EP 89: Two Women, One Narcissist: Deana & Lizzie's Harrowing Journey Through Abuse, Lies, and Healing

In this episode of That's Where I'm At, host Laura sits down with Deana, Lizzie, and Jane—three women whose story sounds like a Lifetime movie, but every word of it is true. Deana and Lizzie were both married to the same narcissistic man, "Rex," who led a double life while leaving a trail of emotional, financial, and sexual abuse behind him. After discovering the truth and connecting with one another, they tracked down his secret girlfriend to warn her, choosing solidarity over silence. Together, they share how Rex's charm masked years of manipulation, discuss the red flags they wish they had recognized sooner, and explain how they broke free from self-blame to transform their pain into purpose. The conversation concludes with practical advice for anyone questioning whether they're experiencing narcissistic abuse, along with an introduction to their podcast, Surviving Toxic Relationships with the Matadors, where they continue helping others recognize abuse and find hope through shared experiences. Laura's co-host for this episode is Jane. Jane is the ex fiancé of my ex husband. They spent two years together, and we all hung out together in college. She's here to give her perspective of being with the same narcissist I was, and also her experience with narcissistic abuse in other relationships in her life.   Key Topics & Timestamps The Likelihood of a Second Toxic Relationship (00:00:00) Women who have been with a narcissist are more likely to end up with another one, who may appear different. Podcast Introduction (00:00:33) Host Laura introduces the "That's Where I'm At" podcast, a space for women to share their stories and heal. Trigger Warning (00:01:22) A brief announcement warns listeners that the episode's content may be triggering and advises them to take care. Introducing the Guests and Their Story (00:01:30) Laura introduces guests Deana and Lizzie, who were married to the same narcissist, and co-host Jane, an ex-fiancée. Deana's Story: Meeting "Rex" (00:03:00) Deana shares how she met her ex-husband, "Rex," at 17 and married him quickly despite early red flags. Deana's 27-Year Marriage (00:04:24) Deana describes her 27-year marriage, marked by her ex's sexual addiction, financial abuse, gaslighting, and manipulation. Ignoring Red Flags (00:06:37) The group discusses seeing red flags early on but being too naive or in survival mode to act on them. The Trauma Bond (00:10:08) Laura explains how intermittent reinforcement and abuse create a trauma bond, making it difficult for victims to leave. Lizzie's Story: How She Was Wooed (00:11:21) Lizzie explains how Rex charmed her by helping with her four sons, a different approach than he used with Deana. Lizzie's Marriage and the Turning Point (00:14:28) Lizzie describes her six-year marriage and how things got weird after a great summer, leading to her leaving him. Financial Abuse and Reaching Out (00:15:21) Lizzie discovered her credit was ruined and reached out to Deana's son to let him know she was leaving. Should You Warn the Next Person? (00:17:55) The women debate the difficult decision of whether to warn a narcissist's new partner, who may see them as crazy. Jane's Perspective (00:20:21) Jane, the ex-fiancée of Laura's ex-husband, shares her experience and the red flags she now recognizes from their relationship. The Narcissist's Need for Attention (00:22:37)  The group discusses the narcissist's constant need for female attention, possibly stemming from a "mother wound" or self-centeredness. Connecting Deana and Lizzie (00:25:08) Deana recounts how her son encouraged her to contact Lizzie, leading to a conversation that connected the dots for both. The Healing Power of Valida