BONUS EPISODE 4: When Work Trauma Comes Home
Listener Letter 4: The Narcissistic Boss That Nearly Cost a Marriage and nearly more.
What happens when narcissistic abuse at work doesn’t just end at the office, but follows someone home, poisoning their relationships, their mental health, and their sense of self?
In this week’s powerful Listener Letter, Mo writes in to share how his wife’s experience working under a narcissistic leader almost ended their marriage and nearly cost her her life. From gaslighting and manipulation to cult-like leadership, we hear what it’s like to watch someone you love spiral under the weight of workplace abuse.
What are Listener Letters?
In our Narcissism At Work podcast series, we launched the Listener Letters bonus episodes to create space for the stories that often go untold. These are real, anonymised letters from the Other Box community, recounting deeply personal experiences of narcissistic abuse in the workplace. Each letter is read aloud and followed by insights from clinical psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani, who helps unpack the behaviours, provides validation, and offers tools for recovery.
These episodes are for anyone who has ever felt confused, gaslit, or silenced in a work setting and thought, "Was it really that bad?" Spoiler: It probably was.
Why We’re Talking About It
Workplaces are where many of us spend most of our time. And when power imbalances go unchecked, whether through gender, race, seniority, or other forms of privilege, it creates the perfect conditions for narcissistic abuse to thrive. What makes it harder to name is that this abuse often masquerades as mentorship, allyship, or leadership. These stories shine a light on what’s really happening behind closed doors.
Episode Themes: Listener Letter 4 - Mo’s Story
Themes explored in this episode include:
What narcissistic control looks like behind closed doors
The ripple effect of workplace toxicity on families and loved ones
How narcissists isolate victims by turning them against their support systems
Why survivors often defend their abuser, even when they know it’s wrong
Tools for supporters who feel helpless, stuck, or unsure how to intervene
Why It Matters
Mo’s story isn’t just about one toxic boss, it’s about how narcissistic abuse at work can shatter lives far beyond the office. And the emotional whiplash of watching someone you love be manipulated, doubting yourself, and feeling powerless to intervene.
When cruelty is disguised as “coaching,” when abuse is reframed as ambition, and when strong, bright people are broken down, we need to remember it’s not just them who suffer but also their health, their family and entire support systems.
This episode is here to remind you:
You weren’t overreacting.
You didn’t imagine it.
You did what you could with what you had.
By telling these stories, we help others recognise the signs, name what happened, and realise you’re not alone. And in doing so, we begin to turn shame into clarity and survival into healing.
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, Apple Podcasts, 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.
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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.
