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Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.
Narcissistic Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Narcissism
Toxic Family Dynamics
Mental Health
Toxic Relationships
Self-Care
Setting Boundaries
Bullying
Trauma Bond
Family Gatherings
Holiday Stress
Emotional Intelligence
Expectations
Community Support
Cultural Dynamics
Resilience
Trauma Processing
Financial Abuse
Emotional Manipulation

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 weeklyEpisodes258Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthSociety & CultureRelationshipsHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Latest Episodes

Why does a partner hide money, and is it always a sign of financial abuse? 

A viewer from the US writes in, "He is very good at hiding money using apps and credit cards. How do I find out what he's hiding?" 

In this episode, Dr. Kerry breaks down t... more

Covert narcissism (NPD) is the hardest form of narcissistic abuse to identify — and the most damaging.  

Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you did something wrong — even though you can't quite explain what? 

In this episode... more

Why does the person who calls out a narcissist end up looking like the unhinged one? 

A Facebook follower writes in, "Why does the person recognizing and confronting the narcissistic behavior often appear unhinged to everyone else?" In this episode,... more

Are you walking into your divorce expecting the court to finally see the truth about your narcissistic ex? 

This week, divorce attorney Hannah Bell Hembree joins Dr. Kerry to pull back the curtain on what really happens in the courtroom when you're ... more

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Recent Guests

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
Ellen Tift
Author of There's a Word for That and expert guest discussing trauma terminology and healing
Author, Thererom There There's a Word for That
Episode: Why Am I Not Getting Better? The Hidden CPTSD Symptoms That Can Stall Your Healing
Dr. Favaro
Author of Bad People Bible; psychologist
Author and psychologist
Episode: Why Did They Pick You? The Trait in ‘Good’ People Narcissists Love to Exploit
Anne Wintemute
Co-founder of AimeeSays, an AI-powered coach for abuse survivors
AimeeSays
Episode: Struggling with Post-Separation Abuse? Get Real Help from a Surprising Direction
Ali Schmahl
Producer and Director of the film 'I Love You My Narcissist'
Independent Film Producer
Episode: How Narcissists Trap You: A New Movie Shows Gaslighting & Coercive Control
Stefanie Schmahl
Actress in the film 'I Love You My Narcissist'
Independent Film Actress
Episode: How Narcissists Trap You: A New Movie Shows Gaslighting & Coercive Control
Tammy Triolo
Author of The Empathy Gap, discusses empathy in personal and systemic contexts.
Episode: Why You’re Struggling to Feel Empathy for Yourself — Tammy Triolo

Host

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

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 452 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 States2 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 States4 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 States4 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 States6 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 States7 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.

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.
How to Tell You've Met a Narcissist: Coach Dan Ratner's Best Sniff Test
Q: Tell me about your background and how you got interested in this topic.
Dan Ratner explains his path from teaching relationships and dating to authoring books on emotional vampires, highlighting his skill in translating complex relationship dynamics into accessible guidance.
The Scary Reason Why Gaslighting Actually Works (And You’re a Part of the Problem)
Q: What practical steps can someone take if they suspect gaslighting is happening?
Ground yourself in your own perceptions, take a short break to reflect, and set clear boundaries to prevent the other person from controlling your sense of self.
The Scary Reason Why Gaslighting Actually Works (And You’re a Part of the Problem)
Q: Why does gaslighting seem to work in certain relationships?
Because people fear losing the relationship and want to preserve the bond, so they defend the other person's version of reality instead of challenging it.

Audience Metrics

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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 258 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. Robin Stern
2. Dan Ratner
3. Jennie Young
4. Ellen Tift
5. Dr. Favaro
6. Anne Wintemute
7. Ali Schmahl
8. Stefanie Schmahl

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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