For years, I’ve seen a gap in understanding manipulation, hesitant to address it until now. Compassionate, trusting people are preyed upon — not just by romantic Abusers, but also by some social and political movements. These groups mirror the worst Abusers: demanding blind loyalty, erasing boundaries, and punishing dissent or even questions with brutal ferocity. Some are able to hide in plain sight like the most charming of Abusive partners, relabeling their actions as good and righteous, definitions that would never survive objective scrutiny of their actions or demands.

I can’t ignore this anymore. In Unmasking the Abuser, I’m bridging that gap for those who value knowledge and self-protection. And I'm not willing to pretend "there's wrong on both sides" as is sometimes demanded of victims in abusive relationships.

Join me as we explore how ideologies like the Woke, liberal, or Left-Progressive can leave you vulnerable to abusive relationships in other areas of your life — and learn simple, effective steps to shield yourself while staying true to your sense of fairness and your care for others.

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Coercive control has been a hot topic in recent years, with some jurisdictions even making it illegal. Lawmakers recognize the serious risks victims face - even without victims being subjected to frequent bouts of physical violence.

But what exactly is coercive control? How does it take hold in a relationship, and why do victims often accept it without realizing the danger? Are they willing participants, or is something far more insidious at play?

In this episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we break down the definition of coercive control and reveal the subtle, deceptive tactics used to introduce it early in a relationship - making it seem harmless and even agreeable to the romantic Target.

This is a must-listen episode, leading into Part 2, where we’ll walk you through a revealing questionnaire to help determine whether you or someone you love is trapped in one of these toxic, high-risk relationships.

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

We all like to think we're too smart to fall for the same mistakes twice. But the truth is, some devious manipulation tactics can slip past our defenses again and again -especially if we don't recognize them, if we're distracted, or if we believe our past experiences make us immune.

In this eye-opening episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we dive deep into the most effective manipulation tools used in romantic relationships and in society at large to influence, persuade, and sway you - whether it's to agree, to comply, or to buy.

Stop leaving it to chance. Tune in and discover how to take back control of your decisions and improve your life right now - no pricey gym memberships or time-consuming classes required!

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

The holiday season often brings joy, smiles, and shared meals, but for those in toxic relationships, it can also mean stress, conflict, and emotional strain. In this episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we go beyond offering sympathy to provide practical, actionable advice for managing an abusive partner or family member during the festive season.

Staying true to the solution-focused approach you’ve come to expect, I share simple yet effective strategies to help you navigate the emotional minefield of holiday gatherings. These tips are designed to protect your sanity and strengthen your family relationships, not just for Christmas or New Year’s, but for any significant event — birthdays, graduations, baby showers, or family reunions.

No more winging it and ending up in chaos because someone’s toxic behavior ruins the day. This episode equips you with the tools you need to handle challenges proactively, ensuring a more peaceful and enjoyable holiday season.

Take a listen and empower yourself to set boundaries, manage expectations, and preserve your mental well-being during these emotionally charged times. From my heart to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Ever feel like your decisions were made for you before you even knew it? It’s not magic—it's a set of cunning maneuvers social psychologist Robert Cialdini calls "Pre-Suasion".

In this episode, we dive into the clever, subtle tactics that influence how we make choices long before a pitch is even made. From strategic questions to the power of background music, we examine the hidden methods Persuaders and Influencers of all kinds use to nudge you into saying yes. This includes playing off your feelings, desires and fears in a quiet yet stunningly effective manner, the aspect described here.

Tune in to learn how to spot these sneaky moves and stay in control of your decisions. This is Part One of our deep dive into the psychology of Pre-Suasion. Don’t miss it!

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Ever wonder just how much you care for the people in your life - or how much they truly care for you? Discover a straightforward approach to finding out, no awkward conversations or confrontations required. Join us for an eye-opening episode and strengthen the bonds that matter most.

The Circles of Intimacy is a simple tool that allows you to gauge the strength of your feelings for the people in your life and gives you rare insight into what they feel about you. Simple, accessible and surprisingly accurate, the Circles are an important first step to healthier relationships.

See where you have emotional mismatches, and by how much. And as always Dr. Dina offers effective solutions to help you get back on track.

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Fear is a powerful tool of manipulation. But equally potent is the art of calming those fears to gain control — a tactic Abusers and Manipulators know all too well. In this episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we’ll expose how abusers exploit the power of reassurance, distraction, and false security to make you ignore genuine threats.

From minimizing risks to offering protection, these strategies are subtle yet dangerous, often leaving you oblivious to the red flags. Join us as we break down these tactics, empowering you to spot them and take back control over your life.

Don't leave yourself open to this cunning maneuver, whether it's perpetrated by an individual, a group, a workplace or a government.

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

In this crucial episode, Dr. Dina McMillan dives into one of the most powerful weapons in a manipulator’s toolkit—fear. Fear is a natural, protective instinct that helps keep us safe. But once manipulators learn what makes your heart race and your stomach drop, they can exploit it to control you.

In this episode, Dr. McMillan explains the different types of fear and the main strategies employed by those seeking to take advantage of this fundamental drive. She offers real-life examples where those looking to gain control purposely distort reality to alter your beliefs and behaviors and create dependence by promising safety.

The episode also goes deeper, unpacking the psychology behind fear-based manipulation and offering practical solutions to reduce your vulnerability to these coercive tactics.

This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.