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

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on May 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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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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This episode originally aired on May 27, 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 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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This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 5, 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 episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, Azadeh dives into the dark reality of emotional addiction, toxic relationships, and trauma bonding. If you've ever felt stuck in a love that hurts more than it heals, this one’s for you.

We’re talking drug dens, manipulation, heartbreak, and the dangerous high of trauma-bonded love. Azadeh opens up about navigating emotional abuse, sobriety, codependency, and why your heart keeps going back to what nearly broke you. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s everything you need to hear to break free.

You’ll learn:

• What emotional addiction really is — and how it traps you like a drug
• Signs of trauma bonds and toxic attachment styles
• The psychology behind love bombing and emotional manipulation
• Why toxic love is so hard to leave (even when you know better)
• How to begin healing from emotionally abusive relationships

This episode is perfect for listeners looking for:

• Emotional addiction recovery
• Breaking trauma bonds
• Healing from toxic relationships
• Stories about emotional abuse & codependency
• Empowerment after abuse
• About Azadeh:
• Azadeh is a fierce survivor, advocate, and host of the Rise and Rebuild podcast. She shares her story to expose the hidden addiction of toxic love and empower others to heal, break cycles, and rebuild their lives with strength and self-worth.

Visit Azadeh @ https://finallyfreelife.com/ for coaching and purchasing her numerous books!

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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This episode originally aired on April 22, 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 episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, host Lindsay sits down with Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and author Carla Litto to unpack the psychology behind narcissistic and emotionally abusive relationships.

Carla, author of Outsmarting Egomaniacs: How to Respond to Narcissists and Master Manipulators, explains how Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can show up in intimate relationships — and what survivors can do to protect themselves.

With compassion and clinical expertise, Carla breaks down the red flags of manipulation, gaslighting, trauma bonding, and coercive control, offering actionable tools to help survivors regain clarity, confidence, and control.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover:

• How BPD and NPD appear in toxic or abusive relationships
• Understanding emotional dysregulation, projection, and trauma bonding
• Practical ways to recognize and respond to manipulation and gaslighting
• Why survivors second-guess themselves — and how to rebuild self-trust
• Key insights from Outsmarting Egomaniacs by Carla Litto

Whether you're recovering from narcissistic abuse or supporting someone who is, this episode will give you the knowledge and power to move forward.

• #NarcissisticAbuse #EmotionalAbuseRecovery #BPDRelationships #NPD #Gaslighting #TraumaBonding #CoerciveControl #OutsmartingEgomaniacs #CarlaLitto #BitchIsABadWordPodcast

Visit Carla's website

Purchase Carla's book, Outsmarting Egomaniacs

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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This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on May 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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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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This episode originally aired on October 14, 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 first person you told about your abuse… wasn’t a person at all?

In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Anne Wintemute, the CEO and founder of Aimee Says, an AI-powered digital companion designed to support people experiencing domestic violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, and toxic relationships.

Aimee isn’t a chatbot or a therapist. She’s something new: a judgment-free, always-available guide that helps you figure out if what you’re experiencing is abuse and what to do next with your Textie From The Extie!

Inside This Episode

• How technology can safely support survivors who aren’t ready to reach out for help

• Why venting to Aimee can be life-changing when you’re not free to share or when your circle doesn’t understand abuse

• The moment Anne realized AI could be used for healing, not harm

• How to recognize patterns of control before they escalate

• The power of turning pain into purpose

Why It Matters

Millions of women suffer in silence because they don’t know where to start or who to trust. Aimee Says is helping survivors take their first step privately, safely, and without shame.

You are not alone. And now, you’ll never have to be. We've got your back, Bestie!

Vist Aimee Says at aimeesays.com

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of domestic abuse, coercive control, and emotional trauma. Please take care while listening.

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 of Bitch Sesh originally aired on November 27, 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 unforgettable Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Anna, as a young wife who found herself trapped inside her abusive husband’s family home in Dubai. She was isolated, monitored, and terrified to tell anyone what was happening behind closed doors. Reporting the abuse felt impossible. Leaving felt deadly.

With nothing but blind faith, a stranger who became an angel, and strength she did not know she had, Anna made a decision no woman should ever have to make. She grabbed a burner phone, walked into the unknown, and boarded a plane to save her own life.

What followed was three years living on the run. Three years hiding, surviving, and rebuilding her identity in the shadows. Three years before she finally returned home safely.

This episode is gripping, brave, and one of the most shocking survival stories ever shared on this show. It is a testament to the power of instinct, sisterhood, and the moment a woman decides she will be her own hero in her own story.

Inside This Episode:

• What life inside an abusive family system in Dubai truly looks like

• The terror of being watched, controlled, and completely kept

• How a single moment of faith changed everything

• What it takes to run and stay alive with no safety net

• How Anna rebuilt herself after three years on the lamb

• Why leaving is the most dangerous and courageous choice a survivor can make

To learn more about Anna:

https://www.healingandcptsd.com/anna

https://www.oneofthe8.com/post/anna-marie-lopes-kindness-where-you-least-expect-it

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

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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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This episode originally aired on June 3, 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 family trauma fuels addiction—and how do you break free?

In this raw episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, We're joined by Josh Connelly—a survivor of toxic parents, substance abuse, and emotional trauma who found sobriety and healing. Josh opens up about growing up with toxic family dynamics, battling addiction, and the difficult path to recovery and emotional freedom. Together, we dive deep into recognizing toxic parents, overcoming substance abuse triggered by family pain, and building a new life of hope and resilience.

If you’re struggling with toxic family relationships, addiction, or healing from trauma—or supporting someone who is—this episode offers powerful insights and encouragement.

Inside This Episode:

• How toxic parents and family trauma contribute to substance abuse
• Signs of emotional abuse and toxic family dynamics
• Josh’s journey from addiction to sobriety and healing
• Practical steps for setting boundaries and rebuilding your life
• Finding hope and support on the path to recovery

About Josh Connelly:

Josh is an advocate for mental health, addiction recovery, and healing from toxic family cycles. He shares his story to empower others facing similar battles.

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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This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on October 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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Kalen’s story began when she was only 17. What she thought was the drama of love quickly became a cycle of emotional and physical abuse. For years, she was told she was crazy, too sensitive, too much. She believed it. Behind closed doors, she lived with an extreme personality who used manipulation, fear, and control to keep her questioning her own mind.

In this episode of Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Kalen to explore how young love can turn into domination, how gaslighting rewrites reality, and how long-term abuse leaves scars that take years to understand. This conversation is a raw reminder that real love is not chaos or pain, and that healing begins the moment you stop mistaking cruelty for passion.

• How abuse can start young and feel like “drama” instead of danger

• The cycle of gaslighting and control in extreme personalities

• When emotional abuse escalates into physical violence

• The moment Kalan realized “crazy” wasn’t her, it was him

• Rebuilding after years of abuse, manipulation, fear, and shame

Kalen is a survivor and advocate who endured years of emotional and physical abuse beginning at 17. Today she uses her experience to help other women recognize the red flags, trust their intuition, and know that love should never hurt.

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 special episode originally aired on October 30, 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 special episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down inside the National Domestic Violence Hotline headquarters with Katie Ray-Jones, the organization’s badass CEO and lifelong advocate for survivors. Together, they pull back the curtain on what really happens when someone calls for help.

From personal survivor stories to the Power and Control Wheel, tech abuse, and teen dating violence, this episode reveals the realities of modern abuse and the lifesaving work happening behind the scenes. Lindsay also shares her emotional experience being invited to serve as an “Advocate for the Day,” listening in on live calls and witnessing firsthand the compassion and strength of those answering up to 3,000 calls every single day.

Inside This Episode:

• What really happens behind the scenes at the National Domestic Violence Hotline

• The truth about tech abuse and digital coercion in modern relationships

• How the Power and Control Wheel helps survivors recognize and name abuse

• The rise of teen dating violence and how to stop it early

• Lindsay’s firsthand experience listening in on real hotline calls

Why This Episode Matters:

Because every call is a cry for freedom and every answer is a lifeline.

About the Guest:

Katie Ray-Jones is the CEO of The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the nation’s leading resource for survivors of abuse. Under her leadership, the Hotline has expanded its services, implemented groundbreaking safety technology, and supported millions of callers nationwide.

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

www.thehotline.org

https://www.instagram.com/ndvhofficial/

Follow & Connect:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube

💌 Follow @bitchisabadwordpodcast for updates, clips, and behind-the-scenes moments

💜 Need support? Visit thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

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