Episode 8

full
Published on:

24th Dec 2025

Break The Hidden Abuse Cycle - 4 Keys

If you feel like you’re going in circles emotionally — stuck in patterns you can’t explain or escape — you may be living on what I call the Endless Carousel.

In this episode, I’m sharing 4 key steps that help you get your sanity back when you’re dealing with any form of hidden abuse… especially during a season that should feel peaceful but doesn’t.

These four keys won’t fix everything overnight — but they will give you clarity, strength, and direction for your next brave steps forward.

ONE WOMAN™ Note

If you know a woman who might be living in hidden abuse, you can help her stay safe.


Invite her over for coffee so she can listen from a safe device.


Be her voice in the comments.


Subscribe for her until she can subscribe for herself.

ONE WOMAN helping ONE WOMAN… changes everything. 🤍


Hashtags

#hiddenabuse #psychologicalabuse #emotionalabuse #amioverreacting #youarenotcrazy #abuseawareness #Validated #ownvoiceheal #OneWoman


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👉 Start the healing journey here:

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🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen


📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1


🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341


🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306


🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/


📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction: Finding Light in Hidden Abuse


00:10 Understanding the Endless Carousel of Abuse


00:36 The Challenge of Breaking Free


01:23 Personal Journey


02:34 Key Steps to Exit the Endless Carousel


02:39 Recognize and Acknowledge the Behaviors


03:10 Developing a Safety Plan


05:24 Building a Support Network


06:23 Seeking Professional and Legal Help


09:09 The Importance of the Four Keys


10:10 Resources and Final Thoughts

Disclaimer

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.


This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.


If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within your faith community. You are worthy of such support.


Music Credit & License

Intro/Outro music: “Lofi Background Music-337568” — licensed via Pixabay.


Licensed under the Pixabay Content License (free for commercial use; no attribution required). Content ID registered; used with license.

Trademark Notice

The Endless Carousel™ cycle and stage names—The Build-Up™, The Blow-Up™, The Spin Cycle™, and The Peace Put-On™—are trademarks of Validated Media LLC (common-law). All rights reserved.

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About the Podcast

Validated: Own. Voice. Heal.
Faith-rooted support and practical tools for women facing hidden abuse.
Validated is a podcast for women navigating hidden psychological, emotional, spiritual, and financial abuse—especially in relationships that look “perfect.” If you're walking on eggshells, doubting your reality, or asking, “Am I overreacting?” you’re in the right place.

☕️New episodes release every Wednesday at 4:45 AM PT, starting Nov 19. Subscribe so you never miss one.

Here, you'll find:
🌱 Hope when you feel isolated – You're not alone, and you're not crazy
🌱 Tools to recognize the patterns – Finally see what's been so hard to name
🌱 Faith-rooted truth – Scripture and encouragement for your healing journey
🌱 Language for your story – Words for what you've struggled to explain
🌱 Courage for your next steps – Whether you stay, work through it, or walk away

I'm Valerie—a voice advocate who chose to leave a marriage that was breaking me emotionally and psychologically. I share my story, the truths that carried me, and practical wisdom to help you move from silence to strength.

This is where you finally get to stop pretending everything is fine...this is where God meets you in your pain and helps you find your voice.

Listen & Subscribe
🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306
🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/


Disclaimer

Just a reminder: I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

Every situation is unique; if you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within your faith community. If you ever feel unsafe or are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource in your region. You are worthy of such support.

About your host

Profile picture for Valerie Pratt

Valerie Pratt

Valerie is a voice advocate and host of Validated: Own. Voice. Heal., a faith-rooted podcast for women navigating hidden abuse—psychological, emotional, spiritual, or financial. After walking through her own experience and choosing a different future, she blends lived wisdom, careful research, and gentle, practical tools to help women name what’s happening, make empowering choices, and move from silence to strength. Each episode offers clear teaching, real-life examples, and “tiny brave step” prompts, alongside free journals and guides in the Validated Vault. Valerie’s aim is simple: give you hope when you feel alone, truth to steady your mind, and courage for your next brave step. Validated shares education and support; it is not therapy, counseling, or legal advice.