Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!When Your Own Family Betrays You: The Breaking Point That Leads to No ContactIn 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 betrayalThis 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 stayNarcissistic dynamics often involve control, tracking, and rewriting the narrativeGuilt is one of the biggest barriers to going no contactYou are not responsible for sacrificing your life to take care of people who harm youWalking away is not weakness, it’s clarityIf 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/beyondmommydearestFollow our sponsor: https://www.instagram.com/thehappycannabus/Buy the squish in the episode: https://amzn.to/3QTHgFtSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Episode SummaryIn this powerful and deeply validating conversation, Noelani sits down with Kylie B., author of The Narcissist’s Daughter, to explore what it really means to grow up with a narcissistic mother and the long road to healing.Kylie shares her journey from confusion and self-blame to clarity, self-trust, and ultimately going no contact. Together, they unpack the emotional, psychological, and physical toll of narcissistic abuse—and what it takes to rebuild your identity when it’s been shaped by survival.This episode is a reminder that healing is not linear, that your experience is real, and that you are not alone.Key Topics DiscussedWhat it’s like growing up without language for narcissistic abuseThe moment everything “clicks” and you realize your experience isn’t normalThe long, emotional process of going no contactGuilt, grief, and the internalized voice that follows survivorsRebuilding identity when you were never allowed to fully form oneThe impact of hypervigilance and emotional exhaustionLearning to trust your body and emotions againThe role of chosen family and safe relationships in healingInner child work and reconnecting with the selfWhy healing is a lifelong journey—not a destinationImportant LinksKylie’s Bookshttps://www.narcissistsdaughter.comThe Narcissist's Daughter : From Breakdown to Breakthrough - https://amzn.to/4mPYPCkThe Little Phoenix: A Story of Finding Home - https://amzn.to/3QsQgBkEllie the Little Phoenix: A Story of Finding Home - https://amzn.to/42wLoh7The Phoenix Rising Journal Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3Oq5cQaThe Shuppy - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWpXuzrDg27/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.instagram.com/narcissists_daughter/https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearesthttps://www.facebook.com/narcsdaughterDrop in Session Special with Beyond Mommy Dearest - https://square.link/u/xLH1UGGe?src=sheetSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!🎙️ Let’s Get Your Shift Together: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse & Rebuilding Self-TrustIn this episode, we’re talking with Adriana Bucci about the kind of shift that actually changes your life, not the surface-level “just think positive” kind, but the deep, nervous-system, identity-level shift that happens when you start untangling from narcissistic conditioning.Because let’s be honest…when you were raised by a narcissistic mother, your “normal” was never actually normal.💥 What We Get Into:Why healing isn’t about becoming someone new, it’s about coming back to who you were before survival took overHow narcissistic conditioning shapes your thoughts, reactions, and sense of selfThe difference between coping mechanisms and true healingWhy awareness alone isn’t enough and what actually creates changeThe subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways your nervous system keeps you stuckWhat it looks like to shift from survival mode into self-trust🧠 Key Truths From This Episode:Your patterns are not personality flaws, they are adaptationsYou don’t need to fix yourself, you need to understand yourselfHealing is not linear, but it is possibleYou are allowed to outgrow roles you were forced intoThe shift happens when you stop abandoning yourself🔥 A Moment That Hits:There’s a point where you realize…it wasn’t you.And everything starts to change after that.🛠️ Connect with Adrianahttps://www.instagram.com/letsgetyourshifttogether/https://letsgetyourshifttogether.com/💬 Stay Connected:If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs it.Follow, rate, and review so more survivors can find this space.🌿 Support the Show:This episode is brought to you by our partners who support healing, growth, and showing up differently in your life.https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/supporthttps://square.link/u/ffcpNoTz🎧 Don’t Miss What’s Next:New episodes drop every Friday.Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s coming next.Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!In this episode, Noelani sits down with therapist Kirsten Cheong, LMFT, Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician, for a grounded and validating conversation about what it really means to grow up with a narcissistic or emotionally immature parent. They explore how anxiety, perfectionism, fawning, hypervigilance, and overthinking often trace back to childhood environments where safety depended on reading the room, staying small, and keeping a parent regulated.Kirsten shares how her early clinical work with adults in addiction treatment and children in foster care helped her see the long-term throughline of trauma, especially the way childhood emotional abuse often shows up later as relationship anxiety, people-pleasing, and internalized fear. She explains why many high-functioning adults look calm on the outside while internally spiraling, and how that pattern can be a survival strategy rooted in narcissistic family systems.Together, Noelani and Kirsten talk about fawning as a nervous system response, the impact of walking on eggshells, the way narcissistic parents block healthy individuation, and how survivors often struggle with authenticity because they were never allowed to safely become themselves. They also discuss the “introjected parent,” that harsh internal voice that keeps policing behavior long after the parent is no longer present.The conversation also goes deep into no contact. Kirsten shares why she created her guide for cycle breakers considering no contact with family, especially for those carrying guilt, shame, and cultural conditioning around being a “good daughter” or “good son.” Both Noelani and Kirsten are clear that no contact is a personal choice, not a mandate, but they name how life-changing it can be for people leaving abusive family systems.They also talk honestly about the limits of AI in healing work, the importance of finding a therapist who truly understands narcissistic abuse, and why feeling cared for in a therapeutic relationship matters so much for survivors.In This Episode, We Talk AboutHow anxiety and perfectionism can grow out of narcissistic family systemsWhy high-functioning survivors often look fine on the outside but are overwhelmed insideFawning, hypervigilance, and constant scanning for dangerThe long-term effects of walking on eggshellsWhy narcissistic parents see autonomy and authenticity as a threatThe “introjected parent” and the critical voice survivors carry insideHow guilt keeps adult children stuck in abusive patternsWhat it can look like to choose no contactWhy therapy with the right fit matters so much in narcissistic abuse recoveryAbout the GuestKirsten Cheong is a licensed therapist in California and a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician. She specializes in working with high-functioning, anxious, perfectionistic adults, especially daughters of narcissistic mothers and survivors of emotionally immature family systems.Resources MentionedBeyond Mommy Dearest - Noelani Pearl HernandezBeyond Mommy Dearest Instagram Beyond Mommy Dearest WebsiteDrop in Session Special - $19.99Kirsten’s Guide for Going No Contact with FamilyKristen's InstagramSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!When Healing Goes Deeper: Understanding Trauma Beyond the Mind with Heather CypelIn this episode, we sit down with Heather Cypel, an intuitive psyche specialist, energy body specialist, and sacred union coach. Heather’s work focuses on the connection between the energy body, the psyche, and the physical experience, and how unresolved patterns can shape how we think, feel, and move through the world.Heather’s journey into this work began through her own healing. After experiencing health challenges that traditional medicine couldn’t resolve, she turned to energy work and became deeply committed to understanding the relationship between human behavior, the psyche, and the energetic body.With a background in history, anthropology, and a lifelong study of human behavioral patterns, Heather now helps others explore the deeper layers of their experiences and begin shifting patterns at the energetic level.✨ About Her WorkHeather offers a range of services designed to support emotional, relational, and energetic healing. Her work centers on creating space for clients to understand their patterns, release what feels stuck, and reconnect with themselves in a more intentional way.Her services include:Energy sessions focused on the energy body and stored patternsExploration sessions and coaching around emotional and behavioral dynamicsRelationship and sacred union coachingClasses and trainings on energetic and spiritual conceptsTrauma-focused energy recordings to support release and integrationHer approach is rooted in the belief that healing happens when we begin to understand what we’ve been carrying… and allow it to move.🔗 Connect with HeatherWebsite: https://www.heathercypel.com/about-heather.htmlInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.cypel/🌿 What We Explore in This EpisodeThe energy body as a blueprint for lived experienceHow trauma can become stored and show up as patternsThe connection between the psyche, energy, and behaviorWhat it looks like to begin releasing what’s been held💛 Support the PodcastIf this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow and subscribe to Beyond Mommy Dearest so you don’t miss upcoming conversations.You can also follow us on Instagram for more trauma-informed content, reflections, and updates from the community.Your support helps us continue creating these conversations and reaching more people who need them.Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Narcissistic Abuse & the Nervous System: Why Healing Feels So Hard (and Why You’re Not the Problem) | With Alea Coburn🎧 Show NotesWhat is the real cost of healing after narcissistic abuse?In this deeply honest and emotional episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with Alea Coburn to talk about what it actually feels like to heal after growing up with a narcissistic and emotionally neglectful mother.We explore the concept of choosing peace at the cost of aloneness, and why for many survivors, being alone can feel safer than being unseen, dismissed, or emotionally erased.Alea shares her personal story of survival, including the physical impact of trauma on her body, experiences with performative care, and the moment she realized she could no longer stay in relationships that compromised her well-being.Together, we unpack:Why narcissistic abuse is so difficult to nameHow shame gets internalized in daughters of narcissistic mothersWhat “social invisibility” does to your nervous systemThe difference between real care and performative careHow trauma shows up physically in the bodyWhy anger is not toxic, but a source of wisdomRed flags in relationships that survivors often missThe emotional cost of staying vs. the courage it takes to leaveThis episode is raw, validating, and at times intense, but it is also deeply empowering.If you’ve ever felt like you were “too much,” “too sensitive,” or responsible for your own pain, this conversation will help you begin to untangle what was never yours to carry.💬 Key TakeawaysYou are not too much. You were unmet.Your body is not broken. It is responding to what you lived through.Anger is not the problem. It is information.Being alone is sometimes the first step to no longer being invisible.Healing may feel isolating, but it is also where you begin to come home to yourself🧠 What We Talk AboutNarcissistic mothers and emotional neglectNervous system dysregulation and trauma responsesShame, identity, and overcompensationPerformative care vs. real supportPhysical symptoms of emotional abuseRed flags in relationshipsBoundaries, anger, and self-trustChoosing aloneness as a path to healing🔗 Work With Alea + Learn MoreAlea Coburn is a truth-teller, pattern seer, abuse survivor, and advocate who helps women rebuild trust, intuition, and health after narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, and systemic trauma.Her work is for women who feel unmet, unseen, and ready to reclaim themselves.✨ Connect + Explore:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusticpeach/Website: aleatamar.comSubstack: aleacoburn.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@aleacoburnSelf-Reprogramming Toolkit + Offerings: Available via her websiteLive Event: Building Attunement For Her (2nd Run – April 3)🔗 Resources + LinksFollow the podcast: Beyond Mommy DearestWork with Noelani: www.beyondmommydearest.comFollow the instagrm: https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!🎙️ Too Sensitive or Trauma Alert? Intuition, Narcissistic Abuse, and Healing with Spiritbird Holton✨ Episode SummaryIn this powerful and grounding conversation, I sit down with Spiritbird Holten, a shaman and intuitive guide who has spent over two decades helping people navigate emotional pressure, relational dynamics, and major life transitions.We explore what it really means to reconnect with your intuition after growing up in environments that taught you not to trust yourself. If you were conditioned to put others first, question your instincts, or believe everything was your fault, this episode will hit deep.Spiritbird breaks down how emotional patterns are formed, why so many of us feel disconnected from our inner knowing, and what it actually looks like to begin coming back home to yourself in a way that is real, grounded, and sustainable.🔑 What We Talk AboutWhat a shaman is in real, everyday languageHow trauma and conditioning disconnect us from intuitionWhy you were taught to doubt yourself and how to undo itThe difference between fear and inner knowingEmotional patterns that keep you stuck in overwhelm and confusionReclaiming your voice, your truth, and your sense of selfWhat it looks like to move through life with more clarity, peace, and trust🧠 Key TakeawaysYou are not broken, you were conditionedYour intuition did not disappear, it was overriddenHealing is not about becoming someone new, it is about returning to who you wereYou can learn to trust yourself again, even if it feels unfamiliar🌿 Connect with Spiritbird Holton🔗 Explore her work and offerings:https://holtonhealingarts.com/links/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio🧘‍♀️ Emotional Reset (signature tool for overwhelm + clarity):https://pages.holtonhealingarts.com/the-reset_gl=1*1s3uo9w*_ga*MTg4NjM0ODQzMi4xNzcxMDE3Njk4*_ga_PGB8ETED8J*czE3NzM4ODQ5NDQkbzMkZzAkdDE3NzM4ODQ5NDQkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_D7ZY8MJJ9V*czE3NzM4ODQ5NDQkbzMkZzAkdDE3NzM4ODQ5NDQkajYwJGwwJGgw🎙️ Listen to her podcast:https://holtonhealingarts.com/links/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioSpiritbird’s work focuses on helping people release emotional patterns, reconnect with their intuition, and move through life with more clarity, confidence, and peace.🎧 Listen + WatchMake sure to subscribe, follow, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss conversations like this.🎥 Watch on YouTube🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you stream💬 Share + ConnectIf this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it.Follow Beyond Mommy Dearest for more conversations on healing, identity, boundaries, and coming home to yourself.🖤 Your ReminderYou were never too sensitive.You were responding to something real.And you can learn to trust yourself again.Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!When Love Hurts: Inside I Love You, My NarcissistShow Notes: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:Watch Party Sign-Up:https://mailchi.mp/ilymn-film/watchpartyTrailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fh6bzqrhYcTeaser:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xjCWCuualcFilm Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ilymn.filmFilm Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ilymn.film/Alefcine Production Company: https://alefcinepictures.com/productions/Alefcine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alefcinepictures/Alefcine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alefcinepicturesIf 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

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!🎙 Healing from a Narcissistic Mother While Raising Your Own ChildrenWhat does it really look like to break generational trauma while raising children of your own?In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, I sit down with Isabel Lopez, host of Parenting Without Permission, to talk about healing from a narcissistic mother while actively parenting in real time.We explore what happens when you grow up in survival mode, become the “invisible child,” and then have to figure out motherhood without a blueprint.From immigrant family dynamics to being put in anger management instead of being heard, to consciously raising empathetic sons in a culture shaped by machismo, this conversation is raw, honest, and deeply validating.Breaking the cycle is not easy.It is intentional.It is exhausting.It is brave.If you are parenting while healing childhood trauma, this episode is for you.In this episode, we discuss:Growing up as the invisible child in emotionally unsafe homesMoving from Colombia to the U.S. and navigating immigrant family traumaEmotional neglect vs. physical survivalBeing put in anger management instead of being listened toWhy many survivors of narcissistic parenting don’t remember large parts of childhoodHow trauma affects the nervous system and conflict responsesShutting down, freezing, or exploding after being pushed too farBreaking machismo and raising emotionally aware sonsLetting your children fully express themselvesReparenting yourself while raising your kidsWhy “breaking the cycle” is much harder than people thinkFinding joy while still healingSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with trauma-informed therapist and neuropsychology specialist Dr. Victoria Liu-Johnson to explore the deep attachment wounds created by narcissistic mothers.Using the famous Harlow monkey experiments, real-world examples like Punch the baby monkey, and decades of trauma research, this conversation unpacks:Why daughters of narcissistic mothers still long for their mothersHow attachment trauma rewires the brain and nervous systemThe difference between having a parent who provides and a parent who feels safeHow culture, colonization, and family hierarchy complicate narcissistic abuseWhy self-blame is a trauma response, not a truthWhat healing looks like through a biopsychosocial and liberation-oriented lensThis episode is for anyone navigating the mother wound, complex trauma, emotional neglect, and the lifelong impact of growing up with a narcissistic or emotionally unsafe parent.You are not broken.You were wired for connection.And healing is possible.Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Breaking Free: Healing Narcissistic Wounds and Rebuilding Self-Trust🎙️ Episode Show NotesGuest: Andressa S. LopesIn this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with author and healing guide Andressa S. Lopes to explore what it truly means to recover from a narcissistic mother. Together, they talk about naming abuse, releasing lifelong guilt, and learning how to choose yourself without shame.Andressa shares her personal journey of growing up with conditional love, emotional neglect, and chronic self-doubt, and how therapy became a turning point in recognizing the pattern. Noelani and Andressa also discuss how cultural expectations, family pressure, and generational trauma can make distance or no contact feel impossible, and why chosen family and community are often essential to healing.This conversation centers survivors and reminds listeners that they are not broken. They adapted to survive, and healing is possible.✨ What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy acknowledging pain is the first step toward healingHow conditional love shapes people pleasing, guilt, and low self-worthThe role of therapy in waking up to narcissistic abuseWhy many narcissistic parents do not seek real accountabilityGuilt, grief, and fear around low contact and no contactHow narcissistic parents use power, money, and third parties to controlCultural and immigrant family dynamics that intensify silenceHow abuse impacts adult relationships and boundariesBreaking generational cycles and protecting future childrenThe power of chosen family and supportive communityWhy healing is nonlinear and happens one step at a time🔥 Key ThemesAcknowledging pain without minimizingReclaiming identity and self-trustBreaking emotional dependenceCultivating self-worthChoosing peace and freedom📚 Resources MentionedRising from the Ashes: From Pain to Empowerment: Overcoming Your Narcissistic Mother – Andressa S. LopesSix Ways to Live a Better Life Without a Narcissistic Mother (free guide) – Andressa S. Lopes👤 About the GuestAndressa S. Lopes is the author of Rising from the Ashes and creator of a healing guide for daughters of narcissistic mothers. Her work helps survivors move from confusion and emotional dependence into self-trust, self-worth, and freedom. She creates educational content across social platforms to raise awareness about narcissistic abuse and recovery.🔗 Connect with AndressaFind Andressa on Instagram, TikTok, and access her books and resources through the link in her bio.💛 Connecting with Beyond Mommy DearestGuided support spaces and facilitated discussions focused on boundaries, guilt, grief, self-worth, and nervous system healing. Low-cost support options outside the group through Zoom or WhatsApp.A paid ongoing support group for deeper healing and consistent community.You do not have to do this alone.You deserve support.You deserve clarity.You deserve a life that feels like yours.Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!🎙 Episode NotesIn this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, host Noelani Pearl Hernandez, trauma-informed executive coach, sits down with Brittanni Hendricks, MBA, ACC (ICF Associate Certified Coach), ICF-certified Leadership Alignment Coach, speaker, author, and creator of the Playful Power Method.Together, Noelani and Brittanni unpack why workplace dynamics can feel eerily familiar for adult daughters of narcissistic, emotionally immature, or unsafe mothers. They name how survival mode follows us into leadership, why gaslighting at work is so destabilizing, and how high performers often confuse self-abandonment with resilience.This conversation is for the overachievers, the emotional regulators, and the leaders who carry the invisible load. 🧠 Topics We Cover in this EpisodeWhy narcissistic family dynamics show up so clearly in workplaces and leadership environmentsWhat workplace gaslighting sounds like and why it destabilizes survivorsOverfunctioning, people pleasing, and “masking” as professional survival strategiesWhy high performers burn out from responsibility without alignmentEmotional load: what it is, how it builds, and why it compounds over timeConflict cycles at work: overexplaining, self-editing, avoiding hard conversationsThe hidden cost of silence: the price of not having the conversationBody signals of misalignment (brain fog, sleep disruption, tension, numbness, stomach aches)Why peace can feel unfamiliar after chronic chaosRecalibration vs pushing through: how to rebuild self-trustThe Playful Power Method: reclaiming joy, playfulness, and agency without forceYou are not broken.You adapted.Alignment is available.💛 Work With Noelani / Beyond Mommy DearestMonthly Support and Trauma-Informed Small Support GroupsSupport that is steady, not overwhelming. Community without chaos. Structure without judgment.Guided Support Programhttps://www.beyondmommydearest.org/supportgroupInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearestPodcast Pagehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-mommy-dearest-podcast/id1871995241⭐ Guest Bio: Brittanni HendricksBrittanni Hendricks, MBA, ACC (ICF Associate Certified Coach), ICF-certified Leadership Alignment Coach, is a speaker, author, and creator of the Playful Power Method. With more than 15 years of leadership experience in talent development and organizational effectiveness, Brittany supports leaders and working parents carrying a high emotional load. Her work centers high performing humans who are not lazy, broken, or unmotivated. They are often misaligned, and ready to stop compensating and start leading from clarity, peace, and power.Brittanni is the author of It’s My Turn, a part memoir, part manifesto for people who have performed perfection long enough and are choosing alignment over approval.🔗 Connect with Brittanni HendricksWebsitehttps://www.brittannihendricks.comInstagram@playfulprofessionalBook a Free Alignment AuditSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!🎙 Episode NotesHealing After Narcissistic Abuse: Trauma Bonds, Gaslighting, and Rebuilding Self TrustIn this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, host Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with Laura Richards, international podcaster, speaker, and #1 bestselling author of Married To A “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse.Laura Richards shares her personal recovery journey after a 32-year marriage to a narcissistic partner and names the patterns many survivors live inside for years without having language for. Together, Noelani and Laura explore how narcissistic relationships form, how they escalate, why they are so difficult to leave, and what healing actually requires on a nervous system level.This conversation addresses love bombing, future faking, mirroring, boundary violations, intermittent reinforcement, trauma bonding, and the long-term effects of gaslighting. They also talk about shame, grief, rebuilding self-trust, setting boundaries, and how survivors can begin creating a life that feels safe, steady, and their own.'🧠 Topics We Cover in this episodeEarly signs of narcissistic relationshipsTrauma bonding and intermittent reinforcementWhy survivors struggle with decision-making after abuseNervous system dysregulation and hypervigilanceBoundaries and self-love as protectionGrieving the life you thought you would haveBreaking generational cyclesThis episode is for anyone who has questioned their reality, blamed themselves for staying, or wondered if it was “really that bad.”You do not need permission to leave. Your body’s no is enough. Healing is possible.💛 Work With Noelani / Beyond Mommy DearestComing Home to Yourself Guided Support Program https://www.beyondmommydearest.org/supportgroupInstagram https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearestPodcast Page https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-mommy-dearest-podcast/id1871995241⭐ Guest Bio: Laura RichardsLaura Richards is an international podcaster, #1 bestselling author, and speaker dedicated to empowering women. Through her global podcast, That’s Where I’m At, and her bestselling book Married To A “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse, Laura shares her personal journey of recovery from a 32-year marriage to a narcissist.Laura’s mission is to shine a light on narcissistic abuse and remind women they are never alone and healing is always possible.🔗 Connect with Laura RichardsInstagram https://www.instagram.com/thatswhereimatpodcast/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thatswhereimatpodcastFacebook https://www.facebook.com/thatswhereimatpod/Website https://www.thatswhereimatpodcast.com/Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-where-im-at/id1704083491📚 Laura Richards’ BookMarried To A “Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!🎙️ Beyond Mommy DearestEpisode One: Breaking Free: Healing Narcissistic Wounds and Rebuilding Self-TrustIn the first episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, host Noelani Pearl Hernandez, trauma-informed coach, mother, and wife, explores the lasting impact of narcissistic, emotionally immature, and abusive mother-child relationships and  Kimberly Weeks, Trauma recovery coach and Founder of Global Trauma Institute discuss their Jounery to Healing.This conversation is for adult daughters who grew up in families that looked functional but felt unsafe, confusing, or emotionally heavy. Those praised for being strong or mature, yet never emotionally protected or believed.Joined by guest Kimberly, a survivor of generational trauma, the episode examines how early survival patterns follow us into adulthood, shaping relationships, self-worth, and the nervous system.Noelani challenges the “just grow up” narrative often used to shame survivors who create distance or boundaries, reframing those choices as conscious, adult, and often necessary for healing and generational change.This podcast is not about blame or revenge. It’s about understanding impact, trusting yourself, and choosing clarity without shame.Support the show