Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse
Confused by your relationship? Do you catch yourself second-guessing, walking on eggshells, or feeling emotionally drained? Whether you’re still in the chaos or trying to rebuild after leaving, this podcast is your lifeline. Join retired psychologist Dr. Kerry McAvoy as she exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how destructive personalities operate, the manipulative tactics they use, and the stages of abuse—plus the practical steps to heal and reclaim your life. If you’re ready to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and find lasting emotional freedom, hit play and start your recovery journey today.
Episodes
"My abusive partner refuses to leave or get help—and I'm trapped in a 'silent divorce.' What are my actual options?"
This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener navigating an impossible situation: a long marriage, adult children, religious pressure against divorce, and an abusive partner who wants to maintain the status quo without doing any of the work to change.
In this episode, Dr. K...
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
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🔹 Tammy walks you through recognizing when thoughts are just thoughts—not truth—and how to stop surrendering to negative beliefs.
“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...
Ever wonder why you didn't see it coming?
This week, Don Hennessy joins Dr. Kerry to expose the hidden playbook male predators use to infiltrate your mind—without you knowing it happened. We unpack the shocking truth about what predators are actually really after.
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.
MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW
🔹 Hennessy breaks down the groo...
Does Narcissism Come and Go? What "Good Periods" With a Narcissist Really Mean
This week's Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Dubai who writes: "Can narcissism in a person wax and wane? There's been years when my husband was acting like a narcissist, and then there's also been chunks of years where he's been incredibly supportive and uplifting. Can a narcissist change depending on their cu...
Slowly losing control in your relationship—but can't quite put your finger on what's happening?
This week, Dr. Christine Cocchiola breaks down coercive control as the invisible foundation beneath all abuse.
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.
MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW
🔹 Think you might be losing yourself, but not sure how to tell?
Dr. C provides the &qu...
"My coworker is a narcissist—and so is our boss. What happens when two narcissists have to work together?"
This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who writes: "Thank you for all your content! Very helpful. I am curious to know - what tends to happen when 'a narcissist meets a narcissist' - meaning they are introduced to each other, are coworkers or need to cooperate with each other ...
Why do loving parents sometimes push away the very children they'd do anything for?
This week, Catherine Hickem joins Dr. Kerry to unpack one of the most painful dynamics in modern families—parental estrangement. We explore how unspoken expectations create invisible walls, why parents mistake control for connection, and how grief work (yes, grief work) is the secret to letting your adult children become who they actually are, ...
A listener pushes back and asks, "How do we know the parent claiming alienation isn't actually the abuser manipulating the narrative?"
When a child rejects contact with a parent after separation, is it parental alienation or justified estrangement?
In this week's fan mail, a listener pushes back with a challenge about a previous episode that aired October 16, 2025, titled "Why Does My Ex A...
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 strip partners of their consent and autonomy.
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.
MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXT...
"My partner has traits of both covert and overt narcissism—is that possible?" This week's Fan Mail question comes from a podcast listener who writes:
"Can a person be both a covert and an overt narcissist? I'm hearing the descriptions of each and my partner has traits of both." In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down the confusing language around narcissistic types—what "covert" and "over...
Ever wondered how someone can exploit you sexually while you still love them?
This week, Pamela Takefman joins Dr. Kerry to explain how sexual coercion works—and why it doesn’t always require kidnapping or obvious physical force to be real.
Learn how perpetrators gradually test boundaries until extreme exploitation feels normal, and why loving your abuser doesn’t mean the abuse isn’t real.
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT
Ever wonder why your in-laws rallied around your abusive partner instead of protecting you?
This episode explores one of the most painful dynamics in narcissistic abuse: when families choose to protect the abuser and paint YOU as the problem. We revisit a past interview with Rossana where she shares her firsthand experience of this dynamic along with a Fan Mail listener who experienced something similar.
PODCAST EXTRA
Next week, th...
Can a psychopath be a good person? And how do we spot dangerous people when they seem so charming?
This holiday special brings you an in-depth answer to one of your most-asked questions with highlights from Dr. Kerry's interview with Tara Blair Ball about the Dark Triad Personality.
We explore why dangerous people don't look scary and the critical difference between niceness and kindness.
PODCAST EXTRA
This week, there i...
"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 feel like you're shrinking or walking on eggshells. Abusive relati...
Ever felt like you're the problem in your family—even when you're the one being hurt?
This week, Ágatha Peters joins Dr. Kerry to explore how cultural expectations and family loyalty create the perfect conditions for narcissistic abuse to thrive undetected.
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.
MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW
🔹 Stuck as the family scapegoat? Wo...
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 just survived. I feel like it turned me into a monster. The PTSD caused me to start reacting more strongly to smaller triggers and even did abusive things myself in what I felt was self-defense."
In this episode, Dr. Kerry ad...
Is narcissism caused by genetics or trauma? Ever heard “narcissists act that way because of bad parenting" or “because they’ve experienced trauma?”
This week, Dr. Peter Salerno returns to challenge everything you thought you knew about the cause of narcissistic personality disorder. We're diving into the controversial science of heritability.
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT
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 question addressed on air, send it here: 👉 https://kerrymcavoyphd.fillout.com/fan-mail
Ever wonder why you didn't see the danger coming?
This week, Dr. Leslie Dobson joins Dr. Kerry to unpack the psychological mechanisms that drive narcissistic and antisocial behavior.
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here.
MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW
🔹 Red flags you're missing: how to spot pressure, boundary testing, and grooming before it's too late.
Dr. D...
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