In this next chapter of Emily’s journey, we pick up where Part One left off — delving into her second marriage and the dark, hidden betrayals she uncovered. What she thought would be a fresh start spirals into a nightmare when she learns her husband is a secret sex addict — and worse, he’s been using her photos to catfish other men online.

Faced with this ultimate violation of trust, Emily must confront devastating betrayal, reclaim her boundaries, and find her own path back to safety. Fortunately, her family opens their arms. She moves back home, finds refuge in their love, and slowly begins to rebuild her identity and autonomy.

Join us as Emily reflects on survival, tough truths, and the hard work of healing from deception so deep it almost broke her.

Takeaways & Listening Notes

• Betrayal from a partner is not just a relational wound — it can wound your sense of identity, worth, and safety.
• When deception is compounded by exploitation (i.e., using someone’s images without consent), the violation is especially traumatic.
• A support system (family, trusted friends, therapy) can provide the anchors you need to exit and heal.
• Recovery is nonlinear. Moving forward often means revisiting pain, resetting boundaries, and building a new narrative for yourself.

Content Warning: This episode discusses forms of PTSD, trauma, emotional abuse, sexual addiction, image exploitation, betrayal trauma, and manipulation, self-harm ideation, mental health, murder ideation, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we begin a powerful, emotional multi-part departure from our usual storytelling framework to bring you the deeply personal journey of Emily — a woman whose life has been marked by resilience, pain, transformation, and strength.

Recently diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer, Emily has entrusted us with the incredible honor of helping her tell her story — unfiltered, in-depth, and on her terms. Over the coming episodes, we’ll follow Emily through the defining chapters of her life:

• Her time in the military and the battle with PTSD that followed

• The toxic relationships and betrayals that tested her identity and trust

• The path to healing, self-understanding, and ultimately, peace

In this first episode, Emily walks us through her early life and enlistment in the military. You’ll hear how duty, trauma, and disillusionment shaped her sense of self — and how her experiences laid the groundwork for what was to come.

This isn’t just a story of survival — it’s about legacy. Emily wants to leave behind the hard-earned wisdom she’s gathered for those who need it most. And we are honored to help her do just that.

Content Warning: This episode discusses forms of PTSD, trauma, and emotional abuse, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Narcissists, Gaslighters, and Cheaters, Oh My!, hosts Behk and LAH are joined by Annie—a woman who seemingly had it all together on the outside, but behind closed doors, was trapped in a nightmare that no one saw coming.

Annie married young, deeply rooted in the church, and did what was expected of her. Though the marriage wasn’t abusive, it became clear over time that it wasn’t built to last. Now, years later, she and her ex are thriving as healthy, respectful co-parents—proof that endings don’t always have to be ugly.

But Annie’s real storm came after the marriage. While exploring her identity, healing her spirituality, and dipping her toes back into dating, Annie met a younger man through a Facebook group. What began as flirtation quickly unraveled into obsession.

In the tight-knit small town where Annie is a well-known figure, privacy is already hard to come by. But this man weaponized her visibility, using the threat of public embarrassment and exposure to control her every move.

🚩 He accused her of cheating when she went out

🚩 Blew up her phone, demanding to know her whereabouts

🚩 Used her beloved dogs as emotional leverage—even kidnapping them

🚩 Exploited her public image as a tool of manipulation

Caught in the cycle of trauma bonding, Annie went back to him more than once. In this raw, powerful conversation, she opens up about the shame, the fear, the gaslighting—and the moment she finally decided to break free.

💬 If you’ve ever been afraid to tell your story because of who might find out, Annie’s courage will remind you that truth-telling is a form of freedom.

🔗 If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to follow, rate, and share to help others feel seen and heard.

Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of toxic narcissistic behavior, emotional abuse, coercive control, manipulation, harassment, stalking, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Behk and LAH sit down with Lauren, who bravely shares her journey of falling for a man she met online during the isolation of the COVID pandemic—a man whose charm masked deep manipulation and abuse.

What began as intense love bombing quickly spiraled into a toxic two-year cycle of deceit, emotional chaos, and psychological warfare. Lauren opens up about discovering he was constantly engaging other women behind her back, lying without remorse, and gaslighting her into questioning her own reality.

But the abuse wasn’t just emotional. Lauren shares how the manipulation escalated to harassment, stalking, and a terrifying instance of physical violence. She also reveals how his mother treated her with contempt, as though envious of the bond Lauren shared with her son.

After finally breaking free from the relationship, Lauren endured months of threatening messages, phone calls, and surprise visits—until he abruptly married someone else just four months later. It was his ninth marriage.

This episode dives deep into the signs of narcissistic abuse, the patterns of coercive control, and the extraordinary strength it takes to escape such a relationship.

We believe in the importance of sharing stories and talking about trauma. All stories are shared anonymously for privacy and respect; no names and little descriptive details are included.

Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of toxic narcissistic behavior, emotional abuse, gaslighting, harassment, stalking, physical violence, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Behk and LAH sit down with Sarah, a true survivor in every sense of the word. After conquering cancer, Sarah faced another battle—one that left scars far deeper than her illness. Amid the liver complications caused by her treatment, she found herself in a toxic relationship with Bud, a man who embodied everything she never thought she'd accept. An alcoholic and emotionally and physically abusive partner, Bud pulled Sarah into a downward spiral at a time when she was already at her most vulnerable.

Join us as Sarah bravely shares her journey of surviving cancer, enduring the pain of abuse, and ultimately finding the strength to reclaim her self-worth. This is a story of resilience, heartbreak, and the incredible power of survival.

We believe in the importance of sharing stories and talking about trauma. All stories are shared anonymously for privacy and respect; no names and little descriptive details are included.

Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of narcissistic abuse, toxic abuse, alcoholism, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing story of Jodi, whose life took a dark turn when she entered a relationship with a friend. Thinking she knew him well after five years of acquaintance, she never imagined the horror that awaited her.

Initially charming, he quickly turned into her worst nightmare. An audacious narcissist, he manipulated her with ease, saying all the right things to gain her trust. After letting him move into her home upon his release from jail, things spiraled out of control. He got her hooked on methamphetamine, and soon, police became frequent visitors to her once peaceful home.

Despite protective orders, he refused to leave, leaving Jodi trapped in a living nightmare. In just 10 months, he managed to drain her of life, both mentally and financially. Even her sons sensed something was deeply wrong, though shielded from the worst of his abuse.

The process of healing and rebuilding her life is slow and painful. Therapy and support become her lifeline as she works to regain her strength and sense of self. It is a journey filled with setbacks and challenges, but gradually, Jodi starts to reclaim her life.

Join us as we explore Jodi's journey from trust to betrayal, shedding light on the insidious nature of methamphetamine addiction and the devastating impact it can have on lives, especially when coupled with the manipulation of an audacious narcissist.

We believe in the importance of sharing stories and talking about trauma. All stories are shared anonymously for privacy and respect, and no names or descriptive details are included.

Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of toxic abuse, infidelity, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Behk and LAH sit down with their friend, Charlie, who found herself in a web of toxic friendships and in a marriage with a woman growing in the opposite direction. Married in their twenties, our protagonist and her spouse began to drift apart as the pressures of maintaining a certain lifestyle mounted. Surrounded by a friend group that could be cast in a real-life "Mean Girls" saga, she struggled to meet her partner’s ever-growing demands, all while never receiving the basic love and affection she so desperately needed.

Join Behk and LAH as they explore the emotional turmoil of trying to please everyone in a world where mean girls reign supreme. They’ll discuss the impact of toxic friendships on romantic relationships and the heartbreaking journey of seeking validation and love from someone who can’t or won’t provide it. This episode sheds light on the difficult balance between external pressures and internal desires, and the painful reality of love lost in a mean girl haze.

Tune in for a raw and relatable discussion that underscores the importance of self-worth and the courage to break free from toxic ties to heal and grow positively.

We believe in the importance of sharing stories and talking about trauma. All stories are shared anonymously for privacy and respect, and no names or descriptive details are included.

Content Warning: This episode discusses various forms of toxic abuse, infidelity, and any topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; you should not take our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Dale Margolin Cecka, Director of the Family Violence Litigation Clinic at Albany Law School, joins us to unpack the many ways the legal system often fails survivors—especially women, children, and teens. A skilled advocate and scholar, she brings clarity to the complexities of domestic violence law and shares insights on how reproductive justice, family court, and legal protection intersect.

What You'll Learn

• How domestic violence survivors navigate an often broken family court system
• The essential difference between reactive violence and calculated patterns of control in abusive relationships
• Why children and teens remain vulnerable due to gaps in legal protections
• The crucial relationship between reproductive justice and domestic violence

Professor Cecka's Featured Writings:

• USA Today – “Diddy trial and Macron shove reveal our blind spots about domestic violence” (June 2, 2025) — In this striking op-ed, Professor Cecka explores how high-profile cases expose dangerous societal blind spots regarding abuse. Albany Law School+1
• Governing – “The Fatal Consequences of Giving Violent Men Access to Their Children” (October 25, 2024) — A sharp look at how family courts’ custody decisions can put children’s lives at risk. Governing Albany Law School
• Salon – “How ‘It Ends With Us’ Gets Domestic Violence Wrong” (August 21, 2024) — A critique of how popular culture simplifies and misrepresents the realities of intimate partner violence. Salon.com
• Albany Law School
• People’s World – “VAWA Is 30, But Are We Still Failing Survivors?” (October 30, 2024) — A reflective commentary marking three decades since the Violence Against Women Act. peoplesworld.org

Content Warning: This episode discusses various topics that may disturb some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

We are not doctors or therapists; please do not consider our opinions as medical advice.

Have a story you would like to share? Please fill out our form.

Hosts: Behk & LAH

Follow us on Instagram + Facebook @ngcompod

Production & Design: LAHarden

Music: No Reason Why by Anchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.