In this gripping episode of Forensic Friday, we sit down with survivor and advocate @gracee_elizabethh host of @whyshestayedpodcast to shed light on the hidden tactics of domestic abusers — and the extraordinary courage it takes to break free.

Grace opens up about:

• How the relationship began with charm, intensity, and “you’re my everything”
• The subtle red flags that escalated into full-scale control
• The trauma bond that made leaving feel impossible
• The moment she realized her life was at risk
• How she rebuilt her identity and now empowers others to escape

Domestic abuse doesn’t always look like violence — sometimes it’s isolation, fear, power, and control behind closed doors. Grace’s story is a powerful reminder that leaving is not a single moment, but a process of reclaiming safety, autonomy, and self-worth.

If you or someone you know might be experiencing abuse:
📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
💬 Text START to 88788
🌐 Chat online at thehotline.org
🚨 If you are in immediate danger, call 911

Trigger Warning: discussions of domestic abuse, coercive control, trauma

🎧 Listen now and share to help raise awareness — no one should have to navigate abuse alone.

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Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinions are based on records in the public domain and are purely speculative in nature. Their comments are not meant to diagnose or treat any condition for listeners, and they are not functioning as licensed therapists providing services on the show. Any information shared based on general client experiences is coincidental and not meant to identify current or past clients. If you or someone you love is having a mental health crisis, please contact 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Why do people stay in relationships that hurt them? This mini-episode explains the powerful psychological concept of Trauma Bonding—a dynamic often mistaken for love, where cycles of abuse and affection create an intense, addictive attachment. We clearly define this pattern and compare it to other maladaptive relationship styles, including dependent and codependent attachment. Finally, we discuss what the goal should be: establishing a healthy, secure attachment and offer a brief look at what that safety and genuine intimacy truly look like.

Support the show

Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinions are based on records in the public domain and are purely speculative in nature. Their comments are not meant to diagnose or treat any condition for listeners, and they are not functioning as licensed therapists providing services on the show. Any information shared based on general client experiences is coincidental and not meant to identify current or past clients. If you or someone you love is having a mental health crisis, please contact 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

We examine the horrific true story at the heart of the documentary Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter. The series reveals the tragedy of Aundria Bowman, who disappeared after enduring years of alleged abuse by her adoptive father, Dennis Bowman, which was largely ignored by authorities. We discuss the shocking details of Dennis Bowman's history, how his arrest in an unrelated cold case ultimately led to his confession in Aundria's murder 30 years later, and the profound questions the case raises about the justice system's failure to protect vulnerable children.

Support the show

Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinions are based on records in the public domain and are purely speculative in nature. Their comments are not meant to diagnose or treat any condition for listeners, and they are not functioning as licensed therapists providing services on the show. Any information shared based on general client experiences is coincidental and not meant to identify current or past clients. If you or someone you love is having a mental health crisis, please contact 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.