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.
Don’t forget to:
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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
Do Narcissists know they're hurting you?
They know enough to hide it from others, but do they actually know what they're doing?
In this powerful episode, I dive deep into a question almost every survivor of narcissistic abuse asks: Do narcissists actually know they’re hurting you? Or are they just so emotionally disconnected that they genuinely believe they’re blameless?
Drawing on my years of experience as a trauma-informed counsellor and Director of Brighter Outlook Narcissistic Abuse Counselling Service, I break down:
✅ The emotional awareness of narcissists (yes, they see your pain)
✅ Why their selective empathy is strategically turned off
✅ How they often weaponise your emotional reactions to make you the villain
✅ The key difference between malignant narcissists and emotionally immature people
✅ What this all means for your healing, boundaries, and freedom
A narcissist doesn’t need to feel what you feel—they just need to know what hurts you to use it to their advantage
You’ll leave this episode with clarity, validation, and the tools to stop seeking remorse from someone incapable of offering it.
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