Kia ora, Hello! I’m Ruth Vercoe, a teacher-turned-mum, here on a mission to demystify Child’s Play through understanding play schemas. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, 'Why is my child doing that?'—whether it’s throwing their soft toys, hiding stones around the house, or lining up their crayons —then you’re in the right place, and certainly not alone. Here, we’ll explore the magic of play through the lens of play schemas—those hidden repeated patterns in your child’s behaviour that hold ...
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Narcissist Apocalypse is a Purple Ribbon Award-winning storytelling podcast that amplifies the voices of those who have experienced narcissistic abuse, coercive control, emotional abuse, domestic violence, family relationship abuse, and relationship trauma. Our guests share their stories of abuse survival, providing a source of validation, education, inspiration, and hope for those going through similar experiences. Join us and discover how you, too, can overcome the narcissist apocalypse.
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The Codependent Perfectionist is a series on the dynamics of codependency and perfectionism. Alana self identifies as the Codependent Perfectionist, giving you a mix of psychoeducation and anecdotes from her own work as a therapist to understand how these issues play out in everyday life. Contact Alana: [email protected], alanacarvalho.com or following on Instagram thecodependentperfectionist for any questions or comments!
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You’ve landed at Spark Launch — the guide star for embracing what it means to be neurodiverse. Hosted by Chaya Mallavaram (the artsy ADHD brain behind Spark Launch) and Mike Cornell (a peer support specialist who reminds us that imperfection is where the magic happens), this podcast dives deep into the messy, beautiful, and often challenging realities of neurodivergent life. Each episode blends personal stories with expert insights to tackle issues affecting our community, such as mental hea ...
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Join Cheryl Kees Clendenon and Liz Lapan, the dynamic duo behind the visionary and integrator balancing all the moving parts of a full service interior design firm in their no-nonsense and thought-provoking podcast, the Damn Good Designer. Each episode is full of damn good truths and real talk as they share invaluable insights on how to run and build a successful business while challenging the norms, the industry, each other and YOU. Emphasizing a business-savvy approach, Cheryl and Liz take ...
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Katrina & The Hostile Abusive Mother | Narcissistic Abuse
1:08:07
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1:08:07In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks with Katrina about being raised by a hostile abusive mother. Katrina discusses her mother’s childhood instability, abandonment, insecurity issues, as well as the abuse she inflicted on her. Katrina recounts her own traumatic experiences, including physical and emotional abuse, and her struggle…
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The Art of Being Kind to Yourself w/ Diana Stelin
47:28
47:28
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47:28Mike and Chaya sit down with Diana Stelin, an award-winning artist, educator, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Plein-Air Art Academy. Diana shares her journey and expertise on the connection between art and emotional healing, explaining how anyone can use creativity to manage burnout, connect with their intuition, and foster better confidence. We A…
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Rerelease: Kate & The Destabilizing Narcissistic Abuser | Domestic Violence
1:30:00
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1:30:00In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Kate shares her story of dating a destabilizing narcissistic abuser. Kate met her abuser at a musical jam, and they hit it off instantly. The relationship progressed quickly, with Kate finding herself at her abuser's home five days a week. From there, Kate's abuser hijacked her time, manipulating her into s…
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044 From Mess to Meaning: Baking and Child Development with Play Schemas
11:41
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11:41Ever felt like baking with your toddler is more mess than magic? You’re not alone. But what if I told you that the flour on the floor and the endless stirring are actually signs of learning in action? In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, I share the 10 main play schemas and how they show up while baking gingerbread with your little one. Fr…
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Ella & The Critical Financial Abuser | Domestic Violence & Narcissistic Abuse
1:18:46
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1:18:46In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon interviews Ella about her struggle to escape a critical financial abuser. The episode centers on how, after an initial period of love bombing, Ella lost her sense of stability as her husband's financial control, accusations, and attacks on her parenting left her constantly on edge. Plus, Ella discus…
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Rerelease: Bay & The Abusive Serial Cheater | Domestic Violence & Narcissist Abuse
1:28:12
1:28:12
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1:28:12In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Bay talks about her abusive relationship with a serial cheater. At the beginning of Bay's 27-year relationship, her husband said and did everything right. However, once they married, subtle signs of abuse slowly appeared. And like the frog in a boiling pot of water, Bay was being cooked alive, and she didn'…
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Accommodation vs. Integration: Why Your Neuro-inclusive Program Isn't Working w/ Gabriela Tardea
1:03:23
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1:03:23Mike and Chaya sit down with neuro-inclusion consultant Gabriela Tardea to get practical about building workplaces where neurodivergent talent can thrive. From auditing culture and rewriting job descriptions to unlearning bias on teams, Gabriela breaks down how to bridge the gap between good intentions and real, embedded change. We Also Cover: Brid…
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043 Baking with Kids Made Easy: Create Memories, Not Stress
15:54
15:54
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15:54Ever thought about baking with your toddler but stopped yourself because of the mess, the chaos, or the fear it’ll all go wrong? You’re not alone. Many parents love the idea of baking with their kids but find the reality overwhelming. Flour on the floor, sticky fingers everywhere, and a kitchen that looks like a tornado hit... sound familiar? Bakin…
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Season 3 Ep 55: ASKED AND ANSWERED - I am losing leads. What am I doing wrong?
16:00
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16:00Liz is going solo again and giving you her expertise into the art of handling new lead calls with intention and strategy. Liz handles our discovery calls at In Detail and we do a great job at converting our prospective clients because it is not about rattling off your services or rushing into pricing—it’s about active listening. By asking the right…
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Hope & The Grandiose Entitled Abuser | Domestic Violence & Narcissistic Abuse
1:16:13
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1:16:13In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Hope shares her story of marrying a grandiose, entitled abuser. Hope met her future husband at a church event, initially impressed by his charisma. Their relationship quickly progressed, leading to a whirlwind engagement and marriage. But once they were married, Hope’s husband began to control her in every …
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Rerelease: Veronica & The Jealous Controlling Abuser | Domestic Violence
1:23:34
1:23:34
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1:23:34In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Veronica shares her tumultuous journey of surviving a coercive relationship that began in her teens and extended into her college years. From the first blush of teenage love to the terrifying descent into verbal abuse and sexual coercion, Veronica's story is an eye-opening account of the devastating effects…
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Self-Preservation Isn’t Selfish: ADHD and SUD w/ Lisa Modur
46:06
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46:06Mike and Chaya sit down with Austin psychotherapist Lisa Modur to talk about misunderstood childhood ADHD, self‑stigma, perfectionism, and how “mom‑wine culture” became a coping tool before treatment and long‑term recovery reshaped her life, relationships, and parenting. We Also Cover: ADHD and specialized schooling Feeling “less than,” comparison,…
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042 Five things I wish I knew about Birth and Postpartum with Jade from Your Mama Journey
24:08
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24:08Feeling overwhelmed after birth? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, I’m joined by Jade from Your Mama Journey. A mum, an accredited mental health social worker, and the creator of beautiful guided journals designed to help women reflect on their birth and postpartum journeys. Like many of us, Jade expected her bi…
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Jimmy & The Raging Abuser | Domestic Violence & Narcissistic Abuse
1:29:38
1:29:38
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1:29:38In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks to Jimmy about his marriage to a raging abuser. Jimmy grew up in a restrictive society, and due to his sexual orientation, he became a reliable community member to survive. When he arrived in the United States, Jimmy began a relationship with his future abuser and felt seen like he had never f…
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Rerelease: Dakota & The Hero Playing Abuser | Domestic Violence & Narcissist Abuse
1:31:27
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1:31:27In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Dakota shares her story of dating a hero playing abuser. After years of battling alcohol addiction, Dakota was finally sober. She was living in a women's home, going to meetings, and taking long bus rides to see her beautiful child. Then one day, the abuser who pretended to be her hero, showed up to her mee…
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Beyond Borders: A Cross-Cultural Look at Neurodiversity w/ Dr. Pritika Bernice Gonsalves
37:49
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37:49Mike and Chaya sit down with Dr. Pritika Bernice Gonsalves, a child psychologist and EAP specialist, to discuss the nuances of neurodiversity and mental health from a cross-cultural perspective between India and the United States. Dr. Gonsalves shares her experiences with the state of ADHD awareness in India, how patriarchal norms affect diagnosis …
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041 Do Twins Really Need to Share Everything? 5 Insights for Twin Parents
22:55
22:55
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22:55Parenting twins is a beautiful gift but, it can also feel overwhelming. From double nappies to double tantrums, everything feels doubled. And when it comes to sharing, many parents wonder: Should twins always share? What if they’re constantly fighting over the same toy? How do I teach fairness without endless meltdowns? In this episode of Demystify…
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Season 3 Ep 54: Are You Afraid to Define Your Value?
49:09
49:09
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49:09Little did we know our Pricing and Salary Survey results were going to give us great nuggets of information that we could share for many future podcasts to come! One of the biggest challenges we found designers face is defining their product. Too often, “full-service design” means something different to every designer—and that inconsistency makes i…
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Barbie & The Two Abusive Parents | Domestic Violence & Narcissist Abuse
1:16:28
1:16:28
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1:16:28In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon interviews Barbie about growing up with two abusive parents. Barbie describes the emotional and physical trauma inflicted by her parents, their manipulative gaslighting, and their lack of empathy. She explains her survival strategies, such as overachieving and seeking approval from men. It’s a story…
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Rerelease: Sharon & A Life Full of Trauma | Domestic Abuse & Narcissist Abuse
2:02:39
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2:02:39In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Sharon shares her life full of trauma. Sharon experienced two traumatic life-altering events by the age of 9. The after effects of these events reverberated throughout her life. Sharon became extremely self-sacrificing, felt that she didn't matter, and feared abandonment. In both of her abusive relationship…
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Every Brain Belongs: Teaching The Twice-Exceptional w/ Mandi Davis Skerbetz
53:20
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53:20Mike and Chaya sit down with Dr. Mandi Davis Skerbetz, co-founder of Sage School of Dallas, who has dedicated her career to reshaping how we support neurodivergent and twice-exceptional students. Dr. Skerbetz shares how she identified gaps in public, private, and charter institutions, the hard reality for parents forced to pick between academic or …
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040 5 Messy Play Tips Every Parent Needs with Sam from Messy Mates
14:20
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14:20Messy play can feel like chaos… but what if it’s actually one of the best things you can do for your child’s learning, confidence, and connection? In this episode, I sit down with Sam, founder of Messy Mates, to talk about the hidden magic of messy play and how parents can make it easier (and less stressful!) to bring into everyday life. What we co…
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Peter, The Physically Abusive Dad, & The Financially Abusive Boyfriend | Domestic Violence
1:47:22
1:47:22
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1:47:22In this episode of narcissist apocalypse, Brandon talks to Peter about his traumatic experiences being raised by a physically abusive dad, and his abusive romantic relationship with a controlling financial abuser. It’s a story of fear, survival, isolation, control, trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual assault, support networks, financial ab…
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Rerelease: Types of Abuse Triangulation - Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A
47:22
47:22
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47:22In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon discusses the triangulation tactics of Lundy Bancroft's 9 abuser types and the abusive parent/child triangulation types. Plus he discusses, shame, guilt, fear, gaslighting, manipulation, passive aggression, flying monkeys, victim playing, love bombing, hoovering, and much more. If you want to be a g…
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Parenting Through the Courts: Special Needs, Divorce, and Justice w/ Dr. Margaret 'Pegi' Price
56:05
56:05
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56:05Chaya and Mike speak with Dr. Margaret “Pegi” Price, a distinguished professor, legal expert, and program director at National University, about her journey blending personal experience as a parent with her career in family law. Dr. Price shares some eye-opening insights from her book, The Special Needs Child and Divorce, and explains how small cha…
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039 New Baby, New Balance: How to Care for Yourself While Caring for Your Baby
22:28
22:28
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22:28Bringing a new baby into the world is magical, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between sleepless nights, adjusting to life as a bigger family, and trying to find time for yourself, it’s easy for mums to feel stretched thin. That’s why this week, I’m joined by Ally from @EntwinedParenting, who shares her 5 top tips for welcoming a newborn into th…
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Season 3 Ep 53: Why Selling Yourself Short in K&B Costs You Big
57:15
57:15
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57:15Kitchen and bath design must be treated — and priced — as the high-level specialty it is. These are not "just another room" — instead, they are some of the most complex, high-stakes, and profitable part of your business if you treat it that way. Too many designers undervalue their skills, we discuss how flat fees protect both your expertise and you…
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Pam & The Manipulative Jealous Abuser | Domestic Violence & Narcissistic Abuse
1:49:40
1:49:40
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1:49:40In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Pam shares her experience of being married to a jealous partner. Pam was a rule follower, and her new partner gave her permission to stop following everyone else’s rules, only to manipulate her into following his. And after Pam got pregnant, her life became a roller coaster of abuse that she couldn’t escape…
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Clarity, CPTSD, & The Aftermath of Abuse | Narcissist Apocalypse Q&A With Jody Bauer
49:52
49:52
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49:52In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks to Jody Bauer, a divorce coach and consultant, about CPTSD, clarity, body responses to stress, and the complexities of high-conflict divorce cases. To contact Jody Bauer, go to https://www.solidarityconsulting.com If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please …
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High Functioning Codependents with Terri Cole
32:17
32:17
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32:17In this episode, Alana Carvalho, The Codependent Perfectionist, is discussing High Functioning Codependents (HFC) with Terri Cole - how to identify if you are one and steps you can take towards healing.By terri cole, alana carvalho
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Restless Minds, Clear Patterns w/ Priya Chanduraj
54:27
54:27
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54:27Mike and Chaya sit down with Priya Chanduraj, the founder and CEO of FinTeam One, who discusses how her ADHD became an asset in the world of finance. Priya shares her experience of being a "challenged child" in India and how discovering her passion for economics allowed her to excel, and the freedom that comes from finding what you're good at. We A…
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038 Welcoming a New Baby? Help Your Toddler Adjust with Less Stress & More Connection
10:54
10:54
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10:54If you’re a parent of a toddler or preschooler and you’ve got a newborn on the way, you already know it’s about to be a season of big feelings, big changes, and a whole lot less sleep. Between preparing the cot, stocking up on nappies, and navigating your own emotions, it’s easy to wonder: How will my little one cope when the baby arrives? In this …
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Amy & The Demanding Hypocritical Abuser | Domestic Violence & Narcissistic Abuse
1:47:33
1:47:33
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1:47:33In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Amy talks about her marriage to an emotionally abusive man with double standards. Initially, Amy found her husband charming and supportive. However, his increasing hostility, demands, know-it-all nature, victim playing, and lack of contribution to household responsibilities began to take their toll. And des…
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Rerelease: Letters To The Narcissist (Volume 6) | Domestic Violence
1:16:14
1:16:14
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1:16:14In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon and his old pal Melissa, listen and read letters that our community sent in about domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, emotional abuse, toxic families, betrayal, and more. If you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please click here or send us an ema…
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