Mae Scott, a woman whose story shines a light on a kind of abuse that often goes unseen—the kind that is protected, enabled, and reinforced by family systems themselves.

Mae is the author of An Embarrassment of Pandas, a powerful and honest account of escaping not only an abusive marriage, but an entire family dynamic that functioned like a cult—one that protected her abuser and turned against her, despite the harm she endured.

For nearly 19 years, Mae was caught inside a web of control, manipulation, and silence. This conversation unpacks the reality of narcissistic family systems—where loyalty is demanded, truth is distorted, and the survivor is often scapegoated for speaking out.

We talk about:– What it feels like when an entire family protects the abuser– The psychological impact of narcissistic and “cult-like” family dynamics– The breaking point that leads to choosing yourself– And the long, courageous journey back to freedom, identity, and peace

Mae is not only a survivor—she is a social worker, advocate, writer, and mother of three, using her voice to support others navigating similar experiences. Her message is simple, but powerful: everyone deserves freedom, and everyone deserves peace.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt trapped in a system that told them to stay silent, for anyone who has been made to question their reality, and for anyone who is ready to reclaim their life. Because sometimes the hardest truth to face is this: the people who were supposed to protect you… didn’t.

And healing begins the moment you choose yourself anyway.

Grab her book here: https://a.co/d/01m9nM6r