Episodes

In this episode, Brandon talks with Dr. Ingrid Clayton about healing from narcissistic abuse and complex trauma. Dr. Clayton shares her personal story as we discuss her memoir, 'Believing Me', a powerful recount of her childhood trauma from a psychologist's perspective and her healing journey. Dr. Clayton also navigates through the heavy waters of trauma responses, reenactments, and how these reactions often lead to relational trauma and self-abandonment. To reach Dr. Ingrid Clayton's website, ...

Serenity was 20 years old when she met her abuser. He was 34 years old and a millionaire. Over the course of their 12 year relationship, Serenity endured physical violence, sexual coercion, financial manipulation, putdowns, isolation, and gaslighting. The damaging impact of this abuse inflicted a tremendous amount of stress on her mental and emotional health. From constant hyper vigilance, to body disconnection and memory loss, to suicidal ideation, Serenity battled these issues until the day sh...

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

Inez thought she met the man of her dreams. Inez truly believed that her new partner would give her the unconditional love she always wanted. However, Inez's ex was a wolf in sheep's clothing, mirroring her to get the control he always wanted. It's a story of intergenerational trauma, reenactments, jealousy, control, sexual coercion, gaslighting, love bombing, empty promises, abuse cycles, future faking, guilt, denial, mirroring, self care, self discovery, silent treatments, ghosting, minimizat...

What happens when a daughter grapples with a manipulative and controlling mother throughout her life? How does she navigate her path through minimization, denial, and blame? From the complexities of her mother's need to be the truth-teller, to the constant interference in her personal life and milestones, Joanne's story uncovers the severe effects of intergenerational trauma. Joanne will take you through the challenging process of building trust with her mother, the struggles she faced in protec...

Jasmine tells her story of being in an abusive relationship that she just couldn't quit. Jasmine dealt with ghosting, love bombing, gaslighting, physical intimidation, physical abuse, putdowns, nitpicking, rage, infidelity, blame-shifting, abandonment, an

Stella met her charismatic partner through her sister. And even though Stella had some inner alarm bells ringing to run as things were moving quite quickly, her friends and family vouched for him. Everyone said go when they should have said slow down. As soon as Stella moved in, the abuse and coercive control began. Stella's partner tried to make her feel crazy, and it worked. Stella thought she was the problem and felt trapped with no one to talk to. It's a story of smear campaigns, infidelity...

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 ...

Nothing Kelowna ever did was good enough for her abusive mother. All Kelowna knew was an ever-present sense of worthlessness as her mother's scapegoat. By the age of 14, Kelowna's mother pushed her right into the hands of her future abusive husband. And by the age of 20, Kelowna was pregnant and stuck in a very controlling relationship. It's a story of not feeling good enough, caretaking, parentification, manipulation, insecurities, feeling stuck, financial abuse, infidelity, no contact, sexual...

Saoirse was swept off her feet by her future husband. They shared the same likes and dreams for the future. Saoirse thought she met her soulmate. However, as soon as their first child was born, Saoirse's husband began to employ coercive control tactics. He isolated her from her family, financially abused her, and manipulated Saoirse to believe that everything wrong in the relationship was her fault. As Saoirse recounts her experience of escaping her abusive relationship and navigating life in t...

Get ready to decode the intricate labyrinth of imposter syndrome and its profound ties to trauma and abuse. We promise you an enlightening journey where we dissect the essence of imposter syndrome, its symptoms, and its lasting effect on victims of abuse. We delve into the sinister tactics an abuser employs to manipulate a victim's identity to their advantage, leaving an indelible scar on a survivor's self-perception and relationships. We also examine the damaging effects of emotional abuse, wi...

Irina grew up under the rule of a narcissistic mother who wielded her brand of manipulative emotional abuse with the precision of a doctors scalpel. Over time, Irina began to feel defective, and unfortunately, that belief carried into her abusive romantic relationships as she got older. Irina's story is also about her sister who died by suicide as a child. Irina's story is a witness to her life. *** CONTENT WARNING - This episode discusses in detail the suicide of Irina’s older sister due to h...

Brandon discusses the things abuse survivors have lost from narcissistic abuse and the therapy modalities to help get some of these things back. Brandon delves into the loss of self, self-worth, self-confidence, emotional stability, financial stability, possessions, trust, family, friends, children, sanity, security, boundaries, innocence, happiness, self-respect, reputation, sleep, hobbies, interests, feelings, health, and much more. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, ple...

Natalie locked eyes at an event with her future ex, and unbeknownst to Natalie, chaos would inhabit her life for the next 3.5 years. Natalie's abuser masterfully manipulated her kindness to maintain control over her, using gaslighting, triangulation, comp

Brandon explores the intricate layers of poverty, court, the social services system, and the emotional/financial abuse on the Netflix series 'Maid'. We delve into the experiences of Alex, the protagonist, as she battles poverty, secures employment, and navigates through the challenging social services system - all while striving to protect her beloved daughter. Can you imagine standing in a courtroom, desperately trying to retain custody of your own child, but facing bias simply because you're ...

Plum takes us on a deep journey into her life marked by generational trauma, an abusive relationship, neglectful parenting, and emotional abuse. She boldly peels back the layers of her past, offering an unfiltered look into her mother's toxic family dynamics that reverberate throughout her life and into her abusive marriage. It's a story of generational trauma, gaslighting, physical abuse, sexual coercion, silent treatments, abuse cycles, control, no contact, victim playing, and much more. ***...

Brandon talks with Heather Youngs (LMHC & SEP) about the benefits of somatic therapy for little and big traumas. Plus, they discuss the mind/body balance, baselines, and getting out of your head. Heather Youngs can be reached by clicking here. *** CONTENT WARNING - This episode discusses physical harm. *** 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 help out our podcast, please fill out our listener survey...

Spoon is a survivor of online grooming, generational trauma, and an abusive relationship. This episode pulls no punches, shining a harsh light on the realities of exploitation and the toll it takes on one's self-worth. Yet, even in the darkest corners of her story, Spoon's spirit shines bright as she speaks of the recovery process and how she found her worth again. This conversation is not just about trauma and abuse, but about finding hope, strength, and resilience in the process. So, join us f...

After Leyla fled her state from her most recent abuser, she worked hard at starting a new life. However, lurking in the shadows was the father of her son, and he did everything in his power to halt Leyla's fresh start by alienating her child from her. It's a story of addiction, financial abuse, mental health, custody, kidnapping, bad lawyers, rehab, being a good mom, and staying the course. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please click here or send us an email at narcis...

Avery thought her new partner was the ONE, but unfortunately for Avery, she fell in love with a wolf in sheep's clothing. Beneath the surface of her ex was something more sinister, and for years, Avery dealt with manipulation, gaslighting, emotional abuse, outbursts, and the nerve-racking experience of a custody battle. It's a story of crazy-making, black-and-white thinking, lies, infidelity, triangulation, circular conversations, hoping for change, shame, and post-separation abuse. If you wan...

Imagine being a child forced into the role of caretaker for your struggling mother. Our guest for today, Saylor, knows that reality all too well, and she's here to share her journey. From witnessing her mother's emotional abuse at the hands of her father, to grappling with her own feelings about their complex family dynamics, Saylor offers a raw and insightful look into a world many don't understand. In sharing her story, she illuminates the impact of unseen family wounds on the developmental ye...

Sunday met her future husband at a wedding, started a relationship, got pregnant, and moved to Australia for a brand new start to her life. Unfortunately for Sunday, her husband was not who he portrayed himself to be, as he began to weaponize her vulnerabilities against her. Sunday details the toxic family dynamics she endured with her ex-husband's family, who made her feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. In the final chapters of her story, Sunday discusses the post-separation abuse she endured, t...

Megan's survivor story pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities of coping with physical and emotional abuse, as well as navigating the murky waters of post-separation abuse. Megan experienced smear campaigns, putdowns, physical abuse, gaslighting, psychological control tactics, and the use of her daughter as a tool of manipulation. Plus, Megan explores the complexities and frustrations of co-parenting with a manipulative abuser. *** CONTENT WARNING - Physical Abuse is graphically described...

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...