Light in the Battle

Light in the Battlehttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/light-in-the-battle--6766254enParentingCopyright Faustinahttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/91a5a1fbb80c952c678061502ac3e7b1.jpgLight in the Battlehttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/light-in-the-battle--6766254Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:24:16 +0000FaustinaFaustinafeeds@spreaker.comLife can feel like a battle—especially for mothers carrying hidden wounds or navigating hard seasons. Light in the Battle is a quiet space to find peace and faith in the midst of chaos. I’m Faustina, sharing gentle reflections on motherhood,...false33bef9d8-fa26-5133-9040-e9ea50153b11episodicSpiritual Warfare - Clean up Your Life and Watch What God Doeshttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/spiritual-warfare-clean-up-your-life-and-watch-what-god-does--75585456Craft to Christ, and by my lived experience. I've seen it happen in my life and I'm about to see it again. Be GOOD. Stay GOOD. Stay close to Jesus' heart. Follow the commandments. Forgive 7 times 70 times. Pray for this person's conversion. Keep your side of the equation clean. Then be still, know that He is God, and watch the other person deal with the consequences of their choices.]]>0b343502-ddfb-4956-98de-6b1fb6db5751Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaIt's got many names, concretely. There's the reactive abuse. The narcissistic abuse. The BIFF method. The strategy to prove coercive control. Forgiveness. All of Season 2! All of these, are physical and psychological manifestations of Spiritual...Craft to Christ, and by my lived experience. I've seen it happen in my life and I'm about to see it again. Be GOOD. Stay GOOD. Stay close to Jesus' heart. Follow the commandments. Forgive 7 times 70 times. Pray for this person's conversion. Keep your side of the equation clean. Then be still, know that He is God, and watch the other person deal with the consequences of their choices.]]>408falsebonus39. Protecting Your Joy While Co-Parenting with a Narcissist (ASD, Trauma, Legal Abuse, Post-Separation Abuse & Narcissistic Abuse, Autism)https://www.spreaker.com/episode/39-protecting-your-joy-while-co-parenting-with-a-narcissist-asd-trauma-legal-abuse-post-separation-abuse-narcissistic-abuse-autism--75286236

Protecting your autistic nervous system from constant high-conflict communication

Creating stability when your co-parent remains unpredictable

Preserving autistic capacity before and after stressful interactions

Preventing narcissistic abuse and legal conflict from occupying your entire life

Making room for joy, connection and memories with your children, even while the conflict remains unresolved

Because nervous system regulation isn't only about becoming better at handling conflict.It's about making sure you still have a life outside of it.Follow Light in the Battle for more on autism, ASD, narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, nervous system regulation,high-conflict co-parenting, legal abuse, post-separation abuse, autistic burnout and emotional detachment.Light in the Battle is based on lived experience and is not medical, psychological or legal advice.Take it one day at a time.]]>1139174f-95f1-400f-add0-4448011f7c24Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaHigh-conflict co-parenting can slowly become the center ofyour life. But your child's childhood is happening right now.The threats. The accusations. The schedule changes. The family court battle. The constant anticipation of what might happen next.And...

Protecting your autistic nervous system from constant high-conflict communication

Creating stability when your co-parent remains unpredictable

Preserving autistic capacity before and after stressful interactions

Preventing narcissistic abuse and legal conflict from occupying your entire life

Making room for joy, connection and memories with your children, even while the conflict remains unresolved

Because nervous system regulation isn't only about becoming better at handling conflict.It's about making sure you still have a life outside of it.Follow Light in the Battle for more on autism, ASD, narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, nervous system regulation,high-conflict co-parenting, legal abuse, post-separation abuse, autistic burnout and emotional detachment.Light in the Battle is based on lived experience and is not medical, psychological or legal advice.Take it one day at a time.]]>1561false38full38. Triggered: How to Regulate Yourself Before You React (ASD, Trauma, Legal Abuse, Post-Separation Abuse & Narcissistic Abuse, Autism) | Inhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/38-triggered-how-to-regulate-yourself-before-you-react-asd-trauma-legal-abuse-post-separation-abuse-narcissistic-abuse-autism-in--74980079

What to do when you've been triggered by a high-conflict interaction

Acute nervous system regulation for autistic women

Why urgency can be dangerous when you're dealing with narcissistic abuse

Regulating before responding to provocative emails, texts or legal communication

Autism-friendly regulation when traditional calming techniques don't work for you

Separating the nervous-system reaction from the problem you actually need to solve

Creating enough space between a trigger and your response to make deliberate decisions

Because responding and reacting are not the same thing.And when you're navigating adult autism, high-conflict co-parenting, family court, legal abuse or post-separation abuse, that distinction can matter enormously.This episode is about what happens in that space between “I've been triggered” and “Now I have to decide what I'm going to do.”Follow Light in the Battle for more on autism and narcissistic abuse, ASD and trauma, autistic burnout, nervous system regulation, emotional detachment, legal abuse, post-separation abuse, family court and high-conflict co-parenting.Light in the Battle is based on lived experience and is not medical, psychological or legal advice. Please work with qualified professionals for your individual circumstances.Until the fog starts to lift, take it one day at a time.]]>cba282d2-5b74-440b-ae92-3d9d1a890c2fMon, 07 Sep 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaYou do not need to solve the problem while your nervous system is reacting to it. 38. Triggered: How to Regulate Yourself Before You React(ASD, Trauma, Legal Abuse, Post-Separation Abuse & Narcissistic Abuse) | Inner Stability, Season 3You know...

What to do when you've been triggered by a high-conflict interaction

Acute nervous system regulation for autistic women

Why urgency can be dangerous when you're dealing with narcissistic abuse

Regulating before responding to provocative emails, texts or legal communication

Autism-friendly regulation when traditional calming techniques don't work for you

Separating the nervous-system reaction from the problem you actually need to solve

Creating enough space between a trigger and your response to make deliberate decisions

Because responding and reacting are not the same thing.And when you're navigating adult autism, high-conflict co-parenting, family court, legal abuse or post-separation abuse, that distinction can matter enormously.This episode is about what happens in that space between “I've been triggered” and “Now I have to decide what I'm going to do.”Follow Light in the Battle for more on autism and narcissistic abuse, ASD and trauma, autistic burnout, nervous system regulation, emotional detachment, legal abuse, post-separation abuse, family court and high-conflict co-parenting.Light in the Battle is based on lived experience and is not medical, psychological or legal advice. Please work with qualified professionals for your individual circumstances.Until the fog starts to lift, take it one day at a time.]]>999false37full37. Injustice Wounds in Family Court (ASD, Trauma, Legal Abuse, Post-Separation Abuse & Narcissistic Abuse, Autism) | Inner Stability, Seasohttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/37-injustice-wounds-in-family-court-asd-trauma-legal-abuse-post-separation-abuse-narcissistic-abuse-autism-inner-stability-seaso--74661646

Why injustice can become such a powerful trigger

Autism, fairness and unresolved inconsistency

⁠The compulsion to correct the record⁠

Rumination and repeatedly trying to “solve” something that has already happened

How injustice can keep your nervous system connected to the person or conflict

Why this consumes precious autistic capacity

The difference between accepting reality and approving of it

Why ⁠surrender ⁠may ultimately be necessary for emotional detachment

Why injustice can become such a powerful trigger

Autism, fairness and unresolved inconsistency

⁠The compulsion to correct the record⁠

Rumination and repeatedly trying to “solve” something that has already happened

How injustice can keep your nervous system connected to the person or conflict

Why this consumes precious autistic capacity

The difference between accepting reality and approving of it

Why ⁠surrender ⁠may ultimately be necessary for emotional detachment

Because sometimes you don't get the apology.The lie doesn't get corrected.The system doesn't acknowledge what happened.And justice may not arrive in the form you were waiting for.So how do you keep fighting the battles that actually needfighting — without continuing to fight the injustice inside your own head every day, as an autistic mom? That's what we're talking about today.Note: “Injustice wound” and “injustice trauma” are used in this episode as descriptive concepts, not formal clinical diagnoses.Follow Light in the Battle for more on autism, ASD, narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, legal abuse, post-separation abuse, autism, narcissism, NPD, autistic burnout, nervous system regulation and high-conflict co-parenting.Take it one day at a time.]]>1485false36full36. Autistic Burnout Recovery for Adults & the Low-Demand Lifestyle: You Can’t Function Like You Used To (Narcissistic Abuse, Trauma, Autismhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/36-autistic-burnout-recovery-for-adults-the-low-demand-lifestyle-you-can-t-function-like-you-used-to-narcissistic-abuse-trauma-autism--73776842You may be experiencing autistic burnout. Autistic Burnout Recovery: You Can’t Function Like You Used To — Low-Demand Lifestyle
Welcome back to Season 3 of Light in the Battle:Inner Stability — a podcast for autistic women navigating trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, post-separation abuse and high-conflict co-parenting.What happens when nervous system regulation isn't enoughbecause you've already been overloaded for too long?You may reach a point where your capacity itself has dropped.Things you used to do easily, suddenly feel impossible. Executive functioning gets worse. Sensory tolerance decreases. Socializing costs more. Decisions become harder. You need longer to recover from ordinary demands.And yet you're looking at the person you used to be andthinking:Why can't I just function like I used to?
This episode is about autistic burnout — and why tryingharder may be exactly the wrong response.
We explore:• What autistic burnout can look like in adult women
• The difference between temporary dysregulation and a deeper loss of capacity
• Executive functioning difficulties during burnout
• Increased sensory sensitivity and reduced social capacity
• Why legal abuse, post-separation abuse, parenting, work and chronic unpredictability can create relentless demands on the autistic brain, with very little opportunity for recovery
• Why comparing your current capacity to your previous capacity doesn't help
• How to aggressively reduce demands when you're already in the hole
• A practical four-category system: must happen / can be simplified / can wait / can disappear entirely
• Easier meals, repeated outfits, predictable routines, fewer decisions, fewer commitments and protected sensory recovery
• Why rest and recovery aren't necessarily the same thing (listen to Episode 8, Rest vs. Escape)
• How to rebuild gradually without immediately filling every bit of capacity that comes back.
This is where the low-demand lifestyle becomes morethan a nice idea.When you're in autistic burnout, your standards may need tochange temporarily.Dinner can be easy. The laundry can wait. You can declinethe invitation. You can wear the same clothes. You can stop stacking stressful appointments. You can automate recurring decisions. And an upsetting email that doesn't require an immediate response can become tomorrow's problem.The goal isn't to abandon your responsibilities.It's to become ruthless about distinguishing an actualresponsibility from a standard, expectation, habit or unnecessary demand.And as capacity begins to return, resist the temptation toimmediately fill the space.Keep the low-demand lifestyle, the low-demand frame. Because autistic burnout recovery isn't about forcingyourself back into the exact life that burned through your capacity in the first place.It's an opportunity to build differently for the future. Season 3 is about Inner Stability. And sometimesinner stability means accepting:My capacity has changed. So, for now, my expectationsneed to change with it.Follow Light in the Battle for more on autism, autistic burnout recovery, nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, legal abuse and post-separation abuse.Disclaimer: Light in the Battle shares lived experience and educational information and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health or legal advice.Take it one day at a time.
]]>d04c0b87-509e-4376-a548-6fdd7ade4bceMon, 10 Aug 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaWhat do you do when this isn't ordinary exhaustion, and this isn’t temporary dysregulation anymore—your capacity has actually collapsed? You may be experiencing autistic burnout. Autistic Burnout Recovery: You Can’t Function Like You Used To —...You may be experiencing autistic burnout. Autistic Burnout Recovery: You Can’t Function Like You Used To — Low-Demand Lifestyle
Welcome back to Season 3 of Light in the Battle:Inner Stability — a podcast for autistic women navigating trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, post-separation abuse and high-conflict co-parenting.What happens when nervous system regulation isn't enoughbecause you've already been overloaded for too long?You may reach a point where your capacity itself has dropped.Things you used to do easily, suddenly feel impossible. Executive functioning gets worse. Sensory tolerance decreases. Socializing costs more. Decisions become harder. You need longer to recover from ordinary demands.And yet you're looking at the person you used to be andthinking:Why can't I just function like I used to?
This episode is about autistic burnout — and why tryingharder may be exactly the wrong response.
We explore:• What autistic burnout can look like in adult women
• The difference between temporary dysregulation and a deeper loss of capacity
• Executive functioning difficulties during burnout
• Increased sensory sensitivity and reduced social capacity
• Why legal abuse, post-separation abuse, parenting, work and chronic unpredictability can create relentless demands on the autistic brain, with very little opportunity for recovery
• Why comparing your current capacity to your previous capacity doesn't help
• How to aggressively reduce demands when you're already in the hole
• A practical four-category system: must happen / can be simplified / can wait / can disappear entirely
• Easier meals, repeated outfits, predictable routines, fewer decisions, fewer commitments and protected sensory recovery
• Why rest and recovery aren't necessarily the same thing (listen to Episode 8, Rest vs. Escape)
• How to rebuild gradually without immediately filling every bit of capacity that comes back.
This is where the low-demand lifestyle becomes morethan a nice idea.When you're in autistic burnout, your standards may need tochange temporarily.Dinner can be easy. The laundry can wait. You can declinethe invitation. You can wear the same clothes. You can stop stacking stressful appointments. You can automate recurring decisions. And an upsetting email that doesn't require an immediate response can become tomorrow's problem.The goal isn't to abandon your responsibilities.It's to become ruthless about distinguishing an actualresponsibility from a standard, expectation, habit or unnecessary demand.And as capacity begins to return, resist the temptation toimmediately fill the space.Keep the low-demand lifestyle, the low-demand frame. Because autistic burnout recovery isn't about forcingyourself back into the exact life that burned through your capacity in the first place.It's an opportunity to build differently for the future. Season 3 is about Inner Stability. And sometimesinner stability means accepting:My capacity has changed. So, for now, my expectationsneed to change with it.Follow Light in the Battle for more on autism, autistic burnout recovery, nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, narcissistic abuse, legal abuse and post-separation abuse.Disclaimer: Light in the Battle shares lived experience and educational information and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health or legal advice.Take it one day at a time.
]]>2461false35full35. Proactive Nervous System Regulation as a Lifestyle: It Starts Before You're Overwhelmed (ASD, Trauma, Legal Abuse, Post-Separation Abusehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/35-proactive-nervous-system-regulation-as-a-lifestyle-it-starts-before-you-re-overwhelmed-asd-trauma-legal-abuse-post-separation-abuse--73199448Regulation, and inner stability, isn't just the stuff you do when you're overwhelmed. It's the way you arrange your lifestyle, so overwhelm becomes less frequent.
This Episode is for autistic single moms who may be asking themselves, "How can I build a life that helps my nervous system reach overwhelm less often in the first place?"

Welcome back to Season 3 of Light in the Battle: Inner Stability — a podcast for autistic women healing from narcissistic abuse, where we become clearer, calmer, and spiritually and legally harder to mess with.
Most advice about nervous system regulation starts at thewrong moment.
It comes when you're already overwhelmed, and already in one of the four trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze or fawn. You're already having a panic attack. Already shutting down. Already wondering why you can't think straight.
And then someone tells you to take a deep breath. And while breathing exercises can absolutely be helpful, they're only one small piece of the puzzle.
In this episode, we're taking a different approach.
Instead of asking, "How do I calm myself down once I'm overwhelmed?" we're asking:
"How can I build a life that helps my nervous system reach overwhelm less often in the first place?"
That's what I call proactive nervous system regulation. It’s prevention.
In this episode, we explore:• Why regulation starts long before you're overwhelmed• How to think of your nervous system as having a limited daily capacity• The difference between activities that drain your energy and those that restore it - like the battery on your smartphone.• Why lowering unnecessary demands is one of the keys, as a recovery strategy• How predictable routines can reduce the mental load on an autistic nervous system• The importance of recognizing your own early warning signs before reaching a breaking point• Why giving yourself permission to pause can be one of the most regulating things you do• How we sometimes unintentionally keep our nervous system activated by replaying conflict, checking for danger or mentally rehearsing worst-case scenarios• Why discomfort doesn't always mean danger

If you've spent years believing that you simply need to become tougher, more productive or better at coping, and you’re now asking yourself “what’s wrong with me?”… This episode offers another perspective.
Maybe the goal isn't to become someone who can tolerate endless stress, and push through forever. Maybe the goal is to stop asking your nervous system to push through things it no longer needs to survive.
One of the most powerful questions you can begin askingyourself is:"Is this worth spending my capacity on?"
Because your capacity is finite. Not your intelligence, nor your love for your children, nor your resilience. Your capacity.
And learning to protect it may be one of the most important skills you'll ever develop.
Inner stability isn't built through one breathing exercise or one perfect morning routine.
It's built through hundreds of small choices that protect your energy, protect your nervous system, and save your “battery”, day in and day out. Follow Light in the Battle to continue Season 3: Inner Stability, where we explore nervous system regulation, autism, trauma recovery, legal abuse, post-separation abuse and practical strategies for staying grounded in high-conflict environments.
Disclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related to autism, trauma recovery and narcissistic abuse. It is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health or legal advice.
Take it one day at a time.]]>8175e380-6c40-4dcd-bf4b-800ff31daf03Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaRegulation, and inner stability, isn't just the stuff you do when you're overwhelmed. It's the way you arrange your lifestyle, so overwhelm becomes less frequent. This Episode is for autistic single moms who may be asking themselves, "How can I build...Regulation, and inner stability, isn't just the stuff you do when you're overwhelmed. It's the way you arrange your lifestyle, so overwhelm becomes less frequent.
This Episode is for autistic single moms who may be asking themselves, "How can I build a life that helps my nervous system reach overwhelm less often in the first place?"

Welcome back to Season 3 of Light in the Battle: Inner Stability — a podcast for autistic women healing from narcissistic abuse, where we become clearer, calmer, and spiritually and legally harder to mess with.
Most advice about nervous system regulation starts at thewrong moment.
It comes when you're already overwhelmed, and already in one of the four trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze or fawn. You're already having a panic attack. Already shutting down. Already wondering why you can't think straight.
And then someone tells you to take a deep breath. And while breathing exercises can absolutely be helpful, they're only one small piece of the puzzle.
In this episode, we're taking a different approach.
Instead of asking, "How do I calm myself down once I'm overwhelmed?" we're asking:
"How can I build a life that helps my nervous system reach overwhelm less often in the first place?"
That's what I call proactive nervous system regulation. It’s prevention.
In this episode, we explore:• Why regulation starts long before you're overwhelmed• How to think of your nervous system as having a limited daily capacity• The difference between activities that drain your energy and those that restore it - like the battery on your smartphone.• Why lowering unnecessary demands is one of the keys, as a recovery strategy• How predictable routines can reduce the mental load on an autistic nervous system• The importance of recognizing your own early warning signs before reaching a breaking point• Why giving yourself permission to pause can be one of the most regulating things you do• How we sometimes unintentionally keep our nervous system activated by replaying conflict, checking for danger or mentally rehearsing worst-case scenarios• Why discomfort doesn't always mean danger

If you've spent years believing that you simply need to become tougher, more productive or better at coping, and you’re now asking yourself “what’s wrong with me?”… This episode offers another perspective.
Maybe the goal isn't to become someone who can tolerate endless stress, and push through forever. Maybe the goal is to stop asking your nervous system to push through things it no longer needs to survive.
One of the most powerful questions you can begin askingyourself is:"Is this worth spending my capacity on?"
Because your capacity is finite. Not your intelligence, nor your love for your children, nor your resilience. Your capacity.
And learning to protect it may be one of the most important skills you'll ever develop.
Inner stability isn't built through one breathing exercise or one perfect morning routine.
It's built through hundreds of small choices that protect your energy, protect your nervous system, and save your “battery”, day in and day out. Follow Light in the Battle to continue Season 3: Inner Stability, where we explore nervous system regulation, autism, trauma recovery, legal abuse, post-separation abuse and practical strategies for staying grounded in high-conflict environments.
Disclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related to autism, trauma recovery and narcissistic abuse. It is not a substitute...]]>1961false34full34. Why You Shut Down, Freeze or Dissociate: Autism, Trauma Responses & the Nervous System | Inner Stability, Season 3https://www.spreaker.com/episode/34-why-you-shut-down-freeze-or-dissociate-autism-trauma-responses-the-nervous-system-inner-stability-season-3--72955054Facebook.In Episode 32, we explored why high-conflict co-parentingis such a uniquely dysregulating environment for autistic women. In Episode 33, we looked at what happens when trauma teaches the autistic nervous system to expect danger.Now we're looking at what can happen when that systemreaches capacity.Freeze. Shutdown. Dissociation.They aren't the same thing, although they can overlap — and when you're an autistic single mother navigating trauma recovery, CPTSD, PTSD, sensory overwhelm, executive dysfunction and high-conflict situations, figuring out exactly what's happening inside your brain and body can be complicated.Sometimes you know exactly what needs to be done... but you can't do it.You stare at the email for three hours.You can't make the phone call.Someone asks you an unexpected question, and suddenly youcan't find your words.You're physically present during a conversation, butmentally, you're somewhere else entirely.Or maybe you've held it together through the court deadline,the difficult message from your ex, work, noise, a changed schedule and your child's meltdown — and then it turns out it's time for dinner. And that's what finally breaks the system.In this episode, we explore:

A brief reminder of the 4 trauma responses –fight, flight, freeze and fawn.
What a trauma freeze response can look like ineveryday life
The difference between trauma-related freeze and autistic shutdown
How sensory overload, emotional stress, uncertainty and accumulated demands can push an autistic woman's nervous system beyond capacity
Why autism and trauma responses can be so difficult to separate
What dissociation can actually feel like — including the less dramatic forms people may not recognize
Why you can appear completely functional on the outside while having absolutely nothing left internally
How masking can hide the true extent of overwhelm
Why freeze, shutdown and dissociation can affect communication, decision-making, memory and self-advocacy
Why all of this matters when you're dealing with narcissistic abuse, high-conflict co-parenting or legal abuse in family court

A brief reminder of the 4 trauma responses –fight, flight, freeze and fawn.
What a trauma freeze response can look like ineveryday life
The difference between trauma-related freeze and autistic shutdown
How sensory overload, emotional stress, uncertainty and accumulated demands can push an autistic woman's nervous system beyond capacity
Why autism and trauma responses can be so difficult to separate
What dissociation can actually feel like — including the less dramatic forms people may not recognize
Why you can appear completely functional on the outside while having absolutely nothing left internally
How masking can hide the true extent of overwhelm
Why freeze, shutdown and dissociation can affect communication, decision-making, memory and self-advocacy
Why all of this matters when you're dealing with narcissistic abuse, high-conflict co-parenting or legal abuse in family court

For autistic women, the question isn't simply:"What triggered this? What am I afraid of?"Today, the better question is:"How many things has my brain been forced toprocess?"Is it an autistic shutdown? A trauma response? Sensoryoverload? Executive dysfunction? Or several of the above at once? Well, there isn't a clean answer.But understanding what's happening matters — because when your system is overwhelmed, you may struggle to communicate clearly, make decisions, recall information or stay present during important interactions.And for an autistic survivor of narcissistic abuse navigating high-conflict co-parenting or family court, inner stability is part of being able to function.Sometimes your system isn't refusing to function.It's telling you that its capacity has been exceeded.In Episode 32, we looked at the environment. In Episode 33, we looked at what trauma can do to the nervous system. Here, we're looking at what can happen when that system reaches capacity.And next, we will start talking about what we can actually doabout it.Follow Light in the Battle to continue Season 3:Inner Stability, a journey through autism, ASD, nervous system regulation, trauma recovery and staying stable in high-conflict situations.Disclaimer: This podcast shares lived experiencerelated to autism, ASD, narcissistic abuse...]]>1351false33full33. Autism, Trauma, Neuroplasticity & the Nervous System: Why Your Brain Stays in Survival Mode After Narcissistic Abuse (ASD, Trauma, Legalhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/33-autism-trauma-neuroplasticity-the-nervous-system-why-your-brain-stays-in-survival-mode-after-narcissistic-abuse-asd-trauma-legal--72747002

]]>3b58e868-08a8-41c0-8634-15f016d8d672Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaHere's what trauma has done to your autistic nervous system.In Season 3 we are "zooming in" the day- to-day reality of living with trauma, while we do the extensive, long term work of healing from narcissistic abuse. We work to understand trauma, and...

]]>880false32full32. Why Autistic Women's Nervous Systems get so Dysregulated in High-Conflict Co-Parenting (ASD, Trauma, Legal Abuse, Post-Separation Abusehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/32-why-autistic-women-s-nervous-systems-get-so-dysregulated-in-high-conflict-co-parenting-asd-trauma-legal-abuse-post-separation-abuse--72539993In Season 2, we focused on Emotional Detachment:* Breaking the Trauma Bond* PTSD and CPTSD recovery * forgiveness, not reconciliation* codependency as a general concept but more specifically in autistic women here.* the importance of fellowship and mentorship* gratitude after narcissistic abuse* surrender* griefThe goal was to suggest an overall journey to go through in order to detach and become a Family Court Ninja.
Here we move into the next phase, learning how to stabilize your nervous system while living through high-conflict realities. In your daily to day. Because understanding narcissistic abuse, post-separation abuse and legal abuse is one thing.
But functioning calmly, strategically and consistently while dealing with family court anxiety, co-parenting conflict, unpredictability, and emotional pressure, is something else entirely.
For many survivors of narcissistic abuse, high-conflict co-parenting becomes more than a legal situation.It becomes a chronic nervous system stressor.And autistic women are especially vulnerable to this because many of us rely on:* predictability, * emotional safety, * routine,* clear rules to follow,
to function well.
When those disappear, the nervous system may begin reacting as though danger is constant. That can look like:* re-reading messages repeatedly* adrenaline spikes when you hear notifications* freezing during conflict* difficulty relaxing when the child is away* constant mental scanning. This episode is not about blaming yourself for your reactions. It’s about understanding why your system responds this way — and why regulation matters.Because you cannot stay strategic, emotionally detached or calm under pressure, if your nervous system is constantly in survival mode.This season is about learning how to build Inner Stability.👉 Follow the show to continue Season 3
👉Leave a 5* review if this podcast is helping you navigate trauma recovery, autism (ASD), and high-conflict co-parenting👉 Follow Light in the Battle on Facebook for daily hacks and to DM me directly if needed.
Take it one day at a time.
Disclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related tonarcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.

High conflict coparenting, high conflict divorce, family court, custody battle, narcissistic abuse survivor, autism, autistic single mother]]>2ea8c01c-bbf4-4b0d-9196-74b9701cfa6bMon, 15 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaIn this episode, we explore:• Why high-conflict co-parenting is uniquely dysregulatingfor autistic women• How ASD nervous systems respond to unpredictability and coparenting conflict• Why your body may feel constantly “on alert” after narcissistic...In Season 2, we focused on Emotional Detachment:* Breaking the Trauma Bond* PTSD and CPTSD recovery * forgiveness, not reconciliation* codependency as a general concept but more specifically in autistic women here.* the importance of fellowship and mentorship* gratitude after narcissistic abuse* surrender* griefThe goal was to suggest an overall journey to go through in order to detach and become a Family Court Ninja.
Here we move into the next phase, learning how to stabilize your nervous system while living through high-conflict realities. In your daily to day. Because understanding narcissistic abuse, post-separation abuse and legal abuse is one thing.
But functioning calmly, strategically and consistently while dealing with family court anxiety, co-parenting conflict, unpredictability, and emotional pressure, is something else entirely.
For many survivors of narcissistic abuse, high-conflict co-parenting becomes more than a legal situation.It becomes a chronic nervous system stressor.And autistic women are especially vulnerable to this because many of us rely on:* predictability, * emotional safety, * routine,* clear rules to follow,
to function well.
When those disappear, the nervous system may begin reacting as though danger is constant. That can look like:* re-reading messages repeatedly* adrenaline spikes when you hear notifications* freezing during conflict* difficulty relaxing when the child is away* constant mental scanning. This episode is not about blaming yourself for your reactions. It’s about understanding why your system responds this way — and why regulation matters.Because you...]]>1189false31full31. You are Allowed to be Calm - With PTSD and ADHD, Prolonged Legal Abuse and Narcissistic Abuse, Train Your Nervous System to Enjoy Calm Ahttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/31-you-are-allowed-to-be-calm-with-ptsd-and-adhd-prolonged-legal-abuse-and-narcissistic-abuse-train-your-nervous-system-to-enjoy-calm-a--72284220CPTSD recovery, you can train your nervous system to enjoy those moments of calm. They're actually what will make you more impactful in family court, and they're an integral part of narcissistic abuse recovery.
When navigating narcissistic abuse, prolonged post-separation abuse and legal abuse, you may be carrying CPTSD or PTSD. Add ADHD and ASD into the mix, and you've got a pretty messed up nervous system. The good news is that just like your nervous system was trained for stress, you can train it to enjoy peace, and calm. Not a legal nor mental health professional. Bring anything that resonates to the attention of a professional. Find me on Facebook at ⁠Light in the Battle⁠ where we can chat. I still have time to help survivors see through the fog, to assist them with their mindset shift, and I do this for free at the moment. www.lightinthebattle.com]]>0ea19943-23fa-4d27-a2e2-2da0a3b6f140Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaYour nervous system has been trained to stay on high alert. That's what's familiar. And so being calm feels unsafe. Over time, and it's an integral part of PTSD or https://open.spotify.com/episode/0MBjbaMIlxg8o6zAD6Ja7H?si=_-cNQcGQT_OXBz1tqksbGQ, you...CPTSD recovery, you can train your nervous system to enjoy those moments of calm. They're actually what will make you more impactful in family court, and they're an integral part of narcissistic abuse recovery.
When navigating narcissistic abuse, prolonged post-separation abuse and legal abuse, you may be carrying CPTSD or PTSD. Add ADHD and ASD into the mix, and you've got a pretty messed up nervous system. The good news is that just like your nervous system was trained for stress, you can train it to enjoy peace, and calm. Not a legal nor mental health professional. Bring anything that resonates to the attention of a professional. Find me on Facebook at ⁠Light in the Battle⁠ where we can chat. I still have time to help survivors see through the fog, to assist them with their mindset shift, and I do this for free at the moment. www.lightinthebattle.com]]>462falsefull30. Stop Explaining Yourself – to your High-Conflict Coparent, as an ASD Mom, or as the Parent of a PDA child: Narcissistic Abuse and PTSD Rhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/30-stop-explaining-yourself-to-your-high-conflict-coparent-as-an-asd-mom-or-as-the-parent-of-a-pda-child-narcissistic-abuse-and-ptsd-r--72045482It's taking energy away from what matters: your mental health, and your kids. When people are committed to misunderstanding you, consciously or not, share what you have to share and keep it moving.
In this episode Faustina reflects on her journey with all of the above and explains why sharing less, is actually safer.
In the context of coparenting with a narcissist, or someone who exhibits dysfunctional traits of behavior, the way you communicate, and how much content you produce as you attempt to explain your decisions, can be used against you in family court. Judges won't be able to see who the safe, child-focused parent is if you ramble and come from an emotional place. Detach, share what you legally have to share, and be on your merry way.
In the context of raising a PDA child, you'll be making decisions that most parents won't understand. And unless they are willing to educate themselves and research PDA, there is approximately zero point in explaining why you're raising the kids this or that way. It's not your job to educate people when every ounce of your energy must be preserved.
In the context of a late autism diagnosis, and faced with the adjustments that you make to your life as you start to unmask, the people who have known you for a long time won't take it well either. Maybe they can't be friends with the person you really are without the autistic masking. Maybe they weren't the right people for you all along. Unless they behave like safe people, they don't deserve your explanations. You're already exhausted from figuring out how to function in a neurotypical world.
Please take whatever resonates with you to the attention of a legal or mental health professional. You DO have to disclose certain things to your coparent, and you DO want to build safe connection with your safe people as you crawl your way out of CPTSD or PTSD.]]>40be96eb-5053-46df-a0da-3efbcf99c164Sun, 17 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaWe've been trained to explain ourselves. Either through a toxic abusive relationship, through a lifetime of living with autism and being misunderstood, or by walking the journey of raising a child with autism and/or PDA. It's taking energy away from...It's taking energy away from what matters: your mental health, and your kids. When people are committed to misunderstanding you, consciously or not, share what you have to share and keep it moving.
In this episode Faustina reflects on her journey with all of the above and explains why sharing less, is actually safer.
In the context of coparenting with a narcissist, or someone who exhibits dysfunctional traits of behavior, the way you communicate, and how much content you produce as you attempt to explain your decisions, can be used against you in family court. Judges won't be able to see who the safe, child-focused parent is if you ramble and come from an emotional place. Detach, share what you legally have to share, and be on your merry way.
In the context of raising a PDA child, you'll be making decisions that most parents won't understand. And unless they are willing to educate themselves and research PDA, there is approximately zero point in explaining why you're raising the kids this or that way. It's not your job to educate people when every ounce of your energy must be preserved.
In the context of a late autism diagnosis, and faced with the adjustments that you make to your life as you start to unmask, the people who have known you for a long time won't take it well either. Maybe they can't be friends with the person you really are without the autistic masking. Maybe they weren't the right people for you all along. Unless they behave like safe people, they don't deserve your explanations. You're already exhausted from figuring out how to function in a neurotypical world.
Please take whatever resonates with you to the attention of a legal or mental health professional. You DO have to disclose certain things to your coparent, and you DO want to build safe connection with your safe people as you crawl your way out of CPTSD or PTSD.]]>621falsefull29. Why You Don’t Need Closure After Narcissistic Abuse To Move Forward With Your Life, Through the Self-Verification Concepthttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/29-why-you-don-t-need-closure-after-narcissistic-abuse-to-move-forward-with-your-life-through-the-self-verification-concept--71863024

an apology

accountability

understanding

a “clean ending”

But in high-conflict dynamics — and especially after narcissistic abuse — that closure often never comes.And waiting for it can keep you:

emotionally attached
mentally replaying the past
stuck in a loop of “maybe one day they’ll get it”

• Why closure is often unavailable after narcissistic abuse - the self-verification concept is what makes it impossible
• How waiting for understanding keeps you tied to the other person
• The difference between external closure and internal decision
• Why emotional detachment requires letting go of being understood
• How to move forward without resolution
• The link between closure, surrender, and trauma recoveryClosure is not something you need the other person to give you. Because needing anything from someone with narcissistic tendencies is dangerous.Closure is another thing to let go of. “I understand what happened. I don’t like it. I don’t agree with it. But I accept that this is who they are.”From there, you stop:

re-explaining
rehashing
trying to be understood

an apology

accountability

understanding

a “clean ending”

But in high-conflict dynamics — and especially after narcissistic abuse — that closure often never comes.And waiting for it can keep you:

emotionally attached
mentally replaying the past
stuck in a loop of “maybe one day they’ll get it”

re-explaining
rehashing
trying to be understood

And you start moving forward without needing their version of the story.For autistic women navigating trauma recovery and narcissistic abuse recovery, this shift is key to breaking emotional attachment and reclaiming your energy.You don’t need the story to end cleanly.You need to stop revisiting it - which may require a bit of trauma work.👉 Follow the show for more short, practical episodes on emotional detachment, autism (ASD), and high-conflict co-parenting
👉 Leave a review if this content is helping you move forwardDisclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related to narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.Take it one day at a time.]]>754falsefullPDA Meditation for Autistic Adults, PDA Autism Affirmations for Adults, Getting Shit Done with PDA, Meditation for PDA Adults - Pervasive Drhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/pda-meditation-for-autistic-adults-pda-autism-affirmations-for-adults-getting-shit-done-with-pda-meditation-for-pda-adults-pervasive-dr--71679808⁠autistic burnout meditation⁠ I created for myself,these are affirmations I recorded for myself and that are having quite the impact on getting stuff done in my life. Stuff that society expects, that "normal" people do, that my body expects of me, etc. I now do things because I WANT TO DO THEM. Not because my body says it needs it, because my phone tells me I need to answer a call, or because normal people make their bed in the morning. I hope this helps other PDA adults reframe the demands intostuff you want to do for yourself, because it's important to YOU. PDA stands for Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, also known asPathological Demand Avoidance. It can greaty impact your quality of life as a PDA single mother, because the underlying dynamics that enable you to do all the things for your child, are not the same that require you to do all the things for yourself. For your child, it's an ancestral instinct geared towardsthe survival of the species, so you do everything your kids need. But when it comes to you, as an autistic single mother with PDA, especially after you're out of battery, you will 100% refuse to wash your face in the evening, or to respond to your friends who are checking in on you. There's a bit of mental exhaustion mixed with task paralysis.
So let's reframe those demands, into things we want for ourselves. This invisible disability, this neurodivergent life doesn't have to take a massive toll on our social lives, on our health, on our careers, on our daily functioning, on our ability to ask for help, and such. Keywords (look away!)PDA affirmations, autistic adults, autism burnout recovery,PDA autism support, neurodivergent affirmations, gentle self care autism, PDA meditation, nervous system regulation autism, demand avoidance adults, low demand lifestyleautism, autism meditation, guided affirmations adults PDA affirmations for demand avoidancePDA profile adult support strategies affirmations for taskavoidance autism internalized demand resistance affirmations PDA Affirmations for Adults,PDA Meditation for Adult PDA, Adult PDA MeditationAdult PDA AffirmationsPDA Affirmations for Autistic Adults, Adult PDA Meditation,Adult PDA Affirmations, Meditation for PDA adults- Pervasive Drive for Autonomy- Pathological Demand Avoidance - PDA Autism Affirmations for Adults, PDA Affirmations forAutistic Adults, Getting Shit Done with PDA]]>e6e76947-95ef-460f-909f-ca5fccd8fff8Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaHow do you get anything done when you're a PDA adult? When everything feels like a demand, from responding to an email from your lawyer to the simple fact your body says it's time to get a sip of water? Just like the...⁠autistic burnout meditation⁠ I created for myself,these are affirmations I recorded for myself and that are having quite the impact on getting stuff done in my life. Stuff that society expects, that "normal" people do, that my body expects of me, etc. I now do things because I WANT TO DO THEM. Not because my body says it needs it, because my phone tells me I need to answer a call, or because normal people make their bed in the morning. I hope this helps other PDA adults reframe the demands intostuff you want to do for yourself, because it's important to YOU. PDA stands for Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, also known asPathological Demand Avoidance. It can greaty impact your quality of life as a PDA single mother, because the underlying dynamics that enable you to do all the things for your child, are not the same that require you to do all the things for yourself. For your child, it's an ancestral instinct geared towardsthe survival of the species, so you do everything your kids need. But when it comes to you, as an autistic single mother with PDA, especially after you're out of battery, you will 100% refuse to wash your face in the evening, or to respond to your friends who are checking in on you. There's a bit of mental exhaustion mixed with task paralysis.
So let's reframe those demands, into things we want for ourselves. This invisible disability, this neurodivergent life doesn't have to take a massive toll on our social lives, on our health, on our careers, on our daily functioning, on our ability to ask for help, and such. Keywords (look away!)PDA affirmations, autistic adults, autism burnout recovery,PDA autism support, neurodivergent affirmations, gentle self care autism, PDA meditation, nervous system regulation autism, demand avoidance adults, low demand lifestyleautism, autism meditation, guided affirmations adults PDA affirmations for demand avoidancePDA profile adult support strategies affirmations for taskavoidance autism internalized demand resistance affirmations PDA Affirmations for Adults,PDA Meditation for Adult PDA, Adult PDA MeditationAdult PDA AffirmationsPDA Affirmations for Autistic Adults, Adult PDA Meditation,Adult PDA Affirmations, Meditation for PDA adults- Pervasive Drive for Autonomy- Pathological Demand Avoidance - PDA Autism Affirmations for Adults, PDA Affirmations forAutistic Adults, Getting Shit Done with PDA]]>708falsebonus28. How Trauma Recovery Makes You Stronger Before, and In Family Court After Narcissistic Abuse (Autism & ASD) | Season Finale | Emotional Dhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/28-how-trauma-recovery-makes-you-stronger-before-and-in-family-court-after-narcissistic-abuse-autism-asd-season-finale-emotional-d--71500631This season has taken you through a complete journey of trauma recovery:

the trauma bond
PTSD and CPTSD
EMDR and nervous system regulation
forgiveness without reconciliation
codependency & its ties to autism
fellowship and mentorship with the STAR Network
gratitude
surrender
grief

This entire process was designed to lead you to one place: emotional detachment.And not as a concept — but as an advantage in high-conflict situations.• Why emotional detachment is about what you can control
• Why being “right” is not enough in family court
• How trauma responses can undermine your credibility without you realizing it
• Why legal strategies only work when your nervous system is regulated
• The gap between legal advice and emotional readiness
• How emotional detachment changes your communication, documentation, and presence
• Why family courts and judges respond to consistency, stability, and behavior — not your internal experience
• The shift from reacting to acting strategically
• How detachment can protect your energy, your child, and your long-term outcomesFor a survivor of narcissistic abuse, especially an autistic woman navigating trauma recovery, this work is not optional.Without emotional detachment:

you remain reactive
you remain entangled
you risk creating evidence that can be used against you

With emotional detachment:

you become calm
you become consistent
you become credible

And that changes everything.This is the difference between knowing what to do, and being able to do it under pressure.Many resources exist to help you navigate family court.But most of them assume that you are already regulated, grounded, and emotionally detached.This season was about getting you there.So that when you receive legal advice, you can:

apply it
sustain it
and execute it without self-sabotage

the trauma bond
PTSD and CPTSD
EMDR and nervous system regulation
forgiveness without reconciliation
codependency & its ties to autism
fellowship and mentorship with the STAR Network
gratitude
surrender
grief

you remain reactive
you remain entangled
you risk creating evidence that can be used against you

With emotional detachment:

you become calm
you become consistent
you become credible

apply it
sustain it
and execute it without self-sabotage

As we close Season 2, remember:Emotional detachment is not about becoming passive, or surrendering, quite the opposite. It is about: being in control of what you can control — your mindset and how you show up — no matter what is happening around you.This is where your power is.👉 Follow the show for future seasons on trauma recovery, autism and high-conflict co-parenting
👉 Leave a review if this season helped you — it helps reach more survivorsDisclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related to narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.

]]>2172false216full27. Grief After Narcissistic Abuse: Processing Loss, Identity and Trauma (Autism & ASD) - Letting Go For Your Custody Battle | Emotional Dethttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/27-grief-after-narcissistic-abuse-processing-loss-identity-and-trauma-autism-asd-letting-go-for-your-custody-battle-emotional-det--71297796Welcome back to Season 2 of Light in the Battle— a podcast for autistic women healing from narcissistic abuse, where we become clearer, calmer, and spiritually and legally harder to mess with.Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for FamilyCourt — Season 2This season is a journey from the trauma bond toemotional freedom. We’ve covered trauma recovery through PTSD and CPTSD, EMDR, forgiveness without reconciliation, codependency, fellowship, gratitude, and surrender.In this episode, we arrive at a step that cannot be skipped: grief.In this episode, we explore:• Grieving the life you thought you were building
• Grieving a reality that looks nothing like what you planned
• The loss of personal belongings, stability, and shared history
• Losing friendships, social circles, and cutting off “flying monkeys”
• Grieving changes in your relationship with your children, including parental alienation
• The loss of innocence in relationships — and no longer being “carefree”
• The reality that courts often focus only on the children, not what you endured
• The loss of control over your life due to court orders and legal structures
• Why taking stock of what you lost is necessary for emotional detachment
• The difference between grief and staying stuck in the pastGrief is the process that allows you to release what isgone, so it stops defining and controlling your present reality.For autistic women navigating trauma recovery andnarcissistic abuse recovery, grief can feel overwhelming — especially when paired with sensory overload, burnout, and emotional exhaustion.But avoiding grief keeps you:

Reactive
Attached to the past
Emotionally entangled

ALL of which will be used against you in family court, in acustody battle. Allowing grief is what makes emotional detachmentcomplete.It is what allows you to:

stop chasing things that you can't have back
stop bargaining with the past
and finally redirect your energy toward your life, your legal battle, and your future

Reactive
Attached to the past
Emotionally entangled

ALL of which will be used against you in family court, in acustody battle. Allowing grief is what makes emotional detachmentcomplete.It is what allows you to:

stop chasing things that you can't have back
stop bargaining with the past
and finally redirect your energy toward your life, your legal battle, and your future

As we move toward the final episode of Season 2, this is themoment where everything begins to settle.If this episode feels heavy, take your time with it.
Grief is not something you rush. It will hit in waves, if you allow it to. 👉 Follow the show to complete the Season 2 journey
👉Leave a review if this content is helping you move through trauma recoveryDisclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related tonarcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.Take it one day at a time.
We’ll see you next week.
]]>1610false215full26. Surrender After Narcissistic Abuse: Letting Go of Control, Outcomes and Fear (Trauma Recovery, Autism & ASD) | Emotional Detachment as ahttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/26-surrender-after-narcissistic-abuse-letting-go-of-control-outcomes-and-fear-trauma-recovery-autism-asd-emotional-detachment-as-a--71139083you’ve lived in the anxiety of anticipating outcomes, and to try and control as much as possible.
You're living in a Chinese finger trap But staying in that state keeps you reactive, exhausted, and enmeshed with your coparent. And in high-conflict situations — especially in family court— that can work against you.
In this episode, we explore:• The difference between surrender and giving up
• Why resisting reality keeps you stuck in reactivity
• What you actually need to let go of (control, outcomes, fairness, being understood)
• Why surrender is essential for emotional detachment
• How surrender regulates the nervous system after trauma
• Why clarity and strategy become possible only after letting go
• How surrender helps you stop feeding high-conflict dynamics
• Why emotional detachment is not emotional disconnection, but control over how you show up
For ASD women navigating trauma recovery and narcissistic abuse recovery, surrender is a shift from control and emotional reactions, over to strategy and appropriate responses. Surrender allows you to:* stop negotiating with reality, * stop replaying scenarios and possible outcomes,* stop trying to force outcomes. And instead:focus your energy where you actually have power.
Serenity prayer: Lord give me the serenity to accept whatI cannot change, the courage to change what I can change, and the wisdom to know the difference.
This is where emotional detachment becomes real.As we approach the end of Season 2, surrender creates thespace for the next and final step: grief — the process of fullyacknowledging what was lost so you can move forward without carrying it.This episode is likely to be a little triggering. That’s whyother influencers don’t talk about this stuff, it’s not sexy. If this episode challenges you, take your time with it., or maybe start a little earlier in Season 2. This episode about surrender, along with grief next week, are the Final Boss :)👉 Follow the show to continue the full Season 2 journey
👉Leave a 5* review if this content is helping you reach emotional detachment, so more women can find it in their recommendations.Disclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related tonarcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.Take it one day at a time.
We’ll see you next week.www.lightinthebattle.com]]>5fd4276b-deae-4386-a00e-32ad7ac92601Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaLet’s now learn to let go of what we cannot control, so we can fully focus on what we can. For a survivor of narcissistic abuse, this can feel counterintuitive. And yet it’s a crucial step in performing better in family court.Welcome back to Season 2...you’ve lived in the anxiety of anticipating outcomes, and to try and control as much as possible.
You're living in a Chinese finger trap But staying in that state keeps you reactive, exhausted, and enmeshed with your coparent. And in high-conflict situations — especially in family court— that can work against you.
In this episode, we explore:• The difference between surrender and giving up
• Why resisting reality keeps you stuck in reactivity
• What you actually need to let go of (control, outcomes, fairness, being understood)
• Why surrender is essential for emotional detachment
• How surrender regulates the nervous system after trauma
• Why clarity and strategy become possible only after letting go
• How surrender helps you stop feeding high-conflict dynamics
• Why emotional detachment is not emotional disconnection, but control over how you show up
For ASD women navigating trauma recovery and narcissistic abuse recovery, surrender is a shift from control and emotional reactions, over to strategy and appropriate responses. Surrender allows you to:* stop negotiating with reality, * stop replaying scenarios and possible outcomes,* stop trying to force outcomes. And instead:focus your energy where you actually have power.
Serenity prayer: Lord give me the serenity to accept whatI cannot change, the courage to change what I can change, and the wisdom to know the difference.
This is where emotional detachment becomes real.As we approach the end of Season 2, surrender creates thespace for the next and final step: grief — the process of fullyacknowledging what was lost so you can move forward without carrying it.This episode is likely to be a little triggering. That’s whyother influencers don’t talk about this stuff, it’s not sexy. If this episode challenges you, take your time with it., or maybe start a little earlier in Season 2. This episode about surrender, along with grief next week, are the Final Boss :)👉 Follow the show to continue the full Season 2 journey
👉Leave a 5* review if this content is helping you reach emotional detachment, so more women can find it in their recommendations.Disclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related tonarcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical,...]]>2023false214full25. Gratitude After Narcissistic Abuse: How Trauma Recovery Shifts You Out of Survival Mode & Victim Mode (Autism & ASD) | Emotional Detachmhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/25-gratitude-after-narcissistic-abuse-how-trauma-recovery-shifts-you-out-of-survival-mode-victim-mode-autism-asd-emotional-detachm--71004622understanding the trauma bond, PTSD and CPTSD, EMDR, forgiveness without reconciliation, codependency, and the importance of fellowship and mentorship.In this episode, we move into a stage that can feeluncomfortable — even controversial: gratitude.Gratitude is often misunderstood, especially for a survivorof narcissistic abuse.We're not trying to minimize what happened, justify the abuse, or ignore our legitimate anger and pain. Gratitude only becomes accessible after traumarecovery has begun.
If you are still in survival mode, gratitude may feel impossible — and that’s okay.But once emotional detachment starts to take hold, everythingchanges. In this episode, we explore:• Why the brain cannot focus on gratitude and fear at thesame time
• How gratitude helps regulate the nervous system after trauma
• The difference between denial and genuine gratitude
• How gratitude helps break the victim mindset without dismissing reality
• Why focusing only on what was lost keeps you emotionally entangled
• How gratitude reorients your attention back to what is stable and safe
• Why becoming a more grounded, peaceful person changes your relationships
• How gratitude increases your capacity as a parent, professional, and decision-maker
• Why gratitude becomes possible only after codependency begins to loosen
• How gratitude prepares you for the final stages of emotional detachmentFor autistic women navigating narcissistic abuse recovery,this step is particularly important. When your nervous system is no longer constantly scanning for danger, you can begin to notice what is working, what is safe, and what is yours.Gratitude is a muscle that you grow, it's not a personality trait that you either have or don't have.
It is a practice of redirecting your attention.And over time, it becomes a new way of experiencing life —one that is no longer defined by what happened to you.As we continue Season 2, we are approaching the final stepsof the journey:
surrender and grief — where emotional detachment becomes complete.If this episode challenges you, take your time with it.Maybe pick a time where you’re more open to these suggestions. Just stay open, and choose the correcttiming.👉 Follow the show tocontinue the full Season 2 journey
👉 Leave a review if this content is helping you — it helps reach more autistic women in trauma recoveryDisclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related tonarcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.Take this life one day at a time, Mama.
We’ll see you next week. www.lightinthebattle.com]]>5830f5af-7fe4-428a-9d02-c080c612a57cMon, 30 Mar 2026 19:00:00 +0000FaustinaGratitude is often misunderstood, especially for an autistic survivor of narcissistic abuse. Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for FamilyCourt — Season 2Welcome back to Season 2 of Light in the Battle— a podcast for autistic women healing...understanding the trauma bond, PTSD and CPTSD, EMDR, forgiveness without reconciliation, codependency, and the importance of fellowship and mentorship.In this episode, we move into a stage that can feeluncomfortable — even controversial: gratitude.Gratitude is often misunderstood, especially for a survivorof narcissistic abuse.We're not trying to minimize what happened, justify the abuse, or ignore our legitimate anger and pain. Gratitude only becomes accessible after traumarecovery has begun.
If you are still in survival mode, gratitude may feel impossible — and that’s okay.But once emotional detachment starts to take hold, everythingchanges. In this episode, we explore:• Why the brain cannot focus on gratitude and fear at thesame time
• How gratitude helps regulate the nervous system after trauma
• The difference between denial and genuine gratitude
• How gratitude helps break the victim mindset without dismissing reality
• Why focusing only on what was lost keeps you emotionally entangled
• How gratitude reorients your attention back to what is stable and safe
• Why becoming a more grounded, peaceful person changes your relationships
• How gratitude increases your capacity as a parent, professional, and decision-maker
• Why gratitude becomes possible only after codependency begins to loosen
• How gratitude prepares you for the final stages of emotional detachmentFor autistic women navigating narcissistic abuse recovery,this step is particularly important. When your nervous system is no longer constantly scanning for danger, you can begin to notice what is working, what is safe, and what is yours.Gratitude is a muscle that you grow, it's not a personality trait that you either have or don't have.
It is a practice of redirecting your attention.And over time, it becomes a new way of experiencing life —one that is no longer defined by what happened to you.As we continue Season 2, we are approaching the final stepsof the journey:
surrender and grief — where emotional detachment becomes complete.If this episode challenges you, take your time with it.Maybe pick a time where you’re more open to these suggestions. Just stay open, and choose the correcttiming.👉 Follow the show tocontinue the full Season 2 journey
👉 Leave a review if this content is helping you — it helps reach more autistic women in trauma recoveryDisclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience related tonarcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.Take this life one day at a time, Mama.
We’ll see you next week. www.lightinthebattle.com]]>2499false213fullBonus - Autistic Burnout Meditation - Low-Demand Autistic Burnout Recovery for Women & Single Moms on the Autism Spectrum, Burnt Out PDA Womhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-autistic-burnout-meditation-low-demand-autistic-burnout-recovery-for-women-single-moms-on-the-autism-spectrum-burnt-out-pda-wom--70838632We’re going to address the underserved segment of autistic women in burnout, especially autistic single mothers - that deep, full-body shutdown that feels like our nervous system has nothing left to give, our executive functioning has crapped out, we can’t speak, the sensory sensitivity has become overwhelming, and we can't function beyond taking care of our babies' needs.
This standalone, bonus episode is a low-demand, quiet "meditation" that validates ASD Moms going through autistic burnout. This Episode may also help all single moms in burnout. Mom burnout and parental burnout in general can happen, and the nervous system can recover. This "meditation" is one of the tools you can use in your autistic burnout recovery, or in your mom burnout recovery journey.We don’t have to heal in this moment. We don’t have to feel better. This is simply a pause in the Battle. You are welcome to come back as often as you need to. Keywords: PDA, autistic woman, autistic single mom, single mom on the spectrum, woman on the spectrum, autistic burnout, autistic burnout recovery, ASD burnout, meditation, mom in burnout, burnout in single moms, burnout recovery]]>9bb18503-b2bb-48b4-9a5e-543e7592ba16Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaThis is a low-demand reflexion for women in autistic burnout. We’re not going to try and address our stress, tiredness, or overwhelm as there are a lot of resources about this online. We’re also not going to control our breathing or our body. Zero...We’re going to address the underserved segment of autistic women in burnout, especially autistic single mothers - that deep, full-body shutdown that feels like our nervous system has nothing left to give, our executive functioning has crapped out, we can’t speak, the sensory sensitivity has become overwhelming, and we can't function beyond taking care of our babies' needs.
This standalone, bonus episode is a low-demand, quiet "meditation" that validates ASD Moms going through autistic burnout. This Episode may also help all single moms in burnout. Mom burnout and parental burnout in general can happen, and the nervous system can recover. This "meditation" is one of the tools you can use in your autistic burnout recovery, or in your mom burnout recovery journey.We don’t have to heal in this moment. We don’t have to feel better. This is simply a pause in the Battle. You are welcome to come back as often as you need to. Keywords: PDA, autistic woman, autistic single mom, single mom on the spectrum, woman on the spectrum, autistic burnout, autistic burnout recovery, ASD burnout, meditation, mom in burnout, burnout in single moms, burnout recovery]]>608falsebonus24. Why Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse Need Fellowship & Mentorship: TAR Anon, Trauma Recovery, Autism & ASD - Podcasthon - Emotional Detachttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/24-why-survivors-of-narcissistic-abuse-need-fellowship-mentorship-tar-anon-trauma-recovery-autism-asd-podcasthon-emotional-detac--70667790STAR Network (Survivors of Toxic and Abusive Relationships), an organization that provides support groups, mentorship, and resources for survivors. In the context of Podcasthon week, promoting this organization was a natural fit with where we're at in Season 2: Fellowship & Mentorship as a way of achieving emotional detachment after narcissistic abuse, and in preparation for family court hearings. • Why narcissistic abuse recovery often requires community support
• The role of fellowship in trauma recovery
• Why survivors of narcissistic abuse often struggle to heal in isolation
• How peer support helps rebuild trust in your perception of reality
• Why autistic women (ASD) may benefit especially from structured recovery communities
• The difference between codependency and healthy fellowship
• How mentorship and survivor communities can accelerate healing
• Why emotional detachment becomes easier when you are not carrying the recovery journey aloneRecovery spaces like TAR Anon meetings offered through the STAR Network, led by Dr. Jamie Huysman, provide opportunities for survivors of narcissistic abuse to connect with others who understand the dynamics of toxic and abusive relationships. For many survivors, these communities reduce shame, provide understanding, and support long-term healing.For autistic women navigating narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery can feel especially complex. ASD traits such as pattern-seeking, deep empathy, and difficulty interpreting manipulative social dynamics can make survivors more vulnerable to codependent patterns. Fellowship and mentorship can help provide perspective, pattern recognition, and emotional support along the way.As we continue Season 2, we will move from fellowship into the next stages of emotional detachment: gratitude, surrender, and grief — the final steps toward emotional freedom.If you are a survivor of narcissistic abuse, remember: recovery does not have to happen alone.👉 Follow the show to continue the Season 2 journey.👉 Join a TAR Anon meeting ASAP👉 Leave a review if this episode helped you — it helps this information reach more survivors.Disclaimer: This podcast shares lived experience and perspectives on narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery, autism and ASD. It is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or mental health advice.]]>b2437ad9-cf32-4e35-8627-c35ce7f4c4c4Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaEpisode — Fellowship & Mentorship in Narcissistic Abuse Recovery — Podcasthon Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court — Season 2Welcome back to Season 2 of Light in the Battle — a podcast for autistic women healing from...STAR Network (Survivors of Toxic and Abusive Relationships), an organization that provides support groups, mentorship, and resources for survivors. In the context of Podcasthon week, promoting this organization was a natural fit with where we're at in Season 2: Fellowship & Mentorship as a way of achieving emotional detachment after narcissistic abuse, and in preparation for family court hearings. • Why narcissistic abuse recovery often requires community support
• The role of fellowship in trauma recovery
• Why survivors of narcissistic abuse often struggle to heal in isolation
• How peer support helps rebuild trust in your perception of reality
• Why autistic women (ASD) may benefit especially from structured recovery communities
• The difference between codependency and healthy fellowship
• How mentorship and survivor communities can accelerate healing
• Why emotional detachment becomes easier when you are not carrying the recovery journey aloneRecovery spaces like TAR Anon meetings offered through the STAR Network, led by Dr. Jamie Huysman, provide opportunities for survivors of narcissistic abuse to connect with others who understand the dynamics of toxic and abusive relationships. For many survivors, these communities reduce shame, provide understanding, and support long-term healing.For autistic women navigating narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma recovery can feel especially complex. ASD traits such as pattern-seeking, deep empathy, and difficulty interpreting manipulative social dynamics can make survivors more vulnerable to codependent patterns. Fellowship and mentorship can help provide perspective, pattern recognition, and emotional support along the way.As we continue Season 2, we will move from fellowship into the next stages of emotional detachment: gratitude, surrender, and grief — the final steps toward emotional freedom.If you are a survivor of narcissistic abuse, remember: recovery does not have to happen alone.👉 Follow the show to continue the Season 2 journey.👉 Join a TAR Anon meeting ASAP👉 Leave a review if this episode helped you — it helps this information reach more survivors.Disclaimer:...]]>2553false212full23. Where Am I in the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Journey? Healing Roadmap From Trauma Bond to Freedom as an Autistic Woman - Emotional Detahttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/23-where-am-i-in-the-narcissistic-abuse-recovery-journey-healing-roadmap-from-trauma-bond-to-freedom-as-an-autistic-woman-emotional-deta--70555558

Where am I in this process?

Am I at the trauma bond stage, or past it?

Am I behind?

Should I start at the beginning?

Why does this episode resonate but that one makes me so mad?

This episode is here to help you orient yourself, and understand how this season is structured.We started with the trauma bond because you can’t rebuild your life if your nervous system is still organized around the person who hurt you.This is the stage where you might still feel pulled toward them. Where you know logically it was harmful, but emotionally you still feel attached. Where you’re confused about why you miss someone who damaged you.Those episodes break down what the trauma bond actually is, how it forms, and how it begins to loosen.If that’s where you are — start there with Episode 15A.Once the trauma bond starts to weaken, something else often shows up more clearly: the nervous system.This is where you might feel dysregulated, anxious, exhausted, reactive, numb, or flooded with emotions.We talk about PTSD. We talk about EMDR. We talk about how trauma is encoded and how it can be reprocessed.This phase is about stabilization.Forgiveness comes next. And it does not mean excusing what happened, giving second chances, nor reconciling.Forgiveness, in this context, is about releasing the chronic emotional charge that keeps you tied to the injury.It only becomes accessible after some stabilization.If you tried to forgive too early and it felt fake or forced — that’s why.This episode sits exactly where it belongs in the roadmap.Once you’re no longer just surviving, you start asking harder questions.

Why did I tolerate this?
What patterns in me made this possible?
Why do I over-accommodate?

This is where we move into codependency — what it is, why it forms, and why autistic women in particular are often especially vulnerable to it.Because we’re often deeply attuned, conscientious, and conditioned to overgive and keep relationships smooth. This stage is about reclaiming autonomy.It’s about understanding your wiring so you can rewire it.After stabilization and restructuring comes expansion.

Gratitude — understanding that this nonsense happened FOR you.
Fellowship and mentorship — including safe, grounded coregulation through the STAR Network.
Surrender and grief — the deeper integration work where you release the version of you that survived domestic abuse, as well as all the negativity in your current reality.

These phases each become accessible when your nervous system is ready.If you’re still emotionally pulled toward the dysfunctional person, you’re probably in trauma bond work.If you’re physically out but your body still feels unstable, PTSD and stabilization work might be most relevant.If you’re questioning your own relational patterns, you need to understand codepedendency.If you’re beginning to feel stable and asking how to build forward — you’re moving into integration.You fall somewhere on a sequence.And this season was built so that wherever you are, there’s a place to land on a nervous system recovery journey.Please do not force yourself into a phase you’re not ready for.You just have to meet yourself honestly where you are.There is Light in this Battle — at every point.]]>5b3a7508-3eb9-43cd-9501-a25ff1ca850cMon, 09 Mar 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaI want to do something a little different in this episode.If you’ve been listening to Season 2 from the beginning, you probably already feel that there’s a progression. We didn’t just randomly move from trauma bonds to EMDR to forgiveness to...

Where am I in this process?

Am I at the trauma bond stage, or past it?

Am I behind?

Should I start at the beginning?

Why does this episode resonate but that one makes me so mad?

Why did I tolerate this?
What patterns in me made this possible?
Why do I over-accommodate?

Gratitude — understanding that this nonsense happened FOR you.
Fellowship and mentorship — including safe, grounded...]]>1584false211full22. Codependency Recovery for Autistic Women: The Healing Journey as a Codependent Single Mother with Autism & ASD - Emotional Detachment ashttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/22-codependency-recovery-for-autistic-women-the-healing-journey-as-a-codependent-single-mother-with-autism-asd-emotional-detachment-as--70397160
Episode 20 — Codependent traits and behaviors
Episode 21 — The link between autism and codependency

In this episode, we focus on something hopeful and practical:
How do you actually break free from codependency?Because forgiveness alone doesn’t reorient you.
Trauma therapy alone doesn’t change identity.
And leaving the relationship alone doesn’t remove the pattern.Codependency is not just about who you were with — it’s about who you became in order to survive.And recovery requires a reorientation.

The core message of Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
Why learning to depend on yourself is foundational
How to stop abandoning yourself for others
What healthy boundaries actually are (and what they are not)
Practicing “no” and sitting with the discomfort
The difference between supporting someone and fixing them
Why detachment is not withdrawal, resignation, or indifference
How to create internal predictability instead of seeking it through chaotic relationships
Self-verification: why the autistic brain may cling to familiar dynamics — even painful ones
Why joining support groups (like CoDA or other recovery spaces) can help with reorientation
How recovery from codependency frees up bandwidth for parenting, work, strategy, and real peace

For autistic women especially, letting go of codependency can feel like losing a self-definition.
It creates a void.The real question isn’t:
“Who am I without them?”It’s:
“Who am I without the role that made me feel less like a misfit?”That void is uncomfortable — but it’s where detachment begins.And detachment, in this season, is not emotional coldness.
It’s the ability to stop organizing your identity around someone else’s emotional states.That shift is what allows you to:

show up calm in court
stop sending reactive emails
parallel parent strategically
raise a non-codependent child
engage in healthy relationships going forward

Codependency fades when the nervous system learns that stability, worth, predictability, and control can come from within — not from managing external chaos.Later in Season 2, we’ll move into:

Mentorship & fellowship
Gratitude
Surrender
Grief

Episode 20 — Codependent traits and behaviors

Episode 21 — The link between autism and codependency

The core message of Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
Why learning to depend on yourself is foundational
How to stop abandoning yourself for others
What healthy boundaries actually are (and what they are not)
Practicing “no” and sitting with the discomfort
The difference between supporting someone and fixing them
Why detachment is not withdrawal, resignation, or indifference
How to create internal predictability instead of seeking it through chaotic relationships
Self-verification: why the autistic brain may cling to familiar dynamics — even painful ones
Why joining support groups (like CoDA or other recovery spaces) can help with reorientation
How recovery from codependency frees up bandwidth for parenting, work, strategy, and real peace

show up calm in court
stop sending reactive emails
parallel parent strategically
raise a non-codependent child
engage in healthy relationships going forward

Codependency fades when the nervous system learns that stability, worth, predictability, and control can come from within — not from managing external chaos.Later in Season 2, we’ll move into:

Mentorship & fellowship
Gratitude
Surrender
Grief

All essential steps on the path to full emotional detachment.If this season is challenging you, that’s intentional. Growth is uncomfortable. But the woman you’re becoming is grounded, emotionally safe, and no longer defined by survival.👉 Follow the show to receive the full Season 2 journey.
👉 Leave a review if this content is helping you.Disclaimer: I am not a medical, legal, or mental health professional. This podcast is based on lived experience. Please consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.Have courage. You can do this.]]>1807false210full21. Codependency and Autism: 5 Reasons ASD Women May be more Prone to Codependent Patterns - Linking ASD and Codependency - Emotional Detachhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/21-codependency-and-autism-5-reasons-asd-women-may-be-more-prone-to-codependent-patterns-linking-asd-and-codependency-emotional-detach--70239544DETACH, BABY, DETACH!!!Welcome back to Season 2 of Light in the Battle — a podcast for autistic women healing from narcissistic abuse, where we get clearer, calmer, and spiritually and legally harder to mess with.So in Season 2, I’m taking you step by step through the journey I personally had to walk to detach completely — without detaching from my child’s wellbeing — and to finally be able to show patterns of behavior, in a way family court cannot ignore.So far this season, we’ve covered:

Trauma bonding (⁠Episode 15⁠ & ⁠Episode 16⁠)
PTSD / CPTSD and EMDR (⁠Episodes 17⁠ & ⁠Episode 18)⁠

Forgiveness — and why it does not mean reconciliation (⁠Episode 19⁠)

Introducing Codependency - Behaviors and Traits, Episode 20

Now it’s time to talk about codependency IN ASD WOMEN.

Recap of the 5 traits & behaviors found in codependents
Recap of the 5 more common traits found in austistic people and how much that looks like codependent traits
How codependency can develop in autistic women, especially those raised in unstable environments

Reminders about the concept of self-verification — and how the autistic brain’s need for predictability can keep codependent dynamics in place
How codependency and narcissistic dynamics reinforce each other without blaming survivors of domestic violence
Why emotional detachment is key to parallel parenting and raising a non-codependent child

This episode draws in part from:

Codependent No More, written by Melody Beattie

An ⁠Interview Of Melody Beattie⁠

Research on self-verification (SimplyPsychology.org and publicly available resources on Google)

This is Part 2 of the codependency arc. Part 1 has explained the common behaviors & traits of codependent people, and part 3 in Episode 22 will suggest ways to walk the journey of codependency recovery. In upcoming episodes, we’ll move into gratitude, fellowship & mentorship, surrender, and grief — all essential stages on the path to emotional detachment and freedom.👉 Please follow the show and leave a 5-star review if this season resonates. It helps this content reach other women who need it.Disclaimer: I am not a medical, legal, or mental health professional. This podcast is based on lived experience. Please consult qualified professionals to determine what is appropriate for your situation.Stay with me through this season. It will get uncomfortable for sure. That's the whole point, I'm trying to help you get out of your own way so you can better hear what your lawyer is saying. I’m taking you on a journey, from the day you get out of the dysfunctional dynamic, all the way to emotional freedom. Follow the show so you can get all the episodes of Season 2.]]>54fb410c-89f7-4609-897c-24602fcea1faMon, 23 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaLet's continue our deep dive into codependency — why autistic women are particularly vulnerable to codependency, before we think about ways out of codependency. This entire Season is a journey towards emotional detachment, because detaching is...DETACH, BABY, DETACH!!!Welcome back to Season 2 of Light in the Battle — a podcast for autistic women healing from narcissistic abuse, where we get clearer, calmer, and spiritually and legally harder to mess with.So in Season 2, I’m taking you step by step through the journey I personally had to walk to detach completely — without detaching from my child’s wellbeing — and to finally be able to show patterns of behavior, in a way family court cannot ignore.So far this season, we’ve covered:

Trauma bonding (⁠Episode 15⁠ & ⁠Episode 16⁠)
PTSD / CPTSD and EMDR (⁠Episodes 17⁠ & ⁠Episode 18)⁠

Forgiveness — and why it does not mean reconciliation (⁠Episode 19⁠)

Introducing Codependency - Behaviors and Traits, Episode 20

Now it’s time to talk about codependency IN ASD WOMEN.

Recap of the 5 traits & behaviors found in codependents
Recap of the 5 more common traits found in austistic people and how much that looks like codependent traits
How codependency can develop in autistic women, especially those raised in unstable environments

Reminders about the concept of self-verification — and how the autistic brain’s need for predictability can keep codependent dynamics in place
How codependency and narcissistic dynamics reinforce each other without blaming survivors of domestic violence
Why emotional detachment is key to parallel parenting and raising a non-codependent child

This episode draws in part from:

Codependent No More, written by Melody Beattie

An ⁠Interview Of Melody Beattie⁠

Research on self-verification (SimplyPsychology.org and publicly available resources on Google)

Trauma bonding (Episode 15 & Episode 16)
PTSD / CPTSD and EMDR (Episodes 17 & Episode 18)
Forgiveness — and why it does not mean reconciliation (Episode 19)

Now it’s time to talk about codependency.

A clear definition of codependency and common traits
Why codependent traits often emerge in dysfunctional or high-conflict family systems
How codependency can develop in autistic women, especially those raised in unstable environments
Why forgiveness alone doesn’t break emotional entanglement
The concept of self-verification — and how the autistic brain’s need for predictability can keep codependent dynamics in place
How codependency and narcissistic dynamics reinforce each other without blaming survivors of domestic violence
Why emotional detachment is key to parallel parenting and raising a non-codependent child

This episode draws in part from:

Codependent No More, written by Melody Beattie

An Interview Of Melody Beattie

Research on self-verification (SimplyPsychology.org and publicly available resources on Google)

This is Part 1 of the codependency arc. Part 2 in Episode 21 will link ASD to Codependency closely, and suggest ways to walk the journey of codependency recovery.
In upcoming episodes, we’ll move into gratitude, fellowship & mentorship, surrender, and grief — all essential stages on the path to emotional detachment and freedom.👉 Please follow the show and leave a 5-star review if this season resonates. It helps this content reach other women who need it.Disclaimer: I am not a medical, legal, or mental health professional. This podcast is based on lived experience. Please consult qualified professionals to determine what is appropriate for your situation.Stay with me through this season. It will get uncomfortable for sure. That's the whole point, I'm trying to help you get out of your own way so you can better hear what your lawyer is saying.
I’m taking you on a journey. Follow the show so you can get all the episodes of Season 2.]]>9a703da6-786a-4e69-8ff0-5361435d3a5bMon, 16 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaLet's begin a deep dive into codependency — what it actually is, in preparation for why autistic women are particularly vulnerable to it next week - and why emotional detachment is essential not only for healing, but for protecting our children and...DETACH, BABY, DETACH!!!Welcome back to Season 2 of Light in the Battle — a podcast for autistic women healing from narcissistic abuse, where we get clearer, calmer, and spiritually and legally harder to mess with.So in Season 2, I’m taking you step by step through the journey I personally had to walk to detach completely — without detaching from my child’s wellbeing — and to finally be able to show patterns of behavior, in a way family court cannot ignore.So far this season, we’ve covered:

Trauma bonding (Episode 15 & Episode 16)
PTSD / CPTSD and EMDR (Episodes 17 & Episode 18)
Forgiveness — and why it does not mean reconciliation (Episode 19)

Now it’s time to talk about codependency.

A clear definition of codependency and common traits
Why codependent traits often emerge in dysfunctional or high-conflict family systems
How codependency can develop in autistic women, especially those raised in unstable environments
Why forgiveness alone doesn’t break emotional entanglement
The concept of self-verification — and how the autistic brain’s need for predictability can keep codependent dynamics in place
How codependency and narcissistic dynamics reinforce each other without blaming survivors of domestic violence
Why emotional detachment is key to parallel parenting and raising a non-codependent child

This episode draws in part from:

Codependent No More, written by Melody Beattie

An Interview Of Melody Beattie

Research on self-verification (SimplyPsychology.org and publicly available resources on Google)

What forgiveness is and what it is not

Forgive and Forget, really???

Forgiveness as a way of letting the hurt bear fruit

Forgiveness as a weapon of spiritual warfare

Forgiveness as a logical thing to do for autistic women

Secret and Juicy last item you will LOVE :)

When we let go of the need for revenge, when we decide to let go of the emotional load, that's when we find Emotional Detachment, freedom and real impact. To go farther:The Christian Meaning of Suffering, on the Vatican's website.Another take on Forgiveness and Revenge by Stuff you Should Know

Season 2, Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage forFamily Court (starting with the addiction to chaos mini-series) is a Liberation Series that suggests things to look into as you rebuild yourself, so that you can become the version of yourself that is so detached emotionally, that you can prepare for family court correctly. Emotional detachment is where I want to help you get to, so that any legal advice you may receive about family court, actually lands.DETACH, BABY, DETACH!Here is the order I recommend for your healing journey towards emotional freedom, as you work to become a new version of yourself - the version that can actually win in court:

First step is to think about not going back. There's a true addiction to chaos: Episode 15A, Episode 15B, Episode 16A, Episode 16B.

You then want to work with a therapist and see if you carry PTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.

Here we talk about Forgiveness as a tactical advantage and as a massive step in your personal development. Your suffering must bear fruit, learning to forgive is one.

The next things to think about in your liberation and in reclaiming your dignity, will be codependency,
Gratitude,
Fellowship & Mentorship with the STAR Network,
Surrender & Grief

Follow the show so you can hear the entire season about Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family CourtThis content is for general information and inspiration only. It is based on lived experience, on conversations had with others, and on deep research performed on publicly available information. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs. If you or someone you’re caring for is at risk of harm, please contact local emergency services or a trusted crisis service in your area.Keywords: autistic women, forgiving your abuser, forgiveness after abuse, how to forgive, how do I forgive, autistic brain, spiritual warfare, what is forgiveness, narcissistic abuse, forgiving the narcissist, freedom, forgiving as an autistic woman, emotional detachment, preparing for court, leaving an abusive relationship, ASD brain, letting go, how to let go, why should I forgive, reasons to forgive, resentment, christian meaning of suffering, domestic abuse]]>55f48a56-c01c-43c5-9b93-75b48a962bcfMon, 09 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaForgiveness is a tactical advantage. Once you're out of an abusive relationship, whether that's with a family member, a toxic work environment, etc, once you've handled your addiction to chaos so you don't go back, and you've found the right therapy...

What forgiveness is and what it is not

Forgive and Forget, really???

Forgiveness as a way of letting the hurt bear fruit

Forgiveness as a weapon of spiritual warfare

Forgiveness as a logical thing to do for autistic women

Secret and Juicy last item you will LOVE :)

First step is to think about not going back. There's a true addiction to chaos: Episode 15A, Episode 15B, Episode 16A, Episode 16B.

You then want to work with a therapist and see if you carry PTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.

Here we talk about Forgiveness as a tactical advantage and as a massive step in your personal development. Your suffering must bear fruit, learning to forgive is one.

The next things to think about in your liberation and in reclaiming your dignity, will be codependency,
Gratitude,
Fellowship & Mentorship with the STAR Network,
Surrender & Grief

Follow the show so you can hear the entire season about Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family CourtThis content is for general information and inspiration only. It is based on lived experience, on conversations had with others, and on deep research performed on publicly available information. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs. If you or someone you’re caring for is at risk of harm, please contact local emergency services or a trusted crisis service in your area.Keywords: autistic women, forgiving your abuser, forgiveness after abuse, how to forgive, how do...]]>1100false27full18. The 10 Impacts of EMDR on my Life, From the Legal Battle, to Unmasking my ASD & Becoming More Feminine - EMDR for PTSD 2/2 - Emotional Dhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/18-the-10-impacts-of-emdr-on-my-life-from-the-legal-battle-to-unmasking-my-asd-becoming-more-feminine-emdr-for-ptsd-2-2-emotional-d--69748390Legal advice doesn’t land when emotions are running high.As long as survivors show up dysregulated — in emails, texts, police reports, or in front of a judge — they continue to be perceived as unstable, emotional, or unsafe, even when their concerns are valid. Courts are not trauma-informed. That reality doesn’t change. What can change is how we show up.EMDR was the turning point that allowed me to detachemotionally without detaching from my child’s wellbeing — and to finally play by the court’s rules in a way that made patterns undeniable.In this episode, I cover:

How EMDR helped me speak calmly and precisely about what was done to me
Why emotional regulation is critical when dealing with police, courts, schools, and institutions
The impact of EMDR on my parenting, advocacy, and sensory overwhelm as an autistic mother
How trauma fawning overlaps with autistic masking — and why EMDR made unmasking possible
The return of softness, femininity, and quiet strength after CPTSD
Why forgiveness (not reconciliation) only became possible after trauma treatment
How surrender becomes accessible once hypervigilance loosens its grip
Why emotional detachment is not indifference — it’s strategic, protective, and child-focused

How EMDR changed my behavior long before I ever walked into a courtroom

If you’re new to EMDR, I strongly recommend starting with Episode 17, where I explain what EMDR is, the difference between traumatic memories and bad memories, and why this episode builds directly on that foundation.👉 Next in Season 2:
Episode 19 — Forgiveness: What It Is, and Why It Does NOT Mean Reconciliation
If this season resonates, please follow the show andleave a review — it helps this content reach other women who need it.In Season 2, so far we've covered:

The first step is to not go back. There's a true addiction to chaos:⁠⁠Episode 15A⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Episode15B⁠⁠, Episode 16A, Episode 16B.

You then want to work with a therapist and see if you have PTSD or CPTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.

You then want to see Forgiveness as a tactical advantage and as a massive step in your personal development. That's Episode 19.

The next things to think about in your liberation and in reclaiming your dignity, will be codependency,
Gratitude,
Fellowship & Mentorship with the STAR Network,
Surrender & grief

Follow the show so you can hear the entire season 2 about Emotional Detachment.
Here is the link to the ⁠TED Talk by Brené Brown, on Vulnerability⁠ which I mention in this episode.
Light in the Battle is where you come to think about how to heal from trauma, how to break the addiction to chaos, how to recover from narcissistic abuse or legal trauma, and about nervous system recovery. Disclaimer: I am not a medical, legal, or mental health professional. This podcast is based on lived experience. Please consult qualified professionals to determine what is appropriate for your situation.Take it one day at a time.Your only job today is to make it to tonight.Then you’ll do that again tomorrow.We’ll see you next week.]]>b0f5e28c-e775-4bee-ab12-5741bd4ce28aMon, 02 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaWelcome back to Season 2 of Light in the Battle, a podcast for autistic women healing from narcissistic abuse — and a spacewhere we become clearer, calmer, and spiritually and legally harder to mess with.In this episode, I share the 10 most...Legal advice doesn’t land when emotions are running high.As long as survivors show up dysregulated — in emails, texts, police reports, or in front of a judge — they continue to be perceived as unstable, emotional, or unsafe, even when their concerns are valid. Courts are not trauma-informed. That reality doesn’t change. What can change is how we show up.EMDR was the turning point that allowed me to detachemotionally without detaching from my child’s wellbeing — and to finally play by the court’s rules in a way that made patterns undeniable.In this episode, I cover:

How EMDR helped me speak calmly and precisely about what was done to me
Why emotional regulation is critical when dealing with police, courts, schools, and institutions
The impact of EMDR on my parenting, advocacy, and sensory overwhelm as an autistic mother
How trauma fawning overlaps with autistic masking — and why EMDR made unmasking possible
The return of softness, femininity, and quiet strength after CPTSD
Why forgiveness (not reconciliation) only became possible after trauma treatment
How surrender becomes accessible once hypervigilance loosens its grip
Why emotional detachment is not indifference — it’s strategic, protective, and child-focused

How EMDR changed my behavior long before I ever walked into a courtroom

The first step is to not go back. There's a true addiction to chaos:⁠⁠Episode 15A⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Episode15B⁠⁠, Episode 16A, Episode 16B.

You then want to work with a therapist and see if you have PTSD or CPTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.

You then want to see Forgiveness as a tactical advantage and as a massive step in your personal development. That's Episode 19.

The next things to think about in your liberation and in reclaiming your dignity, will be codependency,
Gratitude,
Fellowship & Mentorship with the STAR Network,
Surrender & grief

Follow the show so you can hear the entire season 2 about Emotional Detachment.
Here is the link to the 1731false26full17. EMDR for CPTSD and PTSD - What is EMDR, What to Expect, How to Heal from PTSD and CPTSD, My Personal Experience with EMDR - Emotional Dehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/17-emdr-for-cptsd-and-ptsd-what-is-emdr-what-to-expect-how-to-heal-from-ptsd-and-cptsd-my-personal-experience-with-emdr-emotional-de--69600851In this Episode I explain what EMDR is, how it works, the difference between a traumatic memory and a bad memory, the timeline to clean out various traumatic memories, and I share a few heads up from my personal experience with EMDR.Please consider listening to this as well, Chronic Trauma and EMDR, to go deeper into EMDR and Trauma. In Episode 18 we will talk about 10 things that have dramatically changed in my life after I did EMDR, how it's helped me win in family court and better advocate for my child. Season 2, Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court (starting with the "addiction to chaos" mini-series, Episode 15A to Episode 16B) is a Liberation Series that suggests things to look into as you rebuild yourself, so that you can become the version of yourself that is so detached emotionally, that you can prepare for family court correctly. Emotional detachment is where I want to help you get to, so that any legal advice you obtain from your lawyer, or any advice coming from lived experience, about court prep, actually lands. DETACH, BABY, DETACH!Here is the order I recommend for your healing journey towards emotional freedom, as you work to become a new version of yourself - the version that can actually win in court:

First step is to not go back. I cover the Trauma Bond, a true addiction to chaos, in ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 15A⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode15B⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Episode 16A⁠⁠, Episode 16B.

You then want to work with a therapist and see if you carry PTSD or CPTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.

You then want to see Forgiveness as a tactical advantage and as a massive step in your personal development. Forgiveness is not reconciliation. That's Episode 19.

The next things to think about in your liberation and in reclaiming your dignity, will be codependency, gratitude, fellowship & mentorship, surrender and grief.

Follow the show so you can hear the entire Season 2 about Emotional Detachment. While you wait for the entire season 2 to come out about Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court, check out ⁠⁠⁠Episode9: The Court Date you Can't Stop Thinking About - Breaking the Anxiety Spiral⁠⁠⁠⁠.Light in the Battle is where you come to think about how to heal from trauma, how to break the addiction to chaos, how to recover from narcissistic abuse, how to become the person you need to be in order to win a custody battle, and about nervous system recovery. This content is for general information and inspiration only. It reflects lived experience and summaries of publicly available research. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs.Keywords: Domestic violence, trauma recovery, PTSD, chronic trauma, CPTSD, childhood trauma, trauma triggers, nervous system recovery, healing the nervous system after trauma, emotional detachment, EMDR,]]>5dfdbe1d-edc6-44b1-83a8-d1da8a196fd9Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaPTSD and CPTSD are common in survivors of narcissistic abuse and in their recovery. We find ourselves going into fight, flight, freeze or fawn. This is not helpful in parenting, let alone solo parenting with an ASD brain. It's also not helpful during...In this Episode I explain what EMDR is, how it works, the difference between a traumatic memory and a bad memory, the timeline to clean out various traumatic memories, and I share a few heads up from my personal experience with EMDR.Please consider listening to this as well, Chronic Trauma and EMDR, to go deeper into EMDR and Trauma. In Episode 18 we will talk about 10 things that have dramatically changed in my life after I did EMDR, how it's helped me win in family court and better advocate for my child. Season 2, Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court (starting with the "addiction to chaos" mini-series, Episode 15A to Episode 16B) is a Liberation Series that suggests things to look into as you rebuild yourself, so that you can become the version of yourself that is so detached emotionally, that you can prepare for family court correctly. Emotional detachment is where I want to help you get to, so that any legal advice you obtain from your lawyer, or any advice coming from lived experience, about court prep, actually lands. DETACH, BABY, DETACH!Here is the order I recommend for your healing journey towards emotional freedom, as you work to become a new version of yourself - the version that can actually win in court:

First step is to not go back. I cover the Trauma Bond, a true addiction to chaos, in ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 15A⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode15B⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Episode 16A⁠⁠, Episode 16B.

You then want to work with a therapist and see if you carry PTSD or CPTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.

You...]]>805false
25fullBonus - How I bring it all together - AuDHD parenting, PDA, NPD, legal battles, solo parenting and Catholicismhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-how-i-bring-it-all-together-audhd-parenting-pda-npd-legal-battles-solo-parenting-and-catholicism--695110125b5f0272-70ee-40bd-9491-a83fff8c0b87Mon, 19 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaThis Episode I'm positioning as a transition between my long series about trauma recovery, the nervous system, and the addiction to chaos, and before I start rotating between more varied topics like family court, spiritual warfare, how the dog helps...443falsebonus
16-B. The 6 Steps to Break the Trauma Bond - Normalizing Stress Hormone Levels - Chaos Addiction Mini-Series, 4/4 - Emotional Detachment ashttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/16-b-the-6-steps-to-break-the-trauma-bond-normalizing-stress-hormone-levels-chaos-addiction-mini-series-4-4-emotional-detachment-as--69410059
Autistic women are particularly prone to this addiction,because they have a craving for predictability, patterns, the type you see in the cycle of abuse... Women with ASD are often more vulnerable to harmful relational patterns and can get pulled into cycles of instability very easily. These 6 steps to break the addiction to chaos incorporate aCatholic interpretation of why that peace feels foreign, despite God’s promise, “My peace I give you”. We stress the importance of the Rosary, the Eucharist, and Confession, as rhythm and structure. You can pray novenas for peace,novenas for protection, sure, but you should also learn about the science of addiction!Season 2, Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court (starting with this "addiction to chaos"mini-series) is a Liberation Series that suggests things to look into as you rebuild yourself, so that you can become the version of yourself that is so detached emotionally, that you can prepare for family court correctly. Emotional detachment is where I want to help you get to, so that any thoughts I may have about court prep actually land. DETACH, BABY, DETACH!Here is the order I recommend for your healing journeytowards emotional freedom, as you work to become a new version of yourself - the version that can actually win in court:
- First step is to think about not going back. There's a true addiction to chaos:⁠⁠Episode 15A⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Episode15B⁠⁠, Episode 16A, Episode 16B.
- You then want to work with a therapist and see if you carry PTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.
- You then want to see Forgiveness as a tactical advantage and as a massive step in your personal development. That's Episode 19.
- The next things to think about in your emotional detachment journey, will be codependency and gratitude.
Follow the show so you can hear the entire Season 2 about Emotional Detachment. While you wait for the entire season 2 to come out about Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 9: The Court Date you Can't Stop Thinking About - Breaking the Anxiety Spiral⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Light in the Battle is where you come to think about how toheal from trauma, how to break the addiction to chaos, how to recover from narcissistic abuse or legal trauma, and about nervous system recovery. This content is for general information and inspiration only. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional.Choose to find Light in the Battle. Your circumstances (yourASD diagnosis as an adult woman, your PDA child's nervous system, your high-conflict coparenting reality, and single motherhood) will not change any time soon, but the trauma neurochemistry and the harmful levels of the neurochemicals can. To go deeper into the neurochemistry behind stress, overwhelm, and emotional intensity, Huberman’s episode “⁠⁠Tools for Managing Stress & Anxiety⁠⁠” expands on the dopamine, cortisol, and survival-mode loops.]]>
45905932-036e-4197-b104-8346fe244f80Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000
FaustinaWe now need to bring the cortisol, adrenaline, dopaminelevels back to normal. In this final episode about breaking the addiction to chaos, Faustina goes over 6 steps that worked for her, when she DECIDED to LEARN to enjoy peace. With compassion and...Autistic women are particularly prone to this addiction,because they have a craving for predictability, patterns, the type you see in the cycle of abuse... Women with ASD are often more vulnerable to harmful relational patterns and can get pulled into cycles of instability very easily. These 6 steps to break the addiction to chaos incorporate aCatholic interpretation of why that peace feels foreign, despite God’s promise, “My peace I give you”. We stress the importance of the Rosary, the Eucharist, and Confession, as rhythm and structure. You can pray novenas for peace,novenas for protection, sure, but you should also learn about the science of addiction!Season 2, Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court (starting with this "addiction to chaos"mini-series) is a Liberation Series that suggests things to look into as you rebuild yourself, so that you can become the version of yourself that is so detached emotionally, that you can prepare for family court correctly. Emotional detachment is where I want to help you get to, so that any thoughts I may have about court prep actually land. DETACH, BABY, DETACH!Here is the order I recommend for your healing journeytowards emotional freedom, as you work to become a new version of yourself - the version that can actually win in court:
First step is to think about not going back. There's a true addiction to chaos:⁠⁠Episode 15A⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Episode15B⁠⁠, Episode 16A, Episode 16B.
You then want to work with a therapist and see if you carry PTSD, and what types of therapy will help you heal the PTSD. For me, it was EMDR: Episode 17, Episode 18.
You then want to see Forgiveness as a tactical advantage and as a massive step in your personal development. That's Episode 19.
The next things to think about in your emotional detachment journey, will be codependency and gratitude.
Follow the show so you can hear the entire Season 2 about Emotional Detachment. While you wait for the entire season 2 to come out about Emotional Detachment as a Tactical Advantage for Family Court, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 9: The Court Date you Can't Stop Thinking About - Breaking the Anxiety Spiral⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Light in the Battle is where you come to think about how toheal from trauma, how to break the addiction to chaos, how to recover from narcissistic abuse or legal trauma, and about nervous system recovery. This...]]>921false24full
16-A. Trauma Bond Science - Why Do I Keep Going Back? The Brain Chemicals Behind the Addiction - Chaos Addiction Mini-Series Part 3/4https://www.spreaker.com/episode/16-a-trauma-bond-science-why-do-i-keep-going-back-the-brain-chemicals-behind-the-addiction-chaos-addiction-mini-series-part-3-4--69310965
Well... It's biology. Childhood trauma and/or narcissistic abuse can create a true addiction in the brain. A trauma bond.
This Episode is the logical next step in our Chaos Addiction Mini-Series, after Episode 15 A and Episode 15B, where we talked about how things feel and how we suffer from the boredom and the deafening silence that follow years of running on adrenaline, oxytocin and cortisol - but precisely, we didn't dive into the brain chemicals and the biology of addiction to chaos.
Here, Faustina goes over:
- the various stress hormones involved in abusive relationships, (cortisol, adrenaline, dopamine and oxytocin)
- what that addiction may look like for autistic women,
- the unfortunate rewiring of the brain that makes it challenging for a narcissistic abuse survivor to settle away from chaos,
- how it feels when you really really want to get out but can't seem to,
- how that wiring can be healed, even when it comes from childhood,
- very concrete, ASD-friendly, actionable choices survivors on the spectrum can make to get those hormone levels back to normal, and build bridges away from chaos and towards peace.
Please leave this show a 5* review.In 16B we will talk about concrete steps to normalize the levels of the neurochemicals we described here.
More here about ⁠Trauma Bond Science⁠ with Darlene Lancer.Light in the Battle is where you come to think about how to heal from trauma, how to break the addiction to chaos, how to recover from narcissistic abuse and about nervous system recovery. This content is for general information and inspiration only. It reflects lived experience and summaries of publicly available research. It is not medical, mental‑health,legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs.]]>
389a6c90-409a-4a4a-abe1-54451bf557e0Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000
Faustina"Why didn't she leave", you ask. "Why does she keep dating the same types of men over and over? When will she learn? "Sounds familiar? Don't we just love that judgment coming from uneducated, well-meaning people who are not familiar with the concept...Well... It's biology. Childhood trauma and/or narcissistic abuse can create a true addiction in the brain. A trauma bond.
This Episode is the logical next step in our Chaos Addiction Mini-Series, after Episode 15 A and Episode 15B, where we talked about how things feel and how we suffer from the boredom and the deafening silence that follow years of running on adrenaline, oxytocin and cortisol - but precisely, we didn't dive into the brain chemicals and the biology of addiction to chaos.
Here, Faustina goes over:
the various stress hormones involved in abusive relationships, (cortisol, adrenaline, dopamine and oxytocin)
what that addiction may look like for autistic women,
the unfortunate rewiring of the brain that makes it challenging for a narcissistic abuse survivor to settle away from chaos,
how it feels when you really really want to get out but can't seem to,
how that wiring can be healed, even when it comes from childhood,
very concrete, ASD-friendly, actionable choices survivors on the spectrum can make to get those hormone levels back to normal, and build bridges away from chaos and towards peace.
Please leave this show a 5* review.In 16B we will talk about concrete steps to normalize the levels of the neurochemicals we described here.
More here about ⁠Trauma Bond Science⁠ with Darlene Lancer.Light in the Battle is where you come to think about how to heal from trauma, how to break the addiction to chaos, how to recover from narcissistic abuse and about nervous system recovery. This content is for general information and inspiration only. It reflects lived experience and summaries of publicly available research. It is not medical, mental‑health,legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs.]]>729falsefull
15-B. The 6 Tips to Thrive When the Chaos Ends Despite the Addiction - Chaos Addiction Mini-Series Part 2/4https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15-b-the-6-tips-to-thrive-when-the-chaos-ends-despite-the-addiction-chaos-addiction-mini-series-part-2-4--69244466Dr. Ramani, who teaches from a more authoritative perspective, things you need to know about narcissism, NPD, and about recovery. The content in this podcast is for general information and education only. It reflects lived experience and summaries of publicly available research. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs.]]>4ec6e664-a650-4b35-83a6-56b50913f598Mon, 29 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000Faustina"Why does this keep happening to me?" "Why do I keep attracting narcissists?" You choose to stop. With 6 ASD-friendly practical tips that Faustina used repeatedly in her journey of taming peace after years of running on adrenaline and cortisol, we can...Dr. Ramani, who teaches from a more authoritative perspective, things you need to know about narcissism, NPD, and about recovery. The content in this podcast is for general information and education only. It reflects lived experience and summaries of publicly available research. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs.]]>767falsefull15-A. How Winning in Family Court Revealed my Addiction to Chaos - Chaos Addiction Mini-Series Part 1/4https://www.spreaker.com/episode/15-a-how-winning-in-family-court-revealed-my-addiction-to-chaos-chaos-addiction-mini-series-part-1-4--69173144If you're waiting for the rest of the series on addiction to chaos to come out, in the meantime, check out Episode 9: The Court Date you Can't Stop Thinking About - Breaking the Anxiety Spiral⁠.
KEYWORDSautistic single mom, narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma healing, nervous system regulation, custody battle, chaos addiction, addiction to chaos, life transition, NPD, ASD, Catholicism, court trauma, court battle, win a custody battle, post-abuse healing, trauma responses, high-conflict co-parenting, healing after abuse, emotional safety, breaking trauma patterns, Mental Health, Parenting, Self-Improvement, Trauma, Catholic Faith, Rosary, Jesus, spiritual warfare, demonic aspect of a court battle, legal abuseThis content is for general information and education only. It reflects lived experience and summaries of publicly available research. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs.]]>047d4011-f783-449f-bde5-a87da67ce93bMon, 22 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaThrough the story of winning a custody battle, despite what felt like years of legal intimidation and harassment, Faustina shows an example of what addiction to chaos looks and feels like. Winning in family court after many years of feeling unseen and...If you're waiting for the rest of the series on addiction to chaos to come out, in the meantime, check out Episode 9: The Court Date you Can't Stop Thinking About - Breaking the Anxiety Spiral⁠.
KEYWORDSautistic single mom, narcissistic abuse recovery, trauma healing, nervous system regulation, custody battle, chaos addiction, addiction to chaos, life transition, NPD, ASD, Catholicism, court trauma, court battle, win a custody battle, post-abuse healing, trauma responses, high-conflict co-parenting, healing after abuse, emotional safety, breaking trauma patterns, Mental Health, Parenting, Self-Improvement, Trauma, Catholic Faith, Rosary, Jesus, spiritual warfare, demonic aspect of a court battle, legal abuseThis content is for general information and education only. It reflects lived experience and summaries of publicly available research. It is not medical, mental‑health, legal, or professional advice, and it isn’t a substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your needs.]]>788falsefull14. Healing from Gaslighting - Helping Your Child Feel Safe by Trusting Yourself Firsthttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/14-healing-from-gaslighting-helping-your-child-feel-safe-by-trusting-yourself-first--69065218
emotional safety for kids
trauma-informed parenting
parenting after abuse
overwhelmed moms
neurodivergent parenting
PDA autism parenting
sensitive children
co-regulation strategies

healing from gaslighting
nervous system regulation
parenting when triggered
rebuilding intuition
overwhelmed mom support
Catholic mom podcast
mother wound healing
emotional literacy for kids
parenting through dysregulation

gentle parenting for trauma survivors
raising autistic or PDA children
how to stay calm with your child
healing your inner voice
teaching kids emotional regulation

]]>514511e8-eb91-43d5-8bb2-3a5f6673eee8Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaAfter gaslighting, rebuilding your intuition and body signals is the foundation for helping your child feel emotionally safe. In this episode, we talk about what gaslighting is, how to heal from gaslighting, staying honest with your overwhelm, and...

emotional safety for kids

trauma-informed parenting

parenting after abuse

overwhelmed moms

neurodivergent parenting

PDA autism parenting

sensitive children

co-regulation strategies

healing from gaslighting
nervous system regulation
parenting when triggered
rebuilding intuition
overwhelmed mom support
Catholic mom podcast
mother wound healing
emotional literacy for kids
parenting through dysregulation

gentle parenting for trauma survivors
raising autistic or PDA children
how to stay calm with your child
healing your inner voice
teaching kids emotional regulation

]]>902falsefull13. ASD-Friendly Grounding Technique to Stay Present With Your Autistic Child When You’re Overwhelmed: Trauma Parenting with Autismhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/13-asd-friendly-grounding-technique-to-stay-present-with-your-autistic-child-when-you-re-overwhelmed-trauma-parenting-with-autism--68949449That Autistic Guy, who talks about parallel play.
Keywords: autism parenting, overstimulated parent, overwhelmed mom, trauma informed parenting, sensory overload parenting, parenting with PTSD, staying present with child, single parent, neurodivergent parent, autistic parent, PDA autism parenting, nervous system dysregulation
]]>3f334ba6-72ed-4a9c-9729-7bc0007e498dMon, 08 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaStaying present isn’t easy when your nervous system is already overloaded. It's easier to dissociate.In this episode, Faustina talks about what “being present” actually means for trauma survivors and neurodivergent single parents, why overwhelm shuts...That Autistic Guy, who talks about parallel play.
Keywords: autism parenting, overstimulated parent, overwhelmed mom, trauma informed parenting, sensory overload parenting, parenting with PTSD, staying present with child, single parent, neurodivergent parent, autistic parent, PDA autism parenting, nervous system dysregulation
]]>597falsefullEp. 12: Breaking the Cycle - How to Parent Differently After Generational Traumahttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-12-breaking-the-cycle-how-to-parent-differently-after-generational-trauma--68823278

breaking generational trauma

parenting after trauma

trauma-informed parenting

cycle breaking parents

parenting a neurodivergent child

parenting autistic child

autism parenting support

PDA autism parenting

healing from abuse

moms recovering from trauma

overwhelmed moms
trauma triggers in parenting
nervous system dysregulation
gentle parenting after trauma
attachment repair
reparenting yourself
parent burnout recovery
high conflict co-parenting support
healing childhood wounds
trauma response in motherhood

how to parent differently after trauma
why parenting feels hard after abuse
how to break generational trauma cycles
regulating yourself while parenting
support for moms raising autistic kids
trauma responses during meltdowns
parenting when overstimulated
surviving high conflict parenting

]]>ac88579c-308d-49b8-ac10-9d8e23caf436Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaBreaking generational trauma for future generations is hard — especially when you’re parenting a neurodivergent child without a roadmap. It's little things you have to notice, to catch, and to do differently - one day at a time.In this episode, we...

breaking generational trauma

parenting after trauma

trauma-informed parenting

cycle breaking parents

parenting a neurodivergent child

parenting autistic child

autism parenting support

PDA autism parenting

healing from abuse

moms recovering from trauma

overwhelmed moms
trauma triggers in parenting
nervous system dysregulation
gentle parenting after trauma
attachment repair
reparenting yourself
parent burnout recovery
high conflict co-parenting support
healing childhood wounds
trauma response in motherhood

how to parent differently after trauma
why parenting feels hard after abuse
how to break generational trauma cycles
regulating yourself while parenting
support for moms raising autistic kids
trauma responses during meltdowns
parenting when overstimulated
surviving high conflict parenting

]]>1005falsefullEp. 11: Co-Regulation When You’re Not Regulated: Calming Your Child When You’re Overwhelmedhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-11-co-regulation-when-you-re-not-regulated-calming-your-child-when-you-re-overwhelmed--68729047In this episode, Faustina shares small, realistic ways to co-regulate while healing — grounding tips for overstimulation, honest scripts for connection, and a reminder that repair matters more than perfection. This can be particularly difficult for single mothers as there is no other adult to fall back on when we are not regulated.
single parenting, autism, trauma recovery, nervous system, co-regulation, single motherhood, resilience, gentle parenting, healing hacks]]>c49beff9-1d56-4f8d-ae67-e611a4a8889cMon, 24 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0000FaustinaHow do you help your child calm down when you’re not calm yourself? In this episode, Faustina shares small, realistic ways to co-regulate while healing — grounding tips for overstimulation, honest scripts for connection, and a reminder that repair...In this episode, Faustina shares small, realistic ways to co-regulate while healing — grounding tips for overstimulation, honest scripts for connection, and a reminder that repair matters more than perfection. This can be particularly difficult for single mothers as there is no other adult to fall back on when we are not regulated.
single parenting, autism, trauma recovery, nervous system, co-regulation, single motherhood, resilience, gentle parenting, healing hacks]]>570falsefullEp. 10: When Your Body Remembers Before You Do: Trauma Triggers in Everyday Momentshttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-10-when-your-body-remembers-before-you-do-trauma-triggers-in-everyday-moments--68610125panic, trauma recall, PTSD flare-ups while parenting
]]>aa8d51ea-04b5-4694-91e3-3d596769dc40Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000FaustinaWhen your mind knows you’re safe but your body doesn’t, parenting can feel overwhelming. This episode explains what trauma-triggered overwhelm actually is, and offers practical steps to calm your nervous system in real time — without pretending or...panic, trauma recall, PTSD flare-ups while parenting
]]>562falsefullEp. 9: The Court Date You Can’t Stop Thinking Abouthttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-9-the-court-date-you-can-t-stop-thinking-about--68564645Keywords: co-parenting stress, high conflict co-parent, custody anxiety, trauma-informed parenting, court stress, nervous system regulation, overwhelmed motherhood, parenting resilience, emotional grounding, parenting under stress]]>c492c9de-4e53-4449-8c8d-c036166d96aaFri, 14 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000FaustinaLegal stress and co-parenting conflict activate the nervous system in a deep, physical way. This episode shares grounded ways to stay steady when you can’t stop thinking about court — without denying the reality of what’s at stake. Keywords:...Keywords: co-parenting stress, high conflict co-parent, custody anxiety, trauma-informed parenting, court stress, nervous system regulation, overwhelmed motherhood, parenting resilience, emotional grounding, parenting under stress]]>376falsefullEp. 8: The Difference Between Rest and Escapehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-8-the-difference-between-rest-and-escape--68460901108dfd97-4411-4630-b179-1f24c9b84e0dFri, 07 Nov 2025 11:01:00 +0000FaustinaMany mothers escape because their nervous system is overwhelmed, not because they lack strength. This episode explores the difference between rest that nourishes us and escape that numbs us — and offers simple, doable ways to create calm in small...388falsefullEpisode 7 - Parenting When You’re Stimmed Outhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-7-parenting-when-you-re-stimmed-out--68363259parenting autism, sensory overload, autistic parent, overstimulation, stimming, PDA autism, neurodivergent parenting, gentle parenting autism, regulating nervous system, autistic motherhood, parenting through overwhelm, coping skills for parents, trauma-informed parenting, emotional regulation for parents, parenting burnout, parenting resilience, supporting autistic children, sensory needs, autistic sensory experience, mindful parenting neurodivergence
]]>55227c1f-e883-418b-9b4b-f81f576af1ccFri, 31 Oct 2025 10:41:09 +0000FaustinaParenting an autistic child can be beautiful, joyful, and deeply loving — and it can also be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Especially when your child’s stimming, movement, or verbal repetition triggers your own sensory overload.This episode...parenting autism, sensory overload, autistic parent, overstimulation, stimming, PDA autism, neurodivergent parenting, gentle parenting autism, regulating nervous system, autistic motherhood, parenting through overwhelm, coping skills for parents, trauma-informed parenting, emotional regulation for parents, parenting burnout, parenting resilience, supporting autistic children, sensory needs, autistic sensory experience, mindful parenting neurodivergence
]]>358falsefullEpisode 6 — When Calm Feels Unsafehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-6-when-calm-feels-unsafe--68254333In this 12-minute reflection, Faustina explains why calm feels unsafe and how to rebuild your nervous system’s trust in quiet. With simple grounding tools and sensory-aware examples, she shows how “micro-calm” moments can rewire your sense of safety over time.For mothers recovering from trauma, navigating co-parenting, or living with ADHD or autism, this episode offers realistic, no-pressure steps toward peace that lasts.Keywords: PTSD healing, nervous system regulation, parenting after abuse, hypervigilance]]>6d8d798a-b856-4e09-98ed-b3c71b478ca2Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:40:00 +0000FaustinaSometimes peace feels wrong. After years of chaos or emotional abuse, calm can make your body panic — because silence used to mean danger. In this 12-minute reflection, Faustina explains why calm feels unsafe and how to rebuild your nervous system’s...In this 12-minute reflection, Faustina explains why calm feels unsafe and how to rebuild your nervous system’s trust in quiet. With simple grounding tools and sensory-aware examples, she shows how “micro-calm” moments can rewire your sense of safety over time.For mothers recovering from trauma, navigating co-parenting, or living with ADHD or autism, this episode offers realistic, no-pressure steps toward peace that lasts.Keywords: PTSD healing, nervous system regulation, parenting after abuse, hypervigilance]]>747false21fullEpisode 5 — Finding Stillness in the Ongoing Battlehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-5-finding-stillness-in-the-ongoing-battle--681644981b2beecc-60aa-4a4e-90d5-9ea2a29f7b1fThu, 16 Oct 2025 12:02:00 +0000FaustinaHealing doesn’t mean life gets quiet. It means you learn how to find stillness inside the noise.In this reflection, Faustina shares how she practices calm in real moments — reading court emails, managing meltdowns, or feeling her body’s old panic rise...150false15fullEpisode 4 - When Your Child Mirrors Your Pain.https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-4-when-your-child-mirrors-your-pain--68137792In this quiet reflection, Faustina shares how moving countries during pregnancy opened the door to clarity — and how her child’s emotions later became mirrors of her own unhealed pain.This episode explores the real experience of parenting after trauma: the body memories, the panic, and the gentle work of re-teaching yourself safety while caring for a child who depends on your calm.Light in the Battle is a space for mothers rebuilding after emotional abuse, finding peace, and learning to parent from a healed heart.
#parentingaftertrauma #gentlemotherhood #healingjourney #PTSD #emotionalregulation]]>d4b3571d-1916-4d29-bcda-cb8c292f1dccTue, 14 Oct 2025 11:30:00 +0000FaustinaWhen you leave an abusive relationship and become a parent, healing takes on a new shape. In this quiet reflection, Faustina shares how moving countries during pregnancy opened the door to clarity — and how her child’s emotions later became mirrors of...In this quiet reflection, Faustina shares how moving countries during pregnancy opened the door to clarity — and how her child’s emotions later became mirrors of her own unhealed pain.This episode explores the real experience of parenting after trauma: the body memories, the panic, and the gentle work of re-teaching yourself safety while caring for a child who depends on your calm.Light in the Battle is a space for mothers rebuilding after emotional abuse, finding peace, and learning to parent from a healed heart.
#parentingaftertrauma #gentlemotherhood #healingjourney #PTSD #emotionalregulation]]>163false14fullEpisode 3 - The Art of Detachment (Without Going Numb)https://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-3-the-art-of-detachment-without-going-numb--68137798b7cfb7d5-6847-4298-b258-81b8219baaf3Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:58:00 +0000FaustinaDetachment isn’t easy when your body is still in survival mode.In this reflection, Faustina talks about what it’s really like to learn emotional detachment after trauma — when PTSD and panic make “staying calm” feel impossible. Through her experience...371false13fullEpisode 2 - The Gift of Literal Faithhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-2-the-gift-of-literal-faith--68137794253f3acf-6c7e-4ea1-89f6-0985c955327cFri, 10 Oct 2025 21:11:00 +0000FaustinaWhen logic fails and the path disappears, faith becomes the thread that holds us together. In this episode of Light in the Battle, Faustina reflects on trusting God when nothing makes sense—learning to surrender control, find calm in motherhood, and...200false12fullEpisode 1: When the Battle Finds Youhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/episode-1-when-the-battle-finds-you--681377971c963f54-d347-481b-ae73-fd15d433975dWed, 08 Oct 2025 20:40:07 +0000FaustinaLife can feel like a battle—especially for mothers navigating co-parenting, trauma, or spiritual warfare. In this first reflection from Light in the Battle, Faustina shares gentle words on finding peace, faith, and emotional resilience when chaos...173false11fullIntro - Reflections on motherhood, faith, and resiliencehttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/intro-reflections-on-motherhood-faith-and-resilience--681377955a79854e-4748-43a5-867d-5a99655d5c9eTue, 07 Oct 2025 07:42:12 +0000FaustinaWelcome to light in the Battle. My name is Faustina and I am here to share my thoughts on what peace really means, when life seemingly becomes too much to handle. We have to find Light within the Battle, not wait until the Battle ends to finally catch...48false11trailer