Lisa A Romano Breakdown to Breakthroughs

Narcissists ALWAYS Lose with Empaths; Here's Why

·32 min·3 clips

Lisa Romano reveals what narcissists and manipulative people eventually learn about highly empathic individuals.

Lisa A. Romano hosts a solo episode of Breakdown to Breakthroughs, titled 'Narcissists ALWAYS Lose with Empaths; Here's Why.' She introduces the topic by explaining her 25 years of experience working with empathic and codependent individuals. Romano defines codependency as a lack of sense of self, often rooted in childhood conditioning to feel not good enough. She clarifies that empaths interpret the world through feelings and intuitively understand others' pain, which can be separate from codependency. Romano discusses how empaths can operate from ego consciousness, such as in communal narcissism where helping others is about notoriety. She addresses debates about whether empaths exist as a psychological term, cautioning against moral superiority. Romano explains that codependent empathy is filtered through inner child wounds and motivated by fear, while innate empathy is more pure. She shares a personal story about her first marriage, where she thought loving her husband would fix his wounds, illustrating short-sightedness. Romano then describes her son's experience as an empath attracting a narcissistic partner who exploited his nurturing nature. She distinguishes between cognitive empathy and emotional empathy, noting narcissists lack the latter. Romano uses the metaphor of the sun to describe an empath's innate desire to love and nurture everyone. She explains that narcissists eventually learn that empaths, once they realize the potential for harm, will cut them off or change the relationship dynamic. Romano emphasizes that this shift is about self-protection, not vindictiveness, and empaths struggle with it because it contradicts their loving nature. She advises that empaths can still love from afar while setting boundaries. Romano relates this to her coaching career, where she stopped trying to fix uninterested family members and focused on clients seeking help. She mentions adult children of alcoholics or narcissistic parents often try to save siblings but must let go if they resist. Romano concludes by encouraging empaths to choose self-love and set boundaries without wishing others ill.

As heard by us

A firm, useful case for choosing the self without turning boundaries into revenge.

Lisa A. Romano frames boundaries as a way of choosing the self, especially for highly empathic people who can slip into fixing, enabling, or codependent attachment with toxic, manipulative partners who lack authentic emotional empathy.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when compassion keeps you volunteering for the rescue boat, even while you know you may need to let go.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Lisa A Romano Breakdown to Breakthroughs