Toxic: How to Spot It, Name It, and Finally Breathe Again

Compass Point Institute
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

TOXIC is a podcast for adult children of emotionally immature parents, people recovering from manipulative relationships, and anyone waking up to the patterns that kept them small. Hosted by psychiatric nurse practitioner Jon Murphy, TOXIC blends lived experience with clinical insight to help you identify what’s not working — and why you’ve tolerated it for so long. This isn’t about overanalyzing your past. It’s about finally seeing it clearly. We cover: Family dysfunction and emotional neglect No contact and boundary work Group psychology and toxic dynamics Nervous system healing The myths that kept you stuck You’re not overreacting. You’re waking up.

Episodes

  1. Four-Step Boundary Blueprint for Toxic Relationships

    1D AGO

    Four-Step Boundary Blueprint for Toxic Relationships

    Why most "boundary advice" fails: Understanding the neuroscience of toxic relationships Tired of advice that ignores what's really happening in your body and brain when facing toxic people? This episode delivers a research-backed, four-step framework that fuses neuroscience and attachment theory to create boundaries that actually stick. Most boundary-setting advice fails because it skips the critical first step - understanding your nervous system's response to threat. When you're triggered by a toxic person, your body goes into danger mode, making logical arguments useless. This framework starts with building your internal "home base" of safety before ever confronting anyone. The breakthrough comes in step three when you learn to interpret what your body is telling you and respond from your adult self rather than your triggered inner child. Ready for change? This episode includes exact scripts for peacekeepers, scapegoats, and anyone dealing with toxic people - but only after you've built the foundation that makes them effective.

    11 min
  2. Taking Back Your Name and Space

    AUG 27

    Taking Back Your Name and Space

    In this powerful solo episode, Jonathan Murphy reveals how even our names can become weapons in toxic family systems. Jonathan shares his personal journey of diminishing himself by going by "Jon" - a pattern that began with his mother's taunting sing-song use of his full name and continued long after he left home. Through raw, honest storytelling, Jonathan explores: How bullying functions in toxic family systems beyond just physical threatsThe subtle ways we learn to make ourselves smaller to surviveThe process of recognizing these patterns as adaptive survival mechanismsHow reclaiming what was taken from you is a revolutionary act of healingThis episode offers both validation for those who've experienced similar dynamics and practical insights into the journey of reclaiming your full identity. Jonathan concludes by officially taking back his full name as a symbolic step in his healing journey. Part of the TOXIC series focused on real talk about family trauma, this episode balances clinical knowledge with personal vulnerability to create a deeply resonant listening experience. Connect with Jonathan: Book: CHEAT CODES: How I Hacked My ADHD Brain (AND YOU CAN TOO!)YouTube: Compass Point InstituteBlog: Focus Path Insights

    8 min
  3. Breaking the Cycle: How to Parent After Narcissistic Abuse and Cut Financial Control Ties

    AUG 19

    Breaking the Cycle: How to Parent After Narcissistic Abuse and Cut Financial Control Ties

    Welcome back to Toxic - the podcast that goes deep on narcissistic family dynamics where other platforms can't. This is part of the Compass Point Institute podcast network. This isn't therapy, and it's definitely not another "forgive and move on" narrative. This is reality-based insight from someone who's lived it and professionally understands the psychology behind toxic family systems. What You'll Learn: 🧠 How narcissistic parents weaponize money and financial dependency as control mechanisms 💡 Why "cutting the ties that bind" is essential for actual healing (not just feeling better) 🔬 Signs you lacked secure attachment and how it shows up decades later in your own parenting ⚡ The difference between your childhood pain and your child's actual experience 🎯 How to parent from a healed place rather than fear-based trauma responses 🛡 Why cycle breakers often become over-parents and how to find the balance that actually works The Reality: Most parenting advice assumes you had good enough parents to model from. When you're the family scapegoat breaking generational patterns, every decision feels loaded with the weight of "getting it right." Jon shares the profound moment of playing catch with his daughter and realizing he's giving her something he never had - and why that recognition is both healing and essential for conscious parenting. Key Topics Covered: Financial abuse patterns in narcissistic families and why you need to cut those tiesAttachment trauma signs most people miss (like physical revulsion at children's needs)The "feast or famine" money handling that destroys financial securityHow to separate your childhood wounds from your child's developmental needsWhy "good enough" parenting from a healing place is revolutionary for scapegoat survivorsThis Is NOT Therapy - This is education for cycle breakers who need to understand the psychology behind their upbringing to parent differently. Perfect for family scapegoats, no-contact adult children, or anyone breaking generational trauma patterns. Ready to break the cycle in your own life? 🎧 More episodes: cpipodcasts.transistor.fm 📺 Visual content: youtube.com/@compasspointinstitute 📝 Insights & articles: myfocuspath.blog 🩺 Private practice (WA, OR, MA, NH - insurance accepted): myfocuspath.com Disclaimer: Content is educational and not a substitute for professional therapy. Hosted by Jonathan Murphy, PMHNP.

    17 min

  4. AUG 14

    Scapegoat Survival: Owning the Role That Shaped You

    Welcome back to Toxic - the podcast that goes deep on narcissistic family dynamics where other platforms can't. This is part of the Compass Point Institute podcast network. This isn't therapy, and it's definitely not another "forgive and move on" narrative. This is reality-based insight from someone who's lived it and professionally understands the psychology behind toxic family systems. What You'll Learn: 🎯 Why narcissistic parents choose specific children for the scapegoat role 🔍 The hidden benefits of being the family truth-teller (and why you shouldn't dismiss them) ⚠️ How to recognize calculated manipulation vs. "doing their best" 🚩 Red flags that show you're still seeking validation from toxic family members 🛡️ When and why to consider no contact for your mental health 💡 How childhood scapegoating affects adult relationships and career choices The Reality: Being the family scapegoat isn't random - it's a calculated role assignment by narcissistic parents who see certain children as threats to their supply. Jon breaks down his personal journey from "happy accident" to family truth-teller, explaining why scapegoats often become the most psychologically aware family members while carrying deep wounds around validation and self-worth. Key Topics Covered: Why scapegoats can "spot it out in the world" but struggle with family dynamicsThe difference between narcissistic and emotionally immature parentsHow personality shifts in narcissistic parents are calculated supply-seeking behaviorGray Rock technique for managing toxic interactionsThe revelation that "all emotions are normal" and why that's groundbreaking for scapegoatsWhy you were blamed for the conditions they createdThis Is NOT Therapy - This is education for family scapegoats who need to understand the psychology behind their role to heal and move forward. Perfect for adult children questioning their family dynamics, no-contact survivors, or anyone recognizing scapegoat patterns in their own story. Ready to continue your healing journey? 🎧 More episodes: cpipodcasts.transistor.fm 📺 Visual content: youtube.com/@compasspointinstitute 📝 Insights & articles: myfocuspath.blog 🩺 Private practice (WA, OR, MA, NH - insurance accepted): myfocuspath.com Disclaimer: Content is educational and not a substitute for professional therapy. Hosted by Jonathan Murphy, PMHNP.

    14 min

  5. AUG 5

    3 Reasons Toxic People Hate You (And Why That's Actually Good)

    Jon breaks down the exact reasons toxic people lose their minds over your mere existence - and why their hatred is actually proof you're doing something right. Reason #1: You have interests that don't revolve around them (how dare you take pottery classes without permission!) Reason #2: You're effortlessly authentic while they're exhausted method actors who forgot they're in a play Reason #3: You can ignore them, and indifference is their kryptonite - they'd rather have you hate them than not think about them at all From subtle sabotage to full emotional terrorism, this episode exposes why your independence, authenticity, and ability to gray rock threatens their entire worldview. Plus: why energy vampires feed on your reactions and what happens when you stop serving them meals. "They're basically method actors who forgot they're in a play. Meanwhile, you're just being yourself and somehow getting the applause they think they deserve." Learn to spot the patterns, protect your peace, and remember: their emergency is not your emergency.

    7 min

  6. JUL 24

    The Face Every Toxic Person Makes (And Why It Haunts You)

    You’ve seen it. That cold, blank stare that stops you in your tracks—the moment you realize something is deeply wrong. In this episode of TOXIC, Jon Murphy, PMHNP breaks down “the narcissistic face,” the chilling signal of emotional withdrawal, control, and contempt. We’ll explore what it really means, why it shows up when you’re finally feeling good, and how this subtle moment exposes everything about narcissistic supply and emotional abuse. If you're waking up to a toxic parent, relationship, or family system… this one's for you. You're not crazy, they did hear you the first time. More from Compass Point Institute: 🧠 Line by Line blog – https://focuspath.substack.com 🎙 TOXIC Podcast – https://toxicpeople.transistor.fm 🎧 CPI Podcast Network – https://cpipodcasts.transistor.fm

    6 min

  7. JUL 9

    5 Reasons to Cut Off Toxic People in 2025

    In this solo episode, Jon Murphy, PMHNP-BC, lays out five brutally honest reasons why it’s time to stop tolerating toxic people this year. Whether it’s a parent, partner, boss, or friend group — you’ll walk away with clarity, tools, and a few laughs. Boundaries aren't mean — they’re necessary.  00:00 – Intro 01:03 – #1 They Drain Your Energy 02:32 – #2 They Make You Sick 06:19 – #3 They Make You Feel Crazy 10:27 – #4 They Don’t Want What’s Best for You 14:04 – #5 They Will Never Change 17:35 – Wrap-up & final thoughts 🔗 Show Notes / Links – Blog: Line by Line – Podcast Network: Compass Point Institute – Website & clinical care: www.myfocuspath.com – YouTube: Compass Point Institute Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. The views expressed are my own, drawn from clinical experience and personal perspective. If you’re in crisis, please seek support from a licensed professional or emergency services.

    12 min

  8. JUL 6

    Ep. 1 — It Was Never Safe

    In the first episode of TOXIC, we start where most people don’t — with the question: Why did no one else think this was a problem? Being raised by emotionally immature parents or staying in toxic group dynamics can leave you second-guessing your own reality. It doesn’t have to be physical abuse to be damaging. Subtle patterns like chronic guilt, gaslighting, triangulation, and emotional neglect shape the nervous system — and how we learn to survive. We unpack what “toxic” really means, how group psychology distorts individuality, and why your reactions today might be rooted in things you never had the words for. You don’t have to rehash the past. But you do have to stop minimizing it.

    8 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

TOXIC is a podcast for adult children of emotionally immature parents, people recovering from manipulative relationships, and anyone waking up to the patterns that kept them small. Hosted by psychiatric nurse practitioner Jon Murphy, TOXIC blends lived experience with clinical insight to help you identify what’s not working — and why you’ve tolerated it for so long. This isn’t about overanalyzing your past. It’s about finally seeing it clearly. We cover: Family dysfunction and emotional neglect No contact and boundary work Group psychology and toxic dynamics Nervous system healing The myths that kept you stuck You’re not overreacting. You’re waking up.

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