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The Covert Narcissism Podcast

Renee Swanson, Bleav
Covert Narcissism
Emotional Abuse
Healing
Mental Health
Relationships
Covert Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic Abuse
Self-Improvement
Gaslighting
Narcissism
Parenting
Therapy
Self-Care
Emotional Healing
Divorce
Childhood Trauma
Family Dynamics
Emotional Manipulation
Healthy Relationships
Boundaries

Covert narcissistic abuse crushes one’s soul. This podcast is devoted to understanding covert narcissistic abuse, its effect on the victims, and how to heal.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes497Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsEducationSelf-ImprovementSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Covert Narcissism Podcast

Latest Episodes

How someone treats the family dog or cat can tell you a lot about covert narcissism, and it can reveal what you’ve been living with all along. In this episode, Renee Swanson explains how a covert narcissist treats their pets: as supply, as a trophy, ... more

When we think of financial abuse, we usually picture the partner who earns the money and controls every dollar. Liz Tenuto’s story was the opposite. She was working six days a week to support her household while her husband quietly took over her bank... more

YouTube

What is a narcissist, and why does covert narcissism make real closeness feel impossible, no matter how hard you try? This is part two of a two-part series on the two defining characteristics that destroy relationships with a narcissist. Part one cov... more

YouTube

How do you explain emotional abuse to the people around you when you can barely explain it to yourself? In this episode, the roles are reversed. High-conflict divorce coach Eleanor Marks interviews Renee about her new book, This Is Not Okay, and the ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Liz Tenuto
Somatic educator and nervous-system practitioner, author of When the Body Speaks, and creator of The Workout Witch.
The Workout Witch
Episode: He Had My Money and My Passwords | Covert Narcissism with Liz Tenuto, Part 1
Eleanor Marks
High-conflict divorce coach who leads support groups for people divorcing a covert narcissist
Episode: When It’s Hard to Explain What You’re Living | Covert Narcissism with Eleanor Marks
Rebecca Zung
Attorney and author discussed in-part two of the series
Episode: Protecting Yourself From a Narcissist in Court with Rebecca Zung, Part Two
Anne Wintemute
Founder of Aimee Says
Aimee Says
Episode: Covert Narcissism and AI: Documentation, Court, and Privacy, Part 2 | Anne Wintemute
Amy Lewis Bear
Psychotherapist; author of From Charm to Harm and When Loving You Means Losing Me, How to Escape the Echo Complex and Reclaim Your Sense of Self
Therapy/Author
Episode: Covert Narcissism and the Echo Complex: Losing Yourself in a Relationship, Part 1, with Amy Lewis Bear
Jenny Young
PhD linguist, creator of Burned Haystack Dating Method
Self-employed/Author
Episode: Narcissist or Not? Decoding Red Flags in Dating Apps & Texts (with Dr. Jenny Young)
Don Hennessy
Irish psychotherapist and author of How He Gets Into Her Head
Independent practitioner
Episode: Narcissistic Abuse & Predatory Behavior: You've Been Made to Think It's Your Fault
Lisa D. Stinson
Clinical psychologist and author of The Obligation Myth
Substack and author
Episode: How to Set Boundaries With a Toxic Aging Parent (Without the Guilt)
Rachel Bernstein
Licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in cult intervention and reacclamation
Los Angeles-based clinician
Episode: The Cult of Two: How Covert Narcissists Use Mind Control in Relationships with Rachel Bernstein LMFT

Host

Renee Swanson
Host of The Covert Narcissism Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • 09/27/2026 episode

    Renee, I’m listening to your ex-husband reacting to your son fidgeting, to your ex even breathing is taken as not listening.

    My father has been this way as far back as I can remember. Scared me so, I would be frozen with fear. I’m 65 and it happened again just yesterday. Still makes me feel uncomfortable, nervous, the 5 year old all over again.

    I have spastic ataxia, nerve damage spinal cord injury; I whipped backwards while being spoken to and my 86 yr old Dad let out an exasperated sigh.

    Wow. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TimMan+SweetiePuss
    United States3 months ago
  • Thank you

    I am grateful for this podcast. Your insights and shared experiences are invaluable to so many people. Thank you Renee for leading those of us who are still trapped towards the light one step at a time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dreaming of the day
    Australia4 months ago
  • Finally some clarity and validation

    Renee has lived it and done the research. Just the realization that the problematic things that were going on in my relationship that I thought were unique to my ex were not. Other people experienced the same type of behavior and habits that I did and there’s a reason and a name for it and you are not alone. Narcissistic abuse can make you feel so isolated and even guilty for staying but this is a community that understands and provides not only support but the knowledge you need to deal with... more

    Audible
    5
    Cindy Gardner
    United States6 months ago
  • Good podcast !

    Podcast Addict
    5
    inga
    7 months ago
  • The illusion of choice

    Renee compassionately and articulately addresses the dark web of narcissistic abuse. This analogy to Dracula is brilliant! It unpacks the realities of living with a covert narcissist, while protecting victims from any blame or shame. She is a voice of clarity in an ever increasing crowded environment of narcissistic abuse.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hpytobefree
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently clear-eyed about manipulation and recovery
Community-focused and reassuring for healing journeys
Honest, trauma-informed storytelling with actionable advice
Genuine, empowering and practical for survivors
Valuable resource for understanding covert narcissism and boundaries

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

He Had My Money and My Passwords | Covert Narcissism with Liz Tenuto, Part 1
Q: What is a good approach on that? So you went to the bank, you found out through the banks that something was going on with everything. Can you step us through that process for somebody listening who goes, okay, I'm in the same situation, what do I do?
Tenuto advises investigating suspicions, contacting financial institutions to regain account access, using a secure email account, documenting the finances, and quietly creating an exit plan while prioritizing safety.
He Had My Money and My Passwords | Covert Narcissism with Liz Tenuto, Part 1
Q: Can you tell me what that really looked like inside your relationship?
Tenuto says her husband installed a remote access device on her laptop, accessed her accounts and passwords, rerouted bank alerts and two-factor codes, transferred money into accounts in his name, and used her credit cards.
What Narcissists Really Want in a Divorce with Rebecca Zung, Part One
Q: What is the first move for someone about to negotiate with a narcissistic person, and what do most people get wrong?
Zung says the first move is internal: decide to set boundaries, recognize triggers without reacting, and refuse disrespectful interactions. She recommends calming the nervous system, not justifying, arguing, defending, or explaining, and documenting provocative behavior.
What Narcissists Really Want in a Divorce with Rebecca Zung, Part One
Q: Can you unpack the idea that high-conflict people aren't always motivated by money, love, or logic, but by image?
Zung says image can mean appearing to be the hero or victim, while chaos and control keep the other person stuck and cast as the bad one. She explains that this can make the goalposts keep moving even when the apparent demand is met.
When It’s Hard to Explain What You’re Living | Covert Narcissism with Eleanor Marks
Q: Would you share a little bit about that divorce group here?
Marks describes a six-week online group beginning November 9, 2026, covering radical acceptance, attorneys and the court system, children, self-care, and planning for life after divorce. The group is limited to eight participants and meets on Zoom.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Covert Narcissism Podcast

What is The Covert Narcissism Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A podcast focused on understanding covert narcissistic abuse and its impact on survivors, with a strong emphasis on healing, boundaries, and community support. Across episodes, listeners hear personal narratives from survivors, expert insights on abuse dynamics, and practical tools—from coaching and therapy to group programs—that help people reclaim autonomy, set boundaries, and navigate complex family dynamics, including parental alienation and co-parenting. A notable strength is the integrated approach: earnest storytelling paired with actionable frameworks, community resources, and ongoing coaching options that support long-term recovery. This mix makes it helpful for anyone seeking validation, clarity, and concrete steps toward healing ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Covert Narcissism Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Covert Narcissism Podcast:

1. Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse
2. You Are Not Crazy
3. Waking Up to Narcissism
4. Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse
5. Love and Abuse

How many episodes of The Covert Narcissism Podcast are there?

The Covert Narcissism Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 497 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Covert Narcissism Podcast?

Recent guests on The Covert Narcissism Podcast include:

1. Liz Tenuto
2. Eleanor Marks
3. Rebecca Zung
4. Anne Wintemute
5. Amy Lewis Bear
6. Jenny Young
7. Don Hennessy
8. Lisa D. Stinson

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