Ep. 115 Men Know What Respect Is: Why the Confusion Excuse Doesn’t Hold Up
Observing How Men Show Respect to Each Other Reveals What They’re Capable Of
Published: January 08 2026
In our previous episodes, we’ve talked about the respect gap and how respect often becomes transactional in long-term relationships. Today, we’re looking at something that might help you trust what you’ve been observing.
Have you ever been told, “I don’t know what you want,” or “women are so confusing”? This episode explores a pattern that challenges that excuse. We’ll look at how many men demonstrate respect regularly and skillfully with other men, which reveals something important: they know what respect looks like. The question isn’t about confusion. It’s about where that respect gets directed.
This episode is gentle and observational. We’re not making accusations. We’re simply inviting you to notice patterns you may have already been seeing. And if you have been seeing them, we want you to know: you’re not imagining things.
In This Episode, we will talk about
- How many men demonstrate respect with other men
- Observable patterns in listening, defending, and protecting
- What the “confusion” excuse really means
- Why this is about choice, not capacity
- What it means for you if you’re not receiving that same respect
Listen if you want to:
- Validate what you’ve been observing for years
- Understand why “I don’t know what you want” might not be true
- Trust your perception about different treatment
- Gain clarity about capacity vs. choice
- 🔗 Additional Healing Resources & Support: 👉 movingforwardafterabuse.com
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Also, listen to episodes 88 and 89, and 112 and 113, as they are related to this one
Top Episodes on the Patriarchy:
- Episode 109: When the Whole World Acts Like Your Ex.
- Episode 106: How Societal Gaslighting, Love Bombing, and Manipulation Became Cultural Norms
- Ep. 103 The Awakening: How Narcissistic Abuse Patterns Are Embedded in Every System Women Face
- Ep. 102 Emotionally Absent: When Patriarchy Teaches Men to Disconnect
- Ep. 92 Why Patriarchy Indirectly Teaches Silence, Isolation, and Your Compliance
- Ep. 100 Covert Sabotage: How to Recognize Hidden Psychological Warfare in Relationships
- Ep. 84 How Misogyny is the Rite of Passage for Masculinity
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About the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast
Podcast: Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast
Mission: Validation. Rebuild. Revolutionize. Deconstructing Patriarchy.
Host: Lynn Nichols
Follow our work beyond the podcast: We publish essays and insights on Medium through our Moving Forward with Hope publication. Join us there to go deeper, connect with others, and support the movement.
Lynn is a heartfelt advocate for personal growth and empowerment, and writes with raw insight on navigating narcissistic abuse, toxic relationships, and sometimes the societal challenges tied to the patriarchy. With a deeply experiential approach, her stories shed light on the emotional complexities of breaking free from toxic patterns, connecting with lived experience that gender dynamics, self-worth, and healing, encouraging readers to rebuild from within and revolutionize their relationships.
Discover a safe haven and a wellspring of insight with the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast. In this candid, relevant, and eye-opening show, host Lynn, author and passionate recovery advocate, guides you through the landscape of toxic relationships and covert narcissistic abuse dynamics. With honesty, depth, and tough love, Lynn helps you recognize subtle manipulation tactics and offers practical strategies to heal, rebuild, and reclaim your power.
Episodes dive into the complexities of narcissistic family systems, exploring roles like scapegoat and golden child, and shedding light on the pain of enmeshment. We tackle topics like going no contact, setting boundaries, and uncovering covert dynamics that keep you from thriving. Our conversations go beyond personal trauma to examine how narcissism is woven into broader cultural systems, including patriarchy’s influence on gender roles and equality.
In-Depth Conversations: Learn about covert tactics like gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and financial control, and uncover strategies to reclaim your autonomy and cultivate independence.
Practical Guidance: From detailed strategies for going no contact to navigating emotional labor and overcoming self-doubt, our episodes offer tools you can apply right away.
Broader Perspectives: Understand how narcissistic abuse intersects with societal issues like gender inequality, workplace bias, and cultural conditioning.
Our work goes beyond personal relationships to show how narcissism is embedded in cultural systems and structures like patriarchy. By unpacking gender roles and systemic inequality, we aim to reveal how these dynamics shape our lives. Available on all major podcast networks. Subscribe today.
Our podcast exists to expose and challenge the systems that diminish, control, and silence. We focus on what has been overlooked, question what has been normalized, and create space for healing, clarity, and collective strength. Serving as a resource of hope, encouragement, and validation, us victims of narcissistic abuse can rebuild their lives and pursue dreams, visions, and intentional living.
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help from a qualified professional or contact a local crisis hotline.
Podcast: Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast – available on all major networks
🔗 Additional Healing Resources & Support: 🌟 movingforwardafterabuse.com
