Waking Up to Narcissism

Childhood Survival Skills That Sabotage Your Adult Relationships: The Path to Emotional Maturity


Listen Later

Ever wondered why your brilliant mind can solve complex problems at work but completely breaks down during relationship conflicts? That's because those emotional reactions that feel so instinctive aren't flaws—they're actually genius survival strategies that once kept you safe. In this transformative episode, we explore how black-and-white thinking, mind-reading expectations, and external validation seeking were perfect childhood adaptations that have now become relationship roadblocks. Through the groundbreaking insight that behaviors which perfectly served us in childhood often become the very patterns that sabotage our adult relationships, you'll finally understand why you keep falling into familiar emotional patterns despite your best intentions.

This isn't just another episode about relationship struggles—it's a compassionate roadmap for emotional growth that honors both your wounded inner child and your emerging adult self. You'll discover how to recognize when you're in an emotional "hole" and why continuing to dig with familiar tools only takes you deeper. Most importantly, you'll learn how to pass the baton from your protective inner child to your capable adult self without shame or judgment. Whether you struggle with people-pleasing, emotional flooding, perfectionism, or control issues, this episode offers a strength-based approach to transform these patterns into mature responses that will revolutionize your relationships and bring a profound sense of internal peace.


00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:23 Listener Email: Mark's Story

01:41 Understanding Emotional Immaturity

04:47 Exploring the Emotional Maturity Spectrum

08:47 Introducing the Emotional Architects Group

09:29 Narcissistic Personality Disorder vs. Emotional Immaturity

11:08 Dinner with Daniel: A Narcissistic Narrative

15:47 Stages of Emotional Maturity

26:18 Childhood Behaviors in Adult Bodies

32:45 Understanding Emotional Blueprints

33:07 Re-parenting with Compassion

33:32 Therapeutic Insights from Fiction

34:23 Frozen Moments and Adult Relationships

35:16 Childhood Adaptations in Adult Life

36:17 Exploring Childlike Behaviors in Adults

36:57 Navigating Emotional Development

41:34 Black or White Thinking

44:43 Magical Thinking in Relationships

47:46 Emotional Reasoning and Codependency

52:32 External Validation and Accountability

55:41 Mind Reading and Projection

01:01:32 Pattern Recognition and Familiarity

01:07:12 Path Toward Emotional Maturity

01:07:52 Conclusion and Next Steps



...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Waking Up to NarcissismBy Tony Overbay LMFT

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

662 ratings


More shows like Waking Up to Narcissism

View all
The Virtual Couch by Tony Overbay LMFT

The Virtual Couch

648 Listeners

It’s Not Normal It’s Toxic: Rid Your Life of Toxic People by Dr. Heidi

It’s Not Normal It’s Toxic: Rid Your Life of Toxic People

545 Listeners

Negotiate Your Best Life Podcast with Rebecca Zung by Rebecca Zung, Esq. | YAP Media

Negotiate Your Best Life Podcast with Rebecca Zung

327 Listeners

Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse by Abuse Survivor Network

Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

754 Listeners

Love and Abuse by Paul Colaianni

Love and Abuse

838 Listeners

The Game EXPOSED: Narcissist & Narcissistic Abuse by Yaz

The Game EXPOSED: Narcissist & Narcissistic Abuse

437 Listeners

The Narcissists' Code by Lee Hammock

The Narcissists' Code

1,151 Listeners

Soul-Led CEO: Purpose Powered Success by Amen Kaur

Soul-Led CEO: Purpose Powered Success

100 Listeners

Decoding Narcissism, Manipulation And Toxic Ideas, with Frederik Ribersson by Frederik Ribersson

Decoding Narcissism, Manipulation And Toxic Ideas, with Frederik Ribersson

143 Listeners

No Visible Bruises by Caroline Strawson

No Visible Bruises

523 Listeners

The Covert Narcissism Podcast by Renee Swanson, Bleav

The Covert Narcissism Podcast

57 Listeners

Working Change by Nate & Marla Christensen

Working Change

13 Listeners

You Are Not Crazy by Jessica Knight

You Are Not Crazy

43 Listeners

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse by Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

247 Listeners

Surviving Narcissism with Dr. Les Carter by Dr. Les Carter

Surviving Narcissism with Dr. Les Carter

525 Listeners

Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani by iHeartPodcasts

Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani

1,720 Listeners

Waking Up To Narcissism Q&A by Tony Overbay LMFT

Waking Up To Narcissism Q&A

35 Listeners

Murder on the Couch by Tony Overbay, LMFT and Sydney Overbay, CD

Murder on the Couch

32 Listeners

The Mind, The Mirror & Me by Mackie Overbay

The Mind, The Mirror & Me

15 Listeners