The Narcissism Decoder

Dr. Anthony Mazzella
  • 4.6 (23)
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The Narcissism Decoder is a podcast dedicated to exploring the many dimensions of narcissism through a psychoanalytic lens. Each episode unpacks the intricate factors and behaviors that shape narcissistic traits, offering a deeper understanding of what lies beneath the surface. Together, we navigate the tools and strategies essential for recognizing, understanding, and effectively engaging with narcissistic individuals. With a blend of compassionate insight, expert guidance, and compelling stories, this podcast aims to transform the way you perceive and approach narcissism. Subscribe now to ensure you don't miss a single episode of this transformative journey.

  1. Narcissism and the Holidays: Why Do I Feel Forced and Unsafe? |Epi 116

    1D AGO

    Narcissism and the Holidays: Why Do I Feel Forced and Unsafe? |Epi 116

    In this episode, we’re going to pull back the curtain on what actually happens inside you during the holidays — not the surface-level stress you blame, but the internal shifts you feel. We’re going to explore why the season disrupts your psychological balance, why old wounds feel closer to the surface, and why the defenses you rely on all year suddenly stop working. Most importantly, we’ll look at how this exposure — uncomfortable as it is — can reveal something essential about your deeper emotional life. If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    22 min
  2. Is the Narcissist a Parasite — or Something Deeper? The Hidden Dynamics of Covert Narcissism | Epi 115

    DEC 17

    Is the Narcissist a Parasite — or Something Deeper? The Hidden Dynamics of Covert Narcissism | Epi 115

    In this episode of The Narcissism Decoder, I share a compelling clip from my conversation with Dr. Kerry, host of Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse. We explore the complex dynamics between narcissistic mothers and their children — is it parasitic, or a painful kind of symbiosis? Dive into the psychodynamic insights behind emotional fusion, people-pleasing, and why breaking free from these relationships can feel so destabilizing. If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    16 min
  3. How to Handle a Family Member with Narcissistic Traits: Tips for Responding | Epi 114

    DEC 10

    How to Handle a Family Member with Narcissistic Traits: Tips for Responding | Epi 114

    In this episode, we continue our conversation with Olivia Atkin as we explore what happens when a family member begins showing narcissistic traits — or even starts dividing the family. Together, we unpack how to recognize these patterns and how to engage someone like this. I share practical strategies to stay grounded, listen with empathy, avoid taking control, resist insisting on your reality, and find your own voice without getting pulled into the chaos. Tune in to discover how understanding these dynamics MAY transform your relationships. If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    27 min
  4. How Does Childhood Trauma Shape Narcissistic Traits? |Epi 113

    DEC 3

    How Does Childhood Trauma Shape Narcissistic Traits? |Epi 113

    In this episode, we explore how childhood shame, bullying, and emotional neglect can quietly lay the groundwork for narcissism. Through a heartfelt exchange with Olivia Atkin — who shares a powerful personal story about growing up with a medical diagnosis and being bullied — we unpack how these early wounds shape self-esteem, fuel the need for narcissistic supplies, and lead some people to protect themselves through narcissistic defenses. Then - we take it a step deeper — looking at the real nature of early trauma, which isn’t just about what happened, but about something far more hidden and formative beneath the surface. Tune in to hear what that is all about…  If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    27 min
  5. Is Narcissistic Gaslighting Always Intentional—or Sometimes Unconscious? | | Epi 112

    NOV 26

    Is Narcissistic Gaslighting Always Intentional—or Sometimes Unconscious? | | Epi 112

    In this episode, we continue our conversation with Deborah from Healing from Toxic Abuse to explore one of the most confusing and painful dynamics in narcissistic relationships—gaslighting. We look at how gaslighting isn’t always as clear-cut as it seems. Sometimes it’s deliberate and controlling, but other times it reflects someone trapped in their own distorted reality, unable to see beyond their perspective. We also talk about how, at times, it’s possible to “sneak around” narcissistic defenses and create small openings for something more authentic to emerge. If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    25 min
  6. Can Someone with Narcissism Truly Change—and Heal from Within? | Epi 111

    NOV 19

    Can Someone with Narcissism Truly Change—and Heal from Within? | Epi 111

    In this episode, we join a conversation with Deborah from Healing from Toxic Abuse right at the moment she expresses surprise that people actually come to therapy identifying as narcissistic—because self-reflection is the very thing they resist. From there, we explore what happens when the illusion of the grandiose self begins to crack, when the fantasies that hold the self together collapse under reality. We look at how narcissistic defenses break down, how modes of repair can become destructive, and how these patterns can blur into borderline dynamics. If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    22 min
  7. 3 Steps to Protect Yourself in a Narcissistic Relationship Part 2 | Epi 110

    NOV 12

    3 Steps to Protect Yourself in a Narcissistic Relationship Part 2 | Epi 110

    In this episode, we break down 3 powerful steps to protect yourself from narcissistic manipulation — even when no contact isn’t possible. You’ll learn how to recognize their defenses, stop absorbing their projections, and reclaim your power without losing your sense of self. If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    23 min
  8. 8 Red Flags of Narcissism in Relationships: Overt vs Covert Narcissism Part 1 |Epi 109

    NOV 5

    8 Red Flags of Narcissism in Relationships: Overt vs Covert Narcissism Part 1 |Epi 109

    Ever feel drained, confused, or like you don’t even exist in a relationship? You might be interacting with a narcissist—overt or covert—and not even realize it. In this episode, we will explore how to spot the red flags and understand the psychological defenses driving these behaviors. It’s time to reclaim your clarity, your power, and your peace of mind. If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information. Want to go deeper? Join me in Office Hours — an open space where we explore psychoanalytic ideas together, answer your questions, and connect theory to real life experiences. Reserve your spot here Next Meeting: December 17th - Registration is Now Closed - See you in January For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- please click here You can follow The Narcissism Decoder on: https://www.instagram.com/thenarcissism.decoder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenarcissismdecoder https://www.youtube.com/@thenarcissismdecoder Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com

    22 min
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4.6
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The Narcissism Decoder is a podcast dedicated to exploring the many dimensions of narcissism through a psychoanalytic lens. Each episode unpacks the intricate factors and behaviors that shape narcissistic traits, offering a deeper understanding of what lies beneath the surface. Together, we navigate the tools and strategies essential for recognizing, understanding, and effectively engaging with narcissistic individuals. With a blend of compassionate insight, expert guidance, and compelling stories, this podcast aims to transform the way you perceive and approach narcissism. Subscribe now to ensure you don't miss a single episode of this transformative journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Anthony Mazzella
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Narcissism Decoder
  • Show Website
    The Narcissism Decoder

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