In this powerful episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Linda Meier, healing and recovery coach for survivors of narcissistic abuse, to unpack the complex journey of breaking free from toxic relationship patterns.

Drawing from her own lived experience, Linda shares practical insight into recognizing narcissistic behaviors - like gaslighting, love bombing, and emotional manipulation and explains how childhood conditioning often prepares us to tolerate unhealthy dynamics in adulthood.

Together, they explore:

• The red flags of narcissistic abuse in romantic and family relationships
• How gaslighting impacts identity and self-trust
• The role of scapegoating and conditioning in toxic dynamics
• Why boundaries are essential - and how to set them confidently
• Tools for reclaiming your voice, worth, and emotional safety
• How healing is possible - even after years of emotional manipulation

Whether you're navigating a narcissistic relationship, healing from past trauma, or wanting to better understand codependency and emotional triggers, this episode offers grounded wisdom, validation, and hope.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to move from confusion to clarity, from guilt to empowerment, and from survival to thriving.

Key Moments:

05:20 Defining Narcissism and Its Impact

09:39 "Encouraging Honest Self-Expression"

10:46 Finding Your Voice After Narcissism

16:10 Love, Dopamine, and Narcissism

18:23 Breaking Free from Fear

22:44 "Narcissists as Rescuer Archetypes"

26:22 Parental Narcissism and Family Strain

About the guest :

Linda Meier is an emotional wellness and reparenting coach who specializes in helping individuals heal from narcissistic abuse and toxic emotional patterns. Having overcome narcissistic abuse from her own mother, Linda brings both lived experience and professional insight to her work.

She supports clients in uncovering the hidden effects of emotional manipulation - whether they show up in romantic relationships, family dynamics, workplace environments, or in the way they speak to themselves. Through compassionate guidance and practical tools, Linda helps people identify unhealthy patterns, rebuild self-trust, and reclaim their personal power.

Her mission is to empower survivors to move beyond survival mode and step into clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom.

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this Valentine’s-inspired episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn explore the powerful truth that love is not just a feeling - it’s a choice, a practice, and a daily action.

Together, they unpack how fear, self-judgment, and past relationship wounds can quietly shape our expectations and block authentic connection. Through personal reflection and therapeutic insight, they reveal how self-love is not selfish - but foundational - for building healthy, fulfilling romantic relationships.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why love is a conscious decision, not just chemistry
• How self-judgment impacts your ability to give and receive love
• The role of nervous system reactions in romantic conflict
• Practical tools for keeping your heart open - even after hurt
• How to move from fear-based patterns to intentional connection

Whether you’re in a relationship, healing from the past, or learning to love yourself more deeply, this conversation offers encouragement and practical guidance to help you create relationships rooted in abundance - not pressure.

Listen now and discover how choosing love - over and over again - can transform the way you connect with yourself and others.

Key Moments:

03:52 "Deserving Connection and Fulfillment"

08:49 Self-Love Fuels Genuine Giving

13:28 Self-Acceptance and Emotional Healing

16:53 Love, Risk, Judgment, and Growth

19:49 "Love, Vulnerability, and Growth"

21:14 "Pour Into Yourself First"

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn dive into what truly creates intimacy in relationships - and why honesty without emotional safety can actually push connection further away.

Moving beyond surface-level or “commercial” ideas of love, this conversation explores how authentic intimacy is built through regulated honesty, emotional awareness, and intentional communication. Steve and Kenya unpack the role of anger especially unexpressed or misunderstood anger and how emotional regulation creates space for deeper connection rather than conflict.

You’ll discover:

• Why emotional safety is the foundation of real intimacy
• How anger can be a doorway to connection when expressed with care
• The difference between raw honesty and regulated honesty
• Practical tools for communicating truth without triggering defensiveness
• Why timing and intentionality matter more than intensity
• How to move beyond performative love into genuine closeness

Whether you’re navigating recurring conflicts, struggling to feel heard, or wanting to deepen intimacy with your partner, this episode offers grounded insights and practical guidance to help you reconnect - with yourself and with those you love.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to transform anger into understanding, honesty into intimacy, and relationships into places of safety and growth.

Key Moments:

05:58 "Consistent Change Resolves Relationship Conflicts"

09:08 "Letting Go and Connection"

11:26 "Intentional Connection Builds Intimacy"

14:12 "Men Need Emotional Safety"

18:21 "Master Your Energy and Self"

20:35 "Discernment in Honest Vulnerability"

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/