How Narcissists Win You Over and How to Walk Away with Linda Pevac

This week on the Write Your Own Story podcast, Betsy sits down with author and survivor Linda Pevac, a bright, brave voice who turned a nightmare into a masterclass in self-trust. Together, they unpack how “you’re so special” love-bombing morphs into confusion and control, the subtle red flags in therapy and relationships, and the exact moment Linda chose herself and walked out. Then we pivot to the good stuff: healing with Internal Family Systems, emotional sobriety, daily gratitude “sunflowers,” and the power of choosing your next chapter on purpose.

It’s feminine, fierce, and surprisingly fun, yes, we laugh, we learn, and you’ll leave with receipts and rituals to protect your peace.

In this episode:

• Red flags to clock early (secrecy, rush, blurred boundaries)

• Gaslighting-by-diagnosis and how to push back

• Trauma bond ≠ true love: breaking the spell

• Gentle tools that actually help: IFS, ACOA, gratitude reps

• Linda’s trilogy: The Gathering Place, A Fire Is Coming, Choosing to Breathe (all on Audible, narrated by Linda)

Content note: brief discussion of emotional/sexual manipulation in a therapeutic setting, handled with care and hope.