Inside A Manipulator’s Mind - Kerrie Droban, Surviving the Game of Toxic Love Goldy’s Closet EPS #267
The Real Rundown
In this gripping episode of Goldy’s Closet, bestselling true crime author, criminal defense attorney, and psychological profiler Kerrie Droban dives deep into the twisted psychology of toxic relationships — exposing the dangerous illusion of hope that keeps people chained to manipulation and emotional abuse.
Known for her award-winning true crime books that reveal the hidden minds of killers, cult leaders, and criminals, Droban brings her sharp legal mind and empathetic heart to the emotional courtroom of human connection. Using a vivid slot machine metaphor, she breaks down how abusers bait their victims with fleeting “jackpot” moments of affection — those brief wins that reignite false hope and create a devastating cycle of reward and punishment.
With unflinching honesty and raw compassion, Droban shows listeners how the “good” they cling to is often a carefully engineered façade — a mask designed to control. Her insights are both chilling and liberating, empowering survivors to step out of denial, reclaim their strength, and recognize that freedom begins where illusion ends.
Goldy’s Closet opens the door to real talk, unfiltered truth, and the kind of revelation that just might change the way you see love, loyalty, and yourself.
Golden Nuggets
• It's like a slot machine at Vegas.
• You hit the jackpot the first time.
• You're not getting the same return.
• You don't recognize the signs unless you've been skilled.
• There's that belief that there is some good in this person.
• They were never good.
• They literally have been mimicking you the entire time.
• There's nothing redeeming about them.
• It's the hope that you're gonna keep going back.
• You want to find the good.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to True Crime and New Projects
00:56 The Psychological Warfare of Relationships
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