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Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.
Narcissistic Abuse
Toxic Relationships
Narcissism
Mental Health
Emotional Abuse
Relationships
Emotional Manipulation
Coercive Control
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Trauma Bond
Cognitive Dissonance
Family Dynamics
Boundaries
Narcissistic Relationships
Healing
Childhood Trauma
Gaslighting
Trauma
Trauma Bonding
Psychology

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 tac... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes270Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsMental HealthSociety & CultureHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Latest Episodes

Have you heard of an Alpine Divorce? 

During a listener’s two-year marriage to a psychopath, her husband took her hiking and then left her clinging to a rock in gale-force winds while he filmed her terror and laughed. This is what’s commonly called ... more

As we honor Memorial Day, there's another war, something that rages invisible, deliberate, and inside the most intimate relationships. This episode is dedicated to you.

In this special compilation,  5 world-class experts answer the questions survivo... more

A listener from Texas writes in: after escaping a narcissistic marriage, her adult daughter is now demanding that she admit that she was an abuser too. 

How does she reach her daughter now? 

In this episode, Dr Kerry unpacks one of the most painful... more

Did you experience childhood neglect? If you keep repeating painful patterns in your relationships — choosing wrong partners, feeling invisible, never asking for what you need — this might be why.

Dr. Rachna Buxani, author of "Unseen," joins Dr. Ker... more

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Recent Guests

Rachna Buxani
Author of UNSEEN exploring invisible children in narcissistic families
Author, UNSEEN
Episode: Childhood Neglect: The Hidden Damage From Narcissistic Families That Follows You Into Every Relationship
Wade Belair
Guest discussing his experiences on both sides of narcissistic abuse
Individual with lived experience of narcissistic abuse and recovery
Episode: Confessions of a Womanizer: "How I Became a Narcissist's Perfect Victim"
Anna Motz
Clinical psychologist and author of If Love Could Kill
Author, If Love Could Kill
Episode: Why We Fail to See the Warning Signs When Women Become Dangerous (feat. Anna Motz)
Kati Morton
YouTuber, podcaster, and author of Why Do I Keep Doing This
Author, YouTuber, Podcaster
Episode: Keep Finding Yourself in the Same Toxic Relationships? How to Break the Pattern
Anthony Mazzella
Psychologist, author, and expert on personality disorders
drmazzella.com
Episode: Why Covert Narcissists Always Make You Feel Guilty (Even When You've Done Nothing Wrong)
Hannah Hembree Bell
Family law attorney and host of Not Saving It for Later
Not Saving It for Later (podcast)
Episode: The #1 Mistake People Make When Divorcing a Narcissist
Robin Stern
Author and psychologist, co-author of The Gaslight Effect
Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
Episode: The Scary Reason Why Gaslighting Actually Works (And You’re a Part of the Problem)
Dan Ratner
Coach Ratner, author of Emotional Vampires, relationship coach
Episode: How to Tell You've Met a Narcissist: Coach Dan Ratner's Best Sniff Test
Jennie Young
Author of Burn the Haystack, expert on linguistic patterns in dating profiles
Burn the Haystack Dating Method (author)
Episode: Want to Spot Red Flags the First Time You Meet? How Abusers Reveal Themselves Through Their Words, Featuring Dr. Jennie Young

Host

Dr. Kerry McAvoy
Host and clinical psychologist guiding discussions on narcissistic abuse and related topics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 458 ratings
  • Shocking episode

    Typically, I like this podcast. However, the Tammy Triolo episode was shockingly racist, I’m surprised it was aired. Clearly, she’s ignorant about global abuse and how it occurs in absolutely every race and culture and she fails to think comprehensively about power which leaves her sounding uninformed and actually abusive, herself. To see her perspective go unchallenged on this podcast is concerning. There are huge gaps in her logic and it’s landed her in a toxic place.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    12DP121
    United States4 months ago
  • A New Level of Healing and Understanding.

    Thank you for sharing your story and for welcoming guests who speak to every aspect of this journey. After 24 years with a covert narcissist, your work has helped take me to a deeper level of healing and understanding. I’m truly grateful 🌺❤️🌺

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smile4uNu
    United States5 months ago
  • Dark Triad

    Well, your show is definitely a mixed bag. I think your discernment is a bit off and that worries me about the advice you give. You citing JFK as the anti dark triad personality was jarring to hear as a historian who knows he had multiple affairs and caused so much hurt for Jackie. Greta Thunberg as another example? Yikes. This episode was disturbing for so many reasons, including the final take which was don’t trust anyone. Goodness. Unsubscribed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Single-not a cat lady
    United States5 months ago
  • Josh

    I agree about not bringing this guest back as he’s a classic word game manipulator. I don’t believe he’s been abused. If I have had to tell you something 50 x you have an issue. The name of his podcast says it all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Piper2427
    United States8 months ago
  • Good podcast

    Overall very good podcast. The Derelict Podcast interview was off. Josh mind-gamed the host a bit. Wouldn’t recommend bringing him back. Otherwise, very good.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    12DP121
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some episodes attract critical feedback about guest balance or controversial viewpoints.
Praises the interview quality and survivor-centered storytelling.
Listeners appreciate the healing-focused approach and practical guidance for escaping abuse.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Your Kids May Have Blamed You for the Narcissist's Abuse — and What to Do Now
Q: What do you do when you get out of an abusive relationship and you think you've made the right decision and you know that your partner was the abusive one only to have your child tell you that you abused them as well?
Acknowledge the child's experience and hurt, avoid defending yourself or using 'yes, but' explanations, own your part of being inactive during the abuse, hold two truths simultaneously (that you were a victim and you also failed to provide emotional stability), and model accountability by listening to your child's pain and showing up differently going forward.
Confessions of a Womanizer: "How I Became a Narcissist's Perfect Victim"
Q: What were the key turning points that led you to seek help and change?
Recognizing the harm caused in relationships, the feedback from close friends and a trusted therapist, and a bottom moment where personal health, dignity, and self-respect were severely affected.
Keep Finding Yourself in the Same Toxic Relationships? How to Break the Pattern
Q: What is the core idea behind why people end up in the same types of relationships?
The core idea is that our early family environment creates a blueprint for how we think love should look, feel, and be handled, which leads us to seek or replicate similar dynamics even when they're unhealthy.
Do Narcissists Enjoy Hurting You? Here's Dr. Kerry's Hard Truth
Q: This is a critical question that many survivors ask when they leave toxic relationships: why do people do what they do?
The host explains that while understanding the abuser's motives can be informative, the more important focus is recognizing patterns, identifying how harm affects your nervous system, and choosing what you will or won't tolerate in the future. The practical takeaway is to shift from diagnosing the abuser to protecting yourself and healing.
How to Tell You've Met a Narcissist: Coach Dan Ratner's Best Sniff Test
Q: What makes a relationship healthy, and how can people avoid getting involved with narcissists?
The host and guest discuss recognizing patterns, the importance of emotional health and self-esteem, and practical steps like the Rain-X strategy and conducting a friendship audit to protect oneself from damaging dynamics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

What is Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A clinically grounded show that centers on recognizing and escaping toxic, narcissistic dynamics in intimate relationships. Conversations frequently cover manipulation tactics (gaslighting, coercive control, trauma bonding), safe separation and boundary-setting, and healing paths—with practical tools, safety planning, and resource recommendations for survivors. A standout trait is the frequent pairing of clinical expertise with survivor-focused storytelling, often featuring experts, authors, and creators who offer actionable guidance, therapy-oriented insights, and collaborative resources like recovery apps or foundations. The format tends to blend education, real-world questions from listeners, and demonstrations of how to reclaim self-wor... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse:

1. You Are Not Crazy
2. The Covert Narcissism Podcast
3. Waking Up to Narcissism
4. Love and Abuse
5. The Mental Healness Podcast

How many episodes of Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse are there?

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse launched 4 years ago and published 270 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse?

Recent guests on Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse include:

1. Rachna Buxani
2. Wade Belair
3. Anna Motz
4. Kati Morton
5. Anthony Mazzella
6. Hannah Hembree Bell
7. Robin Stern
8. Dan Ratner

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