Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we will discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology.

In today's episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie discuss the complexities of ambition, emphasizing its connection to identity and intrinsic motivation. They explore how ambition can be healthy or obsessive, influenced by personality traits and life experiences. Their conversation warns against destructive ambition, which can harm relationships and ethical standards, and stresses the importance of regularly redefining success to maintain a healthy balance. [Nov 3, 2025]

00:00 - Intro

00:45 - Dr. Abbie Maroño Intro

01:01 - Intro Links

- Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/

- Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/

- Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

- Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

- Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/

- Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/

- Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/

- Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb

- CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/

- innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/

02:35 - The Topic of the Day: Healthy vs. Obsessive Ambition

05:58 - Narcissism for Good

06:42 - Building Ambition

08:26 - Ambition the Destructor!

10:05 - Take the Long Road Home

15:18 - Development

17:02 - Social Obsession

19:02 - The Gift of Adversity

22:45 - From the Inside

26:35 - Dichotomies

29:02 - Redefining Success

31:27 - Growing Values

33:28 - Healthy or Obsessive???

34:44 - Wrap Up

34:57 - Next Moth: Cognitive Dissonance

35:10 - Outro

- www.social-engineer.com

- www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

Find us online:

- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-abbie-maroño-phd

- Instagram: @DoctorAbbieofficial

- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy

References:

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.

Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087-1101.

Judge, T. A., & Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D. (2012). On the value of aiming high: The causes and consequences of ambition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(4), 758-775.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705-717.

McClelland, D. C. (1961). The achieving society. Van Nostrand.

Wrosch, C., Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Schulz, R. (2003). The importance of goal disengagement in adaptive self- regulation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(3), 503-508.