Fake Love and Flying Monkeys
A Toxic relationship and Fake love looks real—until it destroys you.
Welcome to Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, the podcast that exposes the hidden dynamics of toxic relationships, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation. Hosted by Nova Gibson, leading trauma-informed counsellor and Director of Brighter Outlook Narcissistic Abuse Counselling, this podcast is your guide to breaking free from the confusion, fear, and self-doubt that come with being entangled with a narcissist.
In every episode, Nova draws from years of experience working with survivors to explore the complex, often covert tactics used in emotionally abusive relationships—from gaslighting, triangulation, and the silent treatment to smear campaigns and intermittent reinforcement.
Whether you're struggling with a narcissistic partner, parent, boss, or friend, Fake Love and Flying Monkeys gives you the tools and knowledge to understand the abuse, trust your instincts, and reclaim your power—even if the narcissist has never been formally diagnosed.
This is more than a podcast—it’s a lifeline.
You’ll get:
Clear explanations of narcissistic behaviour patterns
Practical strategies for setting boundaries and detaching
Real talk about the emotional rollercoaster of trauma bonding
Validation, clarity, and a path toward healing from narcissistic abuse
If you've ever felt trapped in a relationship that chips away at your self-worth, this podcast will help you name it, face it, and finally break free.
You’re not alone, and you’re not crazy. You’re in the fog of narcissistic abuse—and Nova is here to help guide you out.
Visit www.brighteroutlookcounselling.com.au to learn more, book a session, and explore resources.
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Buy Nova’s best-selling book Fake Love – Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse (HarperCollins, 2023)
It’s time to expose the fake love, silence the flying monkeys, and rewrite your story.
Fake Love and Flying Monkeys
The Narcissist's Silent Treatment: Emotional Abuse that destroys you!
"The silent treatment isn’t just being ignored; it’s psychological warfare."
If you've ever been ignored by a narcissist, you know the devastating power of the silent treatment. It’s not just emotional neglect—it’s psychological torture. It makes you feel invisible, worthless, and desperate for validation. This passive-aggressive mind game is designed to punish and control you, and it’s one of the most emotionally painful tactics narcissists use to keep you under their thumb.
In this episode, we dive deep into why narcissists use the silent treatment, how it affects your mental health, and—most importantly—how you can protect yourself from its damaging impact.
If you’ve ever felt the crushing weight of a narcissist’s silence, this episode is for you. Tune in now to understand narcissistic emotional abuse and take the first step toward breaking free.
Thank you so much for listening!
Please remember the information you hear in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy, is general, and strictly the opinions of the host.
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Nova xx
Understanding the Silent Treatment: A Narcissist’s Tool for Control
If you’ve ever been in a relationship with a narcissist, you’ve probably experienced the dreaded silent treatment—a form of emotional abuse designed to control, punish, and break you down.
What Is the Silent Treatment?
The silent treatment is a manipulative tactic where the narcissist completely ignores you—refusing to talk, acknowledge your presence, or give you any emotional response. It’s a cruel and calculated way to make you feel invisible, unworthy, and desperate for their validation. They know exactly how painful it is, and they use it to keep you under their control.
Why Do Narcissists Use the Silent Treatment?
A narcissist thrives on power and control. When you start questioning them or setting boundaries, they withdraw completely, making you feel like you’re the problem. The longer they ignore you, the more desperate you become to “fix” things—even though you’ve done nothing wrong. This cycle strengthens the trauma bond, keeping you emotionally trapped.
How the Silent Treatment Affects You
The silent treatment is more than just an argument—it’s psychological warfare. It leaves victims feeling:
- Anxious and constantly on edge
- Rejected and unworthy
- Confused about what they did wrong
- Dependent on the narcissist for emotional relief
- Physically sick due to stress, lack of sleep, and isolation
Over time, victims start blaming themselves, thinking, “If I hadn’t upset them, they wouldn’t have left.” This is exactly what the narcissist wants—to make you believe you’re the problem when in reality, they’re the one controlling you.
Silent Treatment vs. No Contact: What’s the Difference?
Many survivors of narcissistic abuse worry that going no contact makes them just as bad as the narcissist. But there’s a major difference:
- The silent treatment is punishment. The narcissist disappears to make you feel guilty, weak, and desperate for their return.
- No contact is self-protection. It’s about cutting ties to heal, rebuild your confidence, and break free from the emotional manipulation.
Going no contact isn’t about getting revenge—it’s about reclaiming your life.
How to Protect Yourself from the Silent Treatment
- Recognize it for what it is—a manipulative tool to break you down.
- Resist the urge to chase them—they want you to beg for their attention.
- Surround yourself with support—talk to trusted friends, family, or a trauma-informed counselor.
- Go no contact—don’t wait around for them to come back and hurt you again.
- Focus on your healing—you deserve love, respect, and emotional safety.
You Deserve Better
If someone is deliberately ignoring you to punish and control you, that’s abuse. You don’t have to tolerate it. If you’re struggling with narcissistic abuse, I’m here to help.