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 … Read more
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.” … Read more
Ever wonder why betrayal feels so devastating—like more than just cheating? This week, Hope Ray joins Dr. Kerry to introduce the concept of betrayal violence: the intersection of infidelity and abuse that most people don’t recognize. We explore how sexual secrets create hidden power dynamics through deception, gaslighting, and exploitation—stripping partners of their consent and … Read more
“How do I know if I’m in an emotionally abusive relationship?” asks a YouTube listener. In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why even asking this question is an important sign of possible trouble. Dr Kerry will outline what emotional abuse actually looks like (hint: it’s not about one-off incidents—it’s about patterns) and why you might … Read more
Youtube full title: “I Didn’t Dodge the Bullet—It Hit Me”: Understanding Survivor’s Guilt & PTSD After Narcissistic Abuse” SHOW NOTES: You dodged a bullet!” No—the bullet hit me. I just survived. This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who writes: “People tell me I dodged a bullet. But the bullet hit me—I … Read more
This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a Spotify listener: “Can you please do an episode on scapegoat children?” Why do some people get scapegoated, especially in families? Dr. Kerry explains the role of the scapegoat and how families use this person to address systemic stress and dysfunctional. Submit Your Question If you’d like your … Read more
“My son’s in a toxic marriage—how do we help without making it worse?” This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Raleigh, North Carolina: “My adult son is in a toxic marriage with a likely narcissist. He’s miserable, says he wants out, but stays—partly because of their three young kids. How can we … Read more
Has your adult child gone no contact? Cut off all communication with you? Are you struggling to figure out how to repair things with them? There’s an alarming trend of adult children walking away from family connections called parental estrangement. Why is going no contact becoming the go-to way of handling strained relationships? And what … Read more
Ever wonder why you keep attracting the same kind of person—the ones who feel magnetic at first but end up draining you emotionally? This week, therapist and author Jessica Baum, creator of Anxiously Attached and SAFE: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building Secure Relationships, joins Dr. Kerry to explore the hidden attachment wounds that pull us … Read more
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—and why survivors are often left questioning their own instincts. Podcast Extra Exclusive Segment Find the … Read more