The Narcissism Decoder

Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a certified psychoanalyst, and that training shapes how this podcast approaches narcissism. Rather than sticking to behavioral checklists, he unpacks the psychological architecture underneath narcissistic traits -- the shame, the splitting, the false self. It is a more theoretical lens than many shows in this space, but the insights land differently because of it. Episodes run 19 to 33 minutes and come out weekly. Recent topics include why narcissists keep secrets, the real difference between narcissistic and borderline rage, comparing narcissistic fortresses to borderline relating styles, and why arguing with a narcissist never actually works. The show mixes solo analysis episodes with interviews featuring other mental health professionals. Anthony is clearly comfortable with complexity and does not reduce narcissism to a set of bullet points. With 135 episodes and a 4.7 rating, the show has carved out a niche for listeners who want to understand the why behind narcissistic behavior, not just the what. His psychoanalytic framework explains motivations and internal dynamics in ways that behavioral descriptions alone cannot. If you have already learned the basics about narcissism from other shows and want to go deeper into understanding the psychological mechanisms at work, this podcast fills that gap well.