In this week's podcast of My Inner Torch we take a "Look Back Listen" to one of my most downloaded podcasts "Emotional Sandcastles". I hope you enjoy this Look Back Listen if it is your first time hearing this podcast, or a quick re-listen. Emotional Sandcastles still resonates with me and is a chapter in a soon-to-be-finished book I am completing and hope to make available in the Summer.  Support the show ..read more

What is your coat of many colors? In this podcast I explore the concept of a “coat of many colors” as a symbol for the facade individuals wear in toxic relationships, especially with covert narcissists. It delves into the traits and behaviors of covert narcissists, emphasizing emotional distance, lack of empathy, gaslighting, and conflict-provoking tendencies. I shed light on my personal experience of concealing the truth and defending my partner’s actions, highlighting the toll it takes on mental health. Recognizing and addressing abuse is crucial for healing and understanding relationship dy ..read more

Hi All, Due to a massive Nor' Easter where I live this week's podcast is a throwback to October 2020. Unfortunately, this podcast remains relevant in my life today. It is a testament to our interpersonal relations with a Cluster B. At the time I believed my wife to be borderline. Now I have come to know her as a covert narcissist. Either way, the abuse and neglect remain the same. I hope you get something out of this throwback to 2020. I am confident a new episode will be uploaded at the same time next week.  Thanks for your continued listenership and support of My Inner Torch. &nb ..read more

Today I explore various forms of narcissism, warning against hasty labeling and emphasizing that abusive behavior remains consistent regardless of the label.  While narcissism can manifest as a personality trait, there is only one diagnosis for it as a mental health condition. This podcast covers overt narcissism, addressing questions about behaviors and differentiating between adaptive and maladaptive narcissism. I also outline other types of narcissism, including covert, antagonistic, communal, and malignant narcissism, providing brief descriptions of each in today's podcast. Support th ..read more

What does our relationship with our Cluster B say about us? In a world where love and care are often equated with sacrifice, it’s easy to find oneself entangled in a web of emotional complexities. Join me as I delve into the intricate dance of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery in this podcast where I come to terms with my participation in this relationship and how this reflects on who I am as a person. Reflecting on my 23-year journey with a partner suspected of being a covert narcissist, I find myself pondering the sacrifices made in the name of love. It’s a narrative that many may find fam ..read more

In this episode of My Inner Torch I explore the concept of a “Kangaroo Court of the Cluster B,” in our relationships. This is a court where we are constantly blamed and convicted for any issues or faults in the relationship. I discuss reactive abuse, where the Cluster B manipulates reactions to portray themselves as victims. I also emphasize how individuals with Cluster B personality disorders manipulate and provoke reactions from their partners, recording responses and using them against their partners. See if this episode resonates with your relationship.  Support the show ..read more

In this Podcast, I discuss the challenging experience of being in a relationship with someone exhibiting traits of Cluster B personality disorders. It warns against believing in the professed love of such individuals, highlighting their manipulation and lack of understanding of mature love. The speaker encourages recognizing the false persona created by these individuals and emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and not dwelling on past experiences. They reflect on feeling trapped in a compromising relationship and advise letting go to find healthier relationships in the fu ..read more

Today's podcast delves into the dynamics of relationships with individuals having Cluster B personality disorders, discussing emotional sandcastles, tidal pools, and the concept of “future faking.” I reflect on the cyclical nature of these relationships, where positive moments lead to doubts about improvement, only to be followed by a return to negative behavior. I continue to emphasize the need to cut off contact with such individuals, likening them to a cancer that must be removed completely from one’s life. I stress the importance of not hoping for reconciliation or re-engagement. Support t ..read more

Today's Podcast explores the complex relationship dynamics between empaths and individuals with Cluster B personality disorders, such as narcissists, psychopaths, and borderlines. I explore reasons for the attraction between these two groups, highlighting our inclination to feel responsible for fixing their partners. How many times do we need to be reminded until we take actions for ourselves.  Support the show ..read more

In this episode of “My Inner Torch,” I explore the complexities of Cluster B relationships, shedding light on the often overlooked positive traits while exploring the tendency to gravitate towards negative ones. The central theme revolves around the crucial need for self-reflection and change, emphasizing the significance of recognizing and appreciating positive qualities in others. My discussion delves into the challenge of navigating relationships with individuals exhibiting cluster B personality disorders, urging you to stop waiting for them to change and to prioritize your own well-being ..read more