In Episode 72 of After the Quiet, I share how two close workplace friendships became another source of tension and control in my marriage. When a friend experienced a devastating late-term pregnancy loss, another coworker and I wanted to support her by planning a girls' getaway. What seemed like a simple act of friendship was quickly dismissed and shut down at home.

At the same time, I found myself being monitored and questioned about my phone use. Messages sent through WhatsApp while planning Halloween costumes with friends became evidence, in his eyes, that I was spending too much time online. Looking back, I can see that the issue was never social media—it was the fact that I was maintaining meaningful connections outside of our relationship.

This episode explores emotional abuse, coercive control, isolation from friends,  ...