Podcasts about coercive control

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we explore how phrases that seem romantic, protective, passionate, or deeply devoted can function very differently inside an abusive relationship. From accelerated intimacy and fate-based language to “protection” that limits autonomy and devotion that overrides consent, we break down the patterns behind the words. These phrases are not inherently harmful. In healthy relationships, many of them are beautiful and genuine. The difference is not in what's said, but in what follows. Does the relationship make you more confident, more capable, and more connected to your instincts? Or does it leave you smaller, more doubtful, and more isolated over time? When loving language is used to create urgency, exclusivity, dependency, or guilt, it can become a tool of control. This episode helps you recognize the difference between love that expands you and language that slowly contains you. Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this educational follow-up to Andrea's survivor story, we explore the deeper psychological themes beneath her experience — early self-blame, emotional role reversal, silence as survival, and the lasting impact of parental betrayal. We break down fear, obligation, guilt, and shame, and examine how parentification, secrecy, and high-functioning achievement can mask unresolved trauma for decades. If you've ever felt responsible for holding everything together — or struggled to speak about what happened — this episode offers clarity, reflection, and hope for healing. To but Andrea's book, click here. Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Andrea shares her journey of surviving severe childhood sexual abuse and maternal betrayal inside a family that appeared successful and stable from the outside. At four and a half years old, Andrea's father began crossing boundaries that no child should ever have to endure. The night her mother walked in and fainted — temporarily losing her sight — Andrea was told it was her fault. With no protector and no safe adult, Andrea became a parentified child — managing her mother's emotions, protecting her younger sister, and carrying shame that was never hers to hold. It's a story of childhood trauma, willful blindness, parentification, secrecy, shame, self blame, cutting, isolation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, sexual assault, coping mechanisms, suicidal ideation, hyper vigilance, perfectionism, people pleasing, emotional suppression, dissociation, betrayal trauma, conditional love, gaslighting, fear of exposure, trauma stored in the body, breakdown, therapy, complicated grief, forgiveness, and ultimately reclaiming her voice. Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, physical abuse, sexual assault, self harm, and childhood sexual abuse.  To but Andrea's book, click here. Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

PTSD rates among domestic violence survivors match combat veterans. That's not metaphor. That's clinical data.The long shadow of coercive control doesn't end when the relationship does. The hypervigilance that kept you alive becomes a permanent setting. The amygdala stays stuck in overdrive. Triggers hide in ordinary moments—a certain phrase, a car that looks familiar, a knock at the door.According to the unsealed affidavit in the Tepe case, surveillance footage shows Michael McKee walking through the Tepes' yard while Monique was at a football game in Indianapolis. She left at halftime. There's no documented tip-off. Her body just knew.That's not paranoia. That's what years of alleged coercive control do to a human nervous system. And it's what this episode is about.We examine what life looks like after you escape an abusive relationship—the identity excavation that happens when the person who entered that relationship has been systematically disassembled. The question "who am I?" that hits when the controlling voice is gone but still echoes. The shame survivors carry that was installed by someone who needed them to believe they were the problem.We also talk to the people nobody talks to: the partners of survivors. People like Spencer Tepe who inherit the fear alongside the person they love. Family members and friends trying to understand why someone who's been free for years still checks the locks three times. That behavior isn't baggage. It's battle damage.Monique chose love again. She chose parenthood. She chose joy while carrying years of alleged terror. That's not foolishness. That's the most courageous thing a human being can do.You are what you build after. And building is a choice you can make today.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#MoniqueTepe #SpencerTepe #MichaelMcKee #TrueCrimeToday #PTSD #CoerciveControl #SurvivorHealing #Hypervigilance #TepeCase #HiddenKillers

She was at a football game in Indianapolis. According to the unsealed affidavit, surveillance footage shows Michael McKee walking through the Tepes' yard that same day. Monique left at halftime. There's no documented tip-off. Her body just knew.That's not paranoia. That's what years of alleged coercive control do to a human nervous system.This episode examines the long shadow—what life looks like after you escape an abusive relationship. The hypervigilance that never switches off. The amygdala stuck in overdrive. The PTSD rates among domestic violence survivors that match combat veterans. The triggers hiding in ordinary moments that outsiders can't see.And we talk to the people nobody talks to: the partners of survivors. People like Spencer Tepe who inherit the fear alongside the person they love. The family members and friends trying to understand why someone who's been free for years still checks the locks three times and can't sleep through the night.That behavior isn't baggage. It's battle damage. And it deserves to be understood.We cover trauma-informed therapy and its limits. The shame survivors carry that was installed by someone who needed them to believe they were the problem. The community of survivors who understand your experience in ways clinical interventions can't replicate. The revolutionary act of setting boundaries after years of being punished for having them.Monique wasn't defined by what she allegedly survived. She was defined by what she built after—choosing love again, choosing parenthood, choosing a partner who showed up for his community every day.If your nervous system won't stand down even though you're technically safe—your fear is not weakness. It is intelligence. It is your body doing exactly what it was designed to do.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#MoniqueTepe #SpencerTepe #MichaelMcKee #TheLongShadow #Hypervigilance #PTSD #CoerciveControl #TraumaRecovery #TepeCase #HiddenKillers

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we explore how autonomy gets suppressed in mother-daughter dynamics and introduce the early stages of a new mapping framework we've been building behind the scenes. By analyzing patterns across survivor stories, we're beginning to identify core drivers, identity amplifiers, and recurring control mechanisms that shape these relationships. From dominance and guilt to perfectionism, emotional withholding, enmeshment, and instability, we break down the different pathways through which autonomy can be eroded — and how those dynamics create distinct daughter adaptations. This is the beginning of a deeper structural approach to understanding abuse — not just as isolated behaviors, but as patterned systems. If this resonates and you'd like to share your story — whether publicly or privately — reach out. The more stories we examine, the clearer the patterns become. Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A mother of three is navigating ongoing post-separation abuse from two different ex-partners. After disagreeing with a proposed school and therapist change, her second ex escalated with threats of full custody, weaponizing her trauma history and mental health. Shortly after, her first ex announced a move near the second ex, and she discovered the two men have been communicating.With limited financial resources, no attorney, and little outside support, she is trying to understand what is happening, how to protect herself and her children, and how to respond without making the situation worse.This episode explores coordinated coercive tactics, fear-based legal threats, and how protective parents can ground themselves, preserve stability, and respond strategically without escalating conflict.Questions Answered in This EpisodeHave you ever seen two abusive ex-partners coordinate or team up, and why does this happen?How should a protective parent respond when custody threats and mental health accusations are used as leverage after saying no?What practical steps can you take to protect yourself and your children, especially when you cannot afford an attorney and want to avoid court?Want your question featured in a future Friday Coaching Corner? Send a short paragraph explaining your situation and 2–3 specific questions to info@risingbeyondpc.com.Download the free script guide, Protective Parenting Scripts for Hard Moments: https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/parentingscriptsPlease leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpcIf you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond:Rising Beyond FacebookRising Beyond LinkedInRising Beyond Pinterest If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles Freebie Canned Responses Freebie Mic Drop Moments Freebie ...

In this re-release episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we hear Kelowna's life of living in abuse. Nothing Kelowna ever did was good enough for her abusive mother. All Kelowna knew was an ever-present sense of worthlessness as her mother's scapegoat. By the age of 14, Kelowna's mother pushed her right into the hands of her future abusive husband. And by the age of 20, Kelowna was pregnant and stuck in a very controlling relationship. It's a story of not feeling good enough, caretaking, parentification, manipulation, insecurities, feeling stuck, financial abuse, infidelity, no contact, sexual abuse, and physical abuse. *** CONTENT WARNING - This episode discusses physical abuse and sexual abuse. *** Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nobody walks into an abusive relationship knowing what it is. The early phase feels like healing — someone finally seeing you, choosing you, making you the center of their world. The attention is overwhelming. The affection is constant. And by the time the walls go up, you're already inside them.This episode examines the mechanics of coercive control escalation through the lens of the McKee-Tepe case. How love bombing targets real emotional needs. How attention becomes surveillance. How the public mask of success shields private abuse. And why the question "didn't you see the red flags?" places blame on the wrong person.Michael McKee's public profile showed a National Merit Scholar, a decorated surgeon, and a man with zero criminal history. According to witnesses, the private allegations tell a different story entirely. That gap between public and private is how coercive control operates — and why victims can't get anyone to believe them.If you've ever blamed yourself for trusting someone who turned out to be dangerous — this episode is for you.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#TrueCrimeToday #MoniqueTepe #MichaelMcKee #SpencerTepe #CoerciveControl #LoveBombing #TepeCase #Escalation #DomesticViolence #RedFlags

Leaving a relationship with someone who has untreated borderline personality traits can feel less like a breakup and more like trying to escape a locked room while being told you're the one causing the fire.In this episode, I speak directly to the people who are rarely centered in these conversations: the partners who have been living inside someone else's emotional emergency. The ones who learned to scan tone, timing, silence, and mood shifts just to survive. The ones whose nervous systems became collateral damage.This is not an episode about diagnosing or vilifying people with BPD. It is about naming the relational impact of untreated emotional dysregulation, identity collapse, abandonment panic, and rage–care oscillation on the person who loves them.I talk about:Why leaving can feel impossible without intense guilt and fearHow reality erosion, false accusations, and emotional role reversal take holdThe cycle I see over and over again: rage → collapse → panic → pleading → accusationWhy reassurance makes things worse instead of betterHow partners slowly disappear while trying to keep someone else regulatedWhy intent does not cancel impact, even when suffering is realIf you've ever felt like you were the safest person in the world one moment and the villain the next—with no transition, no shared reality, and no way to win—this episode is for you.Support the show*Please Note: there is a long intro that explains my services. If you do not want to listen, just fast-forward 5 mins past. This intro will be changed in future recordings to be shorter. I am not paid to record this podcast and it is a free offering. Offering my work is the only way I can sustain the podcast* Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/Youarenotcrazy *New Course*: Unhooked: Map the Cycle of Abuse in your Relationship Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.comInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachEmail: jessica@jessicaknightcoaching.com{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse {E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

In this third episode of The Narcissism Trap series, we shift from personal validation to legal strategy, exploring why the very word that brought you clarity could be the thing that sinks your court case. We'll look at how judges actually view labels like "narcissist" and why focusing on clinical diagnoses can unintentionally dilute accountability and hand a "gift" to your ex's legal team.

If you've ever felt trapped in a relationship you couldn't explain — exhausted, anxious, walking on eggshells, but unable to point to a single thing that anyone else would call abuse — you're not crazy. What you experienced has a name. And most people have never heard it.According to witnesses, Monique Tepe allegedly endured death threats, strangulation, and forced sex during a seven-month marriage to Michael McKee. Zero police reports. Zero restraining orders. From the outside, a short marriage that didn't work out. From the inside, allegedly something entirely different.This is the first in a 5-part series on coercive control. We define the beast — isolation, monitoring, financial control, weaponized intimacy, identity erosion — not as clinical theory but through what these mechanisms actually feel like from the inside. Why victims don't recognize it. Why the world doesn't see it. Why most of the United States still doesn't treat it as a crime.The Tepe case anchors this series. But the audience is anyone who has ever said "at least he doesn't hit me." Anyone who recognized something in this episode that they've never had language for. Now you do.#HiddenKillers #CoerciveControl #MoniqueTepe #MichaelMcKee #SpencerTepe #InvisibleAbuse #TepeCase #DomesticViolence #EmotionalAbuse #YoureNotCrazyJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we step back from Justin's survivor story and examine the pattern beneath it. Justin believed in partnership. He leaned into responsibility, tried to stabilize tension, and carried the weight of keeping everything together. Over time, those strengths slowly shifted into over-functioning — where effort replaced evaluation, and stability depended increasingly on him alone. In this episode, we explore: how rapid commitment and shared responsibility can crowd out clarity why capable, dependable partners often stay longer in unstable dynamics how accusations and instability condition self-monitoring the illusion of control in relationships and how over-functioning can mask structural imbalance Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Justin shares the story of a relationship where he believed he was part of a team — until he realized he had been navigating it alone. What began as a promising relationship with his second wife quickly accelerated into a rushed engagement, marriage, and parenthood. Justin noticed early red flags — overreactions that left him feeling off balance and growing control over their finances that he struggled to fully understand. Still, he believed in working through challenges, trusting that commitment meant showing up, adapting, and doing his part. But over time, the emotional and financial pressure intensified. Justin found himself increasingly isolated, carrying responsibility while losing clarity and stability. As he worked harder to keep things together, the reality beneath the surface became harder to ignore.  It's a story of rushed commitment, financial control, isolation, shame, obligation, guilt, fear, control, religious beliefs, being good enough, accusations, shifting expectations, divorce, custody, self-doubt, loss of identity, rebuilding, rediscovering freedom, finding peace in the small things again, and becoming the parent he always hoped to be.  CONTENT WARNING - This episode mentions child sexual abuse.  Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hayley sits down with Lauren Trevan to share the truth behind 16 years of coercive control, emotional abuse, and the devastating revelations that changed her life forever.Lauren reflects on who she was at just 18 when she met her husband at their sporting club, how quickly the relationship unfolded, and the subtle red flags she didn't recognise at the time. She opens up about how jealousy, surveillance, financial control, and emotional manipulation slowly crept into every part of her life, leaving her isolated, exhausted, and trapped.She bravely shares what it was like to discover that the man she married had been abusing young girls, how the victims' courage helped her finally see the reality of her own situation, and how everything she had normalised suddenly made sense. Lauren speaks candidly about navigating criminal proceedings, the retraumatising family court system, and fighting for safety and custody for her children.Now the author of Now I See You, Lauren is committed to breaking the silence around domestic and family violence. She also shares her work with DV Safe Phone, highlighting how access to something as simple as a safe phone can be life-changing for someone trying to escape abuse.This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned their reality, felt unseen, or wondered if things could ever get better. Lauren's story is one of heartbreak, courage, truth, and rebuilding proof that even after profound trauma, healing and hope are possible.If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse or trying to heal from it here are some support links :

DescriptionIn this solo episode of Perfect Prey, I explore one of the most heartbreaking dynamics of coercive control: the weaponization of children.Children rely on their parents for safety, stability, and unconditional love. But when a predatory parent is operating within the family system, attachment can become fractured. Instead of growing up with secure connection, children are often indoctrinated into false narratives, exposed to subtle undermining, and pulled into loyalty binds they cannot cognitively or emotionally process.I explain how coercive control is the underpinning of all forms of abuse — psychological, legal, financial, physical, and emotional — and how, when an abuser can no longer control their partner, they often shift to controlling through the child.We'll talk about:How attachment is formed — and how it can be fracturedWhy children may come home dysregulated, angry, or oppositionalHow subtle undermining and false narratives are plantedThe difference between alienation rhetoric and attachment fractureWhy predatory parents rely on retaliation and loyalty conflictsHow protective parents can create “roadblocks” to manipulationWhat it means to respond instead of react — even when you are traumatizedThis episode is especially for protective parents navigating post-separation abuse and family court dynamics. The reality is painful: children are often placed in impossible positions, forced into emotional roles they should never have to carry.But there are ways to respond differently.If you are watching your child struggle, unravel, or lash out after time with the other parent, this episode will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface — and how to stay grounded in your role as the secure base.Protective parents are doing some of the hardest work there is. You are not alone.Connect with Dr. ChristineProtective Parenting Program:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/Official site:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videosTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/Books:https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBookhttps://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDayIf this episode resonated, please share it with someone who needs this information, subscribe to Perfect Prey, and consider leaving a review. It helps other survivors and protective parents find validation and clarity.— Dr. Christine Cocchiola

Send JKO a Text MessageIf you've been betrayed repeatedly, it's not easy to trust again, especially when the betrayal came from someone you depended on. This episode is for the woman who feels lonely, cautious, and tired of being used. We talk about the Trust Ladder, how to spot safe people by patterns, and a lesson from 1 Kings 13 about misplaced trust.Nuggets of wisdom in this episodeTrust is layers and patterns over time.The 4 Cs that prove a person is trustworthy.Loneliness makes you vulnerable to wrong counsel.God's Word is your safest guide.Key scriptures: Matthew 10:16, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 27:12, Psalm 118:8, 1 Kings 13ReferencesBetrayal Trauma: The Impact of Being Betrayed How to Stop Hustling for Love Safety Note: Please use these ideas in a way that feels right and safe for your situation. For personal support, reach out to someone you trust or a local service in your area. Picture on cover developed in Canva.Support the show If Messy Can't Stop Her blesses or inspires you, please consider supporting it at supportmessycantstopher.buzzsprout.com. Thank you for being part of this journey. If you would love to share your story on the #MessyCantStopHer podcast, click here to let me know. Thank you so much for listening. Music Credit: https://indiefy.me/wanted-carter

In this episode, I talk about what happens after the fight, the discard, or the emotional explosion, and why the aftermath hits you so much harder than it seems to hit them.I break down a pattern I see constantly in emotionally abusive, high-conflict, and narcissistic dynamics: one person unloads their rage, shame, blame, or dysregulation, and then walks away feeling lighter—while the other person is left carrying it.I explain why this isn't about resolution, communication, or vulnerability. It's about emotional transfer. When someone cannot tolerate their own internal discomfort, they offload it onto you. You're left replaying the conversation, questioning yourself, feeling dysregulated, and trying to make sense of something that was never meant to be repaired.Support the show*Please Note: there is a long intro that explains my services. If you do not want to listen, just fast-forward 5 mins past. This intro will be changed in future recordings to be shorter. I am not paid to record this podcast and it is a free offering. Offering my work is the only way I can sustain the podcast* Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/Youarenotcrazy *New Course*: Unhooked: Map the Cycle of Abuse in your Relationship Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.comInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachEmail: jessica@jessicaknightcoaching.com{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse {E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

In this episode, Principal Coach Danielle Black is joined by Senior Coaches Brigid Morgan and Trudie Hargrave to explore what meaningful, professionally held group support actually looks like in post-separation parenting work.Many parents navigating separation want connection - but feel cautious about online forums, unmoderated social media groups, or advice shared without professional understanding of the family law landscape.Following on from last week's discussion about neuroplasticity and the importance of being discerning about the environments you place yourself in, this conversation explores:• Why not all "support" spaces are neutral• How environment impacts nervous system regulation and decision-making• The difference between peer-based forums and professionally guided group coaching• How structured, child-focused group environments build clarity, capacity, and confidence• The role of containment, moderation, and evidence-based guidance in post-separation recoveryDanielle, Brigid and Trudie also speak openly about shared thinking, and regulated presence in supporting parents through complex family law and post-separation dynamics.If you are navigating high-conflict separation, coercive control dynamics, family court processes, or protective parenting decisions, this episode will help you think critically about the support environments you choose - and why they matter more than most people realise.As always, this episode is not legal advice and not therapy.Explore the supports offered by Danielle Black CoachingThe Post-Separation Parenting Blueprint™Evidence-based education to help you understand child development, safety, parenting arrangements, and post-separation dynamics

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon examines the psychological patterns underneath Rose's survivor story, focusing on how trust, vulnerability, and emotional connection can be gradually used to establish control.Rose entered her relationship independent, capable, and financially secure. She had built a life on her own and trusted her ability to maintain it. But over time, what initially felt like partnership slowly became something else. Through shared decisions, emotional influence, shifting promises, and the strategic use of vulnerability, Rose's autonomy was quietly dismantled. What once belonged entirely to her began to feel uncertain, conditional, and no longer fully under her control.Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.meClick on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & PatternsSign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever wonder why narcissists feel impossible to leave—even when you know something's wrong? This week, filmmakers Ali & Stefanie Schmahl reveal how their docu-fiction hybrid "I Love You My Narcissist" portrays what no other film has: the internal experience of being slowly trapped by someone you love. PODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here. MORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 

Rachel spoke with Kathleen Funchion, MEP for Sinn Fein.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Rose shares her journey of surviving childhood abuse, coercive control, and financial exploitation at the hands of a manipulative partner who quietly dismantled her autonomy.Growing up, Rose endured sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and chronic betrayal from the very people meant to protect her. With no safe parent, no validation, and no protector, Rose learned to survive by becoming invisible, self-reliant, and emotionally self-contained — carrying shame that would later be weaponized against her.As an adult, Rose built independence, financial stability, and a life of her own. But when she met a charismatic lawyer who quickly love-bombed her, he exploited her vulnerabilities, her longing for family, and her deeply conditioned tendency to people-please. What began as excitement and possibility slowly revealed itself as financial abuse, sexual coercion, emotional degradation, and relentless manipulation.It's a story of childhood trauma, shame, scapegoating, put downs, people pleasing, excuses, dangling carrots - shifting goal posts, breadcrumbs of attention, depression, exhaustion, verbal abuse, breakup threats, power dynamics, complying, self blame, victim hood, love bombing, financial abuse, future faking, goalpost shifting, trauma bonding, guilt manipulation, sexual coercion, post-separation abuse, legal intimidation, psychological collapse, suicidal ideation,  rebuilding independence, and ultimately reclaiming autonomy. Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, physical abuse, sexual coercion and childhood sexual abuse. Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.meClick on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & PatternsSign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Subscribe in a reader Check out my product recommendations for Narcissist Abuse Survivors! – https://www.amazon.com/shop/tracymalone *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Listen to my podcasts anytime by subscribing with your favorite provider! The post How Coercive Control Drives Estrangement – What Parents Must Know appeared first on Narcissist Abuse Support.

Rachel Barry, who suffered years of serious mental and physical abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Ian Barry shares her ordeal with Cormac.

How do you survive—and eventually recognize—the BPD cycle of abuse, especially when you are already exhausted, confused, and questioning yourself.In this episode, I break down the cycle as it actually unfolds in real life: The intense honeymoon phase, the sudden emotional whiplash, the accusations and character attacks, the breakups and reconciliations, and the long stretch of chaos that keeps you hooked through intermittent relief.I talk about why this dynamic is so hard to recognize while you're inside it, why your nervous system becomes hypervigilant, why you can't sleep, why you're constantly scanning for tone, mood shifts, and explosions, and why none of this means you're weak, codependent, or “too sensitive.”If you've ever felt like your body knew something was wrong long before your mind could accept it—this episode is for you.Support the show*Please Note: there is a long intro that explains my services. If you do not want to listen, just fast-forward 5 mins past. This intro will be changed in future recordings to be shorter. I am not paid to record this podcast and it is a free offering. Offering my work is the only way I can sustain the podcast* Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/Youarenotcrazy *New Course*: Unhooked: Map the Cycle of Abuse in your Relationship Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.comInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachEmail: jessica@jessicaknightcoaching.com{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse {E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner

A convicted killer's bodycam arrest footage went viral after he sobbed not over the life he'd taken, but over missing a video game release.PRINT VERSION: https://WeirdDarkness.com/RobertRichensGTAWeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS, #GTA6, #GrandTheftAutoVI, #RobertRichens, #RachaelVaughan, #TrueCrime, #BodcamFootage, #DomesticViolence, #MurderCase, #OxfordMurder, #ThamesValleyPolice, #ViralVideo, #CoerciveControl, #LifeImprisonment, #UKCrime, #JusticeServed, #DomesticAbuse, #CrimeNews, #ViralBodcam

Samantha was with her partner for over 6 years. He constantly monitored her location, expected her home by a certain time, hid her keys so she couldn’t get into the house or drive her car, disputed her credit card charges… and that’s just the beginning. His constant manipulation and control made Sam doubt herself. Sam made many attempts toget help from the police, but the courts kept granting him bail, as well as her ex-partner physically stopping her from attending court hearings. In November 2024, she decided she needed this horrible cycle to end for the sake of herself and their child. She luckily had a detective that fought hard for her, and the ex-partner finally got jail time in 2025. He was the first imprisonment in NSW under coercive control laws. He was imprisoned for 6 months before he got released on house arrest, which he very quickly breached. Karma came and got him when he was caught at the pub by the same detective that put him in prison initially. He is currently back in prison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this educational episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we break down the patterns of coercive control present in Mackenzie's survivor story and explore how abuse can exist without physical violence or visible injuries. Using Mackenzie's experience as a framework, we examine how control develops gradually, how trust and autonomy are eroded over time, and why coercive control is often difficult to recognize while you're living inside it.This episode focuses on how manipulation hides behind care, how boundaries are subtly overridden, and how self-doubt is cultivated until survivors begin questioning their own instincts and perceptions. We also explore the role of fear, obligation, guilt, and shame in maintaining control, and why leaving or resisting is far more complex than outsiders often assume.Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.meClick on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & PatternsSign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon speaks with Mackenzie, a survivor of nearly 27 years of coercive control and emotional abuse within her marriage.What began in high school as devotion and care slowly became a war fought quietly at home—marked by fear, obligation, guilt, and the constant management of another person's moods. Mackenzie describes how control tightened over time through emotional manipulation, financial power imbalances, isolation, and escalating volatility, leaving her and her children living in survival mode.She shares what it was like to walk on eggshells, normalize harmful behavior, and carry the shame of staying, while trying to protect her family and maintain the appearance of normalcy. As her children grew older, the abuse intensified, revealing how deeply coercive control impacts not just partners, but entire households.Mackenzie reflects on the moment clarity arrived—not through sudden strength, but through distance, validation, and reclaiming trust in herself. This episode offers an honest look at why survivors stay, how psychological wars are fought quietly at home, and what healing can look like after endurance finally ends.It's a story of isolation, love bombing, victimhood, obligation, coercive control, guilt, double standards, future faking, fear, emotional and verbal abuse, survival mode, hospital heroism, rage, suicidal ideation, financial manipulation, self-doubt, suppressed anger, identity erosion, trauma, caretaking, standing up for self-worth, shame, embarrassment, autonomy, society norms, belief systems, normalization of behavior, boundary setting, child physical abuse, and the hard-won freedom that comes from reclaiming her life. Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation and physical abuse involving a child. Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.meClick on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & PatternsSign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coercive control is now a criminal offense in the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Australia. In most of the United States, it still isn't.That gap between what we know about intimate partner abuse and what we've codified into law is the difference between intervention and obituary. The Tepe case illustrates why.According to witnesses, Monique Tepe allegedly experienced death threats, strangulation, and forced sex during a seven-month marriage to Michael McKee—a board-certified vascular surgeon with impeccable public credentials. There is not a single police report. No restraining order. No documented complaint. Under current law in most American jurisdictions, what allegedly happened to Monique wouldn't meet the threshold for criminal intervention until physical evidence appeared.This is the first in a five-part educational series examining coercive control—not as clinical terminology, but as lived experience. We break down the full toolkit: isolation, monitoring, financial dependence, weaponized intimacy, identity erosion, and invisible rules enforced through consequences rather than words. What each one feels like from the inside. Why victims don't recognize it while it's happening. Why the cultural definition of abuse is failing the people who need protection most.The public-private divide is central to how coercive control operates. McKee's documented credentials—National Merit Scholar, Ohio State medical graduate, no criminal history—created a public identity that allegedly bore no resemblance to what was happening behind closed doors. That duality isn't unusual. It's the pattern."At least he doesn't hit me" remains the most dangerous sentence in domestic violence. It defines abuse by visible injury rather than systematic destruction of autonomy. The law in most states still agrees.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#CoerciveControl #MoniqueTepe #MichaelMcKee #TrueCrimeToday #DomesticViolenceLaw #TepeCase #InvisibleAbuse #SpencerTepe #SystemicFailure #HiddenKillers

Monique Tepe allegedly knew for eight years that her ex-husband had threatened to kill her. She divorced Michael McKee in 2017 after just seven months of marriage. Witnesses told investigators he strangled her, forced unwanted sex, told her he could end her life. She never filed a public report. She rebuilt everything — new husband, two kids, a life. On December 30th, she and Spencer were found dead in their Columbus home. McKee pleaded not guilty despite surveillance footage, a ballistics match, and documented threats.Mica Miller made fourteen police reports in her final months. Reported GPS trackers, harassment, fear for her life. Told her family if she ended up with a bullet in her head, it wasn't her. Two days after serving Pastor JP Miller divorce papers, she was dead. Ruled suicide. JP just pleaded not guilty to federal cyberstalking while the indictment alleges tracking devices, a nude photo posted without consent, fifty-plus contacts in one day, and lies to investigators.Psychotherapist Shavaun Scott — author of "The Minds of Mass Killers" and a DV survivor herself — connects these cases. She explains the psychological burden of living under threat, why victims don't report, how coercive controllers weaponize systems against their targets, and the forensic profile of defendants who treat prosecution as competition. Two women. Two failures. One pattern.#MoniqueTepe #MicaMiller #TrueCrimeToday #ShavaunScott #MichaelMcKee #JPMiller #CoerciveControl #DomesticViolence #SystemFailure #ForensicPsychologyJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

In this episode of Perfect Prey, I'm joined by Laura Richards, a criminal behavioral analyst, former New Scotland Yard specialist, and one of the leading global voices on coercive control. Laura has been instrumental in changing laws on stalking and coercive control in the UK and internationally, and her work has helped shape policy, legislation, and professional practice worldwide.We explore why coercive control is not about isolated incidents, but a patterned strategy of domination, entrapment, and power imbalance. Laura explains why coercive control is best understood as a war of attrition, how patriarchy and misogyny shape institutional responses, and why women and children are so often disbelieved—even when the evidence is present.This conversation examines how legal systems, family courts, and law enforcement frequently fail victims and survivors, particularly at the point of separation, when risk escalates most dramatically. We also discuss why coercive control must be criminalized, why gender matters in risk assessment, and how language itself can either obscure or reveal abuse.What we coverWhat coercive control really is and why it's a patterned form of abuseWhy victims and survivors are often disbelieved by systems meant to protect themCoercive control as “murders and suicides in slow motion”The role of patriarchy, entitlement, and power imbalance in abuseWhy separation is the most dangerous time for women and childrenHow family courts can become a tool of post-separation abuseWhy protecting children requires protecting the non-abusive parentThe urgent need to criminalize coercive control globallyWhy listen If you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, attorney, advocate, or policymaker, this episode offers critical insight into how coercive control operates beneath the surface of relationships and systems. Laura Richards brings clarity to why abuse is so often minimized, misunderstood, or reframed—and what must change to prevent further harm.Guest bio (short)Laura Richards is a criminal behavioral analyst, former New Scotland Yard specialist, and a leading international expert on coercive control, stalking, and violence against women. She helped create the DASH risk assessment model, founded the National Stalking Advocacy Service (Paladin), and played a central role in criminalizing coercive control in England and Wales. Laura is the author of Policing Domestic Violence and host of the Crime Analyst and Real Crime Profile podcasts.Connect with Dr. ChristineOfficial site: https://www.thelaurarichards.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimeanalyst?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==X (twitter): https://x.com/thecrimeanalystTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crimeanalystpodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCksfRSwfwFqUCjcxKYju6_QBooks: https://www.thelaurarichards.com/resources/booksConnect with Dr. ChristineProtective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videosTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24sBooks:https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBookhttps://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDayIf this episode resonated, please share it with someone who needs this information, subscribe to Perfect Prey, and consider leaving a review to help other survivors find validation and clarity.— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Laura Richards

As originally told on Discovery ID's show, Toxic, Kelly believed she had learned to trust her instincts. A licensed therapist and homeowner who had already survived profound loss, she thought she had finally found the perfect partner when she met Chris—charming, attentive, and deeply loving, with no obvious red flags.⚠️ Content Advisory: This episode discusses emotional manipulation, coercive control, and relationship abuse. Listener discretion is advised.But after they married, everything changed. Kelly became mysteriously ill, doctors had no answers, and her husband began pushing her boundaries in ways that left her confused and isolated. As her health declined, Kelly followed a gut instinct that led her to a discovery she couldn't ignore—one that would set off a chain of events escalating into terrifying violence in Part 2.Resources & Links:

Behind the sermons and scripture was a system built on fear, obedience, and control.In this episode, we examine Greater Grace Church—its leadership, its theology, and the lasting impact on those who lived inside it.Trigger Warnings:Mega ChurchCult BehaviorScamFinancial FraudChild Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse Deadly Faith PATREON: https://patreon.com/DeadlyFaithPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkDeadly Drip Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/deadly-drip/?utm_source=facebook_messenger&utm_medium=store_page_published_share&utm_campaign=deadly-drip&utm_content=default Need A Podcast Editor? Reach out to Eric Howell the editor of the Deadly Faith podcast!Email: thepodcastdoctor@gmail.com Resources:National Domestic Violence Hotline 1(800)799-7233 Open 24/7Suicide Hotline Call 988 Open 24/7National Human Trafficking Hotline Open 24/7 1(800) 373-7888 Connect with Us! EmailDeadlyFaithPodcast@gmail.comThe PodcastTik Tok @DeadlyFaithPodcastInstagram @DeadlyFaithPodcastLaciTik Tok @Laci_BeanInstagram @Laci__BeanLolaTik Tok @hellotherelolaInstagram @Spellbound_Shears

The Pakistani writer on enduring an abusive relationship in the public eye, and how she broke free. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Genesis experts Ruth Guerreiro and Jordyn Lawson join the conversation to unpack models that explain domestic violence and provide real, practical solutions for survivors and those who support them. Together we walk through the Cycle of Violence framework as well as the Power and Control Wheel derived from the Duluth Model to understand their origins, purpose, and applications. Our discussion also grounds these theories in real-world practice: how survivors can identify escalation cues, why a “violent episode” isn't limited to physical harm, and the safety planning steps that can reduce risk at each stage—at home, during separation, and long after. We explore the emotional work of healing—naming love bombing, processing betrayal, and rebuilding trust in one's instincts.Throughout the conversation, we push past outdated terms to language that validates lived realities and sharpens judgment: manipulative kindness over “honeymoon phase,” impact over intent, control over conflict. Whether you're a survivor, ally, or professional, you'll leave with clearer frameworks, practical examples, and a more intentional way to talk about and respond to abuse. 

➡️ DESCRIPTION: Spiritual abuse is a painful reality that is often misunderstood and sometimes minimized in Christian circles. Between the legitimate exercise of biblical authority and unhealthy control dynamics, the line can become blurred—to the point where sincere believers find themselves hurt, confused, or even crushed in the name of God. In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Anna Kitko, a trained theologian and specialist in coercive control and religious trauma, and Caroline Collins, who holds a master's degree in counseling and psychology and studied theology (BTh) at SEMBEQ Seminary.  You can find a PDF of the written questions and answers of this interview here: https://prechelaparole.sermon.net/pdf/22487858 Retrouvez les autres articles et épisodes de cette série sur l'abus spirituel ici: https://toutpoursagloire.com/article/abus-spirituel TABLE OF CONTENTS 00:00 - Start 02:31 - Caroline's presentation 03:47 - Anna's presentation 07:36 - What led you into this field? 12:45 - What is coercive control? 15:40 - The difference between submission and subordination 18:58 - Man's headship 22:42 - Describe a victim of coercive control 25:35 - Describe coercive control in a mainstream evangelical church 29:07 - How can we impose truth on the church without crushing people? 31:56 - What about the victim mentality? 36:01 - 1 Tim 5:19-21 is to protect the church from abusive leaders 37:40 - Can abusive leaders be restored? 42:22 - Theological influences behind spiritual abuses 44:39 - The danger of spiritual therapies 47:49 - Integrationism and biblical counseling 51:16 - Spiritual abuses in the reformed and evangelical world 57:03 - When plurality of elders doesn't help 01:00:26 - A local church is accountable to other churches 01:03:55 - How do you think the issue of spiritual abuse will evolve? 01:05:31 - Other resources on that subject - https://internationalculticstudies.org/ - https://www.beemboldened.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@annakitko Conclusion 01:08:07 -

Monique's family said they "immediately knew" it was Michael McKee when they got the call. They knew. For eight years they watched her live in fear of a man she'd been married to for seven months. And nothing could be done. Michael McKee is now charged with two counts of aggravated murder for allegedly killing Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer in their Ohio home while their children — a four-year-old and a one-year-old — slept down the hall. He allegedly drove 300 miles from New York, committed a double homicide, drove home, and kept the gun in his apartment. Your questions have forced us to confront the hardest parts of this case: What was Monique supposed to do? She did everything "right." She left. She divorced. She moved on. She built a beautiful life. And McKee allegedly destroyed it anyway. We examine the birthday cards signed "Your Husband" years after the divorce, his crumbling medical career, and whether his alibi was always meant to fail. This episode is about coercive control, the limits of restraining orders, and the question no one wants to answer — does a man like this feel like he won?#MichaelMcKee #MoniqueTepe #SpencerTepe #CoerciveControl #DomesticViolenceAwareness #OhioMurder #StalkerKiller #HiddenKillers #RestrainingOrdersFail #TrueCrimePanelJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

We're going live to tackle your questions about the Tepe double murder. Michael McKee — a vascular surgeon with a collapsing career — allegedly drove 300 miles to kill his ex-wife Monique and her husband Spencer while their children slept in the house. The marriage lasted seven months. The divorce was eight years ago. And according to prosecutors, McKee spent those years unable to let go — allegedly sending birthday cards signed "Your Husband," watching Monique build a new life, and waiting. Your questions have been relentless: What was Monique supposed to do differently? Why do restraining orders fail? Did McKee know the kids were home? And the darkest question of all — does a man like this feel like he won, even from prison? We'll break down what coercive control actually means, why Spencer Tepe deserves to be remembered as more than "just in the way," and what happens now that Ohio has upgraded the charges to aggravated murder with life without parole on the table. This case is a brutal reminder that the systems designed to protect people like Monique often don't.#MichaelMcKee #MoniqueTepe #SpencerTepe #HiddenKillersLive #CoerciveControl #DomesticViolence #OhioMurder #LiveQandA #TrueCrime #SystemsFailedJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

We start with a snow-bright morning and end with a sharper lens. We sit down with advocate and system analyst Valerie Frost to explore how systems built to protect families can become tools of coercive control—and how to change that trajectory with better listening, precise language, and survivor-centered practice. Valerie traces the everyday realities of child welfare, family court, schools, and law enforcement, showing where checklists fail, how jargon shuts doors, and why knowledge inequity forces survivors to learn a foreign language just to get help.We dig into visible versus invisible harm and why non-physical abuse or coercive control often gets dismissed or misread, leaving anxiety and hypervigilance weaponized against the survivor. From “customer service” logic for public systems to the risks of records, we examine how police calls and protection orders can be turned against survivors, and how both over-engagement with systems and system hesitancy get blamed. The conversation moves from critique to action: validating protective parenting, centering context over compliance, and anchoring assessments in the perpetrator's pattern rather than the survivor's reactions.Valerie shares practical tools—build a dated log, control your narrative with consistent documentation, protect your basics like sleep and hydration—and argues for policy shifts that mandate recognition of coercive control, limit unnecessary information sharing, and reward restraint over surveillance. We also talk about showing up whole: professionals who are survivors, survivors who lead, and creating rooms where the end user defines engagement. The takeaway is simple and demanding: Systems don't need more policies as much as they need better listening; survivors have already mapped where harm happens.If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a colleague or friend, and leave a review so more people can find survivor-centered guidance that actually helps.Send us a text Now available! Mapping the Perpetrator's Pattern: A Practitioner's Tool for Improving Assessment, Intervention, and Outcomes The web-based Perpetrator Pattern Mapping Tool is a virtual practice tool for improving assessment, intervention, and outcomes through a perpetrator pattern-based approach. The tool allows practitioners to apply the Model's critical concepts and principles to their current case load in realCheck out David Mandel's new book Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers: How to Transform the Way We Keep Children Safe from Domestic Violence.Visit the Safe & Together Institute website.Start taking Safe & Together Institute courses. Check out Safe & Together Institute upcoming events.

Slowly losing control in your relationship—but can't quite put your finger on what's happening?This week, Dr. Christine Cocchiola breaks down coercive control as the invisible foundation beneath all abuse. She explains why the savviest abusers never leave visible marks, how your world shrinks so gradually you don't notice until you're trapped, and why even trained professionals (like both Dr. C and Dr. Kerry) can miss coercive control in their own relationships. Learn how abusers weaponize connection itself, why "just leave" completely misunderstands the trap, and what it really means when someone can regulate their emotions perfectly—except with you. Follow on AppleFollow on SpotifyPODCAST EXTRA EXCLUSIVE SEGMENT Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuseMORE ABOUT THE PODCAST EXTRA INTERVIEW 

Criminal defense attorney Shelley Levisay was a powerful force to be reckoned with in the courtroom but in her personal life she was being coercively controlled and abused by her boyfriend. In Levisay's memoir “Love is Not Always the Answer” she writes about how this relationship took her to places she never thought she would go & would forceher to face challenges she could have never predicted she would have to conquer: not as a lawyer but as a criminal defendant charged with harboring a fugitive & lastly as a convict fighting to retain her legal license. In this episode, Levisay talks about her own history as a victim of coercive control & details the red flags in Karen Read's behavior towards John O'Keefe that everyone missed. *Shelley Levisay's memoir “Love Isn't Always the Answer”: https://a.co/d/aqoM4fgShelley Levisay's website-https://www.shelleylevisaywrites.com/Get access to exclusive content & support the podcast by becoming a Patron today! https://patreon.com/robertaglasstruecrimereportThrow a tip in the tip jar! https://buymeacoffee.com/robertaglassSupport Roberta by sending a donation via Venmo. https://venmo.com/robertaglassBecome a channnel member for custom Emojis, first looks and exclusive streams here: https://youtube.com/@robertaglass/joinThank you Patrons!Carol Mumumeci, Therese Tunks, JC, Lizzy D, Elizabeth Drake, Texas Mimi, Barb, Deborah Shults, Debra Ratliff, Stephanie Lamberson, Maryellen Sudol, Mona, Karen Pacini, Jen Buell, Marie Horton, ER, Rosie Grace, B. Rabbit, Sally Merrick, Amanda D, Mary B, Mrs Jones, Amy Gill, Eileen, Wesley Loves Octoberfest, Erin (Kitties1993), Anna Quint, Cici Guteriez, Sandra Loves GatsbyHannna, Christy, Jen Buell, Elle Solari, Carol Cardella, Jennifer Harmon, DoxieMama65, Carol Holderman, Joan Mahon, Marcie Denton, Rosanne Aponte, Johnny Jay, Jude Barnes, JenTheRN, Victoria Devenish, Jeri Falk, Kimberly Lovelace, Penni Miller, Jil, Janet Gardner, Jayne Wallace (JaynesWhirled), Pat Brooks, Jennifer Klearman, Judy Brown, Linda Lazzaro, Suzanne Kniffin, Susan Hicks, Jeff Meadors, D Samlam, Pat Brooks, Cythnia, Bonnie Schoeneman-Dilley, Diane Larsen, Mary, Kimberly Philipson, Cat Stewart, Cindy Pochesci, Kevin Crecy, Renee Chavez, Melba Pourteau, Julie K Thomas, Mia Wallace, Stark Stuff, Kayce Taylor, Alice, Dean, GiGi5, Jennifer Crum, Dana Natale, Bewildered Beauty, Pepper, Joan Chakonas, Blythe, Pat Dell, Lorraine Reid, T.B., Melissa, Victoria Gray Bross, Toni Woodland, Danbrit, Kenny Haines and Toni Natalie.

Family members say Monique Tepe talked about being terrified of Michael McKee for eight years. She described the abuse. She warned people about the death threats. She carried that fear while building a new marriage, raising two children, and living what looked like a happy life.She never filed a police report. There were no stalking complaints on record.Why do victims of coercive control stay silent when it comes to the legal system — even when they clearly understand the danger?In Part 2 of our three-part expert interview series, psychotherapist Shavaun Scott examines the victim experience. With over thirty years in domestic violence shelters and trauma recovery — and as a survivor of an emotionally abusive marriage herself — Shavaun brings both clinical expertise and personal understanding to these questions.We examine what Laura Richards calls "murder in slow motion" — psychological abuse that leaves no visible marks. We explore why victims hope distance and time will protect them. We analyze what it does to someone to live in fear for years while trying to maintain normalcy. And we ask what it means that Monique's wedding vows to Spencer — three years after leaving McKee — still referenced "wrong relationships" and "waterfalls of tears."The weight victims carry. The silence the system enables.#MichaelMcKee #MoniqueTepe #SpencerTepe #TepeMurders #ShavaunScott #TrueCrimeToday #CoerciveControl #DomesticViolence #VictimExperience #ExpertAnalysisLink to Shavaun Scott's Substack Discussing Dangerous Ex's:https://open.substack.com/pub/shavaun/p/when-leaving-is-the-most-dangerous?r=1fklc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

Monique Tepe allegedly knew she was in danger. She talked about it for eight years. And she never called the police.Family members say Monique described Michael McKee as emotionally abusive. She told them about death threats during their brief marriage. She said she was terrified. She warned people. But when Police Chief Bryant was asked about prior reports of threats or concerns, she confirmed there were none.Why don't victims report? Why do women who clearly understand the danger stay silent when it comes to the system?In Part 2 of our three-part interview series, psychotherapist Shavaun Scott explores the victim experience. Shavaun has over thirty years working in domestic violence shelters and trauma recovery — and she's a survivor herself. Her ex-husband died by revenge suicide after she asked for divorce. She understands what Monique may have been carrying in ways most people never will.We examine coercive control — the psychological abuse that leaves no bruises. We explore why victims hope distance and time will be enough protection. We ask what it does to someone to live in fear for years while building what looks like a happy life. And we dig into the heartbreak of Monique's wedding vows, where she talked about "waterfalls of tears" from her past.She told people. She just didn't tell the system.#MichaelMcKee #MoniqueTepe #SpencerTepe #CoerciveControl #ShavaunScott #TrueCrime #DomesticViolence #VictimSilence #HiddenKillers #WhyVictimsDontReportLink to Shavaun Scott's Substack Discussing Dangerous Ex's:https://open.substack.com/pub/shavaun/p/when-leaving-is-the-most-dangerous?r=1fklc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

She was terrified for eight years. She told her family. She never told the police.Tonight we're examining the victim experience in the Tepe murder case with psychotherapist Shavaun Scott. Monique Tepe allegedly knew Michael McKee was dangerous. Family says she talked about the emotional abuse, the death threats, the fear that never went away even after she rebuilt her life. But there were no police reports. No restraining orders. No official record.Why do victims who understand the danger stay silent when it comes to the system?Shavaun Scott has spent over thirty years in domestic violence work and trauma recovery. She's also a survivor — her ex-husband died by revenge suicide after she asked for divorce. She knows this territory intimately.We're discussing coercive control — what Laura Richards calls "murder in slow motion." We're exploring why victims hope that distance and time will be enough. We're asking what it's like to carry fear for years while trying to appear happy and whole. And we want your questions in the chat.Part 2 of our three-part interview series. Part 1 covered perpetrator psychology. Part 3 covers the aftermath.Join us live.#MichaelMcKee #TepeMurders #ShavaunScott #LiveStream #CoerciveControl #DomesticViolence #WhyVictimsDontReport #HiddenKillersLive #TrueCrime #VictimExperienceJoin Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspodInstagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/tonybpodListen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

Send JKO a Text MessageWhy do smart women stay in abusive relationships? JKO breaks down the reasons that keep smart women in abusive dynamics. She also shares safety steps that women staying can take. Nuggets of wisdom in this episode 8 reasons women stay The prison you do not see The place of trauma bonding Why leaving can be impossible even with a social safety net 3 safety steps to take while staying Key scriptures: Malachi 2:16, Romans 8:35, Psalm 82:4 References Domestic violence non-profit in Nigeria: Toniabruisedbutnotbroken Safety Note: Please use these ideas in a way that feels right and safe for your situation. For personal support, reach out to someone you trust or a local service in your area. Picture on cover developed in Canva. Support the show If Messy Can't Stop Her blesses or inspires you, please consider supporting it at supportmessycantstopher.buzzsprout.com. Thank you for being part of this journey. If you would love to share your story on the #MessyCantStopHer podcast, click here to let me know. Thank you so much for listening. Music Credit: https://indiefy.me/wanted-carter

Send Kris and Rob a Text Message!In April 2006, Kari Baker—a 31-year-old teacher and mother of two—was found dead inside her home in Hewitt, Texas, just outside Waco. The scene was initially treated as a suicide. But almost immediately, questions surfaced: the timeline, the circumstances, and whether what looked like self-harm was actually a staged scene meant to conceal a homicide.In this episode, we unpack the full true crime story of Kari Baker's death and the investigation that ultimately led to the conviction of her husband, Matt Baker, a Baptist minister whose public image didn't match what prosecutors later argued was happening behind closed doors. We walk through the murder-or-suicide debate, the turning points that shifted the case from suspicion to charges, and the courtroom narrative that ended with a murder conviction and a 65-year sentence.In This EpisodeWho Kari Baker and Matt Baker were in the Hewitt/Waco communityWhat happened the night Kari was found—and what raised red flagsHow the case evolved from suicide to a homicide investigationThe prosecution's theory, key evidence themes, and trial outcomeWhy this case remains a defining example of staged death investigations, coercive control, and intimate partner violenceContent WarningThis episode includes discussion of domestic violence, coercive control, and homicide. Listener discretion is advised.If you or someone you know needs help: National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.Kari Baker, Matt Baker, Hewitt Texas murder, Waco Texas true crime, Kari Baker case, murder or suicide, staged suicide, minister convicted of murder, Texas true crime podcast, domestic violence true crime, coercive control, McLennan County, 2006 Texas murder, ABC 20/20 Kari Baker, 48 Hours Matt Baker.Subscribe for more victim-focused, timeline-driven true crime with clear case context and respectful reporting.Sources used for this podcast: https://www.hitched2homicide.com/post/kari-baker-murdering-ministerSupport the showJOIN THE HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE IN-LAWS AND OUTLAWSSTART KRIS CALVERT'S BOOKS TODAY FOR FREEH2H WEBSITEH2H on TWITTERH2H on INSTA

Hey Friends~  Today's conversation is unusual for this podcast, but an important one. Over half of marriages end in divorce, and about 30% of those become high-conflict - deeply impacting children. This week, I'm joined by Lisa Johnson, a high-conflict divorce coach, to unpack the often-misunderstood topic of coercive control. We talk about what it is, the red flags within relationships, how it shows up during divorce and custody battles. We also explore Jennifer's Law. We discuss how it recognizes the many non-physical forms of abuse. Lisa shares how children are victims, used as weapons in adult conflict, along with ways parents can begin rebuilding secure bonds after trauma. ⚠️ Listener Advisory: This episode covers sensitive material and is intended for a mature audience. Parents should use discretion with younger listeners.  I still hope you TUNE IN!  Because understanding coercive control could make a life-changing difference for you or someone you love. Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com   ABOUT THE GUEST:   Lisa Johnson is the co-founder of Been There Got Out, a high conflict divorce strategist and certified domestic violence advocate who has successfully represented herself through scores of court appearances. Her case, published in the Connecticut Law Journal, is being used as legal precedent. Her live testimony helped pass Jennifers' Law in Connecticut, the third state in America to expand its legal definition of domestic violence to include “coercive control.” She and her partner, Chris coach people in high-conflict relationships, divorce, custody battles, and co-parenting hell so they have the chance of the best outcome in family court and beyond. They also offer a weekly Legal Abuse Support Group for those dealing with narcissistic opponents in legal matters. Their book, "Been There Got Out: Toxic Relationships, High-Conflict Divorce, and How to Stay Sane Under Insane Circumstances'' was released in March 2023. Their first course, “How to Communicate with Your Ex Without Destroying Your Case or Losing Your Mind” is out now! CONTACT THE GUEST:    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/been_there_got_out/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeenThereGotOut Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeenThereGotOut TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@been_there_got_out LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/been-there-got-out/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeenThereGotOut Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Been_There_Got_Out/ Podcast: https://beentheregotout.buzzsprout.com/    YOUR NEXT STEPS: 5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Listen Better: https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/7ca5ce43-d436ea91 Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin 21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup To discuss working together:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/strategy-session For Workshops, Speaking Events, or Partnerships:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session ** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at hello@thelanguageofplay.com   IF THIS EPISODE WAS HELPFUL, HERE ARE RELATED TOPICS:  246 Dr. Marcus: Are you a soothing presence for your child? 226 Constance Lewis: Using Colors To Get Through Big Feelings 188 Susanna Peace Lovell: Is Your True Self Enough? Lessons Learned In Parenting A Child With Autism 185 Anastasia Arauz Unraveling the Magic of Play Therapy in Child Development   Love this podcast?  Leave a Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/play Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play   To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play   A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!   Cindy Howard  Lightening Admin VA   cindy@lightningadminva.com

Who would try to hire a hitman to kill an innocent young girl? In early 2021, Riley ended a relationship with a man she had been in a year-long online relationship with after she alleges he assaulted her. Despite the breakup, he continued to message her relentlessly. Instead of backing down, Scott escalated his feelings of anger, turning to the dark web. He paid $19,000 AUD to hire a hitman to kill her. The reality of the plot became clear when police knocked on the door of Riley’s family home. It was her mother, Jamie Elder, who answered, learning that someone had tried to arrange her daughter’s murder. Jamie is now Riley’s advocate, fighting for justice while the man accused of orchestrating the hit walks free. You can follow Jamie on TikTok and support her advocacy here. CREDITS Guest: Jamie Elder Host: Gemma Bath Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy Audio Engineer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @truecrimeconversations Make sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple & Spotify to let us know how you're liking the episodes. Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note. If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.