Narcissism Explained

When You Can’t Leave: How to Survive a Narcissistic Relationship

What if you’re not going to leave a narcissist? What if leaving isn’t possible? Is there a way to survive a toxic relationship? Sometimes, leaving a toxic relationship isn’t possible due to complex reasons. Lisa Sonni joins me this week to discuss why some victims find themselves trapped in a bad partnership and what to do if this describes your situation. Resources Referenced: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Surviving a Relationship with a Narcissist by Dr. Ramani Durvasula: htt…

Stop trauma dumping on me! How to know if you’re trauma dumping vs. trauma reprocessing

Have you heard of trauma dumping? It’s become a new way to attack victims for talking about their narcissistic abuse experiences. Rossana Faye joins me as this week’s special guest to explore the importance of sharing your trauma and the role it plays in helping you heal from abuse. And you don’t want to miss this week’s Podcast Extra where Ro and I discuss the differences between trauma reprocessing and trauma dumping. For this exclusive interview, subscribe here: substack.com/@breakingf…

Aren’t all relationships tough? Why We Struggle to Spot Narcissistic Abuse

In celebration of the upcoming holiday, this episode features three of our listeners’ favorites. Listen in as Tara Blair Ball and I discuss: 1. How narcissistic abuse is different from emotional abuse 2. Why covert narcissists are difficult to spot 3. If it’s true that narcissists make good lovers Listen to the full episodes here: S2 EP 102: Were you emotionally abused or narcissistically abused? Why the differences matter S2 EP 107: Are you trapped by a covert narcissist? The top reason…

I desperately love and fear them: The Terrifying Power of a Trauma Bond

Could you be trauma-bonded to a narcissist? Are you battling a strange mix of love and fear? Lisa Sonni joins me this week to discuss trauma bonds–an intense connection to another person that is very difficult to break. We think we feel love when it’s based on fear. 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 c…

Feeling duped and conned? Why We Miss the Signs of a Covert Narcissist: An Interview with Eleni Sagredos

Have you left a relationship feeling duped? Not just betrayed, but conned? You’ve likely met a covert narcissist. In this episode, Elena Sagredos, author of But They’re So Nice, joins me to talk about the deceptiveness of covert abuse. We often miss the signs we’ve met a covert narcissism behind their guise of niceness, only later to discover their extreme duplicity. To learn more about Eleni, you can follow her here: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nonarcsense Instagram: https://www.insta…

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…

“We’re just trying to help!” How to Manage Toxic In-Law Drama

Are you battling toxic in-law drama? Is your mother-in-law or father-in-law intruding into your relationship or family? This week, Rossana Faye joins us to discuss common toxic in-law drama, particularly when it involves a narcissistic mother- or father-in-law. This week’s self-help tip is the importance of strengthening your couple’s boundaries over time. Submit your question to be answered on air here! Resources ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching appThe Complete Recovery Collec…

“How mad can I make you?” The Toxic Games Covert Narcissists Play

Do you find yourself exasperated or angry at your partner, but you aren’t sure why? Do they put you into no-win binds? Covert narcissists love to play subtle, often hidden mind games. They are masterful at twisting the truth, hiding exploitative agendas, and playing the victim, enraging their partners and families while keeping them in the dark. In this episode, Lisa Sonni joins to discuss the common mind games covert narcissists use. This week’s self-help tip is how to use your emoti…

“You’re trying to control me!” Why Managing Boundaries with Narcissists Fails

Have you noticed managing boundaries with narcissists always fails? That they find some tricky way to evade limit setting? Suddenly, you’re being accused of being too controlling or sensitive, or they can’t understand what you’re asking. In this podcast, Lisa Sonni joins me to discuss the problems of managing boundaries with narcissists. We’ll explore this issue from a narcissist’s perspective: why they find boundaries threatening. The self-help tip is the importance of evaluati…