Episodes

Rose grew up in abuse, built her own independence, and fell in love with a man who slowly took everything — her money, her confidence, and her sense of self. It’s a story of shame, financial abuse, coercive control, and reclaiming autonomy after years of manipulation.

In this re-release episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon and his old pal Melissa listen to unsent 'Letters To My Narcissist' that they received from a handful of courageous narcissistic abuse survivors. It's an emotional roller coaster of an episode that will make you laugh and cry, with some goosebumps in between. Prepare to be impacted. CONTENT WARNING - Some letters discuss sexual assault and child abuse Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an ema...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we explore how gaslighting turns inward, becoming self-gaslighting that dismantles confidence, identity, and self-trust. Gaslighting doesn’t just distort reality — it slowly erodes who you believe you are.

In this educational episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we break down the patterns of coercive control present in Mackenzie’s survivor story and explore how abuse can exist without physical violence or visible injuries. Using Mackenzie’s experience as a framework, we examine how control develops gradually, how trust and autonomy are eroded over time, and why coercive control is often difficult to recognize while you’re living inside it. This episode focuses on how manipulation hides behind care, ...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon speaks with Mackenzie, a survivor of nearly 27 years of coercive control and emotional abuse within her marriage. What began in high school as devotion and care slowly became a war fought quietly at home—marked by fear, obligation, guilt, and the constant management of another person’s moods. Mackenzie describes how control tightened over time through emotional manipulation, financial power imbalances, isolation, and escalating volatility, leavi...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon talks with High Conflict Divorce Expert, Jody Willson Pasicznyk, about high conflict divorce, attorney management, the litigation process, and story telling.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon Chadwick discusses "weaponized incompetence" in relationships, where one partner consistently fails at tasks to shift responsibility to the other, leading to exhaustion and control. Survivors often manage household chores, finances, and emotional labor, while abusers claim incompetence. The episode aims to provide language and understanding for survivors, emphasizing that this manipulation is not their fault.

In this educational reflection episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon revisits Wednesday’s survivor story and breaks down the patterns of grooming, manipulation, and coercive control that shaped her experience with an abusive college professor. What began as attention and support slowly evolved into gaslighting, rage, sexual coercion, isolation, and the erosion of self-trust. This follow-up explores how early family boundary violations and people-pleasing conditioned Wednesday to take on res...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Wednesday shares her journey of being groomed into an abusive relationship and the long road toward recognizing manipulation, control, and exploitation. Entering the relationship at a young age, Wednesday was slowly conditioned through attention, affection, and psychological grooming that evolved into isolation, coercive control, and escalating emotional and psychological abuse. What began as seeming care and guidance gradually transformed into dominatio...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Lynn tells her story of coming to terms that what she dealt with was emotional abuse. Like many, it's hard to tell what is and what isn't abuse, especially if it's been normalized or you don't think it's 'bad enough'. Lynn didn't think the patronizing micro-management she received warranted leaving her 25+ year marriage to a bullying Mr. Right. He was a master at stretching Lynn to her limits, only to let go so the cycles could restart again. It's a sto...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we welcome back Daniel, a survivor guest who first shared his story in June 2024. Daniel returns to reflect on what healing has looked like since then, as he continues recovering from abuse by his narcissistic father. Daniel talks openly about emotional suppression, CPTSD, people-pleasing, and the coping strategies he developed to survive—and how those same strategies began to limit him in adulthood. He explores what it means to honor his authentic self...

In this Narcissist Apocalypse reflection episode, we return to Kris’s survivor story to explore what it means to live in the fog of fear, obligation, and guilt. We look at how these forces quietly keep survivors tethered long after the abuse, and why clarity often comes slowly, not all at once. This episode is about naming what lingered — and beginning to loosen its hold. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ o...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Kris shares her journey of surviving childhood trauma and escaping an abusive relationship with a narcissistic partner. Growing up in a chaotic household with an authoritarian father, Kris learned early on to seek external validation and to read the moods of those around her for survival. These patterns primed her for manipulation, and when she met her future husband as a teenager, she became entangled in an isolating, controlling relationship marked by ...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon Chadwick and Susie Wendel discuss the importance of going no contact with an abuser, emphasizing the need to break the trauma bond. Susie highlights the significance of healing, gaining clarity, and regulating the nervous system. They address common challenges like fear, obligation, and guilt, and stress the importance of preparing mentally and emotionally.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Mildred shares her story of abuse, starting with her abusive childhood and learning how to 'fix people'. Mildred details her tumultuous relationship with her abusive partner, including his substance abuse, emotional instability, physical intimidation, erratic behavior, minimization of feelings, and taking zero responsibility around the home. Despite these hardships, Mildred pursued her career and achieved financial independence. However, tough choices ne...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Bobby Thrasher, a lawyer specializing in child sexual abuse, discussed the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Missouri, which operated from 2006 to 2020. The ranch, which promised reform and education, was revealed to be a site of severe abuse and neglect. Thrasher highlighted the lack of oversight and accreditation in such institutions, especially those with religious components. He emphasized the need for legislative changes, including extending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. Thrasher also shared insights on supporting survivors, advocating for legal reforms, and the challenges of dealing with institutional abuse.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon discusses the things abuse survivors have lost from narcissistic abuse and the therapy modalities to help get some of these things back. Brandon delves into the loss of self, self-worth, self-confidence, emotional stability, financial stability, possessions, trust, family, friends, children, sanity, security, boundaries, innocence, happiness, self-respect, reputation, sleep, hobbies, interests, feelings, health, and much more.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Myrtle shares her experience of being in a toxic relationship with a projecting abuser. Growing up in a single-parent household, Myrtle met her partner and was immediately attracted to his charm and ambition. However, his behavior became erratic, marked by double standards, nitpicking, putdowns, marked lies, manipulation, and emotional abuse tactics. Despite his promises of a shared future, Myrtle’s ex became more distant, leading to infidelity, and a ha...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Louise shares her story about being married to a controlling abuser. Louise dealt with verbal, emotional, and financial abuse from her husband for 25 years. She no longer knew who she was. To make matters worse, she was gaslighting her children about their dad, and at the same time, she was being alienated from them as well. The transformation Louise makes to prove to herself that she is not what her husband and, eventually, her kids, said she was is tru...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Mabel shares her experience of being in a manipulative relationship with a narcissistic abuser. Mabel met her abuser at a bar and was initially intrigued by his boldness. Despite his persistent boundary violations, Mabel was drawn in by his love bombing and mirroring of her interests. Over time, Mabel's abuser gaslit her, made her feel guilty, and manipulated her into staying. Mabel's story highlights the emotional abuse, guilt, and manipulation she endu...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Clementine about her abusive relationship with an altruistic narcissist. Clementine was a cancer survivor who fell in love with a cancer organization leader, only to find out that he was nothing like the altruistic person he portrayed in public. It’s a story of neurodivergency, sexual assault, infidelity, making yourself small, hoovering, and financial abuse, attachment disorders, depersonalization, compartmentalization, guilt, breadcr...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Megan's survivor story pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities of coping with physical and emotional abuse, as well as navigating the murky waters of post-separation abuse. Megan experienced smear campaigns, putdowns, physical abuse, gaslighting, psychological control tactics, and the use of her daughter as a tool of manipulation. Plus, Megan explores the complexities and frustrations of co-parenting with a manipulative abuser. *** CONTENT WARNING...

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon discusses the top 10 exploitation's of cultural norms and expectations that abusers use to justify their abuse. The norms and expectations discussed in this episode are gender roles, body standards, family honor, parental authority, loyalty, divorce, privacy, forgiveness, hospitality, and religious doctrine.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A, Brandon talks with Dr. Christine Cocchiola & Amy Polacko about their new and important book 'Framed: Women In The Family Court Underworld'. Our conversation centers around the struggles of mothers facing abuse in family court, with a focus on validating experiences through the reading of survivor stories and enacting change. Dr. Christine Cocchiola & Amy Polacko also give some personal insights and strategies for navigating family courts, highlighting the importance of advocacy and education to create a more comprehensive approach in the legal system.