23 | Dating After Abuse: Slower, Safer Sparks

23 | Dating After Abuse: Slower, Safer Sparks

From The Messy Middle Podcast by Erika Leon

May 14, 2026 · 16 min · Episode 23

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges and considerations of dating after experiencing narcissistic abuse or a high control relationship.

If the idea of dating again still makes you feel physically ill, this episode is not for you yet, and that is completely okay. But if you have got to the point where you are dipping a toe back in, or even just thinking about it, this one is for you. Because something strange happens when you start dating after narcissistic abuse or a high control relationship. You expect to be better at spotting the warning signs. And in some ways, you are. But there is another layer that nobody really prepar...

People in this episode

Host: Erika Leon

Topics covered

  • dating
  • abuse recovery
  • narcissistic abuse
  • relationships
  • self-awareness

Keywords

  • dating after abuse
  • narcissistic abuse
  • high control relationships
  • warning signs
  • emotional recovery

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