My Inner Torch

Send us Fan Mail As a New Year dawns, I find myself reflecting on the disorientation that can linger after the holiday season, especially for those of us who have navigated challenging relationships with individuals exhibiting Cluster B personality disorders. It’s so easy to confuse trauma bonds with true love. I’ve seen how love bombing—an overwhelming affection often displayed by narcissists or...

Send us Fan Mail In my journey through relationships with individuals who exhibit Cluster B personality disorders, particularly those with narcissistic and borderline traits, I’ve encountered a whirlwind of emotional challenges and complexities. Drawing on insights from Annie about narcissistic abuse, I’ve identified 13 specific difficulties that resonate deeply with my experiences. For instance,...

Send us Fan Mail It has been my experience that navigating relationships with individuals who have Cluster B personality disorders can be particularly challenging, especially during the holiday season when expectations for family connections tend to rise. That's why it is imperative to approach these interactions with care and understanding. I remind myself to avoid sharing personal details t...

Send us Fan Mail I often find myself grappling with the emotional challenges that come with being in a relationship with someone who exhibits Cluster B personality traits, especially during the festive season when everyone seems to expect happiness. I feel torn between my desire for a better relationship and the harsh reality of disappointment. The societal pressures and my fears of loneliness oft...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s podcast I explore the challenges of ending relationships with individuals who exhibit Cluster B personality traits, particularly those who are narcissistic or have borderline personality disorder. I’ve realized that distancing myself from these toxic individuals can be a liberating experience, paving the way for personal growth and healthier connections. I share my stru...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating a relationship with someone who has a Cluster B personality disorder has been notably difficult for me. I’ve experienced blame-shifting and gaslighting that undermine my self-validation and esteem. I’ve noticed that individuals with these traits often depend on others while harboring resentment, creating a confusing and draining emotional environment for partners like m...

Send us Fan Mail Let's listen back to January of this year with a "Look Back Listen" to a popular podcast I published "Living in the Shadow of a Disordered Mind". I am writing a book with the same title that chronicles over two decades of living with my wife whom I suspect is a Covert Narcissist. I plan to publish this book before the end of the year.  If you haven't...

Send us Fan Mail In my exploration of love dynamics in relationships with individuals exhibiting Cluster B personality traits, particularly covert narcissism, and borderline personality disorders, I draw from my own experiences. I’ve noticed how the term “love” is often used superficially, lacking genuine substance, and frequently manipulated as a tool for control. I’ve experienced the confusion a...

Send us Fan Mail I often find myself feeling like a clown in a chaotic “3 ring circus” because of my interactions with someone who exhibits traits of Cluster B personality disorders, like narcissism and borderline personality disorder. I’ve noticed that these individuals frequently chase after unrealistic happiness and set unattainable expectations, which leads to a constant cycle of disappointmen...

Send us Fan Mail In my exploration of the emotional challenges I face while living with someone who I suspect has a Cluster B personality disorder, I emphasize the importance of recognizing the struggles that come with this experience. I explore the prolonged healing process from the emotional wounds inflicted by my wife, who often scapegoated our close relationships, including our family and frie...

Send us Fan Mail In today's Podcast I emphasize the importance of recognizing your agency in relationships, especially when you find yourself involved with individuals exhibiting Cluster B personality traits, who often show emotional unavailability. I understand that while familial ties may limit my options, you can choose in romantic partnerships and assert self-determination. Reflecting on...

Send us Fan Mail In today's podcast, I explore the complexities and challenges of my relationships with my wife who I suspect has a Cluster B personality disorder. I emphasize the importance of recognizing the signs of dysfunction and reflecting on what constitutes a healthy relationship. I share personal experiences that illustrate my transition from initial attentiveness to feelings of imba...

Send us Fan Mail I often feel frustrated with those of us who romanticize relationships with individuals exhibiting cluster B personality traits, especially during and after a divorce. I remember a specific instance where someone mourned a “best friend” they believed to be a covert narcissist. I found their feelings misguided because these individuals were never true friends. It’s so important to...

Send us Fan Mail In today's podcast, I explore the complexities and emotional turmoil of being in a relationship with someone who exhibits Cluster B personality traits, such as narcissism or borderline personality disorder. I often find myself feeling confused and imbalanced, needing to tread carefully to avoid triggering my emotionally immature partner’s reactions. I have personal experience...

Send us Fan Mail I initiated my podcast in September 2020 as a platform to document my journey while helping others navigate the complexities of relationship dynamics, especially those involving narcissism. Over the past four years, I’ve shared insights about my long-term marriage. Initially, I believed my wife had borderline personality traits, but I now suspect she may be a covert narcissist. I...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast, I discuss the trauma that comes from relationships with individuals who have Cluster B personality disorders, drawing on my own experiences and the struggle of feeling victimized. I encourage listeners to recognize their self-worth and steer clear of unhealthy relationships, using the metaphor of changing out ill-fitting shoes. Many of us grapple with the decision...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast “Getting Past Love,” I delve into the challenges of moving on from relationships with individuals who exhibit cluster B personality traits. I focus on my personal experiences of disappointment rather than heartbreak. Reflecting on my disillusionment with my partner, a covert narcissist, I emphasize the absence of genuine love and the toxic dynamics that characteriz...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s podcast I outline nine signs of a toxic relationship in the hope of raising awareness and helping others recognize similar patterns without viewing themselves as victims. I find myself reflecting on the complexities of recognizing a toxic relationship, especially when my wife exhibits traits associated with Cluster B personality disorders, like narcissism. Initially, I...

Send us Fan Mail In today's podcast, I delve into the theme of distorted reality in relationships, particularly with individuals who exhibit Cluster B personality disorders, like narcissism. I share how these individuals manipulate perceptions through tactics such as gaslighting, creating false narratives that lead their partners to overlook abusive behaviors. Often, I find myself and others...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast, I share my journey through the trauma I experienced from a long-term marriage with someone I suspect is a covert narcissist. I reflect on the early days when I idealized my partner, only to later uncover troubling behaviors and red flags. I delve into the psychological manipulation that often characterizes these relationships, particularly the DARVO concept, where...

Send us Fan Mail I find that self-reflection plays a crucial role in my relationships, especially when dealing with individuals who exhibit Cluster B personality disorders, such as narcissism and borderline personality disorder. I often try to understand my wife’s behaviors, but I realize that I sometimes overlook my own motivations for staying in dysfunctional relationships. Insights from Maria C...

Send us Fan Mail In the podcast “The Long Goodbye,” I explore my emotional struggles within my 23-year marriage to my wife, whom I suspect may be a covert narcissist. I share my feelings of disconnection and describe our relationship as more of a role-play than a genuine bond. Through conversations with friends, I’ve realized I am mourning a relationship that never truly existed. I grapple with th...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast of My Inner Torch I explore the complexities of my relationships with individuals who exhibit cluster B personality traits, such as narcissism and borderline personality disorder. I’ve noticed a typical progression in these relationships, starting with love bombing and escalating to splitting and eventual discarding, which often leaves me feeling disposable. I stru...

Send us Fan Mail In this 200th podcast of My Inner Torch, I address the loneliness that often accompanies relationships with narcissists, sharing how these dynamics can leave me feeling invisible and unsupported. I emphasize that no matter the type of abuser, if my relationship lacks mutual love and intimacy, it’s not worth holding onto. I discuss my tendency as an empath and people pleaser to abs...

Send us Fan Mail In today's podcast, I want to delve into the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who has a Cluster B personality disorder, particularly focusing on covert narcissists. Contemplating leaving such a relationship can be incredibly painful. Still, I have realized the importance of prioritizing my self-care and envisioning a future where I can heal independently. It...