EPISODE 1: What Is Narcissism? How does it show up at work?
Why we’re talking about it
Narcissism is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days. But when it comes to the workplace, it often goes unnoticed, misdiagnosed, or swept under the rug. That’s why we created Narcissism At Work, the debut podcast series from Other Box.
This series breaks the silence around narcissistic abuse in professional settings. It features real-life stories from our community and expert insights from clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani, offering validation, clarity, and tools for recovery so you can reclaim your life and rebuild on your terms.
When I was recovering from my own experience of narcissistic abuse, I noticed that most resources focused on family or romantic dynamics. Almost nothing addressed how narcissism shows up at work, from meetings, performance reviews, leadership styles, or so-called 'mentorship', to how these behaviours actively shape and sustain toxic workplace cultures.
We wanted to change that.
What You Can Expect in episode 01: What is narcissism?
For our very first episode, we’re diving straight into what narcissistic abuse in the workplace actually looks like, how it’s different from “difficult management,” and why it’s so often misunderstood or dismissed. Because let’s be honest, narcissism has become a buzzword online. But not everything is narcissism, and not every narcissist is obvious.
In Episode 1, we explore:
How narcissistic traits can be mistaken for “strong leadership”
Why certain workplace cultures reward toxic behaviour
The mental health impact of narcissistic abuse, including signs of PTSD, anxiety and depression
The origin of the term gaslighting and how it shows up at work
Why so many survivors still struggle with confidence years after leaving
How narcissists use tactics like FOG (Fear, Obligation, Guilt) and CRAP (Control, Responsibility, Anxiety, Projection) to control
Grey-rocking and yellow-rocking: practical strategies to protect your peace
What “narcissistic supply” means and how it plays out in work hierarchies
This episode also features insights from clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani, as well as real-world studies such as the Wolchyk and Antolia Summer studies, and a powerful Starry Night analogy that explains how narcissistic manipulation works.
Our Listener Letters bonus episodes bring you anonymised real stories from the Other Box community, followed by expert breakdowns from Dr. Daksha Hirani.
Why it matters
Work is where many of us spend most of our waking hours, so when the environment becomes toxic, it impacts everything from your confidence and clarity to your health. Narcissistic abuse in the workplace is often minimised or misunderstood, but its effects are deeply real. If you’ve ever felt drained, confused, or like you were the problem…this episode is for you.
We’re here to remind you with this podcast that:
You’re not imagining it.
You’re not alone.
There is life on the other side.
Resources & Further Support
Listen to all episodes: otherbox.co/podcast
Learn more about narcissism, burnout, and protective tools in our Diversity Dictionary course: otherbox.co/education
Subscribe, share, and rate the podcast on Spotify, Acast or wherever you listen.
Whether you’re just starting to question a toxic dynamic or deep into your healing, we hope this podcast helps you name it, understand it, and start to heal from it. Because work should work for you.
———
Narcissism At Work podcast is out now and is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Check out our resources page here for support. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with Other Box.
