Unmasking the Nice Guy Syndrome & Narcissism w/ Dr. Les Carter

In today’s episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sits down with renowned psychologist Dr. Les Carter. He is an expert in narcissism and the creator of the Surviving Narcissism YouTube channel. He has over four decades of clinical experience. Dr. Carter has spent his career exploring how narcissistic tendencies manifest in men. He highlights how they damage relationships. He also focuses on why so many fall into the trap of what’s commonly called Nice Guy syndrome.

“I think the word narcissism is overused,” Dr. Carter admits early in the conversation. “It’s all over TikTok, Instagram, and pop psychology—but beneath the buzzword lies a very real and damaging set of behaviors.” Dr. Carter illustrates how many men mask their insecurities with charm and superficial kindness. This often leads to manipulation, emotional abuse in relationships, and volatile personal dynamics.

Dr. Carter's expertise isn't just academic. He has spent decades counseling men through anger issues and relationship challenges. This experience has given him deep insight into common behavioral patterns. Many of these patterns are ones most people miss. “You can tell the most about a person’s maturity by watching how they manage conflict,” he explains. This conversation isn’t just about identifying narcissists. It is about recognizing unhealthy behaviors in ourselves and finding ways to grow beyond them.