Your Traitor Within

Your Traitor Within: I Love You My Narcissist with Ali & Stefanie Schmahl

In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with filmmaker Ali Schmahl and actress/producer Stefanie Schmahl to discuss their psychological drama I Love You My Narcissist, a film exploring the devastating emotional impact of narcissistic relationships and the patterns that keep people trapped inside them. Through fictional storytelling grounded in real psychological dynamics, the film follows two survivors navigating manipulation, trauma bonding, emotional confusion, and the long process of reclaiming themselves. Jessica, Ali, and Stefanie discuss the importance of bringing narcissistic abuse “out of the darkness,” how film can help people recognize patterns they may not yet have language for, and why emotionally immersive storytelling can sometimes educate more powerfully than direct instruction. The conversation also explores narcissistic family systems, emotional conditioning, self-abandonment, and the role of the Traitor Within in keeping survivors stuck in painful cycles. About Ali Schmahl:  Ali Schmahl is a Berlin-based filmmaker, director, writer, and producer known for socially conscious and character-driven films. His work has screened at more than 80 international film festivals and received over 45 awards. His debut documentary Privileg explored gender identity and the challenges faced by the transgender community, and his latest feature I Love You My Narcissist combines psychological depth with cinematic storytelling to examine narcissistic abuse and its impact on survivors. About Stefanie Schmahl:  Stefanie Schmahl studied acting at the renowned William Esper Studio in New York City before returning to Germany to pursue work as an actor and producer. Her short film Anniversary screened at over 20 film festivals and earned multiple awards, including six Best Actress honors. Through I Love You My Narcissist, she continues exploring emotionally complex storytelling centered around trauma, relationships, and healing. Where to Find Them:  Instagram: @ilymn.film Watch I Love You My Narcissist:  Use Jessica Anne Pressler’s exclusive link below for 15% off streaming access to the film:  https://stream.alefcinestream.com/buy/i-love-you-my-narcissist?code=jessicap1 [https://stream.alefcinestream.com/buy/i-love-you-my-narcissist?code=jessicap1] Listen to Your Traitor Within:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-traitor-within/id1797804404 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-traitor-within/id1797804404] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2454520/support]

Your Traitor Within: From Delusional to Discerning

In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Erika Fracassa, creator of Delusional to Discerning, to explore the confusion, cognitive dissonance, and emotional chaos that often exist inside narcissistic relationships. After spending 15 years in a relationship that left her questioning her own reality, Erika now helps others reconnect with their intuition and rebuild self-trust through education, pattern recognition, and radical honesty. Together, Jessica and Erika discuss trauma bonds, narcissistic supply, gaslighting, self-abandonment, and the role of the Traitor Within in keeping people stuck in unhealthy dynamics. They also explore the grief that comes with radical acceptance, why healing is not linear, and how rebuilding self-trust becomes the foundation for lasting change. This conversation is deeply personal, educational, and validating for anyone who has ever felt confused inside a relationship that slowly disconnected them from themselves. About Erika Fracassa: Erika Fracassa is the creator of Delusional to Discerning, a platform dedicated to helping people make sense of confusing relationship dynamics and reconnect with their own clarity. Through her content, coaching, and growing online community, Erika helps others move from confusion to discernment by breaking down patterns people can finally recognize and trust. Where to Find Erika Fracassa: Instagram: @delusionaltodiscerning Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2454520/support]

Your Traitor Within: Amy Watkins LPC has a Scapegoat Reset

In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with therapist, speaker, and author Amy Watkins to explore how childhood conditioning shapes the way we move through relationships, identity, and self-worth. Amy shares her deeply personal story of growing up in a high-control religious environment, surviving sexual abuse, and learning how the coping mechanisms that once kept her safe became the “Traitor Within” patterns that followed her into adulthood. Together, Jessica and Amy discuss trauma bonding, people-pleasing, religious shame, dissociation, narcissistic family systems, and the painful but transformative process of finally choosing yourself. They also explore what healing actually feels like—not just intellectually understanding your patterns, but experiencing safety in the body for the first time. About Amy Watkins:Amy Watkins, LPC, is a therapist, speaker, and author helping people uncover childhood patterns, break toxic cycles, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Her upcoming memoir Performing Normal is set for release in August. She is also the creator of the Scapegoat Reset coaching program. Where to Find Amy Watkins:Instagram: @gods.favorite.problemWebsite: https://scapegoatreset.com/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2454520/support]

Your Traitor Within: Unlocking Radiant Self-Worth with Victoria Lynn PonTell

In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Victoria Lynn PonTell, speaker, mentor, and creator of the 7 Keys to Unlocking Your Radiant Beauty. Together, they explore the concept of the Traitor Within and how patterns like self-doubt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and inner criticism keep women disconnected from their true selves. Victoria shares her personal journey of overcoming these patterns and how she now helps others reclaim their confidence and self-worth. This conversation focuses on emotional resilience, mindset shifts, and the process of moving from self-betrayal to self-trust—highlighting how true transformation begins when you stop abandoning yourself and start choosing your own truth. About Victoria Lynn PonTell: Victoria Lynn PonTell is a speaker, mentor, and creator of the 7 Keys to Unlocking Your Radiant Beauty. Her work focuses on helping women overcome self-sabotage, build confidence, and reconnect with their authentic sense of self through practical tools and mindset transformation.  The Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F22MSQBN [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F22MSQBN]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyuRk0BMf-A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyuRk0BMf-A]  Website: https://victorialynnpontell.com [https://victorialynnpontell.com]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorialynnpontell-3a9400376/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorialynnpontell-3a9400376/]  Instagram: @victorialynnpontell Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2454520/support]

Your Traitor Within: Rewiring Trauma Bonds with Carissa Brockman

In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Carissa Brockman, Canadian Certified Counsellor and trauma-trained somatic therapist, to explore the deeper psychological and nervous system patterns behind trauma bonds and narcissistic relationships. Carissa shares her personal story of being in an abusive relationship while studying to become a therapist, and how cognitive dissonance, early belief systems, and the nervous system keep people stuck even when they “know” something is wrong. Together, they unpack how the Traitor Within forms, why survivors stay, and why leaving is only the beginning of the healing process. The conversation also dives into attraction patterns, self-abandonment, and how to rebuild a sense of self, safety, and identity after abuse. About Carissa Brockman: Carissa Brockman is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, trauma-trained somatic therapist, and specialist in narcissistic abuse recovery and complex PTSD. Her work is deeply informed by her own lived experience, and she now helps others reclaim their reality and rewire their nervous systems for healthy love. Where to Find Carissa Brockman: Website: www.carissabrockman.com [http://www.carissabrockman.com] Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @soulfully_embodied Masterclass Bundle:  https://carissa-brockman-0276.mykajabi.com/masterclass-bundle [https://carissa-brockman-0276.mykajabi.com/masterclass-bundle] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2454520/support]