Surviving Toxic Relationships Podcast with The Matadoras

Episode #97: The Nice Guy Trap | Barb Nangle on Codependency, Boundaries, and Healthy Love

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0:00 | 40:25

Codependency, toxic relationships, healthy boundaries, and emotional healing are at the center of this powerful conversation with boundaries coach Barb Nangle, founder of Higher Power Coaching and host of Fragmented to Whole.

After decades of therapy and personal development, Barb hit a codependent breaking point at age 52. What followed was a life-changing journey through 12-step recovery, where she began to understand patterns of people pleasing, rescuing, and losing herself in relationships.

In this episode, Barb shares:

  • What codependency actually looks like in real life
  • Why focusing on others causes you to lose yourself
  • How ignoring your own needs becomes a pattern
  • The difference between being “nice” and being kind
  • Why charm can be misleading in relationships
  • How toxic behavior creates confusion, not always chaos
  • What healthy boundaries actually look like in practice
  • How boundaries lead to healthier communication and intimacy
  • What a truly healthy relationship feels like
  • Why it is never too late to change your patterns

We also discuss the emotional confusion that comes from being with someone everyone else sees as “a nice person,” and how that can cause you to question your own perception.

If you have ever ignored red flags, overfunctioned in relationships, or felt like you lost yourself trying to make things work, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and hope.


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Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.