We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mia Hanks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mia below.

Mia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project that I have worked on in my lifetime has been the memoir that I penned in 2024 titled Bride-Made. I was a victim of narcissistic abuse for 29 years. When I gained the courage to leave my marriage and the abuse, I was somewhat lost. I was seeking information about narcissism and narcissistic abuse. I desperately wanted to connect with others who could understand my pain and I was looking for books and articles written from a victim’s point of view. Most of what I found were works authored by psychologists and therapists. These books and writings provided wonderful, research based information, but they were missing something. It was all so academic. I decided that perhaps a memoir would be helpful to others out there that had experienced abuse at the hands of a narcissist; a true insider’s point of view. I am hoping that my story can help raise awareness about narcissism and its devastating effects on its victims, as well as help other victims find their voices.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a survivor of narcissistic abuse my mission is now to help other victims. I was in an abusive marriage for nearly 30 years. Since gaining my independence I have spent a great deal of time educating myself on the topic of narcissism and the complexities of narcissistic personality disorder. I feel like narcissistic abuse is under-reported and due to lack of information many victims stay trapped in their relationships/marriages for decades. It is my aim to raise awareness about the effects of narcissistic abuse. In my generation it was thought that abuse equals physical violence. This is not the case, and sometimes victims don’t leave abusive situations because there is no physical proof of abuse. I am hoping that my memoir can help to give these victims and survivors a voice. Additionally I have set up a website to provide information, interviews and a link to purchase my book.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One thing I have had to learn since leaving my marriage and becoming truly free is how to be honest about my experiences. For so long I lived in denial and let those around me believe that my life was perfect. I think, in some respect, we all have a desire to look like we have it together, to look like we are on top of world and managing life like a pro. When I decided to write my memoir I had to take a step back and get brutally honest with myself. Putting my story out there for the world to read was admitting that I didn’t have the charmed life I led everyone to think I had. The years of my marriage held some trauma, and that was hard for me to admit. Victims of abuse can sometimes feel an element of embarrassment, and I am no exception. It is hard to admit that I stayed in such a toxic place for so many years and that I accepted this treatment without fighting back. However, I came to realize that my story could help someone else and that was more important to me than the embarrassment I felt about having been a victim. In the end it felt good to tell my story, to be honest about where I have been and where I am going. Telling my story has been both therapeutic and freeing for me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As an author I feel it is so rewarding to think that your work can make the world a better place. By giving a voice to other victims of narcissistic abuse and raising awareness about this issue, I hope that people can find a better life for themselves. Helping others to realize that they do not have to stay in abusive situations, that they too can become free, is a heartfelt mission of mine. There are far too many people trapped in web of narcissistic abuse and I feel like my story can hopefully help them see the light and see that it is okay to leave. Helping others who are in situations similar to mine is so rewarding, and I hope that my book can do just that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://miajhanks.com
• Instagram: @npd.andme
• Other: TikTok- @npdandme