If there’s one fuel that keeps a narcissist running, it’s admiration. They crave validation like oxygen. Praise, sympathy, attention — it doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative, as long as it keeps the spotlight on them. Without a steady stream of admiration, a narcissist feels exposed, insecure, and powerless.

For Mark Anthony Stephens, the need for admiration drives almost everything he does.

What the Need for Admiration Looks Like in Mark

• Social Media as a Stage
  Mark’s Facebook feed isn’t a place for connection — it’s a stage. Every post is crafted to cast himself as the misunderstood hero, the spiritual guide, or the falsely accused victim. He doesn’t post to share; he posts to collect likes, comments, and sympathy.
• The Victim Narrative
  Even in failure, Mark positions himself as admirable. He isn’t behind on child support — he’s the target of injustice. He doesn’t violate restraining orders — he’s the persecuted father. By recasting accountability as persecution, he gathers admiration from those who don’t know the full story.
• Borrowed Importance
  At his sons’ games, Mark drew attention not by supporting his kids, but by laughing while his guest disrupted the event. Even chaos became a way to draw eyes back to himself. He thrives on the reaction — whether shock, anger, or discomfort — because reaction is still attention.
• Faith as Performance
  Mark invokes God constantly, not to live out humility or service, but to appear holy. Every verse, every declaration of “truth,” is less about honoring God and more about getting applause for his supposed righteousness. It’s admiration-seeking dressed up as spirituality.

The Reality Behind the Mask

True admiration is earned through character, sacrifice, and consistency. Mark doesn’t want admiration for who he really is — he wants admiration for the image he creates. But image fades under scrutiny. His children don’t admire him for his posts; they long for the father who never showed up in the ways that mattered.

In chasing admiration from the crowd, Mark forfeits respect from his own family. And admiration without respect is hollow.

This is the fourth mask removed: The Need for Admiration.
Next, we’ll explore the narcissist’s deep sense of entitlement — and how Mark demands privileges and recognition without ever fulfilling the responsibilities that earn them.