Intimacy can be manipulated as a tool for control and emotional regulation. She shares intimate stories of recognizing coercive patterns—from subtle guilt-tripping and boundary violations to the misuse of sex as a litmus test for emotional connection.

Whether you’ve felt pressured in your relationships or questioned the true meaning of love and intimacy, this episode offers validation and guidance on setting firm boundaries, reclaiming your autonomy, and healing the relationship with yourself.

Check out Nat's work: https://alwaysmending.com/maritalcoercion

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

Anne Wintemute, co-founder and CEO of Aimee Says, an AI-driven companion designed to support survivors of relationship abuse, joins me to share the inspiration behind Aimee and how it serves as an emotional support tool, offering validation, guidance, and safety planning for those navigating toxic relationships.

We discuss how AI can help survivors recognize red flags, document their experiences, and access trauma-informed resources—especially in those lonely, late-night moments when support feels out of reach. We also explore how Aimee's real-time responses can help stop abuse before it escalates, making it an invaluable tool for anyone questioning their reality or seeking clarity.

• Visit Aimee Says to explore AI-driven support

Eye-Opening Moments Podcast
Eye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

This episode breaks down why conventional breakup rules don’t apply when you’re dealing with manipulation, control, and gaslighting, and offers guidance on how to reclaim your boundaries, your sanity, and your life. By focusing on patterns over promises, I provide tangible steps to help you break free from the emotional tug-of-war and start taking back control. 

Whether you’ve experienced emotional abuse firsthand or are just looking for clarity around unhealthy relationship dynamics, this episode equips you with the tools to heal and move forward. 

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

Can an emotionally abusive person change? Paul Colliani joins me to explore the patterns of manipulative behavior, why some people refuse to take accountability, and how anxious attachment and emotional immaturity play into abusive dynamics. 

We also discuss the false hope that keeps many survivors stuck, the importance of recognizing real change versus empty promises, and the hard truth that healing often means letting go.

You can find Paul here: loveandabuse.com

Eye-Opening Moments Podcast
Eye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

In this episode, I break down what trauma bonding really means and why it can feel so hard to leave a toxic relationship. 

Instead of being about sharing past trauma, trauma bonding happens because of a crazy cycle of ups and downs—brief moments of love and kindness that keep you holding on even when you're being hurt. 

In this episode, I discuss how these roller coaster relationships work and why promises to change often end up being tricks to keep you stuck. I also share simple tips on how to spot these harmful patterns, set clear boundaries, and take back control of your life. 

If you’ve ever felt trapped in a relationship that just isn’t right, this episode offers straightforward advice and real steps to start healing.

Eye-Opening Moments Podcast
Eye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

Traditional breakup rules fall short when you're dealing with a partner whose only goal is to control the narrative—and why the breakup never feels like an ending at all. In this episode, I will discuss:

• Unpacks the Cycle: Discover how manipulative behaviors like gaslighting, guilt-tripping, and isolation keep you stuck, even when you know you deserve better.
• Sets New Boundaries: Learn actionable steps to reclaim your power by enforcing non-negotiable boundaries and embracing a no-contact approach for your emotional safety.
• Reclaims Your Narrative: Understand why empty promises don't align with ongoing patterns of manipulation, and how you can validate your own experience to begin the healing process.

Whether you're questioning your reality, struggling with mixed signals, or simply need reassurance that you're not alone, this episode offers the validation, insights, and strategies you need to move forward.

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

"Why am I stuck?" In this episode, I unpack the layers of trauma bonding, cognitive dissonance, gaslighting, and self-blame that keep survivors tethered to their abusers long after the relationship ends.

I share insights from my own healing journey, including the emotional grip of intermittent reinforcement and the manipulation of vulnerability. 

If you've ever found yourself struggling to reconcile conflicting emotions or doubting your experiences, this episode is for you.

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

How can a fear of abandonment lead to pushing people away? In this episode, I explore the complexities of anxious attachment, traits of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and how self-awareness can pave the way for healthier relationships.

I delve into the inner conflict often experienced by individuals with BPD—a push-pull dynamic where fear of abandonment clashes with fear of engulfment. This tension frequently results in self-sabotaging behaviors that disrupt connection and trust in relationships.

Drawing from my own journey of healing anxious attachment through exposure therapy, coaching, and resources like Attached, I reflect on a past relationship where my partner’s hypersensitivity, constant need for reassurance, and deeply rooted fears created an exhausting cycle of chaos.

You can follow me on Substack here: https://jessicaknightcoaching.substack.com/

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

This episode dives into the misunderstood and rarely discussed topic of sexual coercion in relationships. I discuss recognizing coercive patterns and how emotional manipulation can slowly erode personal boundaries, leaving you feeling trapped, guilty, and ashamed.

I also read heartbreaking comments from women who shared their own stories of being pressured, guilted, and manipulated into sex—especially during moments of vulnerability, illness, and exhaustion.

If you've ever felt like your "no" was ignored, negotiated, or turned into a reason for blame, this episode will help you put words to that experience and remind you: Your boundaries are valid. Your body is yours. And you're not crazy.

You can follow me on Substack here: https://jessicaknightcoaching.substack.com/

Eye-Opening Moments Podcast
Eye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

Divorce coaching can transform your experience when navigating high-conflict separations, especially with a narcissistic or difficult ex. Learn why proactive coaching is more effective than crisis-mode reactions, how to build resilience during calm periods, and the practical strategies that can save you emotional and financial strain.

In this episode, I share real-life success stories, highlights the role of divorce coaching alongside legal and therapeutic support, and discusses how it prioritizes the well-being of your children while minimizing conflict. Whether you're facing custody battles or seeking to co-parent effectively, this episode offers insights and actionable advice to help you thrive through the process.

Eye-Opening Moments Podcast
Eye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.com
Instagram: @emotionalabusecoach
Email: [email protected]

{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse

{E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist
{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal
{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner