Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast

Beyond Mommy Dearest
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Beyond Mommy Dearest is a podcast for adult daughters navigating the complicated, often painful reality of difficult, emotionally immature, or narcissistic mothers. Hosted by a trauma-informed leadership coach, this show explores the long-term impact of mother-daughter wounds, boundary setting, grief, identity, and healing beyond blame. Through honest conversations, education, and lived experience, Beyond Mommy Dearest helps listeners reconnect with themselves, trust their instincts, and move forward with clarity, compassion, and strength.

  1. This Is Not In Your Head: The Neuroscience of Narcissistic Abuse

    10 HRS AGO

    This Is Not In Your Head: The Neuroscience of Narcissistic Abuse

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! This Is Not In Your Head: The Neuroscience of Narcissistic Abuse In this deeply validating and eye-opening episode, Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with Meghan Woods, Licensed MFT, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II, and Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician, for a powerful conversation about the long-term impact of narcissistic abuse on the brain, nervous system, body, and identity. Together, they unpack why survivors often struggle to trust themselves, how gaslighting rewires the brain, and why narcissistic abuse is so much more than “just emotional abuse.” Meghan explains how trauma bonds mimic addiction through neurochemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, cortisol, and adrenaline, leaving survivors trapped in cycles of confusion, hypervigilance, dissociation, and self-doubt. This episode explores: Why survivors often think they are the narcissistHow narcissistic abuse impacts the nervous systemTrauma bonds and the addiction-like cycle of abuseHypervigilance, dissociation, doomscrolling, and nervous system shutdownThe connection between trauma, autoimmune disease, shingles, stress, and chronic illnessWhy healing is not linearThe difference between talking about trauma and actually processing itEMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) explained in accessible languageWhy boundaries and no-contact can feel terrifyingHow unresolved childhood trauma shows up in adult romantic relationshipsThe importance of rebuilding self-trust and listening to your gutHealthy communication, nervous system regulation, and “take a break” techniques for couplesWhy narcissistic abuse survivors are not weak, broken, or “too sensitive” “This is not in your head. This is physiological. This is neurological. This is psychological.” Whether you’re healing from a narcissistic parent, romantic partner, workplace, or high-control environment, this episode offers validation, education, and hope. Meghan Woods is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II, and Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician specializing in trauma recovery, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and narcissistic abuse treatment. She is the founder of Connecting Pathways Trauma & Marriage Therapy Inc. and works with clients navigating trauma, attachment wounds, narcissistic abuse recovery, and nervous system healing. Learn more about Meghan and her work at: Connecting Pathways Trauma & Marriage Therapy Inc. https://www.instagram.com/mwoodslmft/ Connect With Beyond Mommy Dearest Beyond Mommy Dearest  beyondmommydearest.com  https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH - Drop in Session - $19.99 https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ Used in this episode  Noelani’s Cup - https://amzn.to/3RlHA05 Heating Pad - https://shop.madeinsantacruz.com/page7.html Axolotl Squishy Stress Relief Toy Glitter - https://amzn.to/4doyisK If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this conversation today. Healing happens in community. 💛 Support the show

    1h 10m
  2. The Hidden Connections Between Cult Leaders and Narcissistic Mothers and the similar playbook they use

    6D AGO ·  BONUS

    The Hidden Connections Between Cult Leaders and Narcissistic Mothers and the similar playbook they use

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! What do cult leaders and narcissistic mothers have in common? More than most people realize. In this gripping episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with Mark Vicente for a powerful conversation about narcissistic abuse, coercive control, cult psychology, trauma bonds, and the shocking similarities between cult leaders and narcissistic family systems. Mark shares how his experience inside a manipulative organization led him to become obsessed with understanding narcissism and emotional control. What began as a search for answers eventually became the foundation for The Narcissist Playbook, where he interviewed self-confessed narcissists in an attempt to finally understand the mindset behind manipulation, gaslighting, shame, and coercive control. Noelani and Mark unpack the eerie parallels between cult leaders and narcissistic mothers, including: Love bombing and emotional conditioningData mining and psychological manipulationTrauma bonding and controlGaslighting and self-doubtShame as a weaponIdealism and exploitationWhy survivors blame themselvesWhy narcissists target empathetic peopleThe connection between cults and family systemsHealing from narcissistic abuseLearning to trust yourself againWhy boundaries are essential for survivalThey also discuss the emotional aftermath of leaving manipulative systems, the grief that comes with realizing you were psychologically controlled, and how healing often requires rebuilding your relationship with yourself from the ground up. This episode is validating, emotional, eye-opening, and deeply important for anyone recovering from narcissistic abuse, toxic family dynamics, coercive control, or cult-like relationships. If you’ve ever asked yourself:  “How did I not see it?”  “Why do narcissists all operate the same way?”  “Why do I still feel trapped emotionally?”  “Why does this feel so similar to a cult?” This episode is for you. The Narcissitic Playbook  Make a donation and get a early screening, May 30  https://tinyurl.com/NarcissistsPlaybookNPH The Vow - Learn more about NXIVM  https://tinyurl.com/TheVowHBO  Connect with Mark  http://instagram.com/markvicente - Instagram https://www.markvicente.com - Website https://tinyurl.com/WhatTheBleepDoWeKnowBMD - What the Bleep Do we Know?  The Movie Beyond Mommy Dearest  beyondmommydearest.com  https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH - Drop in Session - $19.99 https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ Support the show

    1h 5m
  3. Coercive Control, Narcissism & Trauma Bonds: How Emotional Abuse Rewires Your Reality

    MAY 15

    Coercive Control, Narcissism & Trauma Bonds: How Emotional Abuse Rewires Your Reality

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! What happens when love, manipulation, control, and confusion all exist in the same relationship? In this deeply validating episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, Noelani sits down with counselor and criminologist Shalina Lodhia to unpack the hidden realities of narcissism, coercive control, intergenerational trauma, and emotional abuse. Together, they explore how subtle manipulation slowly erodes self-trust, why survivors often blame themselves, and how the body keeps score long after the abuse begins. Shalina shares how her own lived experience witnessing domestic violence and coercive control in her South Asian community led her into counseling and advocacy work. The conversation dives into trauma bonds, gaslighting, narcissistic family systems, emotional invalidation, and the exhausting cognitive dissonance survivors experience when kindness and cruelty coexist in the same relationship. This episode also explores: The connection between narcissism and coercive controlWhy survivors constantly question themselvesThe subtle signs of emotional abuse most people missHow trauma shows up physically in the bodyWhy self-blame becomes a survival mechanismThe difference between healthy conflict and manipulationThe long-term effects of chronic emotional stressWhy narcissists rarely seek therapyHow to begin rebuilding self-trust after abuseThe importance of journaling and external anchorsWhy healing starts with internal validationWe discuss cultural silence around abuse in Filipino, South Asian, and immigrant communities, and why these conversations are critical for breaking intergenerational cycles. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering:  “Is it me?”  “Am I overreacting?”  “Why do I feel anxious all the time around this person?” This episode is for you.    https://www.instagram.com/counsellorshalina https://www.facebook.com/counsellorshalinalodhia/ https://tr.ee/SxQNVoVxt9 - Free Guide: Narcissism & Coercive Control Beyond Mommy Dearest  beyondmommydearest.com  https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLVPR1DTKQG4P/checkout/IHYS6DJ4XJCQKFSKT5ROOVXH - Drop in Session - $19.99 https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.mommy.dearest https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ Support the show

    1h 3m
  4. Male Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Story: Covert Narcissist Wife, Gaslighting, Financial Abuse & Smear Campaigns

    MAY 8

    Male Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Story: Covert Narcissist Wife, Gaslighting, Financial Abuse & Smear Campaigns

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! Male Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Story: Covert Narcissist Wife,  Gaslighting, Financial  Abuse & Smear Campaigns 🎙️ Abuse has no gender. In this powerful episode of the Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast, Noelani sits down with Doug Buggle, featured in The Narcissist Playbook, to talk about surviving covert narcissistic abuse, navigating the aftermath of psychological manipulation, and rebuilding self-trust after years of emotional chaos. Doug shares his firsthand experience of being married to a covert narcissist, the confusion and trauma that followed, and the difficult journey through divorce and healing. Together, they unpack the difference between toxic relationships and true narcissistic abuse, how trauma impacts the nervous system, and why survivors often question their own reality long after the relationship ends. The conversation also explores co-parenting, emotional safety, gaslighting, recovery, and what healthy relationships can actually look like after surviving abuse. This episode is a reminder that survivors come in all genders and healing is possible. ✨ Topics Include: • Covert narcissistic abuse • Male survivors of abuse • Gaslighting and psychological manipulation • Trauma and nervous system responses • Co-parenting after toxic relationships • Rebuilding self-trust • Healing from emotional abuse • What healthy conflict looks like 🎧 New episode drops Friday. Doug's Book - https://amzn.to/4dhDnSr Doug's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dougbuggle/ Beyond Mommy Dearest - https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ The Narcissist's Playbook purchase film - https://www.narcissistsplaybook.com/short-trailer-landing-page?utm_source=weeks_aff_hernandez Heal with Beyond Mommy Dearest -  https://www.beyondmommydearest.org/monthlysupport This episode's sponsored by https://thehappycannabus.com Promo code BMD20 Support the show

    1h 58m
  5. When Your Own Family Betrays You: The Breaking Point That Leads to No Contact

    MAY 1

    When Your Own Family Betrays You: The Breaking Point That Leads to No Contact

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! When Your Own Family Betrays You: The Breaking Point That Leads to No Contact In this episode, we’re talking about the kind of betrayal that changes everything. Joy shares the moment she uprooted her life to take care of her family… only to be discarded without warning. No conversation. No accountability. Just a notice on her door giving her 30 days to leave. This isn’t just about conflict.    This is about calculated harm, control, and the reality of what happens when narcissistic family dynamics reach a breaking point. We also dive into:  • What it feels like to be used and then discarded  • The guilt of being “the only one left” to take care of your parents  • How narcissistic parents rewrite reality to justify their behavior  • The moment clarity hits and you finally say, “I’m done”  • What it takes to start healing after deep betrayal This episode is raw, honest, and validating for anyone who has ever questioned their reality or stayed too long out of guilt. Key Takeaways: Betrayal from family hits differently, especially when you’ve been conditioned to stayNarcissistic dynamics often involve control, tracking, and rewriting the narrativeGuilt is one of the biggest barriers to going no contactYou are not responsible for sacrificing your life to take care of people who harm youWalking away is not weakness, it’s clarityIf this episode resonated, make sure to follow, rate, and share with someone who needs to hear this. Follow Joy: https://www.instagram.com/the.joy.edit/ Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest Follow our sponsor: https://www.instagram.com/thehappycannabus/ Buy the squish in the episode: https://amzn.to/3QTHgFt Support the show

    1h 19m
  6. You Didn’t Imagine It: The Reality of Narcissistic Mothers and Emotional Abuse With The Narcissist’s Daughter Kylie B

    APR 24

    You Didn’t Imagine It: The Reality of Narcissistic Mothers and Emotional Abuse With The Narcissist’s Daughter Kylie B

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! Episode Summary In this powerful and deeply validating conversation, Noelani sits down with Kylie B., author of The Narcissist’s Daughter, to explore what it really means to grow up with a narcissistic mother and the long road to healing. Kylie shares her journey from confusion and self-blame to clarity, self-trust, and ultimately going no contact. Together, they unpack the emotional, psychological, and physical toll of narcissistic abuse—and what it takes to rebuild your identity when it’s been shaped by survival. This episode is a reminder that healing is not linear, that your experience is real, and that you are not alone. Key Topics Discussed What it’s like growing up without language for narcissistic abuseThe moment everything “clicks” and you realize your experience isn’t normalThe long, emotional process of going no contactGuilt, grief, and the internalized voice that follows survivorsRebuilding identity when you were never allowed to fully form oneThe impact of hypervigilance and emotional exhaustionLearning to trust your body and emotions againThe role of chosen family and safe relationships in healingInner child work and reconnecting with the selfWhy healing is a lifelong journey—not a destination Important Links Kylie’s Books https://www.narcissistsdaughter.com The Narcissist's Daughter : From Breakdown to Breakthrough - https://amzn.to/4mPYPCk The Little Phoenix: A Story of Finding Home - https://amzn.to/3QsQgBk Ellie the Little Phoenix: A Story of Finding Home - https://amzn.to/42wLoh7 The Phoenix Rising Journal Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3Oq5cQa The Shuppy - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWpXuzrDg27/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Social Media https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest/ https://www.instagram.com/narcissists_daughter/ https://www.facebook.com/BeyondMommyDearest https://www.facebook.com/narcsdaughter Drop in Session Special with Beyond Mommy Dearest - https://square.link/u/xLH1UGGe?src=sheet Support the show

    57 min
  7. The Link Between Narcissistic Abuse and Chronic Pain (How Trauma Lives in the Body)

    APR 17

    The Link Between Narcissistic Abuse and Chronic Pain (How Trauma Lives in the Body)

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! 🎙️ Let’s Get Your Shift Together: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse & Rebuilding Self-Trust In this episode, we’re talking with Adriana Bucci about the kind of shift that actually changes your life, not the surface-level “just think positive” kind, but the deep, nervous-system, identity-level shift that happens when you start untangling from narcissistic conditioning. Because let’s be honest… when you were raised by a narcissistic mother, your “normal” was never actually normal. 💥 What We Get Into: Why healing isn’t about becoming someone new, it’s about coming back to who you were before survival took overHow narcissistic conditioning shapes your thoughts, reactions, and sense of selfThe difference between coping mechanisms and true healingWhy awareness alone isn’t enough and what actually creates changeThe subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways your nervous system keeps you stuckWhat it looks like to shift from survival mode into self-trust🧠 Key Truths From This Episode: Your patterns are not personality flaws, they are adaptationsYou don’t need to fix yourself, you need to understand yourselfHealing is not linear, but it is possibleYou are allowed to outgrow roles you were forced intoThe shift happens when you stop abandoning yourself🔥 A Moment That Hits: There’s a point where you realize… it wasn’t you. And everything starts to change after that. 🛠️ Connect with Adriana https://www.instagram.com/letsgetyourshifttogether/ https://letsgetyourshifttogether.com/ 💬 Stay Connected: If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs it. Follow, rate, and review so more survivors can find this space. 🌿 Support the Show: This episode is brought to you by our partners who support healing, growth, and showing up differently in your life. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590296/support https://square.link/u/ffcpNoTz 🎧 Don’t Miss What’s Next: New episodes drop every Friday. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Support the show

    47 min
  8. How Narcissistic Mothers Create Anxiety, Perfectionism, and the Fear of Going No Contact with Kirsten Cheong

    APR 10

    How Narcissistic Mothers Create Anxiety, Perfectionism, and the Fear of Going No Contact with Kirsten Cheong

    Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!! In this episode, Noelani sits down with therapist Kirsten Cheong, LMFT, Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician, for a grounded and validating conversation about what it really means to grow up with a narcissistic or emotionally immature parent. They explore how anxiety, perfectionism, fawning, hypervigilance, and overthinking often trace back to childhood environments where safety depended on reading the room, staying small, and keeping a parent regulated. Kirsten shares how her early clinical work with adults in addiction treatment and children in foster care helped her see the long-term throughline of trauma, especially the way childhood emotional abuse often shows up later as relationship anxiety, people-pleasing, and internalized fear. She explains why many high-functioning adults look calm on the outside while internally spiraling, and how that pattern can be a survival strategy rooted in narcissistic family systems. Together, Noelani and Kirsten talk about fawning as a nervous system response, the impact of walking on eggshells, the way narcissistic parents block healthy individuation, and how survivors often struggle with authenticity because they were never allowed to safely become themselves. They also discuss the “introjected parent,” that harsh internal voice that keeps policing behavior long after the parent is no longer present. The conversation also goes deep into no contact. Kirsten shares why she created her guide for cycle breakers considering no contact with family, especially for those carrying guilt, shame, and cultural conditioning around being a “good daughter” or “good son.” Both Noelani and Kirsten are clear that no contact is a personal choice, not a mandate, but they name how life-changing it can be for people leaving abusive family systems. They also talk honestly about the limits of AI in healing work, the importance of finding a therapist who truly understands narcissistic abuse, and why feeling cared for in a therapeutic relationship matters so much for survivors. In This Episode, We Talk About How anxiety and perfectionism can grow out of narcissistic family systemsWhy high-functioning survivors often look fine on the outside but are overwhelmed insideFawning, hypervigilance, and constant scanning for dangerThe long-term effects of walking on eggshellsWhy narcissistic parents see autonomy and authenticity as a threatThe “introjected parent” and the critical voice survivors carry insideHow guilt keeps adult children stuck in abusive patternsWhat it can look like to choose no contactWhy therapy with the right fit matters so much in narcissistic abuse recovery About the Guest Kirsten Cheong is a licensed therapist in California and a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician. She specializes in working with high-functioning, anxious, perfectionistic adults, especially daughters of narcissistic mothers and survivors of emotionally immature family systems. Resources Mentioned Beyond Mommy Dearest - Noelani Pearl HernandezBeyond Mommy Dearest Instagram Beyond Mommy Dearest WebsiteDrop in Session Special - $19.99Kirsten’s Guide for Going No Contact with FamilyKristen's InstagramSupport the show

    1h 18m
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About

Beyond Mommy Dearest is a podcast for adult daughters navigating the complicated, often painful reality of difficult, emotionally immature, or narcissistic mothers. Hosted by a trauma-informed leadership coach, this show explores the long-term impact of mother-daughter wounds, boundary setting, grief, identity, and healing beyond blame. Through honest conversations, education, and lived experience, Beyond Mommy Dearest helps listeners reconnect with themselves, trust their instincts, and move forward with clarity, compassion, and strength.

Information

  • Creator
    Beyond Mommy Dearest
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast
  • Show Website
    Beyond Mommy Dearest Podcast

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