Narcissism At Work

Bonus episode 3 explores the story of Rani, whose dream job at a supposedly inclusive workplace quickly turned into a toxic nightmare. What started as feeling “seen” and championed by a senior colleague spiralled into emotional manipulation, weaponised feedback, and guilt-laced control.

Rani's letter uncovers how narcissistic individuals often use the illusion of support to gain influence, only to later gaslight, undermine, and erode confidence through chaos, contradiction, and shame.

What we cover:

• How narcissists perform allyship while creating impossible expectations
• Meetings as control tactics: time-wasting, dominance, and emotional exhaustion
• The link between narcissistic abuse and mum guilt, overworking, and burnout
• How the promise of “the dream” and future-faking is used to keep people hooked and disempowered
• The emotional toll of being constantly emotionally and mentally disorientated, even when the facts don’t add up

Why this episode matters:

Rani’s story highlights that abuse isn’t always obvious. It can masquerade as support or empowering language. However, if it undermines your confidence, well-being, or values, consider it a red flag.

Listener Letters are real stories submitted by the Other Box community, sharing lived experiences of navigating toxic workplaces and narcissistic dynamics.Each letter is anonymised, read aloud, and followed by expert insight from clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani. Together, we unpack the behavioural patterns at play and share tools for clarity, support and recovery.

We hope these real-life accounts allow you to recognise the signs sooner and start focusing on how to reclaim your life. 

Connect with Other Box: otherbox.co/podcast for further resources | @otherbox

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Narcissism At Work is a co-production from Other Box and Breaking Atoms. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve all heard of toxic bosses, but what about colleagues who exhibit narcissistic traits? In this episode of Narcissism At Work, Leyya and clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani explore the less talked-about, but just as damaging, impact of narcissism among our peers. From backstabbing and silent smear campaigns to credit-stealing and emotional manipulation, this episode dives deep into the warning signs and psychological fallout of working with a narcissistic colleague.

What we cover:

• How narcissistic colleagues manipulate to compete, control, and undermine
• Red flags that you might be working with someone who’s not as supportive as they seem
• Smear campaigns, love bombing, and subtle sabotage tactics
• What healthy competition looks like, and where the line gets crossed
• The toll this takes on team trust, collaboration and creativity
• Mental health impacts, including trauma symptoms, grief, and isolation
• Tools like the DEEP method to protect yourself

Why it matters:

Toxic colleagues can slowly chip away at your confidence, relationships and reputation. This episode offers language, clarity, and strategies for reclaiming your power.

Plus:

• Real-life scenarios of narcissistic dynamics at work
• Practical tips to spot the red flags and protect yourself
• A reminder that you’re not imagining it and you’re not alone

Resources mentioned: 

• World Health Organisation (www.who.int/)
• ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ by Bessel van der Kolk

Connect with Other Box: otherbox.co/podcast for further resources | @otherbox

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Narcissism At Work is a co-production from Other Box and Breaking Atoms. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're sharing the story of Aisha, a professional who entered a role at a start-up sold as inclusive and progressive, only to be met with manipulation, erratic behaviour, and emotional abuse by a narcissistic leader.

Aisha describes being gaslit, love-bombed, and constantly destabilised through inconsistent feedback, intrusive WhatsApp messages, and power plays tied to vulnerability. The episode touches on themes like the illusion of inclusion, weaponised empathy, and the erosion of confidence under narcissistic leadership, particularly when masked as ‘empowered’ startup culture. Dr. Daksha Hirani offers psychological insights on boundary-setting, journaling for self-validation, and how to move forward while honouring your values and worth.

Listener Letters are real stories submitted by the Other Box community, sharing lived experiences of navigating toxic workplaces and narcissistic dynamics.

Each letter is anonymised, read aloud, and followed by expert insight from clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani. Together, we unpack the behavioural patterns at play and share tools for clarity, validation, and recovery.

We hope these real-life accounts allow you to recognise the signs sooner and start focusing on how to reclaim your life. 

Connect with Other Box: otherbox.co/podcast for further resources | @otherbox

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Narcissism At Work is a co-production from Other Box and Breaking Atoms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know when you're working for a narcissist? In this episode of Narcissism At Work, host Leyya and clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha unpack the subtle, and not-so-subtle, signs of narcissistic behaviour in professional settings. From love bombing to identity theft, we explore the mirroring tactics narcissists use to draw people in, disarm them, and gain their trust. We also dig into how these behaviours escalate over time, impacting your confidence, decision-making, and workplace wellbeing.

What we cover:

• How narcissists "mirror" your identity and values to create false trust
• Why early admiration can quickly turn into control
• What to look out for in narcissistic bosses, colleagues, or clients
• How gaslighting shows up at work 
• The psychological toll of long-term manipulation and confusion
• The emotional cost of staying silent or second-guessing your reality

Dr. Daksha explains:

• The impact of narcissistic behaviour on your nervous system
• How cognitive dissonance and denial keep people stuck
• Why many survivors experience trauma symptoms long after the narcissist is gone

Plus:

• Real-life scenarios of narcissistic dynamics at work
• Practical tips to spot the red flags and protect yourself
• A reminder that you’re not imagining it and you’re not alone

Connect with Other Box: otherbox.co/podcast for further resources | @otherbox

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Narcissism At Work is a co-production from Other Box and Breaking Atoms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode of Narcissism At Work, we hear from Anna, a high-performing professional stuck in a toxic workplace led by a manipulative, narcissistic boss. Her story explores the chronic fear, power imbalances, and emotional exhaustion that define narcissistic abuse at work, particularly for women and people of colour. Through cycles of love-bombing and devaluation, Anna begins to lose her sense of self, despite outward success. Dr. Daksha Hirani offers expert insight into the psychology of trauma bonding, intermittent validation, and how to rebuild boundaries. This episode is a vital reminder: you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone.

Listener Letters are real stories submitted by the Other Box community, sharing lived experiences of navigating toxic workplaces and narcissistic dynamics.

Each letter is anonymised, read aloud, and followed by expert insight from clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani. Together, we unpack the behavioural patterns at play and share tools for clarity, validation, and recovery.

We hope these real-life accounts allow you to recognise the signs sooner and start focusing on how to reclaim your life. 

Connect with Other Box: otherbox.co/podcast for further resources | @otherbox

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Narcissism At Work is a co-production from Other Box and Breaking Atoms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode, we unpack one of the most misused words in modern psychology: narcissism, and explain how it shows up in the workplace. While the term is often thrown around, we dig beneath the surface with expert insight from Clinical Psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani, who has 25+ years of experience supporting people impacted by narcissistic abuse.

We explore:

• What narcissism really means (and what it doesn’t)
• The difference between narcissistic traits and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
• Why workplaces, especially high-achieving or high-pressure ones, can become fertile ground for narcissistic behaviour
• The origins of the term "gaslighting" (and why it still matters today)
• Key research, including the Wolchyk and Antonella Somma studies
• How narcissistic abuse affects your mental health, including symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as outlined by the World Health Organisation
• Examples of narcissistic dynamics at work
• Coping strategies like Grey Rocking and Yellow Rocking (and how they differ)
• How narcissists mirror and manipulate
• The long-term emotional and psychological toll of working under or alongside narcissistic individuals

Whether you're dealing with a narcissistic boss, co-founder, or colleague, this episode gives you language, clarity, and a starting point for healing.

Connect with Other Box: otherbox.co/podcast for further resources | @otherbox

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Narcissism At Work is a co-production from Other Box and Breaking Atoms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the second trailer for Narcissism At Work, a podcast series created to break the silence around narcissistic abuse in professional settings. In this trailer, we introduce our bonus Listener Letters episodes. Real stories submitted by the Other Box community, sharing the lived experience of navigating toxic workplaces and narcissistic dynamics.

When you’re in the middle of narcissistic abuse, especially at work, it’s easy to doubt yourself. You minimise the experience. You gaslight yourself. You wonder: “Was it really that bad?” These stories are a powerful reminder that you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone. Each letter is anonymised, read aloud and followed by clinical insight from psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani, who helps unpack the behaviours and patterns at play, offering clarity, validation, and tools for recovery.

We hope these real-life accounts allow you to recognise the signs sooner and start focusing on how to reclaim your life. 

Connect with Other Box: otherbox.co/podcast for further resources | @otherbox

Subscribe to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Narcissism At Work is a co-production from Other Box and Breaking Atoms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first trailer for Narcissism At Work, a brand-new podcast hosted by award-winning social impact entrepreneur Leyya Sattar and clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani. In this sneak peek, we introduce the toxic patterns and power plays that narcissists use to manipulate, control, and gaslight others in professional settings, from subtle digs to full-blown psychological warfare.

You’ll hear why this podcast matters now more than ever, and what inspired Leyya and Dr. Daksha to shine a light on the psychological games that often go unchecked at work. Whether you’re questioning a colleague’s behaviour or recovering from a toxic culture, this series will help you spot the signs, understand the dynamics, and start reclaiming your power.

This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a toolkit for self-protection and clarity in workplaces where narcissism thrives. Subscribe now so you can stay one step ahead and hear all the new episodes as soon as they're released.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.