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UPDATE: After 80 episodes and 25,000 downloads, I decided to end "Emotional Abuse Is Real" back in December 2024.

As of July 2025, I don't have any plans to create a new podcast anytime soon, as I've chosen to focus more on my writing for now. 

Heads up that I've also decided to let my premium Buzzsprout plan run out, so beginning in late August 2025, episodes of "Emotional Abuse Is Real" will disappear from all podcasting platforms. 

If you're interested in staying connected, please come find me over on Substack at The Critical Communicator, and follow me on Instagram and Threads.

You can also visit my website or email me at [email protected]. 

Thank you so much for listening to "Emotional Abuse Is Real" -- it's been a pleasure connecting with you all! 

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On today’s episode, I share important news about the future of this podcast before welcoming Charlotte, an emotional and narcissistic abuse survivor. 

Please note I only refer to Charlotte by her first name to protect her privacy. 

Charlotte and I have a lot in common because she too experienced narcissistic abuse in the workplace. As you’ll hear throughout our conversation, almost every detail she described was eerily similar to my own Rolling Stone workplace story. The creepy boss ingratiating himself into her life, the lack of support from her colleagues, and the company’s refusal to hold this man accountable for his actions. 

I am so proud of Charlotte for sharing her story on the podcast because it’s one of the first baby steps she’s been able to take toward healing. I hope her experiences will inspire other emotional abuse survivors to come forward. 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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I am thrilled to welcome Lianne Torres to “Emotional Abuse Is Real” today. Lianne is a self-love coach, speaker, domestic violence survivor and advocate – and she is the host of the “Watch Us Thrive” podcast. Just like I do with “Emotional Abuse Is Real,” Lianne uses her podcast to not only share her own story of abuse but to raise awareness about toxic relationships, overcoming trauma, and healing.

Like me, Lianne is devastated that Donald Trump was elected to a second presidential term. The way she sees it, the American people have returned to their narcissistic, abusive partner. We spend most of the episode venting our frustration and voicing our sadness because, even though it’s been a month since Kamala Harris lost the election, many of us continue to deal with a lot of raw emotions. And we're here to tell you that we can still be upset. This was a cathartic conversation for both of us, and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

Connect with Lianne:
Instagram
Website
YouTube
TikTok

Listen to Lianne’s story on “Watch Us Thrive” (episode 12) 
Listen to Lianne's take on Worst Ex Ever
Box breathing primer
"The REAL Story of Donald Trump," Johnny Harris
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

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Although I initially planned to take this week off, I needed to record some episodes that directly addressed the U.S. presidential election, so here we are.

For the next few podcast episodes, I'm chatting with women who, like me, are deeply affected by the election results, and still navigating through their sadness. I especially wanted to speak with women who, like me, are narcissistic abuse survivors directly triggered by Donald Trump’s win. 

On today’s episode, I welcome Skye Polk. Skye is a Dallas-Fort Worth-based content creator focusing on raising awareness about chronic illness and mental health. Several years ago, Skye was diagnosed with a blood circulation disorder called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. She’s also spent the past six years in narcissistic abuse recovery, having grown up with a narcissistic father. Skye’s mission is to use her voice to help support others dealing with experiences similar to hers, so I’m thrilled that you all will hear our conversation.

Connect with Skye:
Instagram
Threads
BlueSky
TikTok

Learn more about POTS

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On today’s episode, I welcome narcissistic abuse survivor Catherine Castillo. A global citizen with a passion for life, Catherine recently ended a year-and-a-half-long abusive relationship. Although Catherine has lived in Sweden for four years, we recorded our interview while she was back in the U.S., focusing on her healing journey. 

Despite being out of her toxic relationship for only a month, Catherine offered a huge amount of nuanced perspective for her fellow survivors. 

Connect with Catherine:
LinkedIn
Threads
Instagram
Instagram passion project, "Dear N(ex), It's Me"

Recovery From Narcissistic Abuse, Gaslighting, Codependency, and Complex PTSD, by Linda Hill

Related episodes dealing with emotional abuse and the brain:
Episode 40, "What's the Connection Between Emotional Abuse and the Brain? With Dr. Hayley Nelson"
Episode 47, "Why Toxic Workplaces Are Terrible for Brain Health With Dr. Jennifer Fraser" 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky
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Sign up for my Substack
You can also reach me through my professional website

You can also drop me a line at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram.

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On today’s episode, I welcome a 26-year-old emotional abuse survivor named Lara. Originally from Germany, Lara was raised in an ethnic Turkish household under an abusive mother. Due to the rules of her culture, Lara was forbidden to move out of her family’s home until she got married. But once she turned 18, Lara realized she was in an untenable situation. With zero family support, and through her therapist's encouragement, Lara escaped her childhood home and moved to France, where she now lives and works as a high school teacher.

Connect with Lara:
Instagram
Threads

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Support the show

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On today’s episode, I welcome Jennifer MD Cox. Jennifer is a fiction writer, a licensed mental health counselor, a parent, a spouse, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community who identifies as pansexual. 

Jennifer and I covered a lot of topics throughout our conversation, but in particular, we focused on an emotionally abusive relationship she endured while a college student.

What I learned from Jennifer is that members of the LGBTQ+ community are at an increased risk for emotional abuse because many are already cut off from their families due to homophobia. Since they are more vulnerable, we must keep telling these stories of abuse. Also, as the author of the novel Getting to Know You, Jennifer is working to change the narrative about LGBTQ+ relationships and emotional abuse.

Connect with Jennifer:
TikTok
Threads
Instagram
Nine Star Press
#LMHCWholovestowrite

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky
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Instead of my usual “Emotional Abuse Is Real” content this week, I have another special bonus episode for your listening pleasure today. I’m thrilled to present my fourth and final appearance on Krista Dykes’ “Secret Mom Hacks” podcast, where I discuss work-life balance and the importance, nay, the necessity, at least in my case, of working from home. 

As always, I’m so grateful to Krista for letting me chat with her about subjects near and dear to my heart.

“Emotional Abuse Is Real” will return with brand-new guests next week on November 6. Until then, please enjoy this bonus episode of my recent appearance on “Secret Mom Hacks.”

Get the show notes for this episode here!

U.S. listeners: Make a plan to vote! 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky
Listen to the podcast on YouTube
Sign up for my Substack
You can also reach me through my professional website

You can also drop me a line at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram.

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On today’s episode, I welcome Valerie Probstfeld. Valerie is a nurse practitioner, writer, podcaster, as well as the creator and host of the To Mom Is to Love platform. To quote Valerie, the To Mom Is to Love community embraces imperfection, and promotes love as a verb. 

My conversation with Valerie touches upon several important topics, including her own childhood emotional abuse, as well as the concept of medical bullying. We also chat about how we are both trying to break harmful generational cycles in our respective parenting journeys. There is something for everyone in this episode, whether you’re a parent or not, and the biggest takeaway is that we’re all guilty of being too hard on ourselves.

Connect with Valerie:
Website
Podcast
Instagram
Facebook

U.S. listeners: Make a plan to vote! 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky
Listen to the podcast on YouTube
Sign up for my Substack
You can also reach me through my professional website

You can also drop me a line at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram.

Podcasting resources:
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Instead of my usual “Emotional Abuse Is Real” content this week, I have another special bonus episode for your listening pleasure. I’m back as a guest on Krista Dykes’ “Secret Mom Hacks” podcast, and this time we are talking about one of my favorite topics: Self-care for moms (a quick note on that: You do NOT have to be a mom to indulge in any of the self-care suggestions I make on this episode. Everyone needs self-care.) 

Krista also allows me to share about my terrible experience with a postpartum doula when my daughter was born eight years ago. To be clear, I think postpartum doulas offer wonderful support to moms, but as you’ll discover from listening to my cautionary tale, it’s imperative that you do your research before hiring someone for this critical period after your child arrives. 

As always, I’m so grateful to Krista for letting me chat with her about these subjects, and I’m thrilled to now share it as a bonus on my own podcast feed. 

“Emotional Abuse Is Real” will return with brand-new guests next week on October 23. Until then, please enjoy this bonus episode of my recent appearance on “Secret Mom Hacks.”

Get the show notes for this episode here, including links to the articles referenced.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Follow me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky
Listen to the podcast on YouTube
Sign up for my Substack
You can also reach me through my professional website

You can also drop me a line at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram.

Podcasting resources:
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Riverside for remote video and audio recording