Fear can crush hope for victims and survivors who are trying to leave an abusive relationship. Deciding to leave and following through are sometimes two of scariest decisions that can convince them to remain in the relationship longer than they should. And in turn, abusers often weaponize that fear to maintain control. On this episode, Heather Bellino, CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project joins the conversation to talk about her appearance before the Texas Legislature advocating for new laws that better protects survivors. Heather also talks about her work with TAP and their available programs and FREE civil and legal services that help survivors safely exit a potentially deadly relationship. New episodes on Thursdays.

On season five, Fxck Fear podcast host Catenya McHenry steps outside of the studio and records each episode on her Sunday nature walks with her family dog Brody. She opens up about what scares her most, from fear of a world where Trump is in charge to fear of dying before she can realize her dreams, fear of running out of money and so much more. This new season also includes short YouTube interviews with strangers on the street where they answer the pressing question, 'what is your greatest fear?' Watch the videos anytime and tune into new episodes on Thursdays.

"This politics of fear is played out over and over again, I'm so tired–of scaring people into voting, to building more prisons, in putting more police on the street, increasing sentences, even though we know, over and over again, the studies show, this isn't working," says Justin Brooks, criminal defense attorney and author. Justin Brooks, professor, former founding Director of the California Innocence Project and recent author of the book, "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" joins the podcast to talk about the politics of fear and the various ways fear is weaponize in politics to pass unprecedented and suppressive laws, control mass audiences, manipulate voters into making decisions and so much more. Brooks now directs the LLM (Masters of Law) Program in Comparative Law in Spanish at the University of San Diego School of Law and his work with the Innocence Project has freed 40 innocent people from prison. *Episodes on Thursdays* Purchase a copy of "You Might Go to Prison Even Though You're Innocent" here

Many people are afraid to navigate the healing process for fear of being re-traumatized but as discussed in this episode, Fear + Healing, Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Founder of Body Psychology Ani Williams explains, healing is important to the mind, body and soul. "We have to get into the body, dissolve the ego which is fear and have the courage to face that which hurt us," says Williams. She also points out that healing requires work and if healing doesn't occur, unresolved stress and trauma can lead to negative impacts on one's health and wellness. "Every single part of your body holds on to a different kind of trauma and if you do not heal from the trauma, then you cannot heal from the stress and it will cause disease," says Williams. Fear + Healing is the seventh and final episode in the Fear + Divorce series. Listen to the Fear + Divorce series here. *New Episodes on Thursdays* Find Ani Williams at Body Psychology in Austin, Texas here Grab a copy of Married to a Narcissist book here

Divorce does not always mean that it is over, especially if your ex-partner displays narcissistic behavior. Sometimes divorce means there will be carryover behavior and a fresh round of narcissistic abuse. Many times the narcissist will try new ways to inflict fear, even after your divorce is final. The difference now though is your response to the bullying. "I was relieved to be out of the relationship but in the early days of my divorce, I was also experiencing fear–fear of the what the narcissists would do to stay relevant and engaged, fear of his continued attempts at manipulation and so much more," host Catenya McHenry admits in this episode. "But what I know for sure is, maintaining boundaries, healing and regaining my strength helped me manage my response and reaction." "What I know for sure is, I am a new person after my divorce. Difficult situations happen as a chance for us to make change in our lives and it also gives a chance to heal and teach our children how to model better behavior." *NEW EPISODES on THURSDAYS* – Grab a copy of Married to a Narcissist Book here – 7 Things to Anticipate if You're Planning to Leave an Abusive Relationship with a Narcissist. Read More – Fear + Leaving a Narcissistic Relationship. Tune In

Multiple visits to family court, countless chaotic instances during visitation weekends drop offs and pick-ups and so much more, it became clear that healthy co-parenting with the narcissist was not possible. In this episode, host Catenya McHenry speaks about her narcissistic ex-husband whom she describes as an anti-parent rather than a supportive co-parent who often weaponize fear to stay in control. Reading excerpts from her book, Married to a Narcissist, Catenya speaks from personal experience about her difficult and traumatic experience of co-parenting with her ex-husband but advises her listeners about the importance of "staying above the fray" in order to achieve internal peace and sanity. *New Episodes on Thursdays*

Navigating the family court system and negotiating custody issues, no matter where you reside, can be scary, stressful, a lengthy process and expensive. This fourth episode in the Fear + Divorce series is more like a free legal consultation guest, Kim Vincent, a highly experienced and credentialed family lawyer in Texas offers tons of helpful information about divorce and understanding what to expect before your day in court. Host Catenya McHenry asks a series of common questions like how do you prepare your case when there's a narcissist or an abusive person involved. What information that you're collecting about your soon to be ex spouse is important to the court, how do you ease one's fear and anxiety and so much more. Catenya speaks candidly about her own horrible family court experience but together, she and Kim hope this episode helps a family find much needed knowledge, relief and peace. Find free family resources at catenya.com *NEW EPISODES on Thursdays*

"Divorcing a narcissist is hell but navigating the divorce process is still better than the hell one endures in a narcissistic relationship." Episode three in the Fear + Divorce series covers the layered stages of fear one faces while divorcing a narcissist, as told through the personal experience of host Catenya McHenry. "I was afraid the narcissist would retaliate, which he did. I was afraid of continued verbal and emotional abuse, which there was more than anything, I was afraid of feeling deeply guilty for pursuing divorce in the first place– knowing there was no hope of continuing the marriage," says Catenya. Reading chapters from her book Married to a Narcissist, Catenya recalls how fear kept her in the relationship five years too long. And she talks about the positive ways that fear propelled her forward into more peace and happiness. *NEW episodes on Thursdays*

Deciding to leave a marriage or relationship whether it's with a narcissist is a big decision and one that may come with fear, trepidation and anxiety, as host Catenya McHenry speaks about in this episode. She tried for years to make it work. She tried not to leave. She did not want to be the one to make such an impactful decision that would end it all but ultimately she had no choice–she was fighting a losing battle. As she reads in her book, Married to a Narcissist, Catenya realized that if she stayed, nothing would change and the abuse would continue. "I was afraid that if I stayed, I would die and who would be there for my children?" Tune in to hear Catenya talk through the various stages of leaving the relationship, the ways that fear showed up and how she found the courage to exit. *NEW episodes on Thursdays*

Fxck Fear Podcast Season 4– Speaking from lived experience about fears she endured before deciding to end her marriage, host Catenya McHenry focuses this season on Fear + Divorce. With the national divorce rate still riding close to 50%, talking about this topic and all the fears that one experiences, especially if you’re divorcing a narcissist, is relevant, relatable and right now. In seven episodes, Catenya talks about fears she faced prior to divorce and post-divorce, how narcissists try to weaponize fear, fear of family court and custody issues, fear of being re-traumatized and fear of healing. Additionally, she reads emotionally gripping excerpts from her book. *Be sure to grab your copy here if you haven’t already. With a new look, new content and experts guests joining– a family lawyer and a licensed therapist– this season is enlightening. Guests will share their stories and advice in hopes of inspiring listeners to be brave enough to break the cycle of abuse in their own lives and finally feel liberated to find more peace and freedom outside of a narcissistic relationship.