The School of Greatness

Family Therapist: The #1 Sign You Were Raised by Narcissistic Parents

Mar 19, 2025

In a thought-provoking conversation, Jerry Wise, a seasoned life and relationship counselor with 45 years of experience, sheds light on the lasting impact of being raised by narcissistic parents. He eloquently discusses the 'family trance' that shapes our identities, revealing how unresolved issues can ripple into the next generation. Listeners learn about self-differentiation, empowering strategies to reclaim their authentic selves, and the hope that it's never too late to rewrite their childhood narratives and heal from emotional dysfunction.

01:23:20

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Jerry Wise

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Quick takeaways

The concept of 'malignant normalcy' illustrates how dysfunctional family dynamics can become normalized, impacting one's adult relationships.

Self-differentiation is a vital process allowing individuals to recognize unhealthy patterns from their upbringing while remaining emotionally connected to their families.

Reflecting on childhood experiences with narcissistic parents can help individuals understand their guilt and criticism, fostering personal healing.

Deep dives

Book and Podcast Tour Announcement

The speaker announces an exciting event featuring a simultaneous book and podcast tour for their new book, 'Make Money Easy'. This tour will visit seven cities in ten days, including Austin, New York, Boston, Nashville, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. The aim is to engage audiences seeking financial freedom and abundance, encouraging attendees to bring friends and family to the live shows. The speaker emphasizes the opportunity to see notable guests and urges listeners to secure their tickets quickly.

Navigating Relationships with Narcissistic Parents

04:59

Understanding Narcissism and Self-Differentiation in Family Dynamics

03:38

Intro

2min

Identifying the Impact of Narcissistic Parenting

2min

Healing from Narcissistic Upbringings

20min

Navigating Confrontation and Childhood Trauma

5min

Healing from Narcissistic Parenting

19min

Navigating Relationships with Narcissistic Parents

5min

Reclaiming Identity in Family Dynamics

17min

Understanding Narcissism and Self-Differentiation in Family Dynamics

4min

Narcissism and Parenting Dynamics

11min

10.

Healing Family Dynamics and Financial Freedom

8min

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Most of us unknowingly live under what family therapy expert Jerry Wise calls "the family trance" – a powerful force that shapes our identity without our awareness. After 45 years helping thousands break free from dysfunctional family patterns, Jerry reveals how our adult struggles often stem from inherited emotional programming that creates a "malignant normalcy" within us. Through our conversation, he shares the revolutionary concept of self-differentiation – the courageous process of separating your true self from your family's expectations while remaining emotionally connected. When Jerry states "whatever issues I leave unresolved, who gets to resolve them? My children," I realized this might be the most transformative conversation we've had about breaking generational patterns. His profound insight that "it's never too late to have a happy childhood" offers hope to anyone trapped in cycles of criticism, people-pleasing, or emotional reactivity that originated in their family system.

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In this episode you will learn:

Why criticizing yourself harshly is often your "family self" talking, not your authentic voice
How to identify if you had narcissistic parents and what that means for your adult relationships
The three levels of resistance you'll face when changing family dynamics and how to overcome them
Why trying to change your parents is futile, but changing yourself transforms the entire system
The difference between setting outer boundaries and the crucial inner boundaries needed for healing
How the "fantasy" of finally getting parental approval keeps many adults emotionally stuck
Why it's never too late to have a happy childhood through self-parenting and inner child work
The three core elements needed for lasting change: self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-differentiation

For more information go to https://www.lewishowes.com/1747

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