In Episode 14 of After the Quiet, I share what early marriage really looked like behind closed doors—and the “rules” I was expected to follow without ever agreeing to them. This episode explores coercive control in marriage, including sexual coercion, emotional manipulation, isolation from family, and constant monitoring of my time. I open up about the pressure to never say no, the shame and confusion that followed, and how my relationship with my mom became something he tried to control. From rushing home after work to avoiding friendships and even giving up reading for enjoyment, I began shrinking to keep the peace. If you’ve ever felt like your needs didn’t matter, your voice wasn’t safe, or your body wasn’t your own, this episode will resonate.

In Episode 13 of After the Quiet, I share what it was really like living through home renovations as a newly married woman—where the stress wasn’t just the dust and chaos, but the growing emotional control behind closed doors. From spending Friday nights alone while he went out, to being mocked for not knowing how to cook, to feeling pressure to become a “proper wife,” this episode explores how coercive control can hide inside everyday expectations. I also open up about how my career as a teacher became a source of resentment, and how I was accused of caring more about my students than my husband. This is a story about isolation, humiliation, and slowly losing yourself while trying to keep the peace.

In Episode 12 of After the Quiet, I share what happened during my honeymoon in Mexico — and how the cracks in a controlling relationship didn’t disappear after marriage. From feeling alone during excursions to Mayan ruins, to fear and anxiety when my husband left to search for drugs in another country, this episode explores coercive control, emotional isolation, and the pressure to manage someone else’s choices. I also reflect on moving into his parents’ basement, the conflict that followed, and the sudden decision to move into a house still under renovations. A personal story about early marriage, emotional abuse, and how milestones don’t always bring safety.