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

This episode originally aired on September 4, 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 of Bitch Is a Bad Word's Bitch Sesh, Stephanie Strickland shares a story so many women will recognize—even if they don’t yet have the words for it.She thought she had the life she wanted: a husband, a home, a child. But behind closed doors, things weren’t adding up. Her husband controlled the money, twisted the truth, and left her questioning her own reality. There were no bruises. But there was damage.Stephanie takes us through the confusing fog of emotional manipulation, financial control, betrayal, and isolation. She opens up about the terrifying moment she realized she was not safe, and how long it took her to finally break free.If you’ve ever felt like something was wrong but couldn’t quite explain it—this episode is for you.⚠️ Trigger Warning: Topics include emotional manipulation, control, trauma bonds, heartbreak, and toxic relationship dynamics.📞 If you or someone you know is in danger, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.Stephanie Strickland is a Dallas, Texas native, an award-winning and best-selling author, and a sought-after motivational speaker. Stephanie is a survivor of domestic violence who passionately spends her time advocating for victims and survivors of abuse. When she is not busy writing award winning books, and appearing on podcasts, she is sharing her inspiring story with others at speaking events.Stephanie believes that by openly sharing her life, removing her mask, and walking in her truth Stephanie is showing women you don’t have to live in the shame of your past. Through her encouraging words Stephanie is showing us how to overcome our insecurities, our fears and seek the life God has promised us. She continuously demonstrates how living a life with self-acceptance, patience and faith can lead to a life that is thriving and fulfilling.Stephanie is a God believer and is highly active in her church, where she is a facilitator over a women’s class, and is a part of many other ministries. To connect with Stephanie please see the links below:www.stephaniedstrickland.comInstagram - @iamsdstricklandFacebook - @StephanieDStrickWHAT YOU'LL HEAR- The subtle signs that something wasn’t right- How abusers weaponize religion and family expectations- What it feels like to question your own memory- Financial control and secret spending- How to finally listen to your gut—and act on it- The truth about abuse that leaves no physical scarsStephanie’s story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and waking up to the truth.

This episode originally aired on August 26, 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 B!tch is a Bad Word, host Lindsay sits down with Dr. Christine Cocchiola—researcher, advocate, and expert in coercive control—to expose the form of domestic abuse that leaves no bruises but devastates lives. Together, they unpack how coercive control erodes autonomy, uses children as weapons, and creates “death by a thousand paper cuts” for survivors.Dr. Cocchiola shares insights from decades of research and lived experience, explaining why survivors often blame themselves, how abusers manipulate family court and parenting, and what protective parents can do to help their children heal. From understanding trauma bonds to recognizing reactive abuse, this conversation offers validation, clarity, and practical tools for anyone trapped in the cycle of psychological control.About Dr. Christine Cocchiola:Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW is a Coercive Control Educator, Researcher & Survivor. She is a college professor teaching social work for the last 20 years and a social justice advocate for a local domestic violence agency, since the age of 19. Her expertise is in the areas of coercive control and the traumatic experiences of adult and child victims, diligently supporting these vulnerable populations. Dr. C., a Founding Member of the International Coercive Control Conference and a Board Member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, has supported codifying coercive control, writing numerous policy briefs supporting these efforts.Guest Information:Website - https://coercivecontrolconsulting.com/Instagram - @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrolTwitter - @coercivecontrolIf you’ve ever questioned whether words, manipulation, and control “count” as abuse, this episode is your answer. You’re not crazy—and you’re not alone.If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.This episode is for anyone who has asked:- signs of a controlling relationship- how to know if my relationship is abusive- emotional abuse in relationships- when love feels like control- why does my partner put me down- gaslighting and manipulation in relationships- trauma bonding explained- am I the problem in my relationship- co-parenting with a toxic ex- raising kids with an abusive partner- why leaving an abuser is so hard- what is coercive control in relationships (paired with plain terms)- feeling broken but no bruises- how to heal from an abusive relationship- my partner calls me names — is it abuse?

This episode originally aired on July 10, 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 man who once felt like home becomes the reason you fear for your safety?In this gripping episode of Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Nelsy, a veteran, mother, and survivor of a long-term abusive relationship that began with a single slap and spiraled into years of coercive control. It started in the barracks, with charm, attention, and tenderness… and it ended with holes in the walls, shattered belongings, and a system that protected him over her.We talk about what it means to report abuse in the military, how trauma bonds are formed, and the emotional whiplash of being gaslit by someone who swears they love you. Nelsy’s story is raw, devastating, and all too common and her voice is a rallying cry for women who’ve been told to stay silent.Inside This Episode:What really happens when you report a Marine for abuseHow the military enables abusers behind closed doorsWhy women stay-even after the first slapThe terrifying escalation during pregnancy and motherhoodWhat gaslighting and coercive control actually sound likeThe path to reclaiming your voice, your body, and your lifeAbout Nelsy:Nelsy is a veteran, advocate, and survivor who now speaks openly about domestic violence and military silence. Her courage in telling the truth is a gift and a warning to every woman who’s ever second-guessed her gut.If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233You’re not alone. Your healing matters. We’ve got your back, Besties!

This episode originally aired on September 29, 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-----From Survivor to Lawyer to Family Court Judge - no one knows the ins and outs of the Family Court system than Michele Locke. Too often, survivors are told by their attorneys to keep quiet about the abuse they suffered and that it turns off the judge. And too often, survivors capitulate to manipulative maneuvers their abusers thrust on them, continuing the cycle of abuse in court.Michele - a former Judge turned podcaster - discusses how to find the right attorney who understands YOU and what YOU'VE gone through and will navigate the arcane family law legal system for you. You need to find someone who understands what you've been through, is empathic to your experiences, and knows how to navigate the family court system so you don't compromise.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.About MichelePODCAST: LOVELUSTLAWMICHELE LOCKE is a former Associate Court Judge and experienced family law attorney with a mission to demystify the court system and make it accessible and equitable for all-regardless of background or socioeconomic status. With a 23-year legacy and having presided over 5,000 cases, Michele is a powerful voice for families, survivors of domestic violence, and marginalized communities.

This episode originally aired on December 4, 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-----Unfortunately, and fortunately for the Bestie Gang listening, we are going to teach you some things in this episode that I desperately wish I had known sooner. That is the whole point of this show and Amy’s work: you cannot understand their behavior because you would never do it. You keep asking, “What is the point? Why would you do this? Why can’t you just be decent?” and none of it makes sense because you are not wired like someone who enjoys creating the most unsafe, emotionally brutal reality for the mother of their children.In this Bitch Sesh with therapist and narc-recovery expert Amy Watkins, LPC, we break down the post-separation mindf*ck, the breadcrumbs of decency, the mask they wear for the new supply, the way they tell the next one you are crazy while she drinks the Kool-Aid, and how you spiral back into self-doubt, body shame, and “am I the problem?” loops.We talk about the post-separation apocalypse and how to protect your peace when your ex wakes up every day seemingly asking, “How can I f*ck with her today?”Trigger Warning for SA survivors: We also go deep into Lindsay's own story, including SA I did not recognize as SA at the time, caretaking after harm, walking on eggshells in every area of life, and shrinking my needs until I stopped asking for anything because everything I loved was eventually broken or weaponized against me.In this episode, we get into:Post-separation abuse and why you do not even know you are in it until you are outHow abusers flip the script: “you are crazy, you are a bitch” to the new partnerGaslighting, confusion, and how constant reality-twisting can genuinely make you feel like you are going insaneWhy you keep asking “Am I the problem?” after behaving in ways you do not even recognizeSex as a way to stay out of trouble, sexual coercion in marriage or relationships, and why that is not a healthy dynamicFear as your first language: rehearsing basic needs, being terrified to ask for anything, and how that keeps you stuckHow unhealed childhood trauma makes toxic love feel like homeFor more on Amy Watkins, visit her at https://www.amywatkinsstudio.com/We've got your back, Besties.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 www.thehotline.org-----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.

This episode originally aired on May 13, 2025.We chose this episode as January is National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233-----When someone you love is harmed in an abusive relationship, your world changes forever. In this deeply emotional episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, we sit down with Bill Mitchell—author, speaker, and host of the When Dating Hurts podcast—who shares the tragic story behind the murder of his daughter Kristin, just three weeks after graduating college.Twenty days before her death, Kristin walked across the stage at Saint Joseph’s University. Her family was there. Her boyfriend was there too—someone they’d never met before. Three weeks later, he pled guilty to third-degree murder.That moment launched Bill into a life of advocacy, education, and prevention, helping parents, teens, and survivors recognize the red flags of relationship violence, including coercive control, emotional abuse, and escalating patterns of toxic behavior.🎙️ In this episode, we explore:The true story that ignited a national awareness movementHow dating violence and coercive control often begin subtlyCommon emotional abuse red flags young people overlookWhat parents can do to talk to their kids about healthy vs. harmful loveWays survivors and communities can take action to protect othersWhether you’re a survivor, a parent, or someone who wants to prevent intimate partner violence, this episode is a powerful call to trust your gut, speak up, and stay aware.WHEN DATING HURTSLISTEN to the PodcastPURCHASE the BookYou’re not alone. We’ve got your back.#WhenDatingHurts #BillMitchell #RelationshipViolence #DatingAbuseAwareness #CoerciveControl #EmotionalAbuse #KristinMitchell #HealthyRelationships #IntimatePartnerViolence #BitchIsABadWordPodcastIf you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

This episode originally aired on July 24, 2025.If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233-----What happens when a survivor breaks free from strangulation, abuse, and a broken system — and finds her voice to fight back?In this honest and gripping episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Staci, a survivor of domestic violence and strangulation by a repeat offender still walking free. Staci shares her courageous journey through trauma, the failures of the justice system, and how speaking out can save lives and ignite change.They dive into the dangerous cycle of abuse, trauma bonding, and the urgent need to believe survivors the first time. This conversation is essential for anyone impacted by abuse or seeking to support those fighting to reclaim their power.Inside This Episode:The hidden dangers and devastating effects of strangulation in domestic abuseHow repeat offenders manipulate court systems to continue their abuseUnderstanding trauma bonding and why survivors sometimes doubt themselvesThe crucial role of breaking silence in survivor healing and community safetyPeer support as a powerful tool beyond therapyThe story behind Open Voices, a peer support app born from lived experienceSteps survivors can take to protect themselves and rebuild their livesAbout Stacy:Staci is a brave domestic violence survivor and advocate who co-founded Open Voices, a peer support app designed to help survivors and others find connection and healing through shared experience.Bestie Freebie:Discover Open Voices on the App Store — a safe space for peer support and real conversations about domestic violence, mental health, and more. Visit https://openvoices.co and follow Stacy on Instagram @the.stacii.w for inspiration and updates.We’ve got your back, Bestie. Your voice matters.

This episode was originally released on August 12, 2025.What really happens when you try couples therapy with a narcissist — and why it can make things worse? If you're in couples counseling, you NEED to listen to this episode!In this unfiltered conversation, Dr. Jamie Zuckerman (“Dr. Z”), a nationally recognized psychologist and narcissistic abuse expert, joins Lindsay to break down how abusers use therapy, gift-giving, and everyday moments to keep control. She explains coercive control in plain language, how abuse escalates over time, and why leaving is the most dangerous (but most empowering) step.If you’ve ever searched “Why does my partner track me?” “Is couples therapy safe with an abusive partner?” or “How do I plan my exit without them knowing?” — this episode gives you real-world strategies to protect yourself.Inside This Episode:- Why therapy with a narcissist often backfires- How gift-giving and “grand gestures” become tools for control- What coercive control really means and how to spot it- Why abuse escalates when you stop reacting- The ultimate goal of a narcissistic abuser (it’s darker than you think)- Dr. Z’s practical, step-by-step safety plan for leaving safelyDr. Z also shares the Bestie Toolkit — small, daily actions to reclaim your clarity, document abuse patterns, and protect your sanity while planning your escape.Visit Dr. Z for coaching at https://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/ and check out her podcast NEXT UP: NARCISSISM WITH DR. Z on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.📞 If you need immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.This podcast is for you if you're asking questions such as:- therapy with a narcissist- is couples therapy safe with abusive partner- coercive control examples- why does my partner track me- gift giving from narcissist- how to leave an abusive relationship safely- narcissist exit strategy- documenting abuse for court#TherapyWithANarcissist #CoerciveControl #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery #LeavingAnAbuser #SafetyPlanning #DocumentingAbuse #BreakTheTraumaBond #GaslightingAwareness #ToxicRelationshipHelp #SurvivorStrong #domesticabuseawarenessB!tch Is A Bad Word: A Podcast On Domestic Abuse is a podcast about identifying and navigating your way through and out of Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse, hosted by a survivor of Domestic Abuse.