Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood abuse, domestic violence, addiction, suicide, family trauma, and estrangement. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you are in the U.S. and experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate emotional support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S., please contact your country’s local crisis line or emergency services for immediate support.What happens when you stop numbing the pain and finally have to face what was underneath it?In this powerful and candid conversation, Noelani sits down with Mr. Josh Connolly, author of It’s Them, Not You, to talk about childhood trauma, toxic family systems, addiction and recovery, parenting, emotional neglect, boundaries, masculinity, and what it really means to heal.He opens up about getting sober at 24 and discovering that alcohol wasn’t the problem he thought it was. Once the alcohol was gone, he was left face-to-face with the emotional pain he had spent years trying to escape.Together, they explore why families and society so often protect the person causing harm instead of the person experiencing it, and why speaking the truth can make you the scapegoat in a dysfunctional family system.They also dive into adult children going no contact, the difference between imperfect parenting and abuse, and why a parent’s willingness to listen, take accountability, and repair can completely change a relationship.Josh shares how childhood emotional neglect can show up later as hypervigilance, chronic people-pleasing, difficulty knowing what you actually want, and building your identity around what other people need from you.The conversation also challenges traditional ideas about masculinity. He explains why healing wasn’t about becoming a different kind of man. It was about becoming comfortable enough to finally be himself.They discuss:• Addiction, sobriety, and discovering the pain underneath the coping mechanism • Childhood trauma and emotional neglect • Toxic parents and dysfunctional family systems • Why families protect abusers and scapegoat truth-tellers • Narcissistic mothers and mother-daughter dynamics • Adult children, estrangement, and going no contact • Parenting, accountability, and the power of repair • Hypervigilance and chronic people-pleasing • Developing a healthy sense of self • Boundaries and why toxic systems fight back when you change • Men, vulnerability, emotional expression, and masculinity • Raising children who are allowed to become themselves • Why being yourself creates healthier relationships • Taking responsibility for your healing without taking responsibility for what happened to youHe leaves us with an important distinction: you can take responsibility for what you do moving forward without taking responsibility for what was done to you.His Book - https://amzn.to/3ULzMXaConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondMommyDearesthttps://substack.com/@beyondmommydearesthttps://www.threads.com/@beyondmommydearestConnect with Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josh_ffw/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@josh_ffwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshffwYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JoshConnolly_FFWLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshconnolly/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/josh_ffwWebsite: https://www.joshconnolly.co.uk/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!What if anxiety, hypervigilance, shutdown, and other mental health struggles aren't simply about what is “wrong” with us, but about what happened to us?In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani speaks with filmmaker Ton Mazzone, creator of the documentary Traumality, about the connection between childhood trauma, the nervous system, mental health, relationships, and healing.Ton shares how his own struggles with anxiety and fight-or-flight responses led him on a four-year journey to create Traumality, interviewing 22 experts while exploring his own story along the way.Together, they discuss why trauma doesn't have to be one catastrophic event, how repeated childhood experiences can become stored in our nervous system, and why rupture and repair are so important in parenting. They also explore narcissistic and emotionally immature parents, boundaries, no contact, and what happens when the apology or accountability we need never comes.Ton also shares his powerful concept of “agency over exposure,” why survivors never owe anyone their entire trauma story, and his TRAUMALITY method for sharing difficult experiences without sacrificing emotional safety.Most importantly, this conversation challenges us to stop asking “What's wrong with you?” and start asking “What happened to you?”🎬 The Traumality trailer plays immediately after the introduction.🎥 Stay through the end for Ton's viral A Day in the Life of Anxiety, the video that helped begin the journey that eventually led to Traumality.Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondMommyDearesthttps://substack.com/@beyondmommydearesthttps://www.threads.com/@beyondmommydearestTraumalityhttps://traumality.com/https://www.instagram.com/traumality/https://www.instagram.com/tonmazzone/ - Ton, The filmmakerhttps://youtu.be/6PgrQgum9R8?si=CB0hW9XiK7kzFHyO - The Film that inspired it allSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Why do so many narcissistic abuse survivors remain trapped in self-doubt, shame and hypervigilance, even when they appear highly successful?In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani speaks with Barbara, a New Jersey therapist specializing in narcissistic abuse recovery and complex trauma. Barbara shares how her own experience with therapists who did not understand narcissistic abuse inspired her to pursue specialized training, including Dr. Ramani’s narcissistic abuse certification.Together, they explore why traditional talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy may not be enough for survivors whose trauma is stored in the nervous system. They also explain how treatments such as EMDR and clinical hypnosis can help survivors process painful experiences, challenge deeply rooted beliefs and begin rebuilding a sense of safety.This conversation also examines why telling a survivor to “let it go” can feel like another form of gaslighting. Healing does not require forgiving an abuser, receiving an apology or waiting for justice that may never come. It means redirecting your energy toward your own peace, identity and future.In this episode, we discuss:• Why high-functioning survivors still struggle with shame and self-doubt • How narcissistic abuse affects the nervous system • Why traditional talk therapy may not address complex trauma • How EMDR helps the brain process traumatic memories • What clinical hypnosis looks like in a therapeutic setting • Why survivors do not have to forgive their abusers to heal • The difference between guilt, shame and accountability • How cognitive dissonance keeps survivors attached to toxic relationships • Why peace may initially feel boring after living in constant chaos • Reparenting yourself with compassion and gentleness • Reclaiming your identity after narcissistic abuse • How to stop waiting for an apology, approval or justiceIf you are at the beginning of your healing journey, please remember: You are not broken. You are resilient, you are not alone and you deserve a life built around safety, peace and authenticity.Barbara currently practices in New Jersey.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis or professional mental health treatment.Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondMommyDearesthttps://substack.com/@beyondmommydearesthttps://www.threads.com/@beyondmommydearestConnect with Barbarahttps://newleafpsychotherapyllc.comhttps://www.instagram.com/newleafpsychotherapyllc4/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Narcissism Is Everywhere: Childhood Trauma, Toxic Leadership, Power & AITrigger warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, narcissistic and emotional abuse, substance use, overdose, politics, and other potentially difficult subjects.What happens when a conversation about narcissistic parents becomes a conversation about narcissism everywhere?In this special live episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down again with Chris Van Linda (@hype.r.vigilance) for an unscripted conversation about growing up with narcissistic and emotionally unhealthy parents, the long-term effects of childhood trauma, and how those same dynamics can show up in workplaces, leadership, technology, culture, and systems of power.Noelani and Chris explore something many survivors struggle to put into words: why success doesn't always feel like success.When you've spent childhood learning that your accomplishments belong to someone else, that your role is to please, perform, fix, or remain dependent, adulthood can bring a complicated relationship with achievement. Even objectively successful people may struggle to feel pride, ownership, or satisfaction in what they've accomplished.They discuss self-sabotage, enmeshment, learned helplessness, family roles, identity, and the process of asking: “Is this actually what I want, or is this who I learned I needed to be?”The conversation then moves beyond the family system.What happens when narcissistic behaviors are rewarded in workplaces, corporations, politics, technology, and other positions of power? Noelani and Chris discuss narcissism in executive leadership, trauma-informed organizations, AI and technology, surveillance, cultural norms, fear, social change, and the importance of recognizing how interpersonal dynamics can become systemic ones.They also explore the uncertainty many people are feeling right now and why naming fear, anger, sadness, hope, joy, and everything in between matters.This is a wide-ranging, candid conversation about narcissism, trauma, identity, power, technology, culture, and ultimately, reclaiming ownership of your life.In this episode:Growing up with narcissistic and emotionally unhealthy parentsWhy male survivors need to be part of the conversationStage-parent dynamics and children being treated as extensions of their parentsWhy survivors sometimes struggle to feel successfulSelf-sabotage and learned helplessnessEnmeshment and reclaiming your identityFamily roles beyond the scapegoat and golden childNarcissism in leadership and workplace cultureTrauma-informed executive leadershipWhy narcissistic behavior can sometimes be rewarded professionallyNarcissism, power, politics, and cultural systemsAI, technology, surveillance, and the people creating these systemsFear and uncertainty in periods of rapid social changeFinding your voice after growing up afraidChoosing what matters to you and taking actionReclaiming your life as your ownConnect with Chris:https://www.instagram.com/hype.r.vigilance Chris on Instagramhttps://tinyurl.com/bddemu7bm - Chris on Cameo https://bit.ly/4ahfgCz Chris’ Lint.reeConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Beyond Mommy Dearest explores the impact of narcissistic and emotionally immature parenting and what it takes to heal, break generational cycles, rebuild self-trust, and come home to yourself.Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!What does it actually take to break the cycle after growing up with a narcissistic mother?In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, I sit down with Leighna, The Cycle Breaking Coach, for an unfiltered conversation about growing up as the black sheep, recognizing abuse, going no contact, and discovering that leaving the relationship is sometimes only the beginning of healing.Leighna shares how becoming a mother changed the way she understood her own childhood and forced her to confront behaviors she could no longer explain away. We talk about the survival patterns daughters of narcissistic mothers can carry into adulthood, including hypervigilance, self-sabotage, enmeshment, shame, black-and-white thinking, and constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.We also get into an important distinction: survival behaviors are not necessarily character flaws. Sometimes the behaviors we hate about ourselves were once the very things that helped us survive.Leighna and I discuss:Being the black sheep in a narcissistic family systemGoing no contact with a narcissistic motherWhy no contact doesn't immediately make everything betterTrauma bonds and why leaving can feel impossibleSelf-sabotage as a survival mechanismShame versus guilt after narcissistic abuseHypervigilance and nervous system dysregulationEnmeshment and learning to stop looking for someone else to save youBPD, attachment, and the stigma surrounding mental healthTherapy versus coaching and the role each can playReconnecting with yourself after years of being conditioned to ignore your own needsBreaking generational cycles as a parentWhy healing doesn't have to be a lifelong sentenceWhat emotionally healthy relationships actually look and feel likeOne of my favorite moments in this conversation comes when Leighna describes a healthy relationship as “a landing place with no requirement to land.”Healthy love allows two people to remain individuals. It makes room for different emotions, interests, needs, and identities without demanding that one person disappear to keep the other comfortable.And perhaps the most important message of this entire conversation:You have the power. They do not.Breaking the cycle isn't about pretending the abuse didn't affect you. It's about recognizing what you learned in order to survive, deciding what no longer serves you, and slowly choosing something different.Books MentionedI’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy — https://amzn.to/4gjazdBHalf His age by Jennette McCurdy — https://amzn.to/4xeKL9W I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me — https://amzn.to/4qqzAbwConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondMommyDearesthttp://www.beyondmommydearest.comConnect with Leighna | The Cycle Breaking Coachhttps://www.instagram.com/thecyclebreakingcoach/The Cycle-Breaking Coach (@eighteightyeightcoaching)TikTok · The Cycle-Breaking Coach1.3K+ followersSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Trigger warning: Today’s episode includes conversations about childhood sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse, and family trauma.  What happens when the person who was supposed to protect you becomes the source of your trauma?In this deeply personal episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with Alex, founder of Fuck the Abuser, to talk about surviving childhood abuse, narcissistic family dynamics, abusive romantic relationships, and finding the strength to build a life beyond what happened to you.Alex shares how she first began publicly speaking about her relationship with her mother, including the childhood sexual abuse she experienced and the moment in fourth grade when she realized that what was happening in her home wasn't normal.She opens up about being sent to live with her aunt, entering the foster care system, protecting her younger brother, eventually choosing no contact with her mother, and reconnecting with family years later.Alex also discusses a later narcissistic relationship and the chaos, dishonesty, control, boundary violations, and loss of self-trust she experienced. She explains how trying to understand that relationship ultimately led her to research narcissistic abuse and create Fuck the Abuser.Noelani and Alex also explore the similarities in their experiences, the cultural and family messages that can shape self-worth, the importance of safe adults, and what happens when survivors finally begin trusting themselves again.Most importantly, Alex's story is about what abuse didn't take from her: her ability to love authentically, build meaningful friendships, connect with others, and choose a different life.In this episode:Childhood sexual abuse and recognizing abuse as a childNarcissistic mothers and family dysfunctionFoster care, emancipation, and sibling experiencesThe importance of having a safe adultShame, body image, colorism, and cultural messagesNarcissistic romantic relationshipsGaslighting, coercive control, and manipulationWhy narcissists struggle with boundariesGoing no contact with a parentLosing and rebuilding self-trustChoosing not to have children after childhood traumaBreaking generational patternsHealing without becoming the person your abuser told you that you wereConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondMommyDearesthttp://www.beyondmommydearest.comConnect with Alexhttps://www.instagram.com/alex.goes.global/https://www.instagram.com/ilovebowljobs/https://www.instagram.com/fucktheabuser/https://www.schimiggy.com/tag/narcissist/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!The Hidden Damage of Narcissistic Mothers | How to Heal and Reclaim YourselfWhat happens when the person who was supposed to love and protect you instead competes with you, manipulates you, and leaves you questioning your worth?In this deeply moving conversation, I sit down with Lydia, artist, TEDx speaker, founder of Girls on Country, and coach for daughters of narcissistic mothers. Together we explore the unique wounds left by narcissistic mothers, emotional neglect, enmeshment, hypersexualized parenting, and the long journey of reclaiming your authentic self.Lydia shares her powerful story of growing up in the UK, leaving everything behind, healing through art, and ultimately creating programs that help young women and survivors reconnect with themselves.We also discuss:Growing up with a narcissistic and emotionally neglectful motherWhen mothers view their daughters as competitionEnmeshment, shame, and boundary violationsThe lasting effects of childhood trauma on adult relationshipsWhy survivors struggle with vulnerability and self-trustReclaiming your authentic identity after abuseHealing through creativity and artInner child work and nervous system healingBreaking generational traumaLearning what healthy love actually feels likeWhy no contact can become the beginning of true freedomIf you've ever felt like you were never allowed to be yourself, this episode is a reminder that healing isn't about becoming someone new. It's about uncovering the person you were always meant to be.Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondMommyDearesthttp://www.beyondmommydearest.comConnect with Lydiahttps://www.instagram.com/iamlydiacohen/https://tr.ee/STUj1r84eihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwz0I5usCsM&themeRefresh=1 Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!What happens when a narcissist gains absolute power?In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Christine Marie, featured in Netflix's Trust Me: The False Prophet, to discuss her undercover work helping expose Samuel Bateman and rescue women and children from coercive control.While this story centers on a cult, the psychological tactics will sound incredibly familiar to anyone raised by a narcissistic parent or trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship.We discuss:• Why cult leaders and narcissists use the same manipulation tactics• The psychology behind coercive control and brainwashing• Why intelligent people can become victims• The role of obedience, fear, shame, and isolation• How confirmation bias and groupthink keep people trapped• Why survivors often blame themselves• What it really takes to "wake up" from psychological abuse• How trust in yourself is rebuilt after manipulation• The importance of community during healing• Why leaving isn't about becoming stronger, it's about finally trusting yourselfIf you've ever questioned your own reality because of narcissistic abuse, this episode will remind you that manipulation follows psychological principles, and your healing can too.If this episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear that they are not alone.Trust Me | False Prophet - https://www.netflix.com/title/81758532Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondMommyDearesthttp://www.beyondmommydearest.comConnect with Dr Christine https://www.instagram.com/dr.christinemarie/https://christinemarie.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@drchristinemarieSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Caring for aging Narcissistic Parents: How to Protect your peace after No Contact Part 2 ⭐When children grow up in abusive, chaotic, or violent homes, siblings often become each other's lifeline. The bond formed through surviving trauma together can create an unspoken promise: I'll protect you, no matter what.In this powerful conversation, we explore how those childhood survival strategies continue into adulthood, especially when aging or abusive parents require care. For some survivors, the decision isn't about the parent at all. It's about protecting a brother or sister from carrying the burden alone.We also discuss the guilt, obligation, family expectations, and deeply rooted beliefs that can make these decisions feel impossible. Whether you've chosen to care for an abusive parent or decided to maintain your boundaries, this episode offers compassion instead of judgment.Healing doesn't erase the love we have for our siblings. It helps us recognize that we no longer have to sacrifice ourselves to survive.In this episode, we discuss:How trauma creates lifelong sibling bonds.The survival roles children take on in abusive families.Caring for aging parents after childhood abuse.Guilt, obligation, and choosing boundaries.Finding healing without abandoning yourself.ConclusionThere is no universal right answer when it comes to caring for an abusive parent. Every survivor's circumstances are different. What matters most is making a choice that honors your healing, protects your well-being, and allows you to move forward with compassion for yourself.If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe to Beyond Mommy Dearest, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to know they are not alone.Reasources mentionsKong, J., Kunze, A., Goldberg, J., & Schroepfer, T. (2021)."Caregiving for Parents Who Harmed You: A Conceptual Review."Clinical Gerontologist, 44(5), 507–519.DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2021.1920531https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07317115.2021.1920531https://mainecabinmasters.comhttps://shop.madeinsantacruz.com/page7.htmlConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Connect with Katherine ••https://www.instagram.com/katherinestclaire_writes/?hl=enSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!What happens when the person who should have protected you becomes the source of your deepest wounds?In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, John shares his journey of growing up with a narcissistic mother, the lasting impact of childhood emotional abuse, and how those experiences followed him into fatherhood, family court, and parental alienation. Most importantly, he shares how choosing love, boundaries, and healing helped him break the cycle for the next generation.In this episode, we discuss:Growing up with a narcissistic mother as a sonParentification, manipulation, and childhood traumaFamily court and the impact of parental alienationFinding healthy love and breaking generational cyclesWhy it's never too late to choose healingWhether you're healing from a narcissistic parent, navigating family estrangement, or working to become the cycle breaker in your own family, this conversation is a powerful reminder that your past may shape you, but it does not have to define your future.Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Connect with Jon | American Fathers https://www.instagram.com/american.fathers/https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFathershttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1707523604029289/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!What happens when an abusive parent grows old?For many survivors of narcissistic abuse, this is one of the most complicated questions they'll ever face. Society tells us to honor our parents, but very few people talk about what happens when those parents were the source of lifelong trauma.In Part 1 of this conversation, Katherine shares the story that led to one of the hardest decisions of her life. She opens up about growing up with a malignant narcissistic father and a covert narcissistic mother, becoming a cycle breaker for her own children, and the unexpected phone call that changed everything.After years of estrangement, Katherine and her siblings suddenly found themselves responsible for navigating the legal system, healthcare, finances, and elder care after her father attempted to kill her mother. What followed challenged everything she thought she knew about boundaries, responsibility, and protecting her own peace.This episode begins an honest conversation about something few people are talking about: caring for aging abusive parents.In this episode, we discuss:Growing up with narcissistic and abusive parentsBecoming a cycle breaker for the next generationWhy childhood trauma can remain hidden for decadesThe role of healthy relationships in healingGoing no contact with abusive parentsThe phone call that changed everythingBeing thrust into managing aging parents' legal, medical, and financial affairsSurvivor guilt, family expectations, and protecting your peaceWhy there isn't just one "right" way to navigate caring for abusive parentsIf you've ever wondered what happens after going no contact, or you've worried about what you'll do when an abusive parent can no longer care for themselves, this conversation is for you.Be sure to subscribe because in Part 2, Katherine shares practical options survivors have, why you don't have to choose between abandoning your parent and sacrificing yourself, and the resources she's creating to help others facing these impossible decisions.Reasources mentionsKong, J., Kunze, A., Goldberg, J., & Schroepfer, T. (2021). "Caregiving for Parents Who Harmed You: A Conceptual Review." Clinical Gerontologist, 44(5), 507–519. DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2021.1920531https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07317115.2021.1920531https://mainecabinmasters.comhttps://shop.madeinsantacruz.com/page7.htmlConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Connect with Katherine ••https://www.instagram.com/katherinestclaire_writes/?hl=enSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Burning It All Down: Escaping a Narcissistic Mother, Healing CPTSD, and Finding Safety What happens when the person who was supposed to protect you is the person who taught you that love, safety, and survival all come with conditions?In this powerful episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with actor, filmmaker, writer, and survivor advocate JinJara Mitchell to explore the lifelong impact of growing up with a narcissistic and emotionally unsafe mother, the reality of complex trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life after losing everything you thought defined you.JinJara shares her deeply personal journey of surviving childhood emotional abuse, neglect, family dysfunction, and the pressure to maintain the illusion of the "perfect family." Together, we unpack how children adapt to survive, how trauma shapes identity, and how healing often begins when we stop asking, "What was wrong with me?" and start asking, "What happened to me?"JinJara also discusses how her own experiences inspired her award-winning short film The Ornament and the work she now does helping others transform pain into purpose through storytelling and community.In This Episode We Discuss:Growing up with a narcissistic and emotionally unsafe motherThe hidden reality behind the "perfect family" imageChildhood trauma, CPTSD, and survival adaptationsTrauma bonding and identifying with the abuserLoss of identity, family, stability, and belongingLeaving home and rebuilding life from the ground upThe long-term effects of emotional abuse and neglectTherapy, healing, and nervous system recoveryFamily estrangement and complicated griefLearning what healthy love and safety actually feel likeBreaking generational cycles of traumaThe role of storytelling, art, and advocacy in healingCreating The Ornament and turning trauma into purposeBuilding community after surviving family abuseAbout JinJara MitchellJinJara Mitchell is an actor, filmmaker, writer, and advocate whose work centers on healing, storytelling, and human resilience. Born in Palm Springs and raised between the United States and Canada, JinJara experienced profound childhood loss and family trauma that ultimately shaped both her personal healing journey and creative work.She has appeared in productions including Arrow, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Life Sentence, and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. In 2023, she wrote and directed the award-winning short film The Ornament, a deeply personal exploration of children who are forced to protect the very people who harm them.JinJara is also the co-founder of The New Players, a creative community dedicated to connection, healing, and authentic storytelling.If This Episode Resonated With YouIf you grew up learning to become exactly who someone else needed you to be in order to survive, you're not alone. Children adapt. They perform. They protect. They wear masks. Healing begins when we realize that the version of ourselves that survived is not the only version of ourselves that gets to exist.Thank you for listening to Beyond Mommy Dearest. If this conversation touched you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to know they are not alone.Connect with JinJaraThe New PlayersThe OrnamentJinJara InstagramConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!Healing After Narcissistic Abuse: Rebuild Self-Trust, Heal Your Nervous System & Reclaim Yourself | Coach DenaleeHealing from narcissistic abuse is about more than surviving—it's about rebuilding trust in yourself, calming your nervous system, and reclaiming the life that was always yours.In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Coach Denalee shares practical insights on healing holistically, setting healthy boundaries, rediscovering your identity, and finding safety after emotional abuse.What You'll LearnHow to rebuild self-trust after gaslightingWhy nervous system healing mattersThe role of boundaries in recoveryWhy healing isn't linearThe difference between healthy conflict and emotional abuseHow to reconnect with your authentic selfWhy safe, healthy relationships support healingIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this conversation.Healing is possible. You are not alone, and your story doesn't end with survival—it begins with reclaiming yourself.Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Connect with Coach Denaleehttps://www.youtube.com/@EatMoreChocolateProductionshttps://www.holisticnarcrecovery.comhttps://www.instagram.com/holistic.trauma.coach/https://www.skool.com/holistic-recovery-from-abuse-5475/about?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioSupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!High-Conflict Divorce, Narcissism & Family Court: Fighting for Your ChildrenDisclaimerThis episode reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives shared during the conversation. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice, psychological diagnosis, medical advice, or professional guidance. Every family court case and family situation is unique. Listeners should consult qualified legal, mental health, medical, or other appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances and needs. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or podcastWhat happens when a parent finds themselves trapped in a high-conflict custody battle and fighting to maintain a relationship with their children?In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, educator, father, and family court advocate Nick Garcia shares his experience navigating family court, false allegations, high-conflict personalities, parental alienation, self-representation, and the emotional toll prolonged litigation can take on parents and children.Drawing from years of firsthand experience, this conversation explores the realities of navigating a system that many families never expect to enter and the challenges that arise when conflict becomes the focus instead of the well-being of the children involved.Topics discussed include:• High-conflict divorce and custody disputes• Narcissistic traits and other Cluster B personality patterns that can appear in family conflict• The impact of false allegations on parents and children• Why documentation and the permanent record matter• Self-representation (pro per) and what parents should know before navigating court alone• How family court language, procedures, and systems can overwhelm families• The emotional and financial costs of prolonged litigation• The importance of remaining child-focused during conflict• How children experience loyalty conflicts between parents• Why one emotionally safe parent can make a significant difference in a child's life• The role of supportive relationships during times of crisis• Turning pain into purpose and advocacy• Learning to become a lighthouse instead of a lifeboat for your childrenAt its core, this episode explores the impact that high-conflict relationships and prolonged family court disputes can have on both parents and children. It examines the challenges families face when communication breaks down, conflict escalates, and the legal system becomes part of the family dynamic.A central theme throughout the conversation is the importance of being a safe, emotionally available parent. Children do not need perfection. They need consistency, stability, and at least one adult who can provide love, support, and a sense of security during difficult times.The discussion also explores resilience, healing, and the ways adversity can inspire advocacy and growth. Through personal experiences and lessons learned, this episode aims to help families feel less alone while encouraging conversations about protecting children, navigating conflict, and maintaining hope during difficult seasons of life.Whether you're navigating divorce, recovering from family trauma, supporting someone through a custody dispute, or seeking to better understand high-conflict family dynamics, this conversation offers insight, perspective, and encouragement.Key Takeaway"Love your children more than you hate your ex."Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Connect with Nickhttps://www.instagram.com/nativeandprose/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!In this powerful episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with narcissistic abuse recovery coach Sami for an honest conversation about healing, self-trust, nervous system regulation, and breaking free from toxic relationship patterns.Sami shares her personal journey through multiple narcissistic relationships and explains how those experiences led her to become an advocate and coach for survivors. Together, Noelani and Sami explore the connection between childhood wounds, people-pleasing, emotional neglect, and the unconscious patterns that can keep survivors stuck in cycles of narcissistic abuse.The conversation dives deep into the physical signs of narcissistic abuse, including anxiety, insomnia, chronic headaches, hypervigilance, digestive issues, and the feeling that "something is off" even when everything appears fine on the surface.Noelani and Sami discuss:• Why survivors often struggle to trust themselves• How childhood experiences shape adult relationships• The difference between healthy boundaries and controlling behavior• Why people-pleasing develops as a survival strategy• How narcissists teach survivors to gaslight themselves• What self-trust actually feels like in the body• Common nervous system responses to emotional abuse• Why healthy relationships can initially feel "boring"• The importance of reconnecting with emotions and body awareness• The role of coaching versus therapy in recovery• How to recognize red flags before getting trapped in another toxic relationship• Why healing is not linear• Learning to choose yourself without guilt• The connection between abandonment wounds and toxic relationships• Why survivors deserve love exactly as they are right nowOne of the most powerful moments of the episode comes when Sami reminds listeners that they do not need to earn love through healing, perfection, or performance. They are worthy of love simply because they exist.If you've ever questioned your instincts, struggled with boundaries, or wondered why you keep attracting emotionally unavailable people, this episode offers practical insights and hope for recovery.Connect with Sami Linktree iconFree resources & morelinktr.ee/samanthabachotacoachinghttps://www.facebook.com/samibachota?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_biohttps://www.instagram.com/informed_healing/Connect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Resources Mentioned • Feelings Wheel - https://canva.link/9volf8vn68ucp1g Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!In this powerful episode, Noelani sits down with trauma recovery advocate Chris to explore what it means to heal from narcissistic parenting and reclaim a sense of self.Chris shares his personal journey from addiction recovery to becoming one of the most recognized voices discussing narcissistic parents, childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and complex PTSD online.Together they discuss:• Why narcissistic parents teach children that danger is safety and safety is danger• How emotional neglect can be just as damaging as overt abuse• The concept of "mental injuries" versus "mental illness"• Why survivors often struggle with decision-making, people-pleasing, and self-trust• How childhood trauma shows up in adult relationships• The hidden ways narcissistic parents sabotage their children• Why healthy relationships can feel "boring" to trauma survivors• The importance of community, coaching, therapy, and support groups in recovery• Learning to say no and rebuild boundaries• Parenting differently after being raised by narcissistic parents• Breaking generational cycles of trauma• The challenge of aging narcissistic parents and navigating guilt, obligation, and no-contact decisionsOne of the most powerful takeaways from this conversation is that healing is not about fixing the relationship with the narcissist. Healing is about repairing your relationship with yourself.Whether you're just beginning your recovery journey or have been doing the work for years, this episode offers validation, insight, and hope.Connect with Chris:https://www.instagram.com/hype.r.vigilance Chris on Instagramhttps://tinyurl.com/bddemu7bm - Chris on Cameo https://bit.ly/4ahfgCz Chris’ Lint.reeConnect with Noelani | Beyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/If this episode resonates with you, please follow, rate, and share the podcast so more survivors can find this space.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 NarcissistIn 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:Discount Streaming https://tinyurl.com/IloveyoumynarcissistTrailer 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 Companyhttps://alefcinepictures.com/productions/ Alefcine Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/alefcinepictures/ Alefcine Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/alefcinepicturesBeyond Mommy Dearesthttps://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/If 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!!!Silence Was Survival. Healing Became Her Voice. | Barbara, Author of Spells for Surviving a Haunted ChildhoodWhat happens when the secrets you've carried your entire life finally find their way onto the page?In this deeply moving episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with Barbara, author of the powerful trilogy Spells for Surviving a Haunted Childhood. Through a unique blend of memoir, poetry, magical realism, and healing practices, Barbara shares how writing helped her transform childhood trauma into a pathway toward healing.Together, they discuss childhood neglect, abandonment, emotional wounds, trauma recovery, nervous system healing, parenting after trauma, and the journey from surviving to thriving. Barbara opens up about growing up with a mother who literally left her for the circus, navigating abuse, carrying family secrets, and ultimately discovering that healing doesn't mean forgetting. It means learning how to live alongside your past without letting it define your future.In This EpisodeWhy silence becomes a survival strategy for traumatized childrenHow trauma physically impacts the body and nervous systemThe healing power of writing, journaling, art, and storytellingWhat a "haunted childhood" really looks likeGrowing up feeling unseen, unheard, and aloneThe difference between surviving and healingLearning to identify and name emotionsParenting after trauma and breaking generational cyclesWhy healing is not linearThe impact of childhood abandonment and neglectHow awareness becomes the bridge between the haunted and the healerThe importance of finding safe peopleHealing from complex trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)Why survivors need spaces where they are believedTrigger WarningThis episode includes discussions of:Childhood abuseSexual abuseEmotional abuseChildhood neglectSuicide attemptsTrauma and PTSD/C-PTSDMental health challengesPlease listen at your own pace and prioritize your well-being.Connect with BarbaraFollow Barbara on Instagram Buy Barabara booksBook 1 - https://amzn.to/49uI4HsBook 2 - https://amzn.to/4fN1I5dBook 3 - https://amzn.to/4uysW4chttps://canva.link/9volf8vn68ucp1g - Feeling Wheel https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean - ACEsbeyondmommydearest.com https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH - Drop in Session - $19.99https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Why Teens May (Temporarily) Push Their Parents Away - https://www.fosteringresilience.com/article/why-teens-may-temporarily-push-their-parents-awaySupport the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!This Is Not In Your Head: The Neuroscience of Narcissistic AbuseIn 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 narcissistHow narcissistic abuse impacts the nervous systemTrauma bonds and the addiction-like cycle of abuseHypervigilance, dissociation, doomscrolling, and nervous system shutdownThe connection between trauma, autoimmune disease, shingles, stress, and chronic illnessWhy healing is not linearThe difference between talking about trauma and actually processing itEMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) explained in accessible languageWhy boundaries and no-contact can feel terrifyingHow unresolved childhood trauma shows up in adult romantic relationshipsThe importance of rebuilding self-trust and listening to your gutHealthy communication, nervous system regulation, and “take a break” techniques for couplesWhy 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.instagram.com/mwoodslmft/Connect With Beyond Mommy DearestBeyond Mommy Dearest beyondmommydearest.com https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH - Drop in Session - $19.99https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Used in this episode Noelani’s Cup - https://amzn.to/3RlHA05Heating Pad - https://shop.madeinsantacruz.com/page7.htmlAxolotl Squishy Stress Relief Toy Glitter - https://amzn.to/4doyisKIf 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

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!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 conditioningData mining and psychological manipulationTrauma bonding and controlGaslighting and self-doubtShame as a weaponIdealism and exploitationWhy survivors blame themselvesWhy narcissists target empathetic peopleThe connection between cults and family systemsHealing from narcissistic abuseLearning to trust yourself againWhy boundaries are essential for survivalThey 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 The Vow - Learn more about NXIVM https://tinyurl.com/TheVowHBO Connect with Mark http://instagram.com/markvicente - Instagramhttps://www.markvicente.com - Website https://tinyurl.com/WhatTheBleepDoWeKnowBMD - What the Bleep Do we Know?  The MovieBeyond Mommy Dearest beyondmommydearest.com https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH - Drop in Session - $19.99https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!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 controlWhy survivors constantly question themselvesThe subtle signs of emotional abuse most people missHow trauma shows up physically in the bodyWhy self-blame becomes a survival mechanismThe difference between healthy conflict and manipulationThe long-term effects of chronic emotional stressWhy narcissists rarely seek therapyHow to begin rebuilding self-trust after abuseThe importance of journaling and external anchorsWhy healing starts with internal validationWe 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/counsellorshalinahttps://www.facebook.com/counsellorshalinalodhia/https://tr.ee/SxQNVoVxt9 - Free Guide: Narcissism & Coercive ControlBeyond Mommy Dearest beyondmommydearest.com https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH - Drop in Session - $19.99https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearesthttps://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/Support the show

Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!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/4dhDnSrDoug's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dougbuggle/Beyond Mommy Dearest - https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/The Narcissist's Playbook purchase film - https://www.narcissistsplaybook.com/short-trailer-landing-page?utm_source=weeks_aff_hernandezHeal with Beyond Mommy Dearest -  https://www.beyondmommydearest.org/monthlysupportThis episode's sponsored by https://thehappycannabus.com Promo code BMD20Support the show

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 InstagramKristen's WebsiteI’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdySupport 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!!!🎙 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 Audit to identify emotional load, body signals, and next steps toward alignment.Support 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 “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse Available on Amazon and major book retailers.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