Narcissism Decoder

By Dr. Anthony MazzellaHealth & Fitness Mental Health Education

Narcissism Decoder episodes

May 23 Am I Dangerous? Violent Thoughts, Anger, and Feeling Stuck | Epi 154
In this episode, we return to our consolidation series, where we slow things down and take a closer look at your questions—and the patterns that begin to emerge across them. Lately, many of you have been circling around a similar experience: not just anxiety or guilt, but a deeper confusion about anger—where it went, why it feels so dark, and how it might be connected to feeling stuck in your life. What we begin to trace is a subtle but powerful shift, where anger is no longer experienced as a feeling, but as something dangerous. And as that happens, life itself can start to narrow. Early experiences shape the way anger is held internally, how it transforms into fear, and how that fear can quietly organize the limits you place on your own life.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
21 min
May 20 How to De-Escalate “High Conflict” (Without Giving In) | Epi 153
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Joe Dillon, a divorce mediation specialist, to break down what really drives high-conflict communication—and why small disagreements so quickly turn into major fights. We explore defensiveness, emotional projection, and practical strategies to de-escalate conflict without reinforcing unhealthy patterns.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
26 min
May 16 How to Stay "Yourself" in a Narcissist Relationship Without Losing Your Mind | Epi 152
In this episode, we return to our consolidation series to explore a listener’s deeply thoughtful question: what does it actually mean to be “separate but together” in a relationship where emotions run high and reality feels contested?
Rather than treating this as a communication technique, we explore it as an internal psychological struggle—one that gets activated in moments of misunderstanding, criticism, or emotional intensity. Why do some people collapse into self-doubt, while others insist you see their point of view? And what is happening underneath these shifts in how we experience ourselves and the other person?
This episode is ultimately about building the capacity to stay present with difference—without losing yourself in it, and without losing the other person either.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
22 min
May 13 Can Narcissists Change? What Actually Works | Epi 151
In this episode, Dr. John Ogrodniczuk joins us again to explore the possibility of real change in people with narcissistic patterns. We dive into what actually makes therapy work, how trust is built over time, and why staying with difficult emotions—rather than avoiding them—can transform both clinical and everyday relationships. If you’ve ever wondered whether narcissists can truly change, this conversation will give you insight you won’t want to miss.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
24 min
May 09 Can a Borderline Parent Create Narcissistic Traits in their Child? | Epi 150
In this episode, we return to our consolidation series and slow down to explore a listener’s deeply thoughtful question: Is there a relationship between having a borderline parent and developing narcissistic traits? Rather than approaching this in a simplistic or causal way, we unpack the psychodynamic environment the child grows up in—one marked by emotional inconsistency, engulfment, or withdrawal—and how this creates a core internal dilemma. This is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered how early relational environments shape the way you connect, protect yourself, and experience others.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
23 min
May 06 Why Narcissists Are Fragile Inside | Epi 149
In this episode, Dr. John Ogrodniczuk and I uncover how to tell when narcissism becomes more than just confidence. We explore why some individuals shift between feeling superior and feeling worthless, and what this reveals about a deeper instability in their sense of self. In this part of our conversation, we cover a lot more, such as that which leads to internal fragmentation and identity diffusion.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
27 min
May 02 Emotional Withdrawal In Relationships: How Do You Break the Pattern | Epi 148
In this episode, we return to our consolidation series and slow down to explore a listener’s intriguing question: Where does a coping mechanism end and dependency on a psychic retreat begin—and how do you step away? We unpack the psychodynamic concept of the psychic retreat, its role in protecting against painful states, and how it can become a rigid, dominating pattern in relationships and daily life. We explore how moments of awareness, emotional risk-taking, and connection can gradually loosen the retreat’s grip, helping someone re-engage with reality, relationships, and their own feelings. This is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered how coping can turn into avoidance—and what it takes to break free.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
21 min
April 29 The Dance Between Codependents and Narcissists: Can Therapy Really Help? | Epi 147
Why are codependents and narcissists drawn to each other — and what keeps them trapped in the same patterns? In this second part of my conversation with Ross Rosenberg, we explore the “dance” between the giver and the taker, why love can turn into a cycle of control and loneliness, and what therapy can realistically offer. If you’ve ever wondered whether these relationships can change, this clip dives into the psychology behind the attachment, the pathology, and the possibilities for growth.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
21 min
April 25 High Conflict Relationships: Why Nothing Changes (And How To Fix It) | Epi 146
In this episode, we take a deeper look at what happens after conflict escalates and breaks down in high-conflict relationships. We move beyond managing the moment and focus on what it means to return after a rupture—how to repair what was damaged, understand what actually took place, and begin shifting the patterns that keep repeating. By exploring both the emotional dynamics and the underlying psychological processes, this episode offers a way to move from reactive cycles toward more reflective, meaningful connection.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
21 min
April 22 What Triggers Narcissistic Rage? The Hidden Role of Narcissistic Injury | Epi 145
In this episode, I sit down with Ross Rosenberg to explore narcissistic injury, projection, and the deeper psychological forces behind narcissistic rage. Ross explains the roots of narcissistic rage, showing how it stems from a narcissistic injury — an unconscious collapse of the grandiose self — and how projection and shame drive the explosive reactions we often see in these relationships.
If you are interested in a consultation or seeking virtual therapy services, Dr. Mazzella is accepting new patients. Please click here for more detailed information.
Contact me directly with observations, questions, or comments:
[email protected]
Follow The Narcissism Decoder on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Dr. Mazzella’s personal website: drmazzella.com
Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist specializing in narcissism, personality disorders, and relational dynamics.
24 min

About Narcissism Decoder

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Trying to understand narcissism, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), narcissistic relationships, or narcissistic abuse? The Narcissism Decoder goes beyond identifying narcissism to explore why…