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

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

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on May 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-----What if your life looked picture-perfect—but behind closed doors, it was anything but?In this deeply honest episode of Bitch Sesh, we’re joined by Heather from Hello Divorce, who discovered Bitch Is a Bad Word after listening to the When Dating Hurts podcast and feeling an urgent pull to reach out. Her story—and the story of a friend living through hidden abuse—reminds us that emotional abuse doesn’t always look like abuse at first… and that leaving safely is never as simple as it sounds.Together, we break down what financial abuse actually looks like, why couple’s therapy with an abuser is a huge red flag, and how Hello Divorce is helping women reclaim their power—one plan, one payment, one peaceful breath at a time.Whether you’re living it, recovering from it, or trying to support someone else through it—this episode is for you. Inside This Episode:Why “just leave” isn’t realistic or safe adviceThe reality of financial abuse & post-separation controlWhat not to do in therapy with a manipulative partnerWhy it’s okay—and smart—to leave via text or emailThe tools Hello Divorce offers for building a safe exit planYou 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 October 14, 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 the first person you told about your abuse… wasn’t a person at all?In this episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Anne Wintemute, the CEO and founder of Aimee Says, an AI-powered digital companion designed to support people experiencing domestic violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, and toxic relationships.Aimee isn’t a chatbot or a therapist. She’s something new: a judgment-free, always-available guide that helps you figure out if what you’re experiencing is abuse and what to do next with your Textie From The Extie!Inside This Episode• How technology can safely support survivors who aren’t ready to reach out for help• Why venting to Aimee can be life-changing when you’re not free to share or when your circle doesn’t understand abuse• The moment Anne realized AI could be used for healing, not harm• How to recognize patterns of control before they escalate• The power of turning pain into purposeWhy It MattersMillions of women suffer in silence because they don’t know where to start or who to trust. Aimee Says is helping survivors take their first step privately, safely, and without shame.You are not alone. And now, you’ll never have to be. We've got your back, Bestie!Vist Aimee Says at aimeesays.comTrigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of domestic abuse, coercive control, and emotional trauma. Please take care while listening.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 November 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-----In this unforgettable Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Anna, as a young wife who found herself trapped inside her abusive husband’s family home in Dubai. She was isolated, monitored, and terrified to tell anyone what was happening behind closed doors. Reporting the abuse felt impossible. Leaving felt deadly.With nothing but blind faith, a stranger who became an angel, and strength she did not know she had, Anna made a decision no woman should ever have to make. She grabbed a burner phone, walked into the unknown, and boarded a plane to save her own life.What followed was three years living on the run. Three years hiding, surviving, and rebuilding her identity in the shadows. Three years before she finally returned home safely.This episode is gripping, brave, and one of the most shocking survival stories ever shared on this show. It is a testament to the power of instinct, sisterhood, and the moment a woman decides she will be her own hero in her own story.Inside This Episode:• What life inside an abusive family system in Dubai truly looks like• The terror of being watched, controlled, and completely kept• How a single moment of faith changed everything• What it takes to run and stay alive with no safety net• How Anna rebuilt herself after three years on the lamb• Why leaving is the most dangerous and courageous choice a survivor can makeTo learn more about Anna:https://www.healingandcptsd.com/annahttps://www.oneofthe8.com/post/anna-marie-lopes-kindness-where-you-least-expect-itNeed 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 of Bitch Sesh originally aired on October 23, 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-----Kalen’s story began when she was only 17. What she thought was the drama of love quickly became a cycle of emotional and physical abuse. For years, she was told she was crazy, too sensitive, too much. She believed it. Behind closed doors, she lived with an extreme personality who used manipulation, fear, and control to keep her questioning her own mind.In this episode of Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Kalen to explore how young love can turn into domination, how gaslighting rewrites reality, and how long-term abuse leaves scars that take years to understand. This conversation is a raw reminder that real love is not chaos or pain, and that healing begins the moment you stop mistaking cruelty for passion.Inside This Episode• How abuse can start young and feel like “drama” instead of danger• The cycle of gaslighting and control in extreme personalities• When emotional abuse escalates into physical violence• The moment Kalan realized “crazy” wasn’t her, it was him• Rebuilding after years of abuse, manipulation, fear, and shameAbout KalenKalen is a survivor and advocate who endured years of emotional and physical abuse beginning at 17. Today she uses her experience to help other women recognize the red flags, trust their intuition, and know that love should never hurt.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 special episode originally aired on October 30, 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 special episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down inside the National Domestic Violence Hotline headquarters with Katie Ray-Jones, the organization’s badass CEO and lifelong advocate for survivors. Together, they pull back the curtain on what really happens when someone calls for help.From personal survivor stories to the Power and Control Wheel, tech abuse, and teen dating violence, this episode reveals the realities of modern abuse and the lifesaving work happening behind the scenes. Lindsay also shares her emotional experience being invited to serve as an “Advocate for the Day,” listening in on live calls and witnessing firsthand the compassion and strength of those answering up to 3,000 calls every single day.Inside This Episode:• What really happens behind the scenes at the National Domestic Violence Hotline• The truth about tech abuse and digital coercion in modern relationships• How the Power and Control Wheel helps survivors recognize and name abuse• The rise of teen dating violence and how to stop it early• Lindsay’s firsthand experience listening in on real hotline callsWhy This Episode Matters:Because every call is a cry for freedom and every answer is a lifeline.About the Guest:Katie Ray-Jones is the CEO of The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the nation’s leading resource for survivors of abuse. Under her leadership, the Hotline has expanded its services, implemented groundbreaking safety technology, and supported millions of callers nationwide.1-800-799-SAFE (7233)www.thehotline.orghttps://www.instagram.com/ndvhofficial/Follow & Connect:🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube💌 Follow @bitchisabadwordpodcast for updates, clips, and behind-the-scenes moments💜 Need support? Visit thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on April 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-----TRIGGER WARNING: Please be advised that this episode contains discussions of suicide, suicidal ideation, and mental health struggles. Listener discretion is strongly advised.If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. Help is available. You can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.In this powerful episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word's Bitch Sesh, we sit down with Jenn Higgins, the visionary founder behind Anyways Socks, a company born out of resilience, humor, and healing. Jenn opens up about surviving domestic abuse, finding her voice, and creating a brand that celebrates individuality and strength — anyway you are.We dive into:Jenn’s journey through survival and entrepreneurshipHow she turned pain into purpose with Anyways SocksThe role of creativity and humor in the healing processWhy building a business as a survivor is an act of resistanceHer message for anyone navigating abuse or identity rediscoveryThis candid Bitch Sesh isn’t just about socks — it’s about survival, self-expression, and socking it to domestic abuse!Whether you're a survivor, creator, advocate, or simply love a good comeback story, this episode is for you.Support and Visit ANYWAY SOCKS ---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.If you like, please leave us a review and subscribe to our channel!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 originally aired on October 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-----“The only time you knew your worth as a child was when you were solving a tyrant’s problem.” Richard GrannonMeet Richard Grannon, trauma specialist, author of A Cult of One, and the internet’s most brutally honest voice on narcissistic abuse and emotional recovery. In this episode of B!tch Is A Bad Word, Lindsay and Richard go deep on how narcissistic parents and partners shape our sense of self, why chaos can feel like love, and what it takes to finally break free from toxic patterns.Because healing isn’t just about leaving, it’s about understanding why you stayed.Inside this episodeThe psychological imprint of narcissistic parenting and how it shapes adult relationshipsWhy we confuse love with control and trauma with connectionHyper-fixation, adrenaline addiction, and why “ADHD” might actually be traumaThe cult of toxic relationships and why we worship people who hurt usCo-creation vs. victimhood and how to reclaim power without shameHealing strategies to rewire your nervous system and rediscover your true selfAbout Richard Grannonhttps://www.youtube.com/@RICHARDGRANNONhttps://www.richardgrannon.com/Richard Grannon is a psychotherapist, speaker, and creator of The Spartan Life Coach. Known for blending philosophy, psychology, and practical tools for emotional recovery, his work has helped millions break free from narcissistic abuse and rebuild with clarity and self-respect.-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwIf 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.------Follow & ConnectSubscribe, rate, and review Bitch Is A Bad Word to help more survivors find us!Share this episode with a bestie stuck in the “I can fix him” cycle.Join the Bestie Gang for tools, healing resources, and community (links in show notes)We've Got Your Back, Besties!