This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on September 11, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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In Part 2 of Lynn’s story, we explore a chilling truth many survivors face: the abuse doesn’t stop when the relationship ends. It just moves to the courtroom.

Lynn’s ex didn’t just gaslight and control her at home—he took that manipulation into family court, painting himself as the victim, filing false reports, and using the legal system to financially drain and emotionally torture her.

In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lynn shares:

• How her ex used false CPS claims and restraining orders to gain power
• What it’s like to be revictimized by the family court system
• How legal abuse becomes a weapon for narcissists
• The emotional toll of being trapped in a system that doesn’t believe you

If you’ve ever felt like the courts weren’t protecting you—or were actively being used against you—this episode will speak directly to your experience.

🛑 Trigger Warning: Topics include family court abuse, false accusations, custody battles, and post-separation legal control.

ABOUT LYNN

Now a speaker and advocate with the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s Storyteller Collective and Advisory Council, Lynn uses her voice to help others see the red flags sooner and find the courage to get out.

If you’re stuck in a cycle of leaving and returning, this story will help you feel seen—and show you that you're not alone.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Topics include emotional abuse, trauma bonding, gaslighting, and the emotional aftermath of leaving an abusive relationship.

📞 If you need immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

domestic abuse survivor story

reproductive coercion podcast

trauma bonding and abuse

strangulation warning signs

intimate partner violence

emotional abuse survivor

escaping domestic violence

coercive control in relationships

survivor stories podcast

National Domestic Violence Hotline

B!tch Is A Bad Word: A Podcast On Domestic Abuse is a podcast about identifying and navigating your way through and out of Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse, hosted by a survivor of Domestic Abuse.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

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Subscribe: Newsletter

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

This episode originally aired on September 23, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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Trauma doesn't just affect your mind and spirit - it can deeply affect your body, manifesting as chronic illnesses. And now there is scientific evidence linking the two - if we work on healing the trauma, the body recovers, too.

Adriana Bucci is a life coach and narcissistic abuse survivor who helps people untangle the invisible threads between trauma, toxic relationships, and chronic pain.

She shares how growing up with a narcissistic mother, and later dating narcissistic partners, left her carrying pain in ways she didn’t even realize. We talk about the mind-body connection — how years of gaslighting, repression, and emotional abuse can show up as migraines, autoimmune flare-ups, skin conditions, or chronic illness. And most importantly, Adriana explains how healing your emotions can begin to heal your body.

We cover practical tools like journaling safely (without fear of your abuser reading it), the Gray Rock Method, and how to reclaim your energy from someone who only wants to drain it. Adriana reminds us that anger is not our enemy — it’s our body’s way of saying enough.

Get Adriana's 7 STEPS GUIDE FREE HERE

Adriana's LINKS

ABOUT ADRIANA BUCCI

Adriana is the founder of Let's Get Your Shift Together. After nearly 3 decades of enduring narcissistic abuse and 4 years of dealing with severe chronic pain - I had to make the choice to embark on my own healing journey.

Doing my inner work not only helped me heal from the physical pain I went through, but it also helped me heal from the narcissistic abuse I endured from being raised by a narcissistic mother, other close relationships, and even colleagues/toxic workplaces (they were everywhere!).

My own healing journey inspired me to become a life coach so I could help other people. My certifications include:

• Certified Professional Life Coach
• Certified Mind Body Fitness Coach
• Certified Stress Management coach
• Certified SafeSpace Trauma Informed Facilitator

My goal is to empower survivors of narcissistic abuse to heal, set boundaries, and live life on their own terms!

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.

Narcissistic abuse recovery

Domestic violence survivor story

Toxic relationship healing

Mind-body connection trauma

Gray Rock Method

Chronic pain and abuse

Coercive control in relationships

Emotional abuse recovery tools

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.

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on August 21, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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In this raw and emotional episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, survivor Loren Gray shares her powerful story of escaping a covertly abusive relationship while raising a young child. Loren’s story sheds light on the often-missed signs of coercive control, financial abuse, emotional manipulation, and the deep trauma that can exist even without physical violence.

What begins as a seemingly perfect relationship quickly spirals into isolation, financial control, sexual coercion, and deep emotional harm—all under the guise of love and support. Loren explains how abuse doesn't always look the way we expect, and how victims can lose their voice long before they recognize they're being silenced.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of emotional abuse, sexual coercion, postpartum trauma, gaslighting, and parenting while surviving domestic violence.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

Why coercive control is more dangerous than it looks

What financial abuse really looks like in a relationship

Navigating new motherhood while being isolated by a partner

How abusers use "protection" and “fixing” as manipulation

The moment Loren realized she was no longer herself—and how she began to reclaim her power

Finding healing and purpose through sharing her story

Loren’s strength and vulnerability shine through as she describes what it took to escape, heal, and build a new life for herself and her child.

If you’ve ever typed into Google:

“he changed after I got pregnant”

“controlling partner during pregnancy”

“abuse while pregnant”

“relationship changed after baby”

“felt trapped during pregnancy”

...this episode is for you

We’ve got your back, Bestie. And your second (or third) act.

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

ABOUT LOREN

Loren Greye is an author, solo mother, and creative healer helping women turn their after into their most powerful chapter yet.

After experiencing emotional abuse and the collapse of the life she thought she’d have, Loren rebuilt everything—from the inside out. Through writing, motherhood, and intentional inner work, she found her way back to herself.

Now she helps other women do the same. Whether through reflective journaling, storytelling, or creative tools that support emotional recovery, Loren’s work guides women in processing their pain, reclaiming their voice, and designing a life that feels aligned and fully their own.

• Instagram (handle: @lorengreye.after)
• Amazon: Till Death We Do Not
• Amazon: In This Body
• 5-day journal: Awaken The Knowing

coercive control survivor

financial abuse in relationships

emotional abuse and gaslighting

postpartum and domestic violence

sexual coercion in marriage

parenting through trauma

escaping emotional abuse

motherhood and abuse

Loren Gray survivor story

real stories of domestic abuse

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.

This episode originally aired on November 11, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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In this episode, Lindsay sits down with somatic healing expert and author Beatriz (Bea) Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, SEP for a conversation that will have you rethinking how you relate to yourself and everyone else. Bea breaks down her trademarked concept, “Outsourcing Your Emotions,” and explains how we chronically and habitually give our sense of safety, belonging, and worth to everyone and everything outside of ourselves and the deep cost that has on our SELF.

Together, Lindsay and Bea unpack what it means to source your sense from within, offering practical and embodied tools for nervous system regulation, co-regulation, and building a relationship with your body that feels like home again.

She’s brilliant, bold, and such a damn good time. This episode is the somatic wake-up call every recovering people-pleaser and perfectionist needs.

Inside This Episode:

• What “outsourcing your emotions” really means

• How to recognize emotional outsourcing as a habit, not your identity

• Why codependency, perfectionism, and people-pleasing are nervous system strategies

• Somatic and co-regulation tools to bring you back into your body

• How to reclaim your safety, belonging, and worth from within

About Beatriz Albina:

Beatriz (Bea) Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, SEP (she/her) is a UCSF-trained Family Nurse Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Master Certified Somatic Life Coach, author of the book "End Emotional Outsourcing: A Guide to Overcoming Codependent, Perfectionist and People Pleasing Habits" (Sept 30, Hachette Balance), and host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast.

With over 20 years in health and wellness, Bea helps baddies all over the world, reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their joy.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS 

• Book Website with pre-order details
• Instagram: @beatrizvictoriaalbinanp
• Podcast: Feminist Wellness

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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.

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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.

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on July 17, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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What happens when a mother drops her daughter off at school—and never sees her again? In this gut-wrenching episode of Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with “M,” a doctor, mother, and fierce advocate who dropped her daughter off at school one morning and never saw her come home. It’s been 262 days. No warning, no goodbye. Just a so-called “temporary” custody order that became a silent sentence. From lost milestones to supervised calls, M shares her story of post-separation abuse, litigation trauma, and relentless love. This is a call for family court reform and a voice for silenced mothers

We unpack the truth behind family court trauma, post-separation abuse, and the terrifying reality so many protective mothers face. M's story is a powerful call to action and a heartbreaking reminder that this system is failing the very people it claims to protect.

Inside This Episode:

• What happens when a six-year-old is taken without notice or legal grounds
• Why “temporary” custody orders often last for years
• Parenting through supervised calls—and losing milestones to silence
• How the courts weaponize protective mothers and reward abusers
• The quiet epidemic of litigation abuse and coercive control
• The grassroots movement demanding family court reform

About M:

M is a physician, a mother, and a survivor. She’s part of the National Safe Parents Coalition and an advocate for reforming the family court system. Her story is both a warning and a rallying cry for every mother told to stay quiet, and every child caught in the middle.

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

We see you. We believe you. We've got your back, Bestie.

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.

This episode originally aired on October 7, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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CLICK HERE FOR JAFARI LAW'S FREE GUIDE TO USING PARENTING APPS

Leaving your abusive marriage or relationship may be the hardest step but picking the right lawyer may be the most important. You don't need someone who just knows the law but also understands what you've been through and the manipulative tactics your abuser will employ with the judge and with you. You need someone who knows your court, your judge and how "to read the room" to help you get what you are fighting for.

Padideh Jafari is a trauma informed Family Law and Divorce Lawyer in Southern California who specializes working with victims of domestic abuse, domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, verbal abuse and coercive control. She lays out for you what you need to look for in an attorney and why choosing not just a good lawyer but an attorney who understands the mentality of your abuser and your judge is so important.

Together they cover:

- How to tell if a lawyer understands domestic violence and coercive control

- Red flags to avoid when meeting with lawyers

- How abusers weaponize the legal system against you (and what to do about it)

- The truth about litigation abuse, custody court, and financial manipulation

This episode is your legal survival guide—whether you’re newly separated or stuck in a court battle that just won’t end.

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.

ABOUT PADIDEH JAFARI, ESQ.

Padideh Jafari, Esq. is the Founder and CEO of Jafari Law & Mediation Office which is a Family Law and Divorce firm with offices in Los Angeles and Orange County. Attorney Jafari is a practicing lawyer for over 22 years. She is a former NYU and Southern California Institute of Law adjunct professor. She is the Podcast co-host of, the Narcissist Abuse Recovery Channel on iHeart Radio and Spotify.

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.

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 19, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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In this honest and uplifting episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, Jenn from Single Mom Society breaks down the myths around single motherhood — the struggles everyone talks about, but also the hard-won freedoms that come from walking away from toxic relationships. If you’ve ever felt trapped or doubted your choice to leave, this one’s for you.

We’re talking about the tough realities of child support, toxic exes, and parenting solo — but also the powerful freedom of setting your own rules, cooking what you want for dinner, and living without fear. Jenn shares what it really means to be brave enough to leave and reclaim your life, even when it gets harder before it gets better.

You’ll learn:

• Why single motherhood isn’t just struggle — it’s strength and freedom
• How leaving toxic relationships can open new emotional and practical doors
• The myth of “it’s easier to stay” — and why bravery is your superpower
• Navigating the challenges of parenting solo without losing yourself
• How to find community and support 24/7 when you need it most

This episode is perfect for listeners looking for:

• Empowerment in single motherhood
• Healing from toxic relationships
• Real talk about parenting solo
• Stories of bravery and freedom
• Support and connection anytime, anywhere

About Jenn:

Jenn is the founder of Single Mom Society, a vibrant community and resource hub where single moms can connect 24/7 with other women who get it — and find expert guidance to thrive. Jenn’s mission is to uplift, empower, and remind every single mom she’s not alone. Listen to the Single Mom Society Podcast here!

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

You’re not alone. Your healing matters. We’ve got your back, 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.

This episode originally aired on November 25, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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In this episode, Lindsay sits down with two unstoppable forces changing the way we talk about abuse before it ever happens: Burd Beauty founders Leah (17) and Misha (15) Burdeen, and Shear Haven founder and advocate Susanne Post. Together, they are redefining what it means to use beauty, education, and community as tools for real safety.

We get into how Burd Beauty is turning a hair care brand into a life saving mission, using shampoo to start conversations about teen dating violence, policy change, and giving young people language to protect themselves. Susanne breaks down how Shear Haven trains stylists around the world to recognize warning signs behind the chair and become first responders in moments that matter.

This episode is a wake up call, a masterclass, and a battle cry for anyone who believes prevention starts with honest conversations, safe adults, and empowering the next generation.

Inside This Episode:

• How Burd Beauty is building a beauty brand that doubles as a prevention tool

• Shear Haven’s global salon training movement and why cosmetologists are uniquely positioned to spot abuse

• The red flags teens miss because no one teaches them what healthy is supposed to feel like

• Why early education is the key to breaking generational cycles

• How beauty spaces can save lives, literally

Burd Beauty: https://burdbeauty.com/

Teen sisters Leah and Misha Burdeen are using their platform to change the culture around relationships, self worth, and prevention. Their products fuel confidence and a movement.

Shear Haven: https://shearhaventraining.org/

Founded by Susanne Post, Shear Haven trains stylists worldwide to identify signs of abuse, respond safely, and offer resources that can save a life.

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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 www.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.

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 26, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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What if healing didn’t come in a bottle—but in a mushroom grown from the dirt?

In this powerful episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I’m joined by Tracey Tee, founder of Moms on Mushrooms, to talk about motherhood, microdosing, and the kind of healing no one teaches us—especially not in a doctor’s office. We talk about how psilocybin is helping women process trauma, release rage, and get clarity on the choices that actually serve them.

Tracey breaks down what it means to be whole in your pain, why community is essential when you're waking up, and how mushrooms help moms stop people-pleasing and start listening to their gut—even when it goes against everything we've been told.

Inside This Episode:

• Why crying for five days doesn’t mean it’s not working—it means it is

• What Big Pharma won’t tell you about emotional processing

• How to “two sleeps” your way out of a fight with your ex

• What psilocybin can do that SSRIs never could

• Why you don’t have to respond to every message from your narcissist co-parent

• What it looks like to take radical responsibility for your own healing

• How Moms on Mushrooms is building community off social media and outside the algorithm

About Moms on Mushrooms:

Founded by Tracey Tee, Moms on Mushrooms is a digital community and education platform for mothers exploring microdosing, plant medicine, and personal transformation. With courses, peer support, and private forums, M.O.M. offers a grounded space to heal, connect, and reclaim your story—one dose at a time.

Visit them at https://www.momsonmushrooms.com/

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

You’re not alone. Your healing matters. We’ve got your back, 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.

This episode originally aired on June 24, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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What if you could take the chaos of your divorce and build something that actually works—for you?

In this empowering episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I’m joined by Alex and Amanda, certified mediators and co-hosts of the Dirty Laundry Podcast. These two brilliant Canadians specialize in helping women navigate the legal minefield after leaving abusive relationships—and today, they're breaking down how to build a post-separation plan on your own terms.

We dive deep into the realities of self-representation, family court, and co-parenting with a high-conflict or abusive ex. Whether you're knee-deep in legal drama or just trying to figure out your next step, this episode is packed with clarity, strategy, and truth.

Inside This Episode:

• Why mediation might be your best move after leaving an abuser

• How to “Frankenstein” your divorce using the right experts at the right time

• What the courts don’t tell you about parenting plans

• Alternatives to hiring a shark lawyer (and why you might not need one)

• What every woman should know before walking into family court

About Dirty Laundry:

Alex and Amanda are certified mediators and hosts of the Dirty Laundry Podcast, a must-listen for anyone navigating toxic exes, legal chaos, and the healing that comes after. They bring sharp insight, deep empathy, and a much-needed dose of realness to the family law space.

FOLLOW Dirty Laundry:

Instagram @dirty.laundry.podcast

YouTube @DirtyLaundryPodcast

You’re not alone. Your healing matters. We’ve got your back, 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.