Hello and welcome back!

In today's episode I'm sharing a recent experience I had with someone who was trying to manipulate in some pretty blatant and creative ways- so that you can better spot and identify when someone is trying to manipulate and control you.

I'm sharing the story of what happened - and the strategies they were using to deceive, manipulate and exploit me for their personal gain.

I hope this episode helps you to spot these tactics if and when you encounter them in your world!

Podcast Disclaimer

Is It Me or Is It Them? is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While I’m a registered social worker and psychotherapist, this podcast is not therapy and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship.

The ideas and perspectives shared here are general in nature and may not be appropriate for every person or situation. Please use your own judgment and seek support from a qualified professional when needed.

Any examples or stories shared are intended to illustrate common experiences and have been changed, combined, or generalized to protect privacy. Nothing shared on this podcast should be understood as describing a specific client or therapeutic relationship.

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect my views or professional recommendations.

By listening, you understand that you are responsible for how you choose to apply the information shared.

What if the question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?” — but “What if I’ve outgrown the room I’m in?”

In this episode, April explores a quiet question many self-reflective people carry: What if I’m the problem?

You’ll hear about:

• Why depth and honesty are often mislabeled as “too much”
• How growth can feel isolating, even when you’re loved
• Why editing yourself isn’t the same as being adaptable
• What it can mean to crave deeper, more honest conversations

This conversation isn’t about leaving your relationships or replacing the people in your life.

It’s about understanding what happens when you change—and your inner world has more nuance than your current circle can easily hold.

If this episode resonates, Bold as Love is a small, thoughtful group for women who want a place to speak freely, reflect honestly, and connect without shape-shifting.

Doors are closing soon.

Thanks for listening.

Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here.

Get on the Newsletter List here.

Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about?

Message me and let me know.

email april@lovelossproject.com

Instagram @with.love.april

https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/

Please note:

This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed

All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

Is there someone in your life who doesn’t take no for an answer? No matter how thoughtful, flexible, or accommodating you try to be, you still end up feeling pushed, dominated, or worn down.

In this episode, we explore what’s actually happening when someone wants control, not connection. If your boundaries consistently create escalation instead of respect, this conversation will help you name the pattern and stop blaming yourself.

You’ll learn how control often disguises itself as care, why your autonomy can feel threatening to certain people, and how power dynamics quietly replace reciprocity in these relationships.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between connection and dominance
• Why “trying harder” doesn’t fix control-based dynamics
• Subtle control patterns like decision hijacking, schedule overrides, guilt, and public pressure
• Why boundary violations aren’t misunderstandings
• The relief that comes from correctly naming the problem
• How to take care of yourself without waiting for others to change

If this episode resonates and you want support navigating difficult or draining relationships — while staying grounded in your self-respect — I share more about the Bold as Love Collective, an intimate coaching space for women who are done proving their worth.

Links & Resources:

→ Learn more about the Bold as Love Collective

→ Questions? Email me anytime april@lovelossproject.com

Thanks for listening. I’ll see you next time.

Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here.

Get on the Newsletter List here.

Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about?

Message me and let me know.

email april@lovelossproject.com

Instagram @with.love.april

https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/

Please note:

This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed

All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.