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!

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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!

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"If we want to break the cycle of domestic violence, it starts with education. It starts with bold conversations. It starts with us.”

Teen dating violence is happening far more often than most people realize—and the silence surrounding it is costing lives. In this episode of Almost Oblivious, Autumn Baker confronts the harsh reality that 1 in 12 U.S. high school students report being physically hurt by someone they’re dating, and 1 in 3 teens will experience dating violence before they become adults—and those are just the ones who speak up. Only 33% of teens ever told anyone about the abuse.

We explore the warning signs, the psychological toll, and the often-overlooked world of digital abuse—from social media stalking to pressure for explicit photos. Autumn shares her reflection on how a lack of education in her teen years kept her vulnerable to abuse later in life.

“Even if it feels awkward, talking openly shows teens they can trust you and turn to you without fear of judgment.”

Whether you're a parent, a teen, or someone who works with youth, this episode arms you with knowledge and resources to open up conversations that could truly save lives.

What they don’t know can hurt them. But what we teach today? That could save their tomorrow.

“Silence can lead to Ignorance, and Ignorance can be dangerous”.

Resources:

🔗 Love Is Respect
Resources, quizzes, and 24/7 text/chat support for teens and parents.
🌐 https://www.loveisrespect.org
📱 Text “LOVEIS” to 22522

🔗 Break the Cycle
Empowers youth to end domestic violence with education and advocacy.
🌐 https://www.breakthecycle.org

🔗 The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Available 24/7 with confidential support.
🌐 https://www.thehotline.org
📞 Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

🔗 One Love Foundation
Educational content and videos about healthy vs. unhealthy relationships.
🌐 https://www.joinonelove.org

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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REWIND Episode 08: Red Flags!

Enjoy this rewind episode and I'll see you all next week for a new episode! Remember to like, share and leave a review!

In this episode of Almost Oblivious, we shine a light on the subtle and overt warning signs of domestic abuse. From patterns of control and manipulation to the dangers of love bombing and isolation, we uncover the behaviors that often go unnoticed until it's too late. Whether you're navigating a challenging relationship or supporting someone who might be, this 20-minute deep dive will help you recognize the signs and take action.

Resources:

⁠https://nnedv.org/content/red-flags-of-abuse/⁠

⁠https://www.thehotline.org/resources/know-the-red-flags-of-abuse/⁠

⁠https://health.clevelandclinic.org/domestic-abuse-how-to-spot-relationship-red-flags⁠

⁠https://sayitoutloud.org.au/abusive-relationships/are-you-being-abused/warning-signs/?state=al⁠

⁠https://www.med.unc.edu/beacon/wp-content/uploads/sites/598/2018/03/redflagabusivepersonality.pdf⁠

For more information please check out our website!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠

Leaving an abusive relationship isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a new one. But what happens after? How do you heal when trauma lingers? How do you rebuild a life that was once controlled by someone else?

In this episode of Almost Oblivious, I, Autumn Baker, share my personal journey of healing, the struggles I faced, and the small victories that helped me move forward. From rediscovering my identity to learning how to trust again, I talk about the reality of life after abuse—what helped me, what made it harder, and what I wish more people understood.

We’ll dive into the psychological effects of trauma bonding, PTSD, and self-doubt, as well as the incredible power of community, therapy, and self-love. Whether you’re a survivor, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to understand more, this episode is filled with truth, encouragement, and hope.

✨ Healing takes time, but it is possible.
💜 You are not alone.

Additional resources are located on our website!

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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• In this episode of Almost Oblivious, we dive into the topic of self-worth—what it is, how abuse tears it down, and most importantly, how to rebuild it. If you’ve ever felt "not enough," this episode is for you.
• 
  

• We discuss:

  • What self-worth truly means and why it’s not based on achievements.
  • How abusers destroy self-worth through gaslighting, criticism, and control.
  • Practical steps to reclaim your self-worth after trauma.
  • Relearning who you are and discovering your identity beyond the abuse.
  • Daily habits that reinforce self-worth in everyday life.

  
  

  If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are resources and support available to help you heal and rediscover your value.

  
  

  Resources:

  • Brown, B. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. – A powerful book on vulnerability and self-worth.
  • Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. – A foundational text on trauma recovery.
  • Walker, L. E. (1979). The Battered Woman. – The psychology behind domestic abuse and its effects on self-esteem.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline. "Gaslighting: How Abusers Manipulate Their Victims." – https://www.thehotline.org
  • Psychology Today. "Self-Worth vs. Self-Esteem: What’s the Difference?" – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-esteem
  • Mental Health America. "Rebuilding Self-Worth After Trauma." – https://www.mhanational.org
  • Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. – A deep dive into how trauma affects self-worth and healing.

  • 
    

  • 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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Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic abuse, including physical violence, gun violence, rape, kidnapping, and emotional trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

In this powerful episode of Almost Oblivious, we share the courageous story of a survivor who endured the unimaginable but found the strength to break free. They open up about the reality of living with abuse, the struggles of leaving, and the resilience it takes to rebuild a life after trauma.

This episode is a raw and honest look at survival, healing, faith and hope. Whether you’re a survivor, know someone who is, or simply want to better understand the complexities of domestic abuse, this story will leave an impact.

If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to a trusted friend, a local domestic violence organization, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. You are not alone.

Tune in now and join the conversation. 💜

For more information please check out our website!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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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