Ever feel like your decisions were made for you before you even knew it? It’s not magic—it's a set of cunning maneuvers social psychologist Robert Cialdini calls "Pre-Suasion". In this episode, we dive into the clever, subtle tactics that influence how we make choices long before a pitch is even made. From strategic questions to the power of background music, we examine the hidden methods Persuaders and Influencers of all kinds use to nudge you into saying yes. This includes playing off your feelings, desires and fears in a quiet yet stunningly effective manner, the aspect described here. Tune in to learn how to spot these sneaky moves and stay in control of your decisions. This is Part One of our deep dive into the psychology of Pre-Suasion. Don’t miss it! This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Ever wonder just how much you care for the people in your life - or how much they truly care for you? Discover a straightforward approach to finding out, no awkward conversations or confrontations required. Join us for an eye-opening episode and strengthen the bonds that matter most. The Circles of Intimacy is a simple tool that allows you to gauge the strength of your feelings for the people in your life and gives you rare insight into what they feel about you. Simple, accessible and surprisingly accurate, the Circles are an important first step to healthier relationships. See where you have emotional mismatches, and by how much. And as always Dr. Dina offers effective solutions to help you get back on track. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Fear is a powerful tool of manipulation. But equally potent is the art of calming those fears to gain control — a tactic Abusers and Manipulators know all too well. In this episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we’ll expose how abusers exploit the power of reassurance, distraction, and false security to make you ignore genuine threats. From minimizing risks to offering protection, these strategies are subtle yet dangerous, often leaving you oblivious to the red flags. Join us as we break down these tactics, empowering you to spot them and take back control over your life. Don't leave yourself open to this cunning maneuver, whether it's perpetrated by an individual, a group, a workplace or a government. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

In this crucial episode, Dr. Dina McMillan dives into one of the most powerful weapons in a manipulator’s toolkit—fear. Fear is a natural, protective instinct that helps keep us safe. But once manipulators learn what makes your heart race and your stomach drop, they can exploit it to control you. In this episode, Dr. McMillan explains the different types of fear and the main strategies employed by those seeking to take advantage of this fundamental drive. She offers real-life examples where those looking to gain control purposely distort reality to alter your beliefs and behaviors and create dependence by promising safety. The episode also goes deeper, unpacking the psychology behind fear-based manipulation and offering practical solutions to reduce your vulnerability to these coercive tactics. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

In this compelling episode of Unmasking the Abuser, we explore an event that touched everyone’s lives—the Covid pandemic. More than just the fear of the virus itself, we dive into the emotional and social rifts caused by differing responses to mandates and directives. How has the Covid era shaped our world today? Can the wounds it opened be healed? And how prepared are we for the next potential crisis? Join us as we step back to reflect on these pivotal questions and, as always, sharpen our understanding of the motives behind the actions of those around us—including our leaders. Your personal experience matters. Tune in for a powerful conversation and share your story! This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked but crucial phases of manipulation: Testing and Training. While tactics like Love Bombing and Gaslighting grab headlines, these initial maneuvers — Testing and Training — lay the groundwork for all the other manipulative strategies. Without successfully testing new targets and then training them to comply, Abusers and Manipulators wouldn't be able to acquire the control they need to take advantage and misuse. They'd be thwarted from the start. Even if you're unaware, manipulators are keenly aware of this process, using it to gauge your responses and quickly condition you for deeper exploitation. Understanding these foundational tactics can be the key to protecting yourself from falling into their traps. Tune in to this essential episode — it could be the difference between safeguarding your independence and becoming someone's pawn. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

In this vital episode, we wrap up the eBook, Brief Overview of Abusers' Strategies and Tactics, covering Chapter 7: "Tactics of Abusers," Chapter 8: "Honorable Mention Tactics," and the concluding section. Just like the eBook itself—available for only $10 at www.drdinamcmillan.com—this episode gives you the essential tools to recognize and counter abusers' most insidious strategies. Every tactic is explained clearly and concisely, including those that earn an "Honorable Mention." These may be less common but are still powerful, such as "gaslighting" and the increasingly recognized "DARVO." This episode is an invaluable investment of your time, equipping you with knowledge to safeguard yourself against manipulation and deceit. Don't miss it! This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

In this crucial episode, we delve further into the explosive insights unveiled in my latest eBook, "Brief Overview of Abusers' Strategies and Tactics." We explore chapters four through six, uncovering not just the selection process —how Abusers pinpoint their romantic victims based on specific traits — but also the deceptions, strategies, and facades they employ to conceal their true intentions. We examine the sly methods Abusers use to dodge rejection in the initial stages of a relationship. This eBook reveals the actions of abusers, their successful tactics, and the choreography of these maneuvers. It also explains the reasons behind them, which we can discuss more comprehensively in the podcasts. The eBook is accessible on my website, www.drdinamcmillan.com. Owning a copy can be extremely beneficial as we explore its contents. No copy, no problem. You'll still gain vital information from this podcast that could safeguard you and your loved ones. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

I put a lot of thought into creating my eBook, Brief Overview of Abusers' Strategies and Tactics. I'm excited to dive into its key insights in this episode and the next. Research shows that the more often you engage with information across different formats, the better you retain it — especially when you pair it with a visual reference. This is exactly why I’m breaking down the eBook here on the Unmasking the Abuser podcast. The eBook is under 60 pages, designed to be read in less than an hour. It focuses specifically on what abusers do. While it's concise, understanding the how and why behind these behaviors is equally important. That's what we'll explore together in these episodes. You don't need to have a copy of the eBook to follow along — just tune in and absorb the insights! But if you want your own copy, you can get it directly from my website: www.drdinamcmillan.com. Listen in, and let’s uncover these critical strategies together! This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

This is another key episode with a slightly different twist. Most of the time we discuss ways to recognize efforts to take advantage of you, using slick words and clever moves to influence, persuade and exploit. This time we stand back and discuss three core factors that can improve your shield against these devious efforts. These simple moves can make it less likely any tactics of persuasion will be effective, whether the person using the maneuvers is a potential romantic partner, a friend, a family member, a work colleague, a salesperson, or an advocate for a political or social cause. I want you to be not only smart but also resilient and guarded. Listen up and find out the simplest ways to become more resistant to manipulation. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Some of the most crucial information about abusive relationships is how they start. What are they like at the very beginning? Most victims and survivors don't recognize the manipulation that happened at the start. That's why this can be a key to preventing new victims in the future. This episode provides a general overview of the manipulative moves and maneuvers that are used most often - and most successfully - to entice a new target into a relationship with an Abuser. This is one episode no one should skip. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

Important Valentine's Day Episode - no roses required. Most of our episodes are about choosing a better romantic partner. This episode is all about YOU, whether you're female or male, in a relationship or single. It guides you as you identify any beliefs or behaviors that are holding you back, causing you or your partner pain. It helps expose the mistakes you repeat - no matter how much you promise that you won't - that may be keeping you from manifesting your happily-ever-after. The steps will get you started on substantially improving your relationships, romantic and otherwise. These key insights will also help you sharpen you critical thinking and reinforce your manipulation-proof superpower. Your efforts can work quickly to maximize intimacy and closeness. If you're single, you'll be more attractive to the person you desire as a Forever Partner. Simple and effective as always. Feel free to grab a box of chocolates and have a listen. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

This is one of the most important Episodes we've done. Inspired by a request from a podcast audience member, this Episode explores the tricks and maneuvers used to entice a mistreated partner to return to an abusive relationship. How is it done? What does it take for someone who's fed up and perhaps deeply afraid to dive back into a highly volatile and even dangerous situation? What strings are Abusers most likely to pull? Are there ways to tell if someone is genuinely trying to heal and change - or just pretending to get their partner to return? Find out here - whether you need the key protection strategies for yourself or someone you love. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

This short podcast needs to be bookmarked and saved somewhere convenient. It contains key tips for emotional survival during the holiday season - or any time your family gets together. If you have a volatile partner, a difficult relative, a troublesome partner of a relative, don't go into their lair without protecting yourself. That's what this Episode is all about. All always, the crucial tips are simple, accessible and effective. Be prepared as you head into the holidays, so your day isn't ruined. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

This is still the only podcast series that exposes the specific tactics used by Abusers to lure in and trap romantic partners. It offers rare insight into manipulation that's relevant everywhere in your life, not only in romance. But have you ever wondered if we've missed something - another risk factor that could be significant? In this explosive episode, we discuss a crucial danger that's backed by decades of research yet seems to remain a relative secret. It's unknown by most people going about their lives and even by those who work in the field of domestic and family violence. Yet, this factor TRIPLES the risk of having abuse in a relationship. It's time to reveal the mystery. Have a listen to this 30-minute podcast as this secret is exposed and explained. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

I'm always learning. This episode is an incredible shared experience with A. Garcia, a woman who's experienced severe abuse and violence. She decided to use what happened to her as a platform to help others. The interview was via Zoom, not in a studio, but I promise you'll get so caught up you won't mind. Please listen as A. discusses what she endured, and how she is a big proponent of PTG, post-traumatic growth, that encourages us all to use our painful life events to make ourselves stronger. She also includes her contact details if you'd like to add your voice and value in a more direct manner. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

In the last Episode we looked at the efforts made to help Abusers to change. Batterers' Intervention Expert Kevin Tarrance from the Department of Children and Families in Florida shared his insights. He offered the various stages he believes Abusers have to traverse in order to fundamentally alter their expectations and behaviors in their intimate relationships. In this Episode we look at change and YOU - the core principles to help you understand what change is and how it's achieved. We include key tools that can help you change whatever is hurting you or holding you back. This could include your romantic expectations and desires. As always, the information is researched broadly and explained simply. Have something you long to add to your life? Something you need to remove? Start here to learn how to start with a strong foundation that improves your likelihood of success. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

This is an exciting episode, and not only because I had to quickly learn how to use a virtual interview on Zoom as a podcast episode. Whether or not Abusers can change is the #1 question I'm asked by those who've been involved with these individuals. Yes and no. That's the answer and why it takes two episodes to discuss it. I interviewed my first guest, Kevin (Michael) Tarrance, an experienced Domestic Violence Intervention Specialist in Jacksonville, Florida. Kevin has been put in charge of monitoring and certifying Florida's Batterer's Intervention Programs (BIPs). He discusses whether or not he believes abusive men can change, what he's experienced, and where he thinks it should go. His manner is warm, engaging, and very knowledgeable. You'll finish these episodes with specific tools in hand to assess whether or not the person you care for is willing - and genuinely trying - to change. Is it real or is it a smokescreen to keep you involved? You'll also learn information you can use for yourself to change, and grow, and learn. Don't miss these episodes! And as always, email me with any questions or comments at unmaskingpodcast@gmail.com. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

This is a must-listen Episode. I discuss why my book, But He Says He Loves Me, is still essential knowledge for anyone wanting to quickly and clearly spot the signs of an abusive relationship. I've just finished production for the audio version of the book - out soon - and offer some exciting previews for my listeners. The book, But He Says He Loves Me, was written in two voices: myself as a domestic abuse expert, and the voice of an Abuser (a fictional blend of real men) who offers men lessons on manipulation and mistreatment. I was able to get Anthony Howell ("Foyle's War), a talented actor to perform the Abuser's side. Listeners get to hear an excerpt from the new audible book. Have a listen and let me know what you think. This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.

The holidays are here! Well, if you count family birthdays, reunions and other special events, the holidays are always here. How do you get through with your sanity intact? How can you still grab joy even if some family members insist on being difficult? Is it even possible? This special holiday edition is filled with tips on how to handle difficult people and situations during family get-togethers. How do you prepare? What do you keep telling yourself so you can remain in control? How do you shield yourself from tantrums and attempts by others to ruin the day? It's all here in a short, sweet and very important Episode. Have a listen! This is the podcast series that does so much more than entertain. It's designed to help you develop your manipulation superpower. Simply and effectively, you'll learn how to spot any attempts to unfairly persuade, influence or indoctrinate you. You'll be able to identify it accurately and early. In a world of propaganda and disinformation, you can know more and do more. Have a listen.