It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People
TruStory FM
Hosted by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. and Megan Hunter, MBA, It’s All Your Fault! High Conflict People explores the five types of people who can ruin your life—people with high conflict personalities and how they weave themselves into our lives in romance, at work, next door, at school, places of worship, and just about everywhere, causing chaos, exhaustion, and dread for everyone else.
They are the most difficult of difficult people — some would say they’re toxic. Without them, tv shows, movies, and the news would be boring, but who wants to live that way in your own life!
Have you ever wanted to know what drives them to act this way?
In the It’s All Your Fault podcast, we’ll take you behind the scenes to understand what’s happening in the brain and illuminates why we pick HCPs as life partners, why we hire them, and how we can handle interactions and relationships with them. We break down everything you ever wanted to know about people with the 5 high conflict personality types: narcissistic, borderline, histrionic, antisocial/sociopath, and paranoid.
And we’ll give you tips on how to spot them and how to deal with them.
They are the most difficult of difficult people — some would say they’re toxic. Without them, tv shows, movies, and the news would be boring, but who wants to live that way in your own life!
Have you ever wanted to know what drives them to act this way?
In the It’s All Your Fault podcast, we’ll take you behind the scenes to understand what’s happening in the brain and illuminates why we pick HCPs as life partners, why we hire them, and how we can handle interactions and relationships with them. We break down everything you ever wanted to know about people with the 5 high conflict personality types: narcissistic, borderline, histrionic, antisocial/sociopath, and paranoid.
And we’ll give you tips on how to spot them and how to deal with them.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 13, 2025 • 34min
Setting Limits That Stick: The SLIC Method for Effective Boundaries
Explore the innovative SLIC method for effective parenting, where clear limits meet appropriate consequences. Bill and Megan discuss how empathy statements can assist in enforcing boundaries, while also addressing toddler misbehavior with alternatives and short timeouts. They emphasize the importance of aligning with teachers and sustaining support systems to strengthen behavioral expectations. Gain insights on managing teens in high-stakes situations, and learn why early limit-setting is crucial for long-term success.
13 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 46min
Choosing Safe Partners: Understanding Red Flags in Dating with Dr. David Wexler
Dr. David Wexler, a clinical psychologist with decades of experience in relationship conflict, shares vital insights into identifying red flags in dating. He highlights behaviors like 'love bombing' and contempt as early warning signs of potential abuse. Dr. Wexler explains how psychological abuse can be more damaging than physical harm, affecting self-esteem and autonomy. He discusses the influence of family history on relationship patterns and emphasizes the importance of trusting your gut feelings while setting clear boundaries.
Oct 30, 2025 • 50min
Healthcare Conflict Solutions: Managing Hospital Tensions in High-Stress Environments with Dr. Jeff Stuart
Dr. Jeff Stuart, a physician executive and co-founder of RxSolve Conflict, sheds light on navigating healthcare tensions. He discusses how the pandemic reshaped conflict dynamics, introducing heightened stress and communication challenges. Dr. Stuart elaborates on the primary sources of conflicts, such as competing priorities and poor communication, and emphasizes the importance of training to deescalate such tensions. He also highlights the need for leadership engagement to foster effective conflict management and support healthcare teams during crises.
8 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 33min
Family Boundaries: Supporting Children Through High-Conflict Divorce
The discussion dives into the complex roles of grandparents during high-conflict divorces. Practical strategies for maintaining supportive relationships with both parents and managing grandchildren's feelings are highlighted. It also covers how to navigate tricky communication with an ex-partner and their new spouse. Key advice includes setting clear boundaries and recognizing signs of negative behavior in co-parenting dynamics. Listeners gain insights on the importance of flexible thinking and the trajectory of various divorce scenarios.
10 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 30min
High Conflict Communication Skills: Navigating Personal Change and Blended Family Dynamics
This conversation dives into personal transformation and the challenges of navigating blended family dynamics. Discover four essential skills for lasting change, including flexible thinking and emotion management. The hosts tackle the intricacies of dealing with hostile ex-partners, emphasizing strategies like setting limits and the power of nonresponse. Tips for maintaining focus on logistics and employing a BIF communication style are shared, making it easier to manage conflicts while prioritizing children's well-being. Tune in for practical advice on breaking harmful patterns!
9 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 35min
Hostile Neighbor Conflict: How to Handle Community Harassment and Stay Safe
Tensions with neighbors can turn hostile quickly, and this discussion offers practical strategies for dealing with such situations. Learn how to balance self-assertion and calmness, and when disengagement might be the best choice. Insights include legal options for conflict and the importance of involving law enforcement wisely. The hosts stress the impact of neighborhood dynamics on kids and the value of modeling effective conflict management skills for children. They also highlight that most neighbors prefer civility, making good relations possible.
Sep 25, 2025 • 35min
Setting Boundaries in High Conflict: Your Questions About Difficult Relationships
Delve into the complexities of setting boundaries with high-conflict individuals. Explore poignant scenarios, like how to handle an ex-girlfriend using manipulation and the careful approach of the SLIC method. Discover typical responses of high-conflict people to criticism, including denial and blame-shifting. Learn practical strategies for managing challenging relationships with aging parents while maintaining care. The hosts emphasize the power of firm boundaries and clear communication to foster healthier dynamics.
11 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 24min
High Conflict Listener Questions: When Different Personalities Collide in Families
This episode dives deep into high conflict dynamics in families. The hosts discuss common personality pairings, such as borderline with narcissistic traits and how these combinations often satisfy emotional needs. They emphasize strategies for protecting children from parental alienation, focusing on teaching essential life skills before age nine. Plus, they tackle a listener's situation involving estrangement and suggest actionable steps to mend family relationships, reinforcing the importance of positive communication.
11 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 37min
High Conflict in Court: Managing Charm, Control, and Challenging Testimony
Explore the gripping dynamics of a murder trial where a high conflict defendant uses charm and manipulation in the courtroom. Discover effective strategies for legal professionals to manage hostile witnesses and maintain authority. Delve into the emotional complexities of individuals who show empathy towards animals while struggling with human connections. Practical advice is shared for handling rehearsed demands and asserting boundaries in challenging relationships. Tune in for insights that blend legal expertise with psychological understanding.
9 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 28min
Falsely Blamed? How to Protect Yourself and Respond • REBROADCAST
This discussion dives deep into the emotional turmoil of being falsely accused by high-conflict people. Experts provide actionable strategies to shield yourself from blame while maintaining your cool. They emphasize the importance of documentation in therapy and legal protection. Listeners discover practical methods to combat misinformation and assert their truth without escalating tensions. The episode also sheds light on the unique challenges faced in family court and shares vital techniques to navigate those difficult situations effectively.
