Episode 188: "I Moved to France With My Prince Charming... Then I Learned Who He Really Was" Part I (Interview with Wendy @rebelle_2929 on IG)

We have an INCREDIBLE episode for you today.

Wendy Cooper joins us to tell a story that starts like a fairy tale—and slowly turns into something she couldn't fully understand until years later.

A successful attorney, former competitive skier, world traveler, and adventurer, Wendy thought she had found her Prince Charming. The chemistry was intense. The connection felt undeniable. The future seemed limitless.

Then the mask started slipping.

🎿 The Fairytale Beginning: What started with instant chemistry, bizarre coincidences, and a whirlwind romance quickly felt like the perfect match. Looking back now, Wendy can see the performance for what it was—but at the time, it felt completely real.

🚩 The First Red Flag That Changed Everything: After months of being the perfect partner, one phone call revealed a completely different person. Cold. Dismissive. Cruel. The kind of moment that leaves you wondering, "Who was THAT?"

🇫🇷 The Dream Life in France: Wendy shares how she left behind the traditional path to build an extraordinary life overseas—raising a family, practicing law, and chasing adventure around the world. From the outside, it looked incredible.

🎭 The Narcissist Who Fooled Everyone: Therapists. Friends. Family. Even Wendy herself. We get into how some narcissists don't dominate with rage—they dominate by becoming the victim in every room they enter.

👶 When the Attention Shifted to the Kids: As their family grew, the cracks became impossible to ignore. What should have been some of life's happiest moments became some of the loneliest.

🧠 "I Didn't Even Know It Was Narcissism": One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is hearing Wendy explain that she didn't leave because she knew what she was dealing with. In fact, she didn't even start researching narcissism until long after the separation.

📚 The Moment Everything Finally Made Sense: Like so many survivors, Wendy began looking back at years of confusing memories and realizing they weren't random incidents—they were part of a pattern.

💔 The Marriage That Never Felt Right: This episode explores something many survivors struggle to explain: what happens when a relationship isn't obviously catastrophic, but somehow leaves you feeling exhausted, confused, and emotionally alone for years.

This episode is insightful, validating, heartbreaking, and packed with those moments where you'll find yourself saying, "Wait... my ex did that too."

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⚖️ Disclaimer (because our lawyers make us say this): Dimming The Gaslight is based entirely on true events—except for the stuff we totally made up. Names, locations, and other identifying details have been changed. If you think we’re talking about you in this podcast… newsflash: you’re the narcissist.