Have you ever had that gut feeling – that nagging suspicion that something just isn’t right, but you brushed it aside because you didn’t want to seem “dramatic”? Yup, we’ve ALL been there. But what if ignoring those red flags could put you or your loved ones in serious danger? On this episode of Women of Impact, I sit down with the incredible Tara Newell – yes, the very woman who survived an actual attack from a textbook psychopath and whose story became a national sensation as “Dirty John.” But this is NOT just about the crime. Tara is here to break down the subtle – and some not-so-subtle – warning signs of manipulation, toxic relationships, and why so many women struggle to trust their instincts (spoiler: society trains us NOT to listen to ourselves). We dig DEEP into: - The early, easy-to-dismiss red flags that Tara noticed about her mom’s boyfriend and how intuition often whispers before it shouts. - The dangerous social and generational conditioning that tells women to forgive, comply, and ignore their own feelings. - Power plays, gaslighting, and classic manipulation tactics that you NEED to recognize. - How abusers work overtime to isolate you from your support system (and what you can do about it). - Practical, real-life tools to build your “trust your gut” muscle – including Tara’s own checklist and how to listen to your body’s warning signals. - Why your dreams and body signals may be trying to save your life (for real!). - The healing journey – from trauma and mistrust to EMDR therapy, routines, nutrition, and self-love. By the end of this episode, you’ll be armed with Tara’s lived wisdom and actionable advice so you can finally STOP second-guessing yourself, recognize unhealthy patterns, and take your power back. So, homie – no more playing small, no more silencing your inner voice. Tara’s experience shows that honoring your instincts can literally save lives – and her journey will empower you to be the hero of your own story. Let’s stop gaslighting ourselves. Let’s stop giving abusive people the benefit of the doubt. Start trusting the most badass tool you’ve got…YOURSELF! CHAPTER MARKERS: THANK YOU to Dr. Ramani for allowing us to use the clip from her interview with Terra! Follow Terra Newell: Website: https://www.terranewellsurvival.com/about-terra/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terranewell/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@terranewellsurvivor/ Follow Me, Lisa Bilyeu: Website: https://www.lisabilyeu.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisabilyeu If you want to dive deeper into my content, search through every episode, find specific topics I've covered, and ask me questions. Go to my Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/lisabilyeu WARNING: I will never ask for your contact info in the comments section, that is someone impersonating me!