I Bet You Think This Podcast Is About You

S&M discuss what it looks like when you are in the presence of a toxic individual, the characteristics of narcissistic abuse, and how to recognize when it is time to end the relationship...even if it's your mum!

On behalf of the human race, S and M apologize to Lorena Bobbitt, Amy Fisher, Elin Nordegren, and the other victims of narcissistic abuse who have been attacked and ridiculed in the media and American pop culture. If sociopathic and narcissistic abuse was understood, and victims supported, maybe they wouldn't have to pick up the knife, or the gun, or the 9-iron/driver/pitching wedge (whatever it was).

S and M discuss "The Patriarchy" and how the patriarchy creates and protects narcissists. A topic that came to light after cocktails with their girlfriend, in which S and M learned that every single one of their female friends had a story to share about being in an elevator with a narcissistic male, and how those same guys tried to later spin the story and silence them. Perhaps the best response to the patriarchy is to refuse to remain silent. Take a listen, and maybe rethink your Elevator Pitch.

It seems like all narcissists make the same statements. S and M discuss what some of those statements are, what they really mean, and how to respond. Hint: basically, you should just run away.

S and M discuss receiving feedback from friends with guests E and K. Do we listen to our friends when they give their opinions about our toxic relationships? Should we listen to our friends opinions? If we can't trust them, are they really our friends? Good friends have our best interests at heart. They have seen us at our best and at our worst. They listen without agenda. Maybe what they are echoing back to us is our own intuition. Lots of good content about identifying and surviving toxic relationships. Also...there's wine!!!

NPR's Terry Gross recently conducted a compelling two-part interview of notorious narcissist, Howard Stern. S and M discuss the interview, their undying love for Terry Gross, and the many questions raised by his interview, such as: can a narcissist really change, can a narcissist become empathetic, and is this newfound "empathy" just narcissism in disguise? S and M also introduce the "Daily High/Low" and "Girl Crushes"!

S and M discuss the occurrence of narcissism and narcissistic abuse within religious communities. While only about 1% of the general population could be diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (if they ever sought treatment...), a study has shown that almost 32% of religious leaders meet the diagnostic criteria for full blown NPD. While faith is a beautiful thing, perhaps blind faith isn't.

Guests "Mr. T" and "Punky Brewster" join S and M to discuss navigating family relationships with toxic narcissistic individuals, what happens when it is impossible to go "no contact" with these people, and what it life is like with them hovering on the perimeter. It does get better with these relationships behind you, but sometimes you still have to deal with them. Our lovely guests also go head-to-head in a lively game of "Narc or Vegan?"!

This week, S and M welcome guest Elizabeth Shaw, founder of "Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse"! Listen in to their discussion of relationships with narcissistic individuals and, more importantly, how to sober up after realizing that you have a narcissistic hangover. Getting away from these toxic relationships is difficult enough. What do you do when the hoovering and flattery starts? How do you overcome the trauma bond, and move on to a happy life narcissist free?

S and M discuss trusting your intuition when in the presence of toxic people. What does intuition feel like, why it is a good guide for our behavior, and how we have been trained to doubt our own instincts. When you think someone is lying, or you feel like you can't trust someone, is that good enough reason to just get out of the relationship? Listen in and joint the discussion.

S and M discuss today's toxic dating environment with guest and reformed-dating-guru, Linda. Have dating apps like Bumble and Tinder created an environment where narcissists thrive and predators find easy prey? What are some red flags to look for? And is it even worth it??? Join us as we answer these questions. Or try to. Maybe.

Serially lied-to "Tina" joins S and Linda in a discussion of liars, lying, and uncovering the truth. Why do people with Axis II personality disorders lie habitually, what are some of the doozies we have heard (maybe even, sadly, believed), and what happens when we uncover the sordid terrible truth? If you have ever had someone in your life who looks you in the eyes and lies unabashedly, you want to listen in.

S and M host their first show before a live audience. Brave audience members get time with the microphone to share their stories of toxic relationships, love, loss, and getting over it. Sometimes, the power is really telling your story, owning it, and moving on.

The second part of S and M's first show before a live audience, and Linda's podcast debut! Linda and Deep Throat share their stories of toxic relationships, love, loss, getting over it, and moving on. We find our power in sharing our stories, and this one has a happy ending!

"The Divorce Bitches"...or "The Divorce, Bitches"? We are sure which. Divorce attorneys from Thacker Sleight selected the title themselves when they joined S and Linda for a discussion of what happens in and out of the courtroom when you divorce a narcissist, borderline, or sociopath. What can you expect from your toxic soon-to-be ex? Join us and find out.

S and Linda discuss the Narcissistic Personality Disorder of....you guessed it, Donald Trump. We have been avoiding this topic like the elephant and the room, so today we are going to face it head on. Politics aside, what has Trump's undeniable narcissism done to the collective American psyche?

S and Linda welcome back guest, Deep Throat, to discuss the age old topic: can men and women really be friends? Join us as we go through different caveats, hypothetical examples, and rules that govern male-female adult friendships. And does the equation change when one person has a Cluster B personality disorder?

S and Linda are joined by returning guest, Tia, to discuss the supremely f--cked up relationships in all of our favorite power ballads. Pop culture (especially 80's pop culture!) has idealized and romanticized toxic relationships. If a power ballad reminds you of your relationship, you may want to reevaluate your relationship. Just saying.

S and Linda are joined by guest Anna G, and discuss the myriad of ways individuals with Cluster B Personality Disorders stalk their victims, and infiltrate their lives. Buckle up, because you will be FLOORED by the incredible lengths these individuals will go to in an effort to keep tabs on their targets and never ever let them go.

S and Linda read DMs from listeners who have shared the ways in which karma has done them a solid. We don't need to get revenge on the toxic individuals who infiltrated our lives, because the Universe will do it for us. Since it sometimes seems like it will take forever for karma to act, we thought it would be nice to share the notes from people who have seen it in action. Sit back and enjoy! And drop us a line when karma shows up for you!

S and Linda discuss the influx of narcissists and sociopaths in pop culture, particularly in popular television shows, documentaries and motion pictures. What insights do these characters give us into the minds of the disordered person? How can we watch them without being triggered? And are we glamorizing or, at least, normalizing these behaviors via pop culture?

S, Linda, and podcast guest "Jane" discussing divorce and co-parenting when your ex remarries a narcissist. How do you protect your children from a narcissistic step-monster or, at least, mitigate the damage they inflict on your children. And let's be honest, how do you keep yourself from wringing their necks? If you have a narcissist in your life that you never even invited in, you'll love the perspective Jane has to share.

S and Linda are joined by guest, Midge, for a frank discussion of what it looks like to be married to a toxic individual. Peculiar behavior, excessive control, and domestic violence are only the tip of the iceberg. Midge's story is so relatable. When we tell our stories, we reclaim our power. Midge is one powerful survivor.

We probably should have called this episode "Quarantine Cockblock" or "Hey, No Way". S and Linda are joined by guest, Alice, to discuss the behaviors of individuals with antisocial personality disorders in quarantine. What happens when an attention seeking narcissist can't get the constant admiration and attention they need to survive? How do you respond to those "hey" texts at 2:00 a.m.? But most of all, we see the silver lining in laughing at those who need to hurt other people to survive, when they don't have access to victims any longer. Perhaps we should give them all medals that say "I survived the quarantine cockblock of 2020!"

S and Linda are joined by guest, James, for a discussion about the habitual line crossing by narcissists and toxic individuals. Toxic individuals are notorious for finding out where our boundaries are, and then crossing them over and over and over again. We discuss how to spot the behavior, what it feels like to be on the receiving end of habitual line crossing, and how to re-establish our personal boundaries.