Bitch Is A Bad Word: A Domestic Violence Podcast on Healing and Empowerment

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 12, 2025.If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----In this revealing episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, Cory Ann shares her intense story of falling for a charming stranger on a dating app — only to find herself trapped in a toxic relationship marked by manipulation, trauma bonding, and emotional abuse. If you’ve ever wondered how something that starts so hopeful can turn so dark, this episode is for you.We explore the subtle warning signs of domestic violence, the pressure to say “I love you” too soon, and the dangerous transformation of charm into control. Cory Ann opens up about recognizing abuse, breaking free from trauma bonds, and reclaiming her strength and voice. It’s honest, insightful, and essential listening for anyone navigating or supporting someone through abusive relationships.You’ll learn:How to spot the early red flags in dating and relationshipsThe psychology behind manipulation, love bombing, and trauma bondingWhy victims often feel trapped even when they know something’s wrongPractical steps toward healing and empowerment after emotional abuseHow to rebuild trust and boundaries in yourself and your relationshipsThis episode is perfect for listeners looking for:Awareness about dating abuse and toxic relationshipsGuidance on recognizing and escaping emotional manipulationStories of survival and healing from trauma bondsSupport for survivors and those who love themEmpowerment to reclaim your life and voice after abuseAbout Cory Ann:Cory Ann is a courageous survivor and advocate who shares her experience to shed light on the complexities of dating abuse and emotional trauma. Through her story, she inspires others to recognize the signs, break free, and rebuild their lives with resilience and self-worth.You’re not alone. Your healing matters. We’ve got your back, Besties!

This episode originally aired on November 18, 2025.If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----In this episode, Lindsay welcomes back our BFF, Dr. Nadine Macaluso, psychologist, relational trauma expert, and survivor of one of the most infamous coercive control stories of our time. Dr. Nae breaks down trauma bonding in a way that finally makes sense, explains how narcissistic personalities pull you into their cycle, and shares the five non negotiable things you must know if you are dealing with someone who thrives on power, control, and chaos.From Dirty John to Romeo style coercive control, Dr. Nadine gives a masterclass on the patterns, the psychology, and the science of why smart, capable, high functioning women get trapped in relationships that turn their world upside down. This is the episode every survivor, every bestie, and every woman rebuilding her life needs in her toolkit.Inside This Episode:• What trauma bonding actually is• How narcissistic abuse forms and hooks you• The five things you must understand to protect yourself• How coercive control works and why it escalates• Why survivors stay and what finally breaks the bond• Nadine’s lived experience and how she rebuilt her lifeAbout Dr Nadine Macaluso:Dr Nadine Macaluso is a licensed psychologist and renowned expert on relational trauma and narcissistic abuse. Her work helps survivors understand the patterns that held them captive so they can break free, reclaim their identity, and rebuild with clarity and strength.Visit her at https://drnae.com/ and get her book RUN LIKE AT HELL at https://drnae.com/product/run-like-hell-book-bundle/-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.----Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on May 8, 2025.If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----This week on Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Grace Stuart — domestic violence survivor and host of the Why She Stayed podcast — for a raw and powerful conversation about what keeps survivors stuck in abusive relationships and why they stay far longer than they ever imagined. Grace opens up about the night of her strangulation, the silent warning signs that escalate over time, and the devastating aftermath many don’t talk about. We also dig into restraining orders, guilt manipulation, and the dangerous myth that violence always “looks” violent.This conversation is brutally honest, deeply validating, and an urgent reminder that even “nice” messages can be a violation—and that love should never come with bruises, fear, or fog. Whether you’re a survivor, a loved one, or just trying to understand the complexities of coercive control, this episode will shake your perspective and speak directly to your strength.In this episode:What trauma bonding really looks and feels like How abusers use therapy as a manipulation tactic Why “love bombing” and “nice guy” behavior are often red flags The emotional aftermath of leaving — and how long it really takes to heal Tips for navigating restraining orders and reclaiming your safety The power of naming your story and finding your voicePlus:— A breakdown of what emotional abuse sounds like in “nice” language— Grace’s advice for survivors who feel trapped, confused, or ashamed— A candid discussion on guilt, grief, and growing into the life you deserveYou don’t have to wait for things to get worse to walk away. You just have to believe you’re worth saving.Watch the full video on YouTube. Audio available on all podcast platforms.If you are interested in coming on Bitch Sesh, please email us at biabw@caliber-studio.com, call or text us at (331) BITCHES, or DM us on our Instagram (instagram.com/bitchisabadwordpod) or TikTok (tiktok.com/@bitchisabadword) pages.Trigger warning: mentions of strangulation, emotional abuse, coercive control, and post-trauma effects.If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233#DomesticViolenceAwareness #WhySheStayed #SurvivorStories #StrangulationAwareness #BitchSeshPodcast #CoerciveControl #LoveBombing #EmpathProblems #BreakTheCycle #DVSurvivor #ProtectYourPeace #TraumaBonding #Gaslighting #PodcastForSurvivors #AbusePrevention #VoiceForTheVoiceless #Bestiegang #Besties #BitchIsABadWordPodcast

This episode originally aired on May 27, 2025.If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----What happens when the system meant to protect you actually works against you?In this raw and unfiltered episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, I’m joined by Tina Swithin—author, mom, and founder of One Mom’s Battle. Tina’s story started in the trenches of a brutal custody battle with a narcissistic ex, where she faced emotional abuse and a family court system that failed her. But she didn’t just survive—she turned her pain into a movement helping thousands of women find their voice and fight back.Together, we unpack the realities of narcissistic abuse, the emotional and legal trauma of family court battles, and how one woman is changing the narrative for moms everywhere.Whether you’re currently navigating abuse, healing from it, or standing beside someone who is—this episode is a must-listen.Inside This Episode:The truth about narcissistic abuse and emotional manipulationWhy family court can be one of the most dangerous places for survivorsHow to reclaim your voice and build a support systemTina’s mission to change the broken system, one mom at a timeYou are not alone. Your pain is valid. And your voice matters. We've got your back, Besties!If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233TINA SWITHINVISIT Tina: www.onemomsbattle.com FOLLOW Tina Instagram TikTok

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 5, 2025.If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----In this powerful episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, Azadeh dives into the dark reality of emotional addiction, toxic relationships, and trauma bonding. If you've ever felt stuck in a love that hurts more than it heals, this one’s for you.We’re talking drug dens, manipulation, heartbreak, and the dangerous high of trauma-bonded love. Azadeh opens up about navigating emotional abuse, sobriety, codependency, and why your heart keeps going back to what nearly broke you. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s everything you need to hear to break free.You’ll learn:What emotional addiction really is — and how it traps you like a drugSigns of trauma bonds and toxic attachment stylesThe psychology behind love bombing and emotional manipulationWhy toxic love is so hard to leave (even when you know better)How to begin healing from emotionally abusive relationshipsThis episode is perfect for listeners looking for:Emotional addiction recoveryBreaking trauma bondsHealing from toxic relationshipsStories about emotional abuse & codependencyEmpowerment after abuseAbout Azadeh:Azadeh is a fierce survivor, advocate, and host of the Rise and Rebuild podcast. She shares her story to expose the hidden addiction of toxic love and empower others to heal, break cycles, and rebuild their lives with strength and self-worth.Visit Azadeh @ https://finallyfreelife.com/ for coaching and purchasing her numerous books!You are not alone. You’re not crazy. And no—you’re not a bitch for doing what you need to do to be safe. We've got your back, Besties!

This episode originally aired on April 22, 2025.If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----In this powerful episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, host Lindsay sits down with Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and author Carla Litto to unpack the psychology behind narcissistic and emotionally abusive relationships.Carla, author of Outsmarting Egomaniacs: How to Respond to Narcissists and Master Manipulators, explains how Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can show up in intimate relationships — and what survivors can do to protect themselves.With compassion and clinical expertise, Carla breaks down the red flags of manipulation, gaslighting, trauma bonding, and coercive control, offering actionable tools to help survivors regain clarity, confidence, and control.🎙️ In this episode, we cover:How BPD and NPD appear in toxic or abusive relationshipsUnderstanding emotional dysregulation, projection, and trauma bondingPractical ways to recognize and respond to manipulation and gaslightingWhy survivors second-guess themselves — and how to rebuild self-trustKey insights from Outsmarting Egomaniacs by Carla LittoWhether you're recovering from narcissistic abuse or supporting someone who is, this episode will give you the knowledge and power to move forward.#NarcissisticAbuse #EmotionalAbuseRecovery #BPDRelationships #NPD #Gaslighting #TraumaBonding #CoerciveControl #OutsmartingEgomaniacs #CarlaLitto #BitchIsABadWordPodcastVisit Carla's websitePurchase Carla's book, Outsmarting EgomaniacsIf you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233