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Tag: Sam Vaknin

Selfish or Narcissist? (The Nerve with Maureen Callahan)

The discussion focused on the psychological dynamics between narcissists and their non-narcissist partners, emphasizing the powerful self-delusions and cyclical patterns such as idealization, devaluation, and discard. It highlighted how narcissists impair their partners’ reality testing, isolate them from support systems, and create emotional dependence through shared, controlling fantasies. The conversation also distinguished between selfishness, selflessness, and narcissism, proposing “soulfulness” as a healthy middle ground.

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12.09.2025

Severe Borderline Personality Disorder in Mothers (The Nerve with Maureen Callahan)

The discussion focused on the complex dynamics of mothers with borderline personality disorder who may exhibit worsened narcissistic and psychopathic traits with age, often confusing their children with contrasting public charm and private cruelty. It was highlighted that co-morbidities such as narcissism and psychopathy, which exist on a spectrum and can manifest as functional behaviors, worsen over time and exacerbate familial challenges. The conversation also addressed the lasting psychological impact on children, who internalize feelings of inadequacy and failure due to their mother’s behavior, resulting in enduring emotional struggles.

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12.09.2025

It’s Okay To Say: Mother Is The Problem (The Nerve with Maureen Callahan)

Sam and Maureen Callahan discussed the challenges faced by individuals with borderline or dysfunctional mothers, highlighting two main issues: negative messaging that instills feelings of unworthiness and the mother’s tendency to set the child up for failure. Children dealing with such mothers often internalize the blame, believing they are the problem to avoid the terrifying truth that their mother is dysfunctional, which could threaten their survival. This deep-seated belief makes it difficult for individuals to achieve self-awareness and accept that the dysfunction lies with the mother, not themselves, as the inner child remains fearful of this reality.

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08.09.2025

Into Narcissist’s Heart of Darkness (URL Podcast)

The meeting provided a detailed distinction between narcissistic personality disorder and psychopathy, emphasizing that narcissism is a severe mental illness rooted in disrupted self-formation and pathological dependence on external validation, while psychopathy is a socially deviant personality style without mental illness classification. It highlighted the hereditary and environmental factors contributing to narcissism’s development, the typical behaviors and risks associated with narcissistic individuals in relationships and society, and offered practical advice on recognizing and protecting oneself from narcissistic abuse. Finally, the discussion affirmed that recovery and healing from narcissistic abuse are highly achievable through self-awareness, therapy, and integrating traumatic experiences rather than erasing them.

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08.09.2025

(Part 2) 10 Ways Narcissist Distorts Your Worldview (EXCERPT Skopje Seminar, 2025)

The speaker discussed how narcissists manipulate others by creating a shared fantasy that isolates victims from reality and social connections, undermining their self-worth and trust in themselves. This manipulation involves projective identification where the narcissist projects their internalized negative traits onto the victim, leading to feelings of unlovability and existential loneliness. The speaker also touched on the differences between narcissism and psychosis, and introduced the concept of malignant narcissists who combine narcissism with psychopathy and sadism, emphasizing the complex psychological impact on victims.

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07.09.2025

Monotheism: Root of Narcissism, Evil (Intro to talk with Eve Tawfik)

The discussion focused on the conflict in Gaza, attributing its roots to religious clashes rather than civilizational differences, emphasizing the exclusivity and intolerance inherent in monotheistic religions. The speakers highlighted how monotheism fosters individual and collective tensions, influencing politics and giving rise to exclusionary secular ideologies. They advocated for open-mindedness and civil discourse, demonstrating through their dialogue that respectful conversation is possible despite deep disagreements.

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05.09.2025

Warning to Neuroscientists: Keep Away from Psychology!

The speaker critically examined the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, asserting that while neuroscience has valid scientific contributions, especially in studying brain functions like memory and cognition, psychology remains a pseudoscience lacking reproducibility, reliable clinical entities, and scientific rigor. The speaker highlighted major flaws in neuroscience studies related to psychological disorders, including small sample sizes, poor methodology, non-replicability, and the confounding influence of co-morbidities. Ultimately, the discussion emphasized that coupling immature neuroscience with pseudoscientific psychology undermines both fields, questioning the validity of constructs like ADHD and narcissistic personality disorder. Neuroscientists …

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04.09.2025

ADHD: Fad? Environment-Individual Discrepancy

The discussion centered on the controversial nature of ADHD, questioning its legitimacy due to unclear diagnostic criteria and lack of definitive biological markers. Experts highlighted that ADHD symptoms may largely result from a mismatch between individual neurobiological capacities and environmental demands, with factors like sleep deprivation playing a significant role. The use of stimulant medications was described as providing temporary behavioral improvements, emphasizing the need for broader environmental and educational adjustments rather than solely relying on medication.

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03.09.2025

Gaza, Religion: Israeli, Arab-English Journo TALK (with Eve Tawfik) (Link to INTRO in Description)

The discussion focused on the enduring and complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing its deep historical roots, religious dimensions, and the tragic human cost on both sides, especially in Gaza. Both participants acknowledged the improbability of a peaceful resolution given entrenched narratives, geopolitical realities, and escalating violence, while highlighting the plight of innocent civilians caught in the conflict. The conversation also touched on broader themes such as the nature of collective identity versus individual significance, the impact of monotheism on intolerance, and contemporary political dynamics influencing the region.

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02.09.2025

“Betraying” the Narcissist: Don’t Feel Guilty! (Survivor Guilt)

Discussed the complex emotions of survivor guilt experienced by those who have endured narcissistic abuse, emphasizing the deep sense of betrayal and responsibility survivors feel toward the narcissist, who is likened to a traumatized child trapped in an adult body. It highlighted the destructive nature of the narcissistic relationship as a toxic fantasy, where survivors mistakenly blame themselves for the failure of the relationship, despite the narcissist’s incapacity for genuine love or pain. Ultimately, the meeting encouraged survivors to understand that they are abandoning an illusion and to prioritize their own healing and self-preservation above the destructive dynamic.

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31.08.2025

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