435: How Agreeableness Makes You a Target for Narcissists

In this powerful episode, Dr. Debi Silber sits down with licensed psychotherapist and author Chelsea Brooke Cole to unpack the intersection of narcissism and agreeableness. Chelsea shares her personal journey through two narcissistic marriages—one with a grandiose narcissist, and the other with a vulnerable one—and how her agreeable nature played a key role in why she stayed. Together, they explore why agreeable people are often targeted, how narcissists think differently, and why healing means reclaiming your empathy without enabling abuse. If you've ever asked yourself, “How did I miss this?”—this episode is for you. What You'll Learn: The difference between grandiose and vulnerable narcissists Why highly agreeable people are prime targets for narcissists How childhood trauma can condition us to "earn" love The five traits of agreeableness and how they impact relationships Why narcissists are wired to exploit what makes you compassionate The myth of changing a narcissist Why awareness, boundaries, and understanding narcissistic thinking are key to healing About Chelsea Brooke Cole: Chelsea is a licensed psychotherapist, author of If Only I’d Known, and expert in narcissistic abuse recovery. She specializes in helping individuals understand the psychology of narcissists, heal from trauma, and build boundaries rooted in clarity, not guilt. Learn more: chelseabrookecole.com Resources: Post Betrayal Syndrome Quiz: https://thepbtinstitute.com/pbs-quiz/ Certification: https://thepbtinstitute.com/get-certified/ For the betrayed – Reclaim: Heal from your betrayal and take your life back. https://thepbtinstitute.com/reclaim/