Send us a Text Message. Today we're kicking off my second-ever dedicated series – and this time, I’m focusing on emotional abuse stemming from multi-level marketing companies (aka MLMs). In this episode, I explain what exactly an MLM is, and I give some backstory as to why I’m so interested in unpacking the problems connected to MLMs and similarly …

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, we’re talking more about emotional abuse in multi-level marketing companies with my guest, Luana Barajas. Luana lives in Southern California, she’s a mom to three kids, works full-time as a middle school teacher, and recently published her debut novel, V. As a Latina in a predominantly white MLM, Luana ex…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, I’m continuing my series on emotional abuse in multi-level marketing companies with my guest, Rachel Goldberg. Rachel is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in the Los Angeles area, and as you’ll hear throughout our conversation, she has a lot of experience working with women, especially new mo…

Send us a Text Message. For the second episode in my series dedicated to MLMs and toxic health and wellness groups, I’m thrilled to welcome Lily Thrope to the podcast. Lily is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in New York City, specializing in disordered eating and body image. When she was in college, Lily fell into a group that…

Send us a Text Message. In last week’s episode, Krista Dykes, host of the "Secret Mom Hacks" podcast, opened up about her toxic and abusive first marriage. At the end of the episode, she mentions a phone call that “shattered” her. As you’ll learn from today’s conversation, the phone call was from a local detective, who confirmed that Krista’s husba…

Send us a Text Message. Gaslighting, manipulation, and lies: All are words that describe Krista Dykes' first marriage. Although Krista has spoken about her ex-husband's multiple betrayals on her own podcast, "Secret Mom Hacks," she is now telling the full story on "Emotional Abuse Is Real." On today's episode, Krista discusses the signs of her husb…

Send us a Text Message. Today’s episode is a little different, as I go back to the style of the podcast’s early episodes: Just me, a microphone, and a story. I share a personal emotional abuse story that I don’t talk about that much publicly, because there’s a "family" component. I'm opening up because I don't want to keep silent about this experie…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Kat*, a woman who, despite leaving her emotionally abusive partner, is still navigating the rough waters of co-parenting her young daughter with a narcissist. Kat credits this podcast – which she discovered on YouTube – as well as online support groups, with helping her find the courage …

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Donna Piper. Donna is a relationship coach and trauma expert who specializes in helping successful single women heal from their trauma. We also delve into the concept of Akashic Records, one of the tools Donna uses when working with clients on their healing journey. Connect with Donna: W…

Send us a Text Message. The podcast's toxic workplace series wraps up today with Sarene's guest, Dr. Christine Gibson. Dr. Gibson is a Canada-based family physician, trauma therapist, author of The Modern Trauma Toolkit, and TikTok influencer under the handle @TikTokTraumaDoc. Dr. Gibson also runs a company that trains professionals to manage workp…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Ludovica Colella, a U.K.-based therapist and life coach specializing in empowering women to overcome people-pleasing tendencies. This has become a necessary skill, especially in a toxic workplace. Ludovica offers several strategies should you find yourself in a toxic work environment, an…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Brittany Betts. Brittany is a marketing and hospitality professional, as well as a toxic workplace survivor. As a server and bartender at a popular chain restaurant, Brittany regularly found herself judged on her appearance -- being threatened with unemployment if she didn’t maintain a s…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with psychotherapist Kara Kushnir, LCSW. Kara is the founder of A Work of Heart Counseling in New Jersey -- as well as a toxic workplace survivor. We discuss how her experience in a toxic workplace led her to open her own, thriving practice, and how as a clinician, she is seeing several clien…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with the author of The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health, Dr. Jennifer Fraser. We discuss how Dr. Fraser's experience in a toxic workplace inspired her brain science research, resulting in her book The Bullied Brain -- a resource for helping people to better understand ho…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene continues the podcast's toxic workplace series with her guest, Vanessa Walilko. Vanessa is an artist, a PR professional, and a survivor of narcissistic abuse in both her family and the workplace. These experiences have provided Vanessa with a grounded perspective, as well as indispensable wisdom wh…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene kicks off her brand-new series dedicated to toxic workplaces with her special guest, Dr. Diane Rosen. Dr. Rosen is an author, executive coach, lawyer, consultant, mediator, and, above all, an expert on toxic workplaces. Dr. Rosen, who spent many years working in Big Law, offers a nuanced perspectiv…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene talks with CeCe Cheng, the CEO and founder of ShareWell, a peer-to-peer support platform providing affordable and accessible support groups within a digital community. CeCe is a former venture capitalist and startup executive – and an emotional abuse survivor. Since she launched ShareWell in Octobe…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene talks with Brigit Binns, a successful culinary writer who's just released her new memoir, Rottenkid: A Succulent Story of Survival. As the daughter of Hollywood character actor Edward Binns, Brigit led, to the outside observer, a charmed life. But under that shiny California veneer was a dark secre…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene welcomes Faith C. Echo. Faith is the author of Rising From Ashes – A Testament of Strength and Survival After Narcissistic Abuse, a memoir recounting her four-year relationship with a narcissistic abuser, and her heart-pounding, covert escape with her young son. Faith now works as a trauma-informed…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Angelika Koch, a certified life and relationship coach who also serves as the breakup and relationship expert for the Taimi app, an inclusive dating app dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community. Angelika is also an abuse survivor and the author of The Asshole Pandemic: A Field Guide To ID'ing…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Dr. Hayley Nelson, a neuroscientist, tenured psychology professor, international speaker and founder of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, where she is passionate about making neuroscience approachable and accessible. Connect With Dr. Hayley: Website Instagram TikTok F…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with emotional abuse survivor and licensed clinical social worker Nina Batista. Nina and I discuss the unfortunate truth about mental health professionals, which is that not every therapist is trained in emotional and narcissistic abuse treatment. Nina, however, has undergone several training…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Theresa James, LCSW. Theresa is an emotional abuse survivor who has channeled her experiences into a fruitful career as a trauma therapist. As a teenager, Theresa was groomed by an older man who would eventually become her husband. After 12 years of abuse, she finally divorced him and be…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with a young woman named Emily*. Emily is an emotional abuse survivor who spent several years in a secretive, toxic relationship with a controlling, manipulative guy, and is only now starting to process what she experienced. This is the first time Emily is speaking publicly about her abuse. *…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode Sarene chats with V.L. Brunskill. Brunskill is an emotional and narcissistic abuse survivor, and the author of The Killing Closet, a memoir released in late 2023. The Killing Closet is a harrowing story of the abuse Brunskill – as well as her adoptive mother and brother – suffered at the hands of her adopt…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Dr. Erika Bach. Dr. Bach is a licensed clinical psychologist based in New York, specializing in trauma, relationships, anxiety and depression. More and more, she finds herself working with emotionally abused clients, which enabled her to provide invaluable insights about emotional-abuse-…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Julie Keating. Julie is a mom of six, a writer and marketing professional, and an emotional abuse survivor. After losing her first husband to cancer, Julie married a man who turned out to be her worst nightmare. In our conversation, we talk about how she had to give up almost everything …

Send us a Text Message. For a number of reasons, I’ve decided to put “Emotional Abuse Is Real” on hiatus starting today – but I promise we will be back in early 2024. In the meantime, please listen to this brief update for ways to stay up-to-date and engaged with me, my work, and this podcast, until January. No matter what you celebrate, I hope you…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Sarah Jacobs, Esq. and Jamie Berger, Esq. of Jacobs Berger, LLC. As family law attorneys who specialize in divorces involving narcissistic abusers, Sarah and Jamie provide not only fascinating insights into the process of divorcing a narcissistic partner, but they also offer expert tips …

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Jillian Edwards Coburn. Jillian is an author, an advocate, and an abuse survivor. But Jillian is also a force of nature: She’s channeled her trauma into a memoir called My Ugly Truth: Life After Abuse, and now works tirelessly as a sexual abuse advocate. Two years ago, she served on a co…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Dr. Jameca Woody Cooper. Dr. Cooper is a clinical and criminal psychologist in the St. Louis area, offering her expert insights and advice for emotional abuse survivors seeking support. Connect with Dr. Cooper: Website TikTok Instagram YouTube LinkedIn "Women Staffers of Jann Wenner's Ro…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Rachel Claire Farnsworth, a "transformational life changer." Rachel works with clients to help release their deeply embedded trauma through various methods, but primarily through hypnotherapy. She has a lot of experience working with emotional abuse survivors, and can empathize with her …

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Dr. Kerry McAvoy. Dr. McAvoy is a licensed psychologist, as well as a narcissistic abuse survivor. She has channeled her experiences into a thriving career as an expert in toxic relationships through her book, Love You More, her podcast, “Breaking Free From Narcissistic Abuse,” and influ…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with LaShaundra Barnes. LaShaundra is a mom, a fellow podcaster, and an emotional abuse survivor. Thanks to her devout faith, and years of therapy, LaShaundra emerged from a toxic relationship with her children’s father stronger than she’s ever been. It is her hope that her story can help oth…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Rachel Fleischman, LCSW. Rachel is a licensed clinical social worker, an expressive arts therapist, and the creator of a multi-modal therapy program called Dance Your Bliss. Her professional expertise sparked an illuminating conversation about emotional abuse that I hope will both help a…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Mirlo Liendo, an emotional abuse survivor, author, and advocate. Since leaving her husband, Mirlo has dedicated her time to helping others who find themselves in abusive domestic situations: Whether it’s helping people navigate their divorce proceedings, find mental-health providers or s…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Alena Scigliano, LPC, a licensed psychotherapist, a narcissistic abuse expert, and the author of "Swimming With Sharks: Surviving Narcissist-Infested Waters." Alena is helping to spearhead a new and necessary movement in the mental health sphere: Clinicians who specialize in emotional an…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Erin Riley, a narcissistic abuse survivor, music-industry veteran, and author of A Dark Force. Although both of her ex-husbands demonstrated narcissistic behavior, it was Erin’s second marriage that drove her to document her abuse. This documentation ultimately became her self-published …

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Ricky Twiggs, Jr., LPC, a licensed psychotherapist based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ricky is an expert in emotional abuse, as he regularly works with teens and young adults who are the children of narcissistic parents. Ricky discusses the significant mental health impact on children of n…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Tina Hamilton of the Healing Parent. Tina is a teacher by profession, but she has transformed her experience as an educator and a certified trauma-informed mentor into a thriving career as an inner child healing and parenting coach. Through her work, Tina has discovered that many people …

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene delves deeper into her personal emotional abuse story. If you haven't yet, please listen to the first episode of this podcast before proceeding with this episode. Support the Show. Get my free download, "Discover Your Brand Voice in 3 Easy Steps" Follow me on Instagram Listen to the podcast on YouT…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Dr. Stuart Wood. Dr. Wood is a neuroscientist by profession, but in recent years, he’s become an ally and supporter of emotional and narcissistic abuse survivors. As a result, he’s written and self-published an eBook called Escaping the Void: How to Support Victims Out of Emotionally Abu…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with life coach Jessica Knight. Not only is Jessica an emotional abuse survivor, but she’s channeled her experience into a fruitful career as a certified emotional and narcissistic abuse coach, as well as a high-conflict divorce coach. She is also the host of the "Relationship Recovery Podcas…

Send us a Text Message. A short episode filled with updates (have you subscribed to Sarene's newsletter yet?), and some quick thoughts on a few emotional abuse stories that have popped up in the news recently. Specifically, actor Jonah Hill's alleged emotionally abusive behavior toward his ex-girlfriend, professional surfer Sarah Brady -- and Keke …

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene chats with Sadie Mayhew. Sadie is a fellow professional writer (we met in NYU's Master's in Professional Writing program), and emotional abuse survivor. Although Sadie will be the first to tell you how hard it can be to come forward, she also believes in the importance of storytelling and story-sha…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Phoenix Gould. Phoenix is an emotional and narcissistic abuse survivor, as well as a CTI and ICF-Certified Coach who specializes in helping people heal from emotional and narcissistic abuse. I’m so grateful to Phoenix for sharing her story on the podcast, and for offering her insights as…

Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode, Sarene chats with Carol Ann Lapeyrouse. Carol Ann was emotionally abused by her mother for years, and she discusses her decision to distance herself from her mother for 15 years – and how she finally found a way to forgive her mother before her death. TW: Suicide (my apologies for not mentioning this trig…

Send us a Text Message. On today's episode, Sarene interviews Carrie Mead, a licensed therapist and life coach based in Maryland. Carrie discussing her clinical perspective on emotional abuse as a mental health professional, while also offering numerous resources for people in toxic relationships. Reminder that this episode should not be used as a …

Send us a Text Message. We're back from our brief hiatus! On today's episode, Sarene chats with Amria*, a mom and emotional abuse survivor. Although Amria is still in her toxic relationship, she's been forging a new path for herself by going to therapy and setting boundaries. *Name changed to protect the survivor's privacy. How to fall in Love Disc…

Send us a Text Message. Please listen to this quick message from Sarene! Support the Show. Get my free download, "Discover Your Brand Voice in 3 Easy Steps" Follow me on Instagram Listen to the podcast on YouTube Please support the show by buying me a coffee! You can also reach me through my professional website If you're interested in sharing your…