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Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes281Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessSociety & CultureMental HealthRelationships

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Artwork for Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Latest Episodes

Most people imagine they'd recognize a sex addict. But here’s the reality most survivors never realize: you were never meant to see it.

Sexual addictive behavior doesn’t look like deception or betrayal; it looks like distance, irritability, or a rel... more

Abuse is something we imagine happens behind closed doors. For a lot of survivors, some of the most frightening moments happened not just in the home but in the passenger seat of a moving car.

In this Viewers' Stories episode, Dr. Kerry pulls direct... more

If you've ridden in a car with a narcissist, then you've likely experienced them using their driving to intimidate, threaten, or scare you. People with narcissistic traits often use vehicles like a weapon, turning you into more of a hostage instead o... more

Narcissistic abuse doesn't just affect your mind — it gets stored in the mind-body connection.

Do you have the kind of chronic pain no doctor can explain? Does it get worse the harder you try to fix it? Are you bracing, clenching, and shutting down ... more

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Recent Guests

Liz Tenuto
The Workout Witch, somatic healing practitioner
Episode: Is Trauma Destroying Your Body? What Narcissistic Abuse Does to Your Health
Brooke Deanne
Author of Shattered, Broken, & Beautiful, survivor of a religious cult and narcissistic relationship
Author
Episode: Born into a Cult. Then Married a Narcissist. Is Coercive Control Stealing Your Life?
Joe Navarro
Former FBI counterintelligence agent and body language expert
Episode: Narcissists Are Waging a Secret War Against You: 5 Dark Psychology Experts Expose Their Tactics
Peter Salerno
Psychologist, author, expert on mind and manipulation
Episode: Narcissists Are Waging a Secret War Against You: 5 Dark Psychology Experts Expose Their Tactics
Don Hennessy
Researcher who studied abusive men
Episode: Narcissists Are Waging a Secret War Against You: 5 Dark Psychology Experts Expose Their Tactics
Leslie Dobson
Professional with experience in maximum security prison settings
Episode: Narcissists Are Waging a Secret War Against You: 5 Dark Psychology Experts Expose Their Tactics
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
Sol Kennedy
Founder of Best Interest, co-parenting app
Best Interest
Episode: Dreading Their Next Message? How to Stop the Toxicity With a Narcissistic Co-Parent
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"

Host

Kerry McAvoy
Host and retired psychologist guiding discussions on narcissistic abuse; frequently collaborates on clinical topics and recovery strategies.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 460 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 States5 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 States6 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 States6 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 States9 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 States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is seen as a valuable resource for empowerment and self-understanding in abusive relationship contexts.
Some episodes prompt critique about discernment or specific examples, suggesting room for sharper critical analysis.
Many praise the guest expertise and the combination of clinical and personal perspectives.
Listeners appreciate the healing focus and practical guidance for leaving abusive dynamics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dreading Their Next Message? How to Stop the Toxicity With a Narcissistic Co-Parent
Q: How does Best Interest differ from existing co-parenting apps like Our Family Wizard?
Best Interest emphasizes proactive AI-mediated filtering and a focus on emotional safety, with features that encourage slower, calmer replies and the option to review original messages privately for learning and growth.
Dreading Their Next Message? How to Stop the Toxicity With a Narcissistic Co-Parent
Q: What motivated you to develop Best Interest in the first place?
The need was to reduce daily anxiety from constant, triggering messages and to keep conversations child-centered, while avoiding escalation to court. The app provides a buffer and helps co-parents communicate more constructively.
Why Narcissists Refuse to Say Your Name: The 4 Patterns Survivors Miss
Q: After a long period of marriage, his husband has never called her by name. Why would he avoid using her name so consistently?
The host explains that avoiding or replacing a real name with generic terms is a manipulation tactic designed to erode identity and emotional connection, enabling control and reducing ownership of the relationship by the partner.
Born into a Cult. Then Married a Narcissist. Is Coercive Control Stealing Your Life?
Q: How did the awakening begin?
The awakening started when a trusted friend inside the religion appeared controlling and manipulative, prompting the guest to see patterns of abuse in both the religion and her marriage, which led to deeper self-inquiry and the decision to leave.
Alpine Divorce: When Narcissistic Abuse Turns Physically Dangerous
Q: What should someone do if they're currently in a dangerous alpine situation with an abusive partner?
Prioritize safety, document any evidence if possible, seek specialized trauma therapy rather than couples counseling, and consider exiting the relationship with support from trusted individuals or legal resources.

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 show focused on understanding narcissistic abuse, healing from toxic relationships, and reclaiming personal power. Across episodes, the host dissects manipulation tactics, stages of abuse, and practical steps for recovery, often featuring expert guests and real-life coaching resources. Listeners can expect candid discussions on family dynamics, gaslighting, financial control, and legal considerations, with a strong emphasis on actionable guidance and personal empowerment. A notable strength is the blend of clinical insight from a retired psychologist and lived-experience perspectives, plus the integration of coaching tools to support steady progress toward independence and healthier relationships.

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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. The Mental Healness Podcast
5. Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

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

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse launched 4 years ago and published 281 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. Liz Tenuto
2. Brooke Deanne
3. Joe Navarro
4. Peter Salerno
5. Don Hennessy
6. Leslie Dobson
7. Rachna Buxani
8. Sol Kennedy

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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