Ever walk away from an argument thinking maybe I'm the crazy one?

If you've ever tried to bring up a concern and suddenly you’re the problem—you might be experiencing DARVO.

DARVO stands for Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. It’s a psychological abuse tactic used to flip the script—and it’s more common than you think.

In this episode, Dr. Cynthia breaks it all down:

• What DARVO looks like in real life (with examples involving partners, kids, and co-parents)
• Why this tactic is so confusing and effective
• How it impacts your nervous system, your confidence, and your kids
• What to do when it’s happening—and how to protect your truth

🎧 A must-listen for any mom navigating emotional manipulation, co-parenting with a toxic ex, or feeling constantly blamed in her own home.

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Too many women stay stuck in toxic relationships because they’re trying to “figure it out.”

Is it narcissism? Addiction? Passive-aggression? Something diagnosable?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver challenges the belief that we need a perfect label before we’re allowed to leave. What if the pain is enough? What if the confusion, exhaustion, and emotional fallout are the evidence?

You’ll learn:

• Why obsessing over a label keeps you stuck in analysis paralysis

• How to validate your reality without outside proof

• What to pay attention to in your body, mind, and home environment

• How toxic behavior—no matter what you call it—impacts your kids

• Questions to ask yourself when you're stuck between fear, guilt, and clarity

🎧 A must-listen for any mom wondering, “What if I’m wrong?” or “Do I have the right to leave?”

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Cognitive dissonance is one of the most powerful forces keeping women stuck in toxic relationships. It’s the reason you doubt yourself, excuse red flags, and feel like you're going crazy—while holding onto hope.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver explains how cognitive dissonance plays out in toxic marriages, narcissistic relationships, and parallel parenting—and why it leads directly to burnout.

You’ll learn:

• How cognitive dissonance causes confusion, guilt, and emotional shutdown

• The sneaky link between toxic relationships and physical burnout

• Why high-functioning women blame themselves—and how to stop

• How to begin seeing the truth clearly (even when it hurts)

• Practical steps for healing your mind, body, and boundaries

🎧 This one is raw, real, and validating for any midlife mom wondering, “Is it really that bad, or is it me?”

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This week on The Mama Shrink Podcast, we’re talking about one of the hardest, most painful truths: You can’t make someone change if they don’t want to.

You can love them. Beg them. Do everything “right.” But if they’re not willing to change, nothing will change.

🎧 Season 3, Episode 3 – Hope, Grief, and Letting Go: What to Do When They Won’t Change is out now.

In this episode, I walk you through:

✔️ Why your empathy and effort won’t save someone who won’t change ✔️ How grief, trauma bonds, and guilt keep you stuck ✔️ What boundaries and healing really look like

This one is real. Raw. And necessary.

#YouCantChangeThem #LettingGo #EmotionalBurnout #MamaShrinkPodcast #DrCynthiaEdwardsHawver #WomensMentalHealth #HighFunctioningBurnout #HealingAfterNarcissisticAbuse

Have you ever gotten an apology that left you feeling… worse?

In this powerful episode of The Mama Shrink Podcast, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver breaks down the subtle art of the toxic apology. If you’ve ever felt confused, blamed, or dismissed after someone said “sorry,” this one’s for you.

You’ll learn how to spot the difference between a real apology and manipulative gaslighting. Whether you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, recovering from emotional abuse, or simply trying to model healthy behavior for your kids, this episode will help you reclaim your clarity and power.

Dr. Cynthia explains:

• The 3 elements of a genuine, healing apology

• Why “I’m sorry you feel that way” is not an apology

• How toxic apologies impact your mental health and contribute to burnout

• How to set boundaries and stop blaming yourself

This episode is essential listening for high-functioning moms navigating emotional manipulation, parallel parenting, and the exhausting cycle of narcissistic burnout.

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In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver returns to The Mama Shrink Podcast after surviving a year that nearly broke her. From the end of a 31-year marriage to the financial and emotional shock of becoming a single mom at 52, she shares what true healing looks like behind closed doors.

If you’re navigating burnout, divorce, narcissistic abuse, or just trying to hold it all together while raising kids—you are not alone.

Dr. Cynthia opens up about:

• Grieving the loss of the family you imagined

• How high-functioning women often break silently

• The difference between self-care and soul survival

• Parenting through heartbreak without losing your mind

• What healing really looks like when life falls apart

• Why slowing down isn’t failure—it’s survival

• How to keep going when everything in you wants to give up

Whether you’re in the middle of a toxic relationship, post-separation grief, emotional trauma, or burnout at midlife, this episode is your gentle reminder: you can be broken and brave at the same time.

📝 Get free tools + join the newsletter: https://www.drcynthiahawver.com/empower

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