Episode Details

In this episode of That's Where I'm At, host Laura interviews Stephanie, a publicist, event curator, storyteller, and host of Second Act Sessions. With more than 25 years of experience in brand and celebrity public relations, Stephanie has worked with recognized names including Martha Stewart, John Legend, Giada De Laurentiis, and Kevin Hart, while leading major campaigns, events, and cultural moments across New York, Boston, and Los Angeles.

Stephanie also shares her deeply personal journey of surviving 13.5 years in a narcissistically abusive marriage, where emotional abuse gradually eroded her identity and led to isolation, financial dependence, and suicidal thoughts. After her marriage ended, she began rebuilding her life through healing, self-reflection, faith, and storytelling. Today, through Second Act Sessions, her writing, and her work as a speaker, Stephanie helps women navigate midlife, faith, healing, and reinvention—reminding them that an ending can become the beginning of a more honest and intentional life.

Key Topics & Timestamps

Podcast Introduction (00:00:38) Host Laura introduces the podcast's mission to share women's stories of healing from narcissistic abuse and breaking the silence.

Guest Introduction: Stephanie (00:01:35) Laura introduces her guest, Stephanie, a publicist, storyteller, and host of the "Second Act Sessions" podcast.

Stephanie's Story Begins (00:04:12) Stephanie shares her 13.5-year marriage to a narcissist, realizing the abuse only after the divorce through social media posts.

The Nature of Emotional Abuse (00:05:10) Stephanie describes emotional abuse as a slow chipping away of the self, explaining why she stayed in the relationship.

Lacking Self-Esteem (00:07:08) The hosts discuss how a lack of personal self-esteem and a need for external validation made them vulnerable.

Losing Her Career and Identity (00:10:07) Stephanie explains how her ex-husband isolated her by moving them away from her successful career, making her financially dependent.

The Narcissist's Double Standard (00:14:03) The hosts discuss the controlling behaviors, double standards, and constant monitoring that create a suffocating environment in the relationship.

Chaos, Confusion, and Isolation (00:16:51) Laura and Stephanie discuss how narcissists use chaos and confusion to make you feel crazy and isolate you from support.

Reaching a Breaking Point (00:19:18) Stephanie shares how the abuse led to suicidal thoughts and feeling completely broken at the end of her marriage.

A Divine Intervention (00:22:22) Stephanie describes praying to God for help, and two weeks later, her husband asked for a divorce, starting her healing.

Faith and Divorce (00:24:38) Stephanie discusses reconciling her Christian faith with divorce, realizing God doesn't want anyone to stay in an abusive marriage.

Reconnecting with Faith (00:30:09) Stephanie explains how she abandoned her faith during her marriage but reconnected with God, which became her saving grace.

Starting to Share Her Story (00:34:15) Stephanie talks about first opening up to friends, which validated her experience and led to launching her podcast.

The Healing Journey is Not Linear (00:38:17) The hosts discuss that healing takes time, has many layers, and requires giving yourself grace without a specific timeline.

How to Support a Friend (00:46:38) The hosts offer advice on how to support a friend in a narcissistic relationship by listening, validating, and praying.

Writing a Memoir (00:51:41) Stephanie shares her journey of writing a book about her life, from being bullied to navigating midlife after divorce.

Powerful Quotes from the Episode

Stephanie, "Emotional abuse is so different because there are no bruises; you can't see it. What I found in my relationship was that it was a slow, gradu