Dr. Dan Jones, associate professor at the University of Nevada Reno, is an expert in the Dark Triad and Dark Tetrad personality traits. These are Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy and sadism. Dr. Dan Jones explains how these callous and manipulative people operate. He also suggests how you may be able to use their own strategies against them, at least temporarily. Resources Dr. Dan Jones website: Dark Triad and Corporate Climate Lab Dr. Dan Jones email: djones2 at unr.edu Dr. Dan Jones TedX talk: How to recognize a master manipulator Biography of Niccolo Machiavelli on Britannica

Carlo Giovanni Malozzi has a history of exploiting women — Lovefraud has already done three episodes about him. When did this behavior pattern start? One woman was actually married to him more than 12 years ago, and in this podcast, she tells her story. She avoided the financial abuse that he inflicted upon his other targets. But what she did endure was worse. More about this story Carlo Giovanni Malozzi: Let’s buy a Corvette! Carlo Giovanni Malozzi: ‘My car broke down’ Carlo Giovanni Malozzi: ‘Let’s move to Texas!’

In our last episode about Carlo Giovanni Malozzi, “My car broke down,” he’d conned a woman in Florida and then left the state. Next, he moved to Arizona, where he joined a church. Judith, a member of the church, met Carlo at a Christian singles event. He quickly charmed her, and then exploited her. She wasn’t his only target. More about this story Carlo Giovanni Malozzi: Let’s buy a Corvette! Carlo Giovanni Malozzi: ‘My car broke down’

Joan Kloth-Zanard, an expert in the psychological abuse of children and founder of PAS-intervention.org, explains why parents need to be cautious about reporting child abuse. If there is no verifiable evidence, state child protection agencies may not believe the allegations, with dire consequences. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com Resources PAS-intervention.org Joan Kloth-Zanard’s webinars on Lovefraud: Breaking through to alienated kids Proving parental alienation in court

Christopher Lum of California was slapped with two domestic violence restraining orders and ordered to give up his guns. For years, he refused, and no officials did anything about it. But his ex-wife, Erin Lum, kept working to protect herself and her sons.  Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com More about this story Christopher Lum Gofundme page Christopher Lum Los Angeles County Superior Court docket for weapons charges

Christopher Lum of California said he was a Los Angeles Fireman, former military, a rescue diver — and at first, Erin bought it all. He drew her in, asked for her help, convinced her to have his child, and she was trapped. And then, Chris did the unthinkable.  Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com More about this story Christopher Lum often wore Los Angeles Fire Department clothing.

Dr. Denise McDermott, adult and child psychiatrist. Every moment, every experience, may offer us a gift. Dr. Denise McDermott, an adult and child psychiatrist, says that even though an abusive relationship with a sociopath is horrific, it can also be a great teacher. Once we get to the other side of the experience and alchemize the trauma, we may find a greater sense of awareness and self-love. Resources Denise McDermott, M.D. The Dr. Denise Show podcast

Lesly Plummer of England wants to protect her granddaughter, who is involved with a controlling man. So Lesly is telling her own story — she was married for 35 years to a man who was condescending and cruel. After leaving him, Lesly learned that there was a reason for his neglectful behavior, and perhaps a deeper meaning to her experience.

Dr. Liane Leedom at a Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy conference. Recovery from a damaging involvement with a sociopath is possible. Dr. Liane Leedom, a psychiatrist and professor at the University of Bridgeport, says skills of Dialetical Behavior Therapy (DBT), such as mindfulness, can help. Your goal is to lower your level of arousal due to stress, and she offers strategies that you can use right away. Subscribe to True Lovefraud Stories. Resources lleedom@bridgeport.edu See Dr. Liane Leedom’s work on Researchgate  Dialectical Behavior Therapy Paired Muscle Relaxation on Youtube Paced breathing exercise on Youtube Dr. Marsha Linehan: Why learn DBT skills? Radical Acceptance, by Tara Brach, Ph.D.

Dr. Liane Leedom at a Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy conference. Our ability to form relationships with each other is rooted deep in biological foundations. Dr. Liane Leedom, a psychiatrist and professor at the University of Bridgeport, explains four behavioral systems, involving both biology and psychology, that are crucial for our relationships: The attachment or affiliation system, the caregiving system, the dominance system and the sexual system.  Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com. Resources lleedom@bridgeport.edu See Dr. Liane Leedom’s work on Researchgate.

Dr. Liane Leedom at a Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy conference. Why does the silent treatment hurt so much? Why does the end of a relationship feel like withdrawal? What is cognitive dissonance? Why do targets of sociopaths lose the ability to think? In part 1 of this interview, Dr. Liane Leedom, a psychiatrist and professor at the University of Bridgeport, explains the effects of extreme relationship stress. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com. Resources lleedom@bridgeport.edu See Dr. Liane Leedom’s work on Researchgate.  PsychCentral: How does stress affect the brain?

The romantic relationship “Jessica” had with “Luke” left her feeling confused and abused. As a result, she turned to substances and experienced suicidal ideation. Then Jessica spoke with “Susanna,” who was also involved with Luke — and who endured similar treatment from him. A weight was lifted — Jessica wasn't crazy and the relationship issues were not her fault. Luke was the problem. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com

All her life, “Susanna’s” greatest interests were psychological thrillers and cults. When she got away from her relationship, she realized that with Luke, she’d been living in one. Susanna wondered if his other women felt the same way, and reached out to his previous girlfriend, Jessica. Yes, their experiences were painfully similar, which helped them both in their recovery. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com Resources For information about the Psychopathy Checklist Revised, see Range of sociopathic behavior: From sleazy to serial killer, on Lovefraud.com.

“Susanna” realized that her boyfriend, “Luke,” had two distinct sides to his personality — one side would never hurt her, and the other could. When things were good, she enjoyed the happiest moments of her life. But when they were bad, she collapsed into a puddle of tears — and Luke didn’t care. Slowly, painfully, she learned the truth about his manipulation. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com

For months, “Susanna” thought of “Luke” as only a friend. But when she was in need, he rescued her — and from then on, he was more than a friend. Their excursions were full of fun and laughter — but then, when they returned home, Luke withdrew. Had she done something wrong? Did he no longer find her attractive? Susanna could never get an answer, and she felt like she was losing her mind. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com

Your culture can still support you, even if you’ve left your country. Vjolca Capri, LMHC, QS, NBCC, draws on her Islamic faith and traditions as she works with clients. Expats may miss their homes and have difficulty putting down roots, she explains. What to do? Build a new tribe where you now live. Then draw on the support of your community to solve problems and make decisions — like choosing a marriage partner. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com. Resources Vjolca Capri, LMHC, QS, NBCCDirector of MH ServicesTotal Wellness Clinicwww.totalwellness.clinic786 - HEALING

Con artists will take advantage anything, including faith, tradition and culture, in order to exploit their targets. “Mariam,” unfortunately, learned this the hard way. She met a prospective suitor on a matrimonial website who seemed to be exactly what she was looking for. In reality, it was a marriage scam. Everything he told her was a lie — he was psychologically, financially and physically abusive. But Mariam used his own tactics against him and escaped. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com

What is depression? Mandy Friedman, LPCC-S, CCDVC, CCTP, is a counselor who specializes in treating victims of abuse, many of whom feel depressed. She explains that depression is a neurobiological and chemical brain state — not a weakness in your personality you can overcome simply through willpower. Mandy explains how she helps clients, and suggests steps you can take towards your recovery.  Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com Resources Mandy Friedman, LPCC-S, CCDVC, CCTP Clermont Mental Heath 513-655-6911 info@clermontmentalhealth.care

In the conclusion to this story, “Melissa” finally learned that her boyfriend of seven years, “Kevin,” was a lying cheater throughout their relationship. As a result, she fell into severe clinical depression. But she was determined to not let this man crush her. She implemented a three-step plan to take back her power, which contributed to her healing. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com

“Melissa” and “Kevin” dated for seven years. They bought a house together, and Melissa worked hard to turn it into a cozy home. But even though Kevin proclaimed his love and shopped for engagement rings, Melissa sensed something was amiss. Then she learned, to her horror, that her instincts were correct, and she became determined to take her revenge against the lying cheater. Subscribe at lovefraud.supercast.com