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WHEN DATING HURTS — Education
WHEN DATING HURTS

A “must-listen-to” podcast on dating abuse and domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence. .
Hosted by Bill Mitchell, author of the memoir, WHEN DATING HURTS (Amazon), this book is about the murder of his daughter by her ex-boyfriend.
Bill and his wife, Michele, lost Kristin to dating violence. She was brutally murdered in June 2005, just 20 days after her college graduation.
FACT: 1 in 3 WOMEN suffer serious physical violence at the hands of intimate partners during their lifetimes. Typically, it happens between the ages of 16-24. But can happen at any age. It doesn’t need to happen.
Bill interviews experts with key experiences in dating and domestic violence:
• Actual survivors of intimate partner violence (dating abuse and domestic violence)
• “DV” agency counselors
• Law enforcement professionals
• Parents of children who were either lost to, or somehow survived, dating violence
After listening to the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, be sure to share it with those who need to hear it… Remember the 1 in 3 women statistic. It is real.
The WHEN DATING HURTS memoir (paperback, eBook, audiobook) is only available on Amazon.
Bill Mitchell’s email: BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com
The WHEN DATING HURTS website is HERE.

Copyright: © Bill Mitchell

Latest Episodes:

280. Hannah Hembree Bell - Lessons from a Divorce Lawyer Who Learned the Hard Way Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Hannah Hembree Bell is an award-winning Austin family law attorney, mom of four, and founder and CEO of one of the fastest-growing family law firms in the country, Hembree Bell Law.

After experiencing her own difficult divorce and custody battle, she built a framework to help women avoid the same mistakes. Today, through her firm and her national education community, My Confident Divorce, Hannah equips women with the strategy and tools they need to protect their kids, finances, and future.

This time we speak with Hannah, who exhibited great courage to evolve from a wife to a mother to a victim to a survivor to a lawyer to a divorce lawyer.

Hannah Hembree Bell, a lawyer with the Hembree Bell Law Firm, talks about her full ascension to the champion she is for those seeking a divorce.

Hannah gives a candid portrayal of herself growing up and into the strong woman she is today. She once felt she was not good enough until she tried law school. That is when she truly took off in life.

In the latter part of this episode, Hannah talks about free (invaluable) advice she offers that you can access at her website. You can access this information here: MyConfidentDivorce.com.

There is also a place where you can find a whole community of people helping each other manage through their divorces. It can be found here: MyConfidentDivorce.com/circle.

We hope this episode is helpful. We want you and those you care about to recognize abuse and abusers right away. That's because, the longer a person remains in an abusive or unhealthy relationship, the more difficult it will be to break free.

More links:

Access Hannah’s free divorce guide at MyConfidentDivorce.com

Find Hannah at hannahhembreebell.com and her law firm at hembreebell.com

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

278. Khloe - A Perfect Couple (When He Wasn't Horribly Violent) Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

This episode will talk about the Warning Signs of a highly unhealthy (dangerous) relationship.

This comes with trigger warnings about descriptions of violence in a relationship. If this story becomes too uncomfortable, perhaps turn it off and direct your attentions someplace safe.

Khloe found her abuser through an online dating service. Everything about the new relationship felt like a perfect match. They shared the same interests. He was great with her son.

There were little hints (warning signs/red flags) from the first date that could have saved her a ton of trouble. She decided not to listen to her instincts. Those little pangs of fear did not urge her enough to slow down and be more careful.

Khloe tells her story vividly. She is fortunate to be alive to tell it.

Unlike most of our survivor stories, this one is continuing on at the time we publish it.

There is much to be learned by hearing Khloe's cautionary true story. After listening, share it with someone you know who needs to hear it.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

274. Listen to the Mind of an Abuser - Our Sixth Installment Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

This episode, our sixth in this "Mind of the Abuser" series, comes with content and trigger warnings: Domestic abuse, domestic violence, language, and graphic violence.

There is little chance we will get an abuser to join us on this podcast and do a recorded interview. But we have heard enough about the minds of abusers to have insights into what we would hear.

It would sound like the justification of actions taken only to gain control over another person. It would be a relentless pushback. There would be no apologies. That is what you will hear in this episode.

This episode will talk about the Warning Signs of a potentially unhealthy (dangerous) relationship. But, this is from an abuser's point of view.

The voice you will hear on this WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast episode was created by a computer program. It is not a real person's voice.

The words spoken are a composite of beliefs and concepts expressed by dating and domestic abusers found within articles and interviews. They have been collected over nearly two decades. They have been reassembled as complete ideas and thoughts.

This episode illustrates how abusers portray themselves as victims.

There is not one "portrait" that fits all abusers, of course, but many never take ownership of their words or actions, and they justify their abusive and destructive behavior.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠

The ⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠The Hotline.org ⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠LoveIsRespect⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠RAINN.org⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

273. Abuse, Manipulation, Narcissism, Toxic People, Gaslighting & More Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast does not seek to be shocking or sensational. Understand that Domestic Violence and its effects are oftentimes alarming. Please take care of yourself first.

In this episode, you will hear lifesaving insights about abuse, manipulation, toxic people, narcissism, gaslighting, and more.

I urge you to listen to this episode several times. And share it with someone you know who needs to hear it.

See if you can pick out the threads that run through what is listed.

If you are in a relationship with someone who feels like he or she is being described by what you hear in this episode, contact someone you trust and talk about it. Consider getting in touch with a domestic violence counselor, because you might be in a dangerous situation.

One last point: waiting for an abusive partner to change for the good will get you nowhere. Chances are, that abusive partner of yours will become worse, and that is not in your best interest.

The information in this episode came from interviews with survivors on this podcast. It was also derived from much reading and note taking.

If a relationship feels odd to you, slow down, take time away, consider other options. Better to go it alone than stay in a relationship driven by someone you have concerns about.

Abusive (unhealthy) relationships do not tend to get better (or safer). The longer you stay in one, the harder it will be to break free. Believe this!

The lesson is: Get out early from a relationship like this. Get out when things feel wrong to you. Trust your gut!

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

272. - Chloe Pt 2 of 2 Pts - Dating Abuse and Gaslighting Led to Self Harm Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

This story comes with disclaimers and trigger warnings.

This is part two of a two-part story. In part two, our survivor talks about her use of self harm as a means to control her emotions. Self harm, or cutting, is of course not safe. And it is not a means to improve one's life. By all means, seek professional help if you want to learn more.

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast does not seek to be shocking or sensational. But understand that Domestic Violence and its effects are oftentimes alarming. Please take care of yourself first.

Chloe's story centers on her relationship with a man named David. When they met, he was an injured athlete recovering from a recent surgery.

David knew how to pour on the charm. Not only an athlete, David was a first-rate manipulator. Chloe was perfect for him to eventually dominate. He not only isolated her from her friends. He also isolated her from her sense of free will.

Ask yourself if you would stay in a relationship where your partner acted anything like this abuser.

The lesson is: Get out early from a relationship like this. Get out when things feel wrong to you. And, as Chloe will tell you, trust your gut!

If you have time, be sure to add a review for WHEN DATING HURTS on whatever podcast player you use. Reviews encourage others to listen, and when they do, they learn.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

271. - Chloe Pt 1 of 2 Pts - Dating Abuse and Gaslighting Led to Self Harm Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

This story comes with disclaimers and trigger warnings.

This is part one of a two-part story. In part two, our survivor talks about her use of self harm as a means to control her emotions. Self harm, or cutting, is of course not safe. And it is not a means to improve one's life. By all means, seek professional help if you want to learn more.

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast does not seek to be shocking or sensational. But understand that Domestic Violence and its effects are oftentimes alarming. Please take care of yourself first.

Chloe's story centers on her relationship with a man named David. When they met, he was an injured athlete recovering from a recent surgery.

David knew how to pour on the charm. Not only an athlete, David was a first-rate manipulator. Chloe was perfect for him to eventually dominate. He not only isolated her from her friends. He also isolated her from her sense of free will.

Ask yourself if you would stay in a relationship where your partner acted anything like this abuser.

The lesson is: Get out early from a relationship like this. Get out when things feel wrong to you. And, as Chloe will tell you, trust your gut!

If you have time, be sure to add a review for WHEN DATING HURTS on whatever podcast player you use. Reviews encourage others to listen, and when they do, they learn.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

276. "Marie" - Was Her Sister Bound to Become a DV Statistic? Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

This WHEN DATING HURTS episode comes with trigger warnings about descriptions of drugs and horrible violence in relationships. If this story becomes too uncomfortable for you, perhaps turn it off and direct your full attention someplace safe for you.

Marie and her siblings grew up in a family with two parents whose actions underscore they probably never wanted to be parents. They lived in a dangerous neighborhood in New Jersey where falling in with the wrong crowd was practically a guarantee.

Marie's sister was an attractive blonde who had great difficulty in school starting in the fifth grade due to relentless "mean-girls-style" bullying. So, she stopped attending school completely. In fact, Marie's sister did not attend the remainder of elementary school or high school.

That left her with too much time, and she fell in with the worst characters in the neighborhood. A crowd that would victimize her continuously with drugs and unwanted sexual encounters.

Listening to this WHEN DATING HURTS episode, it will become a temptation to "victim blame" Marie's sister and/or Marie's family. Maybe some of that is deserved. But Marie's sister's spoken and unspoken "cries for help" were never satisfied. She did what she could without support.

The takeaway is: without helping our young in their formative years, they might seek "love and attention" in places that can be horribly unhealthy. Sometimes, "fatally" unhealthy.

This is Marie's story about her sister, her family, and herself.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

275. After 3 Years, Host Bill Mitchell Revisits the "What Was That Like" Podcast Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Three years ago, I was asked to appear on a huge podcast called, "What Was That Like". The host is Scott Johnson. "WWTL" is a HUGE podcast with many thousands of listeners. It is as successful a podcast as was ever created.

In 2022, appearing on WWTL was a great opportunity to boost my listening audience if I did well. Apparently, I was good enough to see my podcast take off in more ways than I expected.

In this new WHEN DATING HURTS episode, you will hear my original interview from 2022 followed by an update recorded a couple of months ago (summer of 2025).

Both recordings put together give a clear understanding of what my family endured around the time of my daughter's tragedy in 2005.

I am proud of these interviews. They bring clarity to what it's like to have a parent's worst nightmare put upon a family. We met our challenge by turning it into a way to warn others.

If you have time, be sure to add a review for WHEN DATING HURTS on whatever podcast player you use. Reviews encourage others to listen, and when they do, they learn.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

270. Natalie - Pt 2 of 2 Pts - "Bad Pickers" Often Pick Horrible Abusers Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Some survivors become "bad pickers".

It seems like, whoever they start a relationship with turns out to be a bad actor. Maybe an abuser. But, time and time again, no matter how hard they try, bad picker's partners inevitably turn from dream dates to total nightmares.

Warning signs are present but not recognized. Or they are ignored. "Bad pickers" can also become "fixers".

Fixers try to "fix" their partners. Sometimes they get married or have children while everything around them gets worse.

This is a "bad picker story". Our bad picker is Natalie.

In part one she picked Mike. In part two, this episode, she picks Joe.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

269. Natalie - Pt 1 of 2 Pts - "Bad Pickers" Often Pick Horrible Abusers Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Some survivors become "bad pickers".

It seems like, whoever they start a relationship with turns out to be a bad actor. Maybe an abuser. But, time and time again, no matter how hard they try, bad picker's partners inevitably turn from dream dates to total nightmares.

Warning signs are present but not recognized. Or they are ignored. "Bad pickers" can also become "fixers".

Fixers try to "fix" their partners. Sometimes they get married or have children while everything around them gets worse.

This is a "bad picker story". Our bad picker is Natalie. In part one she picks Mike. In part two, she picks Joe.

This is part one with Natalie and Mike.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BillMitchell@WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WHEN DATING HURTS book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hotline.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠– Call 800-799-SAFE

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LoveIsRespect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RAINN.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhenDatingHurts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

DISCLAIMER:

The WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast is providing this platform for information to be shared. We do not state with any certainty that anything is true or untrue. Understand that what you hear is the viewpoint of the people sharing. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.

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