What if your life looked picture-perfect—but behind closed doors, it was anything but?

In this deeply honest episode of Bitch Sesh, we’re joined by Heather from Hello Divorce, who discovered Bitch Is a Bad Word after listening to the When Dating Hurts podcast and feeling an urgent pull to reach out. Her story—and the story of a friend living through hidden abuse—reminds us that emotional abuse doesn’t always look like abuse at first… and that leaving safely is never as simple as it sounds.

Together, we break down what financial abuse actually looks like, why couple’s therapy with an abuser is a huge red flag, and how Hello Divorce is helping women reclaim their power—one plan, one payment, one peaceful breath at a time.

Whether you’re living it, recovering from it, or trying to support someone else through it—this episode is for you.

 Inside This Episode:

• Why “just leave” isn’t realistic or safe advice
• The reality of financial abuse & post-separation control
• What not to do in therapy with a manipulative partner
• Why it’s okay—and smart—to leave via text or email
• The tools Hello Divorce offers for building a safe exit plan

You are not alone. You’re not crazy. And no—you’re not a bitch for doing what you need to do to be safe. We've got your back, Besties!

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What happens when the system meant to protect you actually works against you?

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, I’m joined by Tina Swithin—author, mom, and founder of One Mom’s Battle. Tina’s story started in the trenches of a brutal custody battle with a narcissistic ex, where she faced emotional abuse and a family court system that failed her. But she didn’t just survive—she turned her pain into a movement helping thousands of women find their voice and fight back.

Together, we unpack the realities of narcissistic abuse, the emotional and legal trauma of family court battles, and how one woman is changing the narrative for moms everywhere.

Whether you’re currently navigating abuse, healing from it, or standing beside someone who is—this episode is a must-listen.

Inside This Episode:

• The truth about narcissistic abuse and emotional manipulation
• Why family court can be one of the most dangerous places for survivors
• How to reclaim your voice and build a support system
• Tina’s mission to change the broken system, one mom at a time

You are not alone. Your pain is valid. And your voice matters. We've got your back, Besties!

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

TINA SWITHIN

VISIT Tina: www.onemomsbattle.com

FOLLOW Tina Instagram TikTok

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You don’t need a black eye to be a survivor.

In this raw and revealing episode, I sit down with Marcela, founder of Beyond the Bruise, to talk about what abuse really looks like — and why the healing journey isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Together, we dive deep into what happens after the leaving. The grief. The gaslighting. The shaky steps toward trusting yourself again. Marcela shares her own story of survival and how she now helps other women walk through the fire and into freedom.

If you've ever felt unseen, doubted your own experience, or wondered why you're still healing “so long after” — this episode is for you.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• The truth about abuse that doesn’t leave physical scars
• Why survivors often miss the warning signs — and how to spot them
• The emotional whiplash of loving someone who hurts you
• How Marcela turned her pain into purpose with Beyond the Bruise
• Real talk on healing, self-trust, and reclaiming your voice

Whether you're still processing or years into recovery, Bitch Is a Bad Word is your space to feel validated, empowered, and unshakably seen. We've got your back, bestie.

FOLLOW Marcela

IG: @beyond.the.bruise

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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Reality isn’t always what it seems…. it’s what you make it.

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He never hit you… so it couldn’t have been abuse, right?

Wrong. And this week, we’re unpacking exactly why.

Joining me is Laura Richards, narcissistic abuse recovery coach, author of Married to a Nice Guy, and host of the podcast That’s Where I’m At. Together, we talk about what it’s really like to be trapped in a relationship with someone who everyone else thinks is “so nice” — while behind closed doors, your sense of self is slowly unraveling.

Verbal abuse doesn’t always leave bruises — but it leaves marks. In this validating and eye-opening episode, Laura helps us break down the subtle yet devastating effects of emotional abuse. We explore how narcissists weaponize charm, how control can hide in plain sight, and what it takes to truly heal.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• What verbal abuse actually looks and feels like — even when they “never hit you”
• How narcissists weaponize kindness and charm to isolate and control
• Red flags you might miss in a “nice guy” relationship
• The unique pain of being disbelieved — and how to validate yourself
• Healing after narcissistic abuse: reclaiming joy, confidence, and yes… enjoying dinner alone again

Whether you’re still in it, fresh out, or deep in healing — this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and strong.

Tune in now for raw truth, expert insight, and reminders that your story matters.

Because your peace is not too much to ask for — and you were never “crazy” for wanting more.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

LAURA RICHARDS

- LISTEN to her podcast THAT'S WHERE I'M AT: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-where-im-at/id1704083491

- IG:  ⁨@thatswhereimatpodcast⁩ 

- TIKTOK  ⁨@thatswhereimatpodcast⁩ 

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Reality isn’t always what it seems…. it’s what you make it.

PREORDER "THE LIGHTRUNNER" , Ally Walker’s (SONS OF ANARCHY) debut thriller!!! Comes out on Amazon and Barnes and Noble June 6th but is Available for preorder NOW! Go to www.allywalkerofficial.com for more info.

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Apologies to all you besties who received an advertisement for the podcast When Dating Hurts yesterday. Somehow the wrong file uploaded! Ben the producer takes the blame which he feels terrible about because we've been building up to this for some time.

So here's the BIABW Patreon & Discord announcement - Take 2 (and for real this time!)

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Besties - I started this podcast because when I left, I was alone. I had very few people to turn to and most who I did, did not know what was going on. And I made a lot of mistakes getting out. I didn't have the resources, the help. So I started this podcast to share with you and others in Domestic abuse and violence situations like us the lessons I've learned and continue to learn. Because I'm still in it. I'm still dealing with it. Everyday.

My producer, Ben, warned me we'd be opening to crickets. "It's going to be a slow road," he told me. And yet, it hasn't. I am shocked by how many messages I get everyday of people not having anyone to talk to, to turn to.

So I created a Patreon and Discord to bring us together. So many of us don't have anyone to turn to, to share with, to talk to. So we're creating the Bestie community, so we can turn to each other. I'm NOT a tech person, so all of this is new to me. It's going to be messy, but I've got my amazing sister, Kandice, helping me, and she's super techie, so hopefully it'll work out well.

On the Patreon, I'll be "Spilling Tea" several times a week to talk to you. Updates on what's going on in my life, discussions on current events as it relates to us, discussions on my conversations with you on DM or email, etc. Maybe we'll have some fun guests, etc. We'll also have all the episodes, ad-free.

On the Discord, we're creating a safe space where we can chat honestly and anonymously. Where we can have a community of our own, where we can share and not fear. Everyone is vetted and we have amazing volunteer monitors. We don't want anyone there who shouldn't be there. At the same time, we want everyone there who SHOULD be there. Therefore, we're creating a program to help those who are under financial duress. We don't want anyone having to answer "what's that charge on the credit card?"

We're also forming a partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH). We're making easily accessible their entire directory of resources and that's available to everyone for free whether you're a subscriber or not. All of it is easily available right here.

All of it launches on Tuesday, May 20. Go to patreon.com/BitchIsABadWord to signup!

See you there, Besties!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

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Subscribe: Newsletter

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

Besties - I started this podcast because when I left, I was alone. I had very few people to turn to and most who I did, did not know what was going on. And I made a lot of mistakes getting out. I didn't have the resources, the help. So I started this podcast to share with you and others in Domestic abuse and violence situations like us the lessons I've learned and continue to learn. Because I'm still in it. I'm still dealing with it. Everyday.

My producer, Ben, warned me we'd be opening to crickets. "It's going to be a slow road," he told me. And yet, it hasn't. I am shocked by how many messages I get everyday of people not having anyone to talk to, to turn to.

So I created a Patreon and Discord to bring us together. So many of us don't have anyone to turn to, to share with, to talk to. So we're creating the Bestie community, so we can turn to each other. I'm NOT a tech person, so all of this is new to me. It's going to be messy, but I've got my amazing sister, Kandice, helping me, and she's super techie, so hopefully it'll work out well.

On the Patreon, I'll be "Spilling Tea" several times a week to talk to you. Updates on what's going on in my life, discussions on current events as it relates to us, discussions on my conversations with you on DM or email, etc. Maybe we'll have some fun guests, etc. We'll also have all the episodes, ad-free.

On the Discord, we're creating a safe space where we can chat honestly and anonymously. Where we can have a community of our own, where we can share and not fear. Everyone is vetted and we have amazing volunteer monitors. We don't want anyone there who shouldn't be there. At the same time, we want everyone there who SHOULD be there. Therefore, we're creating a program to help those who are under financial duress. We don't want anyone having to answer "what's that charge on the credit card?"

We're also forming a partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH). We're making easily accessible their entire directory of resources and that's available to everyone for free whether you're a subscriber or not. All of it is easily available right here.

All of it launches on Tuesday, May 20. Go to patreon.com/BitchIsABadWord to signup!

See you there, Besties!

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.

Trauma bonds can feel like addiction — because they are. In this powerful episode of Bitch Sesh (a special series of Bitch Is a Bad Word), Lindsay teams up with Whitney Walker—licensed therapist, spiritual teacher, and founder of Women Waken—to unpack the chemical addiction created by trauma bonds and toxic relationships.

If you’ve ever felt obsessed, stuck, or unable to let go of someone who hurt you, this conversation is your truth serum. From the neuroscience of abuse and attachment to the power of spiritual recovery, this episode will help you understand why your body craves chaos—and how to reclaim your brain, heart, and power.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover:

• How trauma bonds mimic drug addiction in the brain
• Why you might feel addicted to your abuser
• The neuroscience of emotional abuse and attachment
• Whitney Walker’s personal story and her work with Women Waken
• Practical tools to begin breaking the cycle and reclaiming your life

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

🌿 About Whitney Walker:

Whitney is a therapist and founder of Women Waken, a platform blending psychology and spiritual growth to help women heal from addiction, trauma, and codependency through divine feminine energy and soul work.

**LISTEN to Whitney's podcast WOMEN WAKEN on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

You’re not crazy. You’re not broken. And you’re definitely not alone.

We’ve got your back.

#TraumaBondAddiction #EmotionalAbuse #ToxicRelationships #NeuroscienceOfAbuse #WhitneyWalker #WomenWaken #SpiritualRecovery #BitchIsABadWordPodcast #AddictedToAnAbuser #HealingFromTrauma

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When someone you love is harmed in an abusive relationship, your world changes forever. In this deeply emotional episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, we sit down with Bill Mitchell—author, speaker, and host of the When Dating Hurts podcast—who shares the tragic story behind the murder of his daughter Kristin, just three weeks after graduating college.

Twenty days before her death, Kristin walked across the stage at Saint Joseph’s University. Her family was there. Her boyfriend was there too—someone they’d never met before. Three weeks later, he pled guilty to third-degree murder.

That moment launched Bill into a life of advocacy, education, and prevention, helping parents, teens, and survivors recognize the red flags of relationship violence, including coercive control, emotional abuse, and escalating patterns of toxic behavior.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

• The true story that ignited a national awareness movement
• How dating violence and coercive control often begin subtly
• Common emotional abuse red flags young people overlook
• What parents can do to talk to their kids about healthy vs. harmful love
• Ways survivors and communities can take action to protect others

Whether you’re a survivor, a parent, or someone who wants to prevent intimate partner violence, this episode is a powerful call to trust your gut, speak up, and stay aware.

WHEN DATING HURTS

LISTEN to the Podcast

PURCHASE the Book

You’re not alone. We’ve got your back.

#WhenDatingHurts #BillMitchell #RelationshipViolence #DatingAbuseAwareness #CoerciveControl #EmotionalAbuse #KristinMitchell #HealthyRelationships #IntimatePartnerViolence #BitchIsABadWordPodcast

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

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***Give yourself the ultimate in sleep comfort with a 40% Discount from Cozy Earth

Visit CozyEarth.com and use my exclusive code BESTIES for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and

more. And if you get a post-purchase survey, let them know you heard about Cozy Earth right here.

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This week on Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Grace Stuart — domestic violence survivor and host of the Why She Stayed podcast — for a raw and powerful conversation about what keeps survivors stuck in abusive relationships and why they stay far longer than they ever imagined. Grace opens up about the night of her strangulation, the silent warning signs that escalate over time, and the devastating aftermath many don’t talk about. We also dig into restraining orders, guilt manipulation, and the dangerous myth that violence always “looks” violent.

This conversation is brutally honest, deeply validating, and an urgent reminder that even “nice” messages can be a violation—and that love should never come with bruises, fear, or fog. Whether you’re a survivor, a loved one, or just trying to understand the complexities of coercive control, this episode will shake your perspective and speak directly to your strength.

In this episode:

• What trauma bonding really looks and feels like
•  How abusers use therapy as a manipulation tactic
•  Why “love bombing” and “nice guy” behavior are often red flags
•  The emotional aftermath of leaving — and how long it really takes to heal
•  Tips for navigating restraining orders and reclaiming your safety
•  The power of naming your story and finding your voice

Plus:

— A breakdown of what emotional abuse sounds like in “nice” language

— Grace’s advice for survivors who feel trapped, confused, or ashamed

— A candid discussion on guilt, grief, and growing into the life you deserve

You don’t have to wait for things to get worse to walk away. You just have to believe you’re worth saving.

Watch the full video on YouTube. Audio available on all podcast platforms.

• If you are interested in coming on Bitch Sesh, please email us at [email protected], call or text us at (331) BITCHES, or DM us on our Instagram (instagram.com/bitchisabadwordpod) or TikTok (tiktok.com/@bitchisabadword) pages.

Trigger warning: mentions of strangulation, emotional abuse, coercive control, and post-trauma effects.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

#DomesticViolenceAwareness #WhySheStayed #SurvivorStories #StrangulationAwareness #BitchSeshPodcast #CoerciveControl #LoveBombing #EmpathProblems #BreakTheCycle #DVSurvivor #ProtectYourPeace #TraumaBonding #Gaslighting #PodcastForSurvivors #AbusePrevention #VoiceForTheVoiceless #Bestiegang #Besties #BitchIsABadWordPodcast

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Visit CozyEarth.com and use my exclusive code BESTIES for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and

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Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse designed to make you question your own reality, and in this powerful episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley—trauma-informed therapist and author—helps us uncover the truth about this manipulative tactic. We’ll break down the emotional impact of gaslighting and how it affects your mental health. Plus, Dr. Kelley introduces a fourth “F” trauma response that you might not be aware of. If you’ve been made to feel crazy or manipulated, this episode is a must-listen.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• What gaslighting really is and how it affects your self-esteem
• Recognizing the red flags of gaslighting in relationships
• Dr. Kelly’s introduction to a fourth trauma response (hint: it’s not just fight, flight, or freeze)
• Practical tips for survivors to heal and rebuild self-trust after emotional manipulation
• How to break free from the toxic cycle of gaslighting

Whether you're navigating a relationship with a gaslighter or you’ve recently emerged from one, we’ve got your back. Tune in for expert insights, real talk, and healing tips.

You deserve to reclaim your truth and trust yourself again. 

FOLLOW Amelia:

• https://www.instagram.comdrameliakelley/ 
• www.ameliakelley.com
• https://thesensitivitydoctor.simplecast.com/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

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***Give yourself the ultimate in sleep comfort with a 40% Discount from Cozy Earth

Visit CozyEarth.com and use my exclusive code BESTIES for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and

more. And if you get a post-purchase survey, let them know you heard about Cozy Earth right here.

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