Sunday Mar 08, 2026

Leaving Abusive Relationships

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of emotional, verbal, psychological, and physical abuse, coercive control, trauma responses, and family estrangement.

Important note: This episode is educational and not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call local emergency services. If it’s safe to do so, consider contacting a local domestic violence hotline/shelter for confidential safety planning.

In this episode, we talk about what it can look like to leave abusive relationships —moments, cycles, or patterns that keep repeating in a relationship—and how to create safer distance when a relationship shows abusive or toxic tendencies. We focus on practical tools (planning, documentation, boundaries, support networks, and nervous-system regulation) while acknowledging that leaving can be complex, non-linear, and different for every person. We also discuss The Oprah Podcast episode “Oprah Explores the Rising Trend of Going No Contact with Your Family,” and we break down the five trauma responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, and Flop.

Cici also discusses the concept of “spiritually vetting” our most important relationships.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

Resources/Articles Referenced In This Episode:

https://www.thehotline.org/

https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

https://www.virtualpsychiatriccare.com/understanding-the-five-fs-of-trauma-fight-flight-freeze-fawn-and-flop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abuse

Podcasts Referenced In This Episode:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oprah-explores-the-rising-trend-of-going-no-contact/id1782960381?i=1000738306637

https://www.reclaimingdestinypodcast.com/e/the-truth-about-soulmates/

https://www.reclaimingdestinypodcast.com/e/toxic-friendships/

Download or read my new free eBook- Firefly: Shining Your Light In Challenging Times