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

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on October 16, 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 of B!tch Is a Bad Word’s: B!tch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Malou.

Malou found B!tch Is a Bad Word the same way so many of us do, scrolling through social media late at night, trying to make sense of the question that changes everything: What the fck is this relationship I’m in?*

Through the endless carousel of “relationship advice” and trauma content, she began piecing together what was really happening behind closed doors. What started as confusion became clarity, and what once felt like isolation turned into community.

In this conversation, Malou shares how discovering language around micro-aggressions, narrative abuse, and subtle forms of control helped her name what she was experiencing and start rebuilding her sense of self.

More than that, she talks about the ripple effect that happens when survivors speak up, how one story shared online can become the reason another woman finally sees the truth in her own.

Inside This Episode:

• Using social media to decode emotional and psychological abuse

• The “what the f*ck is this relationship?” moment that changes everything

• How micro-aggressions and narrative abuse keep victims doubting themselves

• The ripple effect of storytelling in survivor communities

• Finding clarity and connection through shared experience

Why this episode matters:

Malou’s story is a reminder that healing often starts in the quiet scroll, in the comment sections, and in the courage to say something’s not right here. It’s about how awareness spreads, one post, one podcast, and one story at a time.

If you’ve ever questioned your reality, doubted your instincts, or turned to the internet looking for answers, this one’s for you.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of emotional abuse, manipulation, and coercive control. Please take care while listening.

We’ve got your back, Besties.

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.

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This episode originally aired on September 15, 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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She thought she married a charming, successful man. Instead, she ended up trapped in a controlling, emotionally abusive marriage that nearly broke her.

In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, journalist and divorce coach Amy Polacko opens up about her own experience with a covert narcissist—a partner who manipulated, isolated, and gaslit her behind closed doors. She explains how smart, accomplished women like her often find themselves stuck in relationships that look perfect on the outside but feel like walking on eggshells inside.

Amy helps women spot the warning signs of abuse most people miss—especially when there are no bruises. From love bombing to emotional control, this conversation dives deep into the red flags that survivors often don’t recognize until it's too late.

Whether you’re wondering:

- “Why does my partner blame me for everything?”

- “Is it really abuse if there’s no violence?”

- “Why do I feel trapped, scared, and exhausted?”

This episode will help you name what’s happening, understand the tactics of abusers, and realize you’re not alone.

🔊 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses emotional abuse, control, manipulation, gaslighting, narcissistic relationships, and trauma.

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

ABOUT AMY POLACKO

Amy is a divorce coach and award-winning journalist who survived a narcissist nightmare. She empowers women to be the CEO of their own divorce. Amy has coached hundreds of women in toxic relationships and writes for national news outlets about coercive control, domestic abuse, divorce, online dating and singlehood. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, The Washington Post, Newsweek, NBC News THINK, The Independent, New York Observer and Ms. magazine. She co-authored the groundbreaking book FRAMED: Women in the Family Court Underworld with Dr. Christine Cocchiola which exposes the gender bias in our family court system (www.narcfreepress.com). Learn more about Amy at www.freedomwarrior.info and on Instagram @freedomwarriortribe

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This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on Aug 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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In this powerful and emotional episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, survivor and advocate Lynn shares her harrowing journey through childhood trauma, reproductive coercion, intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, and sexual assault—including surviving strangulation and rape.

Lynn bravely recounts her experience growing up with a compulsive gambler father, enduring multiple abusive relationships, and navigating the life-threatening consequences of reproductive coercion before eventually escaping a cycle of violence and finding healing. She also explains how trauma bonding, coercive control, and systemic failures kept her trapped—and how she finally broke free.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses childhood trauma, domestic abuse, reproductive coercion, strangulation, sexual assault, and emotional abuse.

Topics Covered:

- The psychological and financial impact of compulsive gambling

- How trauma bonding keeps survivors in abusive relationships

- What reproductive coercion really looks like (and why it’s rarely prosecuted)

- The terrifying warning signs of strangulation and intimate partner rape

- Why love bombing and control often hide behind “soulmate” language

- Breaking generational trauma and healing through therapy and advocacy

Lynn is now a speaker and advocate affiliated with the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s Storyteller Collective and Advisory Council. Connect with her via Instagram or LinkedIn.

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

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

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

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

This episode originally aired on July 1, 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 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!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

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

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on Aug 28, 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 leaving the abuse is only the beginning?

In this gripping episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, Vicki shares her 21-year journey of surviving an abusive marriage, fighting through endless family court battles, and protecting her children while rebuilding her life from scratch.

From being told “you’ll have no one and nothing” to watching her ex sabotage finances, drag her through years of litigation, and weaponize custody, Vicki explains how abuse doesn’t end when you walk out the door — it often continues in the courtroom.

She opens up about:

- What it’s really like to spend years and millions fighting in family court

- How abusers use money and legal systems as weapons

- The emotional toll of being gaslit, shamed, and silenced

- Why leaving takes more than courage — it takes support and strategy

- The turning point when she realized she already had the strength to get free

- If you’ve ever thought:

- “Why is my divorce taking years?”

- “Why does my ex keep dragging me back to court?”

- “How do I protect my kids when the abuse won’t stop?”

— this episode will help you feel seen, validated, and less alone.

📞 If you or someone you know is in danger, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

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This episode originally aired on April 29, 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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This week on Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with renowned Health Transformation Coach Dr. JC Doornick to explore how survivors of domestic abuse can reclaim their health, self-worth, and future.

From trauma recovery to emotional resilience, they dive into how small daily changes — micro-habits — can lead to powerful, lasting transformation. Whether you're healing from domestic violence, rebuilding after narcissistic abuse, or just starting to feel like yourself again, this episode will inspire you to shift forward.

🎙️ In this episode:

• What "health transformation" means after abuse and trauma
• How micro-habits create lasting change
• Tools for managing emotional turbulence and setbacks
• The importance of self-compassion and support systems
• Understanding the Human Interface Response System (I.R.S.)
• How sense-making improves survivor and provider communication in healthcare

💥 If you're on the path to recovery, this conversation is packed with real strategies, encouragement, and insight. Healing is possible — and you deserve it.

#DomesticAbuseRecovery #HealingAfterAbuse #TraumaRecovery #HealthTransformation #BitchIsABadWord #EmotionalHealing #DrJCDoornick #SurvivorSupport #MentalHealthAwareness

FOLLOW Dr. JC Doornick at

- IG @DRJCDOORNICK

- Free Substack Newsletter- https://drjcdoornick.substack.com/

- Makes Sense Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/makes-sense-with-dr-jc-doornick/id1730954168

- Makes Sense Academy - https://www.skool.com/makes-sense-academy/about?ref=73b58fafc08543b5b120fec623c7901a

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

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

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on May 15, 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 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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This episode originally aired on July 8, 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 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.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

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This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 12, 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 revealing episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, Cory Ann shares her intense story of falling for a charming stranger on a dating app — only to find herself trapped in a toxic relationship marked by manipulation, trauma bonding, and emotional abuse. If you’ve ever wondered how something that starts so hopeful can turn so dark, this episode is for you.

We explore the subtle warning signs of domestic violence, the pressure to say “I love you” too soon, and the dangerous transformation of charm into control. Cory Ann opens up about recognizing abuse, breaking free from trauma bonds, and reclaiming her strength and voice. It’s honest, insightful, and essential listening for anyone navigating or supporting someone through abusive relationships.

You’ll learn:

• How to spot the early red flags in dating and relationships
• The psychology behind manipulation, love bombing, and trauma bonding
• Why victims often feel trapped even when they know something’s wrong
• Practical steps toward healing and empowerment after emotional abuse
• How to rebuild trust and boundaries in yourself and your relationships

This episode is perfect for listeners looking for:

• Awareness about dating abuse and toxic relationships
• Guidance on recognizing and escaping emotional manipulation
• Stories of survival and healing from trauma bonds
• Support for survivors and those who love them
• Empowerment to reclaim your life and voice after abuse

About Cory Ann:

Cory Ann is a courageous survivor and advocate who shares her experience to shed light on the complexities of dating abuse and emotional trauma. Through her story, she inspires others to recognize the signs, break free, and rebuild their lives with resilience and self-worth.

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

This episode originally aired on November 18, 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 welcomes back our BFF, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, psychologist, relational trauma expert, and survivor of one of the most infamous coercive control stories of our time. Dr. Nae breaks down trauma bonding in a way that finally makes sense, explains how narcissistic personalities pull you into their cycle, and shares the five non negotiable things you must know if you are dealing with someone who thrives on power, control, and chaos.

From Dirty John to Romeo style coercive control, Dr. Nadine gives a masterclass on the patterns, the psychology, and the science of why smart, capable, high functioning women get trapped in relationships that turn their world upside down. This is the episode every survivor, every bestie, and every woman rebuilding her life needs in her toolkit.

Inside This Episode:

• What trauma bonding actually is

• How narcissistic abuse forms and hooks you

• The five things you must understand to protect yourself

• How coercive control works and why it escalates

• Why survivors stay and what finally breaks the bond

• Nadine’s lived experience and how she rebuilt her life

About Dr Nadine Macaluso:

Dr Nadine Macaluso is a licensed psychologist and renowned expert on relational trauma and narcissistic abuse. Her work helps survivors understand the patterns that held them captive so they can break free, reclaim their identity, and rebuild with clarity and strength.

Visit her at https://drnae.com/ and get her book RUN LIKE AT HELL at https://drnae.com/product/run-like-hell-book-bundle/

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💜 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

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