I never imagined that I would find myself entangled in a relationship with a man who held the title of diplomat . There is something inherently powerful about that word — a sense of nobility, intelligence, and integrity. For someone like me, who has always prided herself on being independent, educated, and emotionally resilient, the connection initially felt affirming. I thought, perhaps, I had finally found someone who could walk beside me as an equal. But what I didn’t realize at the time was how easily a title can conceal deeper truths — emotional manipulation , power imbalances, and an unspoken hierarchy that slowly erodes one’s sense of reality. Our story began online, like many modern romances. Joel Runnels introduced himself as a diplomat stationed in Central Asia , working in human rights advocacy . From the beginning, our conversations were intense and intellectually stimulating. He spoke about his work with disabled communities, policy reform, and global diplomacy. The...
Why Narcissists Like Joel Runnels Target Educated, Independent Women in Their 30s–40s — And Why Even the Smartest Can Fall
I never imagined I’d be writing about this, but here I am — not because I’m stuck in the pain, but because I’ve learned enough to recognize the pattern. This isn’t just my story; it’s a mirror reflecting something much bigger, something many women live through in silence: the calculated targeting of smart, successful, emotionally intelligent women by manipulative, narcissistic men . Men like Joel Runnels . Let me first break a stereotype. We often hear, “But she’s smart. She should have known better.” As if intelligence alone inoculates someone from emotional abuse . As if having a successful career, a master’s degree, or a world-traveling lifestyle somehow guarantees immunity from betrayal. The truth is, it doesn’t. In fact, those very qualities make you more appealing to predators like Joel. Women in their 30s to 40s are often entering a new chapter in life. Many have built careers, survived heartbreak, grown wiser. They are not looking for casual hookups — they want emotional ...