THE VIBRANT SURVIVOR -How to Identify a Narcissist, Narcissistic Abuse, Toxic Relationships, Trauma Healing, Health, Wellness

Hey, Survivor!

What is trauma really?

In this episode, I share a recent personal experience with a trauma response and explain an important distinction: trauma is not what has happened to you—it's your body's response to what happened.

We’ll explore how trauma responses can appear years after an event, why panic attacks are not a choice, and how understanding the nervous system can reduce shame and increase self-compass...

Hey, Survivor!

Why do toxic people hate boundaries?

In this episode, I explore why healthy limits often trigger unhealthy reactions, how boundaries reduce control and reveal expectations, and why learning to tolerate other people's disappointment is an important part of healing after narcissistic abuse.

If you struggle with toxic relationships and boundaries, this episode is for you.

Know who you're dealing with.  Know who you...

Hey, Survivor!

Do narcissists believe their own lies?

In this episode, I’m exploring one of the most confusing aspects of narcissistic abuse: lying, self-deception, gaslighting, and the rewriting of reality. Learn why accountability can be so difficult, how cognitive dissonance influences behavior, and what survivors can do to protect their peace and trust themselves again.

If you've been stuck trying to uncover the lies in y...

Hey, Survivor!

Why does rebuilding your life after narcissistic abuse feel so hard?

In this episode, I explore some challenges survivors face after the crisis ends. Learn how trauma and chronic stress impact the nervous system, why survival mode can make moving forward difficult, and how healing creates the capacity to dream, grow, and rebuild.

If you're struggling to move forward after your narcissistic or toxic relationship, this...

Hey, Survivor!

Can food help you heal from trauma?

In my conversation with Dr. Scott Stoll, board-certified physician, educator, former Olympian, and co-founder of The Plantrician Project, we explore the connection between nutrition, chronic stress, lifestyle medicine, and trauma recovery.

We discuss how prolonged stress impacts the brain and body, why inflammation matters, how food influences healing, and practical ways to support...

Hey, Survivor!

What does healing actually look like after narcissistic abuse?

Many survivors believe healing means they'll never feel triggered, grieve, or think about the past again. In this episode, I’m offering a different perspective—one rooted in trauma recovery, chronic stress healing, nervous system regulation, personal growth and empowerment.

Healing isn't about perfection, grief can still show up after closure,...

Hey, Survivor!

In this episode, I’m talking about something rarely discussed in trauma recovery: supporting the survivor-parent after narcissistic abuse. We explore caregiving, forgiveness, accountability, aging, trauma, healing family dynamics, and what it looks like to help someone reclaim life after years spent in survival mode. If you’ve ever loved a parent who survived dysfunction while carrying wounds of their own...

Hey, Survivor!

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Regina Ragasa, a triple board-certified physician in Family Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Obesity Medicine.  We’re talking about the gap between health knowledge and real-life behavior change.

We explore why trauma survivors often struggle to implement what they already know about health, and how shame, stress, and survival responses can interfere with sustainab...

Hey, Survivor!

In this episode, we’re talking about the emotional aftermath of narcissistic abuse and why so many survivors feel embarrassed, fooled, or deeply ashamed after manipulation.

We explore trauma bonding, psychological manipulation, self-trust, and how survivors can heal from the painful realization that they were emotionally deceived.

If you’re self-blaming and shaming after the narcissist has been exposed, t...

Hey, Survivor!

Graduation season can be emotionally complicated when narcissistic family dynamics are involved.

In this episode, we explore why milestone events often trigger narcissistic behavior, common manipulation tactics during family celebrations, and practical ways to protect your peace while staying present for meaningful moments.

If you’re navigating narcissistic dynamics while celebrating someone special in your lif...

Hey, Survivor!

One of the hardest parts of narcissistic abuse is realizing the relationship may end—but the aftermath often doesn’t.

In this episode, I’m talking about the lingering emotional, financial, and nervous system impact survivors can experience long after the narcissist is gone.

If you’ve ever felt like you were left holding the bag after a toxic relationship, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now...

Hey, Survivor!

After years of hypervigilance, stress, trauma, and emotional survival, what happens when the crisis finally ends?

In this episode, I’m talking about the physical and emotional “crash” many trauma survivors experience after prolonged periods of stress—including nausea, shaking, exhaustion, emotional numbness, brain fog, and nervous system dysregulation.

Following the end of the murder trial I&r...

Hey, Survivor!

After 8 years, the jury in the murder trial reached a verdict—and my body reacted before my mind could catch up.  Can you relate?

In this episode, I’m talking about what happens in the nervous system when a long season of trauma, hypervigilance, stress, and uncertainty may finally be ending.

We often think closure will feel peaceful, but trauma survivors can experience shaking, overwhelm, nausea, emo...

Hey, Survivor!

Are the people who love you - or claim to love you - healed enough to support you?  I’m talking about a painful but important reality in trauma healing in this episode.

When your pain triggers someone else’s unresolved trauma, their response can feel confusing, invalidating, or hurtful. What looks like avoidance, defensiveness, or betrayal could be a trauma response of its own—but that doesn&rs...

Hey, Survivor!

Is the word “narcissism” and the like overused?  I’m talking about it in this episode.

For survivors, having language to describe patterns of behavior over time can be a critical part of healing. When that language is dismissed, it can reinforce confusion, self-doubt, and silence.

If you, or someone you know, have experienced trauma, the loss of language, and need to understand why naming your ...

Hey, Survivor!

In this episode, I’m talking about something I’ve experienced personally and witnessed during recent court proceedings: survivors going quiet after trauma.

We’ll talk about the nervous system, guilt and shame, triggers, and the loss of language that often follows trauma.

If you, or someone you know, have ever withdrawn, stopped responding, or felt like you didn’t have the capacity to engage wi...

Hey, Survivor!

What does self-regulation actually look like in a stressful, triggering environment?

As I sat through intense courtroom testimony this week, I had to stay calm, composed, and grounded—without visibly reacting.  It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

I’ll share the tools I used in real time, including breathwork, physical awareness, emotional processing, and cognitive reframing.

If you’ve e...

Hey, Survivor!

Why do survivors feel compelled to figure out narcissistic and toxic relationships? In this episode, we’ll talk about what drives you to go down the rabbit hole to understand the narcissist—and when your efforts to clarify their chaos and drama can become a barrier to your healing.

If you’re curious about what you’ll actually find, why and how a deep dive can keep you stuck, and how to shift y...

Hey, Survivor!

Why do narcissists move on quickly after relationships end? In this episode, we break down the psychology behind “replacement,” trauma bonding, and why survivors are left feeling confused and hurt.

If you’re wondering how narcissistic individuals avoid accountability, why the “get over it and move on” mandate isn’t a sign of healing, and how to reclaim your confidence and clarity -...