Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

In this rerelease episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Octavia shares her story of falling in love with a guilt tripping abuser. Octavia came from Colombia to the United States via the Au Pair program. While on a weekend trip, Octavia fell in love with a charismatic volunteer firefighter. He said all the right things and made Octavia feel special. She felt chosen. However, the whirlwind romance eventually turned into an abusive marriage. First, it was the rages, then the gaslighting, then the physical abuse, and to make sure she never left, Octavia's now husband used her undocumented status to abuse her even further.
It's a story of proving yourself, guilt, gaslighting, victim playing, putdowns, rages, immigrant abuse, threats, financial abuse, divorce, post separation abuse, the hope for change, addiction, isolation, shame, vulnerability, using children as weapons, crazy exes, and validation.
CONTENT WARNING - THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES PHYSICAL ABUSE
This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na
If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

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In this rerelease episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Diane Danvers Simmons, author of My Mother Next Door, about growing up with a narcissistic mother who left the family home when Diane was 16 and moved into the house next door. Over tea and chocolate biscuits, her mother explained why she was leaving and why Diane’s father needed her to stay behind. By the time Diane went home to break the news to her dad, she was already wondering whether she’d been selfish for wanting her mother to stay.
Brandon and Diane explore what it meant to love the mother who encouraged her ambitions while recognizing how much responsibility she had placed on her as a child. Diane shares why it took years to stop making excuses for her mother, what she wanted her own daughter to be able to tell her, and how she came to forgiveness on her own terms, even though her mother never apologized.
To visit the 'Mothers and Daughters Unfiltered Podcast' website click here.
To buy Diane's book 'My Mother Next Door' click here.
To visit the Instagram of the 'Mothers and Daughters Unfiltered Podcast' click here.
This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na
If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter

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In this special episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon reads letters written by survivors of abuse. Across the letters, survivors describe how much of their lives they spent trying to keep the peace. Even after leaving, some still catch themselves wondering what they could have done differently. Looking back, they begin to see how often the person who hurt them also made them feel responsible for what happened.
These letters tell the story of gaslighting, physical abuse, coercive control, trauma bonding, addiction, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, blame shifting, victim blaming, self-blame, shame, conditional love, walking on eggshells, hiding abuse, public images, why survivors stay, leaving abuse, the fear after leaving, post-separation abuse, co-parenting, children witnessing domestic violence, parental guilt, divorce, custody, invisible wounds, nightmares, anger, sadness, grief, helplessness, forgiveness, healing, self-compassion, rebuilding self-worth, learning to trust again, reclaiming your voice, and reclaiming your identity.
CONTENT WARNING - WE DISCUSS PHYSICAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE, AND SELF HARM IN THIS EPISODE.
This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na
If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns
Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter


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In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon debriefs Grace’s story, exploring how weeks of silent treatment made her partner’s return feel like relief, allowing unresolved abuse to disappear into another fresh start. When withdrawal stopped working, flowers and promises gave Grace new reasons to hope, while gaslighting wore down her confidence in her own judgment. We also explore how reaching out for help left Grace feeling more alone, and how dismissive advice deepened the shame she already carried about staying.
This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na
If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns

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In this rerelease episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Grace shares how a coworker’s unexpected attention became a five-year cycle of emotional abuse and physical intimidation. Grace initially felt wanted and chose, but eventually, the abuse began and Grace was punished and blamed for challenging abusive behavior. And whenever Grace began to pull away, the abuser knew exactly how to reel her back in.
It's a story of narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, physical abuse, love bombing, silent treatments, emotional manipulation, blame shifting, humiliation, infidelity, trauma bonds, intermittent reinforcement, hoovering, emotional dependency, self-blame, self-doubt, hypervigilance, isolation, victim blaming, invalidation, alcohol as a coping mechanism, fear of being alone, childhood abandonment, going no contact, setting boundaries, rebuilding self-trust, and healing from narcissistic abuse.
*** THIS IS A VERY OLD EPISODE - THE SOUND IS NOT THE BEST - OUR APOLOGIES ***
CONTENT WARNING - WE DISCUSS PHYSICAL ABUSE IN THIS EPISODE.
This episode is sponsored by Rebound Health. Learn more, check your insurance coverage, or schedule a free 15-minute call at hellorebound.com/na
If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me
Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.