Covert narcissism survivors are turning to AI for support, but what happens when it gets your story wrong? In this episode, Renee welcomes back Anne Wintemute, founder of Aimee Says, an AI tool built specifically for people who are in, or recovering from, controlling, manipulative, and abusive relationships.

Anne explains why AI can only be as accurate as the context you give it, and why a missing detail can lead it to a conclusion that feels deeply invalidating to someone in narcissistic abuse recovery. She and Renee talk about the real benefits and pitfalls of AI, why you can't hand over your judgment, and what "AI readability" means for the co-parenting messages you send today. They also cover one of the most painful mistakes an AI can make: confusing which person is the high-conflict one. As Anne puts it, the clearest sign of coercive control is which person feels it isn't safe to disagree.

If you'd like to give Aimee Says a try, here is the link. Use the discount code RENEE for $20 off. Right now, that's the equivalent of your first month free.

If this episode resonates with you and you're ready for deeper support on your own healing journey, Renee's coaching program is a place to start. Learn more at www.covertnarcissism.com. And so you don't miss part two of this conversation, make sure you're subscribed to the show.

The Covert Narcissism Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing shared here should be taken as professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.

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Covert narcissism rarely says sorry out loud. Instead, it hands you a gift, plans a nice dinner, or turns on a sudden burst of affection — and calls it even. Renee Swanson breaks down why these gestures work like a reset button, closing the incident without ever offering the three things a real apology requires: accountability, humility, and vulnerability.

She reads a personal story from her upcoming book, This Is Not Okay, about watching her own son learn to accept a Sonic slushie in place of an apology from his father — and traces that pattern all the way back to how children are taught, from the playground on, to say "it's okay" when something wasn't. If you've ever mistaken flowers for an apology, walked on eggshells waiting to see which version of them came home, or found yourself gaslit into gratitude after being hurt, this episode gives you language for what's actually happening in your narcissistic abuse recovery — and a better way to respond, both in your relationships and with the kids in your life.

Ready to go deeper in your healing? Join Renee's coaching community at www.covertnarcissism.com. And if this episode resonated, subscribe to the Covert Narcissism Podcast so you never miss what's next.

The information provided by Renee Swanson, Covert Narcissism Podcast, and CNG Life Coaching is for educational purposes only and is not to be used for diagnosis purposes and not intended to be a substitute for clinical care. Please consult a health care provider for guidance specific to your case. This material discusses narcissism in general. Renee shares stories from her personal experiences as well as from those she has talked with for several years. Her material does not claim that any specific person has narcissism and should not be used to refer to any specific person as having narcissism. Permission is not granted to link to or repost this material to support an allegation or support a claim that any specific person is a narcissist. That would be an unauthorized misuse of the material and information provided.

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Covert narcissism recovery isn't just about understanding what happened to you — it's about finding your way back to yourself. In part two of this conversation, Renee continues talking with psychotherapist and author Amy Lewis Bear, picking up right at the emotional core of this discussion: vulnerability, and why it's often the very thing survivors of narcissistic abuse recovery are most afraid to offer again.

Amy shares two powerful stories from her own therapy practice — clients who spent years walking on eggshells and shrinking themselves inside relationships marked by trauma bonding and emotional dysregulation, and who eventually found the strength to reclaim their voice. She and Renee also talk candidly about why people often carry old defense mechanisms into new relationships, why healing takes real time before trusting again feels safe, and why so many survivors feel guilty just for being happy.

You can learn more about Amy and her work at:

http://www.amylewisbear.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/abearcounselor/

http://www.youtube.com/@therapywhenlovefeelshard

If you're on your own healing journey and want more support, Renee's coaching program is a great next step — learn more at www.covertnarcissism.com. And if this conversation moved you, make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode.

The Covert Narcissism Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing shared here should be taken as professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis or need support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.