All Episodes

August 19, 2025 75 mins

What if the person you love slowly takes away your freedom — not with fists, but with control over your money, your choices, and your self-worth?


In this episode of Bitch Is A Bad Word, Jared Melo shares his story of how emotional manipulation and financial control kept him trapped in a toxic relationship. From paychecks being taken, to credit ruined, to being told he was “crazy,” Jared walks us through the everyday red flags survivors often miss until it’s too late.


We unpack:

  • How abusers control money to keep you stuck (“I’ll take care of the bills, don’t worry about it”)
  • Why financial abuse often doesn’t look like abuse at first
  • The shame and silence survivors feel when they can’t leave
  • The turning point when Jared realized this wasn’t “love,” it was control
  • How rebuilding self-trust and community helped him escape


This episode is for anyone who has ever asked themselves:

  • “Why can’t I leave if he doesn’t hit me?”
  • “Is it normal for my partner to take my paycheck?”
  • “Am I crazy, or is this actually abuse?”


“signs of controlling partner”

“is it abuse if my husband controls the money”

“how do I leave a toxic marriage with no money”

“my wife controls everything I buy”

“financial abuse in marriage examples”

“how to tell if I’m being gaslit”

“emotional abuse signs in relationship”


If that’s you — you’re not alone. You’re not crazy. And there is a way out.


If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Watch: YouTube

Join: Patreon

Follow: Instagram TikTok

Subscribe: Newsletter


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.