When Your Own Family Betrays You: The Breaking Point That Leads to No Contact

When Love Hurts: Inside I Love You, My Narcissist

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/fan_mail/new] When Love Hurts: Inside I Love You, My Narcissist In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, host Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with Ali and Stefanie Schmahl, the producers behind the powerful upcoming film I Love You, My Narcissist. Together, they explore the emotional complexity of loving someone whose behavior is manipulative, controlling, and deeply harmful. Allie and Stephanie share what inspired them to create the film and how their research into narcissistic dynamics led them to interview survivors and experts, including Dr. Ramani, one of the leading voices on narcissistic abuse. The film blends documentary insight with fictional storytelling to help audiences understand the patterns, confusion, and emotional impact that narcissistic relationships can create. During the conversation, they discuss the subtle warning signs of narcissistic abuse, why survivors often struggle to leave, and how manipulation, gaslighting, and power dynamics slowly erode a person’s sense of self. They also highlight why it’s important to challenge the myths surrounding survivors and recognize that narcissistic abuse can happen to anyone. This episode is a powerful reminder that survivors are not weak, that narcissistic abuse is often misunderstood, and that conversations like these help people finally put language to experiences they may have carried silently for years. Learn more about the film and upcoming release: Discount Streaming  https://tinyurl.com/Iloveyoumynarcissist [https://tinyurl.com/Iloveyoumynarcissist] Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fh6bzqrhYc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fh6bzqrhYc] Teaser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xjCWCuualc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xjCWCuualc] Film Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ilymn.film [https://www.facebook.com/ilymn.film] Film Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ilymn.film/ [https://www.instagram.com/ilymn.film/] Alefcine Production Company https://alefcinepictures.com/productions/ [https://alefcinepictures.com/productions/] Alefcine Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alefcinepictures/ [https://www.instagram.com/alefcinepictures/] Alefcine Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alefcinepictures [https://www.facebook.com/alefcinepictures] Beyond Mommy Dearest https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ [https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/] https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest [https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest] https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ [https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/] If this episode resonates with you, please follow, rate, and share the podcast so more survivors can find this space. And remember:  You’re not crazy. You’re not imagining things. And you’re not alone. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support]

Silence Was Survival Healing Became Her Voice - Barbara, Author of Spells for Surviving a Haunted Childhood

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/fan_mail/new] Silence Was Survival. Healing Became Her Voice. | Barbara, Author of Spells for Surviving a Haunted Childhood What happens when the secrets you've carried your entire life finally find their way onto the page? In this deeply moving episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with Barbara, author of the powerful trilogy Spells for Surviving a Haunted Childhood. Through a unique blend of memoir, poetry, magical realism, and healing practices, Barbara shares how writing helped her transform childhood trauma into a pathway toward healing. Together, they discuss childhood neglect, abandonment, emotional wounds, trauma recovery, nervous system healing, parenting after trauma, and the journey from surviving to thriving. Barbara opens up about growing up with a mother who literally left her for the circus, navigating abuse, carrying family secrets, and ultimately discovering that healing doesn't mean forgetting. It means learning how to live alongside your past without letting it define your future. In This Episode * Why silence becomes a survival strategy for traumatized children * How trauma physically impacts the body and nervous system * The healing power of writing, journaling, art, and storytelling * What a "haunted childhood" really looks like * Growing up feeling unseen, unheard, and alone * The difference between surviving and healing * Learning to identify and name emotions * Parenting after trauma and breaking generational cycles * Why healing is not linear * The impact of childhood abandonment and neglect * How awareness becomes the bridge between the haunted and the healer * The importance of finding safe people * Healing from complex trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) * Why survivors need spaces where they are believed Trigger Warning This episode includes discussions of: * Childhood abuse * Sexual abuse * Emotional abuse * Childhood neglect * Suicide attempts * Trauma and PTSD/C-PTSD * Mental health challenges Please listen at your own pace and prioritize your well-being. Connect with Barbara Follow Barbara on Instagram  Buy Barabara books Book 1 - https://amzn.to/49uI4Hs [https://amzn.to/49uI4Hs] Book 2 - https://amzn.to/4fN1I5d [https://amzn.to/4fN1I5d] Book 3 - https://amzn.to/4uysW4c [https://amzn.to/4uysW4c] https://canva.link/9volf8vn68ucp1g [https://canva.link/9volf8vn68ucp1g] - Feeling Wheel  https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean] - ACEs beyondmommydearest.com [http://beyondmommydearest.com/]  https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH [https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH] - Drop in Session - $19.99 https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ [https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/] https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest [https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest] https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ [https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/] Why Teens May (Temporarily) Push Their Parents Away - https://www.fosteringresilience.com/article/why-teens-may-temporarily-push-their-parents-away [https://www.fosteringresilience.com/article/why-teens-may-temporarily-push-their-parents-away] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support]

This Is Not In Your Head: The Neuroscience of Narcissistic Abuse

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/fan_mail/new] This Is Not In Your Head: The Neuroscience of Narcissistic Abuse In this deeply validating and eye-opening episode, Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with Meghan Woods, Licensed MFT, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II, and Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician, for a powerful conversation about the long-term impact of narcissistic abuse on the brain, nervous system, body, and identity. Together, they unpack why survivors often struggle to trust themselves, how gaslighting rewires the brain, and why narcissistic abuse is so much more than “just emotional abuse.” Meghan explains how trauma bonds mimic addiction through neurochemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, cortisol, and adrenaline, leaving survivors trapped in cycles of confusion, hypervigilance, dissociation, and self-doubt. This episode explores: * Why survivors often think they are the narcissist * How narcissistic abuse impacts the nervous system * Trauma bonds and the addiction-like cycle of abuse * Hypervigilance, dissociation, doomscrolling, and nervous system shutdown * The connection between trauma, autoimmune disease, shingles, stress, and chronic illness * Why healing is not linear * The difference between talking about trauma and actually processing it * EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) explained in accessible language * Why boundaries and no-contact can feel terrifying * How unresolved childhood trauma shows up in adult romantic relationships * The importance of rebuilding self-trust and listening to your gut * Healthy communication, nervous system regulation, and “take a break” techniques for couples * Why narcissistic abuse survivors are not weak, broken, or “too sensitive” “This is not in your head. This is physiological. This is neurological. This is psychological.” Whether you’re healing from a narcissistic parent, romantic partner, workplace, or high-control environment, this episode offers validation, education, and hope. Meghan Woods is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II, and Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician specializing in trauma recovery, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and narcissistic abuse treatment. She is the founder of Connecting Pathways Trauma & Marriage Therapy Inc. and works with clients navigating trauma, attachment wounds, narcissistic abuse recovery, and nervous system healing. Learn more about Meghan and her work at: Connecting Pathways Trauma & Marriage Therapy Inc. [https://www.connectingpathwaysemdr.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://www.instagram.com/mwoodslmft/ [https://www.instagram.com/mwoodslmft/] Connect With Beyond Mommy Dearest Beyond Mommy Dearest  beyondmommydearest.com [http://beyondmommydearest.com/]  https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH [https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH] - Drop in Session - $19.99 https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ [https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/] https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest [https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest] https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ [https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/] Used in this episode  Noelani’s Cup - https://amzn.to/3RlHA05 [https://amzn.to/3RlHA05] Heating Pad - https://shop.madeinsantacruz.com/page7.html [https://shop.madeinsantacruz.com/page7.html] Axolotl Squishy Stress Relief Toy Glitter - https://amzn.to/4doyisK [https://amzn.to/4doyisK] If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this conversation today. Healing happens in community. 💛 Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support]

The Hidden Connections Between Cult Leaders and Narcissistic Mothers and the similar playbook they use

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/fan_mail/new] What do cult leaders and narcissistic mothers have in common? More than most people realize. In this gripping episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with Mark Vicente for a powerful conversation about narcissistic abuse, coercive control, cult psychology, trauma bonds, and the shocking similarities between cult leaders and narcissistic family systems. Mark shares how his experience inside a manipulative organization led him to become obsessed with understanding narcissism and emotional control. What began as a search for answers eventually became the foundation for The Narcissist Playbook, where he interviewed self-confessed narcissists in an attempt to finally understand the mindset behind manipulation, gaslighting, shame, and coercive control. Noelani and Mark unpack the eerie parallels between cult leaders and narcissistic mothers, including: * Love bombing and emotional conditioning * Data mining and psychological manipulation * Trauma bonding and control * Gaslighting and self-doubt * Shame as a weapon * Idealism and exploitation * Why survivors blame themselves * Why narcissists target empathetic people * The connection between cults and family systems * Healing from narcissistic abuse * Learning to trust yourself again * Why boundaries are essential for survival They also discuss the emotional aftermath of leaving manipulative systems, the grief that comes with realizing you were psychologically controlled, and how healing often requires rebuilding your relationship with yourself from the ground up. This episode is validating, emotional, eye-opening, and deeply important for anyone recovering from narcissistic abuse, toxic family dynamics, coercive control, or cult-like relationships. If you’ve ever asked yourself:  “How did I not see it?”  “Why do narcissists all operate the same way?”  “Why do I still feel trapped emotionally?”  “Why does this feel so similar to a cult?” This episode is for you. The Narcissitic Playbook  Make a donation and get a early screening, May 30  https://tinyurl.com/NarcissistsPlaybookNPH [https://tinyurl.com/NarcissistsPlaybookNPH] The Vow - Learn more about NXIVM  https://tinyurl.com/TheVowHBO  Connect with Mark  http://instagram.com/markvicente [http://instagram.com/markvicente] - Instagram https://www.markvicente.com [https://www.markvicente.com] - Website https://tinyurl.com/WhatTheBleepDoWeKnowBMD [https://tinyurl.com/WhatTheBleepDoWeKnowBMD] - What the Bleep Do we Know?  The Movie Beyond Mommy Dearest  beyondmommydearest.com [http://beyondmommydearest.com]  https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH [https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH] - Drop in Session - $19.99 https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ [https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/] https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest [https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest] https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ [https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support]

Coercive Control, Narcissism & Trauma Bonds: How Emotional Abuse Rewires Your Reality

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/fan_mail/new] What happens when love, manipulation, control, and confusion all exist in the same relationship? In this deeply validating episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with counselor and criminologist Shalina Lodhia to unpack the hidden realities of narcissism, coercive control, intergenerational trauma, and emotional abuse. Together, they explore how subtle manipulation slowly erodes self-trust, why survivors often blame themselves, and how the body keeps score long after the abuse begins. Shalina shares how her own lived experience witnessing domestic violence and coercive control in her South Asian community led her into counseling and advocacy work. The conversation dives into trauma bonds, gaslighting, narcissistic family systems, emotional invalidation, and the exhausting cognitive dissonance survivors experience when kindness and cruelty coexist in the same relationship. This episode also explores: * The connection between narcissism and coercive control * Why survivors constantly question themselves * The subtle signs of emotional abuse most people miss * How trauma shows up physically in the body * Why self-blame becomes a survival mechanism * The difference between healthy conflict and manipulation * The long-term effects of chronic emotional stress * Why narcissists rarely seek therapy * How to begin rebuilding self-trust after abuse * The importance of journaling and external anchors * Why healing starts with internal validation We discuss cultural silence around abuse in Filipino, South Asian, and immigrant communities, and why these conversations are critical for breaking intergenerational cycles. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering:  “Is it me?”  “Am I overreacting?”  “Why do I feel anxious all the time around this person?” This episode is for you.    https://www.instagram.com/counsellorshalina [https://www.instagram.com/counsellorshalina] https://www.facebook.com/counsellorshalinalodhia/ [https://www.facebook.com/counsellorshalinalodhia/] https://tr.ee/SxQNVoVxt9 [https://tr.ee/SxQNVoVxt9] - Free Guide: Narcissism & Coercive Control Beyond Mommy Dearest  beyondmommydearest.com [http://beyondmommydearest.com]  https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH [https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH] - Drop in Session - $19.99 https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ [https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/] https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest [https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest] https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ [https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support]