The Freewoman

Cat and Jayenna share vulnerable stories about abuse and rape culture in southeast Idaho. They look at how rigid gender roles, victim blaming and institutional silence, especially within the conservative LDS community, let sexual violence continue. They discuss why so many women stay quiet, and end with ways to change things: speaking out, setting boundaries, teaching consent and standing up for each other. The episode discusses sexual abuse and may be difficult for some listeners.

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

We're all familiar with the stages of grief when it comes to the loss of a loved one. With abuse recovery we are grieving something just as profound but harder to verbalize. In this episode Cat and Jayenna discuss the stages of grief: Denial, Bargaining, Anger, Sadness and Acceptance. They share personal stories about their abuse recover process and how they experienced each one of these emotions. If you are recovering from abuse, it is important to be kind to yourself and always remember, it is okay to not be okay. 

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

When codepency is the standard in relationships, learning to choose yourself feels like a radical act. People pleasing, weak boundaries and low self worth keep us trapped in cycles of validation seeking. Predatory people and abuse cycles thrive in these environments. Cat and Jayenna share stories of when they engaged in codependent patterns and the insecurities that motivated them to stay stuck in those cycles.

The medicine is in the journey. Ultimately, you are the only person who can set yourself free. Taking back your power means learning to choose you, even if that means it's only you left at the end of the day.

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

Have you ever had a partner that didn't respect your boundaries in the bedroom? 76% to 85% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. Yet, sexual violence within marriage and intimate relationships is rarely talked about. The person who rapes you is most likely to be someone you trust, not the hooded stranger on the street. Cat and Jayenna share very personal stories from past relationships in this episode with the hope that their stories will help other survivors heal. It's not your fault.

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

Coercive control is one of the primary hallmarks of an abusive relationship. It creates a dynamic in which the victim alters their behavior, personality and social circle to placate their abuser. Psychological abuse, manipulation and intimidation are used to control the victim in a way that can be hard to spot by outsiders. The hidden nature of this abuse can make it very hard for victims to pinpoint that what is happening is wrong and financial abuse, constant monitoring and isolation make it very hard for them to leave. Understanding coercive control is key to unraveling the web of confusion victims face when healing from abuse.

#coercivecontrol #narcissist #healing #podcast 

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

Covert Narcissism or Vulnerable Narcissism is the one of the most difficult toxic personalities to identify. Unlike the Grandiose Narcissist, this style of abuse operates through guilt, passive aggression and shame. You'll find yourself defending and protecting these abusers because their toxicity is hidden behind stories of victimhood, bad luck and oppression. They can fly under the radar for years because their unassuming demeanor and sad backstory do not signal your typical defense mechanisms. This, in some ways, makes them the most dangerous type of abuser. Their expert levels of psychological manipulation and coersive control can do more longterm damage to a survivor's mental well being than hitting and name calling do.

#covertnarcissist #narcissist #toxicrelationships #coercivecontrol #healing 

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

Many don't realize they are in burnout until they pass the point of no return. Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of impending burnout can save you from years of mental and physical health issues. 

Cat and Jayenna share their journey with burnout, how it has impacted their health and the changes they have made moving forward as a result. Our precious life force is not meant to be spent on accumulating things or chasing status. We are here to focus on what brings us joy and to spend time with those we love. A large part of avoiding burnout is simply remembering what truly matters in life and letting the rest go.

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

Financial abuse is a common tactic used by Narcissists. Limiting funds, preventing you from working, hiding money or nitpicking your spending are all ways that abusers use money to control you. Financial independence is empowering and therefore something the Narcissist fears you having. Narcissists  will seek to control you through money and they will also use money to make you feel worthless. Healing comes from realizing your worth is inherent. The Abuser and the size of your bank account do not define your worth.

#abuseawareness #divorce #narcissisticabuse #emotionalabuse 

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

Dissociation is a protective and involuntary disconnection from reality. Victims of narcissistic abuse dissociate as a survival mechanism. It helps the mind survive what would otherwise break it. But like any other coping mechanism dissociation can become prohibitive. We must learn to face reality so that we can create true safety.

In this episode Jayenna and Cat share their personal experiences with dissociation and the tools that have helped them heal and come into reality.

As always, be patient with yourself. Healing is a journey, not a destination.

#dissociation #emotionalabuse #divorce #freewoman #narcisist

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/

Love is NOT blind. It goes in with eyes open, fully in reality. Going into a serious relationship blindly is a recipe for ABUSE. Taking the blind leap of faith might seem romantic from afar but up close leads to pain, trauma and drama when reality finally shows up. The show, "Love is Blind," is a great example of all of the things not to do when seeking love. SPOILER WARNING

#freewoman #loveisblind #love #healingjourney #divorce

https://www.thefreewomanpodcast.com/