In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Dr. Nadine Macaluso—therapist, author, and trauma bond expert—to explore the insidious dynamics of trauma bonded relationships. Nadine bravely shares her own experience as the ex-wife of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” shedding light on the coercion, manipulation, and psychological warfare that define these toxic partnerships. But more than just surviving, Nadine walks us through what it truly takes to heal, reclaim your identity, and find peace on the other side. We unpack what trauma bonding really means (and what it doesn’t), the behavioral patterns that make these relationships so hard to leave, and why traditional labels like “codependency” often miss the mark. 

Episode Highlights:

[0:26 ] - Welcoming Dr. Nadine Macaluso and the powerful topic of trauma bonding
 [2:46 ] - Defining trauma bonds: the toxic dance of power imbalance and intermittent reinforcement
 [4:32 ] - The difference between conflict in healthy relationships and trauma bonds
 [6:18 ] - Why “narcissistic abuse” doesn’t cover the full picture
 [8:48 ] - How trauma bonds begin with charm, love bombing, and hidden pathology
 [9:37 ] - The damaging effects of victim-blaming language in therapy and society
 [11:54 ] - Living with public exposure and reclaiming her story after The Wolf of Wall Street
[14:08 ] - The viral TikTok that launched Nadine’s healing advocacy online
[17:32 ] - Coercion disguised as love: fast-tracked marriage, children, and control
[18:37 ] - Why trauma bonds are so hard to break: fear, shame, confusion, and dependency
[21:33 ] - Nadine’s healing roadmap: education, stabilization, and rediscovery of self
[27:36 ] - What life feels like after leaving a trauma bond: freedom, peace, and autonomy
[29:42 ] - Learning to trust your intuition again and spotting red flags early
[30:24 ] - Can women be the pathological partner? The gendered nature of coercive control
[32:50 ] - Process addictions and their devastating impact on self-worth
[33:09 ] - Cognitive dissonance: the mental glue of trauma bonded relationships
[34:45 ] - Realizing there was only ever one person in the relationship—the manipulator
[36:24 ] - How to access Nadine’s book, community, and incredible healing resources

Links & Resources

Download the First Chapter of Dr. Nadine Macalso’s book Run Like Hell for Free: https://heal.drnae.com/podcast-book-giveaway 

Join Dr. Nadine Macaluso’s trauma bond recovery course: https://course.drnae.com/trauma-bond-recovery-course-c 

If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!

🎙️ Love the podcast? Come talk about episodes with us inside The Midlife Chat. It’s a free, private community just for women at midlife who want to keep these conversations going. We’ve created this space for real talk, fresh resources, and honest connection—where you can share ideas and resources, ask questions, and get support from women navigating the same season. Come join us—we’d love to have you!

👉 [Join The Midlife Chat here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/795863256460970/?rdid=QDc8ryzocgFpBrbm#]