Back From The Borderline

Individuals recovering from trauma, neglect, and abuse are often particularly vulnerable to manipulative tactics. Their desire to be liked and accepted can unfortunately make them less adept at recognizing when they are being manipulated. In this episode, we’ll explore not only how to detect these hidden agendas but also how to respond and reclaim your space with integrity and confidence. In part one of this mini-series, we’ll peel back the layers of the most covert strategies used in personal and professional relationships, rooted in the wisdom of Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power. We're diving deep into three specific laws covered in the book: Conceal Your Intentions, Court Attention at All Costs, and Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy. Robert Greene’s book, often misunderstood as a manual for the ruthless, is actually a treasure trove of defensive wisdom crucial for those who feel overpowered or overlooked. This series isn’t just about exposing the tactics of power—it’s about empowering you to use this knowledge to your advantage. Join me as we navigate these murky waters together. You’ll learn to spot when someone is masking their true intentions or hogging the spotlight not just to enlighten you, but to empower you. Let’s move beyond being pawns in someone else’s game and become architects of our own destiny.TIME STAMPS:00:00 – 19:11.41: Introduction (about the book, the author and how we’ll structure this series)19:11.41: Law #3 (“conceal your intentions”)50:51.10: Law #6 (“court attention at all costs”)01:19.04 – 01:50.30: Law #14 (“pose as a friend, work as a spy”)Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

Have you ever wondered how authoritarian systems impact the psychological development of highly sensitive children? Join me in this gripping episode as Nick Taber, a writer and personal development advocate, reveals the dark underbelly of the “Troubled Teen Industry” and his journey towards healing and personal empowerment.Every year, thousands of young people are forcibly sent to facilities designed to control their behavior. These range from boot camps and behavior modification centers to wilderness therapy and gay conversion programs. Often unregulated and shrouded in secrecy, these institutions promise behavioral correction but deliver trauma and abuse. Nick’s experience at one of these programs, dubbed the “Harvard” of therapeutic boarding schools, exposes the brutal methods used to enforce obedience and the psychological scars they leave behind.In this episode, Nick shares his deeply personal account of enduring extreme forms of Skinnerian behavioral modification, isolation, and emotional abuse. He discusses how these programs pathologize normal behaviors and suppress emerging consciousness, branding self-advocacy as manipulation and punishing any attempt at autonomy. Nick’s story is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that prioritize control over genuine understanding and support.We’ll delve into the long-term impacts on adult perceptions and relationships, exploring how children stripped of their autonomy struggle to trust their own judgment. Nick’s critique of the mental health industry’s coercive practices challenges us to rethink how we support vulnerable populations.CONNECT WITH NICK: ★ Read more of Nick’s work on his blog at https://imaginal-cell.org/blog★ Click here to follow Nick on X @nicktaberRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:★ The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education by Grace Llewellyn★ Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto★ Against Therapy: Emotional Tyranny and the Myth of Psychological Healing by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

Individuals recovering from trauma, neglect, and abuse are often particularly vulnerable to manipulative tactics. Their desire to be liked and accepted can unfortunately make them less adept at recognizing when they are being manipulated. In this episode, we’ll explore not only how to detect these hidden agendas but also how to respond and reclaim your space with integrity and confidence.In part one of this mini-series, we’ll peel back the layers of the most covert strategies used in personal and professional relationships, rooted in the wisdom of Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power. We're diving deep into three specific laws covered in the book: Conceal Your Intentions, Court Attention at All Costs, and Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy. Robert Greene’s book, often misunderstood as a manual for the ruthless, is actually a treasure trove of defensive wisdom crucial for those who feel overpowered or overlooked. This series isn’t just about exposing the tactics of power—it’s about empowering you to use this knowledge to your advantage. Join me as we navigate these murky waters together. You’ll learn to spot when someone is masking their true intentions or hogging the spotlight not just to enlighten you, but to empower you. Let’s move beyond being pawns in someone else’s game and become architects of our own destiny.TIME STAMPS:00:00 – 19:11.41: Introduction (about the book, the author and how we’ll structure this series)19:11.41: Law #3 (“conceal your intentions”)50:51.10: Law #6 (“court attention at all costs”)01:19.04 – 01:50.30: Law #14 (“pose as a friend, work as a spy”)

Every year, thousands of young people are forcibly sent to facilities designed to control their behavior. These range from boot camps and behavior modification centers to wilderness therapy and gay conversion programs. Often unregulated and shrouded in secrecy, these institutions promise behavioral correction but deliver trauma and abuse. Join me for a conversation with Nick Taber, a writer and personal development advocate, reveals the dark underbelly of the “Troubled Teen Industry” and his journey towards healing and personal empowerment. Nick’s experience at one of these programs, dubbed the “Harvard” of therapeutic boarding schools, exposes the brutal methods used to enforce obedience and the psychological scars they leave behind.In this episode, Nick shares his deeply personal account of enduring extreme forms of Skinnerian behavioral modification, isolation, and emotional abuse. He discusses how these programs pathologize normal behaviors and suppress emerging consciousness, branding self-advocacy as manipulation and punishing any attempt at autonomy. Nick’s story is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that prioritize control over genuine understanding and support.We’ll delve into the long-term impacts on adult perceptions and relationships, exploring how children stripped of their autonomy struggle to trust their own judgment. Nick’s critique of the mental health industry’s coercive practices challenges us to rethink how we support vulnerable populations.CONNECT WITH NICK: ★ Read more of Nick’s work on his blog at https://imaginal-cell.org/blog★ Click here to follow Nick on X @nicktaberRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:★ The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education by Grace Llewellyn★ Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto★ Against Therapy: Emotional Tyranny and the Myth of Psychological Healing by Jeffrey Moussaieff MassonEnjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

Dive into the dark complexities of Aileen Wuornos's life in this thought-provoking installment of our 'Anatomy of Evil' series. This episode transcends the usual true crime sensationalism, offering a deep-dive into the psychological and societal factors that sculpted Wuornos's destiny. In this exploration, I unravel Aileen's turbulent early life, spotlighting the profound impact of her family dynamics—particularly the roles of her absent father and abusive grandfather. We delve into how these critical relationships, combined with societal neglect, forged a psyche ripe for turmoil. Unlike the typical narrative, this episode leverages psychological theories like Jungian archetypes to decode Aileen's actions, providing a nuanced perspective on her as the 'warrior' fighting against her 'shadow' self. As we dissect her life further, we uncover how Aileen's relationship with Tyria Moore influenced her descent into criminality. We analyze the dynamics of their partnership through the lens of trauma bonding, highlighting how this relationship not only offered solace but also propelled Aileen towards her tragic fate. This episode also casts a critical eye on the sensationalist media portrayal of Aileen, contrasting it with her own stark perceptions of being exploited by a system that she felt was rigged against her from the start. This episode promises unique insights into lesser-discussed aspects of Aileen's story, such as her critique of the justice system and her prophetic warnings about societal collapse. By tuning in, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the intricate web of factors that can lead to criminality—a narrative that challenges the simplicity of the 'monster' stereotype. Join me in this meticulous unpacking of Aileen Wuornos’s life, where we go beyond the headlines to discover the real story hidden beneath. If you're captivated by the psychological underpinnings of criminal behavior and the societal constructs that influence it, this episode is essential listening. TIME STAMPS:00:00 – 53:27.22: PART 1 (Introduction to Aileen Wuornos, her early life, family dynamics, psychological development, and societal influences)53:27.22 – 01:52:29.54: PART 2 (Manifestation of criminal behavior, her relationship with Tyria Moore, societal and systemic influences, media portrayal, final reflections, and broader implications)Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

In this episode, you’ll join me for an interview with author, screenwriter, and activist Rose Cartwright, whose battle with disturbing intrusive thoughts initially led her to a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. However, after rising to fame through a seeming liberation due to her diagnosis, she found herself at a crossroads that led her to drastically rethink healing and mental health.A profoundly transformative moment at a silent meditation retreat during a personal dark night of the soul would mark the beginning of a new chapter. It was here where Rose encountered a profound silence that opened the door to exploring altered states of consciousness. This experience led her to the unconventional path of psychedelic therapy, where she found revelations and healing outside the rigid diagnostic frameworks of traditional mental health.Throughout our conversation, Rose and I dive into how she moved beyond the biomedical model and labels that once defined her. From her initial diagnosis to her courageous exploration of psychedelics, Rose's journey illustrates a profound shift from seeing herself through the lens of disorder to embracing a spiral upward, becoming more truly herself while alchemizing the pain of her childhood.My hope for listeners is that this episode will serve as an invitation to rethink what it means to truly heal. For anyone questioning conventional mental health approaches and finding themselves stuck at a crossroads and overcome by psychological suffering, Rose's story will offer a radical perspective on embracing the full complexity of the human experience.REFERNECES: ✧ Rose’s new book: “The Maps We Carry: Psychedelics, trauma and our new path to mental health”✧ “I was the poster girl for OCD - Then I began to question everything I’d been told about mental illness” (article by Rose Cartwright via The Guardian)✧ Knots by R.D. Laing✧ We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy--And the World's Getting Worse by James HillmanEnjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

Dive into the dark complexities of Aileen Wuornos's life in this thought-provoking installment of our 'Anatomy of Evil' series. This episode transcends the usual true crime sensationalism, offering a deep-dive into the psychological and societal factors that sculpted Wuornos's destiny. In this exploration, I unravel Aileen's turbulent early life, spotlighting the profound impact of her family dynamics—particularly the roles of her absent father and abusive grandfather. We delve into how these critical relationships, combined with societal neglect, forged a psyche ripe for turmoil. Unlike the typical narrative, this episode leverages psychological theories like Jungian archetypes to decode Aileen's actions, providing a nuanced perspective on her as the 'warrior' fighting against her 'shadow' self. As we dissect her life further, we uncover how Aileen's relationship with Tyria Moore influenced her descent into criminality. We analyze the dynamics of their partnership through the lens of trauma bonding, highlighting how this relationship not only offered solace but also propelled Aileen towards her tragic fate. This episode also casts a critical eye on the sensationalist media portrayal of Aileen, contrasting it with her own stark perceptions of being exploited by a system that she felt was rigged against her from the start. This episode promises unique insights into lesser-discussed aspects of Aileen's story, such as her critique of the justice system and her prophetic warnings about societal collapse. By tuning in, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the intricate web of factors that can lead to criminality—a narrative that challenges the simplicity of the 'monster' stereotype. Join me in this meticulous unpacking of Aileen Wuornos’s life, where we go beyond the headlines to discover the real story hidden beneath. If you're captivated by the psychological underpinnings of criminal behavior and the societal constructs that influence it, this episode is essential listening.TIME STAMPS:00:00 – 53:27.22: PART 1 (Introduction to Aileen Wuornos, her early life, family dynamics, psychological development, and societal influences)53:27.22 – 01:52:29.54: PART 2 (Manifestation of criminal behavior, her relationship with Tyria Moore, societal and systemic influences, media portrayal, final reflections, and broader implications)

Have you ever felt trapped by your thoughts? What if the very labels we trust to define our mental health could be part of what holds us back? Join us as we unravel the captivating journey of Rose Cartwright, an author, screenwriter, and activist whose experience with disturbing, intrusive thoughts challenged her to drastically rethink healing and mental health.Rose's story begins in the throes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, defined by violent and sexual intrusive thoughts that haunted her daily life. But a transformative silent retreat would mark the beginning of a new chapter. Here, Rose encountered a profound silence that opened the door to exploring altered states of consciousness. This experience led her to the unconventional paths of psychedelic therapy, where she found revelations and healing outside the rigid frameworks of traditional mental health practices.Throughout the episode, we dive into how Rose moved beyond the medical model that once defined her. From her initial diagnosis to her courageous exploration of psychedelics, Rose's journey illustrates a profound shift from seeing herself through the lens of disorder to embracing a holistic view of personal well-being. How did these experiences change the way she views healing? What can we learn from her story about the power of redefining our own paths to recovery?Tune in to discover how stepping away from prescribed narratives can lead to more authentic, empowered living. This episode is not just a story of overcoming but a compelling invitation to rethink what it means to truly heal. For anyone questioning conventional mental health approaches or seeking a deeper understanding of themselves, Rose's insights offer a radical perspective on embracing the full complexity of our human experience.Connect with Rose at https://www.rosecartwright.com/REFERNECES:✧ Rose’s new book: “The Maps We Carry: Psychedelics, trauma and our new path to mental health”✧ “I was the poster girl for OCD - Then I began to question everything I’d been told about mental illness” (article by Rose Cartwright via The Guardian)✧ Knots by R.D. Laing✧ We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy--And the World's Getting Worse by James Hillman

What if I told you that hidden within the fabric of your own body lies a discovery so profound it's shifting the very foundations of health science? Picture a network, integral to our biology, that could reveal the secrets of how our bodies communicate, how they hold onto trauma, and might even unlock new ways to heal longstanding health mysteries. This isn't the realm of science fiction—it's the reality of the Interstitium, a discovery that's reshaping our understanding of the human body. These fluid-filled spaces, the Interstitium, nestled within and between your tissues, might just be the missing piece we've been seeking—not only in fighting disease but in understanding the profound ways our bodies store and respond to trauma. By the end of this episode, you'll see your own body in a whole new light, appreciating how this hidden system could revolutionize our approach to health and healing. Imagine, just for a moment, that within this hidden maze lies the key to new healing pathways. What if these fluid-filled corridors hold not only the remnants of past traumas but also the seeds of future wellness? This episode is an invitation to rethink everything you thought you knew about your body. Let's dive deep into the secrets of the Interstitium together and explore the potential it holds for transforming our understanding of health, healing, and ourselves.Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of ad-free exclusive content and full-length episodes on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.