Gaslighting

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

Ever wonder why narcissists feel 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 exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW Ali and Stefanie take you …

Gaslit by Your Doctor? Why Healthcare Attracts Narcissists and How to Protect Yourself

“My doctor keeps telling me it’s all in my head—but I know something’s wrong. Why won’t they listen?” This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a podcast listener who writes: “Dear Kerry, could you do a podcast on the topic of narcissism, psychopathy and healthcare?…” In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down why healthcare settings attract people who crave power and control, how the doctor-patient dynamic creates dangerous vulnerability, and why women are especially at risk of medica…

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…

Does Childhood Abuse Leave a Lasting Legacy in Adult Relationships: An Interview with Nia Renee

What is the impact of childhood abuse on adult relationships? Can children overcome early trauma? Nia Renee joins me this week to discuss the lasting legacy of abuse. She describes the impact of chronic gaslighting and neglect on her later relationships. Learn what role resiliency and determination played in helping break the abuse cycle. To learn more about Nia Renee: https://howtoloveabatteredwoman.com/ Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @howtoloveabatteredwoman Reso…

Is my partner a narcissist? Highlights from Dr. Kerry’s 3 Favorite Interviews

Relationships with narcissists can be confounding, confusing, and incredibly frustrating. Join Dr. Kerry for this holiday episode when she revisits the highlights of her three favorite interviews. Hear Dr. Les Carter’s explanation of why narcissists are so tricky, Lisa Sonni’s three steps to breaking a trauma bond, and Dr. Robin Stern’s disturbing description of gaslighting’s power. To listen to these full episodes: Dr. Les Carter: https://www.breakingfreenarcissisticabuse.com/podcast/s…

What’s wrong with me? The Power of Gaslighting to Confuse and Control: Interview with Dr. Robin Stern

Have you wondered what’s wrong with me? This could be a sign of gaslighting. Dr. Robin Stern, psychoanalyst, author, and expert on gaslighting, joins me to discuss the underlying dynamics of a toxic or narcissistic relationship. She delves into the hidden motivations of both the gaslighter as well as the gaslightee. •Learn more about Dr. Stern •The Gaslight Effect Podcast •My Interview with Dr. Stern on The Gaslight Effect Podcast •The Gaslight Effect book Submit your question to be a…

Are you a gaslighter? How we might unintentionally gaslight in even healthy relationships

In this week’s episode, Kerry and Tara discuss how we might actually gaslight in healthy relationships and how to avoid doing this in the future. And, the self-help tip is on letting others “earn” our trust before blindly giving it to them. Links: Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse season 1, episode 30: Listen here.Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resou…

How do I combat my partner turning every issue into a “me” problem?

Have you heard of the acronym DARVO? It’s a nasty type of gaslighting that flips the script and attacks us when we bring up an issue. In this episode, we will address the underlying dynamic of this abusive practice along with the three steps to combatting it effectively. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resourcesFirst Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital courseT…

Should I let my narcissistic ex come back and be a part of the family?

Narcissistic exes often return, claiming they’ve changed. They ask to be in a relationship or to rejoin the family. In narcissistic abuse circles, this is called “hoovering.” In this podcast episode, we’ll explore if agreeing to this request is wise, define “breadcrumbing,” and take a closer look at the connection between gaslighting and cognitive dissonance. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Colle…

My partner tells me I’m the problem. How do I know I’m not being gaslit?

Gaslighting has become a pretty popular term. Sometimes it’s used properly, but not always. Gaslighting, however, is a common experience of narcissistic abuse victims. In this episode, we’ll discuss the history of gaslighting as well as how it shows up in toxic relationships. We’ll also touch on when does the first symptoms of narcissism make its appearance and how to address our children’s confusion about an uninvolved or missing parent. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Res…