256 - Why Being Nice Is Getting Harder

Mean people are everywhere right now and the data confirms it. In this episode, Barb and Michelle unpack why cruelty seems to be escalating, breaking down the different types of mean people we all encounter and what actually drives their behavior. Barb shares a raw, personal story about being screamed at in a parking lot while her mother was dying in hospice, and what that moment taught her about judgment, control, and the stories we never see. This conversation goes deep into narcissism, spiritual bypassing, the difference between empathy and giving someone a pass, and how to stop carrying what was never yours in the first place. Whether you are dealing with a cruel stranger, a toxic family member, or your own tendency to absorb other people's behavior, this episode gives you a practical framework for protecting your peace without losing your compassion. What you'll take away: Why the shift from "thinking it" to "saying it" is fueling a cruelty epidemic The grocery store moment that reveals how we all judge without knowing someone's story How to shift from asking "why are they like this" to "what can I do right now" What a real narcissist looks like and why they genuinely cannot change The practical difference between forgiving someone and simply being done with them Don't let someone else's cruelty become the story you carry. Learn how to set it down. 💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one. 📅

You can listen to 256 - Why Being Nice Is Getting Harder online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

256 - Why Being Nice Is Getting Harder is an episode from Barb Knows Best by Michelle Maros & Barb Schmidt.

This episode is 00:37:12 long.

This episode was published on May 5, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Barb Knows Best when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.