Claim OwnershipBreaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse
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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.
195 Episodes
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Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Why do so many survivors miss they’re being abuse? In this Labor Day Special, I’m revisiting three powerful interviews that follow the journey from denial to freedom. First, we explore how abuse often hides in plain sight, even for smart, capable people. The author I’m referencing as “he” is Don Hennessey and his book, How He Gets into Her Head. Then, we examine how cognitive dissonance keeps you stuck. Finally, we describe ...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Is my daughter-in-law a malignant narcissist? How did she hide her worst qualities for so long? Today, Dr. Kerry answers 2 listeners’ questions. The first is from New York, New York about narcissists’ public and private personas. Many narcissistic individuals create a false mask to hide their worst qualities. The second comes from Southern Pines, North Carolina, who wants to know more about love-bombing. SU...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! What if the person you fell in love with never really existed? In this episode, Dr. Nae — psychologist, author of Run Like Hell, and former wife of the real “Wolf of Wall Street” — exposes how master manipulators use love-bombing, mirroring, and coercive control to create a false sense of intimacy. Learn: How abusers build a fake romantic persona to hook their targets Why trauma bonds are so difficult to break, ev...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Welcome to our new podcast segment called Fan Mail! This is where Dr. Kerry answers your questions. To kick off our weekly bonus episode, Dr. Kerry is responding to a listener who writes, “He has destroyed me and my world after 16 years of marriage.” -- from Westminster California More About the Episode Today Dr. Kerry answers two fan mail requests: 1. "Please address abuse from a man's perspective." -Cleveland, Ohio...
1Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! What’s the single biggest giveaway that someone lacks emotional maturity — especially when the pressure’s on? In this episode, Dr. Les Carter, psychologist, best-selling author, and expert on narcissism and emotional health, reveals the #1 sign of low emotional maturity during conflict. We dive into how this pattern plays out in everyday disagreements, why it derails problem-solving, and what you can do to protect your own e...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on something few of us talk about—the emotional toll of surviving narcissistic abuse after the relationship ends. Healing is hard. Helping others heal while still navigating your own recovery? Even harder. In this episode, I share why I’m taking a short summer hiatus—and how you can still stay connected and supported during this time. 💌 For Paid Substack Subscribers: Here’s What’...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! This US holiday weekend, let’s revisit three of your favorite podcast episodes. Interestingly, they all have the same theme: why narcissistic abuse survivors initially think they’re the problem. Clip 1 is from Season 3 Episode 64: "How mad can I make you?" The Toxic Games Covert Narcissists Play” Video: https://youtu.be/pfU0y1ycgtg Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2150391/episodes/15052505 Clip 2 is from Seoson 3 Episode 57...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Why do we pick bad partners? Is purely because of deception or are we missing early warning signs of a toxicity? This week, author and clinician, Mary Crocker Cook joins us to discuss the problems of early socialization and different expectation in the dysfunctional relationship. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Mary Crocker Cook? 🔹 Are you wondering how to exit a toxic relationship safely? Mary shares some power...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Can someone be both narcissistic and neurodivergent? This week, ADHD coach and neurodiversity educator Sheila Henson joins Dr. Kerry to explore the nuanced overlap between narcissistic traits and ADHD. Together, they unpack how these two very different dynamics can sometimes co-exist—and what that means for the health of your relationship. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Sheila Henson? 🔹 Are you wondering if you...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Is your relationship displaying signs that it’s over? Maybe it’s on its last legs, and you wonder if it can be saved? In this episode, Dr. Becky Whetstone delves into the complexities of relationships, particularly focusing on the challenges faced during marriage crises. She shares her experiences and insights as a marriage therapist, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and recognizing the signs of an unhealthy rela...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Are you living with a narcissist or a stressfully demanding person? These types of relationships often require us to step up with extra emotional labor without us even realizing it. This week, psychotherapist and author Terri Cole joins us to explore the hidden costs of high-functioning codependency. Learn why over-helping is often a trauma response, not a personality trait—and what to do if you're living with a bounda...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Are female friendships just as damaging as pathological love relationships? This week, Sabrina Kirberg, author of We Used to be Best Friends, joins us to discuss the harmful consequences of toxic women friendships. Learn why we often miss spotting toxic female relationships and their common harmful dynamics. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Sabrina Kirberg? 🔹Does your best friend fit one of the toxic female stere...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Living with a narcissistic or emotionally toxic person will wreak havoc on your personality or sense of self. This week, Lynn Strathdee, mental health therapist and expert, joins us today to discuss the effects of chronic exposure to narcissistic abuse. Learn how dysfunctional relationship shapes your personality, giving “echoistic” tendencies. Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Lynn Strathdee? ...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Are you trying to heal from a betrayal? If you have survived a narcissistic relationship then you have experienced betrayal. Often repetitive, devastating breaches of trust. This week, Dr. Debi Silber joins us to discuss how to rebuild renewed confidence after betrayal. She outlines the five stages of betrayal recovery as well the common pitfalls that keep survivors stalled from fully healing after abuse. ...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Toxic relationships tremendously impact our emotional selves, but what about our sexual selves? Dr. Lisha Antiqua, an expert in sexual intimacy and soul psychology, joins us to discuss how common toxic dynamics in narcissistic relationships, such as objectification and transactional relationships, diminish our intimate connection with one another. She also defines the importance of healthy interpersonal and sexual boun...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Is it autism or narcissism? It’s become trendy lately to excuse toxic/abusive behavior as neurodivergence. Today, Erica Little-Herron, an expert/advocate on autism, joins us to discuss the key differences between narcissism and autism. Looking for the Podcast Interview with Erica Little-Herron? 🔹Learn in this week's exclusive Podcast Extra interview why Erica Little-Herron thinks the autistic community is frequently targeted...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Going no contact with a parent, particularly when it’s your mother, is a gut-wrenching decision. Alex Anderson, an independent film-maker and writer joins me to discuss his timely movie, FOG, which explores a toxic mother-daughter dynamics. He describes how Fog-Obligation-Guilt drives this challenging relationship. Learn more about Alex and his work here: https://www.youtube.com/@alexanderson2467 To watch the FOG trailer: ht...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Why do men abuse? How does this behavior benefit them? Today, Chuck Derry, the co-founder of the Gender Violence Institute, joins us to discuss the disturbing reasons for male violence and what community responses are needed to curb these toxic/dangerous behaviors. To learn more about the results of Chuck Derry’s study, visit: https://voicemalemagazine.org/abusive-men-describe-the-benefits-of-violence/ Gender Violence Instit...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! You’re barely picking up the pieces, and your ex has already moved on—posting picture-perfect snapshots of their new, fabulous life. Meanwhile, you're left wondering: Were they always this happy, or is this just for show? In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Lisa Sonni dive into why narcissists and toxic personalities seem to seamlessly transition into a "perfect" new relationship. Is it real, or is it just another illusion?...
Submit your question be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below! Ever wondered if your partner’s cruelty is intentional? Do they know they’re being hurtful, or is it just thoughtlessness? This week, Dr. Kerry and Lisa Sonni expose a chilling but often-overlooked dynamic in toxic relationships: sadism. Learn what sadism really is, how it shows up in narcissistic partnerships, and why some toxic individuals seem to take pleasure in your pain. ➡️ Want to watch the Podcast Extra Intervi...
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