In this episode of The Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) unpack the tricky topic of communal narcissism, exploring its characteristics, behaviors, and the environments in which these individuals thrive. We discuss the distinction between agentic and communal traits, the illusion of selflessness, and how communal narcissists often deceive themselves and others. We further highlight the presence of communal narcissism in charities, social media, and religious organizations. By examining the darker aspects of this personality type, we discuss insights about collective narcissism and the potential for harmful group dynamics. The episode concludes with insights on recognizing communal narcissism in relationships and its correlation with wealth and power.

Chapters
00:00 Intro & History of Communal Narcissism
03:40 What is Communal Narcissism?
05:39 Where Communal Narcissists Show Up
09:22 Social Media in Communal Narcissism
12:15 Communal Narcissism in Religious Settings
13:36 Cults and Collective Narcissism
18:31 Communal Narcissism in Politics
19:42 Recognizing the Signs of Communal Narcissism
23:17 Communal Narcissism in Relationships
26:37 Summary and Key Takeaways