Narcissists don’t just leave you—they discard you with intent. And it’s never kind, never clean. In this powerful episode, I revea 7 of the most horrific ways narcissists discard their victims—each one designed to shock, shame, and cause maximum pain.
(More information on this available on my website www.brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au)

From cold ghosting and public humiliation, to triangulating with the new supply and recruiting flying monkeys to finish the job—this isn’t love. It’s emotional destruction disguised as a breakup.

If you’ve been discarded and feel like you’re losing your mind, this episode will show you:
⚠️ You’re not crazy.
⚠️ You’re not alone.
⚠️ You were targeted by someone who needed control, not connection.

🎧 Learn the 7 discard tactics narcissists use to make it “memorable”
💔 Understand why they do it—and why it was never your fault
🧠 Get your power back by seeing the discard for what it really was

Need Support, Extra Resources? Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here

Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here

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Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx

What happens when your mother-in-law acts more like the jealous ex than the proud parent? In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into one of the most emotionally exhausting dynamics a woman can face: navigating life with a narcissistic mother-in-law who sees you as competition—not family.

From constant criticism to controlling behaviour, narcissistic mothers-in-law often believe they hold the number one spot in their son’s heart—and anyone who threatens that position is seen as the enemy. You’ll hear real-life examples of women caught in the crossfire of toxic in-law relationships, including the subtle manipulation, emotional blackmail, and triangulation that turns what should be a joyful family connection into a confusing and painful power struggle.

We explore how narcissistic mothers-in-law undermine parenting decisions, interfere with your relationship, and create chaos under the guise of “just being helpful.” We also talk about the damage it causes when your partner is either completely oblivious to the manipulation—or worse, supports it.

You’ll learn what these dynamics look like, why they happen, and how to spot the signs of covert narcissism within the family system. Whether your partner is still emotionally enmeshed with his mother or has become a passive participant in the dysfunction, this episode unpacks the emotional toll it takes on you as the daughter-in-law.

We also examine the long-term impact on your mental health, your relationship, and your children, especially when boundaries are repeatedly ignored and your voice is dismissed. From power struggles over parenting to passive-aggressive guilt trips and smear campaigns, we break down how this toxic dynamic plays out behind closed doors—and how easy it is to internalise the blame.

If you’ve ever been made to feel like the “other woman” in your own marriage, if you’ve walked on eggshells around family gatherings, or if you’ve questioned your sanity after being emotionally sidelined by a manipulative in-law, this episode is for you.

This raw and validating conversation sheds light on a taboo topic that’s more common than people realise—and offers understanding for anyone trying to survive the emotional battlefield of a narcissistic in law.

Need Support, Extra Resources? Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here

Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here

You can leave a Rating and a Review here

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Thank you for listening!
Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, murder-suicide, and police-perpetrated abuse. Please take care while listening.

In this powerful and heartbreaking episode, Bruce Bieber joins us to share the story no parent should ever have to tell — the murder of his daughter, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy Abigail Rose Bieber, by her boyfriend and fellow deputy, Daniel Leyden, in an officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV) murder-suicide in January 2022.

Abby had planned to end the relationship during a weekend away in St. Augustine. What neither she nor her family knew was that Leyden had a prior domestic violence history — one that was known to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office but never acted upon meaningfully. When Bruce and his family began asking questions, they were met with silence, deflection, and eventually complete shutdown by HCSO.

Bruce shares the gut-wrenching journey from grief to advocacy — his fight to uncover the truth, the betrayal by law enforcement leadership, and his mission to push for mandatory OIDV policies and accountability nationwide.

This conversation is not just about Abby. It’s about the wider, deeply hidden epidemic of domestic violence committed by those sworn to protect — and the systemic failures that allow it to continue.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the abuser wears a badge — this is the episode you need to hear.

📞 If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out to one of the following services:

🇺🇸 United States
National Domestic Violence Hotline
📱 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
🌐 www.thehotline.org
(24/7 confidential support via phone, chat, or text)

🇦🇺 Australia
1800RESPECT – National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service
📱 1800 737 732
🌐 www.1800respect.org.au
(24/7 support and information)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)
📱 0808 2000 247
🌐 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
(Free and confidential, 24/7 support)

Need Support, Extra Resources? Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here

Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here

You can leave a Rating and a Review here

You Can Share this Podcast here

Join me on FB here
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Please Buy me a coffee ❤️

Thank you for listening!
Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx

Weddings should be one of the happiest days of your life—but when you have a narcissistic parent, they often become a masterclass in manipulation, guilt-tripping, and sabotage. In this episode, we’re unpacking the emotionally exhausting tactics narcissistic mothers, fathers, or in-laws use to hijack your big day and make it all about them.

From passive-aggressive comments during the engagement, to dress code drama, unsolicited planning control, and even last-minute emotional meltdowns—this episode explores the subtle and not-so-subtle ways narcissistic parents attempt to stay centre stage. We’ll also dive into how they use weddings to maintain power, enforce control through financial strings, and stir conflict between you and your partner or in-laws.

If you've ever felt like your wedding was more about managing someone else’s ego than celebrating your love, you’re not alone. This episode also explores why your partner may not see the manipulation, how trauma bonding and childhood conditioning can create blind spots, and the emotional impact of facing smear campaigns or guilt after the wedding is over.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, reflecting on one that didn’t go as planned, or trying to support someone in this exact situation, this episode offers deep insight into narcissistic family dynamics, emotional abuse, and the psychology behind sabotage during milestone events.

Need Support, Extra Resources? Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here

Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here

You can leave a Rating and a Review here

You Can Share this Podcast here

Join me on FB here
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Please Buy me a coffee ❤️

Thank you for listening!
Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx

Ever been accused of cheating by a narcissist — even when you’ve been nothing but loyal? This episode dives into one of their most toxic manipulation tactics: projection.

We explore why narcissists often blame their partners for cheating while they’re the ones actually betraying the relationship. This behaviour is deeply confusing and emotionally exhausting, often leaving victims in a cycle of denial, guilt, and over-explaining. But behind the false accusations lies a calculated strategy to control, distract, and destabilise.

Learn how projection protects the narcissist’s false self, shifts blame, and keeps you in a constant state of defence. We unpack how this tactic ties into narcissistic supply, gaslighting, and the broader cycle of emotional abuse.

If you’ve ever questioned yourself after being unfairly accused, this episode will help you understand the deeper motives behind the narcissist’s behaviour — and why it was never about you.

Need Support, Extra Resources? Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here

Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here

You can leave a Rating and a Review here

You Can Share this Podcast here

Join me on FB here
Join the private FB group here
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Please Buy me a coffee ❤️

Thank you for listening!
Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx

Why do narcissists discard their partners in such sudden, cold, and brutal ways? Why is there never closure — only silence, blame, or replacement with someone new? In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the psychology of the narcissist's discard phase and why it feels so horrific.

This stage of the narcissistic abuse cycle is where the mask truly drops. After months or years of manipulation, gaslighting, and emotional control, the narcissist walks away without empathy, explanation, or remorse. Whether you were ghosted, publicly humiliated, or immediately replaced with new supply, the discard is designed to destabilise and devalue you one final time.

We unpack:

✔️Why the discard is so sudden and savage

✔️How narcissists use new supply to inflict pain

✔️The emotional aftermath for the victim

✔️Why trauma bonding keeps you stuck post-discard

✔️How to start untangling from their control


If you’ve ever been discarded by a narcissist, this episode will help you understand that it was never your fault — it was part of a toxic pattern rooted in control, not love.

Need Support, Extra Resources? Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here

Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here

You can leave a Rating and a Review here

You Can Share this Podcast here

Join me on FB here
Join the private FB group here
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Join me on YouTube here

Please Buy me a coffee ❤️

Thank you for listening!
Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx

Why does it feel like the covert narcissist always knows how to ruin your mood—right before a party, dinner, or important event? If you’ve ever found yourself crying in the bathroom or cancelling plans because of a last-minute argument, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I (Nova Gibson, narcissistic abuse counsellor and author of Fake Love) unpack exactly why covert narcissists pick fights before you go out—and how this emotionally manipulative tactic is actually a form of social sabotage and control.

In fact, I was recently interviewed by Mamamia, Australia’s largest women’s media platform, to talk about this exact phenomenon—known as “Occasion Theory.” You can read the full, incredibly relatable article here 👇
https://www.mamamia.com.au/occasion-theory-spotting-a-narcissist

Covert narcissists may not scream or yell. Instead, they play the victim, sulk, guilt-trip you, or twist your words—right before you’re about to go somewhere that doesn’t revolve around them. The goal? To control you, keep you emotionally off-balance, and make sure you never fully enjoy yourself without them.


In this episode, we explore:

✔️ Why covert narcissists always pick fights before happy events

✔️ How these “arguments” are designed to isolate and control

✔️ The emotional toll of being sabotaged before you even walk out the door

✔️ Real stories from clients who’ve experienced this pattern

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why can’t they just let me have one good night?” — you are not overreacting. It’s calculated. It’s common. And you’re not alone.

Need Support, Extra Resources? Resources and Online Counseling (worldwide) information Here

Order my book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse here

You can leave a Rating and a Review here

You Can Share this Podcast here

Join me on FB here
Join the private FB group here
Join me on Instagram here

Join me on YouTube here

Please Buy me a coffee ❤️

Thank you for listening!
Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx