Time alone is not enough to heal narcissistic abuse. While it might hide some wounds temporarily, triggers can still cause intense emotional turmoil. In this episode, I'll guide you through the process of healing your inner wounds, enabling your nervous system to handle future triggers and recover from past trauma. What your going to hear may sound harsh and difficult to hear, but trust me, if you fully embrace this episode, your ability to heal from narcissistic abuse will have never been more clear.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Methods to become more intentional in your healing
• The most powerful tool to healing from narcissistic abuse
• How to grow out of codependency 

If you want to deeply heal, you need to be intentional about it, as time does not heal narcissistic abuse. In this episode, I’m going to ask you what are you doing to intentionally heal yourself, as I don’t want you to do what I did  and sit around for four years waiting for someone to make your life better. The biggest gift that you can give to yourself is to work on yourself intentionally and this is truly the secret to healing yourself.

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

It’s the summer holidays! In this episode, I want to help those of you with children, as school breaks can often bring about challenges in their behavior. Children may react strongly to narcissistic individuals, leading to increased dysregulation when they are with you. During school holidays, your children might end up spending time with a narcissistic person. To ensure their well-being, I'll guide you through effective preparations and steps you can take to protect your children. We'll focus on safeguarding their nervous system and addressing any potential trauma responses they may have.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why your children behave badly around you.
• What causes trauma responses and how a childs nervous system functions.
• The five items to calm your childs five senses.

When your children spend time with a narcissist, they might come back feeling agitated or scared, leading to bad behavior. But don't worry, I have a simple and fun solution to help them release these feelings. This project is not only enjoyable for the start of the school break but also very helpful for when they experience their trauma response. 

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Have you ever heard your narcissistic partner say, "You can have money whenever you want, just ask"? Unfortunately, many narcissists use money as a tool to control their partners, and it's easy to fall into this trap. In this episode, I'll talk about financial abuse, early warning signs in a relationship, and how you can heal from this and achieve financial independence.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How narcissists use money as a tool to control and abuse.
• What you can do to avoid and heal from financial abuse.
• How to create a safe exit strategy from your abusive partner. 

Did you know that 99% of people in abusive relationships also face financial abuse? Narcissists use this tactic to gain control by limiting your access to money, seizing assets, and pressuring you to quit your job. I didn't realize I was going through financial abuse until I became pregnant and became entirely dependent on my husband. Listen carefully because I want you to know that, no matter how tough your situation seems, there are ways to break free. This episode will guide you on creating a safe exit strategy from your abusive partner.

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Do you ever feel stuck in your healing journey, despite your sincere efforts to return to the person you were before encountering a narcissist? It's a common situation where we believe we're making progress, only to be overcome by anger and experience sudden outbursts that seem to set us back in our healing process. This cycle, known as the trauma response cycle, can be overcome. In this episode, I'll guide you on completing this cycle, enabling you to move forward in your healing and reach new levels of progress.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why we get stuck in our healing, even when we want to get better.
• What sudden bursts of anger mean and why they are good for you.
• How to discharge our anger in a healthy way. 

Let me introduce you to The Traffic Lights of Tolerance. When we're healing, we often go through the flight, fight, and freeze responses. If we're stuck in freeze, it can be challenging to transition to flight without going through the fight stage first. Think of these stages as the red, yellow, and green lights of a traffic light. Just like you can't go from red to green directly, you have to pass through yellow first. I'll guide you through the traffic lights of tolerance, explaining what to expect at each stage. This way, you can understand why you're experiencing unpleasant emotions and facing uncomfortable situations during your healing journey.

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

As a mother of two teenagers, I frequently contemplate their ability to navigate relationships and recognize potential warning signs. In this episode, I aim to empower teenagers by highlighting 10 crucial red flags they should be aware of in relationships. By recognizing these signs, they can identify when a relationship may not be healthy and possibly avoid becoming involved with a narcissistic partner.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to discuss what a healthy relationship is with a teenager
• What behaviours should act as a warning sign to leave a relationship
• How a teenager can build self-confidence and trust their instinct 

If we had access to this information during our own teenage years, we might have been able to evade the damaging presence of a narcissist or, at the very least, recognize the need for help sooner. My desire is to impart these invaluable lessons to the next generation, bringing an end to the cycle of trauma and promoting safer dating experiences for teenagers. Together, we can equip our youth with the tools they need to navigate healthy relationships and thrive emotionally… and don’t forget, these red flags are red flags in any relationship, at any age. 

Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Introversion, anxiety, empathy… these definitely aren’t behaviours we think of when we picture a narcissist, but they are the traits that the hardest to spot narcissists have. Let me introduce you to the covert narcissist. The covert narcissist can fly under the radar until it’s too late, and I want to share with you 10 signs that someone may be a covert narcissist to help you steer clear of them, whether they’re your current partner, a potential partner, a friend or even a family member.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The traits of the common covert narcissist 
• How the covert narcissist differs from the overt narcissist
• Why the covert narcissist is often the most dangerous

 We often associate grandiosity, extraversion, confidence, and a 'look-at-me' attitude with narcissism. While it's important to note that not everyone displaying these traits is a narcissist, they serve as warning signs that help us avoid falling for another narcissist. However, it's crucial to recognize that not all narcissists fit the same mold. The covert narcissist, in particular, poses the greatest danger because they don't exhibit the stereotypical narcissistic behaviour. This makes it much easier to unknowingly fall into their trap.

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
•   Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Are you feeling frustrated and helpless in your journey to lose weight and improve your overall health? If you've experienced narcissistic abuse, you may be surprised to learn that your body's response to trauma can contribute to weight retention. In this episode, I will guide you through effective strategies to break free from this cycle and regain control of your well-being. I’ll help you discover how you can prioritize your health, heal from narcissistic abuse, and pave the way for a brighter future.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The reasons our body clings onto weight to help deal with abuse.
• Why we stay in a trauma response even though we’re not in danger.
• What you can do to alter your bodies reaction to stress and lose weight. 

I’ll share my own battles with my body during and after the narcissist in my life and how I try to navigate these issues to not only be healthier but to help further my healing from narcissistic abuse. This episode will not only give you insight into why you’re struggling to lose weight but actions you can take to get yourself onto the right path. 

Come and join my FREE Masterclass: Healing Codependency, Narcissistic Abuse Recovery & Nervous System Regulation - The 3 Step Formula to heal and thrive after narcisisistic abuse https://carolinestrawson.com/three-step-formula-masterclass

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

On Thursday, I'll be celebrating my 50th birthday!! I want to use this milestone and episode to reflect on how narcissistic abuse impacted me, how my childhood wounds still affect me, and the steps I'm taking to live a fulfilling life with a positive and forward-looking mindset.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to stop saying “when” and make today your day one.
• Reflections on my healing journey and where I’ve come from.
• How to be an advocate for your own health and be intentional about your healing.

When a birthday comes around, it’s a time when we often reflect on our lives, but it’s important to note that you cannot get your time back. What you can do is make today the time to create changes so you can live your life in the best possible way. I hope this episode shows you how to reset your mindset and use today as your day one.

Come and join my FREE Masterclass: Healing Codependency, Narcissistic Abuse Recovery & Nervous System Regulation - The 3 Step Formula to heal and thrive after narcisisistic abuse https://carolinestrawson.com/three-step-formula-masterclass

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

Breathing is one of the only conscious and unconscious systems of our body, and being intentional with our breath can have a huge impact on our well-being. In this episode, I’ll share with you the breathwork and breathing techniques I use to not only help me heal from narcissistic abuse but to heal my childhood wounds. 

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to recognise our existing breathing patterns and what they signify.
• How to shift our nervous system into a state of calm.
• The difference between breathwork and breathing techniques.

I’ll show you the difference between breathwork and breathing techniques, and a regime for you to follow that will markedly improve your ability to handle your emotions. These are all techniques that I do myself and they are truly life-changing. Not only do they help us reconnect with ourselves after narcissistic abuse, but they also help us tone our vagus nerve to help us heal from our childhood wounds. 

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/

I was recently a guest on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast with Glennon Doyle and I wanted to dive deeper into what I discussed there and share with you the issues about the medicalization of narcissistic personality disorder and why we can’t treat narcissism after the fact without looking at the root cause first. I’ll also share my opinion on the overuse of the word narcissist and why people casually putting that label on others is dangerous.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The root cause of narcissistic personality disorder
• How a narcissist should be diagnosed through Internal Family Systems
• Why you’re negative habits could be caused by narcissistic abuse

In this episode, I’ll also discuss the varying levels of narcissistic abuse and what can cause a narcissist to escalate their behaviour, why you shouldn’t try to change a narcissist, and why you can only focus on your own healing. A massive welcome to those of you who are joining me for the first time from Glennon’s podcast, I hope I can help you on your journey of recovering from a narcissist. 

You can listen to my episode on We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/32GVLWRE73ioSSKSFvNSXZ?si=dfzFyKfLTMWpN3q7DbNEvw

Podcast Resources:

• Join my FREE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thriveafternarcissisticabuse
• Access my low cost Narcissistic Trauma Recovery Programme https://go.carolinestrawson.com/heal-the-trauma-of-narcissistic-abuse
• Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinestrawson/
• Find me on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinestrawson 
• My website: https://www.carolinestrawson.com/