Cody, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again and again (because I’m old, use outdated terminology, and forget what I just said 🤪): YOU ROCK! You are making a huge difference. Never doubt that. I was at the point of ending my life. I had a plan. I just had to take care of a few things first. Then I came across your Substack. I read it. I said I’ll give it one more try. I’m still here. I know I’m not the only one. So, in case you missed it before I’ll say it again: YOU ROCK!
29 years ago I escaped the sticky sick relationship with a narcissist that had rewired me for violent self destruction. Crawling out of that darkness was and is, one of my best teachers. Addiction, pride and a broken brain felt insurmountable. Yet I have become more of the person I feel I was meant to be. Cold comfort for those in the storm and yet the Light kept shining and I kept going. Not much of a choice, do or die.
My first sources of information were real crime accounts. Pattern recognition dawned in flashes. It mattered less when the people around me only saw a broken woman. I knew something. I was not crazy. And I was not alone.
I devoured accounts of professionals who worked in the prisons, showing me the tells of the various cluster B folks. This truly helped me find the language of the pathology. Years later, I can say that the experience has allowed me to shorten the time for recognition for others. And formed my compassion for those caught in the nightmare. 🙏
Cody, you are not alone. You are not crazy. My prayers for you are here. Hugs. 🥰
I am soooo impressed with what you have done. Definitely soak in the good that your amazing, bold writing is doing for the world, thanks for sharing your experience and insight! It is so helpful and inspiring!
What I hear in this isn’t triumph or branding or a comeback story. It’s witness. You’re naming what actually keeps people alive when systems fail them. Not credentials. Not polish. Recognition. Someone saying, yes, that happened to me too.
The line about keeping receipts and refusing to shut up mattered to me. There’s a particular kind of sanity that comes from pattern recognition when you’ve been told you’re the problem. You articulate that without softening it or turning it into inspiration, and that honesty is exactly why people stayed.
I’m also struck by how clear-eyed this is about damage. You don’t pretend you’re healed. You don’t sell safety you don’t have. You just say, I’m still here, still trying, and this is what survival looks like right now. That feels rare and trustworthy.
This isn’t shouting into the void anymore. It’s a signal fire for people who’ve been made to doubt their own reality. Thank you for keeping it lit, and for not turning away from the cost of doing so.
This found me just when I needed some hope. Thank you. Your strength, resilience, honesty, and vulnerability are truly powerful. Your presence is the healing.
Yes dear Cody, not only are you still here, but you're also fighting back ! Considering what you went through, that's quite a feat. I like to believe that taking this b*** of a truly sadistic witch disguised as a "therapist" to court might have taken her by surprise. "What ! YOU have the nerve to turn against me ???" Well guess what, you sicko : "Yes he does."
Also, and I can only talk for myself (though apparently I am not your only reader feeling this way), I do relate to your texts. And, in some kind of a weird way, I find comfort, relief even, knowing that other persons experience pains similar to mine. Thank you, dear Cody, for being here. I'm sending you a huge bunch of strength vibes so you can add it to your already existing tremendously powerful survival instinct. See, however the trial turns out, you already won,my friend.
Cody, let me add another story to the pile - one still in the writing. As a freshly-minted young adult newly 18, your content is equipping me with what I need to keep my wits up and not get screwed over as I navigate the perils of the real world. Thank you.
Your early posts (have not visited in awhile) conveyed desperation and disbelief and betrayal. Some of them were difficult to comprehend yet others conveyed experiences that were Kafkaesque.
The combination of fickle and feckless employer and a horrible encounter in therapy clearly struck chords with readers. Difficult to contemplate that others have had similar encounters, but this may very well be the case. Your disclosures may have benefited you in the sense of providing an avenue through which you could get back on your feet but they may also have strengthened the resolve of others to distance themselves from harm.
Cody, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again and again (because I’m old, use outdated terminology, and forget what I just said 🤪): YOU ROCK! You are making a huge difference. Never doubt that. I was at the point of ending my life. I had a plan. I just had to take care of a few things first. Then I came across your Substack. I read it. I said I’ll give it one more try. I’m still here. I know I’m not the only one. So, in case you missed it before I’ll say it again: YOU ROCK!
Thank you for sharing this. Please take care of yourself.
Keep going man. Setbacks are only opportunities to get stronger, and to pick a path we might not have otherwise chosen. You're a beast.
29 years ago I escaped the sticky sick relationship with a narcissist that had rewired me for violent self destruction. Crawling out of that darkness was and is, one of my best teachers. Addiction, pride and a broken brain felt insurmountable. Yet I have become more of the person I feel I was meant to be. Cold comfort for those in the storm and yet the Light kept shining and I kept going. Not much of a choice, do or die.
My first sources of information were real crime accounts. Pattern recognition dawned in flashes. It mattered less when the people around me only saw a broken woman. I knew something. I was not crazy. And I was not alone.
I devoured accounts of professionals who worked in the prisons, showing me the tells of the various cluster B folks. This truly helped me find the language of the pathology. Years later, I can say that the experience has allowed me to shorten the time for recognition for others. And formed my compassion for those caught in the nightmare. 🙏
Cody, you are not alone. You are not crazy. My prayers for you are here. Hugs. 🥰
I am soooo impressed with what you have done. Definitely soak in the good that your amazing, bold writing is doing for the world, thanks for sharing your experience and insight! It is so helpful and inspiring!
Happy New Year Cody
This took my breath away.
What I hear in this isn’t triumph or branding or a comeback story. It’s witness. You’re naming what actually keeps people alive when systems fail them. Not credentials. Not polish. Recognition. Someone saying, yes, that happened to me too.
The line about keeping receipts and refusing to shut up mattered to me. There’s a particular kind of sanity that comes from pattern recognition when you’ve been told you’re the problem. You articulate that without softening it or turning it into inspiration, and that honesty is exactly why people stayed.
I’m also struck by how clear-eyed this is about damage. You don’t pretend you’re healed. You don’t sell safety you don’t have. You just say, I’m still here, still trying, and this is what survival looks like right now. That feels rare and trustworthy.
This isn’t shouting into the void anymore. It’s a signal fire for people who’ve been made to doubt their own reality. Thank you for keeping it lit, and for not turning away from the cost of doing so.
Go Lions!
You misspelled "Da Bears..."
And you misspelled “Go Pats!” 😆
Oh, no… they let Patriots fans in here? I might have opened the wrong door.
We’re everywhere!
You really are. You guys and the Cowboys, for some odd reason.
All I can see is Chris Farley and George Wendt circa ‘93. 🤣
You must be in Illinois. It isn’t really Chris Farley, we just all look like that.
🤣🤣🤣
This found me just when I needed some hope. Thank you. Your strength, resilience, honesty, and vulnerability are truly powerful. Your presence is the healing.
Thank you Sam
Yes dear Cody, not only are you still here, but you're also fighting back ! Considering what you went through, that's quite a feat. I like to believe that taking this b*** of a truly sadistic witch disguised as a "therapist" to court might have taken her by surprise. "What ! YOU have the nerve to turn against me ???" Well guess what, you sicko : "Yes he does."
Also, and I can only talk for myself (though apparently I am not your only reader feeling this way), I do relate to your texts. And, in some kind of a weird way, I find comfort, relief even, knowing that other persons experience pains similar to mine. Thank you, dear Cody, for being here. I'm sending you a huge bunch of strength vibes so you can add it to your already existing tremendously powerful survival instinct. See, however the trial turns out, you already won,my friend.
Thank you so much for this Angelique 🙂
Raw and inspiring, always a pleasure to read!
Cody, let me add another story to the pile - one still in the writing. As a freshly-minted young adult newly 18, your content is equipping me with what I need to keep my wits up and not get screwed over as I navigate the perils of the real world. Thank you.
Magic is all I see.
I feel you Cody :( I also lost a job last year. But we will come out on top!
Your early posts (have not visited in awhile) conveyed desperation and disbelief and betrayal. Some of them were difficult to comprehend yet others conveyed experiences that were Kafkaesque.
The combination of fickle and feckless employer and a horrible encounter in therapy clearly struck chords with readers. Difficult to contemplate that others have had similar encounters, but this may very well be the case. Your disclosures may have benefited you in the sense of providing an avenue through which you could get back on your feet but they may also have strengthened the resolve of others to distance themselves from harm.