Best Bleav What’s Your Journey Podcasts (2025)

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Why Being Yourself Feels Dangerous with a Covert Narcissist 24:54

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3h ago24:54

24:54

Have you ever wondered why just being yourself feels like walking through a minefield with a covert narcissist? Why your joy, your truth, your boundaries, even your growth seem to set off explosions? In this episode, we unpack exactly why the covert narcissist sees you as a threat. From your truth that cracks their carefully crafted image, to your …

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Menopause + Beads with Stacy London 56:31

3d ago56:31

56:31

TV personality Stacy London stops by for a candid convo on the niche of midlife. We unpack the menopause industry, evolving style, and her current niche obsession. Mentioned in this episode: Stacy's QVC line, Joey Greer's comedy special, the Too Niche Mood Board, my next Mood Board Workshop October 4 and Substack’s The Hole Debate, happening Septem…

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Bird in a Cage, Part 2: Finding Freedom After Covert Narcissistic Abuse 26:26

3d ago26:26

26:26

In Part 2 of my conversation with singer-songwriter Caryn Dixon, we go deeper into the journey of leaving—and staying gone—from covert narcissistic abuse. Caryn opens up about the staggering reality that it takes an average of seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship before it finally sticks, and why so many survivors find themselves pulled …

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Pull Back Your Supply: How to Test the True Nature of a Relationship with a Covert Narcissist 19:34

7d ago19:34

19:34

What happens when you stop pouring all your energy into someone else and start investing it back into yourself? In a healthy relationship, your self-care is welcomed and even celebrated. Your partner enjoys the space to recharge too, and both of you come back stronger. But in a relationship with a covert narcissist, pulling back your supply—the con…

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Bird in a Cage: Caryn Dixon’s Journey Out of Covert Narcissistic Abuse (Part 1) 25:06

10d ago25:06

25:06

In this first half of my two-part conversation with singer-songwriter Caryn Dixon, we explore the story behind her new EP Bird in a Cage—a raw and vulnerable collection of songs written out of her experience of covert narcissistic abuse. Caryn shares how life inside the “perfect couple” image felt more like a shrinking cage, one that left her hidin…

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Mary’s Story: A Celebration of Life and the Hidden Toll of Covert Narcissism 15:40

14d ago15:40

15:40

In today’s episode, I step away from the usual format to share something deeply personal and profoundly important. This is a tribute—a celebration of life—for a member of our community whose story ended too soon. For her privacy, I will call her Mary. Mary’s life was marked by decades of devotion, sacrifice, and quiet endurance. Though her family d…

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Tarot with Tarot Lori 34:13

16d ago34:13

34:13

This week I’m joined by my longtime tarot reader, Lori Dyan aka @tarot.lori, author of Big Deck Energy and Burn Your Sh*t. She pulls cards live (for me and for you) and shares grounding moon rituals, an episode for tarot believers and the tarot curious. My Fall Mood Board Workshop is Oct 4. Details and Sign up here. For notes, links, and further mu…

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Leaving a Covert Narcissist: The 3 Stages of Physical, Emotional, and Mental Freedom 24:38

17d ago24:38

24:38

Leaving a covert narcissist isn’t a single moment of walking out the door—it’s a layered process that unfolds in stages. In this episode, I explore the three different ways survivors leave: physically, emotionally, and mentally. In physically abusive relationships, your body often leaves first for safety, while your heart and mind lag behind. In em…

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Endless Attempts, Zero Progress: Can a Covert Narcissist Ever Wake Up? 19:52

21d ago19:52

19:52

You’ve researched. You’ve reasoned. You’ve shown empathy. You’ve tried again and again to help them see the truth—about their behavior, the damage, the disconnection. But nothing changes. In this episode, Renee Swanson explores one of the most painful patterns survivors of covert narcissistic abuse face: the endless attempts to help, to explain, to…

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Covert Narcissism: It’s Not What They Said, It’s How They Said It 17:42

24d ago17:42

17:42

Have you ever replayed a conversation in your head, wondering if you misunderstood what was said—or if you were being manipulated? In relationships with covert narcissists, it’s rarely the words themselves that do the most damage. It’s the intent, the tone, and the unspoken energy behind them. In this episode, we explore how the same words can hold…

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Covert Narcissism 102: The Final Exam You Never Wanted to Take 23:22

28d ago23:22

23:22

If Covert Narcissism 101 exposed the basics, get ready for the advanced curriculum. This is Part Two of our two-part series — and today, we’re tackling Covert Narcissism 102: The Final Exam You Never Wanted to Take. In this sarcastic “classroom lecture,” we break down the advanced strategies covert narcissists seem to master: weaponizing forgetfuln…

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Plastic Surgery Summer & The Current State of Beauty with Jessica DeFino 1:01:03

1M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

I sit down with beauty culture critic Jessica DeFino, creator of Flesh World on Substack, for a deep dive into the forces shaping beauty right now. We cover Skims’ face shapewear marketing, this summer’s facelift discourse frenzy, Goop’s lasting influence, and the politics behind today’s beauty standards. Club Artist's Way Fall 2025 enrollment is n…

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Covert Narcissism 101: The Textbook They All Seem to Have Read 16:48

1M ago16:48

16:48

Have you ever noticed that covert narcissists all seem to follow the exact same script? It’s as if they sat in the same classroom, took the same notes, and memorized the same textbook. In this episode — Part One of a two-part series — we crack open that mysterious manual: Covert Narcissism 101. From the art of the half-apology, to gaslighting, sile…

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The Gaping Hole Where Reconciliation Should Be: Life Without Repair in a Covert Narcissistic Relationship 21:45

1M ago21:45

21:45

One of the most painful realities of living with a covert narcissist is the absence of reconciliation. Conflicts don’t get repaired. Apologies are either nonexistent or so hollow they echo in your chest. You’re left holding the pieces of a conflict, waiting for your partner to help put them back together—only to realize they’ve already walked away,…

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Crush Your Divorce, Protect Your Peace: A Conversation with Attorney & Author Bree Sullivan-Howell 39:11

1M ago39:11

39:11

Divorcing a covert narcissist is not just about paperwork—it’s about survival. Today on the Covert Narcissism Podcast, I sit down with Bree Sullivan-Howell, a seasoned family law attorney with over two decades of experience and the author of Crush Your Divorce and Keep Your Faith and Crush Your Comeback. Bree brings both practical wisdom from the c…

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Breast Cancer, Women’s Wellness, & Creative Healing with Brittany Jackson 56:27

1M ago56:27

56:27

From the end of And Just Like That to Taylor Swift making podcasts cool again, I catch up on the current cultural rollercoaster before sitting down with my close friend Brittany Jackson, a two-time breast cancer survivor. We talk women’s wellness, early detection, creativity as a healing tool and her advocacy to fund research through Pink on the Ri…

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Forever Young, Forever Stuck: The Peter Pan World of Covert Narcissists 27:22

1M ago27:22

27:22

When you’re in a relationship with a covert narcissist, it can feel like living in Never Never Land—a place where no one grows up, nothing ever gets resolved, and you’re left carrying all the weight. At first, their charm feels like magic. They’re playful, adventurous, fun. But when real life shows up—accountability, conflict, emotional depth—they …

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Your Rights When With a Covert Narcissist 21:01

1M ago21:01

21:01

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?” Now that I have shown how I will t…

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I Didn’t Know the Words But I Knew the Feeling: Making Sense of Covert Narcissistic Abuse 22:42

2M ago22:42

22:42

You don’t have to know the terminology to know when something feels wrong. Long before I knew the term gaslighting, I knew the dizzying confusion of hearing “I never said that” about something I remembered clearly. Before I’d ever heard of circular conversations, I knew the frustration of talking in circles until I was the one apologizing. Before I…

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The Real Reason the Covert Narcissist Still Isn’t Changing: Understanding Guilt vs. Shame 28:48

2M ago28:48

28:48

They’ve stopped yelling. They’re going to therapy. They’re more “attentive.” So why does it still feel like nothing’s changed? In this final episode of our 4-part series with Dr. Anthony Mazzella, we dive into one of the most misunderstood dynamics in narcissistic relationships: the collapse of guilt into shame—and how it sabotages real change. We …

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When Your Adult Child Takes Their Side: Surviving the Second Betrayal of Covert Narcissistic Abuse 24:45

2M ago24:45

24:45

When the Child You Protected Believes the Narcissist It’s a betrayal that cuts deeper than most people can understand—when your adult child, the one you protected for years, turns on you and takes the side of the covert narcissist. If you’re walking through this devastating experience, you are not alone. I’m opening a small, supportive Zoom coachin…

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Q3 Listener Q+A: Wellness, Weed & Money Things 30:27

2M ago30:27

30:27

A dive into my current wellness icks, quitting cannabis, creative resets, financial lessons — and a brief answer to the question I still get most about That’s So Retrograde. Plus: a double Niche of the Week. For more things Too Niche? --> check out the Too Niche Mood Board on Substack (it's free!). For clips of the show follow @this_is_tooniche on …

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Beneath the Apology: Shame, Image, and the Illusion of Empathy with Dr. Anthony Mazzella 32:59

2M ago32:59

32:59

What if that apology wasn’t about you at all? What if the moment that looked like remorse was really a carefully constructed move to restore a fractured image? In this powerful continuation of our series with Dr. Anthony Mazzella from The Narcissism Decoder podcast, we dive beneath the surface of “I’m sorry” to explore what’s really going on: the t…

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Baiting Tactics of Covert Narcissists: Signs, Examples, and How to Respond 19:38

2M ago19:38

19:38

Baiting is one of the most maddening—and most misunderstood—tactics used by covert narcissists. It’s the emotional equivalent of poking you with a stick just to watch you react, then sitting back and saying, “Wow… look how angry you are.” In this episode, we unpack exactly how covert narcissists bait you into emotional reactions—and why they benefi…

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Guilt vs Shame: The Emotional Crossroads That Defines Healing, guest Dr. Anthony Mazzella 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

Part two of a 4 part series on Guilt and Shame with guest, Dr. Anthony Mazzella, Psychotherapist & Host of The Narcissism Decoder Podcast What if the guilt you carry… isn’t actually guilt at all? In Part Two of this powerful conversation, Renee and Dr. Anthony Mazzella dive into the subtle but life-changing difference between guilt and shame—and wh…

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You’re Always the Problem: The Impossible Reality of Life with a Covert Narcissist 24:26

2M ago24:26

24:26

With a covert narcissist, the outcome is always the same: you’re the problem. No matter how gently you speak, how carefully you tread, or how hard you try—somehow, it always comes back to you. That’s not bad communication. That’s emotional abuse wrapped in manipulation, guilt, and gaslighting. In this episode, we walk through a choose-your-own-adve…

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Shame vs Self: The Invisible Wound Behind Narcissistic Traits, guest Dr. Anthony Mazzella 34:43

2M ago34:43

34:43

Part one of a 4 part series on Guilt and Shame with guest, Dr. Anthony Mazzella, Psychotherapist & Host of The Narcissism Decoder Podcast What if the root of so much emotional pain, self-sabotage, and confusion isn’t who you are—but what you've carried? In this powerful first episode of a two-part series, Renee is joined by Dr. Anthony Mazzella to …

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Book Club: The Ambition Trap with Amina AlTai 45:15

2M ago45:15

45:15

Introducing Too Niche?’s unofficial book club—today we’re talking The Ambition Trap by Amina AlTai. I’m joined by Amina to explore what it really means to move from burnout to purpose. We get into the post-girlboss reckoning, the zone of genius vs. the zone of “meh,” and how redefining ambition can reshape our work, creativity, and everyday lives. …

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Leaving Doesn’t Start with a Go Bag: Why Leaving a Covert Narcissist Takes Time 22:25

3M ago22:25

22:25

Leaving a covert narcissist isn’t a single event—it’s a process. In this episode, we break down the myth of the dramatic midnight escape and explore the emotional, psychological, and logistical realities that make leaving so complex. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why didn’t I leave sooner?” or been judged by others for how long it’s taken to get …

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The Covert Narcissist is Just Enough: Why You Stayed So Long 20:11

3M ago20:11

20:11

Why do so many people stay in relationships with covert narcissists for years—sometimes decades? This episode is a raw, honest, and deeply validating exploration of the emotional tug-of-war that keeps survivors stuck in toxic dynamics. I open up about my own 20+ year marriage to a covert narcissist—why I stayed, why I didn’t see it sooner, and why …

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Keeping the Peace... at What Cost? How Covert Narcissists Make Everyone Pay for Their Unhappiness 21:17

3M ago21:17

21:17

When you're in a relationship with a covert narcissist, peace is often a performance—maintained at the expense of your own emotional well-being. This episode of The Covert Narcissism Podcast explores how covert narcissists condition those around them to bend, sacrifice, and stay silent just to avoid upsetting them. From partners who tell their kids…

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Summer 2025: Niche or Sheesh? with THNK1994 49:04

3M ago49:04

49:04

I’m joined by my favorite pop culture historians Matt Harkins and Viviana Olen of THNK1994 for a special Summer 2025: Niche or Sheesh? We get into everything from And Just Like That hot takes to Toner Wars on skinTok, Tracy Anderson’s baguette-gate, and the frozen yogurt renaissance. We also talk real-life housewife run-ins (hi Phaedra! hi Kenya!) …

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Rent Free in My Head: How Covert Narcissists Keep Controlling You After You Leave 22:35

3M ago22:35

22:35

You left. You blocked them. You did everything you were “supposed” to do to break free from the covert narcissist in your life. But somehow… they’re still there. In your thoughts. In your inner dialogue. In the way you second-guess yourself when no one’s even around. In this episode, we explore why covert narcissists continue to live “rent free” in…

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Implode or Explode: How Covert Narcissists React When You Call Them Out 21:54

3M ago21:54

21:54

What happens when you finally speak the truth to a covert narcissist? Whether you’re pointing out a small forgotten chore or confronting them about a huge betrayal, the emotional fallout can feel overwhelming and confusing. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the two most common narcissistic reactions to being called out: the emotional implosio…

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Is This Really Healing… or Just Behavior Management? The Dry Drunk Parallel in Covert Narcissistic Abuse 21:17

3M ago21:17

21:17

When the yelling stops, the lies fade, and the manipulative games come to a halt… does it mean they are getting better? In this episode, we explore the confusing and disorienting experience of living with someone who has changed their behaviors, but hasn’t done the real emotional work underneath. Drawing a parallel with the concept of a "dry drunk,…

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But Do You Really Care: How Covert Narcissists Fake Empathy 18:33

3M ago18:33

18:33

Empathy — we all think we know what it means, until we’re in a relationship where it’s missing. Covert narcissists are often skilled at sounding emotionally intelligent. They can say the right words, mirror emotional language, and even cry on cue — but something still feels off. That’s because what they offer isn’t real empathy; it’s a performance.…

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Makeup Recs and Career Reinvention After 40 with Erica Taylor 1:00:50

3M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

40+ makeup expert and Tiktok beauty sensation Erica Taylor joins me to share her journey from decades behind department store beauty counters to building a massive online following. We get into the most common makeup mistakes that age the face—and her current favorite product reccomendations. For notes and links to everything mentioned in this epis…

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When Addiction, Trauma, and Narcissistic Traits Collide: A Candid Talk with Todd Rennebohm 31:58

3M ago31:58

31:58

Are they a covert narcissist or an alcoholic? What if the alcohol goes away? Does this get better? In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with Todd Rennebohm, host of Bunny Hugs and Mental Health, to explore the complex intersection of addiction, trauma, emotional dysregulation, and misunderstood behaviors. Todd opens up abou…

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The Birthday That Broke You: Why Covert Narcissists Ruin Special Occasions 18:54

4M ago18:54

18:54

You planned everything perfectly — the dinner, the outfit, the guest list. But somehow, your birthday still ended in silence. Or tears. Or walking on eggshells. If you’ve ever felt like your special moments were stolen — you’re not alone. In this episode, we explore why covert narcissists sabotage holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and even simple…

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What’s in Your Basement? How Childhood Trauma Sabotages Adult Relationships 14:51

4M ago14:51

14:51

We all live on the "main floor" of our emotional house—handling relationships, responsibilities, and day-to-day life. But when things break down, the real answers are often hidden in the basement: our childhood. In this episode, I unpack how unresolved childhood trauma silently shapes the way we love, react, and connect as adults. You'll learn why …

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How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Kids Amidst Covert Narcissistic Abuse 23:53

4M ago23:53

23:53

How do you raise emotionally grounded, self-aware children when you're navigating the chaos and confusion of covert narcissistic abuse — or healing from it yourself? In this powerful episode, we explore what it means to parent with intention, clarity, and compassion in the aftermath of narcissistic harm. Whether you're co-parenting with a narcissis…

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The Vanderpump Rules "Reiki Master” Herself: Kelsey J. Patel Tells All 1:00:27

4M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Kelsey J. Patel joins me to finally share the true story behind her infamous Vanderpump Rules appearance as “Jax’s Reiki Master.” We get into what really happened behind the scenes, how reality TV editing twisted her words, and why the internet couldn’t let it go — even years later. Plus: how The Artist’s Way helped her reclaim her creativity, her …

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Nature versus Nurture: Where Did All This Narcissism Come From? 18:49

4M ago18:49

18:49

Are narcissists born or made? In this foundational episode, we unpack the complex roots of narcissism through the lens of both nature and nurture. We explore how temperament, early childhood environment, and relational trauma interact to shape narcissistic behaviors — and why it’s not always a direct path. You’ll learn: How biological traits like s…

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Fix-It Mode and the Trauma Bond: When Love Becomes Survival 23:43

4M ago23:43

23:43

Why is it so hard to leave — even when you know the relationship is toxic? In this powerful episode, we expose the hidden truth behind trauma bonding with a covert narcissist. It’s not just emotional confusion — it’s chemical addiction. You’re not addicted to the person; you’re addicted to the highs, the relief, the dopamine rush that follows emoti…

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Trying Too Hard to Fix It: When Enough Finally Becomes Enough 13:20

4M ago13:20

13:20

If you’ve been bending over backwards trying to fix a relationship that keeps breaking you… this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing a personal story about the moment I was asked a question that stopped me in my tracks: “Can you honestly say you’ve done everything you know to do?” That one question made me face the truth — not about the relation…

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Dreading the Weekend: The Backwards Reality of Covert Narcissistic Abuse 22:33

4M ago22:33

22:33

If you find yourself dreading the weekend and breathing easier on Monday mornings, you might be living in the upside-down world of covert narcissistic abuse. In this powerful episode, we explore what it’s like to live with a covert narcissist whose presence turns weekends into emotional minefields. While others relax and recharge, you're managing m…

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AI for Creatives with Taryn Southern 48:57

4M ago48:57

48:57

Creative technologist and early AI adopter Taryn Southern joins me to explore how creatives can use AI to enhance their process. We get into what’s helpful, what’s scary, and what’s next. Full AI tool list + links on the Too Niche Mood Board (Substack)! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collecti…

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Are They a Covert Narcissist or Just a Jerk? How to Tell the Difference 18:10

4M ago18:10

18:10

Are they a covert narcissist—or are they just being a jerk? That’s one of the most common (and most confusing) questions I hear from clients and listeners. In this episode of the Covert Narcissism Podcast, we break down real-life examples of those cutting, guilt-laced, or backhanded comments that leave you wondering: Was that emotional abuse, passi…

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Circular Conversations from Hell: Trapped in the Loop with a Covert Narcissist 21:12

4M ago21:12

21:12

Ever walk away from a conversation feeling more confused than when you started—like somehow, even though you were calm, kind, and clear, you’re the one apologizing again? Welcome to the maddening world of circular conversations with a covert narcissist. In this episode, we dive into the logic-defying, soul-draining dynamics that keep you stuck in e…

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If I Weren’t Talking About Covert Narcissism… I’d Be Starting Fires in the Woods 16:40

5M ago16:40

16:40

In this episode of the Covert Narcissism Podcast, we take a much-needed breath of fresh air—literally and emotionally. If I weren’t talking about covert narcissism every week, I’d be out in the woods learning survival skills: building fires, navigating with moss, and figuring out which berries won’t kill me. Why? Because sometimes, healing from cov…