Why She Stayed

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Catherine opens up about the years she spent trapped in an abusive marriage marked by emotional abuse, infidelity, and alcohol use by her former spouse. What began as a hopeful relationship spiraled into something she never imagined when she discovered her husband’s shocking attempts to secretly poison her with abortion pills in an effort to end her pregnancy.With courage and honesty, Catherine shares how she uncovered the truth, the steps she took to protect herself, and the journey toward rebuilding her life after trauma.Together, we talk about the complexities of abuse, the warning signs that are often overlooked, and the strength it takes to break free.Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic abuse, substance abuse, and physical harm through abortion pills.For more about Catherine's story, please visit her social media pages and links related to her story: Socials: @catherinepresslyherring@sayhmfoundationArticles:https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-attorney-poisoned-pregnant-wife-abortion-medication-sentenced-18-rcna138065https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2024/03/06/shreveport-senator-files-bill-after-sisters-husband-tried-to-secretly-abort-baby-with-abortion-pill/72863621007/https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/the-catherine-and-josephine-herring-act-heads-to-gov-landrys-desk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy as she bravely shares her story of surviving abuse and how it manipulates your sense of duty, love, and identity.Wendy opens up about how her abuser made her feel responsible for his well-being, and how that emotional weight kept her trapped in a cycle of guilt and silence. We explore why so many survivors feel sorry for the very people hurting them, and how that misplaced empathy is a product of manipulation by the perpetrator.We also dive into the more subtle and often overlooked signs of financial control, the ways abusers rationalize physical violence, and how Wendy’s experience as a Latina woman added a layer of cultural confusion around expectations, and what it means to “stand by your man.”This conversation is a testament to resilience, clarity, and the power of naming what we’ve survived.Wendy's Instagram: @wendyc0rtes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into a heart-wrenching tale as Alissa shares her journey through two abusive relationships. Discover how early signs of financial and physical abuse often go unnoticed. Explore the emotional manipulation that makes caretaking seem necessary, and the creeping patterns that led to repeated trauma. Alissa candidly discusses the harrowing experience of stalking, tech-enabled control, and the heart-wrenching moments of escaping with her children. This eye-opening conversation sheds light on resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of prioritizing safety.

"I didn't think it could happen to me."In this deeply personal and courageous episode, Beverly Hallberg — founder and president of District Media Group — shares her powerful story of surviving abuse. What began with subtle glimpses of control eventually unraveled into something much deeper, finally exposed by the unimaginable loss of her baby.As we acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, Beverly’s story is a vital reminder that abuse often wears a mask - and that mask can be both convincing and devastating. Through her long-form essay and now this conversation, she sheds light on how abuse can be insidious, and how leaving is never easy — but healing is possible.This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned their reality, felt isolated in their grief, or needed to know they are not alone.Beverly's Substack post: "How Losing Our Child Exposed the Depth of My Husband’s Abuse and Gave Me the Strength to Leave"https://open.substack.com/pub/beverlyhallberg/p/how-losing-our-child-exposed-the?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webBeverly's social media & sites:districtmediagroup.comX: @BeverlyHallbergInstagram: beverlyhallbergFacebook: BeverlyHallberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready for a thought-provoking solo Q&A where personal growth takes center stage. Grace explores moving on from an abuser, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and detachment. Learn how to navigate the emotional turmoil of watching an ex thrive with someone new. She breaks down the myths behind sleep abuse and unpacks the complexities of emotional manipulation. Grace also discusses supporting friends in toxic relationships and the dynamics between believers and atheists. It's a powerful session filled with practical insights!

Alexis Ruhlen and I discuss life post- abuse as a part 2 episode. We cover topics such as: emotions that come with reporting our abusers to law enforcement, dealing with the opinions of others, survivor imposter syndrome, how long it took us to make progress, and breaking the bond for the final time.Lex's original podcast episode of her FULL story is episode #18. If you would like to follow Alexis or I, please see our socials below:Lex's IG: @lexruhlenGrace's IG: @gracestuart26 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Lynn and I speak about topics such as sadistic behaviors, sexual abuse/ boundary pushing, and how abusers coerce you by giving the illusion of choice. To work with Lynn or send her a message, please see the links below: Lynn's Website: https://www.echoismrecovery.com/Lynn's Instagram: theechochamber2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Monica Smith shares pieces of her abuse story and detailed examples of how an abuser grooms us to no longer trust our own inner dialogue and perceptions. We talk about how they slowly make themselves the only source of truth we feel we can rely on and why it's so hard to believe ourselves. Monica's Instagram: @monicamooresmithMonica's Tiktok: @monicamooresmith5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor shares her abuse story and how her reality became completely distorted and shaken over time. We discuss how she was made to feel like the offender and how she was often recorded, shamed, and blamed as a form of control. We discuss topics of emotional, financial, & sexual abuse throughout the episode. Guest details will be private for now until further notice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation features Laura Richards, an abuse recovery coach and host of the That's Where I'm At podcast. She shares her insights on trauma bonds and gaslighting. Laura highlights why survivors often minimize their experiences and the psychological traps that keep them in abusive relationships. They dive into red flags of covert narcissism and examine the confusion created by contradicting behaviors. Laura emphasizes that true closure comes from within, not from the abuser, and offers encouragement for healing and self-love.