You left. You blocked them. You did everything you were “supposed” to do to break free from the covert narcissist in your life.
But somehow… they’re still there.
In your thoughts.
In your inner dialogue.
In the way you second-guess yourself when no one’s even around.
In this episode, we explore why covert narcissists continue to live “rent free” in your head long after the relationship ends — and how emotional abuse rewires your brain, leaving behind patterns of self-doubt, hypervigilance, and internalized gaslighting.
You’ll learn:
Why “leaving” doesn’t always mean freedom
How trauma bonds keep you psychologically hooked
What it looks like when their voice becomes your inner critic
How to begin reclaiming your mental space and evict the intruder for good
What to do if you're still in the relationship but want to begin your mental and emotional freedom now
Whether you’ve left or are still trying to plan your exit, this episode offers practical steps and deep validation for anyone struggling to find peace after covert narcissistic abuse.
And in honor of Independence Day, we talk about what real freedom looks like — the kind you fight for inside your own mind.
United States of Kennedy
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com