This episode features Chelsey Brooke Cole LPC-MHSP, CPTT, RPT, Psychotherapist, Certified Partner Trauma Therapist, Registered Play Therapist, Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 Certified, Speaker, Author & Coach, who had one too many personal experiences with narcissists before becoming a NARCISSIST EXPERT. Chelsey walks us through what a narcissist is, the 6 different types of narcissism, the ingredients of narcissistic abuse, what motivates narcissists, and most importantly how to spot the signs of a narcissistic relationship.

Imagine calling your engagement off just 8 days before your wedding, because the person you thought you knew is turning out to be someone very different. In this episode, I interview Sara Lewis Gonzalez, who's story of being engaged to someone with sociopathic traits went viral on the Something Was Wrong Podcast. Now, a happily married Sara hosts her own podcast, Space & Purpose, where she interviews other women about their toxic relationship experiences. Our discussion covers common tactics that entangle women in toxic relationships and how to heal enough to find "the one."

This week, I interview Dr. Julia Britz, ND- a licensed doctor of naturopathic medicine. She specializes in mental health, and treats conditions like anxiety, disordered eating and psych med discontinuation. And, she has a toxic relationship story of her own. Through her personal story and clinical experience, Dr. Julia helps us understand why toxic relationships feel so addictive and how we can be empathic and still have boundaries.

This week, I’m joined by Kristin Cunningham, the Acne NP, to talk about ADULTERY. Kristin shares her vulnerable experience of discovering her husband was cheating on her, shortly after finding out she was pregnant with their third child. We break down signs that he might be cheating and tackle juicy topics like surviving the shame of divorce in a religious community, purity culture, and porn in marriage. We also talk about the role of religion in keeping women stuck in abuse and reconciling faith with betrayal and forgiveness. But, there is a happy ending that will give you hope.

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Aubrey Redinger, mental health clinician & assistant director of the renown Townsend Institute, who tells us everything we need to know about toxic relationships. We discuss why the label “toxic” isn’t always helpful, how life experiences like growing up in small town culture & divorce in Aubrey’s family of origin impacted what she was attracted to, and how we can grow beyond the fireworks of toxic relationships to appreciating the security (and sometimes boredom) of healthy relationships.

Today, I’m joined by author & podcast host Tiffany Cepeda to discuss how childhood trauma impacts romantic attraction. Tiffany shares vulnerably about her first marriage- the signs she missed, the porn that was a problem, & the divorce she never saw coming. She also talks about learning to set healthy boundaries that led her to her current husband.

Today I’m joined by entrepreneur podcast host Jana Wollesen. She shares of her journey navigating toxic relationship cycles and how untrue beliefs about her worth led to her date people she didn’t pick, pick people who violated her, and allow destructive behaviors to perpetuate in her relationships. We cover vulnerable topics like getting raped by a partner, physical abuse, and the spiritual dynamics behind toxic relationships. Finally, Jana shares about her process healing to pick a partner from a place of fullness instead of fear.

This week, I’m joined by criminal psychologist Nelson Cepeda, who shares his incredible story of falling prey to toxic & physically abusive relationships, not once, but 3 times. He shares what the mind of an abuser is like, from his criminal psych perspective, how childhood trauma creates addiction circuits, & the role of gender in abusive relationships.

On this bonus episode of season 1, I sit down with my mom to dissect why so many of the women I interviewed this season had religious reasons for staying stuck in toxic relationships. We dive into the common religious teachings that convince women God wants them to stay in harmful relationships and what those teachings actually mean!

With decades of experience as a Bible teacher & prison chaplain, my mom was truly the best person I could think of to talk about the Bible to people who may not believe in it or be familiar with it. Because whether you believe the Bible or not, the cultural constructs about gender that have been inspired by its teachings (for better or for worse), affect us all!

My mom isn’t active on Instagram but I know she’d love you to check out her work with the non-profit Healthbridge Global. 

On the Season 1 finale episode, I’m going through medically recognized signs of emotional abuse, through the story of my relationship with the infamous Kyle. When I was dating Kyle, I had no idea that these behaviors were emotional abuse or that they were medically recognize warning signs of physical abuse. Almost every woman I know has been on the receiving end of at least one of these behaviors but they get lost in the highs and lows of toxic relationships. Today we are unpacking them & learning how to recognize them.

In this episode, I’m joined by somatic sex & relationships coach and host of Her Sacred Sexuality Podcast, Bethany Phillips. We discuss hidden barriers that keep women from having fulfilling & pleasurable intimacy. Topics we cover include:

• How hookup and commodity culture take away from amazing physical intimacy

• Dissociated sex

• what the wounded feminine is and how it shows up in relationship

• Physical relationship 🚩🚩

• How toxic relationships shut down women’s sexual essence

You can follow Bethany at @hersacredsexuality

TW: Near Death, Suicide, & other traumatic experiences

Today, I am talking to the "Trauma Mamma"- Lisa Larson, LMFT. Lisa explains why trauma isn't what you think it is, how your body is storing it to keep you stuck, & signs you might have trauma in your nervous system you don't even know about! We also discuss how brainspotting & EMDR therapies can help & tackle relationship topics like how to stay sane in a toxic relationship and how our bodies can tell us if someone is safe or not.

You can follow Lisa and check out the many amazing resources she provided us with here:

IG: @traumamama_lisalarson

TW: Domestic Abuse, Substance Abuse, Suicidal Ideation, Death.

Today, I'm talking to a Aaliyah Gann- a mother, digital creator & domestic abuse survivor. She shares her bone chilling story as well as her unique perspective on healing from toxic relationships- the necessity of forgiveness. Some topics we cover you won't want to miss include:

• How her toxic relationship was a repeating pattern of childhood relationships

• What is FUTURE FAKING & how it caused Aaliyah to get stuck in a toxic place

• How God feels about women getting out of unsafe situations

• How to forgive

• How Aaliyah found herself first, then a new marriage with a safe person

Make sure to follow Aaliyah @mrsliyagann

Today, I’m joined by Mary Margaret Overby—a writer, speaker, mini blogger, and content creator passionate about helping women thrive in singleness and relationships. In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest secrets to healthy relationships: staying true to yourself.

Together, we explore: ✅ How to date and be single with purpose ✅ The difference between connection vs. compatibility ✅ Common dating mistakes that lead to heartbreak ✅ How to break up with someone you never even dated ...and more!

Whether you’re single and waiting, navigating a breakup or divorce, or feeling lost in your relationship, this episode is for you!

Make sure to follow Mary Margaret on instagram @mary.margaret.overby

Narcissistic relationships aren’t just romantic—or just with men. Today, I’m joined by Chelsey Brooke Cole, LPC-MHSP, CPTT, RPT, bestselling author and narcissism expert, to unpack how I went from dating a narcissistic straight into a female narcissistic friendship. In this episode, we break down:

🔥 The subtle red flags of female narcissists
🔥 How narcissism shows up in friendships
🔥 Psychological tactics like DARVO & Grey Rock
🔥 Why flying monkeys keep you trapped
🔥 How to protect yourself from toxic entanglements

 If you’ve ever felt confused, drained, or manipulated by a friendship, this episode is for you! Make sure to follow Chelsey on Instagram @chelseybrookecole