Nia Renee: Narcissistic Abuse, Reclaiming Identity, and Dating with Intention | Ep. 27

What if you could take your pain and turn it into power?

In Episode 27 of TURTZED, Charlie sits down with Nia Renee, author, coach, and founder of How to Love a Battered Woman, for an unflinching and empowering conversation about healing from narcissistic abuse, finding your voice, and dating with self-worth. Nia Renee shares her personal story of surviving abuse, rebuilding after brain surgery, and creating a coaching model grounded in lived experience.

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, struggled to trust again, or wondered how to break toxic patterns—this conversation will resonate deeply.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Charlie and Nia Renee explore what it means to heal from trauma while learning to love and trust yourself again. They unpack how abuse shows up emotionally, the difference between red flags and dealbreakers, and why intentional dating starts with repairing the relationship you have with yourself.

Key Takeaways:

You Can Teach People How to Love You – Survivors of abuse often need a different kind of love—one rooted in safety, patience, and understanding.

Journaling is a Powerful Tool for Clarity – Documenting your experiences can be life-saving, especially when gaslighting clouds your perspective.

You Have to Choose Yourself First – Before entering a healthy relationship, you must rebuild the connection you have with your own self-worth.

Red Flags and Dealbreakers Matter – Knowing what’s unacceptable helps you navigate dating with intention and protects your peace.

You Don’t Have to Forgive to Heal – Releasing others from blame isn’t required—healing comes from validating your pain and forgiving yourself.

Your Abuser’s Behavior is Not Your Responsibility – Understanding your trauma response is essential, but it doesn’t excuse abuse. You are not to blame.

Looking for more stories on resilience, healing, and identity?

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Connect & Contact

Nia Renee: Website | TikTok⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | Youtube

TURTZED: bio.site/turtzed

Charles Turtz: bio.site/turtzc

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Disclaimer: The TURTZED Podcast represents the views and opinions of Charles Turtz and his guests. This content is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your specific health needs. Read our full disclaimer

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Relationships

02:16 The Journey of Understanding Narcissistic Abuse

10:37 Recognizing Patterns from Childhood Trauma

14:54 Finding Safety in Healthy Relationships

19:53 Navigating Dating After Trauma

23:57 The Importance of Self-Love and Inner Work

28:39 Coaching: Tools for Building Healthy Relationships

38:10 Acknowledging Trauma Responses

40:51 The Complexity of Emotional Abuse

43:26 Defining Relationship Needs

46:22 Identifying Deal Breakers and Red Flags

51:14 You Are the Prize

54:03 The Power of Self-Love

01:01:11 Breaking the Cycle of Self-Abuse