Gwen is in isolation and quarantine recovering from the 'rona.  She tells the tale of having to deal with Nihm through emails and texts in order to keep telling him NO to his requests.  That's always a harrowing adventure.  And, guess what, summer is coming.  And for most kids and parents in a divorced family with a narc that doesn't mean summer vacation fun.  Gwen walks us through her dilemma of how to handle this summer.  Because making decisions about life during a world pandemic isn't scary enough, she's got the added ingredient of a narc to coparent with as well.  Sit back and relax as Gwen adds humor and some guidance on how to navigate recovering from COVID19 as a single parent, summer schedule stress, and saying plain ol' NO.  Mostly she's just glad you are here! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My Tales from the Porch

E18: The tale of telling NO

Gwen tells the cautionary tale of how anger poisons our bodies and hearts and minds both during and after a relationship with a narcissist, especially if you are having to coparent with one.  She recounts the night she "fell down" and how her body has never been the same since.  She shares all her wisdom from having an autoimmune disease and how she thinks it's linked to coparenting with a narcissist.  Have and listen and see what you think as well.  But first in the episode Gwen shares the always amusing emails of Nihm poppin' off at just about everything lately! You can find Gwen on the gram @mytalesfromtheporch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E17: The Tale of Poppin' Off

Gwen is back on her front porch telling tales after several weeks of medically necessary voice rest.  She explains why she thinks COVID19 is very similar to a narcissist; and, why if you have been coparenting with a narcissist or sociopath you are better equipped than the average schmo to deal with living during a global pandemic.  Listen and see if you agree while she tells the tales of what's happening in her household, and how to cope without being told to just do your best(!), start a new project(!), or embrace this time(!). Ugh! Gwen thinks we've been through enough and it's time to laugh.   --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E16: The Tale of COVID19, Quarantine, Coparenting, and Callous Humor

Gwen tells her humorous and encouraging tales of living and surviving in the Wild West, aka family law or divorce and parenting agreements. Tumble weeds, no maps, lawlessness, rounding up varmints, figntin' words, showdowns, and the journeys to the Okay Corral just about describe the harrowing adventures. Come sit a spell after you rustle up some grub and whiskey - you're gonna need it for this episode :)   Honorable mention: you can find Gwen on the Instagram @mytalesfromtheporch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E15: The Tales From My Ol' Wild West Porch

Join Gwen and her friends on her porch for a Galentine's Party! They talk all things narcissism related from their individual takes on what it is to the different people in their lives who are this type.  The fun really kicks up when they launch into how to survive and thrive during or after a relationship with a narcissist be it a family member or intimate partner (warning: some of the ideas given are not endorsed by the guests on the podcast but they sure give lots of laughs.)  Many thanks to Gwen's fabulous friends for sharing from their hearts. So come on up to the porch with your favorite beverage and snacks and spend the evening with some girlfriends!  Honorable mentions: HD Tudor's Youtube channel Knowing the Narcissist; Natalie Lue with her podcast and blog Baggage Reclaim and her book Mr. Unavailable and the Fall Back Girl --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E14: The Tale of You Get a Narc, and You Get a Narc, and Everyone Gets a Narc!

Gwen had so many red flags when she started dating Nihm that she could have made a scarf long enough to wrap around her house! She tells the tale of those red flags that Nihm was a scoundrel before their marriage, and how 25 years later, she has perspective of why she ignored all those flags and married him anyway.  Gwen helps us not have shame about the red scarves we may have created or staying in a toxic abusive relationship for too long, and she advises on what to do with these long red scarves.  Come on up to Gwen's porch to listen to this vulnerable and flowing tale. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E13: The Tale of the Red Scarf

Triangulation is a manipulative tactic used by toxic people to draw attention, distract, and cover just like a pair of obnoxious Bermuda shorts.  Gwen tells about how she's gotten sucked into this triangle and provides a map of how to get out.  Gwen shares in her tale several examples of triangulation from NIhm's emails which always prove to be entertaining (although so typical of a narcissist).  She delves into two types of triangulation by a narc: the golden child/scapegoat and third entity.  She mentions the Enneagram as a helpful tool to heal and understand your own attachment patterns.  Take a quiz on Enneagram Coach, Enneagram Institute or read about it online. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E12: The Tale of the Bermuda Shorts Triangle

Gwen is in the thick of struggles with self-doubt, perfectionism, and people-pleasing which she's been noticing is highly linked to being divorced from a narcissist.  She tells the tale of still trying to be perfect in the Wild West of coparenting within family law.  You are invited to come hang with Gwen as she is raw and picking herself up and dusting herself off.  (And yep, the audio is as raw and imperfect as Gwen is in portions of this episode.  Sorry about that.  The crummy equipment has been identified and dealt with!  Have a listen anyway; it's good stuff.) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E11: The Tale of Gwen's Got Problems

Gwen deals with Nihm coming unhinged in a very short period of time over weekend timesharing.  This usually causes Gwen to come unhinged as well, but after much wisdom and surviving co-parenting with a sociopathic narcissist, she uses humor and observation to keep herself together.  She also recounts a tale (subtitled: I would've gotten you Coors Light) from years ago that was one of Nihm's most outrageous times of coming unhinged.  Gwen offers encouragement, support, and a few good laughs from her porch.  Listen to this tale from the steadiest seat in your house! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E10: Unhinged - When your ex-spouse's narc screw is as loose as their toilet seat

Gwen shares about her breaking heart - and no not for her ex - for her kiddos.  This was a bit of a tough episode because it's just plain heart-breaking what kids of narcissistic sociopathic parents have to deal with post divorce. And tougher in a different way are the empathetic parents like Gwen who have to witness it all.  Put the tissues away, though, because Gwen tells the tale of the sad stuff with laughter including some terrible advice articles she found.  She will have you laughing too. And to finish off the episode she advises on how to heal your breaking heart, increase your resiliency, and get through the loneliness.  Sit back and enjoy! If you would like to share your tales or how you heal your heartbreak for your kiddos reach out to Gwen on the Insta @mytalesfromtheporch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E9: The Tale of Repairing the Broken Heart

Gwen discusses why we shouldn't negotiate with a narcissist, yet we are ordered by family courts to do that very thing as part of coparenting.  She shares her tales of incidents and emails from summers past when she had to ask her ex for things or when he wanted to negotiate. Many of the tales cover the constant struggle of sticking to time sharing schedules that's typical of coparenting with a toxic, narcissistic, or sociopathic person.  Laugh along with Gwen as she finds humor and emotional freedom in the midst of crazy negotiations.  Please share with her any of your tales of negotiations or ghosts of your seasons past on the Instagram @mytalesfromtheporch or through the anchor.fm app. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E8: The Tale of Ghosts from Summers Past

Gwen tells the tale of why you don't want Nihm as your neighbor.  Gwen confesses that lately she's felt like being a "story topper" when at parties, about all the outrageous phone calls she's received from neighbors and the (real) sheriff about Nihm in different neighborhoods.  Laugh with her and see if you can notice any similar outrageousness from dealing with your NPD or sociopathic ex-spouse, or pick up any tips on how to deal with it.  Finally, Gwen invites you to "story top" her by sharing your tales with her on the Instagram @mytalesfromtheporch --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E7: The Tale of Please Don't Be My Neighbor

What happens when the narcissistic sociopathic ex-spouse gets a new partner?  Good thing? Bad thing? Enter Trixie.  Join Gwen as she shares her tale of Trixie, the malarky that ensues (get ready to laugh), and sorts out these questions.   --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E6: The Tale of Trixie

Gwen opens this tale by sharing what happened at the showdown at the Okay Corral with humor and insights woven into a condensed story.  Then, Gwen is joined by the Sheriff! They discuss how to navigate the wild wild west of family court, how to round up those varmints, and how to restore order and peace in your own life after a decade of living this out themselves.  Relax and listen because the Sheriff is in town :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

E4: The Tale of There's a Sheriff in Town

Gwen tells the tale (in just about real time) of when Nihm's car is on fire in front of her house! Hot off the press! Pun intended. Okay so maybe not big flames, definitely lots of smoke; and where there's smoke there's.... Join Gwen as she shares her process and suggestions of answering the question: what should I do when I get a request (as entitled as it seems) from the narcisstic sociopathic ex-spouse? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Special Edition 1: the Tale of the Car on Fire Updated

Welcome to My Tales from the Porch! My tales of humor, intrigue, sadness, redemption, and humor again. Tales to support those who have been divorced from (and have to coparent with) narcissists and sociopaths for years. Tales of God's love. Tales of surviving. Tales of thriving and laughing while doing it all. Tales that don't have to be so gosh darn serious (the matter is serious enough). Join me, relax, and enjoy the refreshing atmosphere.

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My Tales from the Porch

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