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Ever realized someone was still pulling your strings years after you thought you'd cut them loose? That's exactly where I found myself recently—seven and a half years after leaving my narcissistic marriage, discovering brand new layers of manipulation I hadn't even recognized.

The shocking truth? I'd been conditioned to believe I was making good parenting choices by "keeping the peace," when in reality, I was allowing my ex to continue controlling my life through our child. It took a former partner (a therapist with decades of experience) to point out this painful truth—my ex was still manipulating my schedule, my relationships, and my peace through carefully crafted situations involving our son.

In this raw, unfiltered episode, I break down a recent interaction where my ex tried to manipulate me into taking over childcare for our sick son so he could go golfing. I walk through the multiple layers of this manipulation—from "praise baiting" by reminding me of past good deeds, to creating anxiety in our child that I'd have to soothe, to presenting himself as considerate for "checking with me first" when really he was just looking for an out from his parental responsibilities.

What makes this kind of manipulation so damaging is how it affects children. My son has developed anxiety around doing anything that might upset his father, including me dating or having my own social life. He's internalized his father's reactions as somehow being his responsibility. The heartbreaking reality of narcissistic co-parenting is that our children become unwitting pawns in a game they never asked to play.

If you're struggling with a narcissistic co-parent, this episode offers validation, strategies for setting boundaries, and most importantly, hope. Because as I've discovered, healing isn't just about surviving—it's about thriving in your own renaissance of self-discovery. The journey may not be linear, but every time you recognize manipulation and choose differently, you're taking a powerful step forward.

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After a painful nine-month relapse with my narcissistic ex-husband, I've emerged with clearer boundaries and important lessons to share about recognizing manipulation tactics and prioritizing reality over potential in relationships.

• Having experienced the rollercoaster of trauma bonds, love bombing, and manipulation again, I now understand how easily narcissists exploit our vulnerabilities
• People can change, but look for tangible evidence through personal development work, not just words
• My middle son recently experienced a similar toxic relationship pattern but learned from my experience and walked away faster
• Narcissists will cross boundaries in calculated ways—like when my ex showed up unannounced to meet my children before I was ready
• The healing journey isn't linear, but each cycle teaches us more and strengthens our ability to recognize patterns earlier
• Witnessing someone's actions reveals much more than believing in their potential or listening to their promises
• Breaking generational cycles requires honesty about troubling patterns and protecting your peace

Please subscribe, as we're going to meet here every week and continue to grow and develop into our best selves.

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As my son takes his first steps into the Army, I find myself on an unexpected emotional journey, grappling with anxiety and illness. My idealized vision of thriving in newfound freedom was quickly overshadowed by the guilt of missing work at a new job and the pressing need for self-compassion. Join me as I reflect on these pivotal life transitions, sharing intimate insights on the importance of allowing ourselves to rest without shame. You'll hear about my own emotional rollercoaster and how these experiences have shaped my path towards healing and personal growth.

In this episode, I navigate the complex landscape of love and healing, recounting a personal story of feeling trapped in a challenging relationship. Torn between the desire for growth and recognizing a lack of genuine affection, this narrative underscores the moral dilemmas many face in vulnerable moments. As I candidly recount these experiences, I invite you to embrace your own healing journey and join me weekly as we explore transformation and resilience. Plus, get a sneak peek at an upcoming episode discussing the lessons learned from reconnecting with a narcissistic ex and celebrating my own physical transformation through weight loss and surgery.

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How do you navigate the emotional upheaval of significant life changes while caring for your own health and well-being? This week on Awaken Wild One, I, Trish Stanford, share the heart-wrenching experience of my son leaving for the Army and the surprising ways my body reacted to such stress, from cold sores to overwhelming nausea. Amidst this turmoil, I found solace in self-compassion and allowed myself the grace to recover at my own pace. I also open up about my recent journey through a paniculectomy, reflecting on how this surgery has reshaped more than just my self-image, following my significant weight loss and the physical transformations of motherhood.

As I recount these pivotal moments, I delve into the tricky terrain of relationships during recovery, especially when my partner chose this vulnerable time to express intense feelings. While I acknowledge his growth, uncertainty looms over his understanding of love. This episode doesn't provide all the answers but instead invites you to ponder the authenticity of love and the complexity of healing from narcissistic abuse. Join me on this reflective journey, as we explore the intricacies of emotional resilience and the hope for a brighter future, promising more discussions and insights in future episodes.

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When faced with the aftermath of narcissistic abuse, the journey to healing can seem daunting and unending. Yet, I found liberation and profound transformation through practices like reparenting and Quanta Freedom Healing. Join me, Trish Stanford, as I share my personal odyssey over the past year—a journey of confronting deep-seated wounds and nurturing my inner child back to wholeness. This episode is your gateway to understanding how these powerful techniques can be catalysts for emotional growth and unlocking your potential.

Get ready to reclaim your power with a guided meditation designed to reconnect you with your past self, offering compassion and unconditional love to the parts of you that need it most. We'll explore how reparenting isn't just a healing tool but a pathway to manifesting your desires and living your best life. Together, let's embrace this shared path of self-discovery and weekly insights as we strive to unleash the transformative power within ourselves.

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As I, Trish Stanford, pull back the curtain on my own dating disasters, I invite you to witness the treacherous allure of those deceiving 'butterflies.' They were danger signs, masquerading as excitement, leading me down the path of obsession and mirroring the disarray of past traumas. This episode peels away the layers of false thrills to uncover a profound insight: true peace and stability in relationships should evoke calm, not chaos. We explore why the flutter of attraction can be a cautionary tale for those of us finding our way out of narcissistic abuse, and how the soothing tranquility found in genuine friendships has become my new beacon of hope.

Venturing further, we dissect the facade of charm in toxic relationships through my own experiences with a captivating father and charming ex-husbands. These reflections serve as a stark reminder of the hidden snares within alluring encounters and the importance of honoring one's instincts amid red flags. Join me on this heartfelt journey towards healing, as at 44, I continue to learn the vital difference between the fleeting butterflies and the enduring serenity that marks a true connection. This weekly podcast is more than just stories—it's a steady climb to self-betterment and a collective endeavor to embrace our best lives.

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Ever found yourself ensnared in the web of a narcissist, manipulated by the unseen hands of what we call 'Flying Monkeys'? We've been there, and this episode is a raw, honest dive into the perilous journey of surviving narcissistic abuse and dealing with these Flying Monkeys. With the personal story of divorce from a narcissist, we shed light on the tactics employed by narcissists and their minions to control and manipulate those around them. 

As we move on from the harsh realities of life with a narcissist, we gear up to rebuild life post-abuse. A brave listener shares her inspiring account of standing strong against the narcissist's control, and we explore the importance of breaking away from toxic relationships and the Flying Monkeys. We delve into the heartache of leaving behind relationships lost to narcissism, and the steps towards building healthier relationships. 

Finally, we discuss the power of vulnerability and community. Drawing from personal experiences, we focus on creating authentic relationships and the strength of the community that unfolds from these connections. This episode wraps up on a hopeful note, urging survivors to invest time in themselves and to look forward to the fulfilling life that awaits beyond the narcissistic abuse. Join us in this empowering journey, as we navigate the stormy seas of narcissistic abuse, towards a haven of understanding, hope, and liberation.

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Welcome to Awaken Wild One! This podcast is my gift to fellow survivors of narcissistic abuse. Together, we will learn, develop, and expand into the strongest, most authentic versions of ourselves. Join us, and unleash your best life!!

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Revenge is sweet? Success is sweeter. 
Awaken Wild One is a podcast dedicated to survivors of narcissistic abuse. Our community is healing, growing, expanding and unleashing our best lives! This episode calls you into alignment and success in the midst of your healing. 

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Unleash your best life!