

Why She Stayed
Grace Stuart
A podcast where we dive deep into what really goes on inside of domestic violence relationships that makes it so hard to simply "just leave". Through stories of survivors, and practical conversations with guests, I am going to put the microscope back on what the abuser is doing that causes us to become so trapped in the first place, and how each survivor was eventually freed. We will discuss what abusive relationships look like, sound like, and feel like for the purpose of educating and relating to one another in a much needed way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 20, 2025 • 1h 10min
Ep. 56: Love Bombing, Illusion of Stability, & Devaluation | Lindsay Abernathy
Today I am joined by Lindsay Abernathy host of Bitch Is A Bad Word podcast as she shares her personal story of surviving domestic abuse. We discuss topics of love bombing, future faking, how control escalates over time financially, emotionally, physically, and much more. Please see links below to connect with Lindsay or to check out her podcast: Instagram: @bitchisabadwordpodTiktok: @bitchisabadwordApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bitch-is-a-bad-word-a-domestic-abuse-survivors-guide/id1780948251YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BitchIsABadWord Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 13, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 55: Lundy Bancroft Interview | Why Does He Do That?
I am honored to have Lundy Bancroft on the show with me to talk about some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding domestic abuse and the mind of the abuser. Lundy Bancroft is the author of the book "Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men" as well as many other books and has worked extensively in batterer intervention programs. He has over 30 years of experience working with abusive men and their families and is a leading voice in the field of domestic abuse and advocacy. For Lundy's books, recourses, and more visit his website at: https://lundybancroft.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h
Ep. 54: Red Flags, Trusting Yourself, & Dating Post- Abuse | with Ashley Maland
On this episode, guest Ashley Maland and I discuss topics such as red flags, why you feel like you cannot leave, abuser's who frequently discard, healing your strong attachments to them, how to trust yourself again, and dating struggles post-abuse. Ashley's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/theashleytaylorcoAshley's Podcast: https://thisiswhereweheal.com/Grace's Instagram: @gracestuart26Lundy Bancroft Daily Wisdom Book referenced in today's show: https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Wisdom-Does-That-Encouragement/dp/0425265102 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 35min
Ep. 52: My Story Updated- One Year of Podcasting
On this episode, I am re-sharing my story to capture within one episode to discuss topics and themes that may help you recall things from your own experience or make new connections. Thank you to this incredible community and I look forward to this next year to come with all of you!My Instagram and Resources: Instagram: @gracestuart26https://www.thehotline.org/https://www.domesticshelters.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 15min
Ep. 51: Hot & Cold Behaviors and Infidelity
Morgan shares her story of the constant mix of hot and cold behaviors of her abuser and how she did not know it was abuse for so long. We talk about the infidelity that took place and how victims are gaslit into not trusting the information that is right in front of them. We also speak about how Morgan found the strength to leave while 8 weeks pregnant with their third child and the challenges she faced post- separation.Morgan's Coaching Page: @consideritjoylifecoachMorgan's Website: https://www.consideritjoylifecoach.com/Grace's Instagram: @gracestuart26 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep. 50: A Conversation About the Family Court System | Courtney Gilmartin
On this episode, I am joined by Courtney Gilmartin who is a legal strategist and protective mom advocating for change in New Jersey & the family court system. We have a general discussion about entering the court system as a mother and provide some practical tips & resources to keep in your toolbox of information.For further information & support you can check out these links:NJ Protective Moms - Resource page has A TON of free resourceshttps://www.njprotectivemoms.org/resourcesHolding Hope Foundation - offers scholarships to protective moms https://holdinghopefoundation.com/Courtney's Booking Page https://calendly.com/courtneygilmartinMonarch Consulting Grouphttps://www.monarchconsultinggrp.com/Courtney's Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/courtney.gilmartin/Grace's Instagram: @gracestuart26 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep. 49: Unpacking Control, Possessiveness, & Stalking
On this episode, Mandy shares her survivor story about how she met her abuser at a young age and was quickly swept into a relationship where possessiveness, monitoring, and the pressure to be "perfect" were constant. We will discuss what made this cycle so confusing and the challenges she faced while leaving including having to record conversations just to keep track of her own memory.Mandy's TikTok: @m__sealeNo Instagram ProvidedGrace's Instagram: @gracestuart26 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ep. 48: "He Pretended to do a Total 180" | How She Finally Broke Free
On this episode, Rose shares her survivor story of navigating an abusive relationship with emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual coercion, escalating physical crossing of boundaries, and leaving with children. She shares how her abuser would use shared- dreams they had of the future to keep her in the cycle including faking change in an attempt to get her to return to the relationship. If you want to connect with today's guest you can get in touch through her Instagram page: @rooted.and.bloomingGuest's Instagram: @rooted.and.bloomingMy Instagram: @Gracestuart26 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 23min
Ep. 47: Understanding Coercive Control and Manipulative Behaviors | Dr. Emma Katz
On this episode I am joined by coercive control expert Dr. Emma Katz to break down some of your most commonly asked questions. Dr. Katz is a UK- based domestic violence & coercive control researcher and a Substack Bestseller. During this episode, we discuss topics such as why abusers tend to use emotional abuse & coercive behaviors as their main form of control, examples of why they are doing it on purpose, and how they attack the mother-child relationship.Dr. Katz Links & Resources: 10 Reasons Why a Coercively Controlling Man is an Unfit Father: https://dremmakatz.substack.com/p/10-reasons-why-a-coercively-controlling"She's Not Innocent Either." Actually, Yes She Is Innocent: https://dremmakatz.substack.com/p/shes-not-innocent-either-actuallyBrowse all Dr Emma Katz's articles on Substack and find what you want to read: https://dremmakatz.substack.com/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Coercive-Control-Childrens-Mothers-Lives/dp/B0CM4L7HLH/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmakatz_phd/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@emmakatz_phdLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremmakatz/Website: https://dremmakatz.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep. 46: Trusting Your Gut Instinct- with Laura Richards
On this episode, I am joined by Criminal Behavior Analyst, Laura Richards. Laura is an expert on domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual violence homicide and risk assessment. She trained at New Scotland Yard and the FBI Behavioral Analysis Units and is an advocate for victims and an author, producer and podcaster. Together, we sit down and discuss the importance of trusting your gut instincts, the reality of coercive control, the Gabby Petitio case, and much more. You can find all of Laura's links below for her podcast, recourses, trainings, and social media pages. Laura Richards Podcasts, Squad and YouTube can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@crimeanalysthttps://www.crime-analyst.comwww.patreon.com/CrimeAnalysthttps://wondery.com/shows/real-crime-profile/ For more information and resources, the following sites can be accessed: www.thelaurarichards.comhttps://www.dashriskchecklist.com/ Socials:Crime Analyst Squad: www.patreon.com/CrimeAnalystFacebook Crime Analyst PodcastInsta: @laurarichards999 and @crimeanalystThreads @crimeanalystTiktok: @crimeanalystpodX: @laurarichards99 and @thecrimeanalystGrace's Social Media:Instagram: @Gracestuart26Tiktok: @gracestuart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


