Healing From Emotional Abuse: 33 Years of Emotional Abuse: How Laura Richards Finally Left Her Narcissistic Husband

Laura Richards spent 33 years married to a narcissist before realizing she was being emotionally abused. Now nine months post-divorce and thriving, Laura shares the painful truth about what emotional abuse looks like from the inside—and why it took so long to recognize. Discover the subtle manipulation tactics that kept her trapped: constant devaluation, gaslighting, lack of empathy during family deaths, and the shocking discovery that her husband was likely grooming her best friend (who he's now engaged to). But more importantly, learn the exact strategies Laura used to heal: journaling, therapy, vulnerability, and finding a tribe of friends who truly support you. This episode breaks down the difference between high confidence and narcissism, explains why narcissists are often "people-pleasers," and offers hope to anyone still trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship. Topics covered: Red flags you might miss in a narcissistic relationshipGaslighting, devaluation, and emotional manipulation tacticsWhy narcissists lack empathy (especially during grief)The people-pleaser narcissist vs. overt narcissismHow to identify healthy vs. unhealthy friendshipsJournaling as a healing toolTherapy and professional helpUsing humor to cope and surviveBreaking the silence: why community mattersMoving forward with hope after divorceHigh confidence vs. narcissism: understanding the difference Resources mentioned: Laura's Podcast: "That's Where I'm At Podcast"Website: ThatIsWhereImAt.comAmazon Journals: Divorce journals, gratitude journals, and moreAvailable on all podcast platforms and social media Keywords: narcissistic marriage, emotional abuse, gaslighting, narcissist red flags, divorce recovery, narcissistic personality disorder, covert narcissist, emotional manipulation, healing from abuse, toxic relationships, narcissist awareness Transcript:   📍 📍 📍 Welcome to Healing From Emotional Abuse, the award-winning podcast that sheds light on the journey from victim to survivor. I'm your host Marissa f Cohen, and I'm thrilled to have you join us on this empowering and healing adventure, the Healing from Emotional Abuse podcast. Isn't just another conversation. It's a sanctuary for those who have endured abuse and are determined to reclaim their lives. Through interviews with inspiring survivors, experts, and advocates, we aim to break the silence surrounding abuse and empower our listeners with the knowledge. Support and resources they need to break free from their past. Our mission is to provide a safe space where survivors can share their stories, find solace in knowing they're not alone, and discover the strength within themselves to heal and thrive. Each episode is filled with powerful narratives, practical strategies, and compassionate guidance to help you overcome the lingering effects of abuse and build a brighter future. It brings me immense joy to announce that the Healing from Emotional Abuse Podcast has been honored with the prestigious Purple Ribbon Award for outstanding domestic violence podcasts by domestic shelters.org, recognizing our commitment to raising awareness about abuse. And offering hope to survivors worldwide. We have hit top 10% globally and top podcast in 25 countries. This accolade is a testament to the incredible guests who have shared their stories and the tremendous support from our devoted listeners. Thank you so, so much. Whether you're a survivor seeking healing, a friend or family member wanting to understand and support, or an advocate dedicated to creating a safer world, this podcast is for you. Our conversations delve into topics such as emotional, physical, financial, and psychological abuse, recovery techniques, self-care strategies. Legal rights and much, much more. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey together. Subscribe to healing from emotional abuse on your favorite podcast platform. And remember, your story matters, and you have the power to break your silence from the chains of abuse. I'm your host, Marissa f Cohen, and this is healing from emotional abuse. Let's reclaim our lives and empower one another.  Hey friends. Welcome back to Healing for Emotional Abuse. I'm your host, Marissa f Cohen, and I'm so excited for this week's episode. Um, this interview is a. A little bit old. I think it's about a year old. Um, but it's with a dear friend of mine, Laura Richards, who is an incredible podcast host. And, um, we talk about her narcissistic marriage. She was married to a narcissist for 33 years, starting when she was a young 22. And. We get into like the nitty gritty of things that he said to like weaponize against her and you know, how it made her feel and then getting out of it and healing and the different techniques that she used to heal. So I am so excited for you to listen to this week's episode. If you have any comments. Questions, concerns, um, anything about it, feel free to email us at Healing from Emotional abuse ...