Be A Better You

Allison K. Dagney

The Be a Better You Podcast (formerly The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast) is hosted by Best Selling Author and Certified Rapid Reprogramming™ Coach, Allison K. Dagney.  As a young adult, I met a man who I believed was the love of my life. We got married quickly and brought three kids into the world. But something was wrong. I was miserable. And I blamed myself for all the problems in our marriage. What I didn't know, was that I was being emotional abused by who I believe is a narcissist. I decided it was time to break free and step into the person I was always meant to be — confident and free to live the life I’ve always imagined.  I escaped, and I turned my personal story of transformation into a memoir. And now I coach women all over the world to help them transform their pain into empowerment, experience peace and joy, and start living life like never before.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep 203: Subtle Signs You Were Emotionally Controlled (That Don’t Look Like Abuse)

    Leave a message & include your contact or I won't know it's you. Many people don’t relate to the word abuse—not because nothing happened, but because emotional control often doesn’t look dramatic, obvious, or cruel. In emotionally abusive or controlling relationships, the most damaging patterns are often subtle, gradual, and reinforced in ways that are easy to miss while you’re in them. In this episode, we explore the subtle signs of emotional control that don’t look like abuse, including how conditioning, self-doubt, and relief-based compliance can quietly train you to minimize your needs, question your perception, and adapt in ways you didn’t consciously choose. You’ll learn why so many people struggle to name emotional abuse, how shame and conditioning keep experiences minimized, and why recognizing these patterns is not about blame—but about clarity and empowerment. This episode is for anyone who has ever thought “It wasn’t that bad” while still feeling smaller, more careful, or less like themselves. If you’re trying to make sense of lingering confusion after a relationship and want language for what actually happened, this conversation will help you see it clearly—and understand why naming it can be the beginning of real healing. Support the show To learn more about my Programs visit the website www.radiatenrise.com Email: Allison@radiatenrise.com Free 30 Min Root Cause Call Join Radiate and Rise Together - Survivor Healing Community for Women GET YOUR FREE AUDIO To send a DM, visit Allison's profiles on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/allisonkdagney/ https://www.facebook.com/allisonkdagney/ *Formerly (The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast)

    29 min
  2. FEB 3

    Episode 202: Why Trauma Bonds Feel Stronger After You Leave

    Leave a message & include your contact or I won't know it's you. Leaving an emotionally abusive or toxic relationship doesn’t always bring the relief you expect. For many people, the trauma bond actually feels stronger after it’s over—bringing increased rumination, anxiety, longing, and confusion that can make you question yourself and your decision. In this episode, I explain why trauma bonds often intensify after you leave, what’s happening in your nervous system during this phase, and why this reaction has nothing to do with weakness, love, or making the wrong choice. You’ll learn how withdrawal from the trauma bond works, why time and insight alone don’t stop the loop, and how these patterns keep people stuck in self-blame. I also share two practical tools you can use immediately to interrupt the cycle—tools designed to help your body settle so the bond can actually unwind, rather than reinforcing it through willpower or distraction. If you’ve been wondering why it feels harder now—or why you can’t seem to stop thinking about them—this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and why your experience makes sense. Support the show To learn more about my Programs visit the website www.radiatenrise.com Email: Allison@radiatenrise.com Free 30 Min Root Cause Call Join Radiate and Rise Together - Survivor Healing Community for Women GET YOUR FREE AUDIO To send a DM, visit Allison's profiles on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/allisonkdagney/ https://www.facebook.com/allisonkdagney/ *Formerly (The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast)

    33 min
  3. JAN 27

    Episode 201: Emotional Sobriety: Detoxing From the Highs and Lows You Got Addicted To

    Leave a message & include your contact or I won't know it's you. If you’ve ever caught yourself missing someone who made you anxious, small, or constantly on edge… this episode is for you. Because what you’re feeling is withdrawal, not a personal flaw. After emotionally unsafe, narcissistic abuse, or abusive relationships, the nervous system gets conditioned to extreme highs and lows. A few good days followed by sudden blowups. Relief after tension. Chaos mistaken for chemistry. And when it ends, your body doesn’t miss the person — it misses the dopamine-driven cycle it learned to survive in. In this episode, we’re talking about emotional sobriety — what it actually means to detox from intensity, why calm can feel boring or wrong at first, and how your system recalibrates after chaos. We’ll break down why stable relationships don’t feel exciting in the beginning, why your brain edits the past when you’re vulnerable, and how to tell the difference between love and nervous-system addiction. I’ll also share real, relatable examples from my work with clients and my Radiate & Rise community that show how people stop craving the highs and lows — not by trying harder, but by healing the root cause. ✨ If you’re in that in-between space — missing what hurt you and questioning your decision — you don’t have to white-knuckle this alone. Book a free Root Cause Call and let’s uncover what your nervous system is still attached to, so you can move forward without getting pulled back. Support the show To learn more about my Programs visit the website www.radiatenrise.com Email: Allison@radiatenrise.com Free 30 Min Root Cause Call Join Radiate and Rise Together - Survivor Healing Community for Women GET YOUR FREE AUDIO To send a DM, visit Allison's profiles on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/allisonkdagney/ https://www.facebook.com/allisonkdagney/ *Formerly (The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast)

    39 min
  4. JAN 20

    Ep 200: What 200 Episodes Taught Me About Healing (Why Ease Matters More Than Effort)

    Leave a message & include your contact or I won't know it's you. Two hundred episodes in, certain truths become impossible to ignore. After years of conversations, client work, and pattern-spotting, one thing is clear: people don’t struggle because they lack insight, discipline, or desire to change. They struggle because their nervous systems are overloaded — and most healing tools ask for effort at the exact moment capacity is lowest. In this milestone episode, I’m sharing what 200 episodes have taught me about why insight alone doesn’t stick, why willpower fails under stress, and why real change begins with regulation rather than force. We’ll talk about the role of safety in healing, why the body always leads the process, and how support has to work when you’re tired, triggered, or overwhelmed — not just when you’re feeling motivated. I’ll also share why sound-based nervous system support became non-negotiable in my work, and how creating ease — not pressure — changed the way people heal between sessions and in real life. ✨ If you’re ready for steadier change instead of another cycle of pushing and burnout, there’s a free audio mentioned in this episode that lets you experience this approach firsthand — and an optional Root Cause Call if you want clarity around the patterns your system is still holding. About the music: This episode is layered with a subtle, ambient soundscape designed to support nervous system regulation while you listen. The music is intentionally minimal — steady, warm, and unobtrusive — meant to hold focus and create a sense of calm without pulling attention away from the conversation. Think of it as quiet support in the background, helping your body stay present as the message lands. 🎧  GET YOUR FREE "STOP THE LOOP" AUDIO HERE 🎧 Support the show To learn more about my Programs visit the website www.radiatenrise.com Email: Allison@radiatenrise.com Free 30 Min Root Cause Call Join Radiate and Rise Together - Survivor Healing Community for Women GET YOUR FREE AUDIO To send a DM, visit Allison's profiles on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/allisonkdagney/ https://www.facebook.com/allisonkdagney/ *Formerly (The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast)

    22 min
  5. JAN 15

    Ep 199: A Matchmaker’s Perspective: Dating After Abuse (with Tina Joy)

    Leave a message & include your contact or I won't know it's you. Dating after emotional abuse isn’t about learning better lines or spotting red flags faster.  It’s about understanding what gets activated inside you when intimacy returns. In this episode, I sit down with Tina Joy, and we go far beyond surface-level dating advice. We talk about what really happens when someone starts dating again after a narcissistic or emotionally abusive relationship—and why so many people feel confused, triggered, or afraid even when nothing is “wrong.” We explore: What to focus on before dating again after abuseHow to tell the difference between real red flags and old wounds getting activatedWhy emotionally intelligent, self-aware women are often told they’re “too much”How abuse distorts self-worth—and what it takes to rebuild itThe green flags that actually matter when you want a healthy, emotionally safe partnerAnd honestly? We talked about a lot more than we planned—because this conversation opened doors. This episode is for anyone who wants to date again without losing themselves…  for anyone who doesn’t want to repeat old patterns…  and for anyone who wants connection without chaos. Tina Joy is a literal joy to talk to—grounded, insightful, and refreshingly real. Tina is a distinguished Relationship Coach and Matchmaker known for her success in guiding high-profile clients toward meaningful connections. She has curated transformative relationship strategies for over 200,000 individuals, leveraging a blend of personal insight and sophisticated matchmaking techniques. In addition to her coaching prowess, Tina has a vibrant background in entertainment as a successful actress, bringing a unique perspective on personal charisma and storytelling to her coaching practice. Her career also includes significant achievements as a Special Events Coordinator, where she skillfully managed high-profile events, TikTok Branded Live-streaming Host, and as a Personal Trainer/Stretch Therapist, crafting tailored wellness programs for diverse clients. With a powerful combination of coaching expertise, VIP matchmaking, and a dynamic presence from her acting career, Tina offers a compelling perspective on creating impactful relationships and navigating high-profile environments. She is an ideal guest for podcasts exploring elite coaching, relationship dynamics, matchmaking and the intersection of entertainment and personal development. Connect with her: https://www.instagram.com/iamtinajoy/ Support the show To learn more about my Programs visit the website www.radiatenrise.com Email: Allison@radiatenrise.com Free 30 Min Root Cause Call Join Radiate and Rise Together - Survivor Healing Community for Women GET YOUR FREE AUDIO To send a DM, visit Allison's profiles on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/allisonkdagney/ https://www.facebook.com/allisonkdagney/ *Formerly (The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast)

    1h 3m
  6. JAN 13

    Episode 198: Your Solution to Why You Can't Stick to it Past 2 Weeks

    Leave a message & include your contact or I won't know it's you. Ever notice how motivation feels strong for about two weeks and then suddenly disappears? If you’ve ever told yourself “I just can’t stick to things” or “I always fall off,” this episode is going to flip that belief on its head. Because the truth is — your problem isn’t discipline, consistency, or commitment. It’s your nervous system. In this episode, we’re breaking down why willpower always fails, especially after emotional stress, burnout, or abusive relationships — and what’s actually required for change to last. You’ll learn why your brain prioritizes safety over goals, why familiar patterns pull you back even when you want something different, and how consistency becomes effortless once your body feels safe enough to move forward. I’ll also share real examples that show how people stop self-sabotaging without trying harder — simply by addressing the root cause. If you’re ready for this year to be different — not because you pushed harder, but because you finally worked with your system instead of against it — this episode is for you. Support the show To learn more about my Programs visit the website www.radiatenrise.com Email: Allison@radiatenrise.com Free 30 Min Root Cause Call Join Radiate and Rise Together - Survivor Healing Community for Women GET YOUR FREE AUDIO To send a DM, visit Allison's profiles on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/allisonkdagney/ https://www.facebook.com/allisonkdagney/ *Formerly (The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast)

    39 min
  7. 12/30/2025

    Episode 196: The Secret to Following Through to Be A Better You!

    Leave a message & include your contact or I won't know it's you. The New Year is soon! So let's dive in to being a Better You. Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in life — spinning your wheels, starting over and over but never following through? Maybe you’ve tried to eat healthier, save money, be a better partner, or show up as the mom you want to be… but no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to stick with it. That constant cycle of starting, failing, and feeling like you’re not enough can leave you frustrated, sad, or even depressed. In this interactive episode of The Be a Better You Podcast, Allison K. Dagney takes you step by step through a powerful exercise to define what “being a better you” actually looks like — so you finally have clarity instead of vague goals that keep you stuck. You’ll unpack the subconscious beliefs that sabotage your progress, discover the hidden trauma responses that make it harder to take action, and learn how to break free from these old patterns. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a simple but clear roadmap for taking action, plus fresh motivation to believe you really can create a healthier, happier, more successful life. If you’re tired of feeling like you’ll never change, this episode will show you how to finally shift from hopeless and stuck to confident and in control. Support the show To learn more about my Programs visit the website www.radiatenrise.com Email: Allison@radiatenrise.com Free 30 Min Root Cause Call Join Radiate and Rise Together - Survivor Healing Community for Women GET YOUR FREE AUDIO To send a DM, visit Allison's profiles on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/allisonkdagney/ https://www.facebook.com/allisonkdagney/ *Formerly (The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast)

    31 min
4.8
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

The Be a Better You Podcast (formerly The Emotional Abuse Recovery Podcast) is hosted by Best Selling Author and Certified Rapid Reprogramming™ Coach, Allison K. Dagney.  As a young adult, I met a man who I believed was the love of my life. We got married quickly and brought three kids into the world. But something was wrong. I was miserable. And I blamed myself for all the problems in our marriage. What I didn't know, was that I was being emotional abused by who I believe is a narcissist. I decided it was time to break free and step into the person I was always meant to be — confident and free to live the life I’ve always imagined.  I escaped, and I turned my personal story of transformation into a memoir. And now I coach women all over the world to help them transform their pain into empowerment, experience peace and joy, and start living life like never before.

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