What happens when the “hero” turns out to be the monster? In part 2, acclaimed detective Paul Holes takes us into the darkest recesses of the criminal mind — dissecting the Gilgo Beach murders (Rex Heuermann), the tragic Micah Miller case, and showing how even smart, successful women can be hoodwinked by master manipulators. This is the episode every woman and every friend needs to hear for recognizing manipulative tactics, escaping control, and reclaiming your power.
Paul (straight-up genius in criminal psychology), Nicole Schmidt, and I unpack: why the “rescuer” with a dark room is a huge red flag, how powerful men weaponize faith or mental health, and the horrifying stats about leaving abusive partners. We lay out, step by step, how to spot red flags early — and, most importantly, how to build a plan for your own safety when the system fails you.
SHOWNOTES
Why abusers pick certain women: the rescuing, the love bombing, the compliance
Sadistic predators and the “room you can’t enter”: The dark psychology of secret spaces
Why women sometimes protect the abuser, and the heartbreaking cycle of compliance
Micah Miller case: faith, coercive control, and the weaponizing of power
“Predators go where the prey’s at”: doctors, pastors, psychologists aren’t always safe
Weaponizing faith, weaponizing sex: the step-by-step tactics of abusers
When mental health becomes just another weapon
Legal loopholes, system failures, and why the restraining order isn’t always enough
Action steps: how to protect yourself, how to build your support network
Reporting over and over… and still not being heard — the heartbreak of ignored warnings
Bringing it all home: concrete steps every woman can take right now
Micah’s last message. Why sharing and speaking out is the only way to create lasting change
Thank you to today’s sponsors:
Shopify: Sign up for a free trial at https://shopify.com/lisa
Qualia: Go to qualialife.com/LISA and use code LISA for 15% off
Follow Paul Holes:
Check out his Patreon: patreon.com/kateandpaul.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul.holes
Buy his book “Unmasked”: https://a.co/d/08oJyivp
Follow The Gabby Petito Foundation:
Website: https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbypetitofoundation/?hl=en
Follow Me, Lisa Bilyeu:
Website: https://www.lisabilyeu.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/
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