Dear Little Me

Sibling relationships are often romanticized as lifelong bonds filled with love, laughter, and mutual support. But for many, this is just not true. What happens when that bond becomes a source of pain, manipulation, and even abuse? In today's episode, we're diving into a topic that's often seen as taboo, whilst all too common—toxic sibling relationships. 

Mary Garden grew up in a toxic family. Her father was cruel and her mother depressed. Mary’s sister was physically and verbally abusive, but whenever Mary was attacked, her parents would always put it back on her with the question ‘What did you do to provoke your sister?’. This toxic situation had a profound impact on Mary and subsequently led her to accept many other toxic relationships throughout her life. Mary shares about her epiphany, after years of dealing with an abusive sister, that she did not need to engage with this abuse any longer and details her decision to go no contact. Mary has written a book called My Father’s Suitcase, where she tells her fascinating story of sibling and familial abuse. You can purchase the book here https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0646890050 You can connect with Mary via her website https://www.marygarden.com.au/

Key Takeaways

1. Sibling Abuse Is A Taboo Topic: While sibling relationships are often idealized, they can sometimes be toxic and harmful, filled with manipulation, control, and even abuse.
2. Recognizing Toxic Sibling Dynamics: We talk about the red flags of sibling abuse.
3. The Impact of a Toxic Family Environment: Growing up in a toxic family can lead to patterns of accepting toxic relationships.
4. Why You Should Go No Contact: Going no contact is a difficult but sometimes necessary step to protect your mental and emotional well-being. 
5. The Power of Self-Realization and Change: You have the right to set boundaries and prioritize your own well-being. Recognizing when a relationship is harmful and taking steps to change it, even if it means going no contact, can be life-changing.

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support our mission to share these important stories with the world and GET THIS PODCAST AD-FREE, SPONSOR-FREE plus you will have ACCESS TO OUR SUBSCRIBER-ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

Tags and Categories:

Sibling abuse, toxic families, childhood trauma, no contact, healing from trauma.

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You won't believe the impact abandonment can have on a person's life. The hidden trauma, the emotional scars and the long-term effects of physical and emotional abandonment are more devastating than most people realize. Today, we dive deep into the heart-wrenching reality of what it means to be abandoned by those who are supposed to love you the most. What happens to a kid whose parents cannot cope with their own lives? What happens to a kid whose parents cannot make good decisions on their behalf? In this episode we uncover the dark secrets that many dysfunctional families keep hidden and the shocking truth about the profound impact of abandonment.

Mal Wrenn Corbin grew up in a dysfunctional family in a town plagued by poverty, addiction and violence. This is a real and raw look at the reality of growing up in a home where the needs of a child come last and how abandonment, trauma, poverty and addiction can have a long-term impact on a child’s development and sense of self. You can find Mal Wrenn Corbin at https://malwrenncorbin.com/ on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/malwrenncorbin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-aw-corbin?trk=public_post_follow-view-profile & Facebook https://www.facebook.com/malwrenncorbin

Key Takeaways:

• Uncover the shocking impact of abandonment: Discover the hidden and profound effects of being left behind by those who should have cared for you.

• How dysfunctional families and poor decisions can scar a child for life: Learn about the heart-wrenching realities of growing up in a home where parental failures and poor choices have devastating consequences.

• The hidden scars of growing up in chaos: Hear how being abandoned in a dysfunctional environment affects children long into adulthood.

• The immense possibilities of healing: How it is possible to break the cycles of trauma and abandonment and re-write your story.

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support our mission to share these important stories with the world and GET THIS PODCAST AD-FREE, SPONSOR-FREE plus you will have ACCESS TO OUR SUBSCRIBER-ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

Tags and Categories:

Abandonment, Childhood Trauma, Addiction, Poverty, Parenting, Dysfunctional families, 

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Shannon’s life was a rollercoaster of emotions. With a raging narcissist for a grandfather and a mom suffering with bipolar disorder, the mood in Shannon’s home could switch from joy to depression in an instant. Growing up in this toxic environment kept Shannon’s young nervous system on constant high alert, eventually causing it to break down. Today, it is evident how much those early years have deeply affected and changed Shannon’s health.

Shannon Pinkston is an Intuitive Life Coach. You can find Shannon on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shannon.pinkston?mibextid=LQQJ4d 

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support us and GET THIS PODCAST AD FREE, SPONSORSHIP FREE and RECEIVE ACCESS TO SUBSCRIBER ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Tags and Categories: autoimmune disease, immune system, trauma healing, narcissistic and toxic

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Courtney was a young mother juggling a job and family when her world suddenly collapsed. Out of nowhere, she began having up to 30 seizures a day. Life as she knew it changed—simple tasks like driving, grocery shopping, and daily routines became impossible. Desperate for answers, Courtney found herself in a frustrating search as doctors were left baffled. But the true cause of Courtney’s seizures was buried deep within her body, hidden in the trauma she did not remember.

Courtney’s journey is a powerful reminder of how unresolved trauma can manifest in our bodies and wreak havoc on our lives. Please note, this story includes discussions of abuse and sexual abuse, though no explicit details are shared.

Key Takeaways

1. Trauma's Shocking Impact on the Body: This episode highlights how unresolved trauma can manifest physically in the body, leading to severe health issues like seizures, even when the trauma is not consciously remembered.
2. Trauma may be forgotten by the mind but is held in the body and can cause a whole range of chronic health issues.
3. Hidden Trauma: The root cause of Courtney's seizures was linked to deep-seated, unprocessed trauma, underscoring the importance of addressing past trauma to prevent physical and emotional harm.
4. The truth about rehab for minors.
5. Repeated Abandonment compounds instability and insecurity ongoing in your life.

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support our mission to share these important stories with the world and GET THIS PODCAST AD-FREE, SPONSOR-FREE plus you will have ACCESS TO OUR SUBSCRIBER-ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform  https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

Tags and Categories:

TraumaAwareness, MentalHealth, PhysicalHealth, Seizures, UnresolvedTrauma, HealingJourney, MindBodyConnection, AbuseSurvivor, HiddenTrauma, csa

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PART TWO: Ashana shares her incredible wisdom around breaking the cycles of trauma, overcoming abandonment and control to create the life she desires for herself and her family.

Abandoned by her mother at just two weeks of age, Ashana's childhood continued to be a series of abandonments. Despite being a bright kid who loved school, this lack of love and care turned Ashana’s life into chaos. From as early as eleven months of age, Ashana’s mother would put coffee in her bottle, sparking a lifelong caffeine addiction. As a teenager, still seeking that adrenaline rush and with no-one to guide her, Ashana began engaging in risky behaviors, leading to some devastating outcomes.

In this powerful episode, Ashana shares her compelling journey from a childhood marked by abandonment, trauma, and abuse to finding her personal power and now helping others to do the same.

***Ashana says "So much of where I’m at today is thanks to my amazing teacher, Liana Shanti. Her posts were the light in the darkness that truly helped me turn everything around. To learn more about mother wound and father wound, or healing from narcissistic relationships, go to https://www.instagram.com/lianashanti

To learn more about science-backed plant-based nutrition that supports whole-body healing to https://www.instagram.com/hmiwellness "

Key Takeaways

1. The Impact of Early Abandonment on a child.
2. Repeated Abandonment How repeated abandonment compounds instability and insecurity.
3. Consequences of A Strict Controlling Parent: Excessive control can result in risky and dangerous behaviors.
4. Transformation and Empowerment: How to overcome a childhood filled with abandonment and abuse.

Ashana is a coach who is helping women find peace after trauma. You can find her at http://www.yournorthstarrising.com and on instagram at http://www.instagram.com/northstar.rising 

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support us and GET THIS PODCAST AD-FREE, SPONSOR-FREE and GET ACCESS TO EXTRA SUBSCRIBER-ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

Tags and Categories:

Tags: Overcoming Abuse, Self-Healing, Personal Growth, Self-Compassion, Empowerment

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Growing up with an absent parent leaves you carrying the trauma of abandonment. In this episode, Dawn shares a conversation with Shalina Lodhia, who delves into the impact of growing up without a father.

Shalina is an Intergenerational Trauma Counsellor empowering South Asian Women. You can find Shalina via her website https://www.indiandiaspora.org/news/meet-shalina-lodhia-intergenerational-trauma-counsellor-empowering-south-asian-women

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support us and GET THIS PODCAST AD FREE, SPONSORSHIP FREE and RECEIVE ACCESS TO SUBSCRIBER ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Tags and Categories: abandonment, trauma, healing, childhood trauma

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

Abandoned by her mother at just two weeks of age, Ashana's childhood continued to be a series of abandonments. Despite being a bright kid who loved school, this lack of love and care turned Ashana’s life into chaos. From as early as eleven months of age, Ashana’s mother would put coffee in her bottle, sparking a lifelong caffeine addiction. As a teenager, still seeking that adrenaline rush and with no-one to guide her, Ashana began engaging in risky behaviors, leading to some devastating outcomes.

In this powerful episode, Ashana shares her compelling journey from a childhood marked by abandonment, trauma, and abuse to finding her personal power and now helping others to do the same.

Key Takeaways

1. The Impact of Early Abandonment on a child.
2. Repeated Abandonment How repeated abandonment compounds instability and insecurity.
3. Consequences of A Strict Controlling Parent: Excessive control can result in risky and dangerous behaviors.
4. Transformation and Empowerment: How to overcome a childhood filled with abandonment and abuse.

Ashana is a coach who is helping women find peace after trauma. You can find her at http://www.yournorthstarrising.com and on instagram at http://www.instagram.com/northstar.rising 

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support us and GET THIS PODCAST AD-FREE, SPONSOR-FREE and GET ACCESS TO EXTRA SUBSCRIBER-ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://whatsthetruth.supercast.com/

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

Tags and Categories:

Tags: Overcoming Abuse, Self-Healing, Personal Growth, Self-Compassion, Empowerment, Childhood Trauma, Mental Health, Finding Purpose, Reclaiming Power, Verbal and Physical Abuse,

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My mother is a narcissist and it nearly broke me.

Sarah Reilly is a highly successful life coach and an expert on narcissism. Having grown up with a narcissistic mother, Sarah found herself in relationships with narcissists because, as she explains, dating a narcissist didn’t raise any red flags for her. When difficult, abusive, and frustrating human connections are all you’ve ever known, toxic behavior becomes familiar, making you a prime target for narcissists. Sarah breaks down the workings of the narcissistic personality and shares strategies for surviving a relationship with a narcissist.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognising a Narcissist: The difficulty in recognizing and dealing with a narcissist.
2. Growing Up with a Narcissistic Mother: Sarah's upbringing with a narcissistic mother influenced her perception of relationships and normalcy.
3. Pattern of Relationships: Sarah found herself repeatedly in relationships with narcissists because toxic behavior felt familiar and didn't raise red flags for her.
4. Expert Insights: Sarah provides a detailed understanding of the narcissistic personality, explaining how narcissists operate and manipulate.
5. Survival Strategies: Sarah shares effective strategies for surviving and navigating relationships with narcissists, offering valuable advice for those affected.

Please take a look at Sarah’s coaching options. Sarah is an incredible coach who will adjust the way your brain works so that expressing your potential comes more easily to you. Please go to https://sarahreillycoaching.com/work-with-me/ for more info or find Sarah on instagram https://instagram.com/sarahreillycoaching

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support us and GET THIS PODCAST AD FREE, SPONSOR FREE and GET ACCESS TO EXTRA EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

Originally released as Episode 10: How Does A Narcissist Treat Their Child?

Tags and Categories

Tags: Trauma, Healing, Abuse, Narcissistic Abuse, Narcissistic recovery, narcissistic mother

Categories: Trauma Recovery, Abuse Survivor Stories, Self-Improvement, Inspirational Stories

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Did you use dissociation to find safety as a child? or did you use perfectionism and neglecting your own needs to achieve that sense of security. In this episode, Dawn speaks with Mandy L Harvey, a Trauma Healing Guide, about her childhood experiences of feeling unsafe and how her mind and body worked together to protect her.

Mandy is a Trauma Healing Guide. You can find Mandy via her website https://mandylharvey.com/

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support us and GET THIS PODCAST AD FREE, SPONSORSHIP FREE and RECEIVE ACCESS TO SUBSCRIBER ONLY EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Tags and Categories: dissociation, perfectionism, childhood trauma, abandonment

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

In Part 2 of Jen's story we hear about the healing, the growth and the power. We listen as Jen shares how she learned to set boundaries, prioritize her own needs, and create a new life after trauma. Tune in for a truly inspiring tale of healing and hope.

In this episode, we dive into Jen's harrowing journey of overcoming a lifetime of trauma. Growing up with a narcissistic step-father who was verbally, physically, and emotionally abusive, Jen faced unimaginable challenges from a young age. Desperately needing to escape this toxic environment, Jen joined the army at 17, only to find herself in many more unsafe situations in Iraq. Returning home deeply traumatized, Jen battled pain, health issues and addiction for nine long years. It wasn't until someone asked Jen about her childhood that she began to understand the abuse she had endured. This realization marked the beginning of Jen’s healing journey. 

Key Takeaways

Recognizing Abuse: Understanding that what happened in childhood was abuse is a crucial step toward healing.

Its Not Your fault: Learning that you are not to blame for your childhood experiences.

Impacts of Trauma: Early trauma can have long-lasting effects on mental and physical health.

Effects of Medications: Medication and trauma turns into addiction

Healing Journey: The importance of validation and recognizing dysfunctional family dynamics in the healing process.

Setting Boundaries: Learning to put yourself first and set boundaries is essential for recovery.

Inspiration and Hope: Jen's story is a testament to the possibility of creating a new life after trauma.

Jen is a Narcissistic Abuse & Complex Trauma Specialist. You must take a look at Jen's course 'You're Not Crazy, You Were Raised By Narcissists' Masterclass HERE https://www.herhealingway.com/masterclass. You can also find Jen on Instagram HERE https://www.instagram.com/herhealingway

Join Our Subscriber Community for just $5 per month. Support us and GET THIS PODCAST AD FREE, SPONSOR FREE and GET ACCESS TO EXTRA EPISODES. Join via the Apple Podcasts App or go to Supercast to join if you listen via Spotify or any other platform https://dearlittleme.supercast.com/

If you have a story to share for this podcast please connect with me at https://www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject or send an email to [email protected] I would LOVE! to connect with you.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/mybigloveproject for updates and more content. Share this episode to spread awareness about child abuse and to support survivors.

Tags and Categories

Tags: Trauma, Healing, Abuse, Narcissistic Abuse, Addiction Recovery, Mental Health, Emotional Healing, Boundaries, Resilience, Personal Growth

Categories: Trauma Recovery, Abuse Survivor Stories, Self-Improvement, Inspirational Stories

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