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

This episode originally aired on November 25, 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 sits down with two unstoppable forces changing the way we talk about abuse before it ever happens: Burd Beauty founders Leah (17) and Misha (15) Burdeen, and Shear Haven founder and advocate Susanne Post. Together, they are redefining what it means to use beauty, education, and community as tools for real safety.We get into how Burd Beauty is turning a hair care brand into a life saving mission, using shampoo to start conversations about teen dating violence, policy change, and giving young people language to protect themselves. Susanne breaks down how Shear Haven trains stylists around the world to recognize warning signs behind the chair and become first responders in moments that matter.This episode is a wake up call, a masterclass, and a battle cry for anyone who believes prevention starts with honest conversations, safe adults, and empowering the next generation.Inside This Episode:• How Burd Beauty is building a beauty brand that doubles as a prevention tool• Shear Haven’s global salon training movement and why cosmetologists are uniquely positioned to spot abuse• The red flags teens miss because no one teaches them what healthy is supposed to feel like• Why early education is the key to breaking generational cycles• How beauty spaces can save lives, literallyBurd Beauty: https://burdbeauty.com/Teen sisters Leah and Misha Burdeen are using their platform to change the culture around relationships, self worth, and prevention. Their products fuel confidence and a movement.Shear Haven: https://shearhaventraining.org/Founded by Susanne Post, Shear Haven trains stylists worldwide to identify signs of abuse, respond safely, and offer resources that can save a life.-----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 www.thehotline.org

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 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-----What if healing didn’t come in a bottle—but in a mushroom grown from the dirt?In this powerful episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I’m joined by Tracey Tee, founder of Moms on Mushrooms, to talk about motherhood, microdosing, and the kind of healing no one teaches us—especially not in a doctor’s office. We talk about how psilocybin is helping women process trauma, release rage, and get clarity on the choices that actually serve them.Tracey breaks down what it means to be whole in your pain, why community is essential when you're waking up, and how mushrooms help moms stop people-pleasing and start listening to their gut—even when it goes against everything we've been told.Inside This Episode:• Why crying for five days doesn’t mean it’s not working—it means it is• What Big Pharma won’t tell you about emotional processing• How to “two sleeps” your way out of a fight with your ex• What psilocybin can do that SSRIs never could• Why you don’t have to respond to every message from your narcissist co-parent• What it looks like to take radical responsibility for your own healing• How Moms on Mushrooms is building community off social media and outside the algorithmAbout Moms on Mushrooms:Founded by Tracey Tee, Moms on Mushrooms is a digital community and education platform for mothers exploring microdosing, plant medicine, and personal transformation. With courses, peer support, and private forums, M.O.M. offers a grounded space to heal, connect, and reclaim your story—one dose at a time.Visit them at https://www.momsonmushrooms.com/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 June 24, 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 if you could take the chaos of your divorce and build something that actually works—for you?In this empowering episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I’m joined by Alex and Amanda, certified mediators and co-hosts of the Dirty Laundry Podcast. These two brilliant Canadians specialize in helping women navigate the legal minefield after leaving abusive relationships—and today, they're breaking down how to build a post-separation plan on your own terms.We dive deep into the realities of self-representation, family court, and co-parenting with a high-conflict or abusive ex. Whether you're knee-deep in legal drama or just trying to figure out your next step, this episode is packed with clarity, strategy, and truth.Inside This Episode:• Why mediation might be your best move after leaving an abuser• How to “Frankenstein” your divorce using the right experts at the right time• What the courts don’t tell you about parenting plans• Alternatives to hiring a shark lawyer (and why you might not need one)• What every woman should know before walking into family courtAbout Dirty Laundry:Alex and Amanda are certified mediators and hosts of the Dirty Laundry Podcast, a must-listen for anyone navigating toxic exes, legal chaos, and the healing that comes after. They bring sharp insight, deep empathy, and a much-needed dose of realness to the family law space.FOLLOW Dirty Laundry:Instagram @dirty.laundry.podcastYouTube @DirtyLaundryPodcastYou’re not alone. Your healing matters. We’ve got your back, Besties!

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on October 16, 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 B!tch Is a Bad Word’s: B!tch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Malou.Malou found B!tch Is a Bad Word the same way so many of us do, scrolling through social media late at night, trying to make sense of the question that changes everything: What the fck is this relationship I’m in?*Through the endless carousel of “relationship advice” and trauma content, she began piecing together what was really happening behind closed doors. What started as confusion became clarity, and what once felt like isolation turned into community.In this conversation, Malou shares how discovering language around micro-aggressions, narrative abuse, and subtle forms of control helped her name what she was experiencing and start rebuilding her sense of self.More than that, she talks about the ripple effect that happens when survivors speak up, how one story shared online can become the reason another woman finally sees the truth in her own.Inside This Episode:• Using social media to decode emotional and psychological abuse• The “what the f*ck is this relationship?” moment that changes everything• How micro-aggressions and narrative abuse keep victims doubting themselves• The ripple effect of storytelling in survivor communities• Finding clarity and connection through shared experienceWhy this episode matters:Malou’s story is a reminder that healing often starts in the quiet scroll, in the comment sections, and in the courage to say something’s not right here. It’s about how awareness spreads, one post, one podcast, and one story at a time.If you’ve ever questioned your reality, doubted your instincts, or turned to the internet looking for answers, this one’s for you.Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of emotional abuse, manipulation, and coercive control. Please take care while listening.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 thehotline.org.

This episode originally aired on September 15, 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-----She thought she married a charming, successful man. Instead, she ended up trapped in a controlling, emotionally abusive marriage that nearly broke her.In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, journalist and divorce coach Amy Polacko opens up about her own experience with a covert narcissist—a partner who manipulated, isolated, and gaslit her behind closed doors. She explains how smart, accomplished women like her often find themselves stuck in relationships that look perfect on the outside but feel like walking on eggshells inside.Amy helps women spot the warning signs of abuse most people miss—especially when there are no bruises. From love bombing to emotional control, this conversation dives deep into the red flags that survivors often don’t recognize until it's too late.Whether you’re wondering:- “Why does my partner blame me for everything?”- “Is it really abuse if there’s no violence?”- “Why do I feel trapped, scared, and exhausted?”This episode will help you name what’s happening, understand the tactics of abusers, and realize you’re not alone.🔊 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses emotional abuse, control, manipulation, gaslighting, narcissistic relationships, and trauma.📞 If you need immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.ABOUT AMY POLACKOAmy is a divorce coach and award-winning journalist who survived a narcissist nightmare. She empowers women to be the CEO of their own divorce. Amy has coached hundreds of women in toxic relationships and writes for national news outlets about coercive control, domestic abuse, divorce, online dating and singlehood. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, The Washington Post, Newsweek, NBC News THINK, The Independent, New York Observer and Ms. magazine. She co-authored the groundbreaking book FRAMED: Women in the Family Court Underworld with Dr. Christine Cocchiola which exposes the gender bias in our family court system (www.narcfreepress.com). Learn more about Amy at www.freedomwarrior.info and on Instagram @freedomwarriortribe

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on Aug 7, 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 and emotional episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, survivor and advocate Lynn shares her harrowing journey through childhood trauma, reproductive coercion, intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, and sexual assault—including surviving strangulation and rape.Lynn bravely recounts her experience growing up with a compulsive gambler father, enduring multiple abusive relationships, and navigating the life-threatening consequences of reproductive coercion before eventually escaping a cycle of violence and finding healing. She also explains how trauma bonding, coercive control, and systemic failures kept her trapped—and how she finally broke free.Trigger Warning: This episode discusses childhood trauma, domestic abuse, reproductive coercion, strangulation, sexual assault, and emotional abuse.Topics Covered:- The psychological and financial impact of compulsive gambling- How trauma bonding keeps survivors in abusive relationships- What reproductive coercion really looks like (and why it’s rarely prosecuted)- The terrifying warning signs of strangulation and intimate partner rape- Why love bombing and control often hide behind “soulmate” language- Breaking generational trauma and healing through therapy and advocacyLynn is now a speaker and advocate affiliated with the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s Storyteller Collective and Advisory Council. Connect with her via Instagram or LinkedIn.We’ve got your back, Bestie. And your second (or third) act.If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on Aug 28, 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 leaving the abuse is only the beginning?In this gripping episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, Vicki shares her 21-year journey of surviving an abusive marriage, fighting through endless family court battles, and protecting her children while rebuilding her life from scratch.From being told “you’ll have no one and nothing” to watching her ex sabotage finances, drag her through years of litigation, and weaponize custody, Vicki explains how abuse doesn’t end when you walk out the door — it often continues in the courtroom.She opens up about:- What it’s really like to spend years and millions fighting in family court- How abusers use money and legal systems as weapons- The emotional toll of being gaslit, shamed, and silenced- Why leaving takes more than courage — it takes support and strategy- The turning point when she realized she already had the strength to get free- If you’ve ever thought:- “Why is my divorce taking years?”- “Why does my ex keep dragging me back to court?”- “How do I protect my kids when the abuse won’t stop?”— this episode will help you feel seen, validated, and less alone.📞 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.-----JOIN the BIABW PATREON and DISCORD SERVER where we're building our Bestie community! On Discord, we've created a safe space where you can connect anonymously with others and share. And on Patreon, I "spill the tea" all week long as well as have all the episodes available ad-free! Join at patreon.com/BitchIsABadWordSTAY UPDATED & SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER:https://www.caliber-studio.com/bitch-is-a-bad-word-with-lindsay#biabwsubscribeConnect with Us:📧 Email: biabw@caliber-studio.com📱 Call or Text: (331) BITCHES📸 Instagram: @bitchisabadwordpod🎵 TikTok: @bitchisabadwordLISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:- Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bitch-is-a-bad-word/id1780948251- Spotify Podcasts: open.spotify.com/show/3frZ12xmxKo0lCa8eIGCDD- Website: caliber-studio.com/bitchisabadword

This episode originally aired on April 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-----This week on Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with renowned Health Transformation Coach Dr. JC Doornick to explore how survivors of domestic abuse can reclaim their health, self-worth, and future.From trauma recovery to emotional resilience, they dive into how small daily changes — micro-habits — can lead to powerful, lasting transformation. Whether you're healing from domestic violence, rebuilding after narcissistic abuse, or just starting to feel like yourself again, this episode will inspire you to shift forward.🎙️ In this episode:What "health transformation" means after abuse and traumaHow micro-habits create lasting changeTools for managing emotional turbulence and setbacksThe importance of self-compassion and support systemsUnderstanding the Human Interface Response System (I.R.S.)How sense-making improves survivor and provider communication in healthcare💥 If you're on the path to recovery, this conversation is packed with real strategies, encouragement, and insight. Healing is possible — and you deserve it.#DomesticAbuseRecovery #HealingAfterAbuse #TraumaRecovery #HealthTransformation #BitchIsABadWord #EmotionalHealing #DrJCDoornick #SurvivorSupport #MentalHealthAwarenessFOLLOW Dr. JC Doornick at- IG @DRJCDOORNICK- Free Substack Newsletter- https://drjcdoornick.substack.com/- Makes Sense Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/makes-sense-with-dr-jc-doornick/id1730954168- Makes Sense Academy - https://www.skool.com/makes-sense-academy/about?ref=73b58fafc08543b5b120fec623c7901a