Why I Stopped Being the Perfect Wife and Daughter-in-Law

“How can someone seem loving for years—then suddenly turn cruel?” This week’s Fan Mail revisits a letter that struck a nerve with listeners. A woman wrote about her daughter-in-law, who had seemed like a wonderful addition to the family for seven years—until she “suddenly turned into a monster.” But after the episode aired, Dr. Kerry received another listener’s response who offered the opposite perspective: “I was in a 23-year marriage marked by coercive control and escalating abuse. My in-la…

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Can You Spot the 5 Types of People Who Could Ruin Your Life? Here’s Bill Eddy’s List

Ever feel blindsided by someone who seemed charming, helpful, or even caring—only to realize later they were quietly dismantling your peace? This week, conflict expert Bill Eddy, author of The Five Types of People That Ruin Your Life, joins Dr. Kerry to unpack the five high-conflict personality types most likely to cause chaos in relationships, workplaces, and families. Podcast Extra Exclusive Interview Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. More About the Podcast…

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My Ex is Blaming Me For His Broken Relationships With Our Kids

“Why does my ex always blame me when the kids want nothing to do with him?” This week’s Fan Mail comes from a listener in Rochester, New York, who writes about the heartbreak of watching her children pull away from their abusive father, only to be blamed for it. Her ex insists she’s turned the kids against him, while his family defends him as “such a good man” who’s “done so much for us.” In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains how emotionally immature and abusive individuals deflect accountabili…

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Why Narcissists Use Secrets to Avoid Intimacy

Ever feel like your relationship was the most intoxicating connection of your life—only to discover shocking lies and betrayal later? This week, intimacy expert Gary Katz reveals how narcissists protect themselves by keeping secrets, building false connections, and manipulating trust. Podcast Extra Exclusive Interview Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. More About the Podcast Extra Interview 🔹 Think your relationship is missing intimacy, but not sure why? In th…

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My Husband Claims His Facebook Account Has Been Hacked!…

What do you do when the evidence points to betrayal, but your partner insists you’re crazy? This week’s Fan Mail comes from a listener in Atlanta, Georgia, who describes the heartbreak of suspecting her husband of nearly 50 years is living a double life. Despite finding suspicious phone activity and even an STD clinic reference, her husband denies everything—blaming and belittling her instead. In this episode, Dr. Kerry unpacks the signs of DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender), e…

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Why It’s So Hard to See Predators Coming: The Story Behind Netflix’s Bad Vegan

Predators are often hiding in plain sight—and even the smartest, most capable people can miss the red flags. In this episode, Dr. Kerry McAvoy talks with Sarma Melngailis, the former restaurateur whose story was told in Netflix’s Bad Vegan. Sarma opens up about how she was manipulated, criminalized, and misrepresented—and why her memoir The Girl with the Duck Tattoo finally tells the truth. Resources Mentioned • Sarma’s memoir: The Girl with the Duck Tattoo: The Girl with th…

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What to Do When You Lose Custody in Court: Answering Your Fan Mail

This week’s Fan Mail brings us two powerful questions: • From Syracuse, New York: “The family referee took my custody and handed it over to the father who was absent for years. My children have been separated from their siblings, and I’m only allowed one hour a week of visitation. The court won’t let me present my evidence, and I feel silenced and helpless. What can I do?” From Wichita, KansasAnd from Kansas City, Missouri, a listener asks: “How do I get access to the Podcast Extr…

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Podcast Trailer: Welcome to Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Join Dr. Kerry McAvoy on Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse for real talk about toxic relationships and recovery. Mondays feature expert interviews, Thursdays bring our new Fan Mail Q&A. Get clarity, validation, and tools to heal. Stay in Touch with Dr. Kerry! YoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebookMore About Dr. Kerry Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist and author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism. Her blogs have been featured in Mamam…

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When Men Say They’ve Been Abused: A Conversation with Josh from The Derelict Podcast

Disclaimer: This interview features perspectives from a male divorce coach navigating toxic dynamics. While some views expressed differ from those of trauma-informed psychology, I found it valuable to explore these tensions in real time. Please listen with care, and note that I challenge certain assumptions as we go. This week, I sit down with Josh Tomeoni, a divorce coach who shares his story of what he describes as abuse within his long-term marriage. Josh opens up about the male expe…

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When Your Therapist is the Narcissist! + Answering Your Fan Mail

What happens when a narcissistic therapist uses their professional training against you? This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Seattle who writes: “I dated a narcissist who was also a licensed clinical social worker. Can you talk about the weaponization of therapeutic training by narcissists?” In this episode, Dr. Kerry unpacks how narcissistic mental health professionals can use psychology to pathologize your emotions and silence your voice, how the imbalance of power could …

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