Episode 9: What is Narcissism?

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that’s been coming up a lot lately — narcissism. The word is everywhere, and many people are quick to label others as “narcissists.” But what does narcissism really mean? And how is it different from Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)?

I’ll break down the difference between narcissism as a spectrum of traits and NPD as a clinical diagnosis, and share how to spot narcissistic behaviors — in others and even in ourselves. We’ll also talk about what’s often hiding underneath that mask of confidence: deep insecurity.

You’ll learn about:

• The key narcissistic traits and how to recognize them
• The spectrum — from arrogance to pathological narcissism
• Why I disagree with calling it “healthy narcissism”
• The difference between confidence and arrogance
• The many manipulation tactics narcissists use — from gaslighting and love bombing to feigned intimacy, guilt-tripping, and charm
• And finally, whether narcissists can truly change

This episode isn’t about judging or labeling — it’s about awareness. The more we understand these traits, the better we can protect ourselves and create healthier relationships.