A surprisingly entertaining story about an enduring friendship between Darren and Danny as Danny recalls how is weirdo dad managed to make all in his path miserable. The two friends recall and unravel stories of childhood trauma along with a host of relatives, neighbors and randos who all have endoured the rath of genius and massive a-hole, Mr. Jacobs. Danny uses the podcast as a therapeutic attempt to recover from childhood trauma with optimism and humor.

I’ve been struggling with this podcast. The subject matter is incredibly compelling, but the hosts need to just get on with telling the story. They seem too focused on the ‘work of the podcast’ – constantly commenting on whether something will ‘make the cut’ or discussing the podcast direction mid-episode. It feels like they’re too aware of themselves as hosts, like actors who are too conscious of being on stage rather than just being in the moment. I don’t want to hear them narrate their process – I want to hear the story. Let the story be the focus, not the behind-the-scenes commentary.

By me , this podcast is absolutely precious. I’m sorry you all had to go thru that. You and Darien are fabulous together. Hugs to your Mom ! Love you all!!!

This podcast was sooooooo good! I feel like I just finished a good book and I’m sad it’s over. Warning: the ending caused tears to stream down my face, fighting the ugly cry, digging for tissues in the glove box on my way into work. Just a truly great listen. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your story with such vulnerability. As a mom, I could feel Sandy’s pain and love for her son. And Darren is such a good friend! Also, I never listen to credits and I listened EVERY-TIME to Sandy. Excellent job!!

Yet here I am!!!!! The final episode…. The letter!!!!!! All the things I wish I had said. And Darren, everyone should have a friend like Darren.

This show captivated me from the moment I hit play. Danny and Darren’s playful dynamic, their ability to explore tough issues with sensitivity and humor, their creativity in presenting episode themes with a mix of acting out the scenarios, interviews and introspective conversations has been such an enlightening and entertaining experience. Danny and Sandy’s journeys have been so moving. The amount of pain they have overcome and the point of healing they’ve reached has been so inspiring. I laughed, I cried, I reflected, and I celebrated with them. This podcast has helped me so much on my journey forgiving a narcissistic person. I am forever grateful I happened to stumble upon this podcast.

It's a sacred privilege to have a window into the dynamics of this family. I feel honored. I pray God's healing blessings on all of them, and will add that the story is very well-told from a production point of view. ❤️ this is always the first podcast I listen to when there's a new episode.

the last episode had me in tears. what a masterclass in storytelling, honesty, and truth. thank you for being so brave, so thoughtful, and so committed to this. i feel so honored i got to hear this story. thank you, thank you, thank you. “you did the best you could.” - WOW.

Thank you so much for sharing your life story with everyone. It was touching, real, brave and heartwarming. Also, thoroughly enjoyable and so well done. Great job.

There is a lot to love about this podcast. The story is incredible and some of the breakthroughs between mother and son were truly touching. The storytelling, however, is a little corny. The sappy sentimental music that overlays some of the more traumatic events and tough conversations was distracting and made it hard to take seriously. It’s wonderful that Danny can open up so much and be vulnerable but it’s almost too self-aware, teetering dangerously close to disingenuous at times. Like when Daren poses a more “profound” question to Danny and Danny’s like “whoa! I never thought of it that way!” You can kind of hear the thoughts in their heads like “oh yeah, this is good. People are going to love this.” These guys are kind of annoying but, like, in an endearing way?

One of my favorite podcasts I have ever listened to. I just finished it, crying, feeling that this was a profound project of discovering and growth and healing and grief. Darren is an incredible guide and host. So good!!! Love everyone who shared their stories on this show. I wish them all so much love.

Mental illness is tough on any family. No way should it ruin lives but who can help ? Glad this podcast helped Danny , his mom and maybe his brother, & hoping it helps others in similar situations . It is sad his whole childhood was ruined by this horrible person. He also was able to ruin many other lives with his ridiculous lawsuits. I don’t know if forgiveness is the healer here. But maybe it will give the people involved some peace .

I love Danny’s honesty & vulnerability. Also love the banter between Danny and Darren, not to mention the reenactments… I have extremely enjoyed this podcast. Thank you so much for sharing your story!

I have been listening to pods for years, and this is the first review I have ever been compelled to write. It is emotional, relatable and captivating. It is a must listen!

Gosh, I adore Sandy! She’s so sweet and funny! I’m from the St. Louis area and the way she speaks reminds me so much of my mom. I found myself feeling so proud and happy for her when her art was signed by Walt Disney as a kid and so happy that she was getting an opportunity to pursue her art as an adult and then so angry for her when Richard ruined it for her. So many people could hang on to that anger and let it ruin them but she continues on so positively.

If you had to take a shot every time you heard the word “journey” you’d have alcohol poisoning in short order. Seriously though, I have thoroughly enjoyed this podcast and I’m looking forward to Toughen Up with the Rabbi.

Interesting points and storyline, can we please stop overusing interregnum? It’s starting to drive me mad lol.

If you’ve got/had a toxic parent, listening to this is like getting a hug. Hearing Danny’s experiences helped me process some of my own feelings about my own father, who was also a toxic bastard. In fact, my father did a LOT of the same types of things as Danny’s father, so it was comforting to hear others having to go through the same situations. Unrelated: I don’t think they should have Danny’s mom and Danny’s wife on the podcast together because holy moly their voices were indistinguishable!! I could not tell the difference between the two!

I can’t stop listening to the crazy stories of Danny’s dad throughout the years. Danny can be tough to listen to sometimes, feels rehearsed

I don’t think I have ever written a review for a podcast, but after hearing the latest episode I felt compelled to share that Tom’s interview reaffirmed my faith in humanity. What a wonderful person. I wish I could give him a hug. Listening to his emotional intelligence and wisdom was a highlight of my day. We need more Toms in this world. The compassion he showed Danny brought a tear to my eye. The whole season is amazing, but this episode was a satisfying arrival point to the story. Also, SANDY!!! I love you, girl. Keep going, Queen.

As the son of a crazy narcissistic father myself, I love these stories about Richard Jacobs. Tbh, Richard seems much more likable than my dad. I hate to admit it but most of these stories crack me up, although I do recognize the pain that he caused. This is a great podcast!

If you have experience with a narcissist, you’ll enjoy this. A little dramatic at times, but I couldn’t stop listening.

Sandy is the hero of this story. She really had to navigate an unreal marriage. She prevailed and I love that she is proud of herself. The wives episode was great! Those ladies shared their stories with so much empathy and love for their hubbies. Your sister in law is so sweet and her story giggles made me giggle too. I do like hearing personal stories and this one is really interesting. Thank you for sharing 💕 Just listened to episode 15! 👍 Tom is a gem.

The details about Richard—the personal stories told by a variety of people who had unbelievable experiences with him—are incredible, and I’ve recommended the show to friends who have narcissists in their families. Loved this last episode with Tom, who did all the digging! The interminable, hand-wringing, personal therapy sessions with Danny, and Darren’s cheesy announcer schtick…those I could do without.

I’m not finished yet, but I’m hooked. If you are into true crime documentaries or mysteries definitely listen. I love the editing, realness, and flow of the story. Great job guys!

I am addicted to this show. In the episodes with the brother I find myself getting angry—not at the show but at this brother! I am screaming out loud when he defends their father. My take is that this brother *needs a father* and he will construct a forgivable one to satisfy this need. Why else would he be the only person to remain in his father’s life? I think birth order has an impact on familial relationships. This brother might be more impacted by a severed relationship as the first born child. Danny may be better adjusted without Richard and is able to write him off. There is pain but it’s his better option. This “shark is a shark” logic of the brother is too convenient and it’s flawed. If you can defend someone by saying it’s their nature to do it, let’s see the brother apply it to Charles Manson, the unibomber, Osama Bin Ladin, etc. I don’t mean to say Richard is a murderer but if you’re going to use narcissism to defend someone’s behavior, you gotta apply that same theory to anyone’s anti-social transgressions.

Updates review: I guess I need to restart this because I'm often confused about what's being spoken on in newer episodes? Like the wife's grandfather etc. I thought this was about the hosts father????? UPDATES REVIEW: Still 4 stars but if this is all we will ever have for months on months end, it’s definitely a let down. It’s on thing to wait every month for a new episode, it’s another thing to just keep giving updates on new episodes and then never getting them.

That Sandy and Danny are not broken by this story is just shocking. I don’t even know them but I am so proud of both of them for choosing to process this trauma. I just love the banter of the two hosts and I am so excited to here from Sandy! Well done Lady and Gents. If you haven’t done so yet, have a listen.

What a powerful deep dive into a person’s narcissistic and vindictive tendencies and how it affected his son (and his ex-wife). A sad story but it was great to see that RJ did not win in the end. A special shout-out to Sandy! She is an awesome individual who prevailed over bullying. You go girl!

Yes, the podcast is interesting. But beyond that, I don’t think Danny knows what a service he is providing to those of us raised by/touched by people with “cluster B“ personality disorders. I can’t imagine how difficult this podcast was for Danny….likely much more difficult than he expected. I hope he knows how affirming this tale has been for so many! Added: episode 14 was hard to hear. Danny’s legitimate experiences are dismissed far too easily. So upsetting.

When I first listened my husband and I were rolling tears laughing as we drove! I LOVE IT! And then I realize this is TRUE… and tho this show is amazing and has a great humor to it … I guess to say it was LIGHT hearted would be a bit of a reach… bc when your done laughing you have to realize this was the LIFE of the son of a narcissist??? Quirky intelligent crazy guy? Did HE KNOW he was funny? lol I don’t really know how to really explain/ describe your dad… BUT I SO THANK U FOR SHARING❤️❤️ and I’m alittle sorry/ sad it brings me joy😘❤️

Great story, somewhat listless storytelling. At times feels very over-acted and very under-edited.

The attorney brother is in some serious denial about his father. If a man won’t raise his fist to another man actually comports with drugging someone so you DON’T HAVE TO “raise a fist” aka forcefully rape a woman. My own father is a narcissist, and I know he crossed boundaries, did despicable things to me and my stepmother. I didn’t realize at the time what was happening, and in fact didn’t want to believe it happened because really, there’s no benefit to me in having a memory of my father forcing me to drink cough syrup before getting into bed with him (when I didn’t have a cough). However because of their relationship with my father, there are men in my family who really do not want to believe he could do those things. But I assure you he did. Stop trying to determine how rape victims should react to their trauma. Good god. Having said that I do respect the anonymous brother’s participation in the podcast.

Wonderful interviews and stories. Addictive listen.

Is his mother that pathetically clueless?? If she’s not, she’s complicit. I have zero sympathy for her. She found cruelty and deception fun and exciting and chose to ignore the abuse happening her children…she has awful excuses for everything. It’s awful anytime she’s in the podcast.

I’ve been enjoying listening to this pod. Definitely an interesting life to have been exposed to by the father. What I find really interesting is how his older brother calls their dad “dad” but their mother by her first name. Can definitely feel the difference between perspective in both brothers childhood and who they feel the need to protect.

I love this show. There’s too much to say and it’s probably already been said in other POSITIVE comments, but I will say the deep, deep dive is great. With other podcasts, you’re left needing more information, but the pace, amount of episodes and interregnums, and length of each allows a thorough assessment and lots of insight that unfolds gradually similar to how long it takes to understand your own experience and to make sense of what happened to you.

This was an outstanding A+ podcast. The story is phenomenal and absolutely insanely entertaining. But it has gone on too long.

Do it!! We love you both, Brothers Jacobs! And Darren, you nailed it right on the head at the end when you said you were laying out a game plan for those of us that dealt with such similar things with our own fathers and have suffered a great distance in between siblings of not knowing how to breach that distance, and all of us have different feelings about the narcissistic father yet we probably deep down, I know I do, want to rack each of my siblings brains about exactly how they might feel and more importantly how they got through Their relationship with said and I know it’s gonna be a lot different than the way I did but again that distance needs to be breached and it does feel important!!!!!!

I love this podcast and Danny, Darren and Sandy! The transformation of Sandy and Danny is amazing! But this last episode with Danny’s brother and the way he speaks about, defends and glorifies Richard, who he continually called Dad, and villainizes his mother who he calls “Sandy”, is deeply disturbing. He needs the therapy actually.

I throughly enjoy this podcast. It’s entertaining, heartbreaking, heart warming and funny. Sandy is the best!

Danny’s brother has a much more mature way of sharing his point of view. Danny just wants to argue, interrupt and force the lens of his own opinion. It’s maddening to listen to. I’d love to have heard an interview with the brother without Danny. It’s a waste to ask for another point of view if Danny refuses to allow them to voice it.

Guys, I’ve been through it all with you. I swear I was one of the first 10 who ever listened. I remember the delight of the early narcissistic stories in the beginning and how fun those were to listen to, I was frustrated when you disappeared for months on end. I was so excited and then honestly upset early on when the podcast changed from comedic to very serious (Danny cried!). I stuck it out though waiting to see where you would take this. I felt so connected to Sandy when she told us she was going to use the name Sandy again. I’ve loved the banter with Darrin that only comes from longstanding childhood friendship. I *really* loved hear from the daughters in law. And finally, it was so fascinating to hear both brothers on both ends of the spectrum about how they interpreted their father’s actions. And now here we are. I’m on episode 13 and I feel like I’ve traveled on a journey with you and seen so much change and growth. I feel sadness thinking this is coming to a close. Optimistically hopeful you’ll do a Season 2. Thanks for the ride.

Just want to say thank you for putting this tough stuff out on the air. I look forward to listening every week. Incredibly inspiring. And incredibly creative the way you guys have articulated everything. Please keep the episodes coming. 🤓

I began listening initially because the story takes place in my city of St. Louis. It’s become so much more than I expected. Through recreated flashbacks and memories told by Danny and Darren we learn of the former’s painful childhood caused by a narcissistic dad. This friendship is inspiring. Danny pushes through fears and sets new boundaries. As someone who cut ties with a parent (and entire family) long ago, I’m encouraged by the grace that Danny shows his father when speaking of him. I’m not positive what Danny and Darren set out to achieve here, but I think there’re achieving a lot. A beautifully crafted, honest story. I’m only 3 episodes in and I’m disappointed that it will end.

Danny, PLEASE stop interrupting! Your mom and your sister in law tell great stories, and you are constantly interrupting to, it seems, restate whey they just said or to interpret their words into your own. Please listen! This journey you’re on is so interesting, and I want to hear it in your own words: that includes the guests.

Good podcast! Love the timeline! Episode on the daughter in laws, I hate to it buttttt Danny’s wife and mom sound alike🤨

get to the point! please just tell the story, i’ve been listening since the first episode, sat through all the delays….and i don’t know why. the goal seems to be to drag it out as long as possible. no one asked for the interregnums and i don’t listen to them. i don’t know what the goal of the podcast is, and i’m done wasting my time listening.

Can I just say it is sooo refreshing to hear 2 men have such an emotionally open friendship with each other. All men need to learn from this beautiful open communication. I love your authenticity and even leaning into the anger or sadness you still feel. It’s soo real and you are all hilarious as well. I was laughing out loud alone walking my dog when your mom spoke about how great Rich was in bed 😅😅 I’m hooked! Such an interesting twist to have a true crime podcast about a narcissist have such a feel good pure vibe to it. Clearly he didn’t get to you all in that way! PS: you are SO valid in your feelings of being angry and wishing your mom had never met your dad but I was thinking, if your mom hadn’t specifically met your dad with his twisted personality and all, then you wouldn’t have your exact personality you have now, which means your personality wouldn’t have found your best friend of your wife, and then your kids wouldn’t be exactly who they are!

This is a good podcast. But Danny needs to be a bit more sensitive & sympathetic to Sandy. Danny’s been through a lot, but also Sandy has, as his mother. She seems like the sweetest person. Be kind to her,Danny.