Welcome to Season 4. We're starting with Annie — and Annie's story is not for the faint of heart.

Annie had a husband, young children, and a house in the middle of nowhere that felt less like a home and more like a carefully constructed trap. The rural isolation was intentional. So was everything that followed.

When her husband decided Annie was "crazy," he didn't just say it — he built a case. He had her committed to a mental health facility, maintained back-channel communication with her psychiatrist, and walked away with a borderline personality disorder diagnosis he could wield against her for years. Every time she pushed back. Every time she tried to be heard. Every time she dared to trust her own reality.

He had an answer for all of it. She was crazy. The paperwork said so.

Part one ends where Annie's survival instinct finally took over — the moment he opened the gun case, laid out every weapon, and spread the ammunition out in front of her like a message she wasn't supposed to misunderstand. Annie picked up her children from school and ran.

This is only the beginning.

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Behk and LAH are not doctors or therapists. Nothing shared on this podcast should be taken as medical or professional advice.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of toxic narcissistic behavior and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence of any kind, you are not alone. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 for free, confidential support — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for ad-free and exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

The pumpkins are out. The candles are lit. Behk & LAH are back for their annual Cozycore Autumn episode — and this one comes with gifts. 🎃🕯️

In this year's cozy special, we're slowing all the way down. Fuzzy socks, fall playlists, self-care rituals, and the kind of warm conversation that feels like a blanket you didn't know you needed. We're also sharing some personal updates, pulling back the curtain on what's coming for the show, and announcing a short hiatus while we rest, recharge, and get ready for what's ahead.

Oh — and we have two surprises for our listeners this season. You're going to want to tune in to find out what they are. Trust us. 🎁

While we're on our little break and revisit your favorite episodes. And as our thank you — here's a playlist curated just for you by Behk & LAH. 🍂

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

We're taking a little detour from the narcissists this week. Consider it a palate cleanser. 🎃

In this special Halloween edition, Behk & LAH are setting the toxic relationships aside for one episode to bring you all the spooky autumn energy you didn't know you needed. Favorite fall rituals, cozy simmer pots, pumpkin everything — and then things get a little darker. Personal ghost stories that will have you side-eyeing every shadow in your house. Plus a special guest who stops by to read a haunting creepypasta that is not for the faint of heart.

Light a candle. Grab a blanket. Turn on a lamp or two. 🕯️

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

This is the final chapter of Emily's story. It is not a sad ending.

In this episode, Emily brings us into the life she has built on the other side of everything — a partner who shows up with honesty and imperfection and genuine commitment, a relationship built on open communication and real intimacy, and, for the first time in a long time, the feeling of being truly safe.

She also talks about the terminal diagnosis. Not with fear — with clarity. Emily has found a kind of peace with her mortality that most of us spend our whole lives searching for and never quite reach. She doesn't see what's coming as a tragedy. She sees it as the next part of the story.

This episode is a meditation on love, healing, impermanence, and what it means to finally feel like your life belongs to you — even at the end of it.

We are honored beyond measure to have walked alongside Emily in telling this story. She came to us with courage, left us with grace, and changed us in ways we are still finding words for.

To Emily — thank you. From all of us, and from everyone whose life your story will touch. 💜

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Behk and LAH are not doctors or therapists. Nothing shared on this podcast should be taken as medical or professional advice.

Content Warning: Please listen with care. This episode includes open conversations about terminal illness, trauma, death, and end-of-life reflection.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

Emily thought her second marriage was a fresh start. It was not.

In this chapter of Emily's story, she takes us into the betrayal she never saw coming — a husband living a secret life as a sex addict who had been using her photos to catfish other men online. Her image. Her face. Her identity — weaponized without her knowledge or consent.

This is the kind of violation that doesn't just break trust. It breaks your sense of yourself.

Emily got out. Her family opened their arms, and she came home — and the slow, nonlinear work of rebuilding began. This episode is about what that actually looks like when the deception runs that deep.

Emily is still here. Still talking. Still healing. And this series is far from over.

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Behk and LAH are not doctors or therapists. Nothing shared on this podcast should be taken as medical or professional advice.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of PTSD, trauma, emotional abuse, sexual addiction, image exploitation, betrayal trauma, and manipulation, self-harm ideation, mental health, murder ideation, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

Emily has stage 4 terminal cancer. Emily has stage 4 terminal cancer. When Behk heard her story, she knew it needed to be told. Emily said yes.

This is the beginning of something different. Over the coming episodes, we'll be following Emily through the defining chapters of her life — her military service, the PTSD that followed, the toxic relationships that tested everything she thought she knew about herself, and the long road to healing that brought her here. To us. To this microphone. On her terms.

In this first episode, Emily takes us back to the beginning — enlistment, duty, trauma, and the slow disillusionment that comes from giving everything to something that doesn't always give back. It's the foundation of a story that is still being written.

Emily isn't telling this story for herself. She's telling it for everyone who comes after her. That's what legacy looks like.

We are honored beyond words to help her do this. Please take care of yourselves, listening to this series — and take care of each other.

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Behk and LAH are not doctors or therapists. Nothing shared on this podcast should be taken as medical or professional advice.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of PTSD, emotional abuse, toxic behavior, narcissistic abuse, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

Annie looked like she had it all together. She was terrified someone would find out she didn't.

In this episode, Annie opens up about the relationship that found her in the middle of rediscovering herself — healing her faith, exploring her identity, cautiously stepping back into dating. The man she met seemed exciting. He became a nightmare. And in a small town where everyone knows Annie's name, he knew exactly how to use that against her.

The accusations. The constant surveillance. The dogs he took as leverage. The threat of public exposure hung over every move she made. Annie went back to him more than once — because that's what trauma bonding does — and she's here to talk about that too, without flinching.

This one is for anyone who has ever stayed quiet about their story because of what people might think. Annie told hers anyway.

All details have been kept anonymous out of respect for everyone involved.

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Behk and LAH are not doctors or therapists. Nothing shared on this podcast should be taken as medical or professional advice.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of toxic narcissistic behavior, emotional abuse, coercive control, manipulation, harassment, stalking, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence of any kind, you are not alone. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 for free, confidential support — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

He was charming, intense, and exactly what Lauren needed during the loneliness of a pandemic. He was also on his eighth marriage when they met.

In this episode, Lauren opens up about the two years she spent inside a relationship that moved fast, felt all-consuming, and slowly revealed itself to be something she needed to survive rather than enjoy. Love bombing that flipped to gaslighting. Emotional chaos that escalated to harassment, stalking, and physical violence. A mother-in-law who treated Lauren with contempt she couldn't quite explain.

Lauren got out. Then came months of threatening messages, surprise visits, and phone calls — until he abruptly stopped. Because he had married someone else. His ninth wife.

This one will have you picking your jaw up off the floor more than once.

Narcissists, Gaslighters, & Cheaters, Oh My! — real folks, real stories, survival & healing.

Behk and LAH are not doctors or therapists. Nothing shared on this podcast should be taken as medical or professional advice.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of toxic narcissistic behavior, emotional abuse, gaslighting, harassment, stalking, physical violence, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 — free, confidential support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 — free, confidential support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All details have been kept anonymous out of respect for everyone involved.

Have a story you'd like to share? We'd love to hear it. Submit yours here.

If this show has meant something to you, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content — every bit helps us keep the curtain rising.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

In this episode, Behk and LAH sit down with Sarah, a true survivor in every sense of the word. After conquering cancer, Sarah faced another battle—one that left scars far deeper than her illness. Amid the liver complications caused by her treatment, she found herself in a toxic relationship with Bud, a man who embodied everything she never thought she'd accept. An alcoholic and emotionally and physically abusive partner, Bud pulled Sarah into a downward spiral at a time when she was already at her most vulnerable.

Join us as Sarah bravely shares her journey of surviving cancer, enduring the pain of abuse, and ultimately finding the strength to reclaim her self-worth. This is a story of resilience, heartbreak, and the incredible power of survival.

We believe in the importance of sharing stories and talking about trauma. All stories are shared anonymously for privacy and respect; no names and little descriptive details are included.

Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of narcissistic abuse, toxic abuse, alcoholism, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing story of Jodi, whose life took a dark turn when she entered a relationship with a friend. Thinking she knew him well after five years of acquaintance, she never imagined the horror that awaited her.

Initially charming, he quickly turned into her worst nightmare. An audacious narcissist, he manipulated her with ease, saying all the right things to gain her trust. After letting him move into her home upon his release from jail, things spiraled out of control. He got her hooked on methamphetamine, and soon, police became frequent visitors to her once peaceful home.

Despite protective orders, he refused to leave, leaving Jodi trapped in a living nightmare. In just 10 months, he managed to drain her of life, both mentally and financially. Even her sons sensed something was deeply wrong, though shielded from the worst of his abuse.

The process of healing and rebuilding her life is slow and painful. Therapy and support become her lifeline as she works to regain her strength and sense of self. It is a journey filled with setbacks and challenges, but gradually, Jodi starts to reclaim her life.

Join us as we explore Jodi's journey from trust to betrayal, shedding light on the insidious nature of methamphetamine addiction and the devastating impact it can have on lives, especially when coupled with the manipulation of an audacious narcissist.

We believe in the importance of sharing stories and talking about trauma. All stories are shared anonymously for privacy and respect, and no names or descriptive details are included.

Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of toxic abuse, infidelity, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

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