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Society & Culture

The Covert Narcissism Podcast

Renee Swanson, Bleav

Covert narcissistic abuse crushes one’s soul. This podcast is devoted to understanding covert narcissistic abuse, its effect on the victims, and how to heal.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated Sunday

Episodes20

Newest first
  • July 23 · 24 min

    When Your Children Start to See Covert Narcissism, Part 2

    In part two of this CNG Community Chat, four moms get honest about whether the covert narcissistic patterns from their marriage are now showing up in their kids' own relationships and friendships. They close with the one piece of advice each of them wishes she'd been given years ago.

  • July 16 · 24 min

    When Your Children Start to See Covert Narcissism, Part 1

    Four moms open up about the exact moment their children started to see the covert narcissism in their family — one sudden, one a quiet confession years in the making. Their stories will hit close to home if you've ever wondered how much your kids really understand, or carried guilt about what they've lived through.

  • June 25 · 46 min

    How to Set Boundaries With a Toxic Aging Parent (Without the Guilt)

    A toxic aging parent doesn't erase your right to boundaries. Dr. Lisa Stinson breaks down the family roles — scapegoat, golden child, invisible child, enmeshed child — that keep adult children trapped in guilt and obligation, and how to finally set limits without losing yourself in the process.

  • June 18 · 47 min

    Covert Abuse, Restricted Autonomy, and the AI Tool Aimee Says

    She never had a name for what was happening — until AI helped her see it. This week, Anne Wintemute, co-founder of Aimee Says, joins the show to break down how AI is helping survivors identify covert abuse and restricted autonomy, turning lived experience into evidence they can finally point to. Use code RENEE for your first month free.

  • June 11 · 41 min

    Setting Boundaries After Narcissistic Abuse: What It Really Feels Like

    Two ladies from our CNG community join Renee for a Community Chat on one of the most searched topics in narcissistic abuse recovery: boundaries. They share what it was like to try to set boundaries inside a covert narcissistic relationship — the guilt, the pushback, the exhaustion — and what it finally felt like to have a boundary respected. If you've ever been made to feel that your needs were unreasonable, this one's for you.

  • June 4 · 26 min

    Covert Narcissism and Chronic Illness: Setting Boundaries When Someone's Pain Is Real

    When someone you love is in real, chronic pain — how do you set a boundary without feeling like a monster? This episode tackles one of the most complex and underaddressed dynamics in narcissistic abuse recovery: what happens when covert narcissism and chronic illness exist in the same relationship. Prompted by a heartfelt question from a listener in a long-term marriage, this episode explores how legitimate vulnerability — illness, mental health struggles, financial hardship — can become a tool for guilt and obligation in the hands of a covert narcissist. We walk through the caretaker trap, how caring people get conditioned into carrying everything, and the crucial difference between supporting someone and being responsible for them. You'll also learn what it looks like to set boundaries with empathy — not harshly, not meanly, but firmly and with care — even when the person on the other side is genuinely suffering. If you've ever felt guilty for having limits, this episode is for you. Topics include: The caretaker trap Legitimate vulnerabilities used as leverage Difference between support and responsibility How a narcissist responds when you try to step back Wetting boundaries with empathy in chronic illness situations. Ready to stop navigating this alone? Learn about coaching at covertnarcissism.com The information provided by Renee Swanson, Covert Narcissism Podcast, and CNG Life Coaching is for educational purposes only and is not to be used for diagnosis purposes and not intended to be a substitute for clinical care. Please consult a health care provider for guidance specific to your case. This material discusses narcissism in general. Renee shares stories from her personal experiences as well as from those she has talked with for several years. Her material does not claim that any specific person has narcissism and should not be used to refer to any specific person as having narcissism. Permission is not granted to link to or repost this material to support an allegation or support a claim that any specific person is a narcissist. That would be an unauthorized misuse of the material and information provided. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  • May 28 · 32 min

    Narcissistic Abuse Through the Lens of Taylor Swift's Dear John

    Covert narcissistic abuse is hard to see from the inside — but Taylor Swift's "Dear John" captures it with devastating precision. Join Renee Swanson as she breaks down the manipulation, gaslighting, and emotional depletion line by line.