How Narcissists Trap You: A New Movie Shows Gaslighting & Coercive Control

Ever wonder why narcissistic victims find it impossible to leave—even when you know something’s wrong? This week, filmmakers Ali & Stefanie Schmahl reveal how their docu-fiction hybrid “I Love You My Narcissist” portrays what no other film has: the internal experience of being slowly trapped by someone you love. Podcast Extra Exclusive Segment Find the … Read more

Why You’re Struggling to Feel Empathy for Yourself — Tammy Triolo

Lost empathy for yourself? You’ve already lost the fight. This week, Tammy Triolo reveals the shocking connection between self-empathy loss and narcissistic abuse. Podcast Extra Exclusive Segment Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. 🔹 Tammy walks you through recognizing when thoughts are just thoughts—not truth—and how to stop surrendering to negative beliefs. … Read more

A Hurricane’s Reminder-We Are Not Alone

We Are Not Alone

Helping the vulnerable not just survive, but thrive Like it or not, we have the power to help or hurt each other This week, it took a hurricane to remind me that we are not alone. We like to believe that what we do happens in a vacuum. “I’m not hurting anyone,” we say. “It’s nobody’s … Read more

Don’t Hate Me For Supporting This Presidential Candidate

presidential candidate

Helping the vulnerable not just survive, but thrive I’ve noticed a growing divisiveness among those I love Lately, I’ve noticed a disturbing American trend of growing divisiveness. Evidence of it is everywhere — on TV, social media postings, and even dating profiles. This past week my inbox started to fill with personal notes from friends and family in … Read more

Is This Guy an Online Dating Shark?

Online Dating Shark

There’s what he says and then what he actually means You may have heard the old adage, there are plenty of good fish in the sea, when it comes to meeting available men. That may be true, but I’d like to point out that the phrase neglects to say what kind of fish. And be … Read more

I Was Shamed for Helping Out

Helping out

Sometimes it’s impossible to do enough A weird thing happened to me recently. Someone shamed me over text for doing a good deed. I was just trying to help out, but according to this stranger I didn’t do it in the right way. Last summer, I moved internationally and started over. This was the third time … Read more

My Privileged Ignorance About Racial Issues

privileged

Black Lives Matter must live on, and it starts with me waking up. I watched the brief replays of George Floyd’s death with horror and my privileged position life filled me with shame. Everything within me screamed, “Get off his neck, you’re killing him! Please, oh please, get off of his neck!” I can’t imagine the … Read more

My Private Battle With Poor Body Image

poor body image

Passed on by the women who went before me and fueled by our culture It’s another hot day in Texas. I put on a bathing suit and head out to sit on the patio, where I can enjoy the poolside view. Looking sideways, I catch a glimpse of myself reflected in the sliding glass door. There … Read more

How Being Ghosted Improved My Life

Being Ghosted

Accept people will come and go. Five years ago, when I lost my husband to cancer, I never could have imagined my new life. I now live in a different state and write full-time instead of counseling clients. I knew his death would bring change, just not how or in what way. I especially could have … Read more

My Wish to Have the Same Freedoms Men Enjoy

freedoms

For women, such confidence and ease is never simple. As I dressed this morning, I picked up the perfume I’d recently purchased and give myself two quick sprays. I love the sweet scent of the pink liquid housed in a gorgeous glass bottle with a gold-colored stopper. I found it while wandering the duty-free shop during … Read more