In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon unpacks Xena’s story and how the promise of family became an obligation to keep an abusive relationship with a narcissist together. We explore how being punished for ordinary choices and repeatedly blamed for the narcissistic abuser’s behavior left Xena questioning herself, while intermittent affection renewed her hope that things could improve.

We also discuss how suicide threats redirected attention from his violence to his distress, and how fear for their daughter’s safety existed alongside guilt about separating him from another child. This debrief examines the exhaustion, secrecy, coercive control, and shame that made leaving harder.

CONTENT WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES PHYSICAL ABUSE & SUICIDE THREATS

This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na

If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me

Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns

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In this rerelease episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Xena shares her story of reconnecting with an old boyfriend whose attention and promises of family drew her into his web. From there, the abuser further ingratiated himself by embracing Xena's daughters. This series of events led to a marriage and then another baby. However, then the abuse really began to show itself and Xena found herself apologizing for things that shouldn't need an apology. And the abuse only got worse from there.

It’s a story of love bombing, gaslighting, blame shifting, isolation, physical abuse, guilt, victim playing, coercive control, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, projection, manipulation, intimidation, threats of suicide, weaponized guilt, fear of abandonment, fear of judgment, obligation, self-doubt, self-blame, shame, confusion, walking on eggshells, hypervigilance, self-silencing, emotional invalidation, emotional neglect, unpredictable anger, double standards, moving goalposts, conditional affection, intermittent reinforcement, cycle of abuse, avoidance of accountability, isolation, pregnancy and abuse, firearm intimidation, financial exploitation, sleep deprivation, being vouched for, smear campaigns, alcoholism, addiction, scapegoating, custody, and post-separation abuse.

CONTENT WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES PHYSICAL ABUSE

*This is an old episode with sound issues. We did our best to fix the little pops throughout the episode due to the connection. It's not perfect. Also, I cut off the guest a lot in this episode. I have learned since these early days.*

This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na

If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me

Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns

Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

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In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon welcomes back psychotherapist and author Darlene Lancer to explore whether a narcissist is capable of love and why someone’s declarations of love can leave their partner feeling unseen and emotionally alone.

Together, they discuss how narcissism can affect intimacy and empathy, the role of codependency in relationships, and how a partner’s needs can gradually disappear from view. Darlene also discusses rebuilding self-trust and setting boundaries, shifting the focus toward how you are being treated and whether your needs are being met.

*** MY APOLOGIES WITH THE SOUND. I COULD NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL RECORDING. THE GUEST HAD SOUND FROM THEIR DEVICE THAT I DIDN'T CATCH DURING THE RECORDING. ***

You can find Darlene Lancer at her website https://whatiscodependency.com/ or at https://darlenelancer.com/ and you can email her at info@darlenelancer.com for her narcissist checklist.

Here is a link to all the blogs mentioned on the show https://whatiscodependency.com/blog/

A link to Darlene's new book Dating, Loving, & Leaving A Narcissist

This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na

If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me

Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns

Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.