Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Latest Episodes:

The Four Most Dangerous Personalities Types to Avoid: An Interview with Joe Navarro, Former FBI Special Agent Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

What signs warn that we’ve met not just a toxic person, but someone dangerous?

This week Joe Navarro, author and former FBI special agent joins us to discuss the four most dangerous personalities. Navarro is most well-known for his work as a body language expert. He’s authored several books, including What Every Body is Saying, Dangerous Personalities, Louder Than Words, and The Dictionary of Body Language.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice, nor does listening create a doctor-patient or therapist-client relationship. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911 or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (US/Canada).

When the Narcissist Says They Love You: Are They Lying? Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Narcissists often claim to love us. That they want the save the relationship; but do they?

In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Lisa Sonni discuss the confusing dynamic of narcissistic partners claiming to be changing and addressing the relationship issues, only aren’t. Learn how survivors can tell the difference between genuine effort from sophisticated manipulation.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Why Toxic Relationships Always Leave Us Traumatized and Confused: An Interview with Dr. Peter Salerno Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

Narcissists know they are being abusive--that they're being manipulative and exploitative.
This week, Dr. Peter Salerno is back to discuss his latest book, Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance. He discusses with Lisa Sonni why abusive relationships with narcissists leave survivors feeling psychologically battered and confused.

To Learn More About Dr. Peter Salerno: Website

For a Copy of Dr. Salerno’s Books: Traumatic Cognitive Dissonance: Healing From An Abusive Relationship With A Disordered Personality

The Nature and Nurture of Narcissism: Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder from the Perspective of Gene - Environment Interaction

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Controlled by Guilt: A Popular Tool Narcissists Love to Use Against You Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

Narcissists will use any means to control you, especially guilt.
In this episode, Dr. Kerry and Lisa discuss the common reasons guilt is such a powerful weapon in the hands of a narcissist or toxic personality.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Why Narcissists Are So Good At Disturbing Our Peace: Interview with Anna Runkle, Crappy Childhood Fairy Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Have you noticed how upset narcissists get? How they can't regulate themselves?
Anna Runkle of the wildly popular Crappy Childhood Fairy YouTube channel joins me today to talk about the importance of learning how to regulate yourself, especially after living with a narcissist.
Learn more about the role of psychological regulation plays in setting us free from the lingering effects of trauma and abuse.
To learn more about Anna:
Website: https:crappyChildhoodFairy.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crappychildhoodfairy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrappyChildhoodFairy/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crappychildhoodfairy
Get her latest book, Re-Regulated: Set Your Life Free from Childhood PTSD and Change the Trauma-Driven Behaviors That Keep You Stuck Here: https://amzn.to/3PpG8Fx

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

The Little Known Reasons Why Love-Bombing Works Every Time: Interview with Nadine Macaluso, Ex-Wife of the Wolf of Wall Street Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

There are powerful psychological reasons why love bombing works nearly every time.
In this episode, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, the ex-wife of the Wolf of Wall Street shares what she’s uncovered about why we fall so easily spellbound for a toxic or narcissistic individual.
To learn more about Dr. Nadine Macaluso (often known to as Dr. Nae), please visit: https://drnae.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnaelmft
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrnadine/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealDrNadine
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealdrnadine/
FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download the First Chapter of Dr. Nae’s new book, Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds: https://drnae.com/giveaway-book/
Dr. Nae’s Book:
Run Like Hell: A Therapist Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds: https://amzn.to/3PodpkA

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

When You Return to the Abuse: Why It Takes 7 Tries to Leave a Narcissist Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Victims return to a narcissistically abusive relationship an average of seven times.
In this episode, Lisa and I discuss why leaving a narcissist or toxic partner is so extremely difficult and share some thoughts on how to view leaving differently.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

How Narcissists' Use Breadcrumbs of Love to Create an Agonizing Confusion Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Trauma bonds are one of the most misunderstood yet powerful connections that narcissists and toxic individuals exploit to keep their partners trapped.
These bonds create a confusing dynamic where the very person causing harm becomes the source of comfort—a cycle that is as addictive as it is painful.
In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Lisa Sonni joins me to break down the making and breaking of trauma bonds. Together, we uncover how these devastating ties form, why they’re so hard to escape, and what you can do to break free.
If you’re battling a trauma bond—whether you’re still in the relationship or working to heal—there is hope.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Everything You Need to Know About Narcissism from 3 Experts: Dr. Les Carter, Dr. Peter Salerno, and Bill Eddy Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Today you are in for a treat with a longer interview, featuring three of my favorite experts on narcissism: Dr. Les Carter, Dr. Peter Salerno, and Bill Eddy.
In this episode, each of these men will describe what is narcissism, how narcissists view relationships, and why they behave as bullies.

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources

The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support

Follow Kerry!

Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D., an author and educator, helps listeners decode toxic dynamics, recognize manipulation, and rebuild self-trust.

As an Amazon affiliate, commission is earned from qualifying purchases.

Why "Just Leave" is Terrible Advice: How Narcissists Keep You Trapped Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Have you been told that you should just leave?
In this episode, Lisa Sonni and I discuss why this advice severely misses the mark. Why exiting a narcissistically abusive relationship is difficult and even dangerous for most abuse survivors.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
Character Disturbance by George Simon
Dangerous Personalities by Joe Navarro
The Passionate Marriage by Dr. David Schnarch
A Special Thank You!
I’ve deeply appreciated Lisa and Rossana Faye being regular special guests this past year. I’d also like to recognize the other behind-the-scenes people who helped make this show possible, especially Joe Duncan and Arianne Bansig. Each works tirelessly to make every episode extra special. You both are amazing!
Fan Mail
Thank you for the fan mail! For sharing your struggles and victories. We would also love to hear topic recommendations. Thank you so much for supporting us by being a regular listener. You are the reason for this show. We love and appreciate you so much!

Submit your question to be answered on air here!

Resources