Why Do We Stay?

You or someone you love may be in a toxic relationship, but it doesn't have to stay that way. In this compassionate and practical resource, Stephanie Quayle shares her powerful story alongside psychologist Dr. W. Keith Campbell's professional insights to give you the help and hope you need—and remind you that you are not alone.

When Stephanie lost her boyfriend in a plane crash, she faced intense grief and pain. Nothing compared, though, to the shock of discovering she had not been the only woman in his life. As her world unraveled around her, Stephanie realized that it had actually been unraveling from the start of their relationship—back when he promised her everything.

In Why Do We Stay Stephanie draws on her story to explain how to spot a toxic relationship, how to get out, and how to heal. Mental health expert Dr. W. Keith Campbell joins her in helping you see that:

• You can make a change in your life
• There are warning signs to look for and ways to spot an unhealthy relationship
• You don’t have to be a victim to narcissism or gaslighting or lose years of your life
• Whether you stay in or leave your relationship, healing and freedom are possible

Why Do We Stay is ideal for:

• Those who feel trapped in an unhealthy relationship
• Those who are recovering from a toxic relationship
• Readers searching for a resource—for themselves or for a friend—on narcissism, gaslighting, compulsive lying, and other destructive behaviors

With a powerful blend of clinical research, gripping storytelling, and unvarnished hope, Why Do We Stay empowers you to make changes in your life. You are not alone.

Discover a way forward.

'Many of us know someone or have found ourselves in a relationship that we know isn't right. Stephanie did, and I have watched her firsthand relive the heartbreak and heartacheof that time as she tried to search for the reason she stayed in an unhealthy dynamic. She wrote this book to help others who might find themselves in a toxic relationship, and I knowwith Stephanie's honesty and vulnerability, this book will do just that.' Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, New York Times bestselling author
'Part memoir, part self-help book, Why Do We Stay? Mixes the well-told stories of country music star Stephanie Quayle's experiences in toxic relationships with commentary by socialpsychologist Dr. Keith Campbell. Quayle writes movingly and transparently about the deep psychological scars experienced in a relationship and the many years it took to heal the subsequent wounds. Dr. Campbell, one of the world's foremost experts in the study of narcissism, defines psychological terms and discusses strategies for coping with wounds left from these relationships.' Joshua Miller, PhD, psychologist and professor at the University of Georgia
'Hope-igniting, shame-eradicating-- Why Do We Stay? Provides absolution from the suffering many of us endure in silence, insulated by guilt and isolation. An empathy- and information-rich resource that gives voice to the voiceless, this book is brimming with heart-expanding vulnerability, healing insights, and radical honesty.' Kirbee Miller, author and speaker
'In Why Do We Stay? Stephanie grieves many things--a romantic relationship, the dream of what could have been, and the years she lost in that relationship. We all have a personal journey with grief. This book outlines Stephanie's journey through loss, which informed how she grieved, and which ultimately brought her back to herself.' Kimberly Goessele, former CEO of Alive Hospice
'Most great relationships don't start with a bang. In this excellent book, you will learn how to get off that emotional roller coaster before it ruins your life.' Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, psychologist, author, and host of The Psychology Podcast

Stephanie Quayle is a country singer-songwriter who sings from the heart and frequents the Nashville music scene when she's not on her Montana ranch. Rolling Stone Country called her "an artist you need to know," and CMT included her as part of their "Next Women of Country" franchise. She's performed at the CMAs and the Grand Ole Opry, and on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The first female country music ambassador of Bass Pro Shops & Cabela's, Stephanie also partners with Lucchese Bootmaker, Wrangler, and Harley-Davidson. Her latest album On the Edge released in the winter of 2022 and chronicles her personal experience in a toxic relationship and the healing she's gone through since.W. Keith Campbell, PhD, is a social psychologist who specializes in narcissism. With degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego, he currently teaches psychology at the University of Georgia. He’s published academic and mainstream articles and authored books like The New Science of Narcissism, The Narcissism Epidemic, and When You Love a Man Who Loves Himself. He’s also been a guest on shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, The Jenny McCarthy Show, and TEDx Talks. He currently lives in Athens, Georgia, with his wife and daughters.

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