Verbal Vandalism Echoes Patterns of Abuse In the Workplace

Send us Fan Mail Getting “used to it” at work is how abuse survives. We’re wrapping up Domestic Violence Awareness Month by shining a light on a category that doesn’t get enough airtime: workplace abuse. When a boss humiliates you, coworkers gang up, or leadership weaponises gossip and “professionalism,” it can feel exactly like being trapped in a controlling relationship. We call it what it is: being verbally vandalised, where words don’t just sting, they stick. Misha and I swap honest stories about toxic jobs that create real PTSD: Sunday-night panic, crying on the drive in, and the kind of stress that can push your brain into autopilot just to get through the day. We dig into why survivors often feel compelled to prove everything with screenshots and receipts, and why that isn’t dramatic, it’s learned survival after years of being doubted. We also talk boundaries that matter in real life, especially when you’re getting texts at all hours and you’re scared that pushing back will cost you your income. Then we zoom out to the bigger accountability problem: why systems often protect offenders, how victims get retraumatised in “official” processes, and what consequences should look like when harm is intentional. It’s a heavy conversation, but it’s also a practical one, with clear steps for documentation, paper trails, and protecting your sanity when HR won’t. If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’m the problem,” this one is for you. Subscribe, share it with a friend who’s struggling at work, and leave a review with the boundary you’re setting next. Support the show