Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

#447 How to Manipulate People, For Fun and Profit!

Mar 31, 2025

Explore the manipulative tactics that can leave you questioning your reality. Learn how guilt-tripping can ensnare even the best of us and discover powerful ways to disarm it like a pro. The podcast also highlights the dangers of love bombing and gaslighting, revealing how these tactics exploit empathy. With a focus on healthy boundaries and self-awareness, you'll arm yourself against manipulation and foster clearer, stronger relationships. Your emotional well-being is just a listen away!

01:03:27

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Quick takeaways

Recognizing manipulative tactics like guilt tripping empowers individuals to maintain healthy boundaries and emotional autonomy in relationships.

Understanding the victim mentality allows people to navigate conversations more effectively, steering discussions toward solutions instead of emotional manipulation.

Identifying love bombing helps individuals seek balanced relationships, preventing emotional dependence and fostering authentic connections over time.

Deep dives

Understanding Manipulation Techniques

Manipulators often employ various tactics to control others, and recognizing these methods is crucial for protective awareness. The podcast identifies five common manipulation techniques to help individuals spot and disarm them effectively. By understanding these techniques, listeners can better navigate relationships with difficult individuals, fostering healthier interactions and boundaries. Developing the ability to identify manipulation serves as a powerful tool for emotional autonomy and mental well-being.

Intro

26min

The Role of Pain in Personal Growth

5min

Understanding Manipulation: Love Bombing, Withdrawal, and Gaslighting

32min

Ever leave a conversation feeling like your brain’s been scrambled and you’re not sure why? Maybe you’re suddenly questioning your own reality, feeling guilty, or bending over backwards for someone who... let’s be real, might not deserve it? If that sounds familiar, pull up a chair, my friend.

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on manipulation—not to teach you these tactics (please don’t use them!), but so you can spot them, disarm them, and never get played again.

In this episode of the Love, Happiness & Success podcast, I’m breaking down the five most common manipulative tactics, why they work so well, and how to protect yourself—with confidence, clarity, and maybe even a little compassion.

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to the dark side (just kidding... kind of) 01:28 – Why manipulation works on good people 04:51 – Awareness is your superpower 06:01 – Guilt-tripping 101: How they hook you 09:07 – How to disarm a guilt trip like a boss 18:03 – Playing the victim: When empathy is used against you 31:36 – Love bombing: It’s not just for dating apps 33:01 – Healthy relationships take time (and boundaries) 36:55 – Narcissists, splitting, and people who come on way too strong 43:22 – Withdrawal + passive aggression = manipulation in disguise 54:11 – Let’s talk about gaslighting (finally!) 01:01:18 – What to do if you have vulnerabilities that get you caught in this stuff

If you’re realizing that certain relationships in your life are way more complicated than they should be—or if you’ve been stuck in a cycle of guilt, confusion, or second-guessing yourself—you don’t have to stay there. You deserve support. You deserve clarity. You deserve healthy connections.

Come connect with me and my amazing team at Growing Self and schedule your free consultation. Whether you’re looking for therapy or coaching, we’re here to help you break free from toxic patterns and build the life and relationships you actually want.

And hey—don’t be a stranger! You can find me on Instagram and YouTube for even more real-talk, tools, and live Q&A sessions. Let’s grow together.

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

www.growingself.com

P.S. Know someone who’s been struggling with manipulation in their relationships? Be a good friend—share this with them. It might be the lightbulb moment they’ve been waiting for. 💡❤️

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