Abuse Explained

S3 EP58: Did the Church Groom Me for Abuse? When Spiritual Leadership Becomes Toxic

Have you been a victim of spiritual abuse? It's not just interpersonal relationships that can be toxic, but also group systems and leaders. Many are stepping forward to expose toxic church leadership and oppressive and abusive spiritual belief systems. This week, Natalie Hoffman, author of Is it Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A…

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S3 EP53: When Fear of Change Keeps You from Leaving: How to Say Goodbye to a Toxic Life

Leaving often brings along with it a fear of change. We might dread how change will affect our kids or our friendships. Maybe we're concerned about how leaving could disrupt life as we know it. In this podcast episode, Tara and Dr. Kerry discuss the fears of change they faced and how they overcame them…

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S2 EP40: Does the narcissist always ruin your holidays? How to handle celebration nightmares!

Have you wondered why narcissists ruin holidays? Why they can't let you enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas, or your birthday? In this podcast episode, Dr. Kerry and Tara share their insights and tips, along with some personal stories about this common pattern among narcissists and other toxic people. And the self-help tip is the importance of having…

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S2 EP39: Suddenly on your own? How narcissists use isolation to cut you off from others

Are you suddenly alone? Learn how a narcissist isolates you as a way to gain control over you. How they cut you off from your closest friends and family, making you more vulnerable to abuse. Are you looking for an understanding community? Join Dr. Kerry's Toxic-Free Relationship Club with weekly live group video office hours….

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S2 EP38: Are you trapped by a covert narcissist? The top reasons why you’re not spotting covert narcissists faster!

Do you want to know why you’re not spotting a covert narcissist? Learn what is a covert narcissist and the early signs you’ve met someone toxic. In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Tara take a deep dive into the top reasons why so many of us struggle to spot a this particularly toxic group of…

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S2 EP37: Are all narcissists abusive? Aren’t we unfairly demonizing a group of people?

Are all narcissists abusive? Aren't we unfairly classifying a group of wounded people as toxic or dangerous? Tara and I address this common accusation about narcissists and other toxic people in this podcast episode. The self-help tip is how to use a detailed history of our personal background to determine if we might be the…

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S2 EP 33: Were you emotionally abused or narcissistically abused? Why the differences matter.

Why distinguish narcissistic abuse from emotional abuse? Aren’t both referring to the same thing? In this episode, Kerry and Tara take a closer look at how narcissistic abuse uses deception to confuse and dupe victims. And the self-help tip is on how to use expressive writing for healing from abuse. LINK: Defining Narcissistic Abuse: The…

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