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Why do people stay in abusive relationships? Why don’t they just leave?

In this raw and powerful episode, Matt and Paige break down the complex psychological tactics that manipulators use to keep their partners stuck—DARVO, gaslighting, love bombing, guilt-tripping, isolation, and more. Inspired by recent high-profile stories, they connect the dots between emotional abuse in the public eye and what many quietly endure behind closed doors every day.

Whether you're in it, healing from it, or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you understand the devastating impact of manipulation—and why it’s not about weakness, but survival.

Plus: why “just leave” is the wrong question, how trauma bonds form, and what you can do to start reclaiming your power.

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