This is part two of a two-part narrative with Lucy.

This story comes with content warnings about drug taking.

Using drugs or misusing alcohol does not cause domestic violence, but it does allow abusive behavior to become more frequent and more destructive.

Lucy contacted me wondering if what she experienced years ago was actually abuse. She is a high-energy woman with great ambition, but Lucy admits she was no saint. She made some mistakes and paid dearly for them by losing the career she wanted so badly.

She allowed herself to be controlled by two different men who sized her up and took full advantage of her unselfish nature. Time and time again, she gave way to the toxic behavior put upon her.

Parts of this story you probably will not relate to – especially the about drug taking – but still there's a lot to be learned.

In Lucy's story, you will see how the jealousy became worse. Verbal digs she received grew sharper. The isolation from friends and family became greater. And bizarre behavior was more frequent.

Breaking off the second relationship required many attempts in the second part of this story. Her narrative is filled with warning signs we should share with those we care about.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part one of a two-part narrative with Lucy.

This story comes with content warnings about drug taking.

Using drugs or misusing alcohol does not cause domestic violence, but it does allow abusive behavior to become more frequent and more destructive.

Lucy contacted me wondering if what she experienced years ago was actually abuse. She is a high-energy woman with great ambition, but Lucy admits she was no saint. She made some mistakes and paid dearly for them by losing the career she wanted so badly.

She allowed herself to be controlled by two different men who sized her up and took full advantage of her unselfish nature. Time and time again, she gave way to the toxic behavior put upon her.

Parts of this story you probably will not relate to – especially the about drug taking – but still there's a lot to be learned.

In Lucy's story, you will see how the jealousy became worse. Verbal digs she received grew sharper. The isolation from friends and family became greater. And bizarre behavior was more frequent.

Breaking off the second relationship required many attempts in the second part of this story. Her narrative is filled with warning signs we should share with those we care about.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a kind of bonus episode with Christy.

We recorded parts one and two of her story. We edited them and figured that was that. But days later, Christy contacted me again wanting to tell of more incidents with her ex-husband. She also wanted to add more of her hard-earned advice.

Our three interviews with Christy demonstrate how this selfless woman tried to keep her marriage intact with barely any assistance from her narcissistic husband.

Christy was consistently the best, most generous wife and mother of three she could be. Her husband took full advantage of her with his power and control techniques. He took away most of her freedom in life. It took a strong will to break free.

Be listening for the warning signs that could have steered Christy away from this terribly abusive man.

Every survivor story is unique, but many of the warning signs in our survivor stories have similarities. Every one of our interviews illustrates the determination it takes to find freedom and restart a life.

If you need to regain your freedom, start today. Seek assistance from a trusted friend, your church, your doctor, or domestic violence agencies in your area. Do something to save yourself. Abusive relationships are bound to get worse.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part two of a two-part story with Christy.

Our interview with Christy demonstrates how hard this selfless woman tried to keep her marriage intact with barely any assistance from her narcissistic husband.

Christy was consistently the best, most generous, wife and mother of three she could be. Her husband took full advantage of her with his power and control techniques. He took away most of her freedom in life. It took a strong will to break free.

Be listening for the warning signs that could have steered Christy away from this terribly abusive man.

Every survivor story is unique, but many of the warning signs in our survivor stories have similarities. Every one of our interviews illustrates the determination it takes to find freedom and restart a life.

If you need to regain your freedom, start today. Seek assistance from a trusted friend, your church, your doctor, or domestic violence agencies in your area. Do something to save yourself. Abusive relationships are bound to get worse.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part one of a two-part story with Christy.

Our interview with Christy demonstrates how hard this selfless woman tried to keep her marriage intact with barely any assistance from her narcissistic husband.

Christy was consistently the best, most generous, wife and mother of three she could be. Her husband took full advantage of her with his power and control techniques. He took away most of her freedom in life. It took a strong will to break free.

Be listening for the warning signs that could have steered Christy away from this terribly abusive man.

Every survivor story is unique, but many of the warning signs in our survivor stories have similarities. Every one of our interviews illustrates the determination it takes to find freedom and restart a life.

If you need to regain your freedom, start today. Seek assistance from a trusted friend, your church, your doctor, or domestic violence agencies in your area. Do something to save yourself. Abusive relationships are bound to get worse.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part two of a two-part story with Anna Astwood.

Anna is a survivor of teen dating violence. It happened about 25 years ago, but she has lived with it every day since. As a survivor herself of sexual assault and teenage dating violence from the ages of 12 to 18 years old, she knows the pain, the trauma, the guilt of what relationship violence brings. Most importantly, she knows the healing that can take place after trauma.

Although not an easy task, Anna explains that by taking the steps to heal and being willing to be vulnerable and authentic with what she has experienced, will bring back the power and peace that was stolen from her many years ago.

Listen for warning signs in her story. See how not feeling you can go to your friends or family only makes everything worse.

Anna suffered emotional and physical abuse. She had to figure out, on her own, what to do about it: How to cope. How to live.

Listen carefully, feel the experience, and learn from this true story from Anna Astwood on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast.

The "Love Doesn't Hurt" Mission Statement:

Love Doesn’t Hurt is a nonprofit dedicated to ending teenage dating violence and supporting those affected through education, empowerment and community support. 

You can contact Anna Astwood at this link. Or email Anna: [email protected].

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part one of a two-part story with Anna Astwood.

Anna is a survivor of teen dating violence. It happened about 25 years ago, but she has lived with it every day since. As a survivor herself of sexual assault and teenage dating violence from the ages of 12 to 18 years old, she knows the pain, the trauma, the guilt of what relationship violence brings. Most importantly, she knows the healing that can take place after trauma.

Although not an easy task, Anna explains that by taking the steps to heal and being willing to be vulnerable and authentic with what she has experienced, will bring back the power and peace that was stolen from her many years ago.

Listen for warning signs in her story. See how not feeling you can go to your friends or family only makes everything worse.

Anna suffered emotional and physical abuse. She had to figure out, on her own, what to do about it: How to cope. How to live.

Listen carefully, feel the experience, and learn from this true story from Anna Astwood on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast.

The "Love Doesn't Hurt" Mission Statement:

Love Doesn’t Hurt is a nonprofit dedicated to ending teenage dating violence and supporting those affected through education, empowerment and community support. 

You can contact Anna Astwood at this link. Or email Anna: [email protected].

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You will find many lists of warning signs if you google. You can also see a list of warning signs on the WhenDatingHurts.com website, if you like.

Danielle's story has warning signs of a toxic relationship that will show up throughout. Listen to her interview and learn where she made mistakes.

Danielle's story underscores that breaking free is never easy. It can take multiple attempts. From the outside, it looks so obvious: Just break up. Get your stuff. And get out of there. Right?

But it hardly ever happens that way. Lasting freedom takes time and patience.

And it is all worth it.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A couple of years back, I was interviewed by David Keck of the Process of Healing podcast.

David was the unfortunate victim of a hate crime. It is not hyperbole to say it was a miracle he survived this. David has taken his personal tragedy, and his sympathetic outlook on life, to help others and bring hope, healing, and education to individuals who have endured personal trauma.

This WHEN DATING HURTS episode is a comprehensive interview which I feel is quite worthwhile for the way in which it explains the whole situation surrounded my daughter's dating violence, murder, and the steps that followed it.

We cover a lot of points. So, you might want to take notes.

Here is David Keck of the Process of Healing podcast.

The Process of Healing Podcast

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This will be our third interview with Mindy. She is a survivor who first appeared in the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast 18 months ago.

During our first interview together, Mindy used a created name (Becca). Back then, she had very recently broken away from her abuser of eight years. Mindy was determined to stay away from him, and a year and a half later, she is successful.

Six months after our first interview, Mindy gave us her "progress report". She remained zero tolerance against any communications with this toxic man: a predator who had emotionally and violently abused her.

Today, a year after her first progress report, Mindy is back with with us for another report.

She is a happy person. She managed to see the importance of putting more emphasis on getting her personal life together. She doesn't feel she needs a partner to complete her life.

Mindy represents a model case for moving on and doing her best to never look back. Her future is getting the attention now.

Mindy has a new boyfriend today. It's still early, at the three months mark, but there are signs this new boyfriend, "Dustin", understands the importance of fairness in a relationship, and the need to be honest at all times.

Be sure to share Mindy's interview with someone you feel needs to see what it's like to have your freedom back–on your own terms.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part two of a two-part story with Sarah.

This story comes with warnings. There are of graphic descriptions of violence, use of adult language, and other disturbing depictions. So, please proceed carefully.

We pick up where we left off with Sarah and part one.

Things will become much worse. Sarah will have plenty of reasons to break up with Johnnie, but when she does break away, she weakens and goes back.

This is quite common in these unhealthy relationships. Listen for the warning signs as they come along.

Listen to Sarah in part two, the final episode of her story.

Bill Mitchell

NOTE:

If you are a survivor and want to share your story of abuse on the WHEN DATING HURTS Podcast, please email me: [email protected]

The WHEN DATING HURTS book (in paperback, eBook, and audiobook) can be found on Amazon.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – The Hotline.org – Call 800-799-SAFE

• LoveIsRespect – Call 866-331-9474

• RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) – RAINN.org – Call 800-656-4673

• SUICIDE HELPLINE: Call 988

Thank you for listening to our WHEN DATING HURTS podcast,

Bill Mitchell

WhenDatingHurts.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices