On this classic episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, we talk with an abuse survivor named Vivian,

and Vivian was in an abusive relationship with a power-hungry narcissist.

It's a story of empathy, victim playing, stalking, and the calm before the storm.

Music the calm before the storm. Welcome to Narcissist Apocalypse, everyone. I am Brandon Chadwick, and today we are going to be

replaying an older episode from 2021 with a guest named Vivian. Last week we had a therapist

come on the show, Jess C, and it's not the

first time that we've had therapists come on the show. And these stories from professionals who

understand psychology and even abuse are key reminders that anyone can be susceptible to getting caught up in the web of

lies, manipulation, and control that these abusers weave. It's not just people who come from

traumatic childhoods or have certain vulnerabilities. The system of course of control that so many of these

abusers deploy has the potential to break

down anyone's self-esteem, confidence, and red flag detectors.

So we feel like these stories are just so important to emphasize, they're extra important

to emphasize because so often we meet survivors who just carry so much shame about what has happened to them.

And there's just this sense that they feel that they did something wrong, that they might have brought it upon themselves, or that they were stupid for not seeing the red flags, and you are not stupid.

If anyone out there who's thinking that they're stupid, you are not stupid.

And then an other big issue is the relaying of these stories to other people who don't

understand what you've been going through.

And this can reinforce these messages of bringing it upon yourself, being stupid, that you did something wrong.

You know, how could you not have seen these things people might say?

It's so obvious people might say.

But as we all know, hindsight is 2020, and it's easy for an outsider who's not knee-deep in anything to say what

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