Real Talk with Lisa Sonni: Relationships Uncensored

Lisa Sonni
  • 4.7 (26)
  • Relationships

This is the podcast your abuser doesn’t want you to hear.  Hosted by relationship coach and abuse recovery educator Lisa Sonni, Real Talk pulls back the curtain on toxic and abusive dynamics, romantic relationships, familial, and friendships. This is the raw truth no one else is saying out loud. No sugarcoating. No “just leave” advice.  Just real stories, real insight, and real talk—so you can finally feel seen, not silenced. 

  1. 1d ago

    The Most Effective Way To Lie | Dr. Abbie Maroño | S4E12

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! The Most Effective Way To Lie | Dr. Abby Minaro If you’ve ever felt like something was off but couldn’t quite put your finger on the lie, this episode reveals exactly how abusers craft believable deception. Lisa Sonni sits down with behavioral scientist, author, and deception expert Dr. Abby Minaro (Dr. Abby Morono) to unpack the strategic psychology behind lying. They explore how abusers use “grains of truth,” context removal, and emotional framing to manipulate reality, making their lies far more convincing than outright fabrications.  Dr. Minaro breaks down the difference between convincing and conveying, the pre-event, event, and post-event patterns that expose deception, and why the halo effect makes harmful people seem trustworthy. The conversation also highlights the role of shame, self-doubt, and radicalization-like tactics in abuse, while emphasizing that the strongest protection isn’t becoming a detective — it’s rebuilding self-trust, self-love, and the confidence to leave when something feels unsafe. A powerful, eye-opening episode for anyone ready to see manipulation clearly and trust themselves again. Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

  2. Jul 21

    The Science Behind Why He Won’t Change | Dr. Justin Nussbaum | S4E11

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! The Science Behind Why He Won’t Change | Dr. Justin Nussbaum If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem incapable of real change no matter how much therapy, pleading, or effort goes in, this episode delivers the science that explains it. Lisa Sonni sits down with Dr. Justin Nussbaum to break down the genetics and neuroscience behind personality traits, narcissism, and personality disorders.  They explore the significant role of heritability (often 50-70%), twin studies, and how genetics and environment interact to shape empathy, emotional regulation, and behavior patterns.  Dr. Nussbaum busts common myths about trauma being the sole cause of abusive or narcissistic behavior, explains neurological pathways involved in empathy (or the lack of it), and discusses the realistic limits of change.  This conversation empowers survivors with a clearer, science-based understanding of why hoping for transformation in certain personalities can keep them stuck — and why recognizing these biological realities is key to making safer, healthier decisions. A must-listen for anyone seeking clarity, validation, and freedom from false hope in toxic relationships. Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

  3. Jul 14

    Breaking the Cycle: Understanding and Changing Abusive Behavior | Stephen Ing S4E10

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! If you’ve ever wondered why abusers do what they do, whether therapy actually works for them, or how we can truly break the generational cycle of domestic violence — this episode gives you clear, compassionate, and unflinching answers. Lisa Sonni sits down with Stephen Ng (also known as Steven Ng), a seasoned Marriage and Family Therapist with decades of experience working with abusers, survivors, and families. Drawing from both his professional expertise and personal journey, Stephen challenges common myths about domestic violence and offers a deeper understanding of what real, lasting change requires. This is an educational conversation for anyone who wants safer relationships, stronger communities, and real prevention of abuse.  Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

  4. Jul 7

    Why Letting Go Feels Worse Than Staying with Chelli Pumphrey | S4E09

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! If you’ve ever recognized the abuse but felt completely paralyzed and unable to leave, this episode explains exactly why that happens and how to break free. Lisa Sonni speaks with Chelli Pumphrey, a trauma-informed therapist specializing in attachment and relational healing.  Drawing from both professional expertise and her own lived experience, Chelli unpacks trauma bonds as powerful biochemical and attachment-based phenomena, the cognitive dissonance and analysis paralysis that keep survivors stuck, and how anxious attachment styles fuel the painful cycle of highs and lows. She also explores the primal fear of leaving, the grief of letting go of the idealized future, and practical strategies for shifting attachment patterns, rebuilding self-trust, and finding safety. The conversation highlights the power of self-compassion, decentering the abuser, and the vital support of communities like the She Rises Collective. This episode offers deep validation and real hope: leaving is hard, but it almost always leads to greater peace, safety, and happiness. Healing is possible—you don’t have to do it alone. Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

  5. Jun 30

    He Cheated, Blamed You, and Still Expected You to Stay | Dr. Kathy Nickerson | S4E08

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! If you’ve ever been cheated on, then blamed for it while he expected you to just move on and stay, this episode will validate your experience and cut through the confusion. Lisa Sonni sits down with Dr. Kathy Nickelson to explore the dangerous overlap between infidelity and abusive, controlling behavior. They break down why cheating in abusive relationships is rarely “just about sex” or immaturity — it’s often rooted in entitlement, power, and a lack of accountability.  The conversation clearly distinguishes between typical infidelity and patterns of emotional or physical abuse, helping listeners spot performative remorse versus genuine change. Dr. Nickelson shares insights on the role of childhood conditioning, attachment wounds, boundary-setting, and why hoping for change without real consequences often keeps women stuck. This episode empowers survivors with clarity around self-trust, safety, and the realistic path to healing. Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

  6. Jun 23

    I Survived a Con Artist. Here's How Abuse Works | S4E7

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! In this episode, Dr. Nadine Macaluso — trauma bond expert and survivor of narcissistic abuse — reveals the sophisticated con tactics narcissists use to manipulate, trap, and control their partners. Drawing from her personal journey as the real-life ex-wife of the Wolf of Wall Street and her clinical expertise, she explains the stages of abuse, including love bombing, mirroring, gaslighting, and the painful switch from charm to control. Dr. Nadine explores the biological addiction of trauma bonds, the specific traits abusers target in victims, and why it’s so difficult to recognize and leave these relationships. She also addresses shame, cognitive dissonance, and the path to healing through community support and self-compassion. This conversation offers powerful validation, clarity, and hope for anyone recovering from toxic relationships. Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

  7. Jun 16

    Why Women Get More Backlash for Naming Harm Than Men Get for Causing It | Reagan, Host of Buckle Up Babes S4E6

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! If you’ve ever heard “women just lie for attention,” “false accusations are ruining men’s lives,” or wondered why so many survivors wait years to speak up—this episode cuts through the noise with honesty and evidence. Lisa Sonni sits down with Reagan (Reagan Reacts / Buckle Up Babes), a sharp content creator who breaks down abuse, misconduct, and the societal narratives that protect abusers while silencing victims. Together they dismantle the most common myths around abuse allegations, expose systemic failures, and explain why coming forward is so incredibly difficult for most women. This is a raw, well-researched conversation that challenges victim-blaming culture and highlights the real dynamics of power, trauma, and justice. Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

  8. Jun 9

    Character Isn’t Chemistry: How to Stop Falling for Sparks and Start Seeing Who He Really Is | Chantel Hyde S4E5

    Send Lisa a question for her to reply in a future episode! If you've ever felt terrified to date again after abuse, wondered why your "radar" keeps failing you, or questioned how to trust yourself (and others) moving forward—this episode is going to validate everything you've sensed and give you clear, practical tools to move forward with confidence. Canada’s Dating Coach Chantel Hyde joins us to share her powerful insights drawn from sociology, psychology, personal experience, and years of coaching women through healing and dating. We dive deep into why slowing down is non-negotiable, how to properly vet partners, the biology and psychology behind toxic attraction, and how to rebuild your self-respect so you never settle for less again. This conversation dismantles the societal conditioning that leads women into unhealthy dynamics and replaces it with empowering strategies for choosing (and being chosen by) high-quality partners. Support the show This is the podcast they don't want you listening to. 👉 Find me at lisasonni.com  Book A Session with Lisa Join my online survivor community called She Rises Collective where we are breaking free, rebuilding and dismantling patriarchy.  Follow on IG Watch on YouTube Get My Books Here New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the truth - and remember: You’re stronger than they ever wanted you to believe.

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4.7
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

This is the podcast your abuser doesn’t want you to hear.  Hosted by relationship coach and abuse recovery educator Lisa Sonni, Real Talk pulls back the curtain on toxic and abusive dynamics, romantic relationships, familial, and friendships. This is the raw truth no one else is saying out loud. No sugarcoating. No “just leave” advice.  Just real stories, real insight, and real talk—so you can finally feel seen, not silenced. 

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