Reach out! You don't have to explain how crazy she was. We believe you!!!

🎙 Episode Notes

Healing After Narcissistic Abuse: Trauma Bonds, Gaslighting, and Rebuilding Self Trust

In this episode of Beyond Mommy Dearest, host Noelani Pearl Hernandez sits down with Laura Richards, international podcaster, speaker, and #1 bestselling author of Married To A “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse.

Laura Richards shares her personal recovery journey after a 32-year marriage to a narcissistic partner and names the patterns many survivors live inside for years without having language for. Together, Noelani and Laura explore how narcissistic relationships form, how they escalate, why they are so difficult to leave, and what healing actually requires on a nervous system level.

This conversation addresses love bombing, future faking, mirroring, boundary violations, intermittent reinforcement, trauma bonding, and the long-term effects of gaslighting. They also talk about shame, grief, rebuilding self-trust, setting boundaries, and how survivors can begin creating a life that feels safe, steady, and their own.'

🧠 Topics We Cover in this episode

• Early signs of narcissistic relationships
• Trauma bonding and intermittent reinforcement
• Why survivors struggle with decision-making after abuse
• Nervous system dysregulation and hypervigilance
• Boundaries and self-love as protection
• Grieving the life you thought you would have
• Breaking generational cycles

This episode is for anyone who has questioned their reality, blamed themselves for staying, or wondered if it was “really that bad.”

You do not need permission to leave.
Your body’s no is enough.
Healing is possible.

💛 Work With Noelani / Beyond Mommy Dearest

• Coming Home to Yourself Guided Support Program
  https://www.beyondmommydearest.org/supportgroup
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/beyondmommydearest
• Podcast Page
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-mommy-dearest-podcast/id1871995241

⭐ Guest Bio: Laura Richards

Laura Richards is an international podcaster, #1 bestselling author, and speaker dedicated to empowering women. Through her global podcast, That’s Where I’m At, and her bestselling book Married To A “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse, Laura shares her personal journey of recovery from a 32-year marriage to a narcissist.

Laura’s mission is to shine a light on narcissistic abuse and remind women they are never alone and healing is always possible.

🔗 Connect with Laura Richards

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thatswhereimatpodcast/

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@thatswhereimatpodcast

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/thatswhereimatpod/

Website
https://www.thatswhereimatpodcast.com/

Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-where-im-at/id1704083491

📚 Laura Richards’ Book

Married To A “Nice” Guy: Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse
Available on Amazon