Cocoa Pods
Podcast - Cocoa Pods Series: A feature of the Birth Center Foundation.
We discuss all things' women, all things' pregnancy, all things' after. Reasons why women fall very sick ( morbidity) or die (mortality) before pregnancy (adolescent girls and young adults),during pregnancy and after are discussed in this maternal morbidity and mortality reduction academy; especially with an emphasis on minority women, all over the world; and ways for all involved in care to work together collaboratively and mitigate and or eliminate risks in women’s health.
Cocoa Pods
The Subtle Tyranny of the God Complex in Love
Uncover the often invisible threads that weave through the tapestry of human relationships, particularly those entangled with the grandiose God complex. I'm Dr. Bola Sogade, and through a potent mix of professional insight and raw, real-life experiences, we examine the profound impact of narcissism in our lives. We navigate the treacherous waters of self-importance and control as seen in those who, consumed by a God complex, place themselves on a pedestal of omnipotence, often to the detriment of their interpersonal connections. Prepare to confront the manipulative behaviors and entitlement that spring from this extreme superiority, and consider how it hinders personal growth and happiness.
Join me as we share the heartfelt journey of Lillian and Charles, a couple whose pseudonyms guard their privacy as they bravely open up about their struggle against the tidal waves of narcissism in their relationship. Their candid story serves as a beacon of hope and a source of strategies for those caught in similar storms. Listen to their unfiltered challenges and victories, and perhaps see a reflection of your own relationships. This is more than just a conversation; it's an opportunity to understand, to learn, and to transform the way we perceive and deal with the pervasive influence of narcissism.
Thank you for listening to CocoaPods podcast. This is your host, dr Bola Sogade. I'm a women's health specialist. So what is the God Complex ?
Dr Bola Sogade:Complex within the context of narcissism refers to an extreme manifestation of grandiosity and superiority where an individual believes they are omnipotent, infallible and beyond reproach. This term draws parallel to the idea of a deity or god, suggesting that the person with the narcissistic tendencies sees themselves as being on a level above mere mortals, with the power to control and manipulate others as they see fit. Individuals with a God complex may exhibit a profound sense of entitlement, believing they are entitled to special treatment and unquestioning obedience from others. Obedience from others. They may also display a lack of empathy, viewing others as mere pawns or objects to be used for their own benefit. This complex can lead to destructive behaviors and interpersonal difficulties, as the individual's inflated sense of self-importance often alienates those around them. So the God complex represents an extreme form of superiority where the individual views themselves as all-powerful and above the rules that govern ordinary people. This inflated self-view can lead to manipulative behavior and a desire for control over others. The other is that they're always worried about protecting themselves from getting hurt. They might chase things like success or attention to feel safe. This stops them from growing as a person.
Dr Bola Sogade:Being the sole provider in a household can potentially contribute to the propagation of narcissistic behavior in a man through several mechanisms. One of the mechanisms is through power and control dynamics. So the role of the sole provider may imbue the man with a sense of power and control over the household's finances and decisions. This dominance can reinforce feelings of superiority and entitlement. These are already common traits in narcissism. Number two validation and identity. Providing for the family may become closely tied to the man's sense of self-worth and identity. If he perceives his values solely through his role as a breadwinner, it can lead to an inflated sense of self-importance and a need for constant validation and admiration. Number three dependency dynamics. Dependence on him for financial support can create a dynamic where others in the household are reliant on him, potentially fostering a belief that his needs and desires should take precedence over others. Number four a lack of accountability. As the sole provider, the man may face less scrutiny or challenge to his behavior within the household, allowing narcissistic tendencies to go unchecked and potentially escalate. And then there's isolation from feedback. With the primary responsibility for financial support, the man may become isolated from feedback or perspectives that could challenge his narcissistic behaviors, leading to a reinforcement of these traits over time. And then, lastly, emotional distancing Focusing solely on providing financially may lead to emotional detachment from other aspects of family life, further exacerbating narcissistic tendencies as empathy and emotional connection diminish. So it's important to note that not all men who are sole providers in their households will develop narcissistic behaviors. However, the dynamics and pressures associated with the role can contribute to the amplification or reinforcement of pre-existing narcissistic traits in some individuals. Traits in some individuals.
Dr Bola Sogade:In our upcoming episode, we're going to talk about a real-life couple anonymized through name change Lillian and Charles. They're going to give an account of difficulties they had in their relationship and how they have overcome the difficulties, hoping that somebody out there can learn from some of the strategies that they used to help their own struggling relationship at this point. So please listen first to Lillian, the wife that's her pseudonym and Charles, the husband, as they come up in the upcoming series. So we've been using this word narcissistic for the past several episodes. I want to talk about the myth of Narcissus. Where did this word come from? What are some of the circumstances surrounding this word?
Dr Bola Sogade:So in the myth of Narcissus, it talks about a story from Greek mythology that revolves around a handsome young man named Narcissus.
Dr Bola Sogade:The tale is primarily recounted in Ovid's Metamorphoses and other classical texts.
Dr Bola Sogade:According to the myth, narcissus was known for his exceptional beauty, but he was also exceedingly proud and disdainful of those who loved him.
Dr Bola Sogade:One day, as he was wandering through the forest, he encountered the nymph Echo, who instantly fell in love with him.
Dr Bola Sogade:However, narcissus rejected her advances, cursing Echo to pine away until only her voice remained.
Dr Bola Sogade:The goddess Nemesis, observing Narcissus' arrogance and cruelty, decided to punish him. She led him to a pool of water where he caught sight of his own reflection. Narcissus was captivated by the image of his own beauty and fell deeply in love with it, despite realizing that it was merely his own reflection, he couldn't tear himself away from the pool. Becoming increasingly obsessed with his own image, narcissus remained by the pool, pining away until he eventually died. In some versions of the myth, he either drowns in the pool while trying to embrace his reflection, or wastes away from longing and despair, unable to leave the sight of himself. The myth of Narcissus has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, often serving as a cautionary tale about vanity, self-absorption and the destructive nature of excessive self-love. It has also inspired numerous works of art, literature and psychology, with the term narcissism being derived from Narcissist's name to describe excessive self-admiration or self-centeredness. In our upcoming episode we talk more with Lillian and Charles and see how ego intertwines with all of this. Thank you for listening to CocoaPods Podcast.
