Hey everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Good Girls Gotta Heal.
Have you ever sat in a therapy session - or just lied awake at night - wondering, Is my parent actually a narcissist, or am I just overreacting? If your ears perk up at that phrase, you are so not alone. In fact, it is one of the biggest things my clients bring to the table. But what happens when that toxic dynamic is wrapped up in deep cultural traditions, collectivist values, and an intense pressure for family loyalty?
Today, I am so thrilled to be joined by the incredible Agatha Peters. Agatha is a Nigerian-American psychotherapist, the founder of Beautiful Sunshine Therapy, and the author of the powerful new book, Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim Your Life from Narcissistic Parents and Cultural Expectations.
In this episode, Agatha shares her own powerful story as an immigrant navigating a system where trauma was just viewed as "day-to-day life." Together, we peel back the layers on what narcissistic parenting actually looks like - from constant manipulation and severe body shaming to the intense jealousy that prevents a parent from ever celebrating your wins.
We dive deep into:
- The Difference Between Immaturity and Narcissism: How to spot the total lack of emotional attunement and the zero capacity for a real, reflective apology.
- The Western Blindspot of "Cutting Off": Why the typical Western advice to just "go no-contact" doesn't work for multi-generational, collectivist households - and how to protect your peace without walking away from your entire community.
- Putting on Your Armor: Practical, somatic boundaries you can use today to handle the physiological anxiety of being around a narcissistic parent.
- Grieving the Living: How to stop trying to change them, and instead bring that deep grief into a safe space so you can finally heal.
If you have spent your entire life trying to be the perfect "good girl," turning your focus outward to regulate everyone else at the expense of your own nervous system, please hear this: You are not alone, and you are not crazy.
Grab a cozy drink, take a deep breath, and let’s dive into this beautiful, validating conversation.
Connect with Agatha:
- Read the Book: Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim Your Life from Narcissistic Parents and Cultural Expectations (Available anywhere books are sold online!)
- Website
Connect with Megan:
- Follow Megan on IG
- Learn more about how to work with Megan here!
- Download Megan's FREE 8 episode private podcast "Healing Starts Here"