EPISODE 3: When Love is the Alibi

04/23/25 • 39 min

What if the greatest con was love itself?

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the early stages of narcissistic abuse—the lovebomb, the pedestal, the promises. But this isn’t a story about romance. It’s about grooming. The Setup is where they disarm you with affection, lure you into dependency, then vanish when you need them most. We break down how love becomes the perfect alibi for psychological crimes, and how the discard phase isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of post-separation abuse, smear campaigns, and silence by design.

If you’ve ever been told “It wasn’t that bad,” or questioned your own memories just to make peace, this episode is your proof: it wasn’t love. It was a setup.

Podcast Disclaimer – The Lovebombed: True Crime Edition

The content of this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health support, legal advice, or medical guidance.

Some episodes may include descriptions of psychological abuse, coercive control, trauma, and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.

While the stories shared here are rooted in lived experience, names and identifying details may be changed or omitted to protect privacy and safety.

If you are in danger or need immediate support, please contact a licensed professional or reach out to a crisis line in your area.

The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not reflect the opinions of any affiliated organizations. This podcast is not intended to diagnose, treat, or advise—only to name what others tried to erase.

The LovebombedTM | Idealized, Devalued and Discarded by a NarcissistTM

It wasn’t true love. It was TRUE CRIME.TM

What if the greatest con was love itself?

If you’ve ever been told “It wasn’t that bad,” or questioned your own memories just to make peace, this episode is your proof: it wasn’t love. It was a setup.

Podcast Disclaimer – The Lovebombed: True Crime Edition

The content of this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health support, legal advice, or medical guidance.

Some episodes may include descriptions of psychological abuse, coercive control, trauma, and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.

While the stories shared here are rooted in lived experience, names and identifying details may be changed or omitted to protect privacy and safety.

If you are in danger or need immediate support, please contact a licensed professional or reach out to a crisis line in your area.

The LovebombedTM | Idealized, Devalued and Discarded by a NarcissistTM

It wasn’t true love. It was TRUE CRIME.TM

Previous Episode

EPISODE 2: When Love Is a Setup – Crimes the System Missed & Why I Chose True Crime

1 Recommendations

This wasn’t a breakup. It was a setup.

In this episode, Stella Pierson reveals why The Lovebombed is framed as a true crime podcast—and not relationship content. When love is used as a weapon and the system refuses to name it, survivors are left holding both the truth and the trauma.

Because coercive control is a pattern. A strategy. A crime.

Even when the courts won’t call it one.

IN THIS EPISODE:

•[00:00] The setup behind the illusion

•[05:00] What true crime really means

•[09:00] Lovebombing as psychological warfare

•[15:00] Crimes the system continues to miss

•[21:00] Why this podcast had to be more than healing

•[26:00] The rise of the Bombshells—and the reclaiming of truth

For support: thehotline.org | 800-799-SAFE (7233)

CONNECT WITH STELLA:

Instagram: @thelovebombed

TikTok: @thelovebombed

Website: www.thelovebombed.com

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

The information shared in this podcast is for educational, advocacy, and awareness purposes only. It reflects the lived experiences, research, and personal views of the host and is not intended to replace professional mental health, legal, or medical advice. While this podcast may discuss real systems, tactics, and survivor stories, no specific individuals or legal cases are named or referenced directly. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please contact a licensed professional or support service.

Because what happened to you was real.
It was wrong.
And you are not beyond repair.
You’re a Bombshell now.
And we rise together.

The LovebombedTM | Idealized, Devalued and Discarded by a NarcissistTM

It wasn’t true love. It was TRUE CRIME.TM

Next Episode

BONUS EPISODE: Foundation of a Crime Scene

We’re laying down the foundation of The LovebombedTM—telling stories as evidence of a crime scene.

Lovebombing isn’t just manipulation.

It’s often the first crime at the scene—the gateway to deeper control and, sometimes, even darker crimes.

Behind many lovebombs are early fingerprints of future harm:

stalking, coercive control, financial abuse, post-separation harassment, and in the most extreme cases, violence.

These patterns don’t always escalate to physical crimes.

But when they do, the warning signs were there—hidden in plain sight.

Lovebombing can be the first clue that something more dangerous is unfolding.

In this space, we expose how emotional crimes are minimized, overlooked, and too often ignored—until it’s too late.

We name the tactics. We trace the escalation.

We reclaim the story survivors were forced to silence.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself... if you’ve ever felt an unease you couldn’t explain... this episode is your confirmation.

You weren’t imagining it. You were standing at the first crime scene.

Welcome to The LovebombedTM

Intro/Outro Music:

“LOVEBOMBED” by LADSCLUB

Used with permission.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice, medical advice, or a substitute for professional consultation.

The views expressed are those of the host and any guests and do not represent any official organizations or institutions.

Listeners are encouraged to seek their own legal, medical, or mental health advice from qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances.

Listener discretion is advised.

The LovebombedTM | Idealized, Devalued and Discarded by a NarcissistTM

It wasn’t true love. It was TRUE CRIME.TM