Why You Keep Loving the Wrong People

Why You Keep Loving the Wrong People

Why do smart, empathic people keep ending up in emotionally painful relationships? In this first episode of 2026,  I unpack why loving the wrong people isn’t a flaw — it’s conditioning. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) I speak candidly about narcissistic relationships, emotional control, trauma bonding, and why hope keeps people stuck long after clarity arrives. This episode is for anyone who has loved deeply, doubted themselves, and wondered how they lost their sense of self along the way. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367703/support] Need Support, Extra Resources?   Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here [https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/counselling-services/]      Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here [https://mybook.to/F3gm]  You can leave a Rating and a Review  here [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/fake-love-and-flying-monkeys-5748098]    You Can Share this Podcast  here [https://apple.co/3XRRSp3] Join me on FB  here [https://www.facebook.com/NovaGibsonNarcissisticAbuseExpert] Join the private FB group  here [https://www.facebook.com/share/FB1yFZn52HypJo7a/?mibextid=A7sQZp] Join me on Instagram   here [https://www.instagram.com/novas_narcissistabuse_recovery/?hl=en]  Join me on YouTube  here [https://www.youtube.com/@novagibson_]  Want to support the channel? Please Buy me a coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/novagibson] ❤️ Thank you for listening!   Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host. Nova xx

When Narcissistic Abuse and Coercive Control Turn Dangerous

Trigger warning: Abuse doesn’t always start with obvious violence — it often begins with intimidation, manipulation, and control. The slammed fist into the wall beside your head, a plate hurled that just misses, your car blocked in so you can’t leave, or the threat of suicide if you try to walk away. These are deliberate tactics designed to dominate, silence, and keep you trapped in fear. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) Many victims minimise these behaviours, telling themselves “at least they didn’t hit me.” But coercive control is abuse, and when it escalates, the danger becomes very real.  This episode is validating, emotional, and at times confronting. It sheds light on the insidious ways narcissists create dominance and control through fear — and what it feels like to live under that constant threat.  Order my book here 👇https://mybook.to/F3gm If you’ve ever questioned whether what you’re experiencing “counts” as abuse, I want you to know this: coercive control is abuse, and it can become dangerous. Your story matters, and your safety matters. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367703/support] Need Support, Extra Resources?   Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here [https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/counselling-services/]      Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here [https://mybook.to/F3gm]  You can leave a Rating and a Review  here [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/fake-love-and-flying-monkeys-5748098]    You Can Share this Podcast  here [https://apple.co/3XRRSp3] Join me on FB  here [https://www.facebook.com/NovaGibsonNarcissisticAbuseExpert] Join the private FB group  here [https://www.facebook.com/share/FB1yFZn52HypJo7a/?mibextid=A7sQZp] Join me on Instagram   here [https://www.instagram.com/novas_narcissistabuse_recovery/?hl=en]  Join me on YouTube  here [https://www.youtube.com/@novagibson_]  Want to support the channel? Please Buy me a coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/novagibson] ❤️ Thank you for listening!   Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host. Nova xx

The Narcissist’s Breaking Point: When You’re Gone for Good

For a narcissist, the most terrifying moment isn’t when you argue, fight, or even walk out the door. Their real breaking point comes when they finally realise you are never coming back. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) In this episode of Fake Love and Flying I explore the collapse of the narcissist’s carefully constructed world when they lose control over you. What does that breaking point actually look like from their side?  I unpack: ✅️How narcissists sense when they’ve truly lost their grip ✅️Why love-bombing, begging, and false promises intensify when you won’t budge ✅️The terrifying rage and character assassinations that surface when charm fails ✅️The emptiness and collapse they face when their supply is permanently cut off If you’ve ever wondered why it feels so hard to leave, or what happens when you finally stand your ground, this episode is for you! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367703/support] Need Support, Extra Resources?   Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here [https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/counselling-services/]      Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here [https://mybook.to/F3gm]  You can leave a Rating and a Review  here [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/fake-love-and-flying-monkeys-5748098]    You Can Share this Podcast  here [https://apple.co/3XRRSp3] Join me on FB  here [https://www.facebook.com/NovaGibsonNarcissisticAbuseExpert] Join the private FB group  here [https://www.facebook.com/share/FB1yFZn52HypJo7a/?mibextid=A7sQZp] Join me on Instagram   here [https://www.instagram.com/novas_narcissistabuse_recovery/?hl=en]  Join me on YouTube  here [https://www.youtube.com/@novagibson_]  Want to support the channel? Please Buy me a coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/novagibson] ❤️ Thank you for listening!   Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host. Nova xx

Covert Narcissist Friends: There's never just ONE narcissist Around You!

Ever wondered why some friendships leave you feeling drained, anxious, or doubting yourself? It might not be you — it could be a covert narcissist hiding in plain sight. In this episode, we dive into the subtle but serious dangers of having a covert narcissist friend. (For 1 on 1 online counselling in your own toxic relationship/narcissistic abuse recovery please visit my website at https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/online-counselling-services/ ) You’ll also learn about the infamous “flying monkey” effect — when narcissists recruit others in your social circle to do their emotional dirty work — and how it can leave you feeling isolated and confused. We share relatable examples of how covert narcissists operate, the emotional toll they take, and why it’s so hard to spot them until the damage is done. 👇 You can order my book here       https://mybook.to/F3gm If you’ve ever felt drained, manipulated, or unsure about a friendship, this episode will give you clarity, validation, and practical guidance. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367703/support] Need Support, Extra Resources?   Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here [https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/counselling-services/]      Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here [https://mybook.to/F3gm]  You can leave a Rating and a Review  here [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/fake-love-and-flying-monkeys-5748098]    You Can Share this Podcast  here [https://apple.co/3XRRSp3] Join me on FB  here [https://www.facebook.com/NovaGibsonNarcissisticAbuseExpert] Join the private FB group  here [https://www.facebook.com/share/FB1yFZn52HypJo7a/?mibextid=A7sQZp] Join me on Instagram   here [https://www.instagram.com/novas_narcissistabuse_recovery/?hl=en]  Join me on YouTube  here [https://www.youtube.com/@novagibson_]  Want to support the channel? Please Buy me a coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/novagibson] ❤️ Thank you for listening!   Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host. Nova xx

You Might Be in a Narcissistic Relationship If..…

Ever find yourself constantly second-guessing your reality, apologising for things you didn’t do, or walking on eggshells to avoid someone’s anger? These are not just “relationship problems” — they may be signs you’re caught in the cycle of narcissistic abuse. (For 1:1 online counselling/support in healing from and understanding your own toxic relationship please visit my website at www.brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au) In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I break down the red flags that often go unnoticed until it’s too late. From subtle gaslighting to love bombing, manipulation, silent treatments, and emotional withdrawal, I’ll walk you through the patterns that reveal whether your partner, friend, or even family member might be a narcissist. Narcissists thrive on confusion — but once you start seeing clearly, you reclaim your power. Order my best-selling book,  Fake Love,  here https://mybook.to/F3gm If you feel like you’re losing yourself in love, it’s not love — it’s control. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367703/support] Need Support, Extra Resources?   Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here [https://brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au/counselling-services/]      Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here [https://mybook.to/F3gm]  You can leave a Rating and a Review  here [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/fake-love-and-flying-monkeys-5748098]    You Can Share this Podcast  here [https://apple.co/3XRRSp3] Join me on FB  here [https://www.facebook.com/NovaGibsonNarcissisticAbuseExpert] Join the private FB group  here [https://www.facebook.com/share/FB1yFZn52HypJo7a/?mibextid=A7sQZp] Join me on Instagram   here [https://www.instagram.com/novas_narcissistabuse_recovery/?hl=en]  Join me on YouTube  here [https://www.youtube.com/@novagibson_]  Want to support the channel? Please Buy me a coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/novagibson] ❤️ Thank you for listening!   Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host. Nova xx