This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on May 15, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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Trauma bonds can feel like addiction — because they are. In this powerful episode of Bitch Sesh (a special series of Bitch Is a Bad Word), Lindsay teams up with Whitney Walker—licensed therapist, spiritual teacher, and founder of Women Waken—to unpack the chemical addiction created by trauma bonds and toxic relationships.

If you’ve ever felt obsessed, stuck, or unable to let go of someone who hurt you, this conversation is your truth serum. From the neuroscience of abuse and attachment to the power of spiritual recovery, this episode will help you understand why your body craves chaos—and how to reclaim your brain, heart, and power.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover:

• How trauma bonds mimic drug addiction in the brain
• Why you might feel addicted to your abuser
• The neuroscience of emotional abuse and attachment
• Whitney Walker’s personal story and her work with Women Waken
• Practical tools to begin breaking the cycle and reclaiming your life

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

🌿 About Whitney Walker:

Whitney is a therapist and founder of Women Waken, a platform blending psychology and spiritual growth to help women heal from addiction, trauma, and codependency through divine feminine energy and soul work.

**LISTEN to Whitney's podcast WOMEN WAKEN on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

You’re not crazy. You’re not broken. And you’re definitely not alone.

We’ve got your back.

#TraumaBondAddiction #EmotionalAbuse #ToxicRelationships #NeuroscienceOfAbuse #WhitneyWalker #WomenWaken #SpiritualRecovery #BitchIsABadWordPodcast #AddictedToAnAbuser #HealingFromTrauma

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

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Subscribe: Newsletter

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

This episode originally aired on July 8, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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What if the thing that makes you lovable is the very thing an abuser uses to trap you?

In this unforgettable episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, I sit down with Leslie Morgan Steiner—author of the New York Times bestseller Crazy Love, TEDx speaker, and former editor at Seventeen to unravel how a smart, successful Harvard grad found herself isolated, gaslit, manipulated, and eventually beaten by the man she thought was her soulmate.

From the subway where they met to the final brutal assault that nearly ended her life, Leslie walks us through how emotional abuse creeps in slowly, how it’s disguised as love, and how even the strongest women can get stuck in the cycle. It wasn’t weakness that kept her there—it was love, loyalty, shame, and a belief that she could save him.

We talk about the psychological warfare behind domestic violence, the myths we’re sold about being “the strong woman behind a troubled man,” and the cultural pressure to nurture—even when it costs us everything.

Leslie’s story is one of survival, awakening, and ultimately reclaiming power. If you’ve ever been told you’re too emotional, too loyal, or too forgiving—this conversation will change the way you see yourself, and the way you define love.

Inside This Episode:

• What love bombing really feels like

• Why even educated, empowered women stay

• How abusers isolate you and erode your reality

• The link between childhood trauma and toxic partners

• The final choice that saved her life-and what it cost

• Why abuse is never about intelligence or self-worth

• How to trust yourself again, even after the unthinkable

About Leslie Morgan Steiner:

https://www.lesliemorgansteiner.com/

Leslie is a bestselling author, speaker, and domestic violence survivor whose TEDx talk “Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave” has over 17 million views. Her memoir Crazy Love is a raw, intimate account of falling for and escaping a man who nearly killed her. Today, she’s a fierce advocate for survivors, a voice for women who’ve been silenced, and proof that life after abuse is not only possible, it is powerful.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

Follow: Instagram TikTok

Subscribe: Newsletter

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

This episode of Bitch Sesh originally aired on June 12, 2025.

If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org

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In this revealing episode of Bitch is a Bad Word, Cory Ann shares her intense story of falling for a charming stranger on a dating app — only to find herself trapped in a toxic relationship marked by manipulation, trauma bonding, and emotional abuse. If you’ve ever wondered how something that starts so hopeful can turn so dark, this episode is for you.

We explore the subtle warning signs of domestic violence, the pressure to say “I love you” too soon, and the dangerous transformation of charm into control. Cory Ann opens up about recognizing abuse, breaking free from trauma bonds, and reclaiming her strength and voice. It’s honest, insightful, and essential listening for anyone navigating or supporting someone through abusive relationships.

You’ll learn:

• How to spot the early red flags in dating and relationships
• The psychology behind manipulation, love bombing, and trauma bonding
• Why victims often feel trapped even when they know something’s wrong
• Practical steps toward healing and empowerment after emotional abuse
• How to rebuild trust and boundaries in yourself and your relationships

This episode is perfect for listeners looking for:

• Awareness about dating abuse and toxic relationships
• Guidance on recognizing and escaping emotional manipulation
• Stories of survival and healing from trauma bonds
• Support for survivors and those who love them
• Empowerment to reclaim your life and voice after abuse

About Cory Ann:

Cory Ann is a courageous survivor and advocate who shares her experience to shed light on the complexities of dating abuse and emotional trauma. Through her story, she inspires others to recognize the signs, break free, and rebuild their lives with resilience and self-worth.

You’re not alone. Your healing matters. We’ve got your back, Besties!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

Follow: Instagram TikTok

Subscribe: Newsletter

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