"Gena" - Domestic Violence Survivor from Childhood to Adulthood

This is part two of a two-part story. It comes with trigger warnings due to its content and descriptions. Alexandra story begins in Australia, where she was born and where we meet up with Michael. He was an artist and a narcissistic abuser. The kind of a guy we lie awake at night hoping our daughters never meet up with or date. The story takes us from Australia to Vienna, Austria and then to Poland where the abuse from Michael turns from the emotional to physical violence as horrible as we can imagine. We see how trauma bonding takes place and it is almost impossible to break free. There is a stop in Sweden where a brief relationship with a man named Magnus begins. Fortunately, that one ended abruptly and finally. We will let Alexandra tell her story. NOTE: If you want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast, Bill Mitchell WhenDatingHurts.com

This is part one of a two-part story. It comes with trigger warnings due to its content and descriptions. Alexandra story begins in Australia, where she was born and where we meet up with Michael. He was an artist and a narcissistic abuser. The kind of a guy we lie awake at night hoping our daughters never meet up with or date. The story takes us from Australia to Vienna, Austria and then to Poland where the abuse from Michael turns from the emotional to physical violence as horrible as we can imagine. We see how trauma bonding takes place and it is almost impossible to break free. There is a stop in Sweden where a brief relationship with a man named Magnus begins. Fortunately, that one ended abruptly and finally. We will let Alexandra tell her story. NOTE: If you want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast, Bill Mitchell WhenDatingHurts.com

This is part two of a two-part story. Deborah’s story takes us to places many of us have never been before. She spent time in the US Navy and then the US Army. We go to Virginia, California, Kentucky, and even Afghanistan before her return to the US. Before heading into Afghanistan with the US Army, Deborah meets Scott, who does a brilliant portrayal of being everyone’s best buddy while winning over Deborah’s heart. It here where warning signs are on full display but are unfortunately missed. Upon her return from Afghanistan, while in the US Army, Deborah, learns, she is pregnant with her first child. At this point, the relationship takes a major turn for the worse. This story shows how a covert narcissist can take on many disguises and fool many people. But when a narcissist is called out, or is not being obeyed, life can become turbulent and dangerous for the person being targeted. In this story, we see how Scott handles himself when Deborah is not compliant. We also learn how Deborah manages to keep her mind together when she is put to the test time and time again. NOTE: If you want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast, Bill Mitchell WhenDatingHurts.com

This is part one of a two-part story. Deborah’s story takes us to places many of us have never been before. She spent time in the US Navy and then the US Army. We go to Virginia, California, Kentucky, and even Afghanistan before her return to the US. Before heading into Afghanistan with the US Army, Deborah meets Scott, who does a brilliant portrayal of being everyone’s best buddy while winning over Deborah’s heart. It here where warning signs are on full display but are unfortunately missed. Upon her return from Afghanistan, while in the US Army, Deborah, learns, she is pregnant with her first child. At this point, the relationship takes a major turn for the worse. This story shows how a covert narcissist can take on many disguises and fool many people. But when a narcissist is called out, or is not being obeyed, life can become turbulent and dangerous for the person being targeted. In this story, we see how Scott handles himself when Deborah is not compliant. We also learn how Deborah manages to keep her mind together when she is put to the test time and time again. NOTE: If you want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast, Bill Mitchell WhenDatingHurts.com

Every survivor story comes with reasons to listen carefully and learn the many facets of dating and domestic violence. This story is certainly no exception. For those of you thinking domestic violence doesn’t happen to people like you, Jamie’s narrative stands as evidence to the contrary. She was a college graduate. A law school graduate. And then a prosecutor in a district attorney’s office near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What is so ironic? She was the prosecutor of criminal cases oftentimes like what she was experiencing within her personal life at that time. And yet, she was not thinking of her difficulties as abuse. When she realized she was technically a domestic violence victim, she felt guilt and shame for not coming forth and taking the kinds of legal steps against her abuser she would have urged her clients to take. Jamie wants to underscore dating and domestic violence can—and does—happen to anyone in any profession. This is what finally helped her turn the corner on her shame. This interview is her way to reach out to the world and use her story to help shine the light of knowledge about abuse. NOTE:  If you want to share your story of abuse on the    WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast,           Bill Mitchell            WhenDatingHurts.com

Every survivor story comes with reasons to listen carefully and learn the many facets of dating and domestic violence. This story is certainly no exception. For those of you thinking domestic violence doesn’t happen to people like you, Jamie’s narrative stands as evidence to the contrary. She was a college graduate. A law school graduate. And then a prosecutor in a district attorney’s office near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What is so ironic? She was the prosecutor of criminal cases oftentimes like what she was experiencing within her personal life at that time. And yet, she was not thinking of her difficulties as abuse. When she realized she was technically a domestic violence victim, she felt guilt and shame for not coming forth and taking the kinds of legal steps against her abuser she would have urged her clients to take. Jamie wants to underscore dating and domestic violence can—and does—happen to anyone in any profession. This is what finally helped her turn the corner on her shame. This interview is her way to reach out to the world and use her story to help shine the light of knowledge about abuse.  NOTE:   If you want to share your story of abuse on the     WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast,            Bill Mitchell             WhenDatingHurts.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Thanks to my wonderful sponsors.        When you purchase any of these products, a portion the   sales helps us keep this podcast running. BlendJet            • Use my special link: zen.ai/WhenDatingHurts12  to    SAVE 12%  at blendjet.com.      The discount will be applied at checkout! Cure Hydration            Try Cure today and feel the difference for yourself!            • Use my link: https://zen.ai/WhenDatingHurts1 for      20% OFF your order, coupon activated at check out! Nom Nom            Try Nom Nom today, go to trynom.com/whendatinghurts and GET 50% OFF your first order plus free shipping.

I met "Caitlyn" in November 2009 moments before I gave a speech about my daughter's dating violence murder.  What Caitlyn described about her abuse was the most horrific story I had ever heard -- short of murder. It continues to disturb me even now.  I was fortunate to conduct this interview with Caitlyn. Her story shows how bad domestic violence can get, but also demonstrates how strong a determined woman can be.  There is no person I respect more than Caitlyn. You will soon know why.  NOTE:  If you want to share your story of abuse on the   WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected]    Thank you for listening to our podcast. Bill Mitchell   WhenDatingHurts.com

This the final part in a three-part story. Sarah’s story of abuse starts off a bit slow but then it really gets rolling. It covers many of the warning signs (red flags) of what became an unhealthy relationship, and later, and awkward, disrespectful, one-sided, abusive marriage. Plus, there were children involved. Sarah somehow managed to stay true to herself. She never became as awful as the behavior that came her way from her husband.     There is so much to be learned in this heroic narrative about a young woman trying to make sense and live with someone when she was not prepared.     This is Sarah’s survivor story.   NOTE:    If you want to share your story of abuse on the      WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast,             Bill Mitchell              WhenDatingHurts.com

This is part two in a three-part story. Sarah’s story of abuse starts off a bit slow but then it really gets rolling. It covers many of the warning signs (red flags) of what became an unhealthy relationship, and later, and awkward, disrespectful, one-sided, abusive marriage. Plus, there were children involved. Sarah somehow managed to stay true to herself. She never became as awful as the behavior that came her way from her husband.     There is so much to be learned in this heroic narrative about a young woman trying to make sense and live with someone when she was not prepared.     This is Sarah’s survivor story.   NOTE:    If you want to share your story of abuse on the      WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast,             Bill Mitchell              WhenDatingHurts.com

This is part one in a three-part story. Sarah’s story of abuse starts off a bit slow but then it really gets rolling. It covers many of the warning signs (red flags) of what became an unhealthy relationship, and later, and awkward, disrespectful, one-sided, abusive marriage. Plus, there were children involved. Sarah somehow managed to stay true to herself. She never became as awful as the behavior that came her way from her husband. There is so much to be learned in this heroic narrative about a young woman trying to make sense and live with someone when she was not prepared. This is Sarah’s survivor story.NOTE:   If you want to share your story of abuse on the     WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, email me: [email protected] Thank you for listening to our podcast,            Bill Mitchell             WhenDatingHurts.com