Podcasts about my books

Why do abusive people hurt you on purpose, then blame you for the pain they caused? In this video, Lee Hammock explains how control, punishment, shame, resentment, emotional immaturity, and the need to feel powerful can drive intentional cruelty in toxic relationships. Learn why an abuser may target your insecurities, dismiss your feelings, provoke reactions, or hurt you right when you need support. Their behavior is not proof that you are unlovable or that you caused the abuse. Understanding the pattern can help you stop internalizing their choices and protect your peace.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Amazon is buying and scanning physical books for AI training, while its anti-bot systems are mistakenly flagging real customers. Ingram is also making moves around AI sales and expanding Share & Sell, plus there are fresh updates from StreetLib, StoryOrigin, and more. Catch the biggest self-publishing stories you need to know this week. Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/PublisherRocket (affiliate link) Inc.com: Amazon Is Buying Up Older Books and Destroying Them After Scanning. The Orders Go Back to 2024 - https://www.inc.com/georgia-fearn/amazon-buying-up-older-books-destroying-after-scanning-back-to-2024/91392000  Fast Company: Amazon limits access to customer reviews for some users because it thinks they're AI - https://www.fastcompany.com/91581391/amazon-limits-access-to-customer-reviews-for-some-users-because-it-thinks-theyre-ai Wide for the Win - https://wideforthewin.com/ Sell More Books Show: Battling the Amazon Bots - The Sell More Book Show 645 - https://youtu.be/Q5KvA_Ujq0o?si=lb7Fzde_pEnXBUMo  Ingram Content Group: Opt Out of Physical Sales to AI Companies - https://www.ingramcontent.com/page/ai-opt-out IngramSpark Newsletter (August 2026) - https://www.ingramspark.com/newsletter-august-2026 IngramSpark: Nominate Your Book Today - https://www.ingramspark.com/editorial-calendar Streetlib - https://Streetlib.com StoryOrigin - https://DaleLinks.com/StoryOrigin (affiliate link) AuthorLetter - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorLetter (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash  Spoken - https://Spoken.press Tertulia for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/Tertulia (affiliate link) Hidden Gems Books - https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/ Authors Guild: Writing for IP: What Authors Should Know - https://authorsguild.org/event/writing-for-ip-what-authors-should-know/ Book Brush: Publishing with Purpose: Douglas Pratt & Nicholas Harvey - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6EnWyHndSoizbKWBl9ia2Q#/registration Written Word Media Podcast: Amazon A+ Content Explained: A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Indie Author - https://youtu.be/kZcwaZtUo_c?si=41C7jjviGn-MFjGI   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord  Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

What happens when you go no contact with a narcissist or toxic ex? In this video, Lee Hammock explains why no contact is a boundary for healing rather than a way to punish someone. Learn about common reactions including denial, anger, accusations, love bombing, hoovering, and panic when they realize they no longer have access to you. Lee also explains why breaking no contact can restart the cycle and make it harder to heal. If unwanted contact escalates into stalking, harassment, or threats, prioritize your safety and seek local support.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Hayden Panettiere's story has renewed difficult conversations about domestic abuse, toxic relationship cycles, family estrangement, and the complicated reasons people stay connected to harmful people. In this video, Lee Hammock discusses documented reports about Panettiere's on-and-off relationship with Brian Hickerson, who pleaded no contest in 2021 to two felony counts involving corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, as well as the public estrangement between Panettiere and her mother, Lesley Vogel. This is not a claim that either person caused Panettiere's death, which remains under investigation. Instead, it is a conversation about recognizing toxic patterns, protecting yourself, and extending compassion to people caught between harmful relationships. If you are experiencing abuse or feel unsafe, contact local emergency services or a domestic-violence resource.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Why do people break no contact with a narcissist or toxic ex? In this live call-in conversation, five survivors of narcissistic abuse share the real reasons they went back, including love, hope, trauma bonds, co-parenting, guilt, promises of change, stalking, and the need for validation. Lee Hammock responds to each story with practical insight on no contact, hoovering, smear campaigns, safety, and protecting your peace. If you have broken no contact before, this conversation is a reminder that healing is not linear and you are not alone. If someone is threatening, stalking, or escalating their behavior, prioritize your safety and seek local support.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Why do you miss a narcissist or toxic ex even when you know they hurt you? In this video, Lee Hammock explains the inner conflict between logic and emotion after narcissistic abuse, including self-gaslighting, trauma bonds, and the urge to break no contact just to make the pain stop. Learn why reconnecting can feel like temporary relief but often restarts the healing cycle and creates more shame. Healing is not always pretty, quick, or easy, but it becomes possible when you stop chasing shortcuts and begin trusting yourself again. This video offers encouragement for anyone trying to leave, stay no contact, and rebuild after a toxic relationship.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

The publishing industry is getting serious about AI authorship, and one major publishing CEO has some surprising thoughts on AI detectors and proving who actually wrote a book. Lulu is rolling out a dead-simple new direct-sales tool, while Dibbly Create finally adds manuscript imports. Plus, Get Authentic Book Reviews and Book Bounty launch new features for authors, along with more updates in the Rapid-Fire Newsflash. Catch up on the latest Self-Publishing News for August 20, 2026.  Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/PublisherRocket (affiliate link)  Publishers Weekly: Brian Murray Addresses AI Authorship Issues - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/copyright/article/101002-brian-murray-calls-for-industrywide-solutions-to-issues-around-ai-authorship.html Jane Friedman: After Editing Two AI-Assisted Manuscripts, I Rewrote My Client Agreement - https://janefriedman.com/after-editing-two-ai-assisted-manuscripts-i-rewrote-my-client-agreement/ Lulu: Single-Click Selling Option Waitlist - https://lulu-press.myklpages.com/l/Yvt5xc Lulu Publishing: How to Set Up a Lulu Buy Button for Direct Sales | Complete Tutorial - https://youtu.be/OslwjE5oUSg?si=BIMoMmd2ZAoqT1C- Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)  Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com Book Bounty - https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty (affiliate link)  Rapid-Fire Newsflash  Voice by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/ Spoken Multi-Cast™ Deep Dive Webinar - https://www.spoken.press/magicmodewebinar Dale L. Roberts: How to Build an Author Website With No Tech Skills | Tertulia for Authors - https://www.youtube.com/live/ofmFpEP6tnA?si=PprfosdkMKV2ZVqv ProWritingAid: Creative Nudge - https://prowritingaid.com/features/creative-nudges?afid=6615 (affiliate link) ProWritingAid: Is Your Manuscript Really Ready to Publish? - https://prowritingaid.com/ready-to-publish/sign-up Women in Publishing Summit: The Marketing Power of Book Covers: From Market Research to Promotion - https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/event/marketing-power-book-covers-miblart/ The Indy Author Podcast: What Draft2Digital's New Fees Mean for Indie Authors with Kris Austin - #349 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzutAVKlYxc&list=PLDnpWFQZeQuYxOVgBG8u9DUO-aIjphmG_&index=2 Draft2Digital: YouTube for Authors - https://www.youtube.com/live/T71o5yHGKhY?si=g_QuOp3_hLnn9iVH   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

What if the thing you've been searching for isn't confidence or happiness, but a genuine sense of safety? Feeling safe can transform how you think, connect, and experience the world.In this episode of Inner Work, Dr Marianne Trent explores why psychological safety is essential for emotional wellbeing, how our nervous system learns to expect danger, and why finding moments of safety can be the first step towards healing.#PsychologicalSafety #MentalHealth #InnerWork

Why do narcissist enablers defend toxic behavior and pressure you to stay? This video explains why family members, friends, and other flying monkeys may make excuses, blame the survivor, or carry information back to the narcissistic person. Learn how fear, family dynamics, validation, loyalty, and the desire to avoid becoming the next target can keep the cycle going. You will also learn why protecting your plans, location, and personal information matters when you are dealing with toxic people. Understanding enablers can help you set safer boundaries and protect your peace.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Can you heal while you are still in a relationship with a narcissist, toxic partner, or emotionally unsafe person? In this video, Lee Hammock explains the difference between surviving, coping, and genuinely healing while the harmful relationship dynamic is still active. Learn how trauma bonds, manipulation, gaslighting, broken boundaries, and constant emotional stress can interfere with recovery. Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

AI transparency is getting more complicated for authors as new European regulations begin affecting Claude users worldwide, a new study challenges assumptions about AI-generated writing, and a record number of Pulitzer winners and finalists disclose AI use. Plus, Publishers Weekly shares fresh publishing industry data, a first-time self-published memoirist sells more than 1,000 copies in five months, Instagram rolls out a new book-focused feature, and YouTube announces much tougher monetization requirements coming in 2027. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for August 13, 2026.  Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)  Publishers Weekly: Publishing Sales Hit $33.4 Billion in 2025 - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/101020-estimated-industry-sales-hit-32-5-billion-in-2025.html  European Commission: Guidelines on transparency obligations for providers and deployers of certain AI systems - https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/guidelines-ai-transparency-obligations  Claude Support: How Claude marks AI-generated content - https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16266773-how-claude-marks-ai-generated-content  Text AI watermarks will always be trivial to remove - https://www.seangoedecke.com/text-ai-watermarks/  The Bottom Line - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/  BBC: AI stories preferred to human-written ones - study - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kmpd6lr80o  Nieman Lab: A record-breaking eight Pulitzer awardees disclosed AI use this year - https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/08/a-record-breaking-eight-pulitzer-awardees-disclosed-ai-use-this-year  The Independent: Instagram's new book feature totally misses the point of reading - https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/books/features/instagram-book-fiction-b3028780.html  Jane Friedman: How I Sold 1,000 Copies of My Self-Published Memoir in Five Months - https://janefriedman.com/how-i-sold-1000-copies-of-my-self-published-memoir-in-five-months/  YouTube Blog: New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program - https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/youtube-partner-program-updates-2027-new-opportunities-earn/  Draft2Digital: YouTube for Authors (LIVE) - https://www.youtube.com/live/T71o5yHGKhY?si=QNHRmImFR58rUgRV  YouTube for Authors by Dale L. Roberts - https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeBook  Rapid-Fire Newsflash  Kindlepreneur: Writer's Conferences: Where and How to Get the Most out of Them - https://kindlepreneur.com/writers-conferences/ The Indy Author Podcast: Laying the Groundwork for Book Rights Deals with Jane Friedman - #348 - https://youtu.be/1n1LCFvgDZA?si=u15aJRpqK-A7MlTi  Booklinker: Ask Us Anything: Live Book Marketing Advice from Two Experienced Marketers - https://www.thebookmarketinglab.com/Ask-Us-Anything-Book-Marketing Gemsy - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link) LAST CALL: Use coupon code DALESUMMER50 for 50% off the annual plan (good till August 20, 2026)   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

So you know you're a starseed, but do you know how to tell which ones? In this video we will be diving deep into the expressions of a Sirian starseed and what characteristics and traits to look for. Sirian Starseeds are some of the most ancient and influential starseeds connected to planet Earth.Their connection to Earth runs deep, through the consciousness of Gaia, whales, dolphins, water, knowledge, truth, and spiritual teaching.Sirian Starseeds are natural researchers, teachers, storytellers, and seekers of deeper knowledge. Many of them are also highly empathic, claircognizant, deeply loyal, and very particular about the people they allow into their inner circle.---------✨ BOOK A PRIVATE SESSION: https://www.thisismariya.com/coaches

Trauma doesn't always look the way people expect. Sometimes it shows up as anxiety, depression, emotional numbness or unhealthy coping strategies instead. In the Episode, Dr Marianne Trent explores why we avoid emotional pain, how trauma affects the brain, and why therapies such as EMDR can help you reconnect with yourself and move towards healing. #Trauma #EMDR #MentalHealth

Diagnosed narcissist Lee Hammock explains why narcissistic, toxic, or abusive partners rarely change, even when they promise therapy, growth, or a fresh start. I break down front-loading and love bombing, why rewarded behavior never stops, and why hoping they'll improve keeps survivors stuck in narcissistic paralysis. I also share my own rock-bottom story and explains why change only happens when someone is internally motivated, not for another person. This video is meant to empower survivors to release false hope and focus on their own healing journey. Find more resources and coaching at Lee's website linked in the description.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Why do narcissists get angry when you move on even if they cheated, left, or appear happy in a new relationship? In this video, Lee Hammock explains how ego, jealousy, control, narcissistic rage, and the need to maintain the upper hand can fuel that reaction. You'll learn why some toxic exes lash out, interfere with new relationships, or suddenly love-bomb a new partner after seeing you happy. This discussion also makes an important distinction: legitimate concerns about a new partner's safety are different from controlling, jealous behavior. If you are healing from narcissistic abuse, protecting your peace and moving forward matters.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

What does a narcissist really think when you are trauma bonded to them and cannot let them go? As a clinically diagnosed, self-aware narcissist, I explain why they may not care about your trauma bond, but can still take full advantage of it through repeated forgiveness, access, attention, sex, money, and control. We'll talk about why asking them to block you usually does not work, why they may intentionally deepen the attachment, and how they can use your desperate reactions to make you look like the problem. If you know logically that this toxic person is hurting you but still feel addicted to them, you are not alone, but breaking the trauma bond is a step you have to take for yourself. The narcissist may love that you're stuck, but that does not mean they love you.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Barnes & Noble is tightening how stores handle local author events, and showing up with a book may no longer be enough. We also cover free local publicity, platform updates from Apple Books, Lulu, and Voices by INAudio, and ProWritingAid's new ProWritingMethod. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for August 6, 2026.  Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)  Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line (subscription required) - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/  Referenced newsletter: August 5, 2026  Reddit: No more author events? - https://www.reddit.com/r/Barnesandnoble/comments/1uvyzj5/no_more_author_events/  Sell Your Book at B&N - https://dalelinks.com/bnbookstore  Jane Friedman: Why You Should Focus on Local Book Publicity First - https://janefriedman.com/why-you-should-focus-on-local-book-publicity-first/  Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com  Lulu Membership Agreement and Terms of Use - https://www.lulu.com/terms-and-conditions  Voices by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/  ProWritingAid's ProWritingMethod - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingMethod (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash Tertulia for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/Tertulia (affiliate link)  Tertulia's post in Wide for the Win - https://wideforthewin.com/campus/space/tertuliaforauthors/post/tertulia-updates-new-features  Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) - take $20 off through this link  No codes needed, but for more details: https://DaleLinks.com/GetNovelReport ($20 off does NOT apply through this link)  Booklinker - https://booklinker.com/  The Authors Guild: Agent Talks: How Digital Platforms Reshape Book Launches - https://authorsguild.org/event/agent-talks-how-digital-platforms-reshape-book-launches/  All my relevant links:  Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp  Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships  Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord  Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts  My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.  Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

Are you always trying to improve yourself or is it time to accept where you are? In this episode of Inner Work, Dr Marianne Trent explores self-acceptance, perfectionism, alcohol, and the pressure to keep optimising ourselves.

In this video, I break down why narcissists are going to be toxic no matter who they're with and why their abuse is not proof that you weren't “enough.” Research shows that narcissistic people repeat the same relationship patterns over and over, cycling through love bombing, devaluation and discard with each new partner instead of actually changing. I'll explain how they adapt their mask to different people but keep the same core traits: entitlement, lack of empathy, objectification and a need for control. If you're watching them treat the new person “better” and blaming yourself, this video will help you see that it's the pattern and the personality, not your worth. You'll leave with language to remind yourself “It's not me, it's them” and practical steps to stop comparing yourself to the next supply and focus on healing.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

The energies of the 08/08/2026 Lion's Gate Portal feel very different this year.As I tuned into this portal, instead of the golden frequencies I usually associate with Lion's Gate, I was shown a powerful ruby-red light streaming from Sirius directly toward Earth. This is a Portal of Sovereignty.The energies are here to awaken your inner strength, reconnect you with your personal power, and remind you that you are the sovereign creator of your life. Here is what to expect during the 8/8 Portal.

In this video, I talk from the heart about why I genuinely feel bad for people stuck with narcissists who will likely never experience real happiness while they stay in these toxic, parasitic relationships. As a clinically diagnosed, self‑aware narcissist, I explain how your mind and body adapt to constant abuse, how struggle starts to feel “normal,” and why you can end up losing friends, family and even your sense of self while you keep choosing someone who is draining you. We'll look at how people who love you protect their peace by stepping back, how you become a “dark cloud,” and how the story you keep telling yourself (“I'm not good enough, they'll change”) quietly ruins your entire life. I'll break down the difference between symbiotic relationships (mutual giving) and parasitic ones (they take, you suffer), and challenge you to choose yourself, your kids and your future instead of staying trauma bonded to a loser. This video is a wake‑up call meant to push you toward real, long‑term joy, not temporary comfortBook a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

In this video, I break down how misogyny and narcissism overlap, and why so many misogynistic men show classic narcissistic traits like entitlement, lack of empathy and a belief they're superior to women. Drawing on research that links narcissism and hostile sexism, as well as my own perspective as a clinically diagnosed narcissist, we'll talk about how viewing women as “less than,” objectifying them and needing them as supply while secretly despising them creates a very specific form of abuse. You'll learn why these men need admiration from women they don't see as full human beings, how patriarchy and collective narcissism fuel “boys' club” misogyny, and why their behavior is about control and ego, not genuine attraction or respect. If you've dated someone who hates women, treats you like property or uses feminist language while acting deeply sexist at home, this video will give you language and clarity to understand what you're dealing with. We'll also discuss red flags and how to protect yourself from misogynistic narcissistic dynamics.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Substack rolled out a new AI detection tool, and the backlash from writers has been swift. I also cover a proposed Copyright Office fee increase, IngramSpark's new path into Turkey, what librarians actually want from indie books, and a major Anthropic settlement update. Plus, I've got a rapid-fire roundup with author resources, audiobook opportunities, and a couple of last-call promos. As per usual, all relevant links are in the show notes. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate  (affiliate link) The Substack Post: Against Claudefishing - https://post.substack.com/p/against-claudefishing?mc_cid=22d3ab64d9&mc_eid=433332c881 US Copyright Office: Proposed Schedule and Analysis of Copyright Fees to Go Into Effect in Fall 2026 - https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/feestudy2026/proposed-fee-schedule.pdf  IngramSpark: General Turkish Book Marketing Information - https://marketing.ingramcontent.com/mrkng/2026/797-27073/797-27073GCTurkeyMarketFAQ.pdf IngramSpark - https://IngramSpark.com Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/ (subscription required) Writer Beware: Anthropic Settlement Update: Final Settlement Approved - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/07/23/anthropic-settlement-update-final-settlement-approved/ Rapid-Fire Newsflash Future Fiction Academy: AI & Authorship Survey - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctsA4vT3E3dj0FZ3_4R2KzEeWsf-ziqonzbFkwR7RZyzPCDw/viewform  The Indy Author Podcast - https://youtu.be/P7wdCYA2VCo?si=mdg-P1btfkwwdpWs  Twin Flames Studios: How to Fully Leverage Your Audiobook - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AYzV78kfTRayVweXp7TXEQ#/registration  Spoken: What Listeners Want: The Edison Results Roundtable (replay) - https://www.spoken.press/spokenroundtable  Gemsy - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link). Use code DALESUMMER50 for 50% off till August 20, 2026. The Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos  Other Links The Self-Publishing with Dale Series (on Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712  Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

How do lies take root in our hearts and begin shaping the way we see ourselves, others, and even God? In this short teaching, Dr. Samuel C. Petty explains a simple progression that often leads to ungodly beliefs: accusation, deception, and distortion.What begins as an accusing thought can become a deception we accept as truth. Over time, that deception can distort our identity, relationships, emotions, and decisions. This episode will help you recognize the lies beneath unhealthy patterns and begin replacing them with the truth of God.In this episode:Discover how accusation introduces doubt, shame, and condemnation.Learn how repeated accusations can become deeply held deceptions.Understand how deception distorts your identity and view of others.Recognize the connection between ungodly beliefs and repeated emotional patterns.Begin identifying the truth needed to challenge and uproot lies.Learn why inner healing requires more than changing behavior. It requires renewing what you believe.#EmotionalHealth #InnerHealing #ChristianCoaching #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #OneIdentityMovementGet Your Copy of My Books:Get Your Copy of My Books:https://www.oneidentitymovement.com/resourcesDonate (OIM Website):https://www.oneidentitymovement.com/support Get your free guide to identity in Christ:https://www.oneidentitymovement.com/subscribeCheck our my merch!https://oneidentitymovement.square.site I'm on social!Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/samuel.petty3/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/samuelcpetty My E-courses:https://www.oneidentitymovement.com/resourcesThanks for listening to Live Whole with Dr. Samuel C. Petty.To explore free resources, articles, books, and tools that support your emotional, mental, and spiritual health, visit OneIdentityMovement.com.And remember: Healing the heart. Renewing the mind. Breaking unhealthy patterns.That's how we learn to live whole.

The energies of August 2026 feel unlike anything I have witnessed this year.As I tuned into the month ahead, my guides showed me humanity standing before a great fork in the road. At first, everyone was walking together. Then the path gently separated into two completely different realities. One path was filled with light, ease, synchronicity, and divine support. The other felt uncertain, restless, and covered in sharp stones that made every step more difficult.Here is what to expect during the month of August.

A major traditional publisher is making a surprising move toward indie authors. We also cover a KDP payment change, new details about Audible's royalty model, and fresh opportunities for book promotion and AI discoverability. Plus, the Rapid-Fire Newsflash features author resources, timely discounts, and more publishing updates. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) KDP Community: EUR Check Payments Changing in August 2026 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/EUR-Check-Payments-Changing-in-August-2026?language=en_US ACX: Suggested Price - https://help.acx.com/s/article/suggested-price PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link) Draft2Digital: The Draft2Digital Promotions Team - https://draft2digital.com/blog/the-draft2digital-promotions-team/ Publishers Weekly: Pocket Books Relaunched as Home for Self-Published Authors - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/100756-pocket-books-relaunched-as-home-for-self-published-authors.html ALLi: How to Make Your Books Discoverable by AI, with Orna Ross and Rob Prime - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-how-to-make-your-books-discoverable-by-ai/ ALLi's Community Hub: SelfPubConnect - https://selfpubconnect.mn.co/ The Alliance of Independent Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/ALLi (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash IngramSpark: A Definitive List of Writing Contests and Book Awards for 2026-2027 - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/2025-book-awards-contests-for-indie-authors Authors Guild: Do Authors Need an LLC or S-Corporation? - https://authorsguild.org/resource/do-authors-need-an-llc-or-s-corporation/  Gemsy (the book review exchange platform) - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link) Use DALESUMMER50 for 50% off the annual plan (good till August 20, 2026) The Indy Author Podcast: Book Marketing on a Budget with Kevin Hall - Ep. 345 - https://youtu.be/tb7U7_15jzk?si=oBYwzp3hgpqw3WAG  The Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos The Self-Publishing with Dale Series (on Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

In this video, I tackle one of the most painful questions survivors ask: “Did they ever really care about me, or was it all fake?” As a clinically diagnosed, self‑aware narcissist, I explain how narcissistic people can have a limited emotional capacity, why some can only give you all the 'love they have' and why that still doesn't excuse abuse. We'll talk about why you stayed, why they put in such low effort, and how self‑love and boundaries matter more than trying to squeeze real love out of someone who can't give it. If you've built a whole life with a toxic person and now feel like it was all a lie, this video will give you language, perspective, and validation for your healing. Stay to the end for a reminder that you DID matter and why their limitations don't define your worth.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

In this video, I break down why narcissists hate it when you block them everywhere—phone, text, social media and email and why their reaction is NOT your fault. As a clinically diagnosed, self‑aware narcissist, I explain how blocking cuts off their narcissistic supply, triggers a massive ego injury, and exposes their need for control. You'll learn what to expect when you go no contact, how they might rage, hoover, or smear you, and why those behaviors are actually proof that your boundaries are working. If you're scared to block a toxic ex, parent or friend, this video will give you clarity, language and validation to protect your mental health. Watch to the end for practical tips on staying firm when they try to break through your boundaries.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

In this video, I explain why you should leave the very first time someone lies to you in dating or relationships, from the perspective of a clinically diagnosed narcissist who knows how “little lies” grow into entire fake lives. We'll talk about why a relationship built on even one dishonest foundation stone will eventually crumble, how age lies on dating apps turn into lies about education, job, and marital status, and why love‑bombers cry and promise “I'll never lie again” right when you catch them. I'll walk through the age‑gap story, the way physical attraction and money make people overlook red flags, and how forgiving the first lie almost always leads to discovering a whole pattern of deception later. If you've ever found yourself trying to get a liar to change instead of protecting your own reality, this video will give you the clarity and permission to treat that first lie as your exit signal, not a test of how much you can tolerate.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Why is being a “ride or die” for a narcissistic or toxic partner is one of the worst decisions you can make, from the perspective of a clinically diagnosed narcissist who's watched survivors emotionally die in these relationships. We'll talk about how narcissists play the victim to hook your empathy, convince you that everyone has abandoned them, and turn your loyalty into a one‑way street where you sacrifice friends, family, and boundaries while they give you nothing back. I'll explain the difference between a real ride‑or‑die bond (symbiotic, both people benefit) and the parasitic version with a narcissist, where your emotional “gold mine” gets pillaged until you barely recognize yourself. If you've ever felt like you were riding till you die for someone who wouldn't cross the street for you, this video will help you name what's happening, stop confusing exploitation for loyalty, and start choosing your own life over their chaosBook a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Do you think about your therapist between sessions? Check their social media? Spiral when they cancel? A licensed therapist explains why attachment to your therapist happens, why it's actually part of the process, and the exact signs that tell you when it's crossed into unhealthy territory. In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton breaks down the therapeutic relationship: the single strongest predictor of whether therapy actually works. She answers listener questions about feeling "creepy" for looking up their therapist, why therapy can feel transactional and fake, and what therapists are really noticing about you in session. Then she walks through the attachment ladder, the four stages that explain why your therapist starts to feel like the only person who truly gets you, and closes with a complete checklist of healthy vs. unhealthy therapeutic relationship signs. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 What is the therapeutic relationship? 1:21 The #1 predictor of successful therapy 2:26 Q1: "I'm attached to my therapist and feel like a creep" 5:52 Attachment wounds: why your therapist fills the void 11:54 What your therapist is actually noticing in session 15:20 Q2: "I feel closer to my therapist than anyone in my life" 16:56 The attachment ladder: 4 stages of attaching to your therapist 23:13 Q3: "Therapy feels transactional and the care feels bought" 28:21 Why you need to put the phone down and just think 31:17 Q4: "My therapist rescheduled and I spiraled for days" 32:47 What a therapist's role actually is (and isn't) 35:25 Signs of a HEALTHY therapeutic relationship 42:17 Signs of an UNHEALTHY therapeutic relationship 49:08 Why boundaries in therapy matter so much 53:06 How to make sure therapy works for you THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY ⁠REBOUND⁠ Rebound offers virtual, evidence-based treatment for PTSD with trauma-specialist therapists, in-network with most major insurance plans in all 50 states. Check your insurance or get matched: Head to https://hellorebound.com/askkatianything to check your insurance or get matched with a therapist. RESEARCH & RESOURCES Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Relationship https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608012/ Perceived therapist genuineness predicts therapeutic alliance in cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjc.12059 The Relationship Between Attachment Needs, Earned Secure https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-18086-004.html Client and Therapist Attachment Styles and Working Alliance https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.1944 The experience of closeness and distance in the therapeutic relationship of patients with different attachment classifications https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1029783/full ⁠⁠⁠ASK KATI YOUR QUESTION Leave your question in the comments below and it may be answered on an upcoming episode. MY BOOKS & WORKSHOPS https://katimorton.com THERAPY If you're looking for a therapist, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed online professional: https://betterhelp.com/kati - Enjoy 10% off your first month! (this is an affiliate link, which means a portion of your signup helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you)SOCIALS X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katimorton Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katimorton1/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/katimorton1/ Patreon https://www.katimorton.com/kati-morton-patreon/ Main YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/katimorton?sub_confirmation=1 Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-kati-anything/id1502476673 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7itqbvflj0Q9IUDqOF5NST Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katimorton PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co DISCLAIMER The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. #therapy #mentalhealth #katimorton Ask Kati Anything ep. 323 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spoken commissioned Edison Research at SSRS to compare how fiction audiobook listeners responded to AI and human narration. The results raise some major questions about what listeners value and where audiobook production may be heading. Kindlepreneur also uncovered a growing issue with Amazon categories, while Miblart, GetCovers, Book Brush, ProWritingAid, and more shared new tools and opportunities for authors. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) Spoken - https://Spoken.press Edison Research at SSRS - https://www.spoken.press/edisonsurvey Variety: Surprise: Many People Prefer AI Audiobooks, New Study Finds - https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/spoken-ai-audiobooks-preferencenew-edison-research-study-1236810295/ What Audiobook Listeners Want Now: A Spoken Roundtable - https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/spoken-ai-audiobooks-preferencenew-edison-research-study-1236810295/ Kindlepreneur - https://kindlepreneur.com Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/Rocket (affiliate link) Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) Miblart - https://DaleLinks.com/Miblart (affiliate link) Use coupon code DALE10 to get 10% off your next order Miblart: Book Cover Design 101 (guide) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mwZP1pIiuECd2SzkHoD6_qvtnUQypyp9/view  GetCovers - https://DaleLinks.com/GetCovers (affiliate link) Use CHEERS20 for 20% off till July 17, 2026 GetCovers: Does Your Book Cover Perform at Its Best? - https://getcovers.com/cover-performance-quiz/  Rapid-Fire Newsflash ProWritingAid: Character Analysis - https://prowritingaid.com/features/character-analysis?afid=6615 The Indy Author Podcast: Chart Your Course Consulting - https://www.theindyauthor.com/chart-your-course Book Brush: BookMARCon 2026 - https://bookbrush.com/bookmarcon/ Book Brush - https://BookBrush.com Inside Scoop Live: EMAIL MARKETING FOR AUTHORS by Dale L. Roberts - https://youtu.be/gxVwwmf14ic?si=9Q1FnvPy9wUdQAsc Bradley Charbonneau | Repossible: I Asked a YouTube Expert What's Working in 2026 (TTS7E28) with @DaleLRoberts - https://youtu.be/Q-3pntcDaxs?si=CDYZJOlI3E2xk_h5 Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos Self-Publishing with Dale series (Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

In this video, I break down why narcissists and abusive people are so cruel when they're discarding you, from the perspective of a clinically diagnosed narcissist who has been on the other side of that breakup. We'll talk about how ego injury and loss of control drive their rage, why they need to see you as “broken” or pathetic to justify leaving, and how smear campaigns, threats, and comparison to “new supply” become tools to repair their own shattered self‑image. I'll show you the hidden logic behind their cruelty, why they twist the story so you look like the abuser and how that keeps you stuck searching for closure in a situation that was never going to make sense. If you've ever wondered why the person who claimed to love you suddenly seemed to enjoy hurting you at the end, this breakdown will give you the clarity you need to stop blaming yourself, recognize the discard for what it is, and start focusing on your own healing.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

After more than a decade of releasing this show on Mondays, I'm moving it to Wednesdays, and this is the first episode of the new time slot.  On the one hand, this might sound like nothing at all, but it's also a big deal, for you and for me, and in this episode, I explain why I'm making the change, and past guests give some tips on sustainable creativity for the long term. Joanna Penn is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, short stories and travel memoir under J.F. Penn and also writes non-fiction for authors and hosts The Creative Penn Podcast. Why the podcast is moving to Wednesdays (1) Take time out to question what you're doing (2) Learn to pivot if you want to keep going long term(3) Set a sustainable pace, and don't build reader expectations you can't deliver on (4) Don't try to do it all, and try to identify the fear that might be driving your choices (5) Question what still serves you, especially as things continue to change(6) Consider different approaches to creativity. It doesn't have to be every day, or every week(7) Creative humans evolve. Build a body of work for the long term. You can find the backlist episodes at TheCreativePenn.com/podcast, just click into the episode to find the transcript. Why The Podcast Is Moving To Wednesdays, And 7 Tips for Sustainable Creativity Here's my big news! After more than a decade of releasing this show on Mondays, I'm moving it to Wednesdays, and this is the first episode of the new time slot. On the one hand, this might sound like nothing at all, but it's also a big deal, for you and for me! I know many of you have a routine of listening to the show during a certain thing on a Monday, so I'm sorry to have to disrupt that, and I hope I don't lose you along the way — although I guess you could just save the episode for Monday! For me, it's a much bigger deal, because a Monday show has meant I have often recorded the intro and edited and scheduled the episode over the weekend. The main reason is that I need to record in the mornings when I have energy and when the house is less noisy, since Jonathan is often on the phone since he works from home as well. So I would prepare the episode on Fridays, and I type out this intro before reading it, and source the news and my thoughts and all that — and then I'd record it Saturday morning, or Sunday morning if Saturday was busy — and so recently, I have felt like something has to change.  Moving the show to a Wednesday means that I can prep on Monday and Tuesday, which is perfect. Its so funny because I agonised over this, in the same way I agonised over changing the theme tune a few years back. Some of you may remember that — and it also turned out to not be a big deal at all. We build things up in our minds and then sometimes the problem can be solved in a different way. So instead of going to ad hoc episodes, or once every two weeks, I hope that moving to Wednesday makes the show more sustainable again, because let's face it, there's a lot going on, and if I did a show every 2 weeks, I might have to make them longer to get through everything! So, same show, just on Wednesdays from now on. And this change underscores what today's episode is about: sustainable creativity over the long term. How do you keep writing, and publishing, and podcasting — and creating for years — and I am now at two decades — without burning out, and without becoming a slave to the algorithm, or the market, or even your own audience's expectations? The goal is not to just survive this year's release schedule, or to keep feeding the machine until you crumble under the speed of it all. The goal is to still be creating, and still be enjoying it, next month, next year, in five years, in 10 years, in 20, in 30. Who knows how many years we all have left — but for sure, we are NOT machines, we are not AI — and we cannot churn it out – and what is the point of that anyway?  So in today's show, I'll share some thoughts and tips from me and also other authors from the show on this topic, and you can find the full episodes in the backlist, and links as ever in the show notes on TheCreativePenn.com/podcast  (1) Take time out to question what you're doing In early 2024, The Tim Ferriss Show, one of the biggest podcasts in the world, hit its ten-year anniversary with over a billion downloads and over 750 episodes, and Tim decided to take a sabbatical. He paused the show for four months and seriously questioned whether to continue. Not because it was failing, it was hugely profitable and he enjoyed talking to people, but because the landscape had changed.  Podcasting had gone from a wide-open space in 2014 to a saturated market, and his question wasn't “can I keep competing?” It was “is this still the game I want to play?” Just a little note here, I started The Creative Penn Podcast in 2009 when there were even fewer shows so I know a lot about a changing podcast market! After four months, Tim came back from what he called a sabbatical with a blog post on My New Rules for Podcasting — To Keep Things Interesting. He starts with the sheer number of podcasts, saying, “Having a good show is no longer good enough. Having a great show is no longer good enough. If you want to survive in the mindshare of listeners, you need differentiation.” I think this is true for us as authors as well as podcasters, or YouTubers, or social media, or anything. But the good news is that your differentiation can be you. Regular listeners will know that I have questioned ending the show over the years, worried that I was no longer useful, or that my voice no longer mattered when there are so many podcasts on similar topics. But after your wonderful feedback, and the fact that the show still gets a lot of downloads every week, and the growth in my Patreon Community, I don't worry about that anymore. It's unlikely that any of us will have a podcast as big as Tim Ferriss's or sell as many books as The Four Hour Work Week, but that's OK, because we are not Tim. I am Jo Penn and you're here because you find my take on the publishing industry is still useful in some way. When it's not anymore, you will go elsewhere, and I find myself at peace with that. Back to Tim's article — he asks some questions of himself, including:If I get to do this for another decade, or had to do this for another decade, what new rules might I create to keep it interesting? Of course, we all have different ideas of what this means for us. And I have already implemented one of these rules, which is that I interview people on topics I find interesting. I frequently get pitched by more famous authors and bigger names, but most of the time I turn them down, and choose to talk to people who are not famous but are more interested in serving you, my audience, because that is the point of this show. I also have people on that I enjoy talking to, because checking in with my friends while you listen in, can be useful too, since my friends are often authors who've been in the industry a while now. I have to make the interviews time that I find interesting or useful or fulfilling as well. But the point is to stop and take time to consider what might need to change, even if you are really successful. You cannot be a slave to the algorithm, to the media, to your audience, for the long term. You have to put some circuit breakers in sometimes. It's the old adage about the small business. You have to work ON in the business, not just IN the business, which means you need to step away. This does sometimes mean that you have to get away physically. I had this realisation while we were in Bruges in Belgium talking to Jonathan about what changes I could make because I just felt a lack of freedom — and freedom is my highest value, so I really need to honour that. So, the first question for you is: If you feel like you need a change, if your routines are becoming too much, or your workload is too much, or you are eating into time you need for rest and recovery or family or whatever you need, can you schedule time out to have a think about what you need and how things can change? You don't need to burn it all down. You might find the answer is just moving the show from a Monday to a Wednesday! (2) Learn to pivot if you want to keep going long term I love talking to authors who have been doing this career for a long time, and in December 2025 in episode 839, I talked to Jennifer Probst, the New York Times bestselling romance author of more than sixty books, about why some authors build decades-long careers while others vanish after one breakout. Jennifer has been through the indie gold rush, the fallout, traditional deals, Kickstarter, all of it, and I asked her how she thinks about how everything keeps changing, and we start with marketing but it goes much further than that. Writing Free: Romance Author Jennifer Probst On A Long-Term Author Career *** Jo: In terms of how we do marketing, TikTok is still a thing, and we can see maybe generative AI search coming on the horizon and agentic buying. A decade ago it might have been different, more Facebook ads or whatever. Then before that it might have been something else. So there's always things changing along the way. Jennifer: Yes, there definitely is. It is a very oversaturated market. They talk about, I don't know, 2010 to 2016 maybe, as the gold rush, because that was where you could make a lot of money as an indie. Then we saw the total fallout of so many different things. I feel like I've gone through so many ups and downs in the industry. I do love it because the longer you're around, the more you learn how to pivot. If you want this career, you learn how to write differently or do whatever you need to do to keep going, in different aspects, with the changes. To me, that makes the industry exciting. Again, perspective is a big thing. But I have had to take a year to kind of rebuild when I was out of contract with a lot of things. I've had to say, “Okay, what do you see on the horizon now? Where is the new foundation? Where do you wanna restart?” Sometimes it takes a year or two of, “Maybe I won't be making big income and I cut back,” but then you're back in it, because it takes a while to write a few new books, or write under a pen name, or however you want to pivot your way back into the industry. Or, like you were saying, diversifying. I did a lot of non-fiction stuff because that's a big calling for me, so I put that into the primary for a while. I think it's important for authors to maybe not just have one thing. When that one thing goes away, you're scrambling. It's good to have a couple of different things like, “Well, okay, this genre is dead or this thing is dead or this isn't making money. Let me go to this for a little while until I see new things on the horizon.” *** I love that from Jennifer, because there are always new things on the horizon, and we try new things and we pivot, and we bring in other streams of income as some drop off, and we go again and we keep creating. Authors with longevity are authors who pivot over their careers. They may lament the end of one era, but they don't stop, they find a new way forward. (3) Set a sustainable pace, and don't build reader expectations you can't deliver on Kevin J. Anderson is one of the most productive writers alive, with hundreds of books, most of which he writes with dictation while out hiking, and he has been on this show many times. In January 2025, in episode 791, we talked about building a long-term author business, and how authors need to be careful about setting reader expectations around pace of releases. Building A Long Term Author Business, Dictation, Kickstarter, and Short Story Collections With Kevin J Anderson Kevin: Now, again, we get back to the longevity of a career. It is exhausting to write lots of books a year, and most people can't keep doing that for 20 years or 30 years. That's one of the reasons, especially indie authors, where readers expect you to write several books a year. Some indie authors I know are writing a book a month. I couldn't do that for any long period. Well, I couldn't do that probably for a single year. You start building expectations, and when you fail to meet those expectations, they will leave you very quickly. That's why you should have Plan Bs. If you really, really can't stand writing your steampunk vampire romance series after book number 29, well, make sure that you have some other series you're starting and building up. Well, Hugh Howey's got several series that are going. Michael Anderle has all kinds of series, and Craig Martelle has all kinds of series. You don't just put all your eggs in one basket. You need to have Plan B and Plan C, to circle around to what I started with. *** Whatever cadence you choose, for your books, your email newsletters, or or your podcast, or your social media, choose a pace you can still be keeping up in a decade, because this is a long term career, and longevity in the market is one of the most important things. It's better to pace yourself than burn out. (4) Don't try to do it all, and try to identify the fear that might be driving your choices I couldn't do an episode on sustainability without Becca Syme! Becca is an author coach who has worked with thousands of writers, she is the creator of the Better-Faster Academy and the Quit books, and the QuitCast podcast — and In January 2023, in episode 668, at the end of our conversation about intuitive writing and marketing, I asked her what authors who sustain long careers have in common. Intuitive Writing And Book Marketing With Becca Syme *** Joanna: So in terms of sustainability, let's talk about that. You coach writers every day, you see writers on every spectrum of every personality type, and people who write differently and release differently and publish differently. So what do you see as your recommendations or, I guess, commonalities for authors who want this sustainable career as a writer for the long term in order not to burn out? What are you seeing in terms of the best way to be sustainable in a creative career? Becca: Conquering the fear that we have that we're not going to get what we want out of the career, like 100%. Because the fear is the thing that's driving us to burn ourselves out. The fear that if I don't do it this way, I'm not going to make money. If I don't do it this way, I'm not going to have a long career. I'm going to miss out on something if I don't do absolutely everything. And then I think the most important knowledge that we can have is that everyone in this industry who's a nonfiction person, including me, is giving you a perspective on how author life can be done. Every single one of us, not the perspective on how it should be done in order to have success. And if we could just change our expectations of how we look at the people who are helping us who are being good, helpful people who are very sure that their way is the correct way and who should be, again, because like all experts, they've had success doing what they are doing. But the downside is from someone whose job is to sit with authors for 45 minutes at a time, all day, every day, I see the outcome of the people who have tried to “do it all,” in quotes, with capital letters, and who are burned out because they were doing everything out of a fear place. And I think one of the best things that can happen in our — and what burnout often does is it forces us to reckon with the fact that we were doing all of this because we were afraid. My book isn't going to sell, I'm not going to be able to do this, I have this dream that I'm holding on to and what happens if it doesn't manifest itself. Then we make a lot of our decisions about how much to take on based on fear, and we don't know it. Because we don't realize that our brains are wired for survival, and so anytime fear kicks in, your brain is like, well, we have to do that because if you're afraid of it, then that must mean that we need it in order to survive. And we don't. We will survive if our books don't sell. We have to calm that fear and answer the question. Like, what will happen if in five years, I have not sold more than $1,000 on every book that I am writing? Like if each of the individual books that I write have not made more than $1,000. And I have to reckon with what might happen if that happens, because if I don't, that fear is going to drive me to burnout over and over and over and over again. That is why we're making so many of our decisions, including: do I pay for this class or conference? Do I pay for this book? Do I spend money on this advertising? Do I hire this expert consultant? So many of us are making those choices out of fear and we don't realize it. And that's why when we do our public live coaching, and whenever I'm at a conference, I'm always listening for, “but what are you afraid is not going to happen? Or what are you afraid is going to happen?” Because if we don't deconstruct that part of yourself and calm your survival mechanism down, you're going to continue over and over again to make those decisions out of fear. Then you're going to not listen to your intuition because you think it's risky to listen to it. And so I really think, and some of this might include therapy for some of us, I'm just going to acknowledge some of us have trauma around not getting what we want or around not actualizing our desires, and we can't just talk ourselves into letting the fear go. But some of us do just need to consistently confront the fear and make a plan for what happens and then act in spite of that fear because we are not making good decisions when we are in survival mode. *** Becca is very wise, and also pretty hardcore! So if you feel like you are trying to do it all, and you are on the edge of burning out, can you identify the fear beneath it? (5) Question what still serves you, especially as things continue to change Sometimes we keep doing things the same way, even when things have changed. What is lost if we give things up? What is gained? And what kind of game do you want to play? In episode 845, Claire Taylor, humour and mystery author, owner of FFS Media, certified Enneagram coach, talks about how social media has changed and why she gave it up. Leaving Social Media, Writing Iconic Characters, and Building Trust With Claire Taylor *** Joanna: One thing I know will have perked up people's ears is: “I left social media.” Tell us a bit more about that. Claire: This was a move that I could feel coming for a while. I didn't like what social media did to my attention. Even when I wasn't on it, there was almost a hangover from having been on it. My attention didn't feel as sharp and focused as it used to be, back before social media became what it is now. So I started asking myself some questions: What is lost if I leave? What is gained if I leave? And what is social media actually doing for me today? Because sometimes we hold on to what it used to do for us, and we keep trying to squeeze more and more of that out of it. But it has changed so much. There are almost no places with sufficient organic reach anymore. It's all pay-to-play, and the cost of pay-to-play keeps going up. I looked at the numbers for my business. My Kickstarter was a great place to analyse that because they track so many traffic sources so clearly. I could see exactly how much I was getting from social media when I advertised and promoted my projects there. Then I asked: can I let that go in order to get my attention back and make my life feel more settled? And I decided: yes, I can. That's worth more to me. Joanna: There are some things money can't buy. Sometimes it really isn't about the money. I like your question: what is lost and what is gained? You also said it's all pay-to-play and there's no organic reach. I do think there is some organic reach for some people who don't pay, but those people are very good at playing the game of whatever the platform wants. So, TikTok for example—you might not have to pay money yet, but you do have to play their game. You have to pay with your time instead of money. I agree with you. I don't think there's anywhere you can literally just post something and know it will reliably reach the people who follow you. Claire: Right. Exactly. TikTok currently, if you really play the game, will sometimes “pick” you, right? But that “pick me” energy is not really my jam. And we can see the trend—this “organic” thing doesn't last. It's organic for now. You can play the game for now, but TikTok would be crazy not to change things so they make more money. So eventually everything becomes pay-to-play. TikTok is fun, but for me it's addictive. I took it off my phone years ago because I would do the infinite scroll. There's so much candy there. Then I'd wake up the next morning and notice my mood just wasn't where I wanted it to be. My energy was low. I really saw a correlation between how much I scrolled and how flat I felt afterwards. So I realised: I'm not the person to pay-to-play or to play the game here. I'm not even convinced that the pay-to-play on certain social media networks is being tracked in a reliable, accountable way anymore. Who is holding them accountable for those numbers? You can sort of see correlation in your sales, but still, I just became more and more sceptical. In the end, it just wasn't for me. My life is so much better on a daily basis without it. That's definitely a decision I have not regretted for a second. **** To be clear, we're not saying you should give up social media, but it's about questioning how things make you feel, and what you can sustain and how you want to spend your time. I did question once again whether to give up this show entirely, but it is an important part of my creative body of work, and quite frankly, I reach more people with the podcast than I do with my books, and I still love talking to people, and I learn, and it underpins my business. I don't do much social media though. I learn about AI things on X and I do post photos and things on Instagram but I don't do much else. You have to decide what is right for you, but also, what is right for you might change over time. If we have a long term career, or a long term anything, things will change, and we will need to move on sometimes, or at least question whether it is still working in the way it used to. (6) Consider different approaches to creativity. It doesn't have to be every day, or every week.  In April 2026, in episode 858, I talked to Sara Rosett, USA Today bestselling mystery author and co-host of the Wish I'd Known Then podcast, about low-key marketing, and a more seasonal approach, or phased approach to podcasting as well as writing. Special Editions, Seasonal Podcasts, and the Art of Low-Key Book Marketing with Sara Rosett *** Jo: Although I must say I had forgotten about your Mystery Books podcast and going to seasonal. I also had my second podcast, Books and Travel, which is now on a kind of hiatus, but going to a seasonal approach is actually really interesting. Do you find that listeners come back to that podcast? Sara: Yes, and it surprises me because I've always thought you have to be weekly with a podcast to gain any traction at all, which I think is the best way to do it. You can build an audience quickly then, but I just knew I couldn't sustain that. So when I set out, I started with maybe seven to ten episodes and I did them each year — each year has had a season — and I do five to ten episodes. Readers find it, and I have highlighted specific books. I think maybe they're searching for a podcast about the Thursday Murder Club or something like that. They find it that way, and I get downloads, just steady downloads throughout the year, and I don't do much. I do some Pinterest pins for that, and that's about all I do. This is one of those things — it's the kind of low-key marketing that's low threshold, but it does work. I think if your readers are looking for stuff to listen to about the topic you write about, it could be a good way to do some low-cost, long-tail marketing. I love it. I keep doing it because I love it. Jo: That just seems more sustainable to me. I didn't like doing everything every day or every single week. Sara: Me either. I like switching it up, and I do enjoy the different phases of writing. I like the research and then I like doing the — well, I don't like the drafting that much, but once I get a draft done, I like the editing. And then when it comes time to promote it or do a special edition or whatever, I enjoy that part. Finding whatever I'm going to use for the interior photos and stuff — just things like that. I enjoy each phase and I like switching it out. Jo: I think that's really good. Some people think this writer's life is you write new words every single day and you manage your ads every single day. That seems to be what some people do, but that's certainly not us, is it? Sara: No. And that's great if you want to do that. I just don't want to. And I think we've come to the point now where each person can do this as they want. Hopefully people don't feel the pressure to meet these self-imposed deadlines or parameters that don't exist. There's no rules for writing or publishing. You can do whatever you want. *** I am definitely a seasonal creator, I don't write every day. I never have. I binge write when a book emerges, or binge create. As I record this I am working on the treatment and trailer for what is now called Cathedral Zero, a positive futurist sci-fi feature film that I am entering in the FutureVision X Prize in the next week or so, and then I will move to the next project. I also love Kickstarter launches for this reason. They feel much more sustainable because it's such a focused marketing push. My Books and Travel Podcast is still on hiatus, but I may still resurrect that at some point. I still feel the pull of it. And of course, this show remains weekly, but the Wednesday shift will hopefully help keep it this way. I can't see me going seasonal with this, but never say never! The main thing is to consider seasonality, or consider phased approaches to your work, rather than trying to do exactly the same thing week in week out. (7) Creative humans evolve. Build a body of work for the long term. Roz Morris first came on this podcast in 2011, and in March 2026, in episode 853 we talked about her memoir, discovery writing, and slow, sustainable book marketing. Roz is an award-nominated literary author and former bestselling ghostwriter, an editor and I always appreciate her perspective as she has been doing this far longer than I have. **** JOANNA: Do you still actively choose indie for a particular reason? ROZ: I do. I really like building my own body of work, and I'm now experienced enough to know what I do well, what I need advice with, and help with. I mean, we don't do all this completely by ourselves, do we? We bring in experts who will give us the right feedback if we're doing a new genre or a genre that's new to us. I choose indie because I like the control. Because I began in traditional publishing—I was making books for other people—I just learned all the trades and how to do everything to a professional standard. I love being able to apply that to my own work. I also love the way I can decide what I'm going to write next. If I was traditionally published, I would have to do something that fitted with whatever the publisher would want of me, and that isn't necessarily where my muse is taking me or what I've become interested in. I think creative humans evolve throughout their lives. They become interested in different things, different themes, different ways of expressing themselves. I began by thinking I would just write novels, and now I've found myself writing memoirs as well. That shift would have been difficult if someone else was having to make me fit into their marketing plans or what their imprint was known for. But because I've built my own audience, I can just bring them with me and say, “You might like this. It's still me. I'm just doing something different.” **** Inspiring words from Roz there — “It's still me, I'm just doing something different.” And indeed, I am a very different Jo from the new author who started this podcast back in March 2009. I have evolved and this show has evolved and this is not the end, it is a new phase. It's funny because it's just a shift of two days, but it also breaks a habit, for you listening and for me creating. It changes a time slot, and that itself can be a way to change energy, to change direction, to shift what matters and how we do things.  So that's what I want to leave you with today. A question around how shifting something, even something small, might make a big difference to your creative body of work, the quality of time you have for yourself or your family, and I'd love to know what you think about today's episode and what we covered, as well as your thoughts on the Wednesday shift.  Please leave a comment on the show notes, or the YouTube channel, or email me. I will see you next Wednesday, so happy writing and I'll see you next time!The post Why The Podcast Is Moving To Wednesdays, And 7 Tips for Sustainable Creativity first appeared on The Creative Penn.

In this video, I explain why a narcissist will never truly “pick” you in the way you're hoping for, from the perspective of a clinically diagnosed narcissist who's been on the other side of those choices. We'll talk about how narcissists see partners as temporary “supply,” why they chase newness and fantasy instead of commitment, and what's really going on when they discard you for someone else and still keep you on the hook. I'll break down why it was never about you not being enough, how trauma bonds make you fight to be chosen, and why you can't win a game that's rigged to keep you doubting your worth. Most importantly, you'll learn how to stop auditioning for their approval, see their “rejection” for what it really is, and choose yourself instead of waiting to be picked by someone who only values what you do for themBook a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

In this video, I break down 10 signs you're in a toxic relationship with a narcissistic or emotionally abusive partner, from the perspective of a clinically diagnosed narcissist who's been on both sides of the dynamic. We'll talk about what it really means to ignore your intuition, why conflicts escalate so fast when you challenge them, how isolation from friends and family makes you easier to control, and why their apologies never lead to actual change. I'll show you how gaslighting, manipulation, and “I'm sorry for everything” keep you doubting yourself instead of their behavior, and why cutting people off for the chance at one toxic love leaves you more vulnerable than ever. If these signs sound familiar, this video will help you recognize the red flags, validate what you're feeling, and start planning how to protect your peace and break the cycle. Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

In this video, we dig into one of the hardest questions survivors ask after narcissistic or abusive relationships: do they actually regret what they did, or do they just regret losing you and their supply. As a clinically diagnosed narcissist, I'll break down how narcissists and other abusive people experience regret, why their “sorry” is usually about consequences and image, not your pain and how their defenses let them see everything as your fault so there's nothing to feel guilty about. Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Why does it feel like a controlling person's version of love leaves you more confused, isolated, and exhausted than before? In this video, Lee Hammock breaks down the profound disconnect between what a toxic individual claims to feel and how they actually treat you. We pull back the curtain on why their words never match their actions, exposing the difference between genuine emotional connection and transactional control.If you have ever felt like something was fundamentally "off" even when they were showering you with affection, this breakdown will give you the psychological clarity you need to make sense of the confusion and protect your sanity.What We Cover In This Video:The Illusion of Love Bombing: How the early stages of overwhelming intensity, future faking, and the artificial "soulmate" narrative are designed to secure your compliance.When the Mask Drops: The predictable shift into devaluation, conditional affection, and extreme emotional coldness once they feel they fully possess you.Possession vs. Connection: Why a highly manipulative partner experiences "love" purely as ownership, emotional supply, and a reflection of their own ego rather than a mutual bond.Chasing the Ghost: Why survivors become deeply attached to the idealized, early version of the relationship and spend years trying to earn that phantom version back.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

KDP expanded the 70% ebook royalty pricing range, giving authors more room above the old $9.99 limit. Kindlepreneur updated two solid refreshers on KDP keywords and categories, Authors Guild shared another scam warning, Laterpress upgraded its Assistant feature, Voices by INAudio shared audiobook marketing tips, and Miblart is celebrating 10 years with a limited-time discount. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)   KDP Community: The 70% eBook Royalty Option price band has expanded to $2.99–$12.99 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/The-70-eBook-Royalty-Option-price-band-has-expanded-to-2-99-12-99?language=en_US&forum=KDP%20Forum Kindlepreneur: How to Fill in Your 7 KDP Keyword Boxes (My Secret Tactic) - https://kindlepreneur.com/7-kindle-keywords/ Kindlepreneur: How to Find Amazon Book Categories Most Authors Miss - https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-the-best-kindle-ebook-kdp-category/ The Authors Guild: Publishing Scam Alerts - https://authorsguild.org/resource/publishing-scam-alerts/ Laterpress: Collaborative Writing with the Enhanced Laterpress Assistant - https://www.youtube.com/live/K5LyKUtU850?si=XGRsF-697QiqJQM5 Voices by INAudio: Audiobook marketing tips you haven't already heard a million times - https://voicesbyinaudio-newsletter.beehiiv.com/p/audiobook-marketing-tips-you-haven-t-already-heard-a-million-times Miblart: Miblart Is Turning 10! - https://miblart.com/mibl-anniversary/?ref=daleroberts5 (affiliate link) Use coupon code MIBLBDAY20 for 20% off. Offer good through July 13. Rapid-Fire Newsflash Booklinker: Getting More from StoryOrigin: Tips from Its Creator - https://www.thebookmarketinglab.com/StoryOrigin_Webinar The Authors Guild: Narrating Your Own Audiobook - https://authorsguild.org/event/narrating-your-own-audiobook/ Bryan Cohen presents: Booked for Life (Kickstarter) - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bestpageforward/booked-for-life Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos/1 Self-Publishing with Dale Series (Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships  Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

Survivors of narcissistic abuse need CLARITY. They need the truth! They need to be pulled out of the world of delusions that the narcissist has them stuck in, in order to move on. This is probably one of, if not the most critical things that is holding so many people back from healing and moving on. Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

In this video, I break down why narcissists and toxic people gaslight you, from the perspective of a clinically diagnosed narcissist who has used gaslighting in relationships. We'll talk about how gaslighting lets them control the narrative, avoid accountability, protect their ego, and slowly erode your trust in your own memory, emotions, and reality so you become easier to manipulate. I'll walk you through common gaslighting phrases, the cycle that keeps you trauma‑bonded and self‑doubting, and the subtle ways they blame‑shift and project their behavior onto you. Most importantly, you'll learn practical steps to name gaslighting when it's happening, protect your sense of reality, and start breaking free from their control.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Have you ever walked away from a toxic relationship only to feel an overwhelming sense of guilt, or like leaving a narcissist was a literal crime? In this video, Lee Hammock exposes the deep psychological conditioning and trauma bond that tricks your brain into treating emotional withdrawal exactly like drug withdrawal, making your own self-preservation feel like a malicious betrayal. Unlike healthy attachments where breakups are simply sad, a controlling person grooms you to feel entirely responsible for their emotional state, triggering intense survivor guilt the moment you choose to save yourself. This crushing guilt is not your moral compass telling you that you did wrong—it is simply your brain going through withdrawal, and you do not owe stability to someone who chose to make you unstable.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Why do abusers and controlling people suddenly start to despise the exact same things they claimed to love about you at the beginning of the relationship? In this video, Lee Hammock exposes the psychological bait-and-switch behind why a toxic individual turns your greatest strengths into your biggest sins. You'll learn how traits like your independence, financial success, vibrant social life, or deep empathy are initially treated as a prize to be won during the love-bombing phase, only to be treated as a direct threat during devaluation. We break down the fragile ego structures that cause an abusive person to resent your light, why they try to extinguish the qualities that made you special, and how to spot this systematic erosion before it destroys your self-esteem and mental health.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

July 4th is supposed to be about freedom, but if you're stuck with a toxic or narcissistic partner, you probably feel more trapped than ever—and that's exactly what we're talking about in this video. As a clinically diagnosed narcissist, I break down why narcissistic people ruin holidays like Independence Day, how their mood and energy when they wake up sets the tone, and why you keep getting the silent treatment, bad juju, and “attitude” every time you try to celebrate with family or friends. We'll talk about why you're damned if you do and damned if you don't, how they use control and attention‑seeking to strip you of your power, and why you don't have to bring them along just so they can make everyone miserable. I'll show you how to choose the “damned” you can live with, protect your peace, enjoy your plans and your kids, and stop giving them the narcissistic supply they're craving. If this video empowers you to make a different choice today, share it with someone else stuck in a holiday with a narcissist so they don't have to spend Independence Day feeling controlled and alone.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Trauma Bonds Destroy any and Everyone Around Them, not just the person going through them. They cause division, toxicity and even more isolation for the people going through them. The person going through the trauma bond with the narcissist is in it but everyone else is going through it with them. Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Strangulation is the single strongest predictor that domestic violence will escalate to homicide, yet it is still one of the most minimized and misunderstood forms of abuse. In this video, we break down what strangulation actually does to the body and brain, why it can cause serious or even fatal injury hours or days later, and why survivors often walk away with little or no visible marks. From a power‑and‑control perspective, we will talk about how non‑fatal strangulation is almost never “just a moment of anger,” but a deliberate test of power and a major red flag that your abuser is willing to cross into lethal territory. You'll also learn how the presence of firearms and a history of strangulation together can send your homicide risk through the roof, why so many survivors blame themselves or downplay what happened, and why that self‑blame is part of the danger. We'll walk through practical safety‑planning steps, hotline options, and resources so you can take this seriously, trust your instincts, and get support even if you're not sure what to do next. If someone has ever put their hands around your neck, this is not overreacting—this is about survival, and you deserve help and protection.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Real story from a viewer who has been through 14 years of narcissistic abuse.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

What happens inside the mind of an abuser or a controlling person when you stop responding to them? In this video, Lee Hammock exposes the psychological panic that occurs when you ignore a toxic individual. You'll learn how silence starves their ego, why a complete lack of reaction strips an abusive person of their perceived power, and why your indifference is treated as an existential threat to their identity. We dive deep into the mechanics of why they would rather have you scream at them than ignore them, how your silence forces them to face their own internal emptiness, and what to expect when they launch a chaotic "extinction burst" to force you back into the ring. If you are ready to use the most powerful boundary in existence, this breakdown will give you the psychological leverage to hold your ground and protect your sanity.Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Why do you stay with someone who treats you terribly, while simultaneously believing they are your soulmate? In this video, Lee Hammock breaks down the exhausting psychological reality of cognitive dissonance in toxic relationships.Cognitive dissonance occurs when your brain is forced to hold two completely conflicting beliefs at the exact same time: "they love me" versus "they hurt me."We expose how an abuser or controlling person intentionally manufactures this mental fog through a calculated push-pull dynamic of intense love bombing followed by sudden cruelty. This isn't an accident—it's a design. We walk through the mechanics of the intermittent reinforcement cycle, the strongest form of behavioral conditioning known to psychology and explain the neurological basis of why you can't just walk away. Unpredictable dopamine hits from the rare "good moments" keep your brain chemically hooked, forcing you to hold onto a fantasy version of the abuser rather than the reality of who they are.Doubting your own memory and constantly questioning your reality.Justifying their toxic behavior to your friends, family, and yourself.Constant apologizing for things you didn't even do just to keep the peace.Total paralysis in decision-making because you no longer trust your own judgment.This intense mental friction traps you in a loop that literally makes you feel like you are going crazy. If you are ready to pull back the curtain on this emotional manipulation, stop the self-doubt, and reclaim your mental health, this deep dive is for you. Remember: naming it is your first step toward breaking it.Common Signs You Are Experiencing Cognitive Dissonance:Book a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠⁠]

Every narcissist quietly asks themselves one core question before they do anything for you: “How does this benefit me?” In this episode, clinically diagnosed narcissist Lee Hammock breaks down the selfish, calculated mindset behind narcissistic behavior, emotional abuse, hoovering, and why everything seems to come back to supply. You'll learn how a narcissist's lack of genuine empathy gets replaced with cold calculation, why both their “kindness” and their cruelty often have hidden motives, and how this shows up in real‑life relationships. Lee also shares practical scripts for communicating with a narcissist, framing requests so they see a benefit, and protecting your energy so you don't get stuck trying to “understand” them into changing. If you're dealing with a toxic partner and wondering why they do what they do, this video will help you see the pattern clearly and stop taking their behavior so personallyBook a Coaching Session: [⁠⁠⁠https://link.me/mentalhealness⁠⁠⁠]