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Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast

Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast

By: Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola
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Summary

 Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW is a Coercive Control Educator, Researcher, & Survivor. She has been an advocate since the age of 19, passionate about protecting children from abuse. Yet, even as a therapist, she didn't see the signs in her own relationship. How do we, as protective parents, support our children harmed by the coercive controller (aka Narcissistic Abuser)? Dr. Cocchiola's expertise provides the framework for supporting protective parents as they navigate parenting children harmed by the coercive controller. Protective parents can show their children a path to freedom.Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola
Episodes
  • Why Survivors Must Be Heard to Heal with Dr. Judith Lewis Herman

    Why Survivors Must Be Heard to Heal with Dr. Judith Lewis Herman
    May 8 2026
    In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m honored to be joined by Judith Herman, one of the world’s foremost pioneers in trauma research and recovery.Dr. Herman is the author of the groundbreaking books Father-Daughter Incest, Trauma and Recovery, and Truth and Repair—works that fundamentally changed how we understand trauma, complex trauma, institutional betrayal, and survivor healing.Together, we discuss the origins of trauma theory, the women’s movement that brought survivor voices into public consciousness, the devastating lifelong impact of childhood abuse and coercive control, and why children living in unsafe family systems are so deeply affected—even when the abuse is not overtly physical.We also explore the ACEs study, attachment, institutional failures, protective parenting, intergenerational trauma, and the critical role of safe relationships in healing.This is an essential conversation for survivors, clinicians, advocates, educators, attorneys, judges, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of trauma and recovery.What we coverThe origins of trauma and complex trauma theoryHow the women’s movement changed the understanding of abuseDr. Herman’s groundbreaking work on incest and child sexual abuseThe lifelong mental and physical health impacts of childhood traumaThe ACEs study and adverse childhood experiencesCoercive control, family violence, and child developmentIsolation as a tactic of abuse and coercive controlWhy children exposed to family violence are profoundly harmedProtective factors that help children heal from traumaAttachment, belonging, and the importance of safe relationshipsInstitutional betrayal and why survivors must be heardProtective parenting and rebuilding connection with childrenWhy listenIf you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, advocate, educator, researcher, or legal professional, this episode offers foundational insight into trauma, coercive control, attachment, and recovery.Dr. Herman’s work helped shape the modern understanding of trauma and continues to guide how we think about healing, institutional accountability, and the long-term impact of childhood abuse.Guest bio (short)Judith Herman, MD, is a psychiatrist, researcher, professor, and internationally recognized pioneer in the study of psychological trauma. She is the author of Father-Daughter Incest, Trauma and Recovery, and Truth and Repair, groundbreaking works that transformed the understanding of trauma, complex PTSD, and survivor recovery.About Dr. Judith Lewis HermanGuilford Press: https://www.guilford.com/author/Judith-Lewis-Herman?srsltid=AfmBOopF18dr2S7Z0VoukbbZiSSvNFY7XqwmoLAmoT2OykKgsoR2T4fYWikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Lewis_HermanPsychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/judith-l-herman-mdConnect with Dr. Christine:Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videosTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24sBooks: https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBookhttps://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDayIf this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety.🩵— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Dr. Judith Herman
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    47 mins
  • Greyson’s Choice: Ali Kessler’s Mission to Protect Children

    Greyson’s Choice: Ali Kessler’s Mission to Protect Children
    Apr 24 2026

    Description

    In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Ali Kessler, founder of Greyson’s Choice, child safety advocate, and a powerful voice for prevention, awareness, and systemic change.


    Ali shares her deeply personal story of loss, resilience, and purpose—and how unimaginable grief became a mission to protect other children. Through Greyson’s Choice, Ali has transformed pain into advocacy, using her son Greyson’s legacy to create education, awareness, and meaningful change for families everywhere.


    This conversation is both heartbreaking and inspiring, highlighting what it means to carry love forward through action, courage, and protection.


    What we cover

    • The story behind Greyson’s Choice

    • Honoring Greyson’s legacy through advocacy

    • Turning grief into purpose and prevention

    • Why child safety awareness matters

    • Systemic gaps that leave children vulnerable

    • Supporting families after trauma and loss

    • Creating change through courage and community


    Why listen

    If you are a parent, survivor, advocate, clinician, or someone navigating grief after trauma, this episode offers compassion, courage, and hope.


    Ali’s story is a reminder that even after devastating loss, love can still become action—and protection for others.


    Guest bio (short)

    Ali Kessler is the founder of Greyson’s Choice, a child safety advocacy organization created in honor of her son, Greyson. Through education, awareness, and reform efforts, she works to protect children, support families, and create lasting change in Greyson’s memory.


    Connect with Ali Kessler:

    Website: https://greysonschoice.org

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/greysonschoice/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreysonsChoice

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greysons-choice/posts/?feedView=all

    YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjQd87p3UbsHmUWxVkxJlUw


    Connect with Dr. Christine Cocchiola:

    Protective Parenting Program: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/

    Official site: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrol

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/

    TEDxTalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24s

    Books:https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBook

    https://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDay



    If this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety.


    🩵

    — Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Ali Kessler
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    35 mins
  • Children Are Not Witnesses: The Truth About Coercive Control with Emma Katz

    Children Are Not Witnesses: The Truth About Coercive Control with Emma Katz
    Apr 10 2026
    DescriptionIn this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Emma Katz, criminologist and author of Coercive Control in Children’s and Mothers’ Lives. Emma is one of the leading researchers in the world examining how coercive control impacts children—not just as witnesses, but as direct victims navigating survival, attachment, and identity.Together, we explore how children experience coercive control in deeply complex ways, how abusers strategically target the mother-child bond, and why so many systems continue to misunderstand—or completely overlook—the perpetrator’s role.This conversation offers both profound validation and hope, highlighting the resilience of children and the critical role of protective parents in healing and recovery.What we coverWhy children are not “witnesses” but direct victims of coercive controlHow perpetrators strategically target and damage the mother-child relationshipThe three ways children experience abusive fathers: dangerous, “admirable,” and omnipresentHow manipulation, intermittent reinforcement, and fear shape children’s attachmentWhy children may align with the abusive parent—and why that is not a choiceThe psychological impact of coercive control on children’s identity, safety, and developmentThe resilience of children and the power of attachment with a protective parentWhat recovery can look like for families after coercive controlWhy listenIf you are a protective parent, survivor, clinician, or professional working with families, this episode offers essential insight into how coercive control shapes children’s experiences—and why traditional frameworks often get it wrong.Emma’s research brings clarity to what many families are living through, while also offering hope: children can heal, attachment can be rebuilt, and protective parenting matters more than anything.Guest bio (short)Emma Katz is a criminologist, researcher, and author specializing in coercive control and its impact on women and children. She is the author of Coercive Control in Children’s and Mothers’ Lives and writes extensively about domestic abuse, family dynamics, and systemic responses. Her work has been instrumental in shifting the understanding of children as active victims of coercive control rather than passive witnesses.Learn more about Dr. Emma KatzSubstack:https://substack.com/@dremmakatzOfficial Site:https://dremmakatz.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/emmakatz_phdLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-emma-katz-5b911865/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx1f7_MhfCmVufMQS0ZPRjQX(twitter):https://x.com/DrEmmaKatzBook (Coercive Control in Children’s and Mothers’ Lives): https://www.amazon.com/Coercive-Control-Childrens-INTERPERSONAL-VIOLENCE/dp/0190922214/Connect with Dr. ChristineLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christine-marie-cocchiola-443a58204/Protective Parenting Program:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/Official site:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videosTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol/TEDxTalk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2qByKOue4&t=24sBooks:https://url-shortener.me/c/FramedBookhttps://url-shortener.me/c/EveryMomentOfEveryDayIf this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review — it helps other survivors find validation and safety.🩵— Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Emma Katz
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
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