Bitch Is A Bad Word: A Domestic Violence Podcast on Healing and Empowerment – Details, episodes & analysis

He never hit you… so it couldn’t have been abuse, right?

Wrong. And this week, we’re unpacking exactly why.

Joining me is Laura Richards, narcissistic abuse recovery coach, author of Married to a Nice Guy, and host of the podcast That’s Where I’m At. Together, we talk about what it’s really like to be trapped in a relationship with someone who everyone else thinks is “so nice” — while behind closed doors, your sense of self is slowly unraveling.

Verbal abuse doesn’t always leave bruises — but it leaves marks. In this validating and eye-opening episode, Laura helps us break down the subtle yet devastating effects of emotional abuse. We explore how narcissists weaponize charm, how control can hide in plain sight, and what it takes to truly heal.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• What verbal abuse actually looks and feels like — even when they “never hit you”
• How narcissists weaponize kindness and charm to isolate and control
• Red flags you might miss in a “nice guy” relationship
• The unique pain of being disbelieved — and how to validate yourself
• Healing after narcissistic abuse: reclaiming joy, confidence, and yes… enjoying dinner alone again

Whether you’re still in it, fresh out, or deep in healing — this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and strong.

Tune in now for raw truth, expert insight, and reminders that your story matters.

Because your peace is not too much to ask for — and you were never “crazy” for wanting more.

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

LAURA RICHARDS

- LISTEN to her podcast THAT'S WHERE I'M AT: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-where-im-at/id1704083491

- IG:  ⁨@thatswhereimatpodcast⁩ 

- TIKTOK  ⁨@thatswhereimatpodcast⁩ 

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Apologies to all you besties who received an advertisement for the podcast When Dating Hurts yesterday. Somehow the wrong file uploaded! Ben the producer takes the blame which he feels terrible about because we've been building up to this for some time.

So here's the BIABW Patreon & Discord announcement - Take 2 (and for real this time!)

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Besties - I started this podcast because when I left, I was alone. I had very few people to turn to and most who I did, did not know what was going on. And I made a lot of mistakes getting out. I didn't have the resources, the help. So I started this podcast to share with you and others in Domestic abuse and violence situations like us the lessons I've learned and continue to learn. Because I'm still in it. I'm still dealing with it. Everyday.

My producer, Ben, warned me we'd be opening to crickets. "It's going to be a slow road," he told me. And yet, it hasn't. I am shocked by how many messages I get everyday of people not having anyone to talk to, to turn to.

So I created a Patreon and Discord to bring us together. So many of us don't have anyone to turn to, to share with, to talk to. So we're creating the Bestie community, so we can turn to each other. I'm NOT a tech person, so all of this is new to me. It's going to be messy, but I've got my amazing sister, Kandice, helping me, and she's super techie, so hopefully it'll work out well.

On the Patreon, I'll be "Spilling Tea" several times a week to talk to you. Updates on what's going on in my life, discussions on current events as it relates to us, discussions on my conversations with you on DM or email, etc. Maybe we'll have some fun guests, etc. We'll also have all the episodes, ad-free.

On the Discord, we're creating a safe space where we can chat honestly and anonymously. Where we can have a community of our own, where we can share and not fear. Everyone is vetted and we have amazing volunteer monitors. We don't want anyone there who shouldn't be there. At the same time, we want everyone there who SHOULD be there. Therefore, we're creating a program to help those who are under financial duress. We don't want anyone having to answer "what's that charge on the credit card?"

We're also forming a partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH). We're making easily accessible their entire directory of resources and that's available to everyone for free whether you're a subscriber or not. All of it is easily available right here.

All of it launches on Tuesday, May 20. Go to patreon.com/BitchIsABadWord to signup!

See you there, Besties!

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Bitch Sesh are up-close & personal conversations with current victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence sharing their stories.

In this compelling inaugural episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word: "Bitch Sesh", Lindsay engages in a candid conversation with "G", a courageous wife and mother currently navigating the complexities of a verbally abusive relationship characterized by gaslighting and coercive control. "G" reached out feeling isolated, seeking a platform to share her story—a narrative that resonates with many yet often remains unheard. For security, we do not feature "G"'s image.

This episode delves into:

- The insidious nature of gaslighting and its impact on self-perception

- Understanding coercive control and its manifestations in intimate relationships

- The emotional toll of verbal abuse and strategies for coping

- Recognizing the signs of emotional manipulation and reclaiming autonomy

- The importance of sharing survivor stories to foster awareness and support

Whether you're currently in a challenging relationship, supporting someone who is, or aiming to understand the dynamics of emotional abuse better, "G"'s story offers valuable insights and hope.

If you are interested in coming on Bitch Sesh, please email us at biabw@caliber-studio.com, call or text us at (331) BITCHES, or DM us on our Instagram (instagram.com/bitchisabadwordpod) or TikTok (tiktok.com/@bitchisabadword) pages.

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

If you like, please leave us a review and subscribe to our channel!

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This week on Bitch Is a Bad Word, actress, singer, author, and podcaster Bethany Joy Lenz joins us for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation about surviving a cult — all while starring on one of TV’s most iconic teen dramas, One Tree Hill.

Bethany opens up about her upcoming memoir, her journey of breaking free from coercive control, and how reclaiming her faith helped her heal from spiritual abuse and toxic relationships. She shares how being in the public eye shaped her recovery and how she's using her platform to empower others.

🎙️ In this episode:

• What it was like to be in a cult while starring on a cult-favorite TV show
• Escaping spiritual manipulation and finding her own truth
• Understanding the difference between intuition and trauma responses
• Healing from abusive relationships and psychological control
• Why storytelling and visibility matter in recovery

Whether you're a lifelong One Tree Hill fan, a survivor of spiritual or emotional abuse, or someone seeking truth and healing, Bethany’s story will resonate deeply.

#BethanyJoyLenz #SurvivingACult #CoerciveControl #SpiritualAbuse #OneTreeHill #TraumaHealing #ToxicRelationships #Memoir2025 #BitchIsABadWordPodcast

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

Visit Joy's linktr.ee/bethanyjoylenz to PURCHASE:

- Joy's book Dinner For Vampires: Life On A Cult TV Show (While In An Actual Cult)

- Listen to Joy on the ONE TREE HILL podcast Dramaqueens

- Subscribe to Joy's print magazine MODERN VINTAGE

- And so much more!

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Season 2 of Bitch Is A Bad Word brings a whole new vibe. Lindsay is back—solo and ready to introduce you to your new besties—with a fresh lineup of besties with all the letters (aka licensed pros), survivor voices, and real women who’ve been through it all and aren’t afraid to talk about it. Each week, you’ll meet someone who gets it—who’s lived it—and who’s here to help you feel seen, less alone, and a little more powerful than you did before.

New this season: Every episode ends with something for your Bestie Toolkit—a mindset, a mantra, a truth bomb, or a practical tool to carry with you as you heal and grow. Plus, we’re introducing Bitch Sesh, a new weekly segment where Lindsay reads DMs and invites listeners on the show to chat about their real stories—your stories! These raw, intimate conversations are all about building a supportive, healing community.

Key Topics Covered:

• Healing from domestic violence
• Survivor stories and empowering advice
• Therapists, Lawyers and experts offering insight and guidance
• Self-care, mental health, and building resilience
• Practical tools for emotional growth

Follow & Connect:

• Join the conversation on Instagram
• Access exclusive content and early episodes on Patreon
• Share your story for Bitch Sesh via DM, email, text/line and get featured on the show! 

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

This podcast is for you if you're asking questions such as:

• Am I in an abusive relationship?
• What are the five (5) signs of emotional abuse?
• How do I know if I'm being emotionally abused by my husband / wife / partner?
• Am I in a toxic relationship?
• How do I tell if I'm in a domestic abusive relationship?
• What are signs of narcissistic abuse?
• What are the red flags of emotional abuse?
• Am I thinking of calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH)?
• What is the effect on my children of living in an abusive house?
• Will I lose my children if I report my abusive husband / wife / partner?
• How to escape an abuser with your children?

Bitch Is A Bad Word: A Podcast On Domestic Abuse is a podcast about identifying and navigating your way through and out of Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse, hosted by two survivors of Domestic Abuse.

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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

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When someone you love is harmed in an abusive relationship, your world changes forever. In this deeply emotional episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, we sit down with Bill Mitchell—author, speaker, and host of the When Dating Hurts podcast—who shares the tragic story behind the murder of his daughter Kristin, just three weeks after graduating college.

Twenty days before her death, Kristin walked across the stage at Saint Joseph’s University. Her family was there. Her boyfriend was there too—someone they’d never met before. Three weeks later, he pled guilty to third-degree murder.

That moment launched Bill into a life of advocacy, education, and prevention, helping parents, teens, and survivors recognize the red flags of relationship violence, including coercive control, emotional abuse, and escalating patterns of toxic behavior.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

• The true story that ignited a national awareness movement
• How dating violence and coercive control often begin subtly
• Common emotional abuse red flags young people overlook
• What parents can do to talk to their kids about healthy vs. harmful love
• Ways survivors and communities can take action to protect others

Whether you’re a survivor, a parent, or someone who wants to prevent intimate partner violence, this episode is a powerful call to trust your gut, speak up, and stay aware.

WHEN DATING HURTS

LISTEN to the Podcast

PURCHASE the Book

You’re not alone. We’ve got your back.

#WhenDatingHurts #BillMitchell #RelationshipViolence #DatingAbuseAwareness #CoerciveControl #EmotionalAbuse #KristinMitchell #HealthyRelationships #IntimatePartnerViolence #BitchIsABadWordPodcast

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

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This week on Bitch Sesh, Lindsay sits down with Grace Stuart — domestic violence survivor and host of the Why She Stayed podcast — for a raw and powerful conversation about what keeps survivors stuck in abusive relationships and why they stay far longer than they ever imagined. Grace opens up about the night of her strangulation, the silent warning signs that escalate over time, and the devastating aftermath many don’t talk about. We also dig into restraining orders, guilt manipulation, and the dangerous myth that violence always “looks” violent.

This conversation is brutally honest, deeply validating, and an urgent reminder that even “nice” messages can be a violation—and that love should never come with bruises, fear, or fog. Whether you’re a survivor, a loved one, or just trying to understand the complexities of coercive control, this episode will shake your perspective and speak directly to your strength.

In this episode:

• What trauma bonding really looks and feels like
•  How abusers use therapy as a manipulation tactic
•  Why “love bombing” and “nice guy” behavior are often red flags
•  The emotional aftermath of leaving — and how long it really takes to heal
•  Tips for navigating restraining orders and reclaiming your safety
•  The power of naming your story and finding your voice

Plus:

— A breakdown of what emotional abuse sounds like in “nice” language

— Grace’s advice for survivors who feel trapped, confused, or ashamed

— A candid discussion on guilt, grief, and growing into the life you deserve

You don’t have to wait for things to get worse to walk away. You just have to believe you’re worth saving.

Watch the full video on YouTube. Audio available on all podcast platforms.

• If you are interested in coming on Bitch Sesh, please email us at biabw@caliber-studio.com, call or text us at (331) BITCHES, or DM us on our Instagram (instagram.com/bitchisabadwordpod) or TikTok (tiktok.com/@bitchisabadword) pages.

Trigger warning: mentions of strangulation, emotional abuse, coercive control, and post-trauma effects.

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

#DomesticViolenceAwareness #WhySheStayed #SurvivorStories #StrangulationAwareness #BitchSeshPodcast #CoerciveControl #LoveBombing #EmpathProblems #BreakTheCycle #DVSurvivor #ProtectYourPeace #TraumaBonding #Gaslighting #PodcastForSurvivors #AbusePrevention #VoiceForTheVoiceless #Bestiegang #Besties #BitchIsABadWordPodcast

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Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse designed to make you question your own reality, and in this powerful episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley—trauma-informed therapist and author—helps us uncover the truth about this manipulative tactic. We’ll break down the emotional impact of gaslighting and how it affects your mental health. Plus, Dr. Kelley introduces a fourth “F” trauma response that you might not be aware of. If you’ve been made to feel crazy or manipulated, this episode is a must-listen.

What to Expect in This Episode:

• What gaslighting really is and how it affects your self-esteem
• Recognizing the red flags of gaslighting in relationships
• Dr. Kelly’s introduction to a fourth trauma response (hint: it’s not just fight, flight, or freeze)
• Practical tips for survivors to heal and rebuild self-trust after emotional manipulation
• How to break free from the toxic cycle of gaslighting

Whether you're navigating a relationship with a gaslighter or you’ve recently emerged from one, we’ve got your back. Tune in for expert insights, real talk, and healing tips.

You deserve to reclaim your truth and trust yourself again. 

FOLLOW Amelia:

• https://www.instagram.comdrameliakelley/ 
• www.ameliakelley.com
• https://thesensitivitydoctor.simplecast.com/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley

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

Join the Bestie Gang on Patreon, Patreon.com/bitchisabadword

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In this raw and unfiltered episode of Bitch Is a Bad Word, Lindsay sits down with Titeanya — a powerful voice and survivor whose story challenges stereotypes and exposes the truth about same-sex domestic violence.

Titeanya opens up about her journey through an abusive relationship that left her unhoused, and how she found resilience, safety, and independence. Her experience sheds light on the often-overlooked realities faced by LGBTQ+ survivors, from navigating shelters to overcoming systemic barriers.

🎧 What you'll hear in this episode:

• The unique dynamics of same-sex intimate partner violence
• The intersection of abuse, housing insecurity, and identity
• How Titeanya navigated the shelter system and systemic failures
• What healing after trauma really looks like
• Why representation matters in survivor storytelling — especially in LGBTQ+ communities

Whether you're a survivor, an ally, or someone seeking a deeper understanding of domestic abuse in queer relationships, this episode is both eye-opening and deeply inspiring.

FOLLOW Titeyana

Instagram @titeanya

Community Organization (my new mutual aid project): @thegoldstarsociety

Blog: https://thegoldstarsociety.wordpress.com/

And checkout Titeyana's Management / Production House WOMXNOGRAPHY: https://www.womxnography.com/

• If you are interested in coming on Bitch Sesh, please email us at biabw@caliber-studio.com, call or text us at (331) BITCHES, or DM us on our Instagram (instagram.com/bitchisabadwordpod) or TikTok (tiktok.com/@bitchisabadword) pages.

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

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