In Episode 56 of After the Quiet, I share the day I realized control had gone even deeper—I was being physically prevented from leaving my home. After planning a simple summer playdate for my kids, I discovered all the car keys had been taken and vehicles were deliberately blocked in the driveway. What followed was another police visit and a painful realization about coercive control, isolation, and how abuse can escalate in subtle but powerful ways.

This episode sheds light on non-physical forms of abuse, including restriction of movement, manipulation, and using children as leverage. If you’ve ever questioned whether something “counts” as abuse, this story may help you see the patterns more clearly.