You walk into the conversation feeling clear, calm, and even confident. Then, somehow, you walk out, replaying every sentence, wondering if you said it wrong, if you overreacted, if you are the problem. If that sounds familiar, there's a good chance you just tried communicating with a narcissist, or you're dealing with narcissistic tendencies up close at work or at home.

Maybe it's a narcissistic boss who turns every meeting into a scoreboard. Maybe it's a narcissistic coworker who can't share credit. Maybe it's a client, a partner, a friend, the person you cannot fully avoid. You try to resolve the issue like an adult, and suddenly you're in a loop of gaslighting, deflection, and a conversation that keeps snapping back to them. That's exhausting. It drains your energy, scrambles your confidence, and makes even simple conflict feel like walking through wet cement.

In this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, I'm talking to you about how to deal with a narcissist without losing your peace, your professionalism, or your self-respect. Not in a "win the argument" way, because you already know that usually goes nowhere. In a practical, real-life way that helps you stay steady, set boundaries with a narcissist, and keep the conversation pointed toward an outcome instead of getting dragged into their chaos. If you've ever thought, "Why does every difficult conversation become a trial?" you're in the right place.

If you're watching this because you feel worn out, tense before meetings, or you're starting to doubt yourself after every interaction, I want you to hear me clearly. You're not crazy. You're not weak. You're not "too sensitive." You're navigating a tough personality dynamic, and there are communication skills that can help you hold your ground without becoming someone you don't recognize.

Stick with me to the end, because the most important shift isn't what you say to them. It's what you stop giving away to them.

If this hits home, leave a comment and tell me what you're dealing with right now. Narcissist at work, toxic coworker, narcissistic boss, or something closer to home.

And if you know someone who needs this, share it with them. We Ripple better when we don't do this alone.

Ripple with Steve Harper
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Welcome back to The Ripple Effect Podcast.

Today, you're getting a conversation that hits where it counts. Barbara Burgess joins us for a powerful interview that goes way beyond career talk and straight into what it really takes to move from corporate America to entrepreneurship.

Barbara Burgess is an author, mother, executive, and unapologetic dark-chocolate lover who's embraced the beautiful messiness of life. She founded Corluma (cor = heart, luma = light), a Chicago-based consulting firm; wrote and performed a one-woman show, "The Extraordinary Experience of Being Ordinary"; and most recently wrote her first book, Enough: Finding Peace in a World of Distractions, Hustle, and Expectations. Known for her humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, Barbara shares simple shifts to help people remember they are enough and have enough. Her ego is kept in healthy check by two teenage children and career adventures that include selling candy bars for Nestle Foods, launching Grainger into internet commerce, a brief marketing stint at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and, most recently, overseeing operations, marketing, and finances as the COO of a non-profit.

Listen until the end because we get real about a lot of interesting topics. We talk about the difference between confidence and self-efficacy, why being an introvert can actually be an advantage in entrepreneurship, and how that "not enough" voice loves to show up when the world is screaming hustle, distraction, and expectations. We also go into executive coaching for tough leaders, what it looks like to face what isn't working without flinching, and the shift that happens when you start living by your own compass instead of somebody else's scoreboard.

If any of that feels familiar, you're in the right place.

Ripple with Barbara Burgess
Website: www.corluma.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barbaraburgess1
Book: www.beenough.com

Ripple with Steve Harper
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Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond:
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When was the last time you truly forgave yourself?

This episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast goes deep into the places we don't talk about often. And I want to thank our special guest, Shawn Mahshie, for showing up with such honesty and courage so we can all learn what real self-forgiveness looks like.

Shawn Mahshie is a coach, author, and thought leader who helps people stop beating themselves up and finally feel safe inside themselves again. After decades of deep inner work and spiritual practice, Shawn discovered that the common thread running through nearly all our struggles is self-abandonment. Out of her own personal crash and rebuild came The Wheel of Self-Forgiveness™: three simple steps that end the inner war and restore unshakable inner safety.

This episode is especially powerful if you've ever struggled with guilt, overthinking, or that constant sense that you're "doing it wrong." Shawn brings deep compassion, clarity, and a grounded framework that helps you move forward without blaming or shaming yourself.

Shawn is also on the cusp of publishing her new book, The Wheel of Self-Forgiveness: 3 Simple Steps to Unconditional Self-Love, Self-Confidence, & Self-Advocacy. As a gift to our listeners, she's also offering a free Wheel of Self-Forgiveness Cheat Sheet, which gives you a practical way to start applying this work immediately.

I truly believe this conversation can create a powerful Ripple in your life if you're willing to lean into it.

Ripple with Shawn Mahshie
Website: https://shawnmahshie.com/
Email: support@shawnmahshie.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnmahshie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThriveThisTime
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnmahshie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shawnmahshie2/featured?sub_confirmation=1
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnmahshie

Ripple with Steve Harper
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Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com