Episode 72: Stop Paying to Stay in Pain: Toxic Separations, Kids as Pawns & Smear Campaigns 🎙️

This is one of those episodes that, unfortunately, never stops being relevant. So we’re bringing it back. I’m resharing this episode because the same toxic patterns keep showing up in separations. Financial manipulation. Using kids as pawns. Smear campaigns online, at work, and within friend groups. If you’re dealing with a high-conflict or narcissistic ex, or you’re feeling tempted to respond in the same messy way, this is your reminder to pause. How you respond can either protect you or cost you financially, emotionally, and long-term. This episode is about awareness, boundaries, and choosing not to pay to stay in pain. In this episode, we cover: What financial manipulation actually looks like and how it shows up in separations Why using children as pawns is not just gross, but damaging for life The subtle and not-so-subtle ways toxic exes badmouth you to your kids How smear campaigns on social media, at work, or with friends can backfire hard What you can control in a toxic separation, and where to stop wasting your energy Why this matters You cannot control a toxic person. But you can control how much power they have over you, your kids, your money, and your future. And I promise you this. Paying to stay in pain is not the flex people think it is. If this episode hit close to home: Share it with someone who needs to hear it Book a call if you need legal or separation support Visit www.stacymunzenberger.com  for programs, resources, and next steps You do not have to navigate this alone. Helpful Links Download the Narcissist Playbook: https://www.transformwithstacy.com/the-narcissist-playbook Empowered Separation Program: https://www.transformwithstacy.com/separate-smarter-webinar  🎧 More episodes of The StacyM Show: available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts “Using children as pawns doesn’t hurt your ex. It hurts your kids for life.”   #TheStacyMShow #ToxicRelationships #NarcissisticAbuse #HighConflictSeparation #FamilyLawAustralia #CoParenting #DivorceSupport #SeparationAdvice #LegalEducation #ProtectYourKids