Not Your Therapist

Narcissism 101: What It Actually Is (And What It Isn’t)

Kayla Reilly MSW, LCSW

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0:00 | 14:46

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Everyone is a narcissist these days… at least according to the internet.

But what does narcissism actually mean? And more importantly — how do you know if you’re dealing with it in real life?

In this episode of Not Your Therapist, we’re breaking down narcissism in a way that’s clear, grounded, and actually useful.

Kayla starts with the original story of Narcissus and Echo — a myth that surprisingly mirrors modern relationship dynamics — before unpacking what narcissism looks like today, what’s happening underneath the surface, and why the term gets thrown around so loosely.

We’ll cover:

  •  What narcissism actually is (and why it exists on a spectrum) 
  •  The difference between narcissistic traits vs. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
  •  What’s happening under the surface — including insecurity, shame, and emotional avoidance
  •  The different types of narcissism (grandiose, vulnerable, and communal) 
  •  What narcissism is not (and why labeling everything as narcissism can be misleading) 
  •  A better question to ask instead of “Are they a narcissist?” 

If you’ve ever questioned a relationship, felt unseen, or wondered if you’re dealing with narcissistic behavior, this episode will help you make sense of it — without jumping to labels.

Because at the end of the day:
 You don’t need a diagnosis to decide something isn’t healthy for you.

This podcast is meant to be a conversation — not a lecture. 🖤

Have thoughts, questions, or a topic you want covered? Or want to share how this episode supported you?

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