From The Walking Dead to Walking Away: Reclaiming Power After Abuse with Actress, Podcaster, and BFF Alliance Co-Founder Lindsay Abernathy

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of emotional abuse, sexual assault, and trauma. Please listen with care.

This week on Judging Meghan, I sit down with the remarkable Lindsay Abernathy—an actress, advocate, and survivor whose journey takes us from the set of The Walking Dead to the harsh realities of emotional and financial abuse. Lindsay’s story is raw, real, and deeply moving. What started as a one-time favor for a casting friend became a years-long role on one of television’s most iconic shows. Yet, behind the scenes, she was living through a far more terrifying storyline—trapped in a relationship that, on the surface, seemed picture-perfect but was riddled with coercive control, emotional warfare, and financial abuse. From private jets to pawn shops, Lindsay pulls back the curtain on what it means to survive behind the illusion of privilege.

She shares how her ambition, identity, and even basic freedoms were slowly stripped away—and how she fought like hell to reclaim them. We talk about the insidious nature of abuse that hides in plain sight, how abusers use money, shame, and even motherhood as weapons, and why the healing journey often begins after you leave. We dive into the trauma of being gaslit, smeared, and silenced, and the strength it takes to rise, rebuild, and speak out.

Now, through her podcast Bitch Is a Bad Word and her nonprofit BFF Alliance, Lindsay is helping other women plan safe exits, rediscover their worth, and take their voices back. This is more than a conversation about abuse—it's a testament to resilience, a call to advocacy, and a reminder that healing is not just possible, it’s powerful.

If you’ve ever questioned your reality, felt stuck in something that looked “good” on the outside but felt crushing on the inside, or given up parts of yourself for someone else’s version of love, this episode will leave you feeling seen, heard, and empowered. Because your story matters. Your truth matters. And you are not alone.

You can follow Lindsay here: https://www.instagram.com/lindz_abernathy/?hl=en 

And listen to her podcast “Bitch Is a Bad Word” on all Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other podcast platforms!

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)

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