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
Jan 15, 2026 • 39min
Worth Repeating: Protecting Elderly Loved Ones from High Conflict Manipulation
Bill and Megan dive into the troubling rise of high-conflict behaviors targeting the elderly. They highlight the vulnerability of seniors facing isolation and financial exploitation by manipulative individuals. The hosts explore the impact of loneliness and loss, emphasizing warning signs like caregiver isolation. Practical strategies are offered, including asking direct questions and maintaining regular visits. The conversation also covers the importance of community connection and setting boundaries to protect vulnerable loved ones.
10 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 26min
Worth Repeating: Setting Limits Without Public Exposure to Manage Difficult Behavior
The hosts explore the pitfalls of public exposure as a strategy for managing difficult behavior in the workplace. They delve into why public shaming often escalates conflict with high conflict personalities, driven by cluster B traits. Emphasizing the effectiveness of private criticism and skill-based coaching, they argue that natural consequences lead to better outcomes. With insights on when exposure might be necessary and strategic, the discussion advocates for humane interventions and structured support to encourage meaningful change.
7 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 35min
Worth Repeating: Skills Over Discipline to Transform Workplace Conflict with Cherolyn Knapp
In this engaging discussion, Cherolyn Knapp, a conflict resolution consultant and lawyer from Victoria, Canada, shares her expertise on workplace conflict management. She highlights how traditional HR methods often miss the mark with 10-20% of high-conflict cases. Cherolyn emphasizes the need for specialized skills and early intervention, noting that connection and empathy are key. She introduces the 'New Ways for Work' approach, advocating for targeted coaching to prevent escalation, making her insights highly relevant for today’s organizational challenges.
9 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 23min
Worth Repeating: Finding Your Path Forward with High Conflict Parents
Young adults face unique challenges emerging from high conflict parenting, feeling pressured to manage their parents' emotions. The hosts discuss the impact of global crises, social media comparisons, and weakened community ties on self-identity. They highlight the erosion of resilience due to online bullying and suggest practical solutions like seeking mentors, engaging in meaningful work, and utilizing counseling. Strategies are offered for establishing boundaries and fostering emotional independence while navigating these turbulent dynamics.
Dec 4, 2025 • 41min
Worth Repeating: Turning Down High Conflict at Work with Cherolyn Knapp
Join lawyer and mediator Cherolyn Knapp as she dives into navigating high-conflict behavior at work. Cherolyn shares insights on managing workplace tensions, using EAR statements to de-escalate conflicts, and why traditional disciplinary methods can backfire. She explores subtle and passive-aggressive behaviors that disrupt teams and highlights the importance of communication skills. Additionally, Cherolyn discusses innovative coaching methods that can transform difficult workplace dynamics, offering hope for those dealing with challenging relationships.
13 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 30min
Worth Repeating: High-Conflict Holiday Guide
Join Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter as they tackle the chaos of holiday gatherings with high-conflict personalities. Discover key strategies like setting clear boundaries and using the BIFF method to keep conversations light. Learn how to handle tricky relatives, including narcissists, by assigning them tasks to control the chaos. They also share tips for protecting your own peace and gracefully exiting heated discussions. Whether attending or staying home, these insights will help you navigate the holidays with ease.
22 snips
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.
