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Is someone in your life a narcissist, or are they simply displaying selfish behaviors? How can you tell the difference?

The term narcissism is used frequently today, but what does it really mean? And how do narcissistic traits affect the people closest to us?

In this episode of NorthPoint Counseling Perspective, John Sternfels, National Board-Certified Counselor, takes a closer look at narcissism, explaining the difference between everyday selfishness, narcissistic traits, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

Using everyday language and relatable examples, John explores how narcissism can develop, how it shows up in conversations and conflicts, and why certain behaviors can leave others feeling confused, emotionally exhausted, or questioning their own reality.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What narcissism is and what it isn't.
• The difference between narcissistic traits and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
• How childhood experiences and family dynamics may contribute to narcissistic patterns.
• How narcissism can affect communication, empathy, accountability, and emotional intimacy.
• Why recognizing unhealthy relationship patterns is more important than labeling someone.
• When seeking professional guidance may be helpful.

Understanding narcissism isn't about labeling people. It's about recognizing behaviors, understanding their impact, and developing healthier relationships.

Whether you're concerned about someone in your life, struggling in a difficult relationship, or simply wanting to better understand human behavior, this episode offers valuable insights.

Join John Sternfels for another informative episode of NorthPoint Counseling Perspective.

If you find this episode helpful, please share it with someone who may benefit, and consider leaving a review to help others discover the podcast.

Disclaimer: This episode is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

John Sternfels, LPC, NCC, CSAT, CMAT, CCPS, C-SASI
Owner/Clinical Director of NorthPoint Professional Counseling
Counselor and Author

Books Available:

• A Partner's Guide To Truth & Healing
• Behind The Smile: Healing From Abuse, Trauma, and Betrayal
• DOWNLOAD for Parents: Sex, Social Media, and Secrets
• SEX: Secular, Relativistic-Cultural, or Biblical? Sex Across Perspectives
• Healthy Parenting: Preparing the Next Generation
• God, Are You Real? The Creation of the Universe
• Truth On Trial - The Court of Public Opinion
• Living Beyond the Noise: Finding Clarity in a World That Won't Be Quiet (late 2026)

Available at all major book retailers

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Empathy is more than simply understanding what your spouse is feeling in a particular moment. Over time, empathy becomes a way of relating—a foundation that can transform how couples communicate, navigate conflict, respond to pain, and experience emotional connection.

In this episode, we discuss how developing empathy can help couples build greater emotional safety, deepen trust, reduce defensiveness, improve communication, and strengthen their ability to remain connected amid life's inevitable challenges. When husbands and wives move beyond simply reacting to one another and genuinely seek to understand each other's thoughts, feelings, and experiences, intimacy can grow.

The long-term benefits of empathy extend far beyond resolving individual conflicts. Empathy can help create a marriage where both partners feel seen, heard, understood, and valued. It provides a pathway toward deeper connection and reminds us that intimacy is not built simply by being physically close—it is cultivated through emotional presence, understanding, and a willingness to enter into the experience of the person we love.

Join us for Part 6 as we conclude Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy and consider how intentionally developing empathy today can strengthen, protect, and enrich your marriage for years to come.

John Sternfels, LPC, NCC, CSAT, CMAT, CCPS, C-SASI
Owner/Clinical Director of NorthPoint Professional Counseling
Counselor and Author

Books Available:

• A Partner's Guide To Truth & Healing
• Behind The Smile: Healing From Abuse, Trauma, and Betrayal
• DOWNLOAD for Parents: Sex, Social Media, and Secrets
• SEX: Secular, Relativistic-Cultural, or Biblical? Sex Across Perspectives
• Healthy Parenting: Preparing the Next Generation
• God, Are You Real? The Creation of the Universe
• Truth On Trial - The Court of Public Opinion
• Living Beyond the Noise: Finding Clarity in a World That Won't Be Quiet (late 2026)

Available at all major book retailers

Send us Fan Mail

Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy – Part 5: Breaking Through the Barriers to Empathetic Communication

In Part 5 of Empathy: The Gateway to Marital Intimacy, we explore the common barriers that can prevent couples from truly hearing, understanding, and connecting with one another.

Empathy is more than listening to words. It requires us to set aside our own internal arguments, judgments, defenses, and desire to formulate a response long enough to genuinely understand the emotional experience of the person sitting across from us.

In this episode, we discuss some of the most common obstacles to empathetic communication, including listening simply to prepare a response, allowing distractions to interfere with connection, approaching conversations with preconceived judgments, becoming defensive, and attempting to communicate when emotional fatigue has left us with little capacity to engage.

Healthy relationships require more than simply talking—they require creating emotional safety. When a husband or wife feels genuinely heard and understood, the door to deeper trust, vulnerability, and intimacy begins to open.

Join us as we examine what gets in the way of empathy and discover practical ways to remove those barriers, listen more intentionally, and create the kind of emotional connection every relationship needs.

Because sometimes the greatest gift you can give your spouse is not an answer—it is the experience of truly being heard.

John Sternfels, LPC, NCC, CSAT, CMAT, CCPS, C-SASI
Owner/Clinical Director of NorthPoint Professional Counseling
Counselor and Author

Books Available:

• A Partner's Guide To Truth & Healing
• Behind The Smile: Healing From Abuse, Trauma, and Betrayal
• DOWNLOAD for Parents: Sex, Social Media, and Secrets
• SEX: Secular, Relativistic-Cultural, or Biblical? Sex Across Perspectives
• Healthy Parenting: Preparing the Next Generation
• God, Are You Real? The Creation of the Universe
• Truth On Trial - The Court of Public Opinion
• Living Beyond the Noise: Finding Clarity in a World That Won't Be Quiet (late 2026)

Available at all major book retailers