Episodes

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...

Raven is a survivor who lived through an 18-year abusive relationship. From her childhood in a dysfunctional home to her struggle with toxic relationships, Raven paints a vivid picture of her journey, offering deep insights into how her abusive partner disrupted her work, led her into financial abuse, and how her own people-pleasing tendencies played a role in her prolonged stay in a destructive relationship. Raven’s courage shines through as she shares the tactics she used to protect herself e...

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

Growing up in a dysfunctional family can leave deep scars that last a lifetime. Tara, a courageous survivor of narcissistic abuse, joins us to openly share her personal journey through generational trauma, sibling abuse, and the toxic environment that impacted her life in significant ways. Tara speaks honestly about her loving but absent father, an emotionally and physically abusive mother, and manipulative extended family members. The complexities of emotional and physical abuse, triangulation...

Brandon talks with Bailey (survivor story guest from October 5th, 2020) about the post separation abuse that transpired after we recorded her episode, the divorce process, the relationship with her kids, and manifestation. To listen to Bailey's original episode (The audio quality is not the best. Our apologies.), 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 Thank you to our sponsor BETTERHELP. If yo...

Loren was in a perfect relationship for six years until she got a gut feeling that something was off. When Loren brought this feeling up to her partner, he admitted to having an affair and felt entitled to do so. From this point forth, the partner that Loren knew didn't exist anymore, and an emotionally abusive one took his place. It’s a story of isolation, double lives, bullying, betrayal trauma, non-apologies, criticism, humiliation, rage, lies, disrespect, mind games, gifts as weapons, mind ...

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...

Like many survivors of emotional abuse, Lynn didn't think the patronizing micro-management she received warranted leaving her 25+ year marriage to a bullying Mr. Right. He was a master at stretching Lynn to her limits, only to let go so the cycles could restart again. It's a story of bullying, micro-management, gaslighting, rage, lies, patronization, embarrassment, the silent treatment, abuse cycles, mind reading, neglect, deflection, being right, put downs, control, and much more. *** CONTENT...

Brandon discusses 20+ reasons why people stay in abusive relationships. We hope this episode validates your experience and reminds you there's no shame in struggling to leave domestic violence and an abusive relationship. *** CONTENT WARNING - This episode discusses physical abuse and threats of violent 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 Thank you to our sponsor BETTERHELP. If you ...

Elly had a string of toxic relationships before she was swept off her feet by someone who portrayed themselves as the exact opposite of every one of them. The relationship moved quickly. Within three weeks of moving away from all her support systems, Elly became pregnant and married soon after that. And unfortunately for Elly, that's when things went from bad to worse. It's a story of generational trauma, an enabling family, infidelity, physical abuse, protecting your kids, taking your power ba...

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...

For the first year of Annapurna's relationship, everything was perfect. She was swept off her feet, taken on trips, and seen for all her hard work. She was living a dream. However, after an argument that turned physical, nothing was ever the same again. Annapurna's ex morphed into someone she didn't recognize, and because of his gaslighting, so did she. It's a story of victim playing, identity erosion, physical abuse, crazy making, putdowns, infidelity, love bombing, undercutting, fixing, futur...

Brandon discusses the triangulation tactics of Lundy Bancroft's 9 abuser types and the abusive parent/child triangulation types. Plus he discusses, shame, guilt, fear, gaslighting, manipulation, passive aggression, flying monkeys, victim playing, love bombing, hoovering, and much 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 This episode is sponsored by BETTERHELP. If you need online counseling from anywhe...

Austin met her abusive partner through a dating app. He was everything on paper – an absolute dream. Things were perfect. But unfortunately, Austin's abusive partner began to nitpick every little thing she did. Austin's life was under a microscope. And things only escalated from there. It's a story of generational trauma, caretaking, being a burden, perfectionism, nitpicking, breadcrumbs, physical abuse, self compassion, death, grief, neglect, fear, gaslighting, blame shifting, minimization, in...

Brandon talks with Dawn Malcolm (High Conflict Consultant) about divorce, radical acceptance, proper sources of validation, new perspectives on circular or highly tense conversations, respecting your energy, and bringing awareness to how you show up in other areas of your life. To listen to Dawn Malcolm's (Jean) survivor story, click here. Dawn Malcolm's email is resilientempathcoach@gmail.com If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please click here or send us an email at nar...

Venus grew up in a cult of her mother’s narcissism, delusions, and rage. To Venus, this was normal. The brainwashing was winning. However, in her late twenties, Venus entered therapy, opening a floodgate of repressed memories that would change her family life forever. It's a story of generational trauma, plausible deniability, neglect, dissociation, people pleasing, hyper vigilance, parentification, weaponized poverty, mocking, threats, perfectionism, fear, hypocrites, mixed messages, guilt, ra...

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,...

Brandon talks about the 'top 10 reasons why an abusive partner doesn't want to change' from the book 'Why Does He Do That?' by Lundy Bancroft. Lundy Bancroft's book 'Why Does He Do That?' can be purchased by clicking 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 Thank you to our sponsor BETTERHELP. If you need online counseling from anywhere in the world, please do go to https://www.betterhelp.com/nap Get ...

Sharon experienced two traumatic life-altering events by the age of 9. The after effects of these events reverberated throughout her life. Sharon became extremely self-sacrificing, felt that she didn't matter, and feared abandonment. In both of her abusive relationships, Sharon was very open about her childhood trauma, and both partners seemed to care about it at first, only to use it against her later. It's a story of child sexual abuse, codependency, trauma bonds, infidelity, abandonment, cog...

Brandon discusses the psychology abusers use to normalize toxic behaviors. Topics discussed in this episode are: gaslighting, religion, cultural norms, social influence, minimizing, blame-shifting, rationalizations, cognitive dissonance, gender roles, patriarchal systems, conditioning, generational trauma, shame, dissociation, and much 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 To buy the book Out of th...

December and her future ex-boyfriend became fast friends through their local music scene. December felt seen for the first time, but the relationship December wanted was dangled in front of her like a carrot on a moving stick. Always out of reach, yet not. It's a story of triangulation, gaslighting, minimization, adoption, fear, control, isolation, suicide attempts, suicide threats, physical abuse, sexual coercion, push/pulls, self acceptance, put downs, self worth, despair, relief, the player,...