Dr. Ramani Durvasula: Everyone’s Calling It Narcissism — And It’s Getting Dangerous
Ten years ago, the word “narcissist” exploded into the mainstream. For many, it was a breakthrough, finally putting language to toxic dynamics that had gone unnamed for years. But over time, that same word has been overused, misused, and weaponized — turning real pain into white noise.In this episode, we sit down with psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Ramani Durvasula for what can only be described as a masterclass on abusive relationships — and the nuance we desperately need to navigate them. With millions of followers, three bestselling books, and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Ramani helps us get clear on what narcissism actually is and what it’s absolutely not. We talk about how to assess the true pulse of your relationship — whether you’re in something toxic, or just stuck in unhealthy patterns. And we unpack what it takes to build a strong, grounded relationship moving forward — rooted in clarity, self-respect, and emotional safety.Chapters:0:00 - Intro2:28 - The Story of Carlos & Adam7:02 - How The Narcissism Conversation Went Off-Track17:28 - Gaslighting vs. Lying22:29 - The Danger of (Misapplying) Gray-Rocking26:58 - Appropriately Setting Boundaries35:28 - We Set The Bar Way Too Low In Relationships 41:14 - Hyper-vigilance of Wrongdoing in Relationships54:59 - What is Narcissism, Actually? 59:52 - Does Everyone Have Narcissistic Tendencies?1:09:45 - Love Bombing in The Early Stages of Relationships1:17:33 - Identifying Green Flags in Another Person1:22:39 - Why People Stay In Abusive Relationships1:32:00 - Can An (Actual) Narcissist Change?1:38:28 - The Role of Childhood Abuse In Becoming A Narcissist 1:44:41 - Narcissistic Abuse & Relational Trauma Are One1:50:56 - Trauma Can Heal in Healthy Community1:57:06 - The Role of Forgiveness2:08:13 - The Future Of This ConversationMighty Pursuit Links:Website: https://www.mightypursuit.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/X: https://x.com/MightyPursuitDr. Ramani Durvasula Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorramani/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @DoctorRamani It's Not You (Dr. Ramani's Latest Book): https://amzn.to/46E51ajFor business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com
Mighty Pursuit Podcast
Most people are trying to piece their lives together in a hundred different places. A podcast for mental health. An app for fitness. A class for their soul. It’s too much... and not enough. Mighty Pursuit is where it all connects—mind, body, and spirit. We host conversations with scientists, celebrities, spiritual thinkers, and everyday people—exploring what it means to live well in a fragmented world. LINKS: Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mightypursuit TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/
- No. of episodes: 52
- Latest episode: 2025-07-22
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