Episode 475: Dr. Ramani Durvasula: How Narcissists Hijack Your Mind and Why We Keep Falling for Them

Habits and Hustle

Jen Cohen and Habit Nest

Education, Health & Fitness, Business, Self-improvement, Entrepreneurship

4.4 • 763 Ratings

🗓️ 12 August 2025

⏱️ 85 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Think narcissism only affects insecure or naive people? Think again. In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I talk with Dr. Ramani Durvasula who explains how narcissists manipulate even the most self-aware, high-achieving individuals. We dive into why narcissistic relationships are so hard to leave, how gaslighting corrodes your self-trust, and the emotional price we pay for constantly managing toxic people. Whether it’s a partner, boss, parent, or friend, this episode is your guide to recognizing and protecting yourself from covert manipulation. Dr. Ramani is a licensed clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the internet’s go-to expert on narcissistic abuse. Her work has helped millions decode toxic dynamics through her YouTube channel, books like “Don’t You Know Who I Am?”, and expert commentary on major media outlets. What We Discuss: (03:22) Why narcissistic abuse happens to smart, strong people (08:40) The subtle signs of emotional manipulation (13:05) Why narcissists never play by the same rules (21:55) The unique pain of having a narcissistic parent (32:48) How to set boundaries when leaving isn’t an option (39:12) The myth of the “narcissist who will change” (49:20) Dr. Ramani’s tools for reclaiming your identity (56:44) Can narcissists ever truly love or feel regret? (01:01:15) Are you the narcissist? How to do a reality check (01:06:30) The healing path: therapy, no-contact, and radical clarity …and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off TruNiagen: Head over to truniagen.com and use code HUSTLE20 to get $20 off any purchase over $100. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Bio.me: Link to daily prebiotic fiber here, code Jennifer20 for 20% off. David: Buy 4, get the 5th free at davidprotein.com/habitsandhustle. 99designs by Vista: 99designs.com/jen20 – click "Claim my discount" to get $20 off your first design contest. Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Dr Ramani Durvasula: Website: https://doctor-ramani.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorramani/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorRamani

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, guys. It's Tony Robbins. You're listening to Habits and Hustle. Crush it.
0:09.6	Before we dive into today's episode, I first want to thank our sponsor, Therasage. Their tri-light panel has become my favorite biohacking thing for healing my body. It's a portable red light panel that I
0:23.4	simply cannot live without. I literally bring it with me everywhere I go. And I personally use their
0:29.4	red light therapy to help reduce inflammations and places in my body where honestly I have pain.
0:35.7	You can use it on a sore back, stomach cramps, shoulder, ankle.
0:40.8	Red light therapy is my go-to. Plus, it also has amazing anti-aging benefits, including reducing
0:47.3	signs of fine lines and wrinkles on your face, which I also use it for. I personally use
0:53.2	Therisage trilight everywhere at all the time. It's small,
0:59.1	it's affordable, it's portable, and it's really effective. Head over to therisage.com right now
1:06.7	and use code Be Bold for 15% off.
1:11.5	This code will work sitewide.
1:14.0	Again, head over to Therisage,
1:16.8	T-H-E-R-A-S-A-G-E dot com
1:21.0	and use code be bold
1:23.2	for 15% off any of their products.
1:32.3	Music for 15% off any of their products. Okay, I'm already, I've been yapping already with my guest because I really, really enjoy her.
1:38.9	I love her.
1:39.4	She's so smart.
1:40.6	Her name is Dr. Romney.
1:42.0	I never actually ever said your last name. It's okay. Dervasula.vassala. But people know me as Dr. Romney, so we'll leave it at that. That's what I call you. I call her Dr. Romney because, well, I've known Dr. Romney for many years before she became the Dr. Romney. Well, I'm glad you just known me for a long time. Forget the the Dr. Romney, but I'm just nice to see you again. So nice to see you. So for those who don't know, Dr. Romney is the leading expert in narcissism, but she's way more than that. I mean, her credentials are truly off the charts. And she wrote a book, she wrote many books, but this last book is a little, it's, it's,
2:19.2	it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, a little, a little over year we said.
2:21.2	A little over year.
	...

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