The word narcissist gets used everywhere right now—but what does it actually mean?

In this episode, April and Brittany take a grounded, clinical look at narcissism and separate truth from trend. We unpack what narcissism really is, where it comes from, and how it shows up in everyday relationships. You’ll also learn how to distinguish between harmful patterns and normal human behavior, and what to do if you find yourself in a relationship that feels confusing, one-sided, or emotionally draining.

Whether you’ve wondered if someone in your life is narcissistic or you’re trying to better understand relationship dynamics, this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and practical guidance.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why the term narcissist is often misunderstood and overused
• A clear, clinical definition of narcissism
• The difference between everyday self-centered behavior and true narcissistic traits
• Common behaviors that get mislabeled as narcissism
• What narcissism can look like in real-life relationships
• Healthy ways to set boundaries when dealing with difficult behavior
• Whether meaningful change is possible
• What most people get wrong about narcissism

Key Takeaways:

• Not all hurtful or self-focused behavior is narcissism
• Narcissism exists on a spectrum, not as a simple label
• Understanding the pattern matters more than labeling the person
• Boundaries are about protecting your wellbeing, not changing someone else
• Clarity reduces confusion and empowers healthier choices

A Thought to Sit With:

Sometimes the most important question isn’t “Are they a narcissist?” but “How is this relationship impacting me and what do I need to be well?”

Resources & Support:

If this episode resonated with you, working with a therapist can help you process relationship patterns and build clarity and confidence in your boundaries.

Connect with Care to Change:

🧡 Learn more about our services

🧡 Explore resources for healthier relationships

🧡 Reach out for support

In this episode Jared Jones and Teresa Haskins talk about practical digital boundaries for families. Together, they explore how parents can thoughtfully guide their children’s use of technology while maintaining connection and preparing them for adulthood.

Teresa shares research-informed recommendations for screen use across developmental stages, including limiting screen exposure in early childhood, capping recreational screen time in elementary years, delaying smartphones until high school when possible, and postponing social media until around age sixteen. She emphasizes that these are ideals, not measures of parental success, and encourages families to make thoughtful, intentional decisions based on their unique circumstances.

A central theme of the episode is the idea of a family reset. Rather than taking an all-or-nothing approach, Teresa encourages parents to begin by examining their own screen habits, having open conversations about the kind of family culture they want, and gradually introducing healthy limits such as screen-free mealtimes. She highlights the importance of collaboration, preparation, and empathy, especially since children’s developing brains are wired for immediate reward and may struggle with emotional regulation during changes.

Parents are reminded that reducing screen time must be paired with increased connection. Boundaries alone are not enough. Families need shared experiences, conversation, and intentional time together to replace what screens once filled.

Resources:

• Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family: How to Navigate a Media-Saturated World--and Why We Should by The Plugged In Staff (link)
• Plugged In Website (link)
• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt (link)

Thank you for spending this time with us. We invite you to pause and reflect on one small step you can take toward greater health this week. Growth rarely happens all at once. It unfolds in steady, intentional choices.

If you would like support in your own journey, our team at Care to Change is here to walk alongside you. You can learn more about our services, intensives, and resources at caretochange.org.

Until next time, take care of your mind, tend to your relationships, and remember that meaningful change is possible.

In this episode Jared Jones and Jean Crane explore the rapidly expanding world of artificial intelligence through the lens of faith and spiritual formation.

As AI becomes more integrated into schools, workplaces, and everyday life, this conversation helps listeners think critically and spiritually about how to engage this technology with wisdom. Rather than reacting with fear or blind acceptance, Jean invites us into thoughtful awareness, asking how AI is shaping our minds, and relationships.

This episode is not about rejecting AI. It is about learning how to use it responsibly, intentionally, and in alignment with our values.

In This Episode We Discuss

• Why AI has become such an urgent topic for families
• The difference between using AI as a tool versus relying on it as a crutch
• Informational oversight and recognizing bias in AI-generated content
• The potential cognitive cost of outsourcing our thinking
• Relational atrophy and the rise of emotional attachment to chatbots
• Spiritual formation and the risk of replacing dependence on the Holy Spirit
• The importance of preparing kids for long-term character formation, not short-term convenience

Four Areas of Reflection for Adults

• Informational Oversight - Am I critically evaluating the information I receive, or accepting it without discernment?
• Opportunity Cost for the Brain - Am I outsourcing thinking that strengthens my cognitive and critical reasoning skills?
• Relational Atrophy - Is AI replacing meaningful connection with embodied human relationships?
• Spiritual Formation - Am I turning to technology before I turn to the Holy Spirit?

Resources:

• Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth (link)
• Spiritual Formation and AI video (link)
• The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch (link)

Thank you for spending this time with us. We invite you to pause and reflect on one small step you can take toward greater health this week. Growth rarely happens all at once. It unfolds in steady, intentional choices.

If you would like support in your own journey, our team at Care to Change is here to walk alongside you. You can learn more about our services, intensives, and resources at caretochange.org.

Until next time, take care of your mind, tend to your relationships, and remember that meaningful change is possible.