Bitch Is A Bad Word: A Domestic Violence Podcast on Healing and Empowerment

What happens when you accidentally launch a podcast about narcissistic abuse and end up becoming a lifeline for survivors around the world?

In this unfiltered episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with the OG, Brandon Chadwick, host of the Narcissist Apocalypse podcast. What started as a comedy experiment turned into six years of holding space for survivors of narcissistic and emotional abuse, giving them a platform to reclaim their stories and heal out loud.

Brandon shares what he’s learned from thousands of survivor conversations: the patterns, the red flags, the trauma bonds, and the slow unraveling of reality that keeps people stuck for years. He opens up about the responsibility of telling these stories, the healing power of community, and why your voice — yes, yours — matters more than you know.

Whether you’re in it, out of it, or trying to make sense of what the hell just happened, this episode is your validation, your compass, and your reminder: you’re not crazy, you’re not alone, and you can get free.

Inside This Episode:

• Why narcissistic abuse is so hard to recognize (even for smart, strong people)
• How the trauma bond keeps survivors hooked
• The role of storytelling in healing and reclaiming your identity
• What Brandon has learned from thousands of survivor interviews
• How to support someone in a toxic relationship without pushing them away
• The difference between trauma dumping and trauma processing
• What healing actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not linear)

About Brandon:

Brandon is the creator and host of Narcissist Apocalypse, a podcast and support community helping survivors of narcissistic, emotional, and domestic abuse share their stories, access resources, and find community. His work has helped thousands of people feel seen, heard, and empowered to heal.

Bestie Freebie:

Join Brandon’s support group for survivors at community.narcissistapocalypse.com — a safe, private space to connect, learn, and grow with others who get it.

We’ve got your back, Bestie

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What if the success you’ve been chasing isn’t what you actually want anymore?

In this bold and enlightening episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with career strategist and reinvention expert Daisy Swan to talk about what happens when the ladder you’ve been climbing suddenly feels like it’s up against the wrong wall.

From Wall Street burnout to Malibu surfing, Daisy has helped thousands of women navigate the messy, beautiful space between who they were and who they’re becoming. Together, Lindsay and Daisy break down the “midlife wakeup,” how to reclaim your voice after decades of overachieving, and why giving yourself permission to want something else is the first step to getting it.

This episode is your permission slip to pivot, your reminder that you’re not too late — and a masterclass in trusting yourself to build a life you actually love.

Inside This Episode:

• What a “midlife wakeup” really feels like (and why it’s not a crisis)
• How ambition can evolve — and why that’s not failure
• The quiet grief of outgrowing a version of yourself
• Why women often wait too long to prioritize their own desires
• The power of curiosity, creativity, and reinvention
• How to get unstuck and move toward what you actually want next
• Why it’s okay to outgrow your dream — and how to dream again

About Daisy:

Daisy Swan is a career strategist, reinvention coach, and longtime meditation teacher helping people find clarity, direction, and fulfillment in work and life. Known as “The Los Angeles Career Counselor,” she specializes in helping high-achieving women navigate transitions, break through burnout, and build careers aligned with who they are now.

Bestie Freebie:

Explore more of Daisy’s work, coaching, and reinvention resources at daisyswan.com

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

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What happens when a survivor breaks free from strangulation, abuse, and a broken system — and finds her voice to fight back?

In this honest and gripping episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Staci, a survivor of domestic violence and strangulation by a repeat offender still walking free. Staci shares her courageous journey through trauma, the failures of the justice system, and how speaking out can save lives and ignite change.

They dive into the dangerous cycle of abuse, trauma bonding, and the urgent need to believe survivors the first time. This conversation is essential for anyone impacted by abuse or seeking to support those fighting to reclaim their power.

Inside This Episode:

• The hidden dangers and devastating effects of strangulation in domestic abuse
• How repeat offenders manipulate court systems to continue their abuse
• Understanding trauma bonding and why survivors sometimes doubt themselves
• The crucial role of breaking silence in survivor healing and community safety
• Peer support as a powerful tool beyond therapy
• The story behind Open Voices, a peer support app born from lived experience
• Steps survivors can take to protect themselves and rebuild their lives

About Stacy:

Staci is a brave domestic violence survivor and advocate who co-founded Open Voices, a peer support app designed to help survivors and others find connection and healing through shared experience.

Bestie Freebie:

Discover Open Voices on the App Store — a safe space for peer support and real conversations about domestic violence, mental health, and more. Visit https://openvoices.co and follow Stacy on Instagram @the.stacii.w for inspiration and updates.

We’ve got your back, Bestie. Your voice matters.

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So you're still toeing the line, trying to "be reasonable" for court, still hoping you can co-parent with someone who thrives on chaos. This week on Bitch Is a Bad Word, Jackie Miller - divorce strategist, high-conflict coach, and professional BS caller - joins Lindsay to break down the narcissist's post-separation playbook.

We’re talking:

• Why co-parenting with a narcissist is a setup
• The power of DNE: Do Not Engage
• How to stop taking the bait-and recognize when you’re being master baited
• What a trauma bond actually is (yes, it's chemical)
• The narcissist's favorite trick: overexplaining, guilt, and control
• And how to re-engineer your dynamic so you stop playing a game you can’t win

Jackie brings her signature truth bombs, strategy, and one-liners that will make you laugh while calling you in.

If you're in the fight of your life and trying to keep your sanity, this episode is your blueprint.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

And listen to Jackie's podcast OUT OF CRAZYTOWN: DIVORCING A NARCISSIST

Because they know your buttons. But this week, you’re unplugging the whole damn panel.

We've got your back , Besties!

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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.

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What happens when the narcissist loses control of you and starts targeting your kids instead?

In this raw and revealing episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with high-conflict divorce strategist Victoria McCooey, who shares what every woman needs to know before leaving a narcissistic or abusive partner and what’s waiting on the other side when you do it with strategy and power.

Victoria explains how narcissists often shift their abuse to the children once they can no longer manipulate their partner, and how you can become the safe, steady place your child needs when the gaslighting turns on them. Whether you’re preparing to leave, knee-deep in a court battle, or struggling to co-parent with someone hellbent on control, this episode is your map, your mirror, and your megaphone.

Inside This Episode:

• What actually happens when you finally decide to leave
• How to outsmart a narcissist without sinking to their level
• Why abuse often escalates when you’re pregnant or financially vulnerable
• The heartbreaking moment a narcissist starts targeting the kids
• How to protect your child emotionally when the manipulation flips on them
• The top 5 tactics narcissists use during divorce and how to prepare for them
• Why leaving a narcissist is like launching a business and how to lead it like a CEO
• A free resource from Victoria: Five Things Every Woman Should Know Before Divorcing a Narcissist

About Victoria:

Victoria McCooey is a high-conflict divorce coach, narcissist abuse expert, and founder of Divorce Allies, a powerful support platform helping women navigate toxic relationships and emerge with clarity, confidence, and community. She offers one-on-one coaching, an expert-led membership program, and dozens of resources to help you leave smart and stay strong.

Bestie Freebie:

Download Victoria’s essential guide: Five Things Every Woman Should Know Before Divorcing a Narcissist, plus access support calls, expert workshops, and more at https://www.victoriamccooey.com/ and https://www.thedivorceallies.com/

We’ve got your back, Bestie. And your exit plan.

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What happens when the man who once felt like home becomes the reason you fear for your safety?

In this gripping episode of Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Nelsy, a veteran, mother, and survivor of a long-term abusive relationship that began with a single slap and spiraled into years of coercive control. It started in the barracks, with charm, attention, and tenderness… and it ended with holes in the walls, shattered belongings, and a system that protected him over her.

We talk about what it means to report abuse in the military, how trauma bonds are formed, and the emotional whiplash of being gaslit by someone who swears they love you. Nelsy’s story is raw, devastating, and all too common and her voice is a rallying cry for women who’ve been told to stay silent.

Inside This Episode:

• What really happens when you report a Marine for abuse
• How the military enables abusers behind closed doors
• Why women stay-even after the first slap
• The terrifying escalation during pregnancy and motherhood
• What gaslighting and coercive control actually sound like
• The path to reclaiming your voice, your body, and your life

About Nelsy:

Nelsy is a veteran, advocate, and survivor who now speaks openly about domestic violence and military silence. Her courage in telling the truth is a gift and a warning to every woman who’s ever second-guessed her gut.

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!

-----

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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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What if the thing that makes you lovable is the very thing an abuser uses to trap you?

In this unforgettable episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I sit down with Leslie Morgan Steiner—author of the New York Times bestseller Crazy Love, TEDx speaker, and former editor at Seventeen to unravel how a smart, successful Harvard grad found herself isolated, gaslit, manipulated, and eventually beaten by the man she thought was her soulmate.

From the subway where they met to the final brutal assault that nearly ended her life, Leslie walks us through how emotional abuse creeps in slowly, how it’s disguised as love, and how even the strongest women can get stuck in the cycle. It wasn’t weakness that kept her there—it was love, loyalty, shame, and a belief that she could save him.

We talk about the psychological warfare behind domestic violence, the myths we’re sold about being “the strong woman behind a troubled man,” and the cultural pressure to nurture—even when it costs us everything.

Leslie’s story is one of survival, awakening, and ultimately reclaiming power. If you’ve ever been told you’re too emotional, too loyal, or too forgiving—this conversation will change the way you see yourself, and the way you define love.

Inside This Episode:

• What love bombing really feels like

• Why even educated, empowered women stay

• How abusers isolate you and erode your reality

• The link between childhood trauma and toxic partners

• The final choice that saved her life-and what it cost

• Why abuse is never about intelligence or self-worth

• How to trust yourself again, even after the unthinkable

About Leslie Morgan Steiner:

https://www.lesliemorgansteiner.com/

Leslie is a bestselling author, speaker, and domestic violence survivor whose TEDx talk “Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave” has over 17 million views. Her memoir Crazy Love is a raw, intimate account of falling for and escaping a man who nearly killed her. Today, she’s a fierce advocate for survivors, a voice for women who’ve been silenced, and proof that life after abuse is not only possible, it is powerful.

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What if your body knew the truth before your brain could catch up?

In this riveting episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I sit down with Kelly Sutliff, a trauma-informed psychotherapist, domestic abuse survivor, and founder of Kelly’s Canines—a nonprofit providing canine support for survivors of trauma. Despite her professional training, Kelly found herself entangled in a high-speed relationship with a pathological abuser who manipulated, gaslit, drugged and assaulted her behind closed doors.

Here’s the most chilling part: her abuser once told her she’d “end up on TV”—for his murder, the one he planned to stage and blame on her. But the plot twist? She ended up on TV for surviving his abuse. Kelly’s story was later featured on the true crime docuseries Toxic: Secrets Behind the Mask, exposing the calculated manipulation, coercion, and psychological warfare she endured.

We unpack what it means when your intuition speaks, why smart and strong women get targeted, and how shame keeps us stuck in silence. Kelly’s story is raw, brave, and necessary—and it’s going to change the way you think about trauma, red flags, and trusting your gut.

Inside This Episode:

• The difference between red flags and pink flags—and why they matter

• How abusers fast-track relationships to gain control

• Why even trained professionals can fall for manipulators

• What it means to be love-bombed, gaslit, and stalked

• How to break free, especially when kids are involved

• Why trauma-informed therapy is non-negotiable for real healing

About Kelly Sutliff:

Kelly is a licensed psychotherapist, survivor, and co-founder of Kelly’s Canines, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing trauma-informed canine companionship to abuse survivors. She brings deep clinical knowledge, lived experience, and fierce compassion to every conversation—especially this one.

Visit Kelly at www.kellysutlifflpc.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!

-----

Support our SPONSORS

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.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

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What if the chaos you’re in feels familiar—because it is?

In this validating and unflinching episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I’m joined by somatic trauma expert Phoenix Gould for a conversation that will hit home for anyone who’s ever loved someone who flipped from warm to cruel in seconds—and made you feel like it was your fault.

We explore the terrifying emotional terrain of narcissistic relationships, especially for women conditioned in childhood to tolerate emotional abandonment. Phoenix shares how our nervous systems respond in survival mode, why basic kindness can feel revolutionary, and what it really means to practice self-love when leaving isn’t yet an option.

Inside This Episode:

• Why stonewalling and the silent treatment feel so familiar

• The biological reason your brain can’t “think clearly” in the relationship

• What happens when a narcissist senses they’re losing control

• How to hold space for shame without letting it define you

• Whether healing is even possible while you’re still with them

About Phoenix Gould:

Phoenix is a somatic trauma educator and therapist who helps survivors of abuse reclaim their bodies, boundaries, and sense of self. Her work centers on nervous system repair, radical self-compassion, and empowering women to break generational patterns.

For Radical Self-Love Coaching, Find Phoenix:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixcorecoaching/

WhatsApp: +1 780-268-9888

Or Email Her: [email protected]

We've got your back, Besties!

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

-----

Support our SPONSORS

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.

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.