Bitch Is A Bad Word is a real, raw, and unapologetic domestic violence podcast that digs deep into healing, reclaiming power, and rewriting the rules after toxic relationships, domestic violence, domestic abuse, narcissistic abuse, coercive control, and financial abuse. Hosted by Lindsay, a mom of four with zero fancy letters behind her name, this show is a no-BS conversation about breaking free and finding your voice.
Each week, we bring in experts, survivors, and the real-life stories that break open the shame and stigma—because 1 in 3 women in the U.S. experience domestic violence, and these stories matter.
If you’re navigating your own journey, standing in solidarity with others, curious about how to help someone, or unsure if you’re in an abusive relationship, this is the show you need. This domestic abuse podcast is your space to heal, learn, and rise together.
Don’t miss our weekly Bitch Sesh, where we spill the tea, share survivor stories, and talk about the messy, beautiful process of taking our lives back—one story at a time.
Join the conversation. Share your story. Let’s break the cycle together.
Because bitch is a bad word when it’s used to tear you down — but if you’re in the Bestie Gang, being a bitch means you’re a baddie. We've got your back, Besties!
🎙️ Weekly episodes
🎧 Available on all podcast platforms + full video on YouTube
📩 Subscribe to our newsletter
📱 Join our Patreon
📞 Call or text us: (331) BITCHES
🛍️ Merch store (coming soon!)
🌐 www.caliber-studio.com | ✉️ biabw@caliber-studio.com
This podcast is for you if you’re searching:
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bitch Is A Bad Word is a real, raw, and unapologetic domestic violence podcast that digs deep into healing, reclaiming power, and rewriting the rules after toxic relationships, domestic violence, domestic abuse, narcissistic abuse, coercive control, and financial abuse. Hosted by Lindsay, a mom of four with zero fancy letters behind her name, this show is a no-BS conversation about breaking free and finding your voice.
Each week, we bring in experts, survivors, and the real-life stories that break open the shame and stigma—because 1 in 3 women in the U.S. experience domestic violence, and these stories matter.
If you’re navigating your own journey, standing in solidarity with others, curious about how to help someone, or unsure if you’re in an abusive relationship, this is the show you need. This domestic abuse podcast is your space to heal, learn, and rise together.
Don’t miss our weekly Bitch Sesh, where we spill the tea, share survivor stories, and talk about the messy, beautiful process of taking our lives back—one story at a time.
Join the conversation. Share your story. Let’s break the cycle together.
Because bitch is a bad word when it’s used to tear you down — but if you’re in the Bestie Gang, being a bitch means you’re a baddie. We've got your back, Besties!
🎙️ Weekly episodes
🎧 Available on all podcast platforms + full video on YouTube
📩 Subscribe to our newsletter
📱 Join our Patreon
📞 Call or text us: (331) BITCHES
🛍️ Merch store (coming soon!)
🌐 www.caliber-studio.com | ✉️ biabw@caliber-studio.com
This podcast is for you if you’re searching:
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down inside the National Domestic Violence Hotline headquarters with Katie Ray-Jones, the organization’s badass CEO and lifelong advocate for survivors. Together, they pull back the curtain on what really happens when someone calls for help.
From personal survivor stories to the Power and Control Wheel, tech abuse, and teen dating violence, this episode reveals the realities of modern abuse and the lifesaving work happening behind the scenes. Lindsay also shares her emotional experience being invited to serve as an “Advocate for the Day,” listening in on live calls and witnessing firsthand the compassion and strength of those answering up to 3,000 calls every single day.
Inside This Episode:
• What really happens behind the scenes at the National Domestic Violence Hotline
• The truth about tech abuse and digital coercion in modern relationships
• How the Power and Control Wheel helps survivors recognize and name abuse
• The rise of teen dating violence and how to stop it early
• Lindsay’s firsthand experience listening in on real hotline calls
Why This Episode Matters:
Because every call is a cry for freedom and every answer is a lifeline.
About the Guest:
Katie Ray-Jones is the CEO of The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the nation’s leading resource for survivors of abuse. Under her leadership, the Hotline has expanded its services, implemented groundbreaking safety technology, and supported millions of callers nationwide.
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
www.thehotline.org
https://www.instagram.com/ndvhofficial/
Follow & Connect:
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube
Follow @bitchisabadwordpodcast for updates, clips, and behind-the-scenes moments
Need support? Visit thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
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“The only time you knew your worth as a child was when you were solving a tyrant’s problem.” Richard Grannon
Meet Richard Grannon, trauma specialist, author of A Cult of One, and the internet’s most brutally honest voice on narcissistic abuse and emotional recovery. In this episode of B!tch Is A Bad Word, Lindsay and Richard go deep on how narcissistic parents and partners shape our sense of self, why chaos can feel like love, and what it takes to finally break free from toxic patterns.
Because healing isn’t just about leaving, it’s about understanding why you stayed.
Richard Grannon is a psychotherapist, speaker, and creator of The Spartan Life Coach. Known for blending philosophy, psychology, and practical tools for emotional recovery, his work has helped millions break free from narcissistic abuse and rebuild with clarity and self-respect.
Subscribe, rate, and review Bitch Is A Bad Word to help more survivors find us!
Share this episode with a bestie stuck in the “I can fix him” cycle.
Join the Bestie Gang for tools, healing resources, and community (links in show notes)
We've Got Your Back, Besties!
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Kalen’s story began when she was only 17. What she thought was the drama of love quickly became a cycle of emotional and physical abuse. For years, she was told she was crazy, too sensitive, too much. She believed it. Behind closed doors, she lived with an extreme personality who used manipulation, fear, and control to keep her questioning her own mind.
In this episode of Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Kalen to explore how young love can turn into domination, how gaslighting rewrites reality, and how long-term abuse leaves scars that take years to understand. This conversation is a raw reminder that real love is not chaos or pain, and that healing begins the moment you stop mistaking cruelty for passion.
• How abuse can start young and feel like “drama” instead of danger
• The cycle of gaslighting and control in extreme personalities
• When emotional abuse escalates into physical violence
• The moment Kalan realized “crazy” wasn’t her, it was him
• Rebuilding after years of abuse, manipulation, fear, and shame
Kalen is a survivor and advocate who endured years of emotional and physical abuse beginning at 17. Today she uses her experience to help other women recognize the red flags, trust their intuition, and know that love should never hurt.
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
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Watch: YouTube
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“What is life if not a series of fresh starts?” Olivia Howell
Meet Olivia Howell, founder of The Fresh Starts Registry (as featured on the TODAY Show), who’s redefining what it means to begin again after divorce, separation, or abuse. Because when we leave, we need a fresh start registry. You might have spent years too afraid to speak up about how you wanted to decorate your home. Maybe you lost your autonomy and don’t even know what your favorite color is or what clothes feel good on your body anymore. The Fresh Starts Registry gives you permission to start over with dignity, safety, and support.
In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, we explore how to rebuild your life piece by piece, emotionally, financially, and physically, while reclaiming the parts of yourself that got lost along the way.
Inside this episode
About Olivia Howell
Olivia Howell is the founder of The Fresh Starts Registry, a first-of-its-kind platform helping survivors crowd-resource the essentials for life after separation. Featured on the TODAY Show and across major media outlets, Olivia’s mission is to make rebuilding after loss or leaving not just possible but empowering.
Follow & Connect
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
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In this episode of B!tch Is a Bad Word’s: B!tch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Malou.
Malou found B!tch Is a Bad Word the same way so many of us do, scrolling through social media late at night, trying to make sense of the question that changes everything: What the fck is this relationship I’m in?*
Through the endless carousel of “relationship advice” and trauma content, she began piecing together what was really happening behind closed doors. What started as confusion became clarity, and what once felt like isolation turned into community.
In this conversation, Malou shares how discovering language around micro-aggressions, narrative abuse, and subtle forms of control helped her name what she was experiencing and start rebuilding her sense of self.
More than that, she talks about the ripple effect that happens when survivors speak up, how one story shared online can become the reason another woman finally sees the truth in her own.
Inside This Episode:
• Using social media to decode emotional and psychological abuse
• The “what the f*ck is this relationship?” moment that changes everything
• How micro-aggressions and narrative abuse keep victims doubting themselves
• The ripple effect of storytelling in survivor communities
• Finding clarity and connection through shared experience
Why this episode matters:
Malou’s story is a reminder that healing often starts in the quiet scroll, in the comment sections, and in the courage to say something’s not right here. It’s about how awareness spreads, one post, one podcast, and one story at a time.
If you’ve ever questioned your reality, doubted your instincts, or turned to the internet looking for answers, this one’s for you.
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of emotional abuse, manipulation, and coercive control. Please take care while listening.
We’ve got your back, Besties.
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Watch: YouTube
Join: Patreon
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What if the first person you told about your abuse… wasn’t a person at all?
In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Anne Wintemute, the CEO and founder of Aimee Says, an AI-powered digital companion designed to support people experiencing domestic violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, and toxic relationships.
Aimee isn’t a chatbot or a therapist. She’s something new: a judgment-free, always-available guide that helps you figure out if what you’re experiencing is abuse and what to do next with your Textie From The Extie!
Inside This Episode
• How technology can safely support survivors who aren’t ready to reach out for help
• Why venting to Aimee can be life-changing when you’re not free to share or when your circle doesn’t understand abuse
• The moment Anne realized AI could be used for healing, not harm
• How to recognize patterns of control before they escalate
• The power of turning pain into purpose
Why It Matters
Millions of women suffer in silence because they don’t know where to start or who to trust. Aimee Says is helping survivors take their first step privately, safely, and without shame.
You are not alone. And now, you’ll never have to be. We've got your back, Bestie!
Vist Aimee Says at aimeesays.com
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of domestic abuse, coercive control, and emotional trauma. Please take care while listening.
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Watch: YouTube
Join: Patreon
Subscribe: Newsletter
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What if the story everyone thought they knew was only half the truth?
In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word’s Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Sarma Melngailis the woman the world met as the “Bad Vegan” but who lived something far more complex behind closed doors.
From the high of running New York’s hottest vegan restaurant to the collapse that followed, Sarma opens up about love, deception, public shaming, and the long road back to herself all while revealing the real meaning behind that now-famous duck tattoo.
What began as a fairy-tale partnership with a mysterious man spiraled into manipulation, coercion, and betrayal that left her questioning everything including her own reality.
Now, Sarma’s here to reclaim her story in her own words.
Inside This Episode:
• What really happened behind the Bad Vegan headlines
• How charm and control can disguise emotional and psychological abuse
• The price of public humiliation and the path to redemption
• Why women are often vilified for believing in love
• The unexpected wisdom that comes from losing everything
Why this episode matters:
Sarma’s story is a wake-up call about the power of persuasion, the cost of silence, and the courage it takes to start again when the world has already decided who you are. It’s about owning your narrative duck tattoo and all.
If you’ve ever been misjudged, misunderstood, or manipulated into forgetting your worth this one’s for you.
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of emotional abuse, coercive control, and public shaming. Please take care while listening.
We’ve got your back, besties!
PURCHASE Sarma's New Tell-All: https://thegirlwiththeducktattoo.com/
FOLLOW Sarma on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarmamelngailis/?hl=en
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Leaving your abusive marriage or relationship may be the hardest step but picking the right lawyer may be the most important. You don't need someone who just knows the law but also understands what you've been through and the manipulative tactics your abuser will employ with the judge and with you. You need someone who knows your court, your judge and how "to read the room" to help you get what you are fighting for.
Padideh Jafari is a trauma informed Family Law and Divorce Lawyer in Southern California who specializes working with victims of domestic abuse, domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, verbal abuse and coercive control. She lays out for you what you need to look for in an attorney and why choosing not just a good lawyer but an attorney who understands the mentality of your abuser and your judge is so important.
Together they cover:
- How to tell if a lawyer understands domestic violence and coercive control
- Red flags to avoid when meeting with lawyers
- How abusers weaponize the legal system against you (and what to do about it)
- The truth about litigation abuse, custody court, and financial manipulation
This episode is your legal survival guide—whether you’re newly separated or stuck in a court battle that just won’t end.
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
ABOUT PADIDEH JAFARI, ESQ.
Padideh Jafari, Esq. is the Founder and CEO of Jafari Law & Mediation Office which is a Family Law and Divorce firm with offices in Los Angeles and Orange County. Attorney Jafari is a practicing lawyer for over 22 years. She is a former NYU and Southern California Institute of Law adjunct professor. She is the Podcast co-host of, the Narcissist Abuse Recovery Channel on iHeart Radio and Spotify.
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What if the man who vowed to protect and serve was the one you needed protection from?
In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word's BItch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Berkely a former police wife whose 15-year marriage began with fast love and ended in a high-stakes fight for freedom. From behind the thin blue line, Berkley takes us deep into a world where power, control, addiction, and silence reigned supreme.
What started as a whirlwind romance with a charming detective slowly unraveled into a life of manipulation, opioid abuse, financial control, and isolation. She was told to trust the system. Instead, she was targeted by it.
Now, she’s here to tell the story the badge tried to bury.
• The subtle red flags of coercive control (and why they’re so easy to miss)
• How addiction and authority collided behind closed doors
• What it’s really like being a cop’s wife in a small, insulated community
• When the “justice system” turns a blind eye
• How Berkley broke free and used her voice to protect her children
Why this episode matters:
Berkey's story is a gut-check for anyone who’s ever questioned their reality behind closed doors. It’s about waking up to the truth, reclaiming your voice, and surviving a system that protects power not people. And if you’ve ever felt alone in your marriage, misunderstood in your motherhood, or trapped in the image of someone else's “perfect” life, this one’s for you.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse (SA), domestic abuse, addiction, and coercive control. Please take care while listening.
We've got your back besties!
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
ABOUT BERKELY
Imagine a country girl from the Midwest, building a life centered on family. Now imagine that life being upended by the very person who vowed to protect it. Berkely is a mother of three kids in middle and high school, and a 'bonus mom' to three wonderful young women in their twenties. She endured not only the abuse of power within her marriage and the local police department but also the shocking complicity of the court system that was supposed to offer justice. Her journey to healing has been profound. Berkely is a woman on a mission to expose the hidden trauma of power abuse within the court system. After escaping a marriage marked by control and manipulation, she found herself fighting a second battle in the courts against her ex-husband. A proud Indigenous Native country girl at heart, she now lives her best life on a small farm, finding peace and healing among her children, her fiancé, farm animals, and her beloved sphynx, Lady Talalluah Danbury. Deeply in tune with the energy of others and the spirit world, she is using her unique perspective to help others find their voice. She is currently channeling her experiences along with her eldest daughter co-authored in a rediscovering their past to process their trauma and pave a new path forward. She is learning how to tell her story of resilience, spiritual strength, and reclaiming your power after profound betrayal. She has only recently begun sharing her side of the story in hopes to find peace and healing in helping others from experiencing the same horror she experienced.
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From Survivor to Lawyer to Family Court Judge - no one knows the ins and outs of the Family Court system than Michele Locke. Too often, survivors are told by their attorneys to keep quiet about the abuse they suffered and that it turns off the judge. And too often, survivors capitulate to manipulative maneuvers their abusers thrust on them, continuing the cycle of abuse in court.
Michele - a former Judge turned podcaster - discusses how to find the right attorney who understands YOU and what YOU'VE gone through and will navigate the arcane family law legal system for you. You need to find someone who understands what you've been through, is empathic to your experiences, and knows how to navigate the family court system so you don't compromise.
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
About Michele
PODCAST: LOVELUSTLAW
MICHELE LOCKE is a former Associate Court Judge and experienced family law
attorney with a mission to demystify the court system and make it accessible and
equitable for all-regardless of background or socioeconomic status. With a
23-year legacy and having presided over 5,000 cases, Michele is a powerful voice
for families, survivors of domestic violence, and marginalized communities.
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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains conversations regarding self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide.
The Trauma Bond. It's hard to see the forest for the trees when you're in the middle of a constant emotional onslaught. That is Quinn's story, our guest on today's Bitch Is A Bad Word: Bitch Sesh. Like many of us, Quinn didn't know she was in an abusive marriage, being torn in so many directions she didn't know what was up until after the divorce, when she could put some distance between she and her ex, with reflection.
Quinn's story is important for all of us because when you're standing in the middle of a battlefield, being assaulted constantly on all sides, it's almost impossible to tell where you stand and what's really going on. However, if you're able to pull yourself out, place yourself on a hill above the fray, you can see what's really happening below. And that is what we want to help you recognize if you are or find yourself in Quinn's relationship.
All abusers use different tactics to control and Quinn's ex used emotional manipulation. He would use tactics to draw her in, such as love bombing, "randomly" bumping into her (when he was really stalking), and coming up with excuses to see her when separated ("I'm dropping off food for you and the kids"), that would become prolonged engagements that evolved into excuses why he shouldn't or couldn't leave. And when Quinn pushed him away too hard, her ex would become violent with financial threats, harm to her and the kids, and suicide. It was a constant emotional rollercoaster, meant to draw her in and keep her attached to him with ebbs and flows of kindness and love that turned into threats, coercion, and control, and back again.
Listening to Quinn's story helps us identify these tactics used in our own relationships, either ones used against us or ones we may use ourselves, so when we're in the thick of it, that memory of listening to her story will cause that lightbulb go off in our heads and we realize what's really going on, helping us break the cycle of domestic abuse and domestic violence.
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
ABOUT QUINN
Quinn Padilla is a licensed therapist, abuse recovery coach, and mother of three who brings both her personal journey as an abuse survivor and her professional expertise to the work she does. Through her practice, she helps women heal from abuse and post-separation abuse, blending education with practical tools for recovery. Quinn also shares accessible guidance and support through Instagram and TikTok as @itsquinnpadilla, reaching women across the world with resources to help them feel seen and empowered. She is the creator of Breaking the Trauma Bond, a course designed to help women understand the cycle of abuse, regulate their nervous systems, and break free from trauma bonds. Learn more about her course through her bio on Instagram or to work with her one on one visit www.itsquinnpadilla.com.
emotional abuse, gaslighting, psychological manipulation, domestic abuse, domestic violence, narcissist
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Trauma doesn't just affect your mind and spirit - it can deeply affect your body, manifesting as chronic illnesses. And now there is scientific evidence linking the two - if we work on healing the trauma, the body recovers, too.
Adriana Bucci is a life coach and narcissistic abuse survivor who helps people untangle the invisible threads between trauma, toxic relationships, and chronic pain.
She shares how growing up with a narcissistic mother, and later dating narcissistic partners, left her carrying pain in ways she didn’t even realize. We talk about the mind-body connection — how years of gaslighting, repression, and emotional abuse can show up as migraines, autoimmune flare-ups, skin conditions, or chronic illness. And most importantly, Adriana explains how healing your emotions can begin to heal your body.
We cover practical tools like journaling safely (without fear of your abuser reading it), the Gray Rock Method, and how to reclaim your energy from someone who only wants to drain it. Adriana reminds us that anger is not our enemy — it’s our body’s way of saying enough.
Get Adriana's 7 STEPS GUIDE FREE HERE
Adriana's LINKS
ABOUT ADRIANA BUCCI
Adriana is the founder of Let's Get Your Shift Together. After nearly 3 decades of enduring narcissistic abuse and 4 years of dealing with severe chronic pain - I had to make the choice to embark on my own healing journey.
Doing my inner work not only helped me heal from the physical pain I went through, but it also helped me heal from the narcissistic abuse I endured from being raised by a narcissistic mother, other close relationships, and even colleagues/toxic workplaces (they were everywhere!).
My own healing journey inspired me to become a life coach so I could help other people. My certifications include:
My goal is to empower survivors of narcissistic abuse to heal, set boundaries, and live life on their own terms!
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
Narcissistic abuse recovery
Domestic violence survivor story
Toxic relationship healing
Mind-body connection trauma
Gray Rock Method
Chronic pain and abuse
Coercive control in relationships
Emotional abuse recovery tools
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⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains real accounts of domestic violence, coercive control, stalking, knife attack, and self-defense. Listener discretion strongly advised.
Terra Newell and her sister desperately tried to get her mom, Debra Newell, to leave her stepfather. Sometimes it worked, but only temporarily at best. Debra would always go back.
Then on August 20, 2016, Terra was ambushed and stabbed by her stepfather—the infamous conman, abuser, and psychopath John Meehan, known worldwide as “Dirty John.” Despite her injuries, Terra fought back, wrestled the knife away, and killed her attacker in a desperate act of self-defense. Her courage ended the terrifying cycle of abuse that threatened her, her mother, and her sister.
The Dirty John story is a global true crime sensation—first reported by the LA Times, then adapted into a top-charting podcast, a Bravo TV series starring Eric Bana and Connie Britton, and multiple documentaries. Unfortunately, these stories have never been told by those who lived it. The podcast and TV show were based on the article, not on conversations with John's victims. A miscarriage of justice.
Terra is here today with us telling her story, in her own words. And it's powerful. She is a true "Baddie", empowered by a glowing personality emoldened by wit and humor that is a necessity for someone that has survived multiple traumas and her own domestic abuse and violence relationships. Yet she and her sister watched helplessly as their empowered, successful mother was love-bombed and manipulated into marriage by a master manipulator. Like so many caught in cycles of narcissistic abuse and coercive control, they struggled to convince their mom to escape before it was too late.
In this episode, Terra exposes the red flags she saw early, the isolation tactics John Meehan used, and the terrifying escalation that led to a life-or-death confrontation. She reveals what it’s really like to be trapped by a psychopath, how she and her sister tried to fight back, and what it took to survive a near-fatal attack.
We are very thankful Terra chose to share her story with us.
At 25, Terra survived and killed serial predator John Meehan—aka Dirty John—changing her life forever. She’s now a leading survivor advocate, ethical podcasting coach, trauma-informed yoga teacher, and founder of a nonprofit for domestic violence survivors. Terra has been featured on Dateline, People Magazine, Women of Impact, and more, using her voice to raise awareness about coercive control, narcissistic abuse, and survivor empowerment.
🎧 Listen to Terra’s podcast: TERRA’S BADDIES CLUB
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
Terra Newell, Dirty John, domestic violence survivor story, true crime, narcissistic abuse, coercive control, psychopath survivor, self-defense, domestic abuse recovery, toxic relationships, love bombing, manipulation tactics, escaping domestic violence, warning signs of abuse, survivor empowerment
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She thought she married a charming, successful man. Instead, she ended up trapped in a controlling, emotionally abusive marriage that nearly broke her.
In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, journalist and divorce coach Amy Polacko opens up about her own experience with a covert narcissist—a partner who manipulated, isolated, and gaslit her behind closed doors. She explains how smart, accomplished women like her often find themselves stuck in relationships that look perfect on the outside but feel like walking on eggshells inside.
Amy helps women spot the warning signs of abuse most people miss—especially when there are no bruises. From love bombing to emotional control, this conversation dives deep into the red flags that survivors often don’t recognize until it's too late.
Whether you’re wondering:
- “Why does my partner blame me for everything?”
- “Is it really abuse if there’s no violence?”
- “Why do I feel trapped, scared, and exhausted?”
This episode will help you name what’s happening, understand the tactics of abusers, and realize you’re not alone.
🔊 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses emotional abuse, control, manipulation, gaslighting, narcissistic relationships, and trauma.
📞 If you need immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
ABOUT AMY POLACKO
Amy is a divorce coach and award-winning journalist who survived a narcissist nightmare. She empowers women to be the CEO of their own divorce. Amy has coached hundreds of women in toxic relationships and writes for national news outlets about coercive control, domestic abuse, divorce, online dating and singlehood. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, The Washington Post, Newsweek, NBC News THINK, The Independent, New York Observer and Ms. magazine. She co-authored the groundbreaking book FRAMED: Women in the Family Court Underworld with Dr. Christine Cocchiola which exposes the gender bias in our family court system (www.narcfreepress.com). Learn more about Amy at www.freedomwarrior.info and on Instagram @freedomwarriortribe
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In Part 2 of Lynn’s story, we explore a chilling truth many survivors face: the abuse doesn’t stop when the relationship ends. It just moves to the courtroom.
Lynn’s ex didn’t just gaslight and control her at home—he took that manipulation into family court, painting himself as the victim, filing false reports, and using the legal system to financially drain and emotionally torture her.
In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lynn shares:
If you’ve ever felt like the courts weren’t protecting you—or were actively being used against you—this episode will speak directly to your experience.
🛑 Trigger Warning: Topics include family court abuse, false accusations, custody battles, and post-separation legal control.
ABOUT LYNN
Now a speaker and advocate with the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s Storyteller Collective and Advisory Council, Lynn uses her voice to help others see the red flags sooner and find the courage to get out.
If you’re stuck in a cycle of leaving and returning, this story will help you feel seen—and show you that you're not alone.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: Topics include emotional abuse, trauma bonding, gaslighting, and the emotional aftermath of leaving an abusive relationship.
📞 If you need immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
domestic abuse survivor story
reproductive coercion podcast
trauma bonding and abuse
strangulation warning signs
intimate partner violence
emotional abuse survivor
escaping domestic violence
coercive control in relationships
survivor stories podcast
National Domestic Violence Hotline
B!tch Is A Bad Word: A Podcast On Domestic Abuse is a podcast about identifying and navigating your way through and out of Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse, hosted by a survivor of Domestic Abuse.
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JOIN the BIABW PATREON and DISCORD SERVER where we're building our Bestie community! On Discord, we've created a safe space where you can connect anonymously with others and share. And on Patreon, I "spill the tea" all week long as well as have all the episodes available ad-free! Join at patreon.com/BitchIsABadWord
STAY UPDATED & SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:
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📧 Email: biabw@caliber-studio.com
📱 Call or Text: (331) BITCHES
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LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
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- Website: caliber-studio.com/bitchisabadword
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What is a narcissist—really? How do they act? How do they trap you? And how do you begin to break free once you realize the truth?
In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, therapist and narcissistic abuse expert Vanessa Reiser breaks it down: what narcissism looks like, why it’s so confusing at first, and how to spot the patterns before it's too late.
Vanessa’s knowledge isn’t just clinical—it’s personal. After surviving her own relationship with a narcissist, she committed her life to helping others recognize the red flags she once missed.
Whether you're asking:
“Am I dating a narcissist?”
“Why do I feel crazy in this relationship?”
“What is narcissistic abuse?”
“Why can’t I leave even though I’m unhappy?”
This episode is for you.
⚠️ Trigger Warning:
Includes personal stories and professional insight on narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, love bombing, and trauma bonding.
📞 If you or someone you know is in danger, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
ABOUT Vanessa Reiser:
Instagram: Vanessa Reiser’s IG - @vanessareiserlcsw
Twitter: Vanessa Reiser’s TW - @vprockland
https://tellatherapist.net/
Guest Bio:
Vanessa Reiser is a mother, entrepreneur, life coach, advocate, and a ground breaking psychotherapist specializing in narcissistic abuse using Therapist Self-Disclosure (TSD); a form of therapy where therapist statements are shared that reveal something personal about the therapist, when an opportunity to create validation exists. Vanessa is licensed in NY, NJ, MA & FL and made international headlines when she ran the entire state of New York in a wedding dress to raise awareness for narcissistic abuse in May 2021. Her days are spent supporting those traumatized by this insidious form of domestic violence.
what is a narcissist
narcissistic abuse explained
am I dating a narcissist
signs of narcissistic behavior
gaslighting and love bombing
emotional abuse in relationships
narcissistic relationship red flags
Vanessa Reiser narcissist survivor
how narcissists trap you
trauma bond recovery
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In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Stephanie Strickland shares a story so many women will recognize—even if they don’t yet have the words for it.
She thought she had the life she wanted: a husband, a home, a child. But behind closed doors, things weren’t adding up. Her husband controlled the money, twisted the truth, and left her questioning her own reality. There were no bruises. But there was damage.
Stephanie takes us through the confusing fog of emotional manipulation, financial control, betrayal, and isolation. She opens up about the terrifying moment she realized she was not safe, and how long it took her to finally break free.
If you’ve ever felt like something was wrong but couldn’t quite explain it—this episode is for you.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: Topics include emotional manipulation, control, trauma bonds, heartbreak, and toxic relationship dynamics.
📞 If you or someone you know is in danger, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
Stephanie Strickland is a Dallas, Texas native, an award-winning and best-selling author, and a sought-after motivational speaker. Stephanie is a survivor of domestic violence who passionately spends her time advocating for victims and survivors of abuse. When she is not busy writing award winning books, and appearing on podcasts, she is sharing her inspiring story with others at speaking events.
Stephanie believes that by openly sharing her life, removing her mask, and walking in her truth Stephanie is showing women you don’t have to live in the shame of your past. Through her encouraging words Stephanie is showing us how to overcome our insecurities, our fears and seek the life God has promised us. She continuously demonstrates how living a life with self-acceptance, patience and faith can lead to a life that is thriving and fulfilling.
Stephanie is a God believer and is highly active in her church, where she is a facilitator over a women’s class, and is a part of many other ministries. To connect with Stephanie please see the links below.
Instagram - @iamsdstrickland
Facebook - @StephanieDStrick
WHAT YOU'LL HEAR
- The subtle signs that something wasn’t right
- How abusers weaponize religion and family expectations
- What it feels like to question your own memory
- Financial control and secret spending
- How to finally listen to your gut—and act on it
- The truth about abuse that leaves no physical scars
Stephanie’s story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and waking up to the truth.
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Watch: YouTube
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, we speak with Sara Davison—divorce coach, author, and survivor—about something many people face but don’t know how to name: being stuck in a relationship that slowly chips away at your confidence, independence, and sense of self.
Sara explains how control can look like love, how you start ignoring red flags, and how to finally break free—even when you still care about the person. This episode is for anyone feeling confused, trapped, or like they’ve “lost themselves” in a relationship.
You don’t need bruises to be in danger. If you're constantly questioning yourself, feeling small, or walking on eggshells—this is your sign.
Sara brings wisdom, warmth, and actionable advice for anyone trying to navigate a breakup—or even just trying to see clearly.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: Topics include emotional manipulation, control, trauma bonds, heartbreak, and toxic relationship dynamics.
📞 If you or someone you know is in danger, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Watch: YouTube
Join: Patreon
Subscribe: Newsletter
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
JOIN the BIABW PATREON and DISCORD SERVER where we're building our Bestie community! On Discord, we've created a safe space where you can connect anonymously with others and share. And on Patreon, I "spill the tea" all week long as well as have all the episodes available ad-free! Join at patreon.com/BitchIsABadWord
STAY UPDATED & SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:
https://www.caliber-studio.com/bitch-is-a-bad-word-with-lindsay#biabwsubscribe
Connect with Us:
📧 Email: biabw@caliber-studio.com
📱 Call or Text: (331) BITCHES
📸 Instagram: @bitchisabadwordpod
🎵 TikTok: @bitchisabadword
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
- Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bitch-is-a-bad-word/id1780948251
- Spotify Podcasts: open.spotify.com/show/3frZ12xmxKo0lCa8eIGCDD
- Website: caliber-studio.com/bitchisabadword
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What happens when leaving the abuse is only the beginning?
In this gripping episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, Vicki shares her 21-year journey of surviving an abusive marriage, fighting through endless family court battles, and protecting her children while rebuilding her life from scratch.
From being told “you’ll have no one and nothing” to watching her ex sabotage finances, drag her through years of litigation, and weaponize custody, Vicki explains how abuse doesn’t end when you walk out the door — it often continues in the courtroom.
She opens up about:
- What it’s really like to spend years and millions fighting in family court
- How abusers use money and legal systems as weapons
- The emotional toll of being gaslit, shamed, and silenced
- Why leaving takes more than courage — it takes support and strategy
- The turning point when she realized she already had the strength to get free
- If you’ve ever thought:
- “Why is my divorce taking years?”
- “Why does my ex keep dragging me back to court?”
- “How do I protect my kids when the abuse won’t stop?”
— this episode will help you feel seen, validated, and less alone.
📞 If you or someone you know is in danger, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
surviving divorce abuse
my ex keeps taking me to court
family court abuse stories
he controls the money in divorce
signs of financial abuse in marriage
high conflict custody battle help
toxic divorce stories
my abusive husband drags me to court
court battles with a narcissist ex
how to protect kids in divorce abuse
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In this powerful episode of B!tch is a Bad Word, host Lindsay sits down with Dr. Christine Cocchiola—researcher, advocate, and expert in coercive control—to expose the form of domestic abuse that leaves no bruises but devastates lives. Together, they unpack how coercive control erodes autonomy, uses children as weapons, and creates “death by a thousand paper cuts” for survivors.
Dr. Cocchiola shares insights from decades of research and lived experience, explaining why survivors often blame themselves, how abusers manipulate family court and parenting, and what protective parents can do to help their children heal. From understanding trauma bonds to recognizing reactive abuse, this conversation offers validation, clarity, and practical tools for anyone trapped in the cycle of psychological control.
About Dr. Christine Cocchiola:
Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW is a Coercive Control Educator, Researcher & Survivor. She is a college professor teaching social work for the last 20 years and a social justice advocate for a local domestic violence agency, since the age of 19. Her expertise is in the areas of coercive control and the traumatic experiences of adult and child victims, diligently supporting these vulnerable populations. Dr. C., a Founding Member of the International Coercive Control Conference and a Board Member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, has supported codifying coercive control, writing numerous policy briefs supporting these efforts.
Guest Information:
Website - https://coercivecontrolconsulting.com/
Instagram - @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol
Twitter - @coercivecontrol
If you’ve ever questioned whether words, manipulation, and control “count” as abuse, this episode is your answer. You’re not crazy—and you’re not alone.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
This episode is for anyone who has asked:
- signs of a controlling relationship
- how to know if my relationship is abusive
- emotional abuse in relationships
- when love feels like control
- why does my partner put me down
- gaslighting and manipulation in relationships
- trauma bonding explained
- am I the problem in my relationship
- co-parenting with a toxic ex
- raising kids with an abusive partner
- why leaving an abuser is so hard
- what is coercive control in relationships (paired with plain terms)
- feeling broken but no bruises
- how to heal from an abusive relationship
- my partner calls me names — is it abuse?
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Watch: YouTube
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
