March 16, 2026

The TRUTH About Abusive Relationships (feat. Lisa Sonni)

1 hour 51 minutes

In this week’s episode of The Audaci-Tea Podcast, hosts Lisa and Sovereign In this week’s episode of The Audaci-Tea Podcast, hosts Lisa and Sovereign are joined by special guest Lisa Sonni, certified life and relationship coach and advocate for survivors of abusive relationships.

Together, they unpack the complicated psychology behind abusive relationships and why leaving them is often far more difficult than outsiders assume. The conversation explores trauma bonds, manipulation tactics used by abusive men, and the psychological traps that keep women emotionally tethered to harmful partners.

Lisa Sonni explains how abusers intentionally create confusion, self doubt, and emotional dependency through tactics like gaslighting, coercion, and intermittent reinforcement. The hosts also discuss how cultural conditioning, misogyny, and even religion can pressure women to tolerate abuse or blame themselves for their partner’s behavior.

The episode also examines why couples therapy can sometimes be dangerous in abusive relationships, how abusers weaponize therapy language to avoid accountability, and why understanding the science of abuse is a critical step toward healing.

But first, in Tea Time, Lisa and Sovereign discuss Trump pushing the United States into war with Iran despite campaigning as the “no new wars” candidate, react to a heartwarming story of a 90 year old woman marrying her 95 year old partner after 64 years together, examine a viral post about a husband who wanted to “try our chances” with his wife’s cancer diagnosis instead of pursuing a mastectomy, and unpack a new survey showing Gen Z men are twice as likely as baby boomers to believe wives should obey their husbands.

Later, the hosts open the mailbag to help a listener navigating a friendship with a “pick-me” woman who refuses to leave an abusive partner.

🎧 This episode is a powerful look at the realities of abusive relationships, the psychological mechanisms that trap women in them, and the tools needed to recognize manipulation and reclaim autonomy.

🎙️ Topics Discussed:

• Trauma bonds and why abusive relationships are hard to leave

• Gaslighting, manipulation, and psychological control

• Warning signs of covert and emotional abuse

• Why couples therapy can be dangerous in abusive relationships

• The role of misogyny and social conditioning in abuse dynamics

• How women can safely plan to leave abusive partners

✨ Links and Resources Mentioned:

Trump Has Not Ruled Out a U.S. Military Draft amid Iran War

https://people.com/karoline-leavitt-says-trump-not-ruling-out-military-draft-amid-iran-war-11921874

California gas prices rise above $5 a gallon amid US war with Iran

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/09/california-gas-prices-iran-war

Psychological stress and cancer: new evidence of an increasingly strong link

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8370516/

Gen Z males twice as likely as baby boomers to believe wives should obey husbands

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/05/gen-z-men-baby-boomers-wives-should-obey-husbands

📚 This Week’s Recommendation:

Follow Lisa Sonni!

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@lisasonni

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@lisasonni

Website

https://strongerthanbefore.ca

Check Out Lisa’s Free Blog About This Episode

https://www.patreon.com/collection/960341

💌 Join the Conversation:

Got questions or wild stories to share? Email us at [email protected] with “The Audaci-Tea” in the subject line.

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• Bonus Crumpets segment, completely unhinged and uncensored

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🕰️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Tea Time

03:48 Trump Sent Us To War

04:51 90 Year Old Weds BF of 64 Years

07:58 Man Doesn't Want Wife To Get Mastectomy

16:03 Gen Z Men Say Wives Should Obey Husbands

25:11 Welcome Lisa Sonni

30:18 What Is A Trauma Bond?

40:20 Gaslighting and Self-Blame

52:22 The Dangers of Couples Therapy

01:05:10 The Role of Religion in Relationship Dynamics

01:15:25 Understanding Manipulation and Instincts in Relationships

01:24:29 Practical Steps for Women to Safely Leave

01:29:41 Mailbag: Handling a Pick-Me Friend

01:48:13 Poll Results

🎙️ The Audaci-Tea is a production of Siren Sound, executively produced by Lisa Carr and The Sovereign Woman. Music, audio, video, and show production by Ryan Marth and Siren Sound.

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[email protected]

💡 Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siren Sound or its affiliates. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.

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