Mar 12, 2025
Learn how one Purple-Award winning podcast is giving a voice to survivors of domestic abuse
A Safe Haven for Survivor Voices
When it comes to sharing survivor stories, Narcissist Apocalypse stands out. It’s more than just a podcast—it’s a platform that amplifies the voices of people who’ve been through narcissistic abuse, coercive control, domestic violence, emotional abuse, family trauma, and so much more. Winning a Purple Ribbon Award in 2024, this podcast isn’t just about telling stories; it’s about educating, validating, and empowering.
With over 490 episodes, Narcissist Apocalypse dives into survivor stories from all kinds of experiences—abusive relationships, toxic families, and harmful religious communities. It also brings on experts who break down topics like gaslighting, triangulation, family law, and even how to work through shame.
Their mission is laid out beautifully on the guest submission page:
“The first objective is to make everyone feel less alone by validating what they’ve been through, by what you went through. The second objective is to show how the manipulations worked and why they worked. We believe that people will feel less shame when they see how the crimes were perpetrated against them. The third objective is to give survivors a vocabulary. If you explain your feelings/nuances of the abuse, you are giving a vocabulary to other survivors.
Once a survivor has a vocabulary, that can help set things into motion for change. And the final objective is all the little learning lessons. From recognizing tactics, to how you dealt with the abuse, to court, to custody, to escape plans. It’s all helpful, especially the things you learned about yourself in the process. Narcissist Apocalypse isn’t just a show about abuse. To us, it’s a show about self-discovery too.”
A Unique Format of Storytelling
Listeners tuning into the early episodes of Narcissist Apocalypse might feel surprised to discover a very different show from what it has become today.
Launched in 2019 by Brandon Chadwick, the podcast originally started as a satirical comedy series about preparing for an “upcoming narcissist apocalypse.” Featuring Chadwick as a fictionalized version of himself (Chad The Impaler) and a therapist character, the show used humor to explore the concept.
Everything changed during an episode with Chadwick’s therapist friend, Melissa. While recording, Chadwick broke character, sensing something deeper in the conversation. That unplanned moment made it into the final cut and unexpectedly struck a chord with listeners.
“A few weeks later, someone emailed me about how the interview helped them and asked me to do more of that. So I did more of that,” Chadwick recalls. “I thought, oh, I can do this again, but with meaningful conversations. It’s always been about having conversations—just two people talking. That’s how the show matured over time.”
Though Narcissist Apocalypse has evolved into a podcast focused on survivor stories and abuse education, Chadwick has kept the original episodes available. He advises new listeners to start with the most recent episodes before exploring the show’s beginnings.
Reflecting on this decision, Chadwick shares advice from a friend who lent him his first podcasting equipment: “He told me, ‘Never be embarrassed about anything you’ve ever done. It’s part of the history of your show. And two: Listen to the audience and what they’re saying, and go with it.’”
These principles have guided Chadwick as Narcissist Apocalypse transformed from satire to a vital resource for survivors and advocates alike.
Crafting Survivor Stories with Purpose
Brandon Chadwick takes his role on Narcissist Apocalypse seriously, but he remains quick to point out that the show isn’t about him. “The show isn’t about me,” he explains. “I am a facilitator. I control what happens on the show—but the show isn’t about me. My job is to help people tell the most effective stories, and I take that seriously.”
A big part of that job, according to Chadwick, involves ensuring that the stories are clear and easy to follow. “The most important thing is clarity,” he says. “You need to be able to tell clear stories. When you watch a movie with different timelines, it gets confusing. It’s hard to follow. You need to understand everything that’s happening, that the conversation is flowing in a straight line.”
To help guests share their stories effectively, the podcast provides a five-part framework. This structure allows survivors to organize their thoughts, cut out redundancies, and reflect on their experiences. “It’s about more than just the story,” Chadwick says. “It’s about understanding what is happening to you—how to incorporate more than the surface level into the framework of the story.”
Not every story fits neatly into the framework, though. Family-related abuse stories, for instance, often require a more flexible approach. “With family stories, a lot of them have to be crafted from the beginning—there is no true formula,” Chadwick explains. “You work with those people to figure out what that story is. So I listen a little bit harder, if that makes sense, because sometimes we are both figuring out, ‘What is this story?’”
For Chadwick, it all comes back to helping people find their voice and share their experiences in a way that matters. By focusing on clarity, introspection, and collaboration, he ensures every episode feels authentic, impactful, and meaningful to both survivors and listeners alike.
For the Greater Good
Guests on Narcissist Apocalypse come from all walks of life, bringing a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Every story shared is treated with care, keeping guests anonymous through the use of aliases, and sometimes even altering their voices for added privacy.
For those ready to share their journey, the process starts with a submission through the podcast’s guest form. However, it’s important to note that not every story makes it to air. As host Brandon Chadwick emphasizes, “You’re not coming on the show for you. You’re coming on the show for other people.”
This approach ensures that every story featured on the podcast resonates with its broader mission: to support, validate, and empower the survivor community.
Initiatives Beyond the Podcast
The podcast community also features a support group, providing tools and encouragement for healing and forward movement.
“We’re not here to keep you around.” Chadwick explained about the podcast as a tool to empower survivors to rebuild their lives, not remain tethered to their trauma.
Where to Listen to The Podcast
You Can listen to Narcissist Apocalypse on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, and Youtube. You can also follow Narcissist Apocalypse on Instagram @narcissistapocalypse