Join me as I chat with Marie Birtel. She is author of the book,

"I Love You When..."

This fictional narrative sheds light on the often

overlooked area of covert narcissism in families. Through the main character,

Emma, readers are given a glimpse into the

profound effects and insight into this subtle and insidious

force. The story emphasizes that healing from narcissistic

trauma is not only possible but crucial to breaking the cycle

of abuse in future relationships.

"I love you when..." is a story of hope, self-discovery, and

freedom.

To learn more about Marie, visit her website:

http://www.mariebirtel.com/

Order the book, "I Love You When..." :

https://amzn.eu/d/aNv0KRW

Connect with Marie:

https://www.instagram.com/i_am_maryc/

On this episode of the Character Outs Podcast we are going to talk about six things we are NOT going to embrace this year.

1. Minimize, belittle or downgrade ourselves to make someone feel better.

2. Thinking that loving our family more would have made things different.

3. Saying yes to things we don't want to do.

4. Beating ourselves up for saying no to things we do not want to do.

5. Embracing where we are on this journey and the mood we are in.

6. Not giving people who fuck up and keep on trucking a second chance.

Song: Phil Collins, 'I Don't Care Anymore'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLpfbcXTeo8

Welcome to the shortest episode ever!

On this episode I take a few minutes to connect with YOU and talk about the peace that being no contact with toxic family during the holiday season can yield.

I also talk about what I did with my peace and ask you..what will you do with your peace? Let's chat in the comment section!

Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YdTTAaYVPM

Also making a guest appearance is a very needy and whiny Viszla...

This episode of the Character Outs podcast is your friendly reminder to keep walking. Even amongst the FA LA LA and peace and joy. (BAH HUMBUG)

You knew why you walked away from your toxic family. Don't let the sparkle of the Holidays gaslight you and make you doubt why you walked away.

Song: Taylor Swift: it's time to go:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFCNdWPop-Y

In case no one has told you, it's not you, you don't have to fix it and you are not alone.

Keep walking.

...there is something wrong with you, something seriously wrong with you....

Has your toxic, abusive parent ever said that to you?

Same.

But guess what, there is nothing wrong with you.

On this episode of the Character Outs podcast we talk about my journey with mental health. I feel vulnerable af sharing this with all of you but that is what I am here for with the hope that you feel less alone.

Incase no one has told you, its not you, never has been, you don't have to fix it and you are not alone.

Keep walking friend.

The Song: Crazy Bitch, Madeline:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTulvuXrS_E

Join me as I chat with Dr. Sherrie Campbell.

You may think you know Dr. Sherrie and her list of stellar accomplishments, such as her recent TEDx talk (not all parents are good), flourishing therapy practice, groundbreaking podcast (sherapy sessions: cutting ties with toxic family), and the collection of books she has written, (including her most recent, "Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents.")

(And to think she is just getting started!)

But just wait until you hear how she describes herself!!!

One of the things that makes Dr. Sherrie so special is that she's just like us, a survivor of a toxic family, and on this no-contact journey with us. Her wisdom and relatability is a beacon of hope for so many.

On this episode you will hear Dr. Sherrie's empowering message, her ability to flip the script on being the scapegoat, and her guidance on what to say when the kiddos ask why Gramma and Grandpa don't come around anymore will leave you feeling inspired to powerfully keep walking on this road of no contact.

Dr. Sherrie is the pioneer for destigmatizing the societal perceptions of cutting ties with toxic family and this beautiful soul right here changed my life.

*Find Dr. Sherrie on Instagram (you will love her Thankful Thursday messages every week):

https://www.instagram.com/dr.sherrie/

*Check out her website:

https://drsherriecampbell.com/

*Listen to her podcast: Sherapy Sessions, Cutting Toxic Family Ties:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sherapy-sessions-cutting-toxic-family-ties/id1591691842

*Grab a copy of her most recent book here:

https://www.amazon.com/Adult-Survivors-Emotionally-Abusive-Parents/dp/1648482635

Incase no one has told you; it's not you, never has been and you don't have to fix it.

Oh, the tales that our toxic family tell. They can swirl around and behind us like an impending storm. And we thought walking away would stop this!!! (aren't we adorable)

Also-let's be real...the tales are NEVER good.

On this episode of the Character Outs podcast, we dive into how we can navigate this inevitable fallout on this no contact journey.

We discuss:

*Bracing for impact

*Our response

*Remembering the source

*Cultivating our peace

Also-who does this?!?!?!?! Oh yea..ourr families. As if we needed yet another reason to keep walking.

Let's get our heads in the game, remember our worth and keep walking.

Song: Chasing Rainbows: High Kings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46jAXMq7esQ

Character Outs podcast Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/characteroutspodcast/

On this episode of the Character Outs podcast, we talk about the good ol' apology.

Wait, you mean the kind I have to give?

No.

Ew.

Knock it off.

I am NOT here for that.

Omg, you feel that way about apologies too??

YES! WE CAN DO THIS!!!!

We grew up in a toxic family where an apology was:

~forced

~coerced

~weaponized

When in reality in a healthy and safe relationship an apology is:

~sincere

~genuine

~leads to both parties to being vulnerable

We talk about why we feel that ick associated with giving an apology and how we can get past it.

We got this...

On this episode of The Character Outs Podcast..

The bitch is BACK!

Oh, is it great to be behind the mic again!

On this episode, we talk about the multiverse.

NO, no...not in the Sci-Fi kinda way, but in the way it pertains to us on this no contact with toxic family.

The wonderings of:

*What would my life look like had I not had the childhood that I did.

*What would my life look like if my toxic family member could just be nice and loving (GASP!)

*What if our toxic family member could be present at milestone moments instead of being the absent ass holes that they actually are.

But all that matters is TODAY friend.

Join me in the multiverse, won't you?

Join the fun and snark over on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/characteroutspodcast/

Check out the website:

https://characteroutspodcast.com/

Song:

https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=41&q=lord+i+thank+you+for+sunshine&cvid=2c1f87a9ddd142cb8b7b66ddc7993d02&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEAAYQDIGCAAQABhAMgYIARBFGDkyBggCEAAYQDIGCAMQABhAMgYIBBAAGEAyBggFEAAYQDIGCAYQABhAMgYIBxAAGEAyBggIEAAYQNIBCDQwNzdqMGoxqAIEsAIB&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=DCTS

Show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6ucGt_Xp14

In case no one has told you lately, it's not you, never has been, you don't have to fix it and you are not alone.

On this episode of the Character Outs podcast we talk about the haunting of our toxic family members that we have gone no contact with.

Ok, ok..I'm not talking about Ghostbusters shit. I'm talking about when we see, smell or hear something that reminds us of our toxic family.

Let's face it, we went no contact, but they are still a part of our past and our memories.

So...what should we do when they haunt. We will talk all about it.

Join the fun over on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/characteroutspodcast/

Check out the website for the blog and other resources:

https://characteroutspodcast.com/

In case no one has told you, it's not you, never has been, you don't have to fix it and you are not alone.