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
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Disclaimer: This interview features perspectives from a male divorce coach navigating toxic dynamics. While some views expressed differ from those of trauma-informed psychology, I found it valuable to explore these tensions in real time. Please listen with care, and note that I challenge certain assumptions as we go.
This week, I sit down with Josh Tomeoni, a di...
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What happens when a narcissistic therapist uses their professional training against you?
This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Seattle who writes: “I dated a narcissist who was also a licensed clinical social worker. Can you talk about the weaponization of therapeutic training by narcissists?”
In this episode, Dr. Kerry unpacks how narcissistic me...
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Do you know what one of the most dangerous traps you can fall for? Believing that you can “fix” a narcissist’s early attachment wounds.
In this exclusive episode, therapist and author Chelli Pumphrey explains why narcissists rarely have secure attachments, how anxious or disorganized patterns drive their constant need for supply, and why survivors’ empathy often...
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Can you really heal a trauma bond—or is the damage permanent?
This week’s Fan Mail features two powerful questions. The first comes from a YouTube listener who asks: “Is it really possible to break a trauma bond? Even Dr. Ramani says she still struggles daily—so what’s the point of fighting, especially if kids are involved?”
The second comes from a listener in N...
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Can you ever be “good enough” for a difficult mother?
In this episode, psychotherapist Katherine Fabrizio, author of The Good Daughter Syndrome, reveals why empathic daughters feel trapped in cycles of guilt, exhaustion, and approval-seeking—and how to reclaim your power and identity finally.
Tronick’s Still (Blank) Face Experiment
PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE INTERVI...
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This week’s fan mail dives into two powerful questions about surviving emotional abuse.
First, Dr. Kerry explores what it means when you stop crying—and why emotional shutdown can be a survival mechanism in toxic relationships. Then she tackles whether the sunk cost fallacy is really what keeps us stuck with a narcissist, or if something deeper is at play.
Submit ...
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Going through a custody battle or divorce with a narcissist? The you know the legal system can feel stacked against you.
This week, former family law judge and attorney Michele Locke reveals exactly how narcissists twist the truth, exploit legal loopholes, and weaponize the court process — and what you can do to outsmart them.
Whether you’re divorcing a narcissist...
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What do you do when you can’t just cut off a toxic person?
This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who asks: “How do I stop the cognitive dissonance and self-doubt when I can’t go no-contact with a toxic person?”
In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why cognitive dissonance is such a powerful trap in emotionally abusive relationships—especially ...
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Why do so many survivors miss they’re being abuse?
In this Labor Day Special, I’m revisiting three powerful interviews that follow the journey from denial to freedom.
First, we explore how abuse often hides in plain sight, even for smart, capable people. The author I’m referencing as “he” is Don Hennessey and his book, How He Gets into Her Head. Then, we examine h...
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Is my daughter-in-law a malignant narcissist? How did she hide her worst qualities for so long?
Today, Dr. Kerry answers 2 listeners’ questions.
The first is from New York, New York about narcissists’ public and private personas. Many narcissistic individuals create a false mask to hide their worst qualities.
The second comes from Southern Pines, North Carolina, ...
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What if the person you fell in love with never really existed?
In this episode, Dr. Nae — psychologist, author of Run Like Hell, and former wife of the real “Wolf of Wall Street” — exposes how master manipulators use love-bombing, mirroring, and coercive control to create a false sense of intimacy.
Learn:
- How abusers build a fake romantic persona to hook their...
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Welcome to our new podcast segment called Fan Mail! This is where Dr. Kerry answers your questions.
To kick off our weekly bonus episode, Dr. Kerry is responding to a listener who writes, “He has destroyed me and my world after 16 years of marriage.” -- from Westminster California
More About the Episode
Today Dr. Kerry answers two fan mail requests:
Submit your question to be answered on air to the Fan Mail link below!
What’s the single biggest giveaway that someone lacks emotional maturity — especially when the pressure’s on?
In this episode, Dr. Les Carter, psychologist, best-selling author, and expert on narcissism and emotional health, reveals the #1 sign of low emotional maturity during conflict. We dive into how this pattern plays out in everyday disagreements, why it der...
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This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on something few of us talk about—the emotional toll of surviving narcissistic abuse after the relationship ends. Healing is hard. Helping others heal while still navigating your own recovery? Even harder. In this episode, I share why I’m taking a short summer hiatus—and how you can still stay connected and supported durin...
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This US holiday weekend, let’s revisit three of your favorite podcast episodes. Interestingly, they all have the same theme: why narcissistic abuse survivors initially think they’re the problem.
Clip 1 is from Season 3 Episode 64: "How mad can I make you?" The Toxic Games Covert Narcissists Play”
Video: https://youtu.be/pfU0y1ycgtg
Audio: https://www.buzz...
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Why do we pick bad partners? Is purely because of deception or are we missing early warning signs of a toxicity?
This week, author and clinician, Mary Crocker Cook joins us to discuss the problems of early socialization and different expectation in the dysfunctional relationship.
Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Mary Crocker Cook?
🔹 Are you wondering h...
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Can someone be both narcissistic and neurodivergent?
This week, ADHD coach and neurodiversity educator Sheila Henson joins Dr. Kerry to explore the nuanced overlap between narcissistic traits and ADHD. Together, they unpack how these two very different dynamics can sometimes co-exist—and what that means for the health of your relationship.
Looking for the Podcast ...
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Is your relationship displaying signs that it’s over? Maybe it’s on its last legs, and you wonder if it can be saved?
In this episode, Dr. Becky Whetstone delves into the complexities of relationships, particularly focusing on the challenges faced during marriage crises. She shares her experiences and insights as a marriage therapist, emphasizing the importance o...
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Are you living with a narcissist or a stressfully demanding person? These types of relationships often require us to step up with extra emotional labor without us even realizing it.
This week, psychotherapist and author Terri Cole joins us to explore the hidden costs of high-functioning codependency. Learn why over-helping is often a trauma response, not a perso...
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Are female friendships just as damaging as pathological love relationships?
This week, Sabrina Kirberg, author of We Used to be Best Friends, joins us to discuss the harmful consequences of toxic women friendships. Learn why we often miss spotting toxic female relationships and their common harmful dynamics.
Looking for the Podcast Extra Interview with Sabrina Kir...
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