Narcissistic abuse. Gaslighting. Coercive control. Legal abuse.
In this episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, we sit down with Skye Bellarmine, author of the Breaking Solace trilogy, to talk about surviving 20 years of narcissistic abuse, the moment she realized she wasn’t “crazy,” and the practical steps that helped her leave, heal, and rebuild.

Skye shares how narcissists weaponize reputation (“she’s too sensitive,” “she’s brain damaged”), how they use financial control, and why survivors often feel hypervigilant even after the relationship ends. We also unpack gray rock, the role of faith during separation and divorce, and Skye’s powerful tool: writing your “20 reasons why” so you don’t get pulled back into doubt and love-bombing.

You’ll hear:

• What a narcissistic rage looks like (and why it feels unreal)
• How gaslighting erodes self-trust—and how to protect yourself
• Why narcissists drag out divorces and use courts to punish (“legal abuse”)
• Why building a tribe matters (attorney, support, trusted friends)
• How trauma bonds and love-bombing keep people stuck
• Why telling your story (writing/podcasting/journaling) helps survivors come back to themselves

Guest: Skye Bellarmine — author of Breaking Solace & Escaping Solace

Skye's Website: https://www.skyebellarmine.com

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Conflict doesn’t mean failure, it means information.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Jen Fry explores why self-advocacy, boundaries, and conflict resolution are essential skills, especially for women navigating toxic relationships, people-pleasing patterns, and emotional burnout.

Women are often taught to avoid conflict at all costs, but avoidance comes with a price: anxiety, resentment, loss of self-trust, and damaged mental health. Dr. Fry introduces the concept of micro advocacy—small, intentional acts of self-advocacy that build confidence, self-worth, and emotional resilience over time.

Together, we unpack:

-Why conflict is a learned skill, not a personality flaw
-How setting boundaries protects mental health
-Why your first no is often the easiest one
-How conflict reveals the depth (or limits) of relationships
-Practical steps for navigating toxic relationships safely

Why teaching children conflict resolution is essential for healthier communities

This episode is for anyone ready to stop shrinking, start speaking, and learn how to navigate conflict in a way that leads to personal growth, clarity, and empowerment.

This video explores conflict as a teachable skill rather than something to be feared, challenging societal conditioning that encourages women to prioritize peace and silence at the expense of their well-being. Dr. Jen Fry discusses why engaging in conflict is crucial for mental health, contributing to personal growth and self improvement. She introduces micro-advocacy as a way to build confidence and highlights that effective conflict resolution is key to healthy relationships.

Find Dr. Jen Fry at: https://jenfrytalks.com

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🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

Not sure what you’re noticing yet?
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In this powerful story, a teenager’s quick thinking after a devastating car crash leads to a startling discovery—one that forces him to confront years of emotional abuse, silence, and buried truth.

In this episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, we sit down with Steve Eichenblatt, attorney and author of Pretend They Are Dead, to explore the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the quiet ways it shapes identity, relationships, and self-worth. At just sixteen years old, Steve witnessed a horrific accident and realized the severely injured man he helped save was his biological father—the same father who had abandoned him years earlier.

That single moment reopened a lifetime of unresolved pain, emotional neglect, and fear-based control. Like many survivors of childhood trauma, Steve learned early how to survive by staying silent. For decades, he carried this experience alone, unaware of how deeply it influenced his relationships, marriages, and sense of self.

This conversation highlights what it truly means to overcome a victim mentality. It is a testimony of self-improvement and personal growth, rooted in the conscious decision to stop living defined by past wounds. Steve shares how healing required accountability, vulnerability, faith, and the courage to confront what was hidden.

This episode serves as a reminder that trauma does not have the final word. Moving beyond survival is possible—and choosing healing is always allowed.

You are not crazy. You are not alone. And growth can begin, even after years of silence.

Thank you for our special guest, Steve Eichenblatt
https://www.stevenscotteichenblatt.com/
You can find a copy of his book using the link below:
Pretend They Are Dead: A Father's Search for the Truth: https://bit.ly/4ad8VIF

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

Not sure what you’re noticing yet?
↓ Discernment Checklist ↓ https://the-matadoras.kit.com/survivingtoxicrelationships

Contact us anytime at our email: care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships