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This podcast explores my personal struggle with staying in a toxic relationship with a Cluster B partner despite being aware of her flaws. Drawing insights from a post in a narcissistic support group, they delve into the lack of empathy in individuals with Cluster B personality disorders and the futility of trying to prove love to such partners. Despite feelings of fear and being consumed by thoughts of abandonment, I no longer blame myself for my partner’s behavior. I also reflect on my wife’s fear of abandonment, legal ties, and shared responsibilities as reasons for staying. Encouraging introspection and rational thinking, this podcast stresses the importance of understanding one’s motivations for remaining in harmful relationships, despite recognizing the need to eventually end them.

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In relationships impacted by cluster B personality disorders like borderline, narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders, manipulative tactics are prevalent. One common strategy discussed in this week's podcast is the “shock and sell” approach, where a shocking statement or action is used to destabilize someone, followed by rationalizing it to manipulate them into accepting behaviors that may not align with their needs. "Shock and Sell" aims to make individuals more compliant and less likely to resist.In this podcast we explore an example of how this technique is applied in real-life scenarios, such as unexpectedly changing plans to manipulate and control others.

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What happens when you reach the end of your line, your tolerance, your desire to remain in a relationship with your Cluster B?

I explore this idea and feeling as it relates to my 23 year relationship with my Cluster B in this podcast of My Inner Torch.

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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. 

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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 dynamics. I also emphasize the importance of setting boundaries, seeking support, and prioritizing self-care in dealing with manipulative individuals. Shedding the burden of false identities is framed as a journey towards self-discovery and well-being. I hope this podcast resonates with you. 

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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.  

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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.

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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 familiar, where the pursuit of another’s happiness becomes the sole purpose, often at the cost of one’s own contentment. The realization dawns - the profoundness of love should never be at the expense of our own happiness.

Welcome to My Inner Torch!

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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. 

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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 future. The text also stresses the significance of recognizing self-worth and breaking the cycle of abuse and manipulation in relationships with individuals displaying cluster B personality traits. It concludes by promoting self-improvement and well-being.

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