19 Comments
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susan conner's avatar

Thank you for all your words. I had to find my own way after getting out of the house and the controlling influence of my father and realizing who I am and being accepting of that. You have achieved much wisdom.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Susan, it sounds like you've achieved a lot of wisdom yourself! I appreciate your kind words!

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Rahab Mitchell's avatar

Very insightful! I haven't seen it in a while but reading this reminds me of the movie 🍿 "The Godfather". It's as if you lived in the house of a mob boss. Everyone got slapped around, called names and waited for the next Valentine's Day massacre. Maybe, he lived a secret life of a hit man, wanting to get promoted to the Boss! Honestly though, I was married to a brute who delighted in gangster movies. 🎥 I blame movies, boxing, football and card games,party folks... Playboy magazine, high-in liquor 🥃 and red meat 🍖.

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Raney's avatar

🤗

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Cat's avatar

Great interview. You’re right ..Arturo is a fantastic journalist. I consider myself pretty well informed and I learned lots of new things from him both if ya’ll—I really appreciate it! Thank you Walter! Loving your content

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Cat! If you’re new to my newsletter, I hope you don’t become overwhelmed by the volume of stuff I publish :)

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Raney's avatar

Im a slow reader but Im glad I took the time to read this well-written and thought-provoking piece.

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Cat's avatar

OK, I just started reading, but I’m so excited that you hit the topic that I’ve been tackling lately— w/ my own background in psychology. Thank you, my friend.!!

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Cat!

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David Breault's avatar

Wow. You’ve had SO MUCH to unpack and process. I deeply respect your ability to separate emotions from intellect, and to delineate what went wrong where, when. My gut says, you’re going to be just fine. CONGRATULATIONS!

Become a teacher!

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Fred Johnson's avatar

Thanks for sharing, Walter.

Critical thinking and constructive criticism are acts of love, in the big picture.

As is accepting that criticism and taking it to heart.

Never backing down or admitting you are wrong - not so much.

Fred

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Doctor Octavius's avatar

I enjoy your writing and audio recordings very much. You are a very good writer. I especially like these articles about your childhood family. The dynamics sound bad and are relatable to what I experienced. I think it's really unique your father was the abusive parent yet filed for divorce. That is a very rare event. Usually the abuser wants to keep everyone together because they are the one benefitting from the current dynamic. Was there an event that led to the divorce? Gambling/money, drugs, an affair? Just trying to understand why the abuser would leave.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

That's interesting, I didn't know that was the trend. I think he just got it in his head he'd be happier without her and didn't really think through what it would cost him. Thanks for your comment, I'll have to think more on this!

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Get Onboard Audrey's Joy Train's avatar

I was grunting and exclaiming as I read this, and tears sprang to my eyes. The depth of it is so sad, and as we watch it play out now in millions of our countrymen and women, I don’t have a clue how we can reach and deprogram them. Thank you for baring your soul, and for writing such a poignant story in such a practical way. In most situations I can see a glimmer of a solution, but all I can say here is, “God help us!” I think we should find and use all the ways we can to elevate your voice and others that know.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you so much for that kind comment. The shares and likes help a lot! Everything helps and I appreciate all my kind and generous supporters. I wrote this one a few days ago, so sometimes I don't know what people are responding to. I guess I'll have to read it again, but I have so many more stories to write! Thanks again!

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Comcast's avatar

I love this! Your authenticity shines through. I like very much real people who are not afraid to allow their wounds in their sides to be seen and touched. Thank you !

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you!

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Cat's avatar

No, I’m reading it again. It’s really good.!!

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Cat's avatar

GREAT ARTICLE! you’re insight is spot on! You captured every attribute of narcissism without using the word! i’m impressed!

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