logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
58m 20s

Overthinking About Narcissism

Amanda Montell & Studio71
About this episode

Is it just us, or does American culture have narcissism fever? Between 2004 and 2016, the volume of Google searches for the word “narcissist” grew exponentially. Thanks to factors like the rise of therapyspeak, TikTok mental health diagnoses, and badly behaving reality stars-turned-world leaders, discourse about this buzzy, yet poorly understood phenomenon has exploded. Are we as a society becoming more narcissistic? Or are we now over-using and misusing this term to the point of meaninglessness? Wait, is obsessing about other people's narcissism its own kind of narcissism?? In an effort to soothe these thought spirals, host Amanda (@amanda_montell) settled in for an illuminating chat with her debut guest, psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula (@doctorramani), author of the New York Times bestseller "It's Not You" and one of the world's foremost narcissism experts. Tune in for a relatable, brain-tingling, and clarifying discussion about this confounding topic, complete with questions submitted by the "Magical Overthinkers Club" and bits of wisdom to help us overthinkers get out of our own heads. 

- Join the "Magical Overthinkers Club" by following the pod on Instagram @magicaloverthinkers.

- To access early, ad-free episodes and more, subscribe to the Magical Overthinkers Substack.

- Pick up a hard copy of Amanda's book The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, or listen to the audiobook.


Sources: 

What Is Narcissism? Science Confronts a Widely Misunderstood Phenomenon

Time grows on trees: The effect of nature settings on time perception

Therapist Aisha's Instagram


Follow Amanda: @amanda_montell

Follow the show: @magicaloverthinkers

To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkersYouTube 

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening, or by using this link: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers 

If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, DM, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Oct 1
Overthinking About Social Awkwardness
Why does walking into a room, saying the wrong thing, or laughing too loud feel like the end of the world? This week, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by journalist and audio producer Alex Sujong Laughlin (@alexlaughs) to spiral about social awkwardness and the tin ... Show More
47m 5s
Sep 17
Overthinking About Revenge
Revenge is one of our oldest fantasies. It's sharp, seductive, but rarely as satisfying as it promises to be. This week, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by lawyer, author, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, James Kimmel ... Show More
46m 58s
Sep 3
Overthinking About Ditziness
“Ditz.” It’s a word that sounds harmless, silly, soft-edged, even cute. But underneath it is a long, messy history of gendered judgment. This week, host Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) is joined by journalist and author Koa Beck (@koabeck) to gently spiral about the cultural con ... Show More
1h 12m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
731. Narcissim Throughout History
In this episode, Krista welcomes Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a licensed clinical psychologist famous for her expertise in narcissism. On a mission to educate the masses about this high-conflict personality type, Dr. Ramani hosts the popular Navigating Narcissism podcast and has written ... Show More
12m 56s
Dec 2024
Narcissists: Are We Surrounded?
The internet tells us that narcissists are everywhere — and that the problem is only getting worse. It’s like narcissism is oozing out of our celebrities, politicians, partners, parents, maybe even ourselves?? So today, we’re taking a long look in the mirror to find out: are we a ... Show More
51m 33s
Nov 2024
219. How Do You Identify a Narcissist?
What’s the difference between narcissism and high self-esteem? Does social media fuel arrogance or self-consciousness? And do people get less toxic with age?  SOURCES:Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston and visiting professor in management at the Universi ... Show More
40m 48s
Apr 2020
The master manipulators | how to identify and cope with a narcissist
Hello lovely listeners, We wanted to give you a bit of a break from COVID-19 news to bring you into the extremely complex + fascinating world of narcissists. When does over confidence become narcissism? When does the ego overtake empathy and insight? We discuss why people express ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2024
73: Unmasking the Narcissist: Professor Sam Vaknin Reveals the Truth About Narcissism
“Narcissism is about the art of not being." - Prof. Sam VakninIn this compelling episode of Reclamation Radio, Dr. Kelly Brogan sits down with Professor Sam Vaknin to explore the intricate and often misunderstood world of narcissism. With decades of research under his belt, Sam V ... Show More
1h 17m
Jan 2023
79 - Delroy Paulhus: Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Sadism (WITH TRANSCRIPT)
AN INTERACTIVE TRANSCRIPT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS EPISODE: https://share.descript.com/view/PDj7Wi7M2oS or on OUR SUBSTACK Eric chats with Delroy Paulhus, Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. He famously co-created the term dark triad, describing everyday v ... Show More
46m 13s
Aug 2023
The narcissism spectrum: from healthy narcissism to the more toxic forms, with Craig Malkin
Craig Malkin is the author of 'Rethinking Narcissism: The Secret to Recognizing and Coping with Narcissists', in which he describes the spectrum of narcissism: how it can be healthy to have positive illusions about one's self and one's life, as long as those illusions don't becom ... Show More
1h 2m
Jan 2025
How Do I Stop Being Such A People Pleaser?
JVN sits down with Kati Morton, a licensed therapist and bestselling author, to dive deep into the world of people-pleasing. Together, they unpack why people-pleasing isn’t just about being nice—it’s about discomfort with other people’s discomfort, and why it leaves so many of us ... Show More
53m 15s
Mar 2024
The facts of narcissistic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder often shows up in pop culture, but it’s widely misunderstood. Here’s why not every jerk you come across can be called a narcissist.Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a mental health qu ... Show More
10m 8s
Sep 24
Part Two: The Rise of Cancel Culture, Distrust in Science & Misinformation: Dr. Steven Pinker Reveals The Hidden Psychology That Threatens Society.
The Rising Risks of Cancel Culture & The Psychology & Language That Built It! In this explosive episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Dr. Steven Pinker (renowned Harvard psychologist and author of When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows) joins Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen for a ... Show More
54m 41s