In this episode of the Holiday Survival Podcast, Erin is joined by Kiki Mullican—also known as the Trauma Drama Mama—for an honest conversation about surviving the holidays when you come from a toxic or dysfunctional family. Together, they unpack how narcissistic abuse, family trauma, and emotional manipulation often resurface during holiday gatherings, leaving many people feeling triggered, guilty, or cast as the “problem.”

Kiki shares practical tools for setting emotional boundaries, recognizing red flags like gaslighting and coercive control, and protecting your peace without over-explaining or self-abandoning. The episode also explores reparenting yourself, releasing guilt, and rebuilding identity after years of survival mode.

In this episode, we cover:

1. How toxic family dynamics and narcissistic abuse show up during the holidays
2. Emotional boundaries that protect your peace at family gatherings
3. Why guilt is often conditioning—not a sign you’re doing something wrong
4. Red flags to watch for in family, work, and personal relationships
5. Reparenting yourself and rebuilding joy after trauma

If the holidays bring up family drama, emotional exhaustion, or old wounds, this episode offers validation, clarity, and grounded strategies to help you navigate the season with more confidence and self-trust.

✨ If this episode resonates with you, follow The Holiday Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a rating or review — it helps more people find hope, healing, and a little peace this season. Visit www.holidaysurvivalpodcast.com to listen to past episodes and explore our interactive Holiday Survival Podcast Gift Guide, featuring meaningful, heart-centered finds from small businesses and creators we love.

Connect with Kiki on social media @the.trauma.drama.mama.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Content Warning

00:48 Welcome to the Holiday Survival Podcast

01:46 Meet Kiki Mullican

03:58 Recognizing and Navigating Family Dysfunction

07:37 Setting Emotional Boundaries During the Holidays

11:49 Understanding Narcissism and Protecting Yourself

18:33 Reparenting Yourself: A Path to Healing

25:59 Building a Joyful Future After Trauma

29:21 Final Thoughts and Farewell

CREDITS

Hosted and Produced by Erin Billings

Post Production by Isaac Moreno

Music by Erin Billings

Artwork by Diana Pietzryk