logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
50m 25s

Empathy and Narcissism

Jennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof
About this episode

Believe it or not, empaths and narcissists have foundational similarities. Not only does the brain chemistry look the same, but empaths and narcissists both struggle with nervous system regulation and look to others to help them regulate their emotions. But whereas the narcissist avoids the emotions of others, empaths are deeply affected and have a physiological experience to the emotions of others on a subconscious level. This can lead to emotional fatigue, chronic stress, poor sense of self and more.

So what’s the difference between having empathy and being an empath, and how can you change subconscious behavior? In this episode, Elisabeth, Jennifer and Matt cover the signs of being an empath, the causes of elevated empathy, such as deficits in the interoceptive system, and how it impacts our overall health.

What’s the difference between possessing narcissistic traits and being a narcissist? Can we say narcissistic personality disorder is real when we don’t believe in personalities? How does narcissism develop, and what does it look like in the brain? Tune in as your hosts answer all these questions and more with Matt Bush of Next Level Neuro!

This episode explores the neurology of narcissism, the spectrum of narcissism, and how narcissism can evolve as a survival response when it seems so counterintuitive to our social need for connection. Matt is an expert in applied neurology, so he shares the science of what narcissism looks like in the brain, such as where deficits exist in the brain and how they reflect in a narcissist's emotional skills and empathy towards others.

Topics discussed in this episode:

 

  • What it means to be an empath

  • Empathy from a neurosomatic perspective

  • Causes of high empathy

  • Why being an empath isn’t always a good thing

  • How deficits in the interoceptive system lead to empath behavior

  • The correlation between sensory mismatch and empathy

  • How to retain your empathic gifts and also prioritize yourself

  • Nervous system regulation as a tool for change

  • Definition of narcissistic personality disorder

  • How narcissism develops from an NSI perspective

  • What narcissism looks like in the brain

  • The reward circuit in the narcissistic brain

  • Why narcissists lack empathy

  • How narcissists experience emotions

 

Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the next cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com

 

Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com

 

Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired

 

Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846

 

FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Trauma Rewired podcast  is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. 

We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. 

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available.  We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast.

We  invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization.

We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs. 

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional.

The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis. 

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. 

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at traumarewired@gmail.com 

All rights in our content are reserved

 

Up next
Jul 7
What is Parentification? A nervous system deep dive
Explore the Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification: https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/ What if the invisible responsibilities you carried as a child are still shaping your adult life? In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we explore parentification—a hidden form of chil ... Show More
36m 50s
Jun 30
Fear Memory, The Brain, And The Roots of PTSD
Why do some people develop PTSD after trauma while others recover? What if it’s not about the trauma itself, but the state of your nervous system when it happens? In this episode of Trauma Rewired, we’re joined again by Matt Bush, founder of Next Level Neuro and a lead educator i ... Show More
43m 47s
Jun 23
Overstimulated, Overwhelmed, Misunderstood; ADHD through the Neurosomatic Lens
When we think of ADHD, we often define it as a list of symptoms: distractibility, impulsivity, hyperactivity. But what if this view is incomplete? What if ADHD is not a deficit at all, but an intelligent set of adaptations your nervous system made to survive in a world that didn’ ... Show More
49m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Talking about Trauma won't heal you
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Talking about trauma doesn’t heal trauma. For a lot of people, it makes them feel much worse especially if you have PTSD. This is one thing that sets human brains ap ... Show More
22m 17s
Nov 2024
How Relationships Shape Your Brain | Dr. Allan Schore
In this episode, my guest is Dr. Allan Schore, Ph.D., a faculty member in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, a longtime clinical psychotherapist, and a multi-book author. We discuss how early child-parent interaction ... Show More
2h 7m
Dec 2024
Re-Regulating your Nervous System after CPTSD with Crappy Childhood Fairy Anna Runkle
Learn the skills to regulate your emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Check out Anna's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZlDCbFTqHkzV_rUP4V5bg In this episode, we delve into the concept of complex PTSD and how dysregulat ... Show More
42m 42s
Dec 2023
412: Broken Trust: The Impact Of Betrayal Trauma + How EMDR Can Help With Marcken Volmy LMHC, NCC
Welcome back to Therapy Chat. This week I interviewed author, EMDR-Certified therapist and Consultant In Training Marcken Volmy, LMHC about how EMDR can help with betrayal trauma and the impact of broken trust. We explored how betrayal by trusted figures and institutions can shat ... Show More
37m 31s
Aug 2024
442: Healing Collective Trauma With Dr. Thomas Hübl
This week on Therapy Chat, my guest is Dr. Thomas Hübl. We talked about his work over more than 2 decades working with groups of survivors of war, oppression, genocide and other collective traumas about how healing happens. This episode is particularly timely at this point in his ... Show More
45m 10s
Nov 2024
Bessel van der Kolk , MD| The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Bessel van der Kolk, legendary trauma expert and author of The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma reveals a revolutionary approach to healing trauma. Discover how trauma profoundly impacts the brain and body, making growth difficult by trapping u ... Show More
1h 1m
Mar 2025
1123: David Eagleman | Your Prehistoric Brain on Modern Problems
David Eagleman explains why counterfeiting works, how our empathy fails, why mind reading remains elusive, and if we'll ever upload our minds to computers. What We Discuss with David Eagleman: Dr. David Eagleman worked with the European Central Bank on anti-counterfeiting measure ... Show More
1h 9m
Dec 2024
The Power of Acceptance & Commitment (ACT Therapy) with Dr. Diana Hill (252)
Transform conflict into connection with ACT Dr. Diana Hill and co-host Dr. Ann Kelley explore the power of process-based therapy to improve relationships and wellbeing. Through various methods like the 6 principles of ACT, the understanding of values, and the family body analogy, ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2024
Understanding Overwhelm as a Trauma Response with Dr. Aimie Apigian
In this conversation, Monique Koven and Dr. Aimie Apigian discuss the topic of overwhelm and how it relates to trauma and our nervous system. They explore the concept of overwhelm as a trauma response and the ways in which our body tries to protect us from it. They also discuss t ... Show More
35m 22s
Feb 2025
471: Coming Together After Trauma – With Dr. Thomas Hubl
Welcome back to Therapy Chat! Today I'm bringing you a replay episode with Dr. Thomas Hübl. We talked about his work over more than 2 decades working with groups of survivors of war, oppression, genocide and other collective traumas about how healing happens. This episode is part ... Show More
47m 1s