DiscoverBitch Is A Bad Word: A Domestic Violence Podcast on Healing and EmpowermentTrauma Bonding, Narcissistic Abuse and the Five Things You Must Understand with Dr Nadine Macaluso
Trauma Bonding, Narcissistic Abuse and the Five Things You Must Understand with Dr Nadine Macaluso

Trauma Bonding, Narcissistic Abuse and the Five Things You Must Understand with Dr Nadine Macaluso

Update: 2025-11-18
Share

Description

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 life


About 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 APP

The #1 App For More Confident Co-Parenting

Click 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 podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

Follow: Instagram TikTok

Subscribe: Newsletter


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Trauma Bonding, Narcissistic Abuse and the Five Things You Must Understand with Dr Nadine Macaluso

Trauma Bonding, Narcissistic Abuse and the Five Things You Must Understand with Dr Nadine Macaluso