May 17, 2026

Ep 337: Terror Behind Closed Doors: A Sadistic Coercive Controller with Miriam Lake, Part 1

Show Notes

Miriam Lake was terrorized as a little girl by Michael Egan, a coercive controller who groomed the family through charm and love bombing before subjecting Miriam, her siblings, and mother to years of sadistic abuse. Listen as Laura identifies the patterns of behaviour and missed opportunities to safeguard and protect. Together, Laura and Miriam explore:

The early warning signs and grooming behaviours
The language of coercive control
How coercive control creates fear, silence, and compliance within families
Why victims and survivors struggle to report abuse for years
The importance of understanding patterns -not isolated incidents
How systems can fail vulnerable children and survivors

Miriam also speaks about reclaiming her power, raising awareness, and why she is now undertaking a skydive to raise funds for Women’s Aid and support other women and children experiencing abuse. Please donate:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/miriam-lake-1

TW: This episode is not an easy listen and you will hear details about sadistic and cruel abuse.

🎧 Listen, learn, and share. You could help someone recognise abuse and seek support safely.

If you or someone you know needs support: