Episode Summary

I used to think an apology meant hope. Like—if he apologized, it meant he got it. If he cried, it meant he cared. If he promised, it meant it was different this time.

But the apology wasn’t the bridge back to safety. It was the leash.

In this episode, I break down the 7 fake apologies that keep you trapped in the cycle: the ones that sound like accountability but are actually reset buttons. I share my own story of mistaking manipulation for remorse, and I give you the exact responses you can use to break the pattern.

This isn’t about healing or forgiveness. It’s about seeing the cycle clearly so you can choose differently

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The 7 Fake Apologies

* “I’m sorry you feel that way” — Apologizing for your feelings, not their actions

* “I’m sorry, but you…” — The apology that blames you

* “I didn’t mean it like that” — Intent over impact

* “You know how I am” — Resignation disguised as honesty

* “I’m sorry I hurt you” — Performative emotion without change

* “Can we just move past this?” — Rushing you through your pain

* “I’ll change, I promise” — The promise that never lands

What You’ll Learn

* How fake apologies keep the cycle spinning

* Why you keep believing them (and it’s not your fault)

* What a real apology actually looks like

* Exact responses to use when you hear these

* How to trust your body when your mind is confused

Resources

Read the full blog post:7 Fake Apologies That Keep You Trapped

Mentioned in This Episode

* The polyvagal theory and why your body knows before your mind does

* Neuroscience of trauma bonding and the apology cycle

* How pattern recognition (especially for neurodivergent folks) is your superpower

For You

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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