How do you tell family or friends there’s a narcissist in your life — especially when you’re still trying to make sense of it yourself?

In this episode of Strings Attached: Surviving the Narcissist, we talk honestly about one of the most painful stages of narcissistic abuse recovery — the moment you realise something isn’t right, and the fear of speaking it out loud.

Whether you’re dealing with a narcissistic partner, narcissistic parent, or toxic family system, explaining emotional abuse to people who haven’t experienced it can feel isolating, invalidating, and even re-traumatising.

We explore:

• How to talk to family about narcissistic abuse

• Why people may defend or minimise narcissistic behaviour

• The reality of trauma bonding within family systems

• What to do when you’re not believed

• Setting boundaries with narcissistic parents or partners

• Protecting yourself emotionally after disclosure

• Why emotional and coercive abuse is often misunderstood

• How to build a safe support network during narcissistic abuse recovery

This episode is grounded in lived experience. We don’t diagnose. We focus on patterns, impact, and emotional safety.

If you’re questioning whether you’re overreacting…
If you’ve been told “that’s just how they are”…
If you’ve tried to explain narcissistic behaviour and felt dismissed…

You’re not alone.

We also share practical boundary strategies for survivors in different healing phases — whether you’re newly aware (The Spark), detaching (The Scorchline), or rebuilding your life after abuse (The Embers and The Rise) .

This is a space for survivors of narcissistic abuse, emotional manipulation, trauma bonding, gaslighting, and toxic family dynamics.

Emotional safety matters. Your experience is valid.

🎧 Listen now and take the next step in your healing.

🕒 Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Why This Conversation Is So Hard
Why speaking up about narcissistic abuse feels risky and exposing.

05:10 – Do You Even Need the Label “Narcissist”?
Why focusing on patterns and impact matters more than diagnosis.

12:30 – Telling Family & Friends: What We Expected vs Reality
Why disclosure can lead to minimisation, defence, or disbelief.

20:45 – When Family Side With the Narcissist
Understanding trauma bonding within family systems.

28:15 – What If They Don’t Believe You?
Self-validation, protecting your nervous system, and choosing safe people first.

35:20 – Practical Boundaries After You Speak Up
Limiting exposure, one-on-one contact, and protecting yourself from group dynamics.

42:00 – Building a Support Network That Actually Helps
Why safe community matters in narcissistic abuse recovery.

46:30 – Closing Reflection: Emotional Abuse Is Real Abuse
Why your experience deserves seriousness and support.

In this episode of Strings Attached, Noah and Rose discuss the challenging yet essential decision of going low or no contact with narcissistic individuals.They explore the emotional journey involved, practical tips for implementing these boundaries, and the importance of self-care during this process.

The conversation highlights the complexities of family dynamics, societal pressures, and the role of flying monkeys in maintaining toxic relationships.

Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the significance of prioritizing one's mental health and well-being in the face of narcissistic abuse.Chapters

00:00 Understanding Low and No Contact

03:27 The Emotional Journey of Going No Contact

08:19 Practical Tips for Low Contact

11:35 Navigating the Transition to No Contact

16:34 Implementing No Contact: Challenges and Strategies

21:02 Societal Pressures and Cultural Expectations

27:15 Navigating Family Dynamics and Boundaries

34:26 Understanding the Role of Flying Monkeys

44:07 Coping with Emotional Reactions

49:46 Practical Tips for No Contact

57:31 The Journey to Healing and Self-Respect

59:25 Outro

The Healing Journey from Narcissistic Abuse | The Phoenix Path

Healing from narcissistic abuse isn’t linear — and it isn’t something you “just get over.” It’s a journey. And it is possible.

In this episode of Strings Attached, hosts Noah and Rose walk you through the stages of recovery from narcissistic abuse using the Phoenix Path — a grounded framework that reflects the real emotional process survivors go through, from confusion and trauma to empowerment and personal growth.

We talk honestly about why recognising narcissistic abuse is so difficult, especially when manipulation and gaslighting distort your sense of reality. We explore the emotional fallout many survivors experience — including trauma responses and complex PTSD — and why grief, guilt, and emotional chaos are normal parts of the healing journey.

This conversation focuses on what actually helps: self-care that supports nervous system healing, learning to set and hold boundaries, accessing support groups, and understanding that recovery happens in stages — not all at once. We also discuss letting go of labels, grieving the person you thought they were, and slowly rebuilding a life that feels safe, grounded, and your own.

This episode isn’t about fixing yourself — because you’re not broken. It’s about emotional recovery, reclaiming your power, and remembering that life after narcissistic abuse can include peace, clarity, and even post-traumatic growth.

If you’re navigating trauma, working on your mental health, or standing at the beginning of your healing journey, you don’t have to do it alone.

You can change.
You can heal.
And you can thrive beyond what hurt you.

🎧 We’re here with you.

00:00 The Healing Journey Begins

07:28 Navigating the Inferno of Emotions

16:29 Finding the Scorch Line: Seeking Help

27:31The Role of Education in Healing

27:59 Understanding Narcissistic Abuse and Seeking Support

30:24 Establishing Boundaries and Practicing Self-Care

35:05 Navigating No Contact and Communication Strategies

38:41 Removing the Power of Labels and Grieving

43:03 Stabilizing and Rebuilding After Trauma

48:06 Thriving and Embracing Post-Traumatic Growth

53:24 Outro

Narcissistic Abuse Explained: Why You Didn’t See It While It Was Happening

If you’re only now wondering whether what you went through was abuse, this episode is for you.In this episode of Strings Attached, hosts Noah and Rose gently unpack why narcissistic abuse is so difficult to recognise while you’re inside it. We explore how narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) often show up through subtle, ongoing patterns of emotional abuse rather than obvious harm — leaving survivors confused, self-doubting, and minimising their own pain.

Together, we break down the dynamics of gaslighting, love bombing, and trauma bonding, and explain how these patterns slowly disconnect you from your instincts, your sense of reality, and your self-trust. We talk about why “walking on eggshells” becomes normal, why the emotional highs can feel addictive, and why so many survivors don’t realise what’s happening until much later.

This conversation isn’t about labelling or diagnosing — it’s about understanding the dynamic, validating your experience, and offering clarity as a foundation for healing, self-protection, and recovery. Whether this was a romantic relationship, a family dynamic, or another close connection, your experience matters.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Was it really abuse?” or “Why didn’t I see it sooner?” — this episode is for you.

You deserve clarity.
You deserve emotional safety.
And you deserve support as you rebuild your relationship with yourself and your mental health.

🎧 Listen in, and take the next gentle step forward — we’re here with you.

00:00 Understanding Narcissism and NPD

03:38 Recognizing Narcissistic Abuse Patterns

06:38 The Impact of Gaslighting

09:02 Love Bombing: The Illusion of Affection

10:38 The Switch: From Warmth to Criticism

14:11 Why We Don't Recognize Abuse

17:39 The Addictive Cycle of Narcissistic Relationships

20:45 Signs of Narcissistic Abuse

23:39 Finding Clarity and Healing

24:49 Outro

In this episode of Strings Attached, the hosts Noah and Rosedelve into the complex world of narcissism from the perspective of survivors.They share their personal experiences with narcissistic abuse, discuss the various types of narcissists, and highlight the red flags to watch for in relationships. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing traumabonds, understanding the concept of 'supply', and the necessity of self-care in the healing journey. Through their insights, they aim to empower listeners to reclaim their power and navigate their paths to recovery.

00:00 Introduction to Narcissism and Survivor Perspectives

01:40 Personal Experiences with Narcissism

05:59 Types of Narcissists and Their Characteristics

10:50 Understanding Trauma Bonds

15:21 Identifying Red Flags in Relationships

17:05 Recognizing Unhealthy Relationship Patterns

17:24 Identifying Red Flags in Relationships

18:41 Understanding Narcissistic Behavior

20:24 The Impact of Walking on Eggshells

21:39 Establishing Boundaries in Relationships

22:33 The Selfishness of Narcissists

24:10 The Mask of Narcissism

26:48 Realizations and Reflections on Toxic Relationships

30:43 Understanding the Concept of Supply

32:22 The Emotional Toll of Narcissistic Relationships

33:22 Self-Care and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse

33:24 Introduction to Strings Attached

34:00 Outro