Ep.3 Beneath the Mask: Surviving Narcissistic Abuse and Rebuilding from the Ground Up

In this powerful episode of Break That Cycle, Cheryl Hickman joins us to talk about the kind of abuse that often goes unseen: narcissistic manipulation behind closed doors. Raised in a home ruled by control and emotional chaos, Cheryl carried trauma into her adult relationships—marrying a man who continued the cycle of abuse, this time cloaked in charm and public perfection. Cheryl opens up about what it's like to question your own reality, to be dismissed by family, and to wrestle with addiction just to make it through the day. But her story doesn't end there. She fought her way out, cut ties with toxic family dynamics, and found peace on her own terms. Today, she runs Hope For Her, a nonprofit organization that supports women escaping domestic violence—often with nothing but the clothes on their back and the will to survive. This episode is about more than narcissism—it's about naming your pain, owning your truth, and building something that helps others heal too.

Biblical Perspective:

https://applygodsword.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-narcissism-16-signs/ https://applygodsword.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-forgiveness-and-reconciliation/ https://grace-being.com/love-relationships/self-healing-from-narcissistic-abuse/

Dealing with Narcissistic Mothers:

https://www.simplypsychology.org/daughters-of-narcissistic-mothers.html https://www.choosingtherapy.com/symptoms-of-daughters-of-narcissistic-mothers/#:~:text=Narcissistic%20mothers%20see%20their%20children,them%20to%20get%20their%20compliance.

Facts about Narcissist:

https://barendspsychology.com/narcissism-facts/

https://grace-being.com/love-relationships/narcissistic-personality-disorder-statistics/