Your Traitor Within

Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW
  • 5.0 (12)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Jessica Anne Pressler LCSW came up with the concept Traitor Within to give people a tangible and workable tool that help identify and overcome their repetitive self-sabotaging behavior. Her hope is that once a person gains insight into their Traitor Within, then they can begin to silence their traitor, thus empowering themselves and begin to heal. “Your Traitor Within” will feature conversations and stories about toxicity, healing, empowerment, and more. Www.jessicaannepressler.com @jessicaannepressler

  1. 6D AGO

    Your Traitor Within: Unlocking Radiant Self-Worth with Victoria Lynn PonTell

    In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Victoria Lynn PonTell, speaker, mentor, and creator of the 7 Keys to Unlocking Your Radiant Beauty. Together, they explore the concept of the Traitor Within and how patterns like self-doubt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and inner criticism keep women disconnected from their true selves. Victoria shares her personal journey of overcoming these patterns and how she now helps others reclaim their confidence and self-worth. This conversation focuses on emotional resilience, mindset shifts, and the process of moving from self-betrayal to self-trust—highlighting how true transformation begins when you stop abandoning yourself and start choosing your own truth. About Victoria Lynn PonTell: Victoria Lynn PonTell is a speaker, mentor, and creator of the 7 Keys to Unlocking Your Radiant Beauty. Her work focuses on helping women overcome self-sabotage, build confidence, and reconnect with their authentic sense of self through practical tools and mindset transformation.  The Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F22MSQBN  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyuRk0BMf-A  Website: https://victorialynnpontell.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorialynnpontell-3a9400376/  Instagram: @victorialynnpontell Support the show

    35 min

  2. APR 23

    Your Traitor Within: Rewiring Trauma Bonds with Carissa Brockman

    In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Carissa Brockman, Canadian Certified Counsellor and trauma-trained somatic therapist, to explore the deeper psychological and nervous system patterns behind trauma bonds and narcissistic relationships. Carissa shares her personal story of being in an abusive relationship while studying to become a therapist, and how cognitive dissonance, early belief systems, and the nervous system keep people stuck even when they “know” something is wrong. Together, they unpack how the Traitor Within forms, why survivors stay, and why leaving is only the beginning of the healing process. The conversation also dives into attraction patterns, self-abandonment, and how to rebuild a sense of self, safety, and identity after abuse. About Carissa Brockman: Carissa Brockman is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, trauma-trained somatic therapist, and specialist in narcissistic abuse recovery and complex PTSD. Her work is deeply informed by her own lived experience, and she now helps others reclaim their reality and rewire their nervous systems for healthy love. Where to Find Carissa Brockman: Website: www.carissabrockman.com Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @soulfully_embodied Masterclass Bundle:  https://carissa-brockman-0276.mykajabi.com/masterclass-bundle Support the show

    1h 26m

  3. APR 16

    Your Traitor Within: Stronger Than Before

    In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Lisa Sonni, relationship coach and expert in trauma bond recovery, to explore why people stay in abusive dynamics and how those patterns form. They discuss trauma bonds, cognitive dissonance, and emotional entrapment, and how these connect to the Traitor Within—the internal pattern that overrides intuition and keeps you stuck. Lisa shares her Break & Rebuild Method and offers insight into how survivors can begin to reclaim their identity, self-worth, and clarity. About Lisa Sonni: Lisa Sonni is an internationally recognized relationship coach, author, and leading expert in trauma bond recovery. She has helped thousands of survivors break free from abusive patterns and rebuild their lives, and has built a community of over 1.6 million followers. Where to Find Lisa Sonni: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisasonni Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisasonnicoaching Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaSonniStrongerThanBefore Support the show

    54 min

  4. APR 9

    Your Traitor Within: 1 Percent Philosophy

    In this powerful episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Dr. John A. King—survivor, author, and advocate—to explore the long-term impact of childhood trauma and the patterns we develop to survive it. Dr. King shares his deeply personal story of early abuse, memory fragmentation, and the moment his past resurfaced later in life. He speaks openly about how survival mechanisms—like emotional suppression, masking, and hyper-awareness—helped him endure trauma, but later became barriers to healing. Together, they unpack how these protective strategies evolve into what Jessica calls the Traitor Within—the part of us that once kept us safe, but eventually begins to limit growth, connection, and self-understanding. The conversation also explores masculinity, silence, and why so many men struggle to speak about trauma, along with the importance of safe relationships, support systems, and incremental change in the healing process. Dr. King introduces his 1% philosophy—small, consistent steps toward change—and reminds listeners that healing is not immediate, but possible. This episode is a raw and honest look at trauma, resilience, and what it means to rebuild a life from the inside out.  🌐 Website: https://drjohnaking.com/  📱 Instagram & Socials: @drjohnaking Support the show

    51 min

  5. APR 2

    Your Traitor Within: Healing the Shame You Learned in Childhood

    In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with psychotherapist and author Kristine Jensen to explore how childhood shame shapes the way we see ourselves—and the patterns we repeat in adulthood. Kristine shares how early experiences of emotional neglect and feeling “not enough” can quietly turn into self-doubt, perfectionism, and a harsh inner critic. Together, they connect this to the Traitor Within—the part of us that once protected us, but now keeps us stuck in cycles of pressure, overperformance, and self-attack. They discuss why these patterns are often misunderstood as personality flaws instead of learned survival responses, and how healing begins with awareness, self-compassion, and learning to meet yourself differently.  This conversation is a powerful reminder: you may have been shaped by your past—but you are not defined by it. About Kristine Jensen: Kristine Jensen is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and author of Bruised Not Broken. Her work focuses on helping people understand the hidden roots of self-doubt and heal the shame formed through emotional neglect and early experiences.  🌐 https://kristine-jensen.com/ Key Takeaway: What feels like a personal flaw is often something you learned to survive—and once you see it, you can begin to change it. Support the show

    53 min

  6. MAR 25

    Your Traitor Within: The Safety To Speak

    Rewiring the Patterns That Keep You Stuck Show Notes: In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler is joined by therapist and relationship educator Savannah Kizzie-Rai for a powerful conversation about the patterns that quietly shape our relationships—and how they keep us stuck. Savannah’s work centers on nervous system regulation, communication patterns, and emotional safety. Drawing from clinical psychology, family systems theory, and neuroscience-informed approaches, she helps individuals understand how fear, conditioning, and past experiences influence how we show up in connection with others.  Together, Jessica and Savannah explore how the “Traitor Within” shows up in real time—through people-pleasing, hypervigilance, emotional suppression, and the deep need to feel safe, seen, and understood. Savannah shares her personal story of growing up in an emotionally volatile environment, how those early patterns shaped her relationships, and the work it took to break cycles of self-abandonment. This conversation goes beyond labels and into something deeper:  how we participate in our own patterns, how we can take responsibility without shame, and how true healing comes from self-awareness—not self-blame. They also dive into:  Why people-pleasing is often a survival response  How nervous system activation drives conflict and disconnection  The difference between reacting and responding in relationships  Why emotional safety—not perfection—is the foundation of healthy connection  How to move from reactive patterns into self-leadership Savannah’s perspective is grounded in one core truth: psychological struggle is part of being human. Healing is not about eliminating discomfort—but learning how to coexist with it while choosing differently. This episode is a conversation about responsibility, awareness, and what it really means to come back to yourself. Connect with Savannah: Instagram: @_heyitssav Podcast: https://www.thesafetytospeak.com/podcast Website: https://thesafetytospeak.com Support the show

    1h 29m

  7. MAR 19

    Your Traitor Within: If Only I'd Known...

    In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW sits down with psychotherapist, author, and narcissistic abuse expert Chelsey Brooke Cole for a deeply honest conversation about how childhood wounds, trauma bonds, and the Traitor Within can keep people stuck in toxic relationships. Chelsey shares her personal story of growing up with a narcissistic father, how those early patterns shaped her adult relationships, and what it was like to survive not one but two narcissistic marriages. Together, Jessica and Chelsey talk about betrayal blindness, shame, trauma bonding, vulnerable versus grandiose narcissism, and the painful reality that even therapists can miss what is happening when they are living inside it. They also explore what healing actually looks like, how survivors can begin rebuilding self-trust, and why resilience, recovery, and hope are possible. Chelsey Brooke Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, certified partner trauma therapist, and bestselling author of If Only I’d Known: How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth. She specializes in narcissistic abuse, betrayal trauma, and complex trauma, and helps survivors heal through her work, writing, and community. Connect with Chelsey Brooke Cole:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseybrookecole/ Contact: https://www.chelseybrookecole.com/contact/ Support the show

    1 hr

  8. MAR 11

    Your Traitor Within: Healing the Parts That Learned to Survive with Dr. Eva Altobelli

    Your Traitor Within: Healing the Parts That Learned to Survive with Dr. Eva Altobelli In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW sits down with Dr. Eva Altobelli, MD, addiction psychiatrist and founder of Home-LA, a holistic mental health center in Los Angeles that integrates psychiatry, psychotherapy, and ketamine-assisted therapy. Dr. Altobelli shares how childhood experiences can shape the internal survival patterns we carry into adulthood — patterns that sometimes become what Jessica calls the “Traitor Within.” Together they explore how automatic reactions formed in childhood can quietly guide our behaviors, relationships, and sense of safety long after the original circumstances have passed. Drawing from over two decades of work in addiction psychiatry, trauma recovery, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, Dr. Altobelli discusses the importance of relational healing — the idea that real transformation often happens through safe, collaborative connection between clinician and client. The conversation moves between clinical insight and personal reflection as Dr. Altobelli shares her own story of growing up in a chaotic environment and how those early experiences shaped her tendency to over-function, constantly “doing” instead of allowing space for stillness and self-connection. Jessica and Dr. Altobelli also discuss: • how trauma can limit our ability to imagine new possibilities for ourselves  • why safety is the foundation for emotional healing  • the difference between doing and being in modern culture • how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can help people access insight and shift long-standing patterns • why healing is often more effective when approached collaboratively rather than through rigid treatment models Dr. Altobelli explains how Home-LA (Healing Opportunities for Meaningful Evolution) was created to bring together a multidisciplinary team that can support individuals through many different paths to healing — including psychotherapy, psychiatry, trauma recovery work, somatic practices, and psychedelic-assisted treatment. The episode highlights a powerful reminder: the “Traitor Within” is not something to hate or eliminate, but rather a survival strategy developed in childhood that can be understood, softened, and transformed with awareness and compassion. About Dr. Eva Altobelli Dr. Eva Altobelli, MD is an addiction psychiatrist and the founder of Home-LA, a holistic wellness center in Los Angeles that integrates psychiatry, psychotherapy, and ketamine-assisted therapy. For more than 20 years, she has worked at the intersection of mental health, addiction, trauma, and recovery. Her work combines evidence-based psychiatric care with relational and holistic approaches to healing. Dr. Altobelli is trained in Internal Family Systems therapy and holds certifications in psychedelic therapy and research through the California Institute of Integral Studies and MAPS. Through Home-LA, she and her team offer individualized treatment plans designed to help clients reconnect with themselves, explore new pathways toward healing, and participate actively in their own recovery process. Learn more about Dr. Eva Altobelli LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-altobelli-md-210b878 Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/homela_psychiatry Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Eva-Altobelli-Home-LA Support the show

    49 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Jessica Anne Pressler LCSW came up with the concept Traitor Within to give people a tangible and workable tool that help identify and overcome their repetitive self-sabotaging behavior. Her hope is that once a person gains insight into their Traitor Within, then they can begin to silence their traitor, thus empowering themselves and begin to heal. “Your Traitor Within” will feature conversations and stories about toxicity, healing, empowerment, and more. Www.jessicaannepressler.com @jessicaannepressler

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Your Traitor Within: The Podcast
  • Show Website
    Your Traitor Within