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:
Subscribe and never miss an episode
Leave a review so others can find us
Share with someone who needs to hear this
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.
Episodes
113 episodes
Healthy Love vs Narcissistic Relationship Love
Real love heals. Narcissistic love destroys. Do you know the difference between true love and narcissistic love? While healthy love is built on trust, respect, and emotional safety, narcissistic love is a trap—an illusion designed to control an...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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21:30
Reactive Abuse Is Not the Same as the Narcissist Abuse
Have you ever lashed out in frustration after relentless emotional torment, only to be told you are the problem? That is reactive abuse, and it is not the same as the calculated, intentional cruelty of narcissistic abuse. They push you until yo...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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15:19
How to Make the Narcissist Miss You After the Discard
Being discarded by a narcissist feels brutal—like you never mattered. One moment, you're their everything. The next, you're replaced, ignored, or worse—mocked. But here's the truth they don't want you to know: narcissists do look back. They do ...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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17:16
10 Ways the Covert Narcissist Devalues You: Part 2
Covert narcissists hide in plain sight, using subtle tactics to break you down.In this second part of our series, we delve deeper into the covert narcissist’s manipulative tactics that leave victims feeling invalidated, confused, and emotio...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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23:59
10 Ways the Covert Narcissist Devalues You: Part 1
"They don’t yell. They don’t rage. But they destroy you—quietly."In this 2 part series of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I expose 10 subtle but devastating ways the covert narcissist devalues you.From silent treatment and manufac...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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23:50
Breakup to New Supply: How Narcissists Replace You Overnight
“They replaced me like I never existed.”If you’ve ever been discarded by a narcissist only to see them jump straight into a new relationship, this episode is for you.I explain why narcissists move on so fast, how they pre-groom new ...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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22:49
What Happens When a Narcissist loses control Over You?
"Their love disappears the moment you stop letting them control you."In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, we uncover what really happens when a narcissist loses control over you—and why their reaction is never about love or ...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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19:10
How Domestic Violence and High-Conflict Divorce Harm Children: w/ AJ Gajjar
“Children are often the silent victims in homes filled with conflict and control.”In this important episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I'm joined by AJ Gajjar, Parenting and Trauma Consultant and creator of the Trauma Healing Pare...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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1:00:53
Is Sex with a Narcissist Really As Good As It Feels? Are They Truly Into You?"
“When sex becomes a weapon, it’s not about love—it’s about control.”In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I dive deep into how narcissists use sex as a tool for manipulation and emotional abuse. Sex, which should be an act of...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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34:18
3 Manipulative Tactics Covert Narcissists Use to Isolate You
"Covert narcissists don’t need to be loud to control you—they do it quietly, strategically, and with devastating impact."In this revealing episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I expose the manipulative tactics covert narcissists use...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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24:26
Navigating Domestic Abuse and Addiction Recovery with Azadeh Atzberger
"Healing from domestic abuse and addiction is possible—Azadeh Atzberger shares how."In this powerful episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I’m joined by Azadeh Atzberger, a bestselling author, trauma survivor, and the founder of Fina...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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1:02:40
Can a Narcissist Change Through Therapy? Uncovering the Truth
"Can therapy help a narcissist change? Discover the truth behind narcissists in therapy and why victims are often the ones healing."In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, we dive deep into the question many victims of narcissi...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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18:22
The Narcissistic Family Dynamic: How Narcissism Fuels Control and Emotional Abuse
"Is your family dynamic ruled by narcissism? Discover how narcissistic manipulation, control, and emotional abuse shape family relationships."In this eye-opening episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, we explore the damaging effects o...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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22:50
The Ultimate Price of Narcissistic Abuse: A Mother’s Tragic Story & Advocacy for Change (Trigger Warning)
"Discover the heartbreaking reality of narcissistic abuse and its devastating impact on families, as Ali Kessler shares her powerful story of loss and advocacy."In this emotional and eye-opening episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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1:00:27
Flying Monkeys: Narcissistic Manipulation and Control
"Uncover the manipulative tactics flying monkeys use to control, deceive, and isolate you on behalf of the narcissist. Learn how to protect yourself from their toxic influence."In this episode of Fake Love & Flying Monkeys, we dive ...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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20:11
Trauma Bond vs. Codependency: Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse
Are you stuck in a toxic relationship with a narcissist, unsure if you’re trauma bonded or codependent? In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, we break down the key differences between trauma bonding and codependency, and how narcissi...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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34:07
Narcissistic Manipulation: What 'You're Too Good for Me' Really Means
"When a narcissist says 'You're too good for me,' they’re not showing humility—they're manipulating you."If you've ever heard this phrase in a relationship with a narcissist, you've experienced a classic narcissistic manipulation tactic...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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18:56
5 Mind Games Covert Narcissists Play
Covert narcissists are masters of disguise.Covert narcissists are experts at mind games, hiding behind a facade of charm, vulnerability, or self-pity. In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, I’m revealing the five most insidiou...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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22:20
Love-Bombing to Discard: The Narcissist’s Playbook in all relationships
"Narcissists have a playbook, and it’s designed to break you."In narcissistic relationships, a chillingly predictable cycle plays out. First, the narcissist sweeps their target off their feet with overwhelming love, affection, and atten...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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26:38
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....
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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17:22
Narcissistic Gaslighting: The Dog Whistle
"A dog whistle is silent to everyone else, but deafening to its target."Ever had that moment where a narcissist says something that seems harmless to everyone else, but you know it’s a deliberate dig aimed just at you? That’s the narcis...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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18:54
Going No Contact with Narcissists vs Grey Rock: Which Strategy is Right for You?
No Contact from a toxic relationship is not just a strategy, it’s a declaration of self-respect.Going No Contact or using the Grey Rock method—which strategy is right for you? Narcissistic abuse survivors often face the dilemma of which...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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41:37
Narcissistic Abuse: How to Spot the Red Flags You Missed
The first step to healing from Narcissistic Abuse is recognising the red flags you missed.Have you ever looked back on a toxic relationship and wondered, "How did I not see this coming?" You're not alone. Narcissists are masters of mani...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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21:42
How Narcissistic Mothers Damage Your Adult Relationships and Mental Health
"She made you doubt yourself—now you're doing it in every relationship."If you grew up with a narcissistic mother, that emotional abuse didn’t just stay in childhood—it follows you into adulthood, sabotaging how you love, trust, and relate ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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28:14
5 Reasons Narcissists NEVER Give You Closure.
Narcissists don’t forget to give you closure—they refuse to.If you’ve ever been stuck waiting for closure from a narcissist, you’re not alone. In this episode of Fake Love and Flying Monkeys, we explore why narcissists never give closure—an...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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29:24