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
237 episodes
You’ve Been Made to Think It’s Your Fault: The Truth About Predatory Behavior
Ever wonder why you didn't see it coming? This week, Don Hennessy joins Dr. Kerry to expose the hidden playbook male predators use to infiltrate your mind—without you knowing it happened. We unpack the shocking truth about what pred...
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Season 4
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Episode 240
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34:00
Does Narcissism Come and Go? Why Narcissists Seem Better & Then Suddenly Aren't
Does Narcissism Come and Go? What "Good Periods" With a Narcissist Really Mean This week's Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Dubai who writes: "Can narcissism in a person wax and wane? There's been years when my husb...
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Season 4
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Episode 233
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8:38
Coercive Control: How It Steals Your Freedom (Before You Even Realize It) — Dr. Christine Cocchiola
Slowly losing control in your relationship—but can't quite put your finger on what's happening?This week, Dr. Christine Cocchiola breaks down coercive control as the invisible foundation beneath all abuse. PODCAST EXTRA EX...
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Season 4
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Episode 232
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35:55
Narcissist vs. Narcissist: What Happens When These Two Toxic Personalities Match-Up
"My coworker is a narcissist—and so is our boss. What happens when two narcissists have to work together?" This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who writes: "Thank you for all your content! Very helpful. I am c...
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Season 4
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Episode 231
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9:46
Gone No Contact? Why Some Parents Have to Push Away Their Kids
Why do loving parents sometimes push away the very children they'd do anything for? This week, Catherine Hickem joins Dr. Kerry to unpack one of the most painful dynamics in modern families—parental estrangement. We explore how unsp...
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Season 4
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Episode 230
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31:15
Is It Really Estrangement… Or Is Your Toxic Ex Playing Parental Alienation Games?
A listener pushes back and asks, "How do we know the parent claiming alienation isn't actually the abuser manipulating the narrative?"When a child rejects contact with a parent after separation, is it parental alienation or justified es...
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Season 4
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Episode 229
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10:55
Devastated After Betrayal? Here's Why: The Hidden Abuse That No One Talks About
Ever wonder why betrayal feels so devastating—like more than just cheating? This week, Hope Ray joins Dr. Kerry to introduce the concept of betrayal violence: the intersection of infidelity and abuse that most people don't re...
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Season 4
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Episode 228
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32:31
Can Someone Be Both Covert AND Overt? Understanding Narcissistic Types & What Actually Matters
"My partner has traits of both covert and overt narcissism—is that possible?" This week's Fan Mail question comes from a podcast listener who writes: "Can a person be both a covert and an overt narcissist? I'm hearing the descriptio...
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Season 4
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Episode 227
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9:28
You Can Love Them and Still Be Exploited: Sexual Coercion with Cult Expert Pamela Takefman
Ever wondered how someone can exploit you sexually while you still love them?This week, Pamela Takefman joins Dr. Kerry to explain how sexual coercion works—and why it doesn’t always require kidnapping or obvious physical force to be rea...
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Season 4
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Episode 226
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30:28
Narcissistic In-Laws: Why They Deny the Truth (and What to Do)
Ever wonder why your in-laws rallied around your abusive partner instead of protecting you? This episode explores one of the most painful dynamics in narcissistic abuse: when families choose to protect the abuser and paint YOU as th...
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Season 4
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Episode 225
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28:17
When Dangerous People Don't Look Scary: How to Spot the Dark Triad Personality Type
Can a psychopath be a good person? And how do we spot dangerous people when they seem so charming? This holiday special brings you an in-depth answer to one of your most-asked questions with highlights from Dr. Kerry's interview wit...
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Season 4
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Episode 224
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27:43
How Do I Know If I'm in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship? Watch for These Signs
"How do I know if I'm in an emotionally abusive relationship?" asks a YouTube listener. In this episode, Dr. Kerry explains why even asking this question is an important sign of possible trouble. Dr Kerry will outline what emotional...
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Season 4
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Episode 223
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10:08
When Your Family Chooses the Narcissist Over You: What Survivors Must Know
Ever felt like you're the problem in your family—even when you're the one being hurt?This week, Ágatha Peters joins Dr. Kerry to explore how cultural expectations and family loyalty create the perfect conditions for narcissistic abuse to...
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Season 4
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Episode 222
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28:35
Why Does Surviving Narcissistic Abuse Turn You into Someone You Don't Recognize?
You dodged a bullet!" No—the bullet hit me. I just survived.This week's Fan Mail question comes from a YouTube listener who writes: "People tell me I dodged a bullet. But the bullet hit me—I just survived. I feel like it turn...
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Season 4
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Episode 221
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10:00
How are Narcissists Made: Is it Trauma or Genetic? Here's What Dr. Salerno Thinks
Is narcissism caused by genetics or trauma? Ever heard “narcissists act that way because of bad parenting" or “because they’ve experienced trauma?” This week, Dr. Peter Salerno returns to challenge everything you thought you knew ab...
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Season 4
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Episode 220
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47:35
Why Some Families Scapegoat Their Child And What to Do If It Happens to You
This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a Spotify listener: “Can you please do an episode on scapegoat children?”Why do some people get scapegoated, especially in families? Dr. Kerry explains the role of the scapegoat and ho...
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Season 4
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Episode 219
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8:59
How Dangerous People Target You (Without You Even Knowing it!)
Ever wonder why you didn't see the danger coming?This week, Dr. Leslie Dobson joins Dr. Kerry to unpack the psychological mechanisms that drive narcissistic and antisocial behavior. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT<...
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Season 4
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Episode 218
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30:51
Why Don't Narcissists Feel Regret? And 4 Other Questions You Need Answered, Featuring Dr. Les Carter
Dr. Les Carter has spent decades studying narcissists, and in this retrospective, he reveals what most people miss until it's too late.We revisit five groundbreaking conversations about what's really happening behind the mask.Get ...
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Season 4
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Episode 217
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22:09
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Does the Dark Triad Personality Type Really Exist & Is This Person Dangerous?
“Is the Dark Triad a real disorder—or just a dangerous type?”This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Germany who writes after a recent video:“You called ‘dark triad’ a personality disorder, but it isn’t in ...
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Season 4
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Episode 216
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7:59
When You Feel Less & Less Safe: How Coercive Control Steals Your Freedom & Choice
Ever feel like you’re slowly running out of air in a “nice” relationship?This week, Eleni Sagredos joins Dr. Kerry to unpack how coercive control hides behind charm and “preferences.”PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENTFi...
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Season 4
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Episode 215
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31:26
How Do I Help My Adult Son Who's in an Abusive Marriage?
“My son’s in a toxic marriage—how do we help without making it worse?”This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener in Raleigh, North Carolina:“My adult son is in a toxic marriage with a likely narcissist. He’s miserable, sa...
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Season 4
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Episode 214
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8:41
How Abusive Relationships Shatter Your Identity & Cost You Your Voice
Ever feel like you can’t find “you” anymore? That you’re second-guessing everything, going numb, or swallowing your words just to keep the peace?This week, psychologist Dr. Shahrzad Jalali joins Dr. Kerry to unpack how long-term emotiona...
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Season 4
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Episode 213
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31:27
My Abusive Husband Claims He’s Trauma-Bonded to Me!
“My abuser claims he’s ‘trauma bonded’ to me…Can that be true?This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener on YouTube who wants to know how common it is for an abusive partner to be trauma bonded. Hers claims to be. She’s w...
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Season 4
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Episode 212
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6:42
Has Your Adult Child Gone No Contact? Here's How to Rebuild That Damaged Relationship
Has your adult child gone no contact? Cut off all communication with you? Are you struggling to figure out how to repair things with them?This week, psychologist and author Dr. Joshua Coleman, author of Rules of Estrangement, jo...
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Season 4
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Episode 211
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28:23
Can a Psychopath ‘Choose’ to Be a Good Person?
“Can narcissists or psychopaths ever live moral lives?”This week’s Fan Mail question comes from a listener who asks: “Do you think there are some narcissists or psychopaths who genuinely try to live moral lives—perhaps guided by religion...
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Season 4
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Episode 210
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7:11
