Understanding Coercive Control Episodes

In this week's abuse survivor story, Johana discusses her three year abusive relationship. Like many narcissistic abuse survivor stories, it all started with love bombing. And once the love bombing was complete, Johana's abuser had complete control as the truth teller in her world. From there, Johana's abuser started to weaponize his culture, and he began to employ every tactic in the power and control wheel. Isolation. Intimidation. Checking-in. Male privilege. Minimization. Denial. Blame. Gasl...

In this survivor story, Parker returns to our show, inviting us into the heart-wrenching labyrinth of her past entanglement with emotional abuse. Her story unravels the complexities of a marriage that began with love-bombing and spiraled into a chilling reality marked by financial manipulation and psychological control. Surrounding Parker's abusive relationship, was the continued abuse from her Jehovah's Witness congregation. Parker's story is not just about survival—it's about healing abuse an...

In this episode, Brandon breaks down five types of narcissistic abuse manipulation tactics that exhaust you and why they employ them. If you are in a relationship with a narcissistic abuser, then you know that it can be both mentally/physically exhausting and can leave you feeling drained and depleted. We discuss fear based manipulation tactics, doubt based tactics, monitoring tactics, guilt tactics, lack of responsibility tactics, and sabotage tactics. Each have their own purpose and can all...

In this survivor story, Blanche shares her scary story of narcissistic abuse and stalking. Blanche began dating her abuser when she was 19 years old and feeling vulnerable. Her abuser swept in and at first made Blanche special, but he quickly became jealous and controlling. As soon as the abuse began, things moved so fast that Blanche didn't have time to think about what was happening. The emotional abuse turned into physical abuse, which then turned into a death threat and stalking. Through Bl...

Join us on Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, as we unravel the complex abuse manipulation tactic known as plausible deniability. Through a thoughtful examination of its origins, we illustrate how abusers meticulously plan their actions to maintain deniability an

On today's podcast, we unravel the intricate web of emotional turmoil that accompanies this festive season, especially for those trying to co-parent with a controlling partner or ex-partner. Together with Jean, we traverse the challenging path of the holidays with abusive partners and family members. Additionally, we put a spotlight on self-care and proactive planning to handle potential mishaps, such as handling derogatory remarks and put downs from narcissistic abusers. Navigate the holidays ...

Parker grew up in a highly religious home and was married at 18 years old. Parker's marriage was full of abuse escalations, and it hit another level when her husband began using suicide threats and his new diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder with traits of Narcissistic Personality Disorder against her. It's a story of spiritual abuse, coercive control, entitlement, escalations, suicide threats, post separation abuse, child hood sexual abuse, court, protection orders, parental alienatio...

In this survivor story, Romana discusses the emotional and physical abuse she endured at the hands of her mother, the dissociation it created, and how everything effected her future abusive relationships. Of the many abusive relationships Romana endured, the most abusive one was with her first ex-husband, who became her lifelong stalker. It's a story of intergenerational trauma, emotional abuse, subjectivity, boundaries, support, attachment trauma, manipulation, coercive control, triangulation,...

Naomi was just out of a failed marriage, living on her mother's couch, when a wolf in sheep's clothing swooped in to save her. He helped Naomi move out, got her a job, and lavished her with expensive gifts. However, once they got an apartment of their own, Naomi's abuser began to show signs of coercive control. It's a story of shame, guilt, financial abuse, gaslighting, putdowns, sexual coercion, sexual assault, jealousy, coercive control, intimidation, isolation, rage, feeling trapped, minimiz...

Kate met her abuser at a musical jam, and they hit it off instantly. The relationship progressed quickly, with Kate finding herself at her abuser's home five days a week. From there, Kate's abuser hijacked her time, manipulating her into self-isolation, and once that was accomplished, he began to destabilize her in any way he could. It's a story of time control, minimization, denial, blame, guilt, animal abuse, child abuse, child sexual abuse, people pleasing, intimidation, support, destabiliza...

Cam grew up under the intense scrutiny of a high-control religion. From the relentless bullying at school to the physical abuse he experienced at home, Cam couldn't take it anymore and eventually ran away. Cam opens up about his indoctrination into the Jehovah's Witness religion, how it led him into an abusive relationship, and how the toxic dynamics prevented him from leaving his marriage. It's a story of people pleasing, being good enough, gaslighting, financial abuse, indoctrination, spiritu...

Brandon discusses Reactive Defense & the Reactive Defense Response, why it's significant, and how it's manipulated by abusers to shift blame onto their victims. You'll learn how these tactics are used to frame the abuser as the innocent party, manipulate victims into feeling guilt and shame, and even blackmail victims. We also shine a light on the widespread misconception of mutual abuse, and the importance of recognizing signs of Reactive Defense and Coercive Control as a whole. Join us as we n...

Madison felt something was off in her 'normal' marriage, but she couldn't pinpoint it for the first eight years. However, once Madison gave birth to her first child, her husband's facade dropped, and the person lurking beneath wreaked havoc on her life for good. It's a story of pedestals, isolation, smear campaigns, overwhelm, self defense, physical abuse, physical intimidation, escalation points, enabling, addiction, name calling, putdowns, control, and jealousy. If you want to be a guest on ...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, we discuss the 4 Overwhelm Types and the abuse tactics that narcissistic abusers use to overwhelm their victims. We expose how manipulators overwhelm victims to gain control, using strategies like love bombing

Bree and her family thought she married 'Mr. Perfect', but a week after their honeymoon, the coercive control began. At first, it started with isolation, then financial abuse, putdowns, sexual abuse, infidelity, triangulation, and more. It took a long time for Bree to free herself from the clutches of her husband, but she eventually got the divorce she was looking for. However, ten years post-divorce, Bree is still dealing with her ex's post-separation abuse. *** CONTENT WARNING - This episode ...

Citrine shares her journey as an abuse survivor who endured and ultimately escaped a toxic, manipulative relationship. Listen in as Citrine explores the psychological manipulation she experienced, the early red flags she overlooked, and how her former partners stories left her feeling confused and unbalanced. Citrine's discusses the erosion of her boundaries, her former partners attempts to control her, and the strain it placed on her relationship with her family. Plus, Citrine shares the challe...

Brandon talks with Kacey from the Cult Vault Podcast about the different types of cults, coercive control, and the Bite Model of authoritarian control. Plus, they talk about the emergence of headless cults through online communities. To listen to the Cult Vault Podcast, click here. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please click here or send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@gmail.com To listen to the groundbreaking investigative true crime podcast about Munchausen by P...

For many abuse survivors, leaving an abusive relationship doesn't stop the abuse. That's the haunting reality of post-separation abuse and coercive control, which we are exploring in this episode. We expose the many ways abusers continue to exercise control post-separation, from subtle gaslighting tactics to more blatant ways like legal abuse, smear campaigns, stalking, harassment, and weaponizing children. In the second segment of our discussion, we discuss how legal proceedings are manipulate...

Join us as we welcome abuse survivor Tori to share her powerful story of growing up in an unstable home, a cult-like church, and eventually marrying an altruistic abuser. Through her journey, Tori uncovers how her tumultuous childhood and exposure to a cult-like atmosphere shaped her relationships and the person she chose to marry. Tori offers valuable insights into recognizing red flags, navigating abusive relationships, and finding the strength to break free. Listen in as Tori reveals the c...

On this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, we explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that can help you discern if an abuser lacks empathy. Listen in as we break down the signs to watch out for, such as quickness to criticize, being judgmental, into

Brandon talks with Dr. Cortney Warren (PhD) about attachment styles, abuse, love addiction, the different types of ruminating thoughts, the underlying issues for obsessive ruminators, and the many ways to combat rumination. Dr. Cortney S. Warren, PhD is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and author of the books Letting Go of Your Ex (2023) and Lies We Tell Ourselves: The Psychology of Self-Deception (2014). For more information on her and her work, visit DrCortney.com and her Linktree. You...

Brandon discusses the signs/traits of self-sabotaging behavior and how abuse contributes to forming these unhealthy belief systems. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please click here or send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@gmail.com This episode is sponsored by BETTERHELP. If you need online counseling from anywhere in the world, please do go to https://www.betterhelp.com/nap Get on your way to being your best self today and enjoy 10% off your first month. If you o...

Brandon discusses the signs, tactics, and examples of circular conversations in narcissistic abuse relationships. Brandon also delves into gaslighting, blame-shifting, victim-playing, switching personas, control, and more. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please click here or send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@gmail.com If you or someone you know are experiencing abuse, you are not alone. DomesticShelters.org offers an extensive library of articles and resourc...

Lana met her future husband at a bar. He was very handsome. Dark chestnut hair. Hazel eyes. Long eyelashes. Olive skin. And a perfect smile. Lana felt she was lucky to get his attention. But unfortunately for Lana, appearances are not always what they seem, and Lana found herself married to an abusive coercive controller. It's a story of coercive control, IPV, sexual coercion, victim playing, belittling, shame, fixing, child sexual abuse, sowing the seeds of doubt, fear, isolation, gaslighting,...