In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a nationally recognized clinical psychologist who specializes in narcissistic abuse and relationship trauma. Together, we dive deep into one of the most painful and confusing stages of recovery- learning to detach from the abuser’s narrative.

We explore questions so many survivors wrestle with: Will the abuser change for the next person? Why does it feel like they’re thriving while you’re left in pieces? And most importantly, how can you begin to reclaim your truth after so much manipulation and emotional chaos?

Dr. Jaime Zuckerman's links:

LinkTree for all links: https://linktr.ee/drzpsychologist?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad7NNTCigjpDAiBeChMvfyAgR-y93OH9X-jCXHbD55VYt9YJaT1_SxIKA5wwQ_aem_YPJ2kBTJJcEnBmKCKOSYkw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.z_psychologist/

Dr. Z's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1aeBenKtsnHZcAMy4JekqP

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

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Catherine opens up about the years she spent trapped in an abusive marriage marked by emotional abuse, infidelity, and alcohol use by her former spouse. What began as a hopeful relationship spiraled into something she never imagined when she discovered her husband’s shocking attempts to secretly poison her with abortion pills in an effort to end her pregnancy.

With courage and honesty, Catherine shares how she uncovered the truth, the steps she took to protect herself, and the journey toward rebuilding her life after trauma.

Together, we talk about the complexities of abuse, the warning signs that are often overlooked, and the strength it takes to break free.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic abuse, substance abuse, and physical harm through abortion pills.

For more about Catherine's story, please visit her social media pages and links related to her story:

Socials:

@catherinepresslyherring

@sayhmfoundation

Articles:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-attorney-poisoned-pregnant-wife-abortion-medication-sentenced-18-rcna138065

https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2024/03/06/shreveport-senator-files-bill-after-sisters-husband-tried-to-secretly-abort-baby-with-abortion-pill/72863621007/

https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/the-catherine-and-josephine-herring-act-heads-to-gov-landrys-desk

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In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy as she bravely shares her story of surviving abuse and how it manipulates your sense of duty, love, and identity.

Wendy opens up about how her abuser made her feel responsible for his well-being, and how that emotional weight kept her trapped in a cycle of guilt and silence. We explore why so many survivors feel sorry for the very people hurting them, and how that misplaced empathy is a product of manipulation by the perpetrator.

We also dive into the more subtle and often overlooked signs of financial control, the ways abusers rationalize physical violence, and how Wendy’s experience as a Latina woman added a layer of cultural confusion around expectations, and what it means to “stand by your man.”

This conversation is a testament to resilience, clarity, and the power of naming what we’ve survived.

Wendy's Instagram: @wendyc0rtes

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

In this episode, I sit down with Alissa to talk through the painful reality of surviving not one, but two abusive relationships, and the patterns that emerged between them.

We dive into the emotional and financial toll of being made to feel responsible for the very people who were hurting us. Alissa shares how she was expected to take care of her abusers- emotionally, financially, and even physically, all while her own needs were ignored or weaponized against her.

We talk about:

• The quiet, creeping signs of financial abuse
• How abusers make us feel like the caretaker or the problem-solver
• The excuses they give for physical abuse and how we learn to rationalize them
• Early signs of stalking and how they’re often misread as “love” or obsession
• The red flags that were different in each relationship- and the ones that felt eerily familiar

If you’ve ever asked yourself “How did I end up here again?”, this episode is for you.

Content warning: This episode discusses abuse, stalking, and physical violence. Please listen with care.

Alissa's Instagram Pages:

@makeituncomfortable

@absolute_gray_media

Other creator (Kimya) mentioned in the episode:

@kimyamotley

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"I didn't think it could happen to me."

In this deeply personal and courageous episode, Beverly Hallberg — founder and president of District Media Group — shares her powerful story of surviving abuse. What began with subtle glimpses of control eventually unraveled into something much deeper, finally exposed by the unimaginable loss of her baby.

As we acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, Beverly’s story is a vital reminder that abuse often wears a mask - and that mask can be both convincing and devastating. Through her long-form essay and now this conversation, she sheds light on how abuse can be insidious, and how leaving is never easy — but healing is possible.

This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned their reality, felt isolated in their grief, or needed to know they are not alone.

Beverly's Substack post: "How Losing Our Child Exposed the Depth of My Husband’s Abuse and Gave Me the Strength to Leave"

https://open.substack.com/pub/beverlyhallberg/p/how-losing-our-child-exposed-the?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Beverly's social media & sites:

districtmediagroup.com

X: @BeverlyHallberg

Instagram: beverlyhallberg

Facebook: BeverlyHallberg

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

This is a solo full Q&A episode where I answer the following questions:

1.) How long did it take for you to no longer feel the need for him to see your worth?

2.) How to not care that you're painted as the villain by abuser?

3.) How do you get over the discard, and how happy they seem to be doing it to you?

4.) How to stop spiraling when they seem to be giving the next partner everything you wanted.

5.) How can one break out of cognitive dissonance when in the thick of it?

6.) When the abuser claims to have PTSD, is that a reason/ excuse for abuse?

7.) Sleep abuse/ abuser claiming to have "violent dreams"

8.) Did u/anyone u speak with feel like their abuser was gay and that's why they hated women?

9.) Is it real love when he goes to the extreme of doing crazy stuff to show undying love?

10.) How to support a friend who says they know it's abuse but they're not scared of him?

11.) How to deal with people who just don't get it

12.) Your opinion on a relationship/marriage between a believer and an atheist

Articles & other creator credits:

Abusive Men Describe The Benefits of Violence: https://voicemalemagazine.org/abusive-men-describe-the-benefits-of-violence/

Creator's post mentioned: @healingbythenumbers on Instagram

Grace's Instagram: @gracestuart26

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

Alexis Ruhlen and I discuss life post- abuse as a part 2 episode. We cover topics such as: emotions that come with reporting our abusers to law enforcement, dealing with the opinions of others, survivor imposter syndrome, how long it took us to make progress, and breaking the bond for the final time.

Lex's original podcast episode of her FULL story is episode #18.

If you would like to follow Alexis or I, please see our socials below:

Lex's IG: @lexruhlen

Grace's IG: @gracestuart26

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On this episode, Lynn and I speak about topics such as sadistic behaviors, sexual abuse/ boundary pushing, and how abusers coerce you by giving the illusion of choice. To work with Lynn or send her a message, please see the links below:

Lynn's Website: https://www.echoismrecovery.com/

Lynn's Instagram: theechochamber2024

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

On this episode, Monica Smith shares pieces of her abuse story and detailed examples of how an abuser grooms us to no longer trust our own inner dialogue and perceptions. We talk about how they slowly make themselves the only source of truth we feel we can rely on and why it's so hard to believe ourselves.

Monica's Instagram: @monicamooresmith

Monica's Tiktok: @monicamooresmith5

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Taylor shares her abuse story and how her reality became completely distorted and shaken over time. We discuss how she was made to feel like the offender and how she was often recorded, shamed, and blamed as a form of control. We discuss topics of emotional, financial, & sexual abuse throughout the episode.

Guest details will be private for now until further notice.

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