Episodes

  • (Re-Release) Laura Richards: Verbal Abuse, Narcissists & Reclaiming Your Damn Peace

    (Re-Release) Laura Richards: Verbal Abuse, Narcissists & Reclaiming Your Damn Peace
    Dec 25 2025

    Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays to all of our Besties!


    The holidays can be a tricky period of time so we are wishing everyone a safe holiday season. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233


    This is a re-release from May 20, 2025 with Laura Richards.


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    He never hit you… so it couldn’t have been abuse, right?


    Wrong. And this week, we’re unpacking exactly why.


    Joining me is Laura Richards, narcissistic abuse recovery coach, author of Married to a Nice Guy, and host of the podcast That’s Where I’m At. Together, we talk about what it’s really like to be trapped in a relationship with someone who everyone else thinks is “so nice” — while behind closed doors, your sense of self is slowly unraveling.


    Verbal abuse doesn’t always leave bruises — but it leaves marks. In this validating and eye-opening episode, Laura helps us break down the subtle yet devastating effects of emotional abuse. We explore how narcissists weaponize charm, how control can hide in plain sight, and what it takes to truly heal.


    What to Expect in This Episode:

    • What verbal abuse actually looks and feels like — even when they “never hit you”
    • How narcissists weaponize kindness and charm to isolate and control
    • Red flags you might miss in a “nice guy” relationship
    • The unique pain of being disbelieved — and how to validate yourself
    • Healing after narcissistic abuse: reclaiming joy, confidence, and yes… enjoying dinner alone again


    Whether you’re still in it, fresh out, or deep in healing — this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and strong.


    Tune in now for raw truth, expert insight, and reminders that your story matters.


    Because your peace is not too much to ask for — and you were never “crazy” for wanting more.


    If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233


    LAURA RICHARDS

    - LISTEN to her podcast THAT'S WHERE I'M AT: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-where-im-at/id1704083491

    - IG: ⁨@thatswhereimatpodcast⁩

    - TIKTOK ⁨@thatswhereimatpodcast⁩


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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Dr. Sherrie Campbell: When “Toxic” Love Feels Familiar, Healing Childhood Patterns While Co-Parenting After Abuse

    Dr. Sherrie Campbell: When “Toxic” Love Feels Familiar, Healing Childhood Patterns While Co-Parenting After Abuse
    Dec 23 2025
    Besties, if you’ve ever looked back and thought, “Why did that relationship feel like home, even when it hurt?” this episode is for you. Lindsay sits down with our new BFF, Dr. Sherrie Campbell to unpack the painful truth. When you come from low-effort families, inconsistency, emotional neglect, and chaos can feel familiar. That familiarity can pull you into intimate relationships that mirror your childhood wounds.And when the relationship ends, the impact doesn’t. We talk about co-parenting after domestic abuse, high-conflict custody, and how control can continue through communication, schedules, and court. Dr. Sherrie shares practical, trauma-aware tools to help you break the cycle, set boundaries that hold, use low-drama communication strategies, and protect your peace while staying grounded as a parent.In this episode, we cover:Why “toxic” love feels familiar when you grew up in a low-effort family systemHow childhood conditioning shapes adult attachment, tolerance, and red flagsCo-parenting after abuse, when communication becomes the new battlefieldParallel parenting vs. co-parenting, choosing safety and stabilityGray rock and boundary scripts to stop feeding conflictDocumentation and pattern tracking for family courtNervous system regulation when every message triggers anxietyRebuilding self-trust and breaking generational cyclesAbout Dr. Sherrie CampbellDr. Sherrie Campbell is a licensed psychologist, author, and speaker focused on toxic family systems, emotional abuse recovery, and boundary work that helps people reclaim their lives. Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Watch the full episode on YouTube Join the Bestie Gang on Patreon for bonus content and behind the scenes Rate and review on Apple Podcasts so more survivors can find this episode Follow Bitch Is A Bad Word on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode Share this with a bestie who’s co-parenting in chaos or healing childhood patterns Comment your biggest takeaway and the boundary you’re setting next Support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (US) 1-800-799-SAFE-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwWe’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented.If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Family Court After Abuse: Litigation Abuse, Custody Battles, and How Survivors Protect Themselves | Nikhita Ved, Attorney

    Family Court After Abuse: Litigation Abuse, Custody Battles, and How Survivors Protect Themselves | Nikhita Ved, Attorney
    Dec 18 2025

    This episode is produced in partnership with The National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org


    Besties, we’re going straight into one of the most overwhelming chapters after leaving abuse: family court.


    Because the truth is this. Abuse does not end when the relationship ends. It escalates. It shifts. And for many survivors, it becomes weaponized through custody battles, litigation, and the legal system itself.

    In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Nikhita Ved of the National Domestic Violence Hotline to break down what survivors need to know when navigating family court, civil court, protective orders, and post-separation abuse.


    We unpack how litigation becomes the new form of control, why survivors are often retraumatized by the legal process, and how understanding court strategy, documentation, and timing can make all the difference. Nikhita brings decades of frontline experience supporting survivors through high-conflict custody cases, protective orders, supervised visitation, and court navigation, while Lindsay shares lived experience as a protective parent navigating the system.


    This is not about revenge.

    This is not about winning.

    This is about preparation, strategy, and protecting yourself and your children.



    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    • Why abuse often escalates after separation through litigation and family court

    • How family court, civil court, and criminal court differ and why those differences matter

    • What litigation abuse looks like and how abusers use the legal system to maintain control

    • Why survivors need a bestie, not just an attorney, when navigating court

    • How judges actually think about the “best interest of the child”

    • How to prepare, document patterns, and protect your credibility in court

    • What it really means to work with a trauma-informed attorney

    • How pro se survivors can advocate for themselves more effectively


    About the National Domestic Violence Hotline

    The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support, resources, and safety planning for survivors of domestic violence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their advocates help survivors navigate abuse, custody concerns, legal options, and safety planning with compassion, patience, and care.



    Listen wherever you get your podcasts

    Watch: YouTube

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    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Co-Parenting After Abuse: When Communication Becomes the New Battlefield

    Co-Parenting After Abuse: When Communication Becomes the New Battlefield
    Dec 16 2025
    Besties, we’re going straight to the heart of the chaos: co-parenting after domestic abuse. Because the truth is this. Abuse does not end when the relationship ends. It shifts. It morphs. And it often gets weaponized through communication, schedules, school issues, and family court.In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, host Lindsay Abernathy sits down with Steven Nixon, CEO and Family Law Attorney at Talking Parents, and Heather Ruiz, Marketing Director, to break down why your inbox becomes the new battlefield and how one app can create clarity, proof, and peace.We unpack how post-separation abuse shows up as communication chaos, why texts, emails, and DMs can backfire in court, and how Talking Parents creates a secure, unalterable record that helps establish patterns, reduce legal fees, and protect your mental health.This is not about “winning.”This is about documentation, boundaries, and safety.We've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwWe’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented.If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why post-separation abuse often shows up as “communication chaos”• How Talking Parents helps survivors create boundaries and court-ready documentation• Why “I never got that message” and “I didn’t see it” stops working• How courts use Talking Parents in high-conflict custody cases, DV cases, and supervised visitation• How to document patterns without living on the hamster wheelThe 5 Talking Parents Features Every Bestie Needs• Secure messaging with a court-ready record• Recorded audio calls with transcripts• Recorded video calls with transcripts• Shared calendar with edit history and notifications• Payments and reimbursement requests with built-in documentationPlus:Info Library, Vault storage, and a private journal to track what’s happening while protecting your peace. About Talking ParentsTalking Parents was built in family court for families navigating high-conflict co-parenting, custody disputes, and domestic violence situations. The platform creates an unalterable record of communication that courts trust and survivors rely on. It helps reduce conflict, establish patterns, and remove emotion from exchanges when safety and accountability matter most.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Bitch Sesh: Abuse That Leaves No Bruises | Tonya Mitchell

    Bitch Sesh: Abuse That Leaves No Bruises | Tonya Mitchell
    Dec 11 2025
    Pop star turned survivor advocate Tonya Mitchell is here, and Besties, this one hits every nerve. From getting signed to Motown at 15 and touring with *NSYNC to surviving covert domestic violence, smear campaigns, flying monkeys, and “kept woman” control, Tonya is turning every bruise you could not see into a battle cry. Her new song, “Nobody Loves Me Like You,” is a powerful domestic violence anthem for anyone who has ever asked, “Is this abuse or is it me?” and felt their body keeping score long before they had the language for what was happening behind closed doors.Tonya and Lindsay get brutally honest about emotional abuse, financial abuse, manipulation, narcissistic partners who smile in mug shots, and what it takes to break free, protect your kids, and reclaim your voice. If you have ever been called everything from “crazy,” “whore,” to “too sensitive,” this Bitch Sesh is your neon sign that you are not the problem.In this episode, we cover:How Tonya went from bullied teenager to Motown artist touring with *NSYNCThe difference between “perfect childhood” and adult partners who weaponize your empathyWhat domestic violence looks like when there are no bruisesFinancial abuse, hidden money, smashed laptops, and “rules for thee, not for me”Smear campaigns, flying monkeys, and estranged family members used as weaponsPostpartum depression, being a stay at home mom, and why “take a shower” is not a breakHow abuse shows up in your body through stress, rashes, hair loss, and chronic painIntermittent reinforcement, love bombing, and why leaving feels harder than stayingWhy abusing the mother of your children is abusing the children by proxyThe story behind “Nobody Loves Me Like You” and why this song is a lifeline for survivorsAbout Tonya MitchellTonya Mitchell is a singer, songwriter, and domestic violence survivor advocate. Signed to Motown as a teenager, she toured with *NSYNC and landed a Top 40 hit before walking away to build a family, only to find herself trapped in multiple abusive relationships. Today, Tonya uses her voice to speak for survivors through her new single “Nobody Loves Me Like You,” a powerful ballad about emotional abuse, coercive control, and the kind of love that suffocates instead of saves. She partners with the National Alliance of Domestic Violence Survivors and is dedicated to using music, storytelling, and lived experience to help women recognize the signs, get safe, and break the cycle.Follow & ConnectListen to “Nobody Loves Me Like You” by Tonya Mitchell on your favorite music platformWe've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwWe’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented.If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Dr. Bandy X. Lee on Family Court Violence, Coercive Control and the Abuse Industry

    Dr. Bandy X. Lee on Family Court Violence, Coercive Control and the Abuse Industry
    Dec 9 2025
    World renowned forensic psychiatrist and violence expert Dr. Bandy X. Lee joins Bitch is a Bad Word to pull back the curtain on what she calls “family court violence.” If you are a protective parent, in high conflict divorce, or walking into family court after abuse, this conversation is your survival guide. Dr. Lee explains how abusers weaponize mental health, how courts confuse calm with credibility, and how a system that claims to protect children is actually trafficking them into the hands of violent offenders for profit. This is the episode you send to every bestie who thinks she is “crazy” for feeling like court is the biggest abuser in the room.In this episode, we cover:How abusers flip the script and weaponize diagnoses, “parental alienation,” and your trauma responses in courtWhy family courts often give full custody to known violent offenders and strip safe, loving parents of their childrenHow gag orders, sealed records, fake experts and closed courts create an “abuse industry” worth billionsWhat “family court violence” is and why Dr. Lee calls it a public health emergencyThe impact on moms. financial ruin, health collapse, disability and increased risk of death after losing custodyPractical insight for protective parents walking into court after domestic violenceAbout Dr. Bandy X. LeeDr. Bandy X. Lee is a forensic psychiatrist and global violence expert who has spent 25 years working with violent offenders in maximum security settings and serving as an expert witness across the United States. She is the Chief Medical Officer of the Institute of Forensic Science and a leading voice on the intersection of psychopathy, coercive control, systemic abuse and family court. She writes and educates on “family court violence” and is organizing a landmark national conference to reform this system.Follow and connect:Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for full episodes and ad free optionsWatch full video episodes and clips on YouTubeJoin the Bestie Gang on Patreon for ad free listening, BTS, bonus content and our vetted private communityConnect with us on social to share your story, suggest guests and stay plugged into resources for survivors and protective parentsWe've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabwWe’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented.If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. 👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Bitch Sesh: Post-Separation Abuse, Future Faking, and Unf*cking Your Reality | Amy Watkins

    Bitch Sesh: Post-Separation Abuse, Future Faking, and Unf*cking Your Reality | Amy Watkins
    Dec 4 2025
    Unfortunately, and fortunately for the Bestie Gang listening, we are going to teach you some things in this episode that I desperately wish I had known sooner. That is the whole point of this show and Amy’s work: you cannot understand their behavior because you would never do it. You keep asking, “What is the point? Why would you do this? Why can’t you just be decent?” and none of it makes sense because you are not wired like someone who enjoys creating the most unsafe, emotionally brutal reality for the mother of their children.In this Bitch Sesh with therapist and narc-recovery expert Amy Watkins, LPC, we break down the post-separation mindf*ck, the breadcrumbs of decency, the mask they wear for the new supply, the way they tell the next one you are crazy while she drinks the Kool-Aid, and how you spiral back into self-doubt, body shame, and “am I the problem?” loops.We talk about the post-separation apocalypse and how to protect your peace when your ex wakes up every day seemingly asking, “How can I f*ck with her today?”Trigger Warning for SA survivors: We also go deep into Lindsay's own story, including SA I did not recognize as SA at the time, caretaking after harm, walking on eggshells in every area of life, and shrinking my needs until I stopped asking for anything because everything I loved was eventually broken or weaponized against me.In this episode, we get into:Post-separation abuse and why you do not even know you are in it until you are outHow abusers flip the script: “you are crazy, you are a bitch” to the new partnerGaslighting, confusion, and how constant reality-twisting can genuinely make you feel like you are going insaneWhy you keep asking “Am I the problem?” after behaving in ways you do not even recognizeSex as a way to stay out of trouble, sexual coercion in marriage or relationships, and why that is not a healthy dynamicFear as your first language: rehearsing basic needs, being terrified to ask for anything, and how that keeps you stuckHow unhealed childhood trauma makes toxic love feel like homeFor more on Amy Watkins, visit her at https://www.amywatkinsstudio.com/We've got your back, Besties.Need Help?If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org-----Support Our Sponsor: TALKINGPARENTS APPThe #1 App For More Confident Co-ParentingClick to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.Listen wherever you get your podcastsWatch: YouTubeJoin: PatreonFollow: Instagram TikTokSubscribe: Newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • How Chelsea Husum Survived Toxic Love, Sexual Violence & Became That CEO Baddie

    How Chelsea Husum Survived Toxic Love, Sexual Violence & Became That CEO Baddie
    Dec 2 2025

    In this raw and powerful episode, Lindsay sits down with CEO and survivor Chelsea Husum for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends. Chelsea opens up about escaping toxic relationships that dimmed her shine, surviving rape and being left for dead in a foreign country, and the long road to rebuilding her identity, confidence, and sense of safety. Today, she’s a powerhouse in a male-dominated industry leading teams, holding boundaries like a boss, and proving your past is never your life sentence.


    Inside This Episode:

    • Toxic partners, gaslighting, trauma bonding & the cycle that hooks you

    • Why “boring” healthy love is actually the biggest green flag

    • Letting go of the “nice girl” and stepping into main-character energy

    • The real, messy work of healing after trauma and rebuilding your nervous system

    • Rewriting your story after the worst thing you’ve lived through


    About Chelsea Husum:

    Chelsea is the CEO of a thriving construction company, a survivor, a truth-teller, and living proof that resilience is a superpower. Her story is a reminder that you’re not broken you’re just getting started baddie.


    Find out all about her new book, REAL VIBES ONLY here: https://chelseahusum.com/book

    Listen to her podcast Lip Service & Lashes


    We’ve got your back, Bestie!


    Need Help?

    If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org


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    Support Our Sponsor:

    TALKINGPARENTS APP

    The #1 App For More Confident Co-Parenting

    Click to Learn More: https://talkingparents.com/biabw


    💜 We’re teaming up with TalkingParentsApp to give the Bestie Gang one of the best tools for the Bestie Toolkit, the power to communicate without chaos. Because as much as we love reading your “Texties from your Exties,” some messages are better left professionally documented. 👀


    If you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, living through post-separation abuse, or just trying to protect your peace, the TalkingParents app will save your sanity. Every message. Every call. Every receipt. Safely logged. Documented bad words, gaslighting, word salads, or being run around more than a Target cart on a Sunday. Just boundaries, receipts, and your peace of mind. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this collab is all about protecting survivors long after they leave.


    👉 Follow @TalkingParentsApp on Instagram & listen to the full episode of this Bitch Is A Bad Word ep now.

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    Listen wherever you get your podcasts

    Watch: YouTube

    Join: Patreon

    Follow: Instagram TikTok

    Subscribe: Newsletter

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    58 mins