Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast
Episodes
Greyson’s Choice: Ali Kessler’s Mission to Protect Children
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
DescriptionIn this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Ali Kessler, founder of Greyson’s Choice, child safety advocate, and a powerful voice fo...
Children Are Not Witnesses: The Truth About Coercive Control with Emma Katz
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
DescriptionIn this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Emma Katz, criminologist and author of Coercive Control in Children’s and Mothers’ Liv...
Jane Doe No More: Story of Survival and Accountability with Donna Palomba
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
DescriptionIn this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Donna Palomba, founder of Jane Doe No More and survivor of a violent home invasion and sex...
Family Court Harm and Institutional Betrayal with Dr. Elizabeth Dalgarno
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
DescriptionIn this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Dr. Elizabeth Dalgarno, founder and director of the SHERA Research Group and lecturer in p...
The Weaponization of Children in Coercive Control
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
DescriptionIn this solo episode of Perfect Prey, I explore one of the most heartbreaking dynamics of coercive control: the weaponization of children.C...
Coercive Control Is a War of Attrition with Laura Richards
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Laura Richards, a criminal behavioral analyst, former New Scotland Yard specialist, and one of the le...
Child Sexual Abuse, Grooming, and the Systems That Fail Children with Andrew Carpenter
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Andrew Carpenter, a solicitor and partner at Webster Lawyers in Australia, widely known for his work ...
When You See It: The Untold First Wife Story of Dirty John with Tonia Bales
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Tonia Bales, author of When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John. Tonia shares her s...
The Unthinkable: A Child’s View of Coercive Control with David Challen
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by David Challen, author of The Unthinkable, who shares his experience growing up as a child inside a co...
Coercive Control, Validation, and Power: How Aimee Says Supports Survivors with Anne Wintemute
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Anne Wintemute, co-creator of Aimee Says, an innovative AI platform designed specifically to support ...
Coercion, Cult dynamics & Survival with Sarma Melngailis
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I speak with Sarma Melngailis, author of The Girl with the Duck Tattoo and the central figure in the documentary Bad ...
Coercive Control, Courts & “Perfect Prey” — with Dr. Ramani Durvasula
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey I’m joined by my friend and colleague Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, author, professor, and internat...
Coercive Control and Narcissistic Abuse: How to Recognize Patterns and Reclaim Your Power with Dr. Jamie Zuckerman
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I sit down with Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a licensed clinical psychologist and national expert in narcissistic abuse, to u...
Escaping the Narcissist: How to Identify, Survive, and Heal from Manipulative Abuse with Vanessa M. Reiser, LCSW, Therapist, Author, Narcissistic/Cult Abuse Expert
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I sit down with Vanessa Reiser, LCSW, a renowned psychotherapist, speaker, and advocate who has dedicated her career ...
Exposing the Reality of Family Courts with Dr. Bandy X Lee
20 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey: A Podcast on Coercive Control, I am joined by Dr. Bandy X. Lee, a forensic psychiatrist and internationally recognize...
The Psychology of Coercive Control: Cognitive Dissonance and Trauma Bonds Explained
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast, Dr. Christine Cocchiola sits down with Dr. Peter Salerno to take a deeper look at the hid...
Unveiling Jennifer Dulos' Tragic Tale: Insights from Rich Cohen on Coercive Control
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey Podcast, I sit down with journalist and author Rich Cohen to discuss his book, Murder in the Dollhouse, which explores...
Understanding Narcissism and Coercive Control with Mark Vicente
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I sit down with filmmaker and NXIVM Whistleblower, Mark Vicente, to explore the insidious nature of narcissism and co...
Coercive Control in Family Law with Meg Groff
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For over 40 years, Attorney Meg Groff has been a fierce advocate for victims of domestic abuse.In her powerful memoir, Not If I Can Help It, Meg share...
Children of Coercive Control - Jessi Hersey
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jessi Hersey bravely shares her story of surviving two forms of coercive control: childhood grooming by her drum teacher and emotiona...
The System Failed Om: Why Leah Moses Fought to Change Family Court
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful and emotional episode, Dr. Cocchiola speaks with Leah Moses, mother of Om Moses Gandhi, who was tragically killed by his abusive fath...
Children of Coercive Control - Maya Laing
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maya Laing joins Dr. C on Perfect Prey to share her and her brother Sebastian's experiences growing up in a home where they felt unsafe with one p...
How Aimee Says Supports Victims of Coercive Control with Anne Wintemute
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. C interviews Anne Wintemute, the co-creator of Aimee Says, an AI tool that understands coercive control and supports victims and survivors of abus...
The Truth About Child Therapy in High-Conflict Homes with Sybil Cummin
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Cocchiola sits down with Sybil Cummin, licensed therapist, play therapy expert, and founder of Rising Beyond, to discuss the hidden world of child...
Children of Coercive Control - Gwen & Grace Girard
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
These brave young women share their powerful story of growing up with an abusive parent and navigating the ongoing trauma of the family court system. ...
Children Estranged: Why Children Turn Against Protective Parents
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Christine Cocchiola explores the heartbreaking and complex issue of family estrangement and coercive control. Why are so many adult children turni...
Children of Coercive Control - Caitlin
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Caitlin was a protective mother, navigating the chaos of coercive control and the family court system. For years, she believed her father was her rock...
Coercive Control & The Hidden Trauma of Boys with David Weeks
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Weeks is a survivor of coercive control and human trafficking, bravely speaking out about his experiences. His growing social media following is...
Children of Coercive Control - Grace
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grace, a survivor of coercive control, grew up with an abusive father and a mother who couldn’t protect her. Now, she shares her story to give a voi...
Dr. Lisa Fontes on Invisible Chains & Coercive Control
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Christine Cocchiola is joined by Dr. Lisa Fontes, a leading expert on coercive control. Dr. Fontes serves as an expert witness in legal cases invo...
Children of Coercive Control - Ashton Goff
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ashton Goff joins me in this heartbreaking episode to share his experiences as a child growing up in a home with a coercive controller and narcissisti...
Abusers Intensify When Our Children Become Closer to Us
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Cocchiola sheds light on the intense struggles faced by protective parents when their children are manipulated by abusers. She shares a heart-wren...
How to Navigate Family Court to Protect Your Children with Tina Swithin of One Mom's Battle
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tina Swithin of One Mom’s Battle joins Dr. C to share insights on engaging family courts to better protect our children. Don't miss this important ...
The Abusers Magic A.K.A. "Poison"
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When an older or more independent child no longer fulfills the abuser's needs, they will often shift their focus to another child. This pattern is pre...
Nature and Nurture of Narcissism with Dr. Peter Salerno
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. C and Dr. Salerno delve into the nature and nurture of narcissism, exploring strategies to support children growing up in these family systems and...
The Lure of our Tweens & Teens
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Perfect Prey, we delve into the subtle yet devastating tactics abusers use to lure tweens and teens into alignment, often at the e...
A Conversation on Coercive Control with the Two Dr. C’s
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Andrew Cicchetti a psychotherapist and coercive control advocate and expert comes on the podcast to share his perspective on how predators prey up...
The Love You Have for Your Child Fuels the Coercive Controller/Narcissistic Abuser’s Shame
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Follow Dr. Christine on social media: 🔸Instagram: @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol 🔸Facebook: @dr.cocchiola.coercivecont...
Children of Coercive Control - Alexa
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🔸Follow Dr. Christine on IG: www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol 🔸Visit her website: https://coercivecontrolconsulting.com 🔸Bec...
Trauma Bonding with Dr. Nadine Macaluso
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trauma bonding can keep us locked in an abusive relationship. It’s a neurological response to the abuse that creates significant vulnerability. It h...
Children of Coercive Control - Caitlyn
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Caitlyn is my first adult child guest, and she’s here to share her powerful story of growing up in a home with a coercive controller. Her brave esca...
Dr. C Expert in Coercive Control Interviews Amy Polacko Divorce Coach & Co-Author of the Book FRAMED
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Christine and Amy Polacko expose the disturbing realities within the family court system. In this episode, they discuss their new book FRAMED: Wom...
The Immeasurable Loss: Grieving for Our Abused Children
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about loss and grief and unpack the magnitude of loss that occurs via a coercive controller/narcissistic abuser and the insti...
The Grief and Loss are Unacknowledged and Insurmountable
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Follow Dr. Christine on social media: 🔸Instagram: @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol 🔸Facebook: @dr.cocchiola.coerci...
The Experiences of Children of Coercive Control: My Testimony for Legislators
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Cocchiola highlights how coercive control in the home can significantly impact a child's developing brain and emotional wellbeing. Drawing fro...
Fight, Fawn, Flight, and Freeze: Our Children Are Experiencing All of These Trauma Responses
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you see it? Watch for it and then the patterns will become evident. When the patterns are visible, then we can give them the support they need. ...
Extinguishing the Fire
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Coercive Controller exerts power over everyone - including our children. His primary focus is to ensure our children feel shame and he kindles tha...
THE 10,000-Foot View, THE LIST, & Changing The STORY
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could look down on the relationship dynamics with the coercive controller [Narcissistic Abuser]? What has the coercive controller been say...
The Threats Are Not Idle
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The threats of revenge are all too real: The financial ruin that is often further inflicted through the legal process is overwhelming. It's all in...
The Emancipation
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dr. Cocchiola begins to unpack the various ways that coercive controllers inflict their harm. It's ALL intentional. It's a co...
The Who, What, Why, & How of Coercive Controllers
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Their egos so compromised and their goal to compromise the adult victims' ego and their children’s ego - all to maintain control. Our children p...
Understanding Coercive Control and Its Impact on Children
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Cocchiola defines coercive control, highlighting its impact on children beyond physical abuse. She emphasizes its role in domestic and child abuse...
Compliance Is An Act of Survival
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode begins to outline the steps of derailing the coercive controller's plan and gives us the perspective of this abusive parent. For o...
The Antithesis of the Light Triad
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kantianism comes from the philosopher Immanuel Kant: "the idea that we have a moral duty to act in a good way - whether it benefits us or not. ...