In this episode, Jessica welcomes Yolanda Reshemah, a visionary and creative catalyst whose work is rooted in relationships, courage, and elevating people’s stories. Yolanda shares the “Traitor Within” pattern she recently identified in herself: waiting for permission, waiting to be seen, waiting for someone else to validate her before she fully steps into leadership, opportunity, and voice.

Together, they unpack how this pattern can show up in career decisions, speaking opportunities, and friendships that look “full” on the surface but aren’t truly reciprocal. Jessica connects the dots to how these internal patterns often begin early in life as a way to feel safe, then quietly become self-sabotage in adulthood. Yolanda also shares the meaning behind her podcast The Places We Call Home, inspired by her own cross-cultural move and the emotional reality of building community, identity, and belonging in a new place.

Yolanda also speaks about her involvement with Turntable Housing, a nonprofit supporting youth impacted by trafficking and instability, and closes with a word she can’t shake: metamorphosis.

Follow Yolanda and listen to her podcast:
Instagram: @placeswecallhomepod
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3QGSRK1WCWfRAplbdbRAuP?si=753fad8c5ff0410e

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Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW is joined by psychotherapist and author Kristen Baird-Goldman to talk about why ADHD and other neurodivergent traits can make people especially vulnerable to narcissistic manipulation. They unpack the “self-blame loop,” rejection sensitivity, rumination (“my day in court”), trauma bonding, and why working with an ADHD-informed, trauma-informed therapist can be the difference between healing and being retraumatized.

About Kristen
Kristen Baird-Goldman, LMFT, ATR, ADHD-CCSP, CIMHP is the author of The CBT Workbook for Adult ADHD and the founder/director of Baird Integrated Therapy, an integrative psychotherapy practice and ADHD center.

Find Kristen
Instagram: @theadhdguru
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristen.bairdgoldman/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-baird-goldman-m-s-lmft-cimhp-6178817/

Practice: Baird Integrated Therapy (website + discovery call)

Disclaimer
This episode is for education only and is not mental health treatment. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for crisis support.

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Season 2 of Your Traitor Within opens with a powerful conversation between Jessica Anne Pressler, LCSW, and abuse recovery coach Beany, founder of Breakthroughs with Beany.

Beany shares her deeply personal story of surviving a decade-long abusive relationship, the trauma bond that kept her stuck, and how her “Traitor Within” — the internal voice shaped by early wounds — convinced her to endure instead of leave. Together, Jessica and Beany unpack the psychology behind narcissistic abuse, love bombing, cognitive dissonance, intermittent reinforcement, and why leaving is rarely a single moment.

This episode explores:

• How trauma bonding can feel like addiction
• Why “strength” can become a mask that keeps you silent
• The role of external validation in abusive dynamics
• Why physical distance creates clarity
• How healing is built through small daily decisions
• The importance of community in recovery

Beany now supports survivors through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and a membership community designed to help women break trauma bonds and rebuild self-worth.

Connect with Beany / Breakthroughs with Beany:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/breakthroughswithbeany

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

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@breakthroughswithbeany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AL3TRJEoy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Content note: This episode includes discussion of abuse, stalking, and sexual violence.

If you are in danger or need support:
National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

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