The Body Keeps the Score: Understanding Narcissistic Abuse and Healing
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
Release Date: 04/29/2026
When “I’m Fine” Isn’t True: Fatherhood, Mental Health, and Showing Up
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
What does it really mean to be present as a dad? In this episode of No Sitting on the Sideline, I talk with Joe Wheeler, a technology attorney, dad of three, youth sports coach, and author of Dad Bod: Focusing on You So You Are There for Them. This conversation goes deeper than the phrase “dad bod.” It is about fatherhood. It is about mental health. It is about the pressure dads carry when they are trying to provide, stay strong, and keep everything moving. Joe shares what led him to write the book and why taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is part of showing up for the people who...
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The Body Keeps the Score: Understanding Narcissistic Abuse and Healing
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
Narcissism isn't always obvious. In this episode, Joe speaks with Deanna about the subtle, invisible forms of abuse that can cost you your sense of self—and how to take it back. Deanna explores the difference between healthy relationships and narcissistic ones, unpacks gaslighting with real examples, and explains why your nervous system stays trapped in fight-or-flight even after the relationship ends. She breaks down how emotional abuse compounds over time, affecting everything from your immune system to your ability to trust yourself. If you've ever felt confused, blamed, or like you're...
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The Hidden Causes of Infertility: Stress, Sleep, Diet, and Environmental Toxins
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
Fertility is something many couples struggle with quietly. Stress. Long work hours. Financial pressure. Environmental toxins. Birth rates are dropping worldwide, and more couples are facing “unexplained infertility.” In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Marina, OB-GYN, to talk about what’s really happening — and what couples can actually control. We cover: Why global fertility rates are falling The real impact of stress on conception The connection between sleep and fertility How diet affects both egg and sperm health The overlooked role of...
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Keeping Kids Safe Online Without Fear, Control, or Shame
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
Guests: Derek Jackson and Jeff Gottfurcht, Co-Founders of CyberDive Episode Summary Every parent knows the feeling. Your kid has a phone. You know the internet never sleeps. And you are pretty sure the rules you grew up with no longer apply. In this episode, Joe sits down with two dads who came at the problem from opposite worlds and built a real solution together. Derek Jackson, a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer who tracked extremist activity online Jeff Gottfurcht, a finance professional whose life changed after learning about a tragic case of online exploitation ...
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The Future of Work: Trades, Mentors, and the Skills We Need
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
Terry Iverson has spent more than 40 years in manufacturing, carrying on a family legacy built on precision, craftsmanship, and mentoring. In this conversation, Terry talks about the future of skilled work, why trades matter, and how young people can build meaningful careers without drowning in debt. terry2 We cover the shift away from hands-on skills, the importance of soft skills and critical thinking, and how mentorship shapes confidence and opportunity. Terry also shares why manufacturing is still a strong path, how AI is changing work, and how parents can help their kids explore...
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Why You Feel Everything: Understanding Highly Sensitive People with Todd Smith
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
Some people feel the world in a deeper way. You might walk into a room and notice tension right away. You might catch a shift in someone’s voice before they even admit something is wrong. You might replay moments for days because your mind doesn’t let them go. If this sounds familiar, this episode will help you make sense of it. I sat down with Todd Smith, host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Todd has spent years helping people understand why sensitivity isn’t weakness. It’s a real trait that shows up in about 15 to 20 percent of the...
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Uncomplicating Wellness: Why Willpower Is a Myth & What Your Body Is Really Telling You (with Jen Trepeck)
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting health advice? You're not alone. Only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy, and the wellness industry is designed to keep you confused. In this episode, health coach and author Jen Trepeck breaks down why the "eat less, move more" approach fails, what your body is actually trying to tell you, and how to cut through the noise to reclaim your health. You'll discover why willpower isn't the problem, what GLP-1 medications really do, and the six fundamentals that matter more than any supplement or biohack. If you're tired of feeling like you're failing at...
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Living Large and Slowing Down with Barbara Stone
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
What can we learn about presence, gratitude, and courage from our dogs? In this heartfelt episode, Joe sits down with Barbara Stone, a leadership coach, author, and TEDx speaker, to discuss her book, So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large. Barbara shares how her Great Danes taught her to slow down, live with curiosity, and embrace life with full presence. Together, they explore topics like: How dogs model authenticity and emotional awareness The importance of play and curiosity as adults Why gratitude changes how we experience the world Leadership...
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How Dr. Kenneth Cooper Helped NASA Astronauts and World Cup Champions Stay Fit
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
At 94 years old, Dr. Kenneth Cooper is still proving that health isn’t about adding years—it’s about adding good years. Known worldwide as the “Father of Aerobics,” Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper changed how people think about exercise, prevention, and longevity. In this episode, he shares how decades of research show that regular movement can add a full decade of quality life—and why no drug can match the power of an active lifestyle. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The groundbreaking story behind Dr. Cooper’s 1968 book Aerobics and how it launched a global fitness...
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From Prison to Possibility: Why Words Matter
No sitting on the sideline dad |Fatherhood, Mental Health & Parenting
What if the key to second chances was as simple—and as powerful—as learning how to communicate better? In this episode, Joe sits down with Dr. Kim Nugent, leadership coach, author of From Prison to Possibility, and mentor to incarcerated men and women. Together, they explore how the words we use can build bridges, rebuild trust, and even change the course of someone’s life. From prison mentorship programs to everyday parenting conversations, Dr. Nugent shares practical strategies for listening deeply, asking better questions, and choosing words that invite connection instead of...
info_outlineNarcissism isn't always obvious. In this episode, Joe speaks with Deanna about the subtle, invisible forms of abuse that can cost you your sense of self—and how to take it back.
Deanna explores the difference between healthy relationships and narcissistic ones, unpacks gaslighting with real examples, and explains why your nervous system stays trapped in fight-or-flight even after the relationship ends. She breaks down how emotional abuse compounds over time, affecting everything from your immune system to your ability to trust yourself.
If you've ever felt confused, blamed, or like you're losing your mind in a relationship—this conversation is for you.
Topics Covered:
- What narcissism really is (and why it's more than just being selfish)
- The telltale signs: inability to compromise, gaslighting, zero accountability
- Why you don't trust yourself anymore—and how childhood trauma connects
- The physical toll of living in constant stress and anxiety
- Healing looks different for everyone (and it takes time)
- One immediate tool: finding stillness to activate your parasympathetic nervous system
Key Takeaways:
- Boundaries aren't selfish—they're essential to healthy relationships
- Hurt people hurt people, but that doesn't justify the damage
- Your nervous system learned a pattern; it can learn a new one
- Energy healing and holistic approaches work when you're intentional about recovery
- Healing is reconnecting with yourself—your intuition, your heart, your spirit
Guest: Deanna
Website: www.healinghandsbydeanna.com
Services: Reiki & Energy Healing | Intuitive Coaching | Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
Locations: In-person (Charlotte, NC) | Virtual sessions available nationwide
YouTube Channel: Healing Hands by Deanna (mind, body, spirit tips and self-care tools)
Support Group: Meetup community for narcissistic abuse recovery survivors