Why She Stayed - Grace Stuart

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 48: "He Pretended to do a Total 180" | How She Finally Broke Free Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, Rose shares her survivor story of navigating an abusive relationship with emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual coercion, escalating physical crossing of boundaries, and leaving with children. She shares how her abuser would use shared- dreams they had of the future to keep her in the cycle including faking change in an attempt to get her to return to the relationship.

If you want to connect with today's guest you can get in touch through her Instagram page: @rooted.and.blooming

Guest's Instagram: @rooted.and.blooming

My Instagram: @Gracestuart26

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 47: Understanding Coercive Control and Manipulative Behaviors | Dr. Emma Katz Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

On this episode I am joined by coercive control expert Dr. Emma Katz to break down some of your most commonly asked questions. Dr. Katz is a UK- based domestic violence & coercive control researcher and a Substack Bestseller. During this episode, we discuss topics such as why abusers tend to use emotional abuse & coercive behaviors as their main form of control, examples of why they are doing it on purpose, and how they attack the mother-child relationship.

Dr. Katz Links & Resources:

10 Reasons Why a Coercively Controlling Man is an Unfit Father: https://dremmakatz.substack.com/p/10-reasons-why-a-coercively-controlling

"She's Not Innocent Either." Actually, Yes She Is Innocent: https://dremmakatz.substack.com/p/shes-not-innocent-either-actually

Browse all Dr Emma Katz's articles on Substack and find what you want to read: https://dremmakatz.substack.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Coercive-Control-Childrens-Mothers-Lives/dp/B0CM4L7HLH/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmakatz_phd/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@emmakatz_phd

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremmakatz/

Website: https://dremmakatz.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 46: Trusting Your Gut Instinct- with Laura Richards Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, I am joined by Criminal Behavior Analyst, Laura Richards. Laura is an expert on domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual violence homicide and risk assessment. She trained at New Scotland Yard and the FBI Behavioral Analysis Units and is an advocate for victims and an author, producer and podcaster. Together, we sit down and discuss the importance of trusting your gut instincts, the reality of coercive control, the Gabby Petitio case, and much more. You can find all of Laura's links below for her podcast, recourses, trainings, and social media pages.

Laura Richards Podcasts, Squad and YouTube can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/@crimeanalyst

https://www.crime-analyst.com

www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst

https://wondery.com/shows/real-crime-profile/

For more information and resources, the following sites can be accessed:

www.thelaurarichards.com

https://www.dashriskchecklist.com/

Socials:

Crime Analyst Squad: www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst

Facebook Crime Analyst Podcast

Insta: @laurarichards999 and @crimeanalyst

Threads @crimeanalyst

Tiktok: @crimeanalystpod

X: @laurarichards99 and @thecrimeanalyst

Grace's Social Media:

Instagram: @Gracestuart26

Tiktok: @gracestuart

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 45: Emotional Abuse Can Feel like Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts - with Leah Aguirre Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, I am joined by licensed therapist and author Leah Aguirre where we have an open conversation about "hidden" forms of abuse such as frequent criticism, belittling, and making you feel like nothing is ever good enough. We also discuss questions like "why does my abuser's ex say he wasn't abusive" and "how to not get confused when he starts acting nice again". Lastly, we talk about our takeaways from the Gabby Petito case and several other topics.

Leah's Website, Links, & Socials:

Book for pre-order: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/is-this-really-love-leah-aguirre-lcsw/1146033741

Leah's group practice website: https://www.covecounselinggroup.com/

Leah's Instagram: @leahaguirrelcsw

Grace's Instagram: @gracestuart26, @whyshestayedpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 44: "I Was An Advocate For Victims, But I Didn't Realize I Was One Too" Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, Naomi shares about the cognitive dissonance she experienced when she was working as a victim crime advocate not realizing that she herself was experiencing coercive control, abuse within her own marriage. We talk about her journey to gain clarity, how she left with children, and her abuser's famous words: "But I never hit you".

Naomi's Instagram: @nar4124

My Instagram: @gracestuart26

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 43: Confusion Is The Hallmark Of Abuse Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

On this Episode, Liadan shares her abuse story and how confusion played a huge role in struggling to break free. We talk about continuous discarding as a form of abuse, triangulation, and how efficiently the abuser will turn the blame back onto you. This episode contains topics of emotional, verbal, & physical abuse.

Liadan's Instagram: @liadanmairegunter

Liadan's Website: https://www.therewiringlens.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 42: "It Felt Like Whiplash" Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Nicole shares her abuse story of a 10+ year relationship/ marriage that included emotional, mental, financial, and escalating physical abuse. We discuss how the constant ups and downs felt like "whiplash" and how she ultimately left while her daughter was only 5 months old.

Guest information will be kept private for now. You can follow me on Instagram @gracestuart26 and Tiktok @gracestuart.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 41: Coercive Control- Dr. Christine Cocchiola Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

On this episode I am joined by coercive control expert Dr. Christine Cocchiola. We discuss examples of how abuse can feel both hidden & obvious, how the perpetrator frames you as the "bad" one, & the dynamic when children are involved.

Dr. Cocchiola's website, books, & links:

FRAMED Book: https://narcfreepress.com/

Website: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

Instagram: @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 40: "It Felt Like My Brain Was No Longer Mine" Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Sasha shares her story of how she found herself in an intense cycle of abuse with a man who claimed to be "trauma informed" and emotionally mature, but was actually abusing and causing massive confusion behind closed doors. We talk about feeling like they are your best friend and worst nightmare at the same time, how the stress of abuse affects your physical health, and why couples counseling can make matters worse.

Sasha's Website & Social Media:

www.OurSacredSpaceRiverside.com

Business Instagram: @OurSacredSpaceRiverside

Personal Instagram: @Lunallenawellness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 39 Psychological Abuse, Isolation, & Leaving with a Child Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, my guest Cory shares her abuse story about how she survived a cycle of fast love bombing, being hurt by the same person who "rescues you", how your body will start to reject them, and how she found the strength to leave with a young child.

Follow Cory's Instagram: @coryannmichel

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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