel like love, and what it takes to finally break free from toxic patterns.Because healing isn’t just about leaving, it’s about understanding why you stayed.Inside this episodeThe psychological imprint of narcissistic parenting and how it shapes adult relationshipsWhy we confuse love with control and trauma with connectionHyper-fixation, adrenaline addiction, and why “ADHD” might actually be traumaThe cult of toxic relationships and why we worship people who hurt usCo-creation vs. victimhood and how to reclaim power without shameHealing strategies to rewire your nervous system and rediscover your true selfAbout Richard Grannonhttps://www.youtube.com/@RICHARDGRANNONhttps://www.richardgrannon.com/Richard Grannon is a psychotherapist, speaker, and creator of The Spartan Life Coach. Known for blending philosophy, psychology, and practical tools for emotional recovery, his work has helped millions break free from narcissistic abuse and rebuild with clarity and self-respect.-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.------Follow & ConnectSubscribe, rate, and review Bitch Is A Bad Word to help more survivors find us!Share this episode with a bestie stuck in the “I can fix him” cycle.Join the Bestie Gang for tools, healing resources, and community (links in show notes)We've Got Your Back, Besties!Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kalen’s story began when she was only 17. What she thought was the drama of love quickly became a cycle of emotional and physical abuse. For years, she was told she was crazy, too sensitive, too much. She believed it. Behind closed doors, she lived with an extreme personality who used manipulation, fear, and control to keep her questioning her own mind.In this episode of Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Kalen to explore how young love can turn into domination, how gaslighting rewrites reality, and how long-term abuse leaves scars that take years to understand. This conversation is a raw reminder that real love is not chaos or pain, and that healing begins the moment you stop mistaking cruelty for passion.Inside This Episode• How abuse can start young and feel like “drama” instead of danger• The cycle of gaslighting and control in extreme personalities• When emotional abuse escalates into physical violence• The moment Kalan realized “crazy” wasn’t her, it was him• Rebuilding after years of abuse, manipulation, fear, and shameAbout KalenKalen is a survivor and advocate who endured years of emotional and physical abuse beginning at 17. Today she uses her experience to help other women recognize the red flags, trust their intuition, and know that love should never hurt.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“What is life if not a series of fresh starts?” Olivia HowellMeet Olivia Howell, founder of The Fresh Starts Registry (as featured on the TODAY Show), who’s redefining what it means to begin again after divorce, separation, or abuse. Because when we leave, we need a fresh start registry. You might have spent years too afraid to speak up about how you wanted to decorate your home. Maybe you lost your autonomy and don’t even know what your favorite color is or what clothes feel good on your body anymore. The Fresh Starts Registry gives you permission to start over with dignity, safety, and support.In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, we explore how to rebuild your life piece by piece, emotionally, financially, and physically, while reclaiming the parts of yourself that got lost along the way.Inside this episodeWhat the Fresh Starts Registry is and how it helps fund your restartThe power of reclaiming your space, identity, and confidence after leavingCo-parenting basics, boundaries, and documentation that protects youFinancial essentials: credit, budgeting, housing, and must-have itemsHealing after narcissistic and coercive control without losing yourselfHow to build your new village: community, safety, and supportAbout Olivia HowellOlivia Howell is the founder of The Fresh Starts Registry, a first-of-its-kind platform helping survivors crowd-resource the essentials for life after separation. Featured on the TODAY Show and across major media outlets, Olivia’s mission is to make rebuilding after loss or leaving not just possible but empowering.Follow & ConnectSubscribe, rate, and review Bitch Is a Bad Word to boost discoveryShare this episode with a bestie who’s planning a safe exitJoin the Bestie Gang for tools, checklists, and community support (links in show notes)Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of B!tch Is a Bad Word’s: B!tch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Malou.Malou found B!tch Is a Bad Word the same way so many of us do, scrolling through social media late at night, trying to make sense of the question that changes everything: What the fck is this relationship I’m in?*Through the endless carousel of “relationship advice” and trauma content, she began piecing together what was really happening behind closed doors. What started as confusion became clarity, and what once felt like isolation turned into community.In this conversation, Malou shares how discovering language around micro-aggressions, narrative abuse, and subtle forms of control helped her name what she was experiencing and start rebuilding her sense of self.More than that, she talks about the ripple effect that happens when survivors speak up, how one story shared online can become the reason another woman finally sees the truth in her own.Inside This Episode:• Using social media to decode emotional and psychological abuse• The “what the f*ck is this relationship?” moment that changes everything• How micro-aggressions and narrative abuse keep victims doubting themselves• The ripple effect of storytelling in survivor communities• Finding clarity and connection through shared experienceWhy this episode matters:Malou’s story is a reminder that healing often starts in the quiet scroll, in the comment sections, and in the courage to say something’s not right here. It’s about how awareness spreads, one post, one podcast, and one story at a time.If you’ve ever questioned your reality, doubted your instincts, or turned to the internet looking for answers, this one’s for you.Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of emotional abuse, manipulation, and coercive control. Please take care while listening.We’ve got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the first person you told about your abuse… wasn’t a person at all?In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Anne Wintemute, the CEO and founder of Aimee Says, an AI-powered digital companion designed to support people experiencing domestic violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, and toxic relationships.Aimee isn’t a chatbot or a therapist. She’s something new: a judgment-free, always-available guide that helps you figure out if what you’re experiencing is abuse and what to do next with your Textie From The Extie! Inside This Episode• How technology can safely support survivors who aren’t ready to reach out for help• Why venting to Aimee can be life-changing when you’re not free to share or when your circle doesn’t understand abuse• The moment Anne realized AI could be used for healing, not harm• How to recognize patterns of control before they escalate• The power of turning pain into purposeWhy It MattersMillions of women suffer in silence because they don’t know where to start or who to trust. Aimee Says is helping survivors take their first step privately, safely, and without shame.You are not alone. And now, you’ll never have to be. We've got your back, Bestie!Vist Aimee Says at aimeesays.comTrigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of domestic abuse, coercive control, and emotional trauma. Please take care while listening.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the story everyone thought they knew was only half the truth?In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word’s Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Sarma Melngailis the woman the world met as the “Bad Vegan” but who lived something far more complex behind closed doors.From the high of running New York’s hottest vegan restaurant to the collapse that followed, Sarma opens up about love, deception, public shaming, and the long road back to herself all while revealing the real meaning behind that now-famous duck tattoo.What began as a fairy-tale partnership with a mysterious man spiraled into manipulation, coercion, and betrayal that left her questioning everything including her own reality.Now, Sarma’s here to reclaim her story in her own words.Inside This Episode:• What really happened behind the Bad Vegan headlines• How charm and control can disguise emotional and psychological abuse• The price of public humiliation and the path to redemption• Why women are often vilified for believing in love• The unexpected wisdom that comes from losing everythingWhy this episode matters:Sarma’s story is a wake-up call about the power of persuasion, the cost of silence, and the courage it takes to start again when the world has already decided who you are. It’s about owning your narrative duck tattoo and all.If you’ve ever been misjudged, misunderstood, or manipulated into forgetting your worth this one’s for you.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of emotional abuse, coercive control, and public shaming. Please take care while listening.We’ve got your back, besties!PURCHASE Sarma's New Tell-All: https://thegirlwiththeducktattoo.com/FOLLOW Sarma on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarmamelngailis/?hl=enListen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.