Humanizing Narcissism: From Shame to Sovereignty

Welcome to the Jaime Fleres Podcast, a sanctuary for soulful creatives, heart-centered visionaries, and nonfiction authors exploring conscious creativity, personal transformation, and soulcentric embodied ways of being. Each episode offers inspiration, insight, and guidance for navigating the thresholds of creativity, life transitions, and self-expression. In this week’s episode I sit down with Steven Francisci – disabled veteran, mental health advocate, and author – who shares with vulnerability and incredible wisdom his experience healing from narcissistic patterns of behavior he once built to survive, and how he unlearned, deconditioned and healed, building a new identity and way of being in the world that is truly inspiring and a model for others. This conversation goes deep into high sensitivity and trauma in young boys, patterns of narcissism, shame, grief, control, accountability, and what it actually takes to rebuild your identity from the inside out. If you are curious about the gritty and glorious path of healing from narcissism, complex PTSD, and what it looks like to actually dissolve identities and patterns that don’t support you to build those that help you thrive and leave a legacy of compassion and healing, you won’t want to miss this one. ***Content note: This conversation includes reflective discussion of a guest’s past experience with suicidal ideation. We invite listeners to care for themselves and engage at their own pace. About Steven Francisci Steven is a disabled veteran, mental health advocate, author, and devoted father focused on healing, personal growth, and trauma-informed awareness. He has served for nearly five years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), supporting children and families through challenging circumstances. He also serves on the Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Board of Directors, contributing to community mental health initiatives. Through his writing, advocacy, and public conversations, he creates space for honest reflection, accountability, and compassionate growth. Learn more about Steven here: Steven is on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Tiktok at HealingRootsOnUp– be sure to find and follow him on your favorite platforms. Get his book here Facebook Instagram Chapters 02:54 - Early Life and Hardening 07:47 - Narcissistic Survival Patterns 10:03 - Accountability and Shame 14:46 - Men and Deconstruction 20:49 - The Path to Therapy 26:05 - Recognizing Narcissism 31:01 - Deconstructing Control 35:02 - Core Values in Relationships 41:27 - The Power of the Pause 43:15 - Repair in Relationships 48:28 - Authenticity and Impact 51:48 - The Role of Grief 55:20 - Book and Current Work If you found this episode inspiring or helpful, subscribe and leave a review. It helps other amazing humans like you find our podcast. Know someone who would enjoy this conversation? Screenshot and share. Tag us, follow us or reach out on Instagram @jaimefleres. Stay connected to Jaime and Whale Song: Work with Us Order Jaime’s Book The Author Adventure Get emails with new episodes + resources