What if your true crime habit isn't just entertainment, but a way of returning to an emotional landscape that feels strangely familiar? In this episode, I explore how true crime can function as comfort, validation, preparation, and even a form of trauma reenactment--especially for survivors of manipulation, coercive control, and narcissistic abuse. We'll also look at how to recognize when a comforting security blanket may be keeping you immersed in the very darkness you're trying to heal from.
Ready for support?If you're trying to make sense of a confusing, manipulative, or emotionally abusive relationship—or figuring out who you are after one—you don't have to sort through it alone.
Learn more about working with me, my support community, and other resources at wisevoicelifecoach.com.
Connect with me:TikTok: alanasanborn.coachInstagram: alanasanborn
This podcast is for education and support and isn't a substitute for mental health treatment.
26 Nov 2025
Isolation in Abuse: Why You Need Safe Community to Recover
Abusers isolate you because isolation makes control easier. Healing requires connection, safety, and people who get it. In this episode, we talk about why isolation is such a powerful abuse tactic—and why community is the most effective antidote.If you’re looking for a safe place to rebuild trust and connection, the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Space is here for you.
https://narcissisticabuserecoveryspace.mn.co/
14 Mar 2025
The Truth About Trauma Bonds (And What They're Not)
Could you be using the term "trauma bond" totally wrong?
In this episode I explain what a trauma bond really is, and what it's not, and I offer an alternative term that you can start using that will actually mean what you think it means.
Also, I delve into the cycle of abuse as it relates to the narcissist's playbook and how that relates to the real meaning of "trauma bond."
17 Dec 2024
Navigating the Dating World After Narcissistic Abuse
Survivors of narcissistic abuse share expert insights on rebuilding trust and identifying red flags in the dating world, empowering listeners to regain confidence and make informed choices.
7 Dec 2024
A Sick Game: When a Narcissist Plays Sick to Gain Attention
Narcissists do all kinds of things to gain your sympathy, time, money, and energy. One of the worst (in my opinion), is when they pretend they are ill or injured to use you, to appear less scary, or to keep you coming back to them when you try to leave.
It's really hard to say no to someone who is hurting, right? But what if it's all a ruse?
22 Nov 2024
3 Types of Narcissists to Watch Out For
Therapist and author, Dr. Craig Malkin, identifies three types of narcissists to watch out for, each with distinct approaches that can be devastating to those around them.
15 Nov 2024
Casey's Story, Part 1: The Date
This is Casey's Story, a true-ish story of narcissistic abuse, told in installments.
Follow along as Casey meets the love of her life, only to realize he's the stuff of nightmares.
This is a new, limited series I'm offering for free to subscribers.
Click here to subscribe to the series. You'll receive new episodes in your email inbox as they come out.
Music, in order of appearance:
1. Perfection by MaxKoMusic https://maxkomusic.com/
2. Hope by Ghostrifter Official https://soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-official 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
3. Reporting From The Scene by MaxKoMusic https://maxkomusic.com/
All music under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0, promoted by Chosic.
9 Nov 2024
3 Tips for Dealing With the Unavoidable Narcissist
Sometimes we can't avoid the narcissists in our lives. So, here are three ways to cope with the triggering experience of contact with the narcissist in your life.
31 Oct 2024
Healthy or Toxic? Does Your Relationship Have These 5 Qualities?
If you're used to the turmoil of toxic relationships, you may not be sure how to tell if a relationship is healthy or not. In this episode, we'll go through 5 key signs of a healthy relationship, and you'll notice how different these are from the dynamics you'll have with a narcissistic person.
19 Oct 2024
Emotional Abandonment: Growing Up with Narcissistic Parents
In this episode, we're exploring they dynamics of narcissistic parenting and its profound effects on adult children. Learn more about how a narcissistic parent (or two) can turn you into someone who barely knows your own needs, much less how to speak up for yourself.
11 Oct 2024
What if I'm the Narcissist?
Lots of people come to me with this question. They want to know if they are the narcissist. They are terrified that they are the one causing all the issues in their relationships, and they've even been told that they are a narcissist!
In this episode, I'll talk about this phenomenon, and also why it might be more comfortable to believe you're the narcissist, when that is far from the truth.
4 Oct 2024
Are We Stigmatizing Mental Illness When We Talk About Narcissists?
The podcast episode wherein I ramble a lot about whether the way I speak about narcissistic folks is stigmatizing a mental health issue. Hope it helps to hear my perspective and know that I do think about this particular dilemma a lot.
28 Sept 2024
The Worst Lies a Narcissist Can Tell You
Narcissistic people are masters of deception. They will do anything to uphold an image of themselves that is often quite false.
The lies they tell range from miniscule to huge whoppers, but the most damaging and dangerous lies are the ones you keep believing long after they're gone.
24 Sept 2024
Why do Narcissists Act Like Children?
Have you noticed that the narcissistic person in your life throws tantrums, acts like they're the only person that matters, and erupts with emotion at the smallest things?
...Kind of like a child does?
There's a couple reasons for that—and no, you are not imagining it!
Let's talk about it.
13 Sept 2024
What the Heck is a Narcissist, Anyway?
My definition of ”narcissist,” and how I feel about it being such a trendy thing to call someone.
30 Aug 2023
The Aging Narcissist
Today's topic touches on something that's been on my mind lately—what happens when a narcissist becomes elderly? Do they become wiser or gentler?
For those of you who have grown up with a narcissistic grandparent, you sadly already know the answer to this.
This is a *micro* podcast. It's designed to help you recover and heal, without overwhelming you with information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
5
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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