Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast

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]

Male Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Story: Covert Narcissist Wife, Gaslighting, Financial Abuse & Smear Campaigns

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/fan_mail/new] Male Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Story: Covert Narcissist Wife,  Gaslighting, Financial  Abuse & Smear Campaigns 🎙️ Abuse has no gender. In this powerful episode of the Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast, Noelani sits down with Doug Buggle, featured in The Narcissist Playbook, to talk about surviving covert narcissistic abuse, navigating the aftermath of psychological manipulation, and rebuilding self-trust after years of emotional chaos. Doug shares his firsthand experience of being married to a covert narcissist, the confusion and trauma that followed, and the difficult journey through divorce and healing. Together, they unpack the difference between toxic relationships and true narcissistic abuse, how trauma impacts the nervous system, and why survivors often question their own reality long after the relationship ends. The conversation also explores co-parenting, emotional safety, gaslighting, recovery, and what healthy relationships can actually look like after surviving abuse. This episode is a reminder that survivors come in all genders and healing is possible. ✨ Topics Include: • Covert narcissistic abuse • Male survivors of abuse • Gaslighting and psychological manipulation • Trauma and nervous system responses • Co-parenting after toxic relationships • Rebuilding self-trust • Healing from emotional abuse • What healthy conflict looks like 🎧 New episode drops Friday. Doug's Book - https://amzn.to/4dhDnSr Doug's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dougbuggle/ [https://www.instagram.com/dougbuggle/] Beyond Mommy Dearest - https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ [https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/] The Narcissist's Playbook purchase film - https://www.narcissistsplaybook.com/short-trailer-landing-page?utm_source=weeks_aff_hernandez [https://www.narcissistsplaybook.com/short-trailer-landing-page?utm_source=weeks_aff_hernandez] Heal with Beyond Mommy Dearest -  https://www.beyondmommydearest.org/monthlysupport [https://www.beyondmommydearest.org/monthlysupport] This episode's sponsored by https://thehappycannabus.com [https://thehappycannabus.com] Promo code BMD20 Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support]

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

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/fan_mail/new] When Your Own Family Betrays You: The Breaking Point That Leads to No Contact In this episode, we’re talking about the kind of betrayal that changes everything. Joy shares the moment she uprooted her life to take care of her family… only to be discarded without warning. No conversation. No accountability. Just a notice on her door giving her 30 days to leave. This isn’t just about conflict.    This is about calculated harm, control, and the reality of what happens when narcissistic family dynamics reach a breaking point. We also dive into:  • What it feels like to be used and then discarded  • The guilt of being “the only one left” to take care of your parents  • How narcissistic parents rewrite reality to justify their behavior  • The moment clarity hits and you finally say, “I’m done”  • What it takes to start healing after deep betrayal This episode is raw, honest, and validating for anyone who has ever questioned their reality or stayed too long out of guilt. Key Takeaways: * Betrayal from family hits differently, especially when you’ve been conditioned to stay * Narcissistic dynamics often involve control, tracking, and rewriting the narrative * Guilt is one of the biggest barriers to going no contact * You are not responsible for sacrificing your life to take care of people who harm you * Walking away is not weakness, it’s clarity If this episode resonated, make sure to follow, rate, and share with someone who needs to hear this. Follow Joy: https://www.instagram.com/the.joy.edit/ Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest Follow our sponsor: https://www.instagram.com/thehappycannabus/ Buy the squish in the episode: https://amzn.to/3QTHgFt Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support]