Breaking Cycles with Maria

We talk endlessly about narcissistic men — but what happens when the narcissist is a woman?

In this episode, Maria Shkreli, LMHC, breaks down why narcissistic women are often harder to recognize, confront, and recover from — whether she’s your mother, your partner, or your boss. You’ll learn how manipulation hides beneath care, how control disguises itself as love, and how living with this dynamic rewires your entire sense of self.

Many of these women grew up watching their mothers destroy men — and swore they’d never do the same.

But unhealed daughters don’t break cycles; they repeat them.

Maria explores the silent epidemic of women raised by narcissistic mothers — women who tear down the kind men who love them, twist truth into victimhood, and still get celebrated for being “strong.” It’s time to talk about the men who were silenced, shamed, and finally set free.

Tune in for a raw, unapologetic conversation about female narcissism — the unspoken power dynamic that leaves no visible bruises but deeply scars the soul.

Real love doesn’t require control — it requires accountability.

In this raw and unapologetically honest episode, Maria Shkreli, LMHC, breaks down why you keep trying to fix everyone’s problems — and why it’s driving you insane.

From rescuing friends and managing your partner’s emotions to cleaning up everyone’s chaos at work and home — this “fixer” pattern isn’t compassion, it’s control in disguise.

Maria calls out how unrealistic expectations, distorted thinking, and anxious attachment keep you stuck in cycles of burnout, resentment, and emotional chaos. You’ll learn:

Why your need to “fix things” is really about calming your own anxiety

How black-and-white thinking, personalization, and catastrophizing keep you spiraling

The difference between helping out of love vs. helping out of fear

And the truth about why peace feels so uncomfortable when you’re used to dysfunction

It’s not about becoming cold — it’s about reclaiming your sanity.

So, before you rush to fix someone else’s mess, pause and ask: “Is this really mine to solve?”

Because healing isn’t about control — it’s about letting go.

Listen now to learn how to stop chasing problems and start choosing peace.

Last week, we started closing the 19-year gap in our friendship. The conversation went deep—maybe a little off track—but it took us exactly where we needed to go.

This week, we’re circling back to some of those moments that needed more space… the ones that deserve understanding, forgiveness, and maybe even a little closure. We also cleared the air about something that hurt both of us in the past—because real friendship means being honest, even when it’s uncomfortable.

And no, we still didn’t make it to The Cheesecake Factory this time either… so I guess that dinner has officially become our cliffhanger. 

Join us as we keep it real—talking friendship, healing, and what it means to truly reconnect after years apart.

After 19 years on separate paths, lifelong friends Maria and Madge finally reconnected in late August. What was meant to be a simple dinner turned into something much deeper—laughter, nostalgia, unexpected truths, and conversations that touched a nerve. I felt that in our first episode, it touched on some wounds we needed to understand so we could move ahead.

This first episode is just the beginning. We only scratched the surface, yet even the little we shared reminded us how distance and time never erase the bond of real friendship.

In this series, we’ll open up about the lives we’ve built apart: the lessons, the struggles, the wins, and the surprises that shaped us. From memories of our early years to realizations in adulthood, each conversation is a chance to explore how friendships grow, stretch, and still hold strong.

Join us as we continue these honest, heartfelt talks—because reconnecting isn’t just about looking back. It’s about seeing each other clearly now, growing together, and celebrating the journey that still lies ahead.

Rosa came to talk about her adult child’s depression — but what unfolded was way bigger. The deeper we went, the more it became clear: her own upbringing, family patterns, and old wounds were shaping today’s struggles in ways she hadn’t realized.

This episode pulls back the curtain on the invisible ties between parents and children — the unspoken rules, the pressure to keep the peace, and the cycle of dysfunction that sneaks in when no one is looking.

It’s raw. It’s honest. It will make you ask yourself: Am I repeating cycles I swore I’d never repeat?

We talk about depression, yes — but also about generational patterns, mother-daughter dynamics, and what it really takes to stop carrying pain that was never yours in the first place.

If you’re a parent, a child, or simply someone trying to rewrite your story, this one will hit home.

I’m back — returning with clarity, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose. After over a year away, navigating a life-changing health journey, I’m here, I’m ready, and I can’t wait to continue this journey with you.

Life reset me: a stroke, two brain aneurysms, and surgeries that made me rethink everything. This comeback episode isn’t just an update — it’s proof that healing, balance, and self-reflection are possible, even in the face of the unexpected. I’m ready to rediscover the direction of Breaking Up with Toxicity and bring this space back to life.

Hosted by me, Maria Shkreli, LMHC, this podcast is a place for honest, thoughtful conversations about toxic patterns, dysfunctional family dynamics, anxiety, ADHD, boundaries, problematic communication, avoidant and anxious attachment challenges, and all the other in-betweens of life that happen.

It’s about learning, growing, and breaking unhealthy cycles — together. Let’s get real, get messy, and start rewriting the way we live and love.

In today's show, Maria continued her talk with John as he embarks on his personal journey of self-discovery; he finds himself at a crossroads, questioning the authenticity of the choices he's been making. Determined to unravel the complexities of his identity, he courageously takes on the challenge presented by "How You Sit Your Bubble," recognizing it as an opportunity to delve deeper into understanding who he is. There are many questions about whether we are breaking cycles or maintaining more of the unhealthy behaviors because they are normalized.

In today's show, Maria continues her talk with John, and they discussed thoughts about the previous episode. John stated he was “stuck” for a week because he had no definite answer about why he paid for that meal. The conversation today is turning into a journey for John as the show becomes a place where John is learning and exploring his true authenticity, his attachment style, what is generational trauma, boundaries, and what an enmeshed family is. Thoughts and experiences are shared, and John continues to explore his personal experiences as his self-exploration is turning out to be a learning experience for him.

In today's show, Maria talks with John about what it’s like to use dating apps, social media's impact on people's expectations, and how double standards have challenged roles and authenticity. The conversation opens up questions about John's experiences of breaking family expectations when families had more influence or control over the dating process. John pursued relationships independently and took hold of his life working through unforeseen challenges that arose during the episode.

In today's show, Maria picks up from Episode 5 and provides a breakdown comparison discussion on the often overlooked aspects of borderline personality disorder, specifically in men and women, highlighting the differences in their experiences and the challenges they face. She also emphasizes the misdiagnosis issue, particularly how it can disproportionately affect men and lead to serious consequences such as incarceration. Furthermore, she delves into the crucial topic of children growing up in households affected by borderline personality traits and how these experiences can shape their lives well into adulthood.

These conversations are significant in raising awareness, offering insight, and encouraging discussions about the multifaceted impact of mental health conditions on individuals and their families.

If you’d like a topic or question explored, email [email protected].

A REMINDER: This podcast should not be used as a substitute for medical or mental health advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms associated with BPD or any mental health condition, it's highly advisable to seek professional help promptly. Mental health professionals can provide the appropriate assessment, support, and treatment options to address these challenges and promote overall well-being.