Today on Almost Oblivious, we’re tackling one of the most subtle — and most damaging — forms of emotional abuse: gaslighting.
Gaslighting is a targeted form of psychological manipulation that causes you to doubt your memories, emotions, and sanity. But knowledge is power, and we’re shining a bright light on these dark tactics in this episode.

We’ll break down:

• What gaslighting really is (and what it isn’t)

• How it shows up in relationships, workplaces, families, and more

• Psychological effects gaslighting has on survivors

• Real-life examples you might recognize

• How to recognize the signs and begin trusting yourself again

• Practical steps for protecting yourself and healing

  
  

You are not crazy. You are not broken. You are not alone.

🔗 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free Downloadable Checklist: "Am I Being Gaslit?"

  https://www.almostobliviouspodcast.com/episodes/episode28-gaslighting-the-invisible-weapon

• Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)

• • Therapy Resources: Psychology Today’s Therapist Finder (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists)

  
  

  • Need Immediate Support? Call or text the 988 Lifeline for emotional crisis help. For domestic abuse support: The National Domestic Violence Hotline 📞 1-800-799-7233 | 💬 Text “START” to 88788 | 🌐 ⁠https://www.thehotline.org⁠

  • 🎧 Don't forget to share, rate, and review to help us break the silence on domestic violence.

    If you would like to submit your story or be a guest speaker, please submit a form here! If there are any topics that you think should be covered, please reach out to us!

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What happens when the person who was supposed to love and protect you… is the one who hurt you most?

In this episode of Almost Oblivious, host Autumn Baker explores the often-unspoken reality of parental abuse and its lasting effects on adult children. We unpack the emotional, psychological, and even physical toll of growing up in a toxic or abusive household and the complex grief that comes with realizing your parent was your abuser.

This episode validates the pain of survivors while offering hope, healing, and the reminder: You were never the problem.

You’ll learn:

• What parental abuse can look like (even without physical violence)

• Why emotional wounds often go unrecognized

• How parentification, gaslighting, and control impact adult survivors

• Why setting boundaries with family can be so difficult—and so necessary

• Resources and tools to help you reclaim your voice and begin healing

Whether you're estranged from a parent or just beginning to question your upbringing, this episode is for you.

🔗 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Book: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1626251703

• Book: Toxic Parents by Dr. Susan Forward
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0553381407

• Therapist Directory (Trauma-Informed):
  https://www.psychologytoday.com
  (Filter for trauma-informed care or inner child work)

• Support Groups:

  • https://www.adultchildren.org (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families)

  • Reddit Community: r/raisedbynarcissists

    
    

• Need Immediate Support?
  Call or text the 988 Lifeline for emotional crisis help.
  For domestic abuse support: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
  📞 1-800-799-7233 | 💬 Text “START” to 88788 | 🌐 https://www.thehotline.org

🎧 Don't forget to share, rate, and review to help us break the silence on domestic violence.

If you would like to submit your story or be a guest speaker, please submit a form here! If there are any topics that you think should be covered, please reach out to us!

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Almost Oblivious, we hear from a survivor, Alice, who opens up about navigating domestic abuse while living with a disability—a topic too often left out of the conversation. From growing up in an abusive home to enduring emotional manipulation and isolation in her first adult relationship, her story sheds light on the unique challenges disabled survivors face, and the resilience it takes to reclaim your life after trauma.

She shares how people often labeled her “brave” just for existing in public, how abusers weaponized her disability to gain praise from others, and how grieving the loss of a loved one became the turning point that led her toward freedom. With honesty, heart, and strength, she invites us into a deeply personal journey of loss, survival, healing, and the unexpected joy of discovering what true safety and love can feel like.

This episode is a reminder that survival looks different for everyone—but hope, healing, and independence are possible for everyone. Whether you’re a survivor, supporter, or advocate, this story is one you’ll never forget.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, ableism, depression, and grief.

🔗 Resources and support can be found on our website at almostoblivious.com
🎧 Don't forget to share, rate, and review to help us break the silence on domestic violence.

If you would like to submit your story or be a guest speaker, please submit a form here! If there are any topics that you think should be covered, please reach out to us!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠