Episode Archive - Page 4 of 29

The #1 Mistake People Make When Divorcing a Narcissist

April 6, 2026 No Comments

Are you walking into your divorce expecting the court to finally see the truth about your narcissistic ex? This week, divorce attorney Hannah Bell Hembree joins Dr. Kerry to pull back the curtain on what really happens in the courtroom when you’re leaving a narcissist. With nearly two decades of legal experience and her own custody battle behind her, Hannah shares the hard truths every survivor needs to hear before they file. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusiv…

How to Help a Friend Who Can’t Walk Away from a Narcissistic Relationship

April 2, 2026 No Comments

My best friend divorced her narcissistic ex two months ago — but she keeps talking to him, then ignoring him, then reaching out again. She says she wants to move on, but she can’t seem to break the cycle. In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why leaving a narcissist doesn’t automatically break the trauma bond — and what’s really driving the painful push-pull your friend can’t escape. Learn how to support someone you love through this without shaming, lecturing, or pushing them further aw…

The Scary Reason Why Gaslighting Actually Works (And You’re a Part of the Problem)

March 30, 2026 No Comments

Have you ever tried to walk away from a toxic person, only to find yourself right back in the middle of their reality? This week, Dr. Robin Stern (author of The Gaslight Effect) joins Dr. Kerry for a conversation that will change how you view manipulation. Most people think gaslighting is just about lying—but the truth is much darker. It’s a “relational mess” that requires two people to function. Previous Interviews with Dr. Stern What’s wrong with me? The Power of Gaslighting to Confuse and …

Do Narcissists Enjoy Hurting You? Here’s Dr. Kerry’s Hard Truth

March 26, 2026 No Comments

Why does someone who divorces a narcissist keep going back to them? A listener writes in, “My best friend divorced her narcissistic ex two months ago — but she keeps talking to him, then ignoring him, then reaching out again. She says she wants to move on, but she can’t seem to break the cycle.” In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why leaving a narcissist doesn’t automatically break the trauma bond and why survivors struggle to escape. Submit Your Question If you’d l…

How to Tell You’ve Met a Narcissist: Coach Dan Ratner’s Best Sniff Test

March 23, 2026 No Comments

Have you ever felt completely drained after spending time with certain people in your life? This week, Coach Dan Ratner joins Dr. Kerry to explore the hidden world of emotional vampires: the 12 types of energy-draining people we all have in our lives and why narcissists are the most dangerous of them all. Dan shares his powerful KEEPER framework for identifying who truly deserves a place in your life. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and week…

My Brother Is Stealing My Mother’s Final Years & She Refuses to Stop Him

March 19, 2026 No Comments

Take the Toxic or Troubled? Quiz and get specialized help for your specific situation. https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/toxic-troubled-survey My 62-year-old narcissistic brother moved in with my 86-year-old mother “temporarily” after his divorce six years ago. Now she’s suffocating, the rest of the family stays away, and she won’t let anyone intervene. In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why some mothers choose guilt over peace — and what to do when someone refuses to set healthy rela…

Want to Spot Red Flags the First Time You Meet? How Abusers Reveal Themselves Through Their Words, Featuring Dr. Jennie Young

March 16, 2026 No Comments

Ever ignored a gut feeling on a date because you wanted to “give him a chance”? This week, Dr. Jennie Young — PhD linguist and creator of the viral Burned Haystack Dating Method — reveals how the words men use in dating profiles and early messages expose exactly who they are before you’ve even met. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW Dr. Young breaks down the top…

What to Do When You Can’t Leave: How to Protect Yourself from a Coercive Partner

March 12, 2026 No Comments

My husband forces sex on me, erupts in rage, and his wealthy family would never believe me — and I don’t think I can leave. In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why you can’t make an unsafe person safe through effort alone — and why that means your only real lever is increasing your own protection. Learn a practical two-stage framework to manage this impossible situation. Submit Your Question If you’d like Dr. Kerry to answer your question on air, email it to clients@kerrymc…

Why Am I Not Getting Better? The Hidden CPTSD Symptoms That Can Stall Your Healing

March 9, 2026 No Comments

You’ve done the work. Read the books. Tried the strategies. So why aren’t you healing? This week, survivor and educator Ellen Tift reveals the hidden CPTSD symptoms quietly keeping you stuck—and why naming them might be the most powerful thing you can do. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW Ellen dives deep into the little-known difference between existential shame …

Watch Out for These 7 Empathy Weaponization Tactics That Will Trap You

March 5, 2026 No Comments

Have you heard, ‘If you truly understood me, you’d give me what I want?” This week’s Fan Mail comes from a listener in Sweden who asks Dr. Kerry to explain how empathy gets weaponized. In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down the 5 types of empathy (affective, cognitive, compassionate, somatic, and perspective-taking) and explains why having empathy doesn’t make someone safe. Follow on Apple Follow on Spotify Submit Your Question If you’d like Dr. Kerry to answer …

The #1 Mistake People Make When Divorcing a Narcissist

How to Help a Friend Who Can’t Walk Away from a Narcissistic Relationship

The Scary Reason Why Gaslighting Actually Works (And You’re a Part of the Problem)

Do Narcissists Enjoy Hurting You? Here’s Dr. Kerry’s Hard Truth

How to Tell You’ve Met a Narcissist: Coach Dan Ratner’s Best Sniff Test

My Brother Is Stealing My Mother’s Final Years & She Refuses to Stop Him

Want to Spot Red Flags the First Time You Meet? How Abusers Reveal Themselves Through Their Words, Featuring Dr. Jennie Young

What to Do When You Can’t Leave: How to Protect Yourself from a Coercive Partner

Why Am I Not Getting Better? The Hidden CPTSD Symptoms That Can Stall Your Healing

Watch Out for These 7 Empathy Weaponization Tactics That Will Trap You

Share

Subscribe To My Newsletter

Podcast Categories

Kerry McAvoy is a leading expert in toxic relationships.

toxic-free relationship club

student login →