The Gaslight Effect Podcast

Robin Stern
  • 4.7 (45)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Gaslight Effect Podcast

Gaslight (/ˈɡaslīt/). Verb. Manipulating someone by psychological means into questioning their own reality. The Gaslight Effect podcast is hosted by Dr. Robin Stern, co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of the best-selling book, The Gaslight Effect. On her podcast, Robin helps listeners identify gaslighting, to escape the destructive dynamic and reclaim their reality.

  1. MAR 25

    067 - Lifting Each Other Up: How Women’s Mentorship Is Empowering The Next Generation

    On this special Women’s History Month episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Jessica Hoffman, director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence’s high school initiatives, RULER for High Schools and inspirED. As a leading expert in social-emotional learning (SEL), Jessica’s work helps students develop emotional awareness, build healthier relationships, and create positive school climates. Dr. Stern and Jessica explore the critical role of women mentoring women, discussing how mentorship can foster confidence, resilience, and leadership—especially in environments where gaslighting and self-doubt can take root. They examine the power of emotional intelligence in recognizing manipulation, setting boundaries, and supporting one another in personal and professional spaces. With research focusing on SEL’s impact on school climate, creative problem-solving, and emotion regulation, Jessica shares valuable insights on how emotional intelligence can shape the next generation of female leaders. This inspiring conversation highlights the importance of uplifting and empowering women through mentorship, emotional awareness, and community. Tune in for an insightful and timely discussion on the power of mentorship, emotional resilience, and the lasting impact of women supporting women. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    46 min

  2. MAR 11

    066 - Why Women Doubt Themselves: Elise Loehnen on Self-Gaslighting & The Stories That Hold Us Back

    On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Elise Loehnen—New York Times bestselling author, former chief content officer of goop, and host of Pulling the Thread—to explore how cultural conditioning and internalized gaslighting keep us trapped in cycles of self-doubt and self-denial. Elise shares insights from her book On Our Best Behavior, revealing how societal expectations—rooted in the so-called "seven deadly sins"—subtly manipulate us into suppressing our desires, ambition, and authenticity. We discuss how gaslighting doesn’t just come from others—it can also come from within, as we internalize harmful beliefs that tell us we’re too much, not enough, or unworthy of success and happiness. If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself, felt guilty for setting boundaries, or struggled with the weight of perfectionism, this conversation will help you break free. Join us for a powerful discussion on reclaiming your inner voice, recognizing manipulative narratives, and stepping into your truth. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    47 min

  3. FEB 25

    065 - Why We Keep Choosing What Hurts Us: Eli Harwood on Attachment Wounds & Healing Your Inner Child

    Gaslighting can leave you questioning your reality, self-worth, and even your own memories. In this powerful episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Eli Harwood—therapist, educator, and author of Raising Securely Attached Kids and Securely Attached—to explore the deep impact of gaslighting, attachment wounds, and the path to healing. Eli opens up about her own struggles with attachment issues as a child and how those early experiences shaped her understanding of relationships, ultimately leading her to dedicate her life to helping others break free from toxic cycles. She explains how unresolved attachment wounds can make us more vulnerable to gaslighting and manipulation—and how healing from emotional abuse can help us become better, more present parents. We also dive into key takeaways from Raising Securely Attached Kids, an essential, evidence-based guide that provides hopeful and inspiring advice to help parents raise compassionate, thriving adults—no matter their background or challenges. Whether you're navigating a toxic relationship, healing from past manipulation, or striving to break generational patterns and raise emotionally secure children, this episode offers invaluable knowledge and practical tools for reclaiming your truth and building a brighter future. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    49 min

  4. FEB 11

    064 - Dr. Ingrid Clayton on Fawning: How People-Pleasing Became Survival & How to Break Free

    In this powerful episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern sits down with Dr. Ingrid Clayton, a clinical psychologist, author, and expert on narcissistic abuse and complex trauma. With a Master’s in transpersonal psychology and a PhD in clinical psychology, Dr. Clayton takes a holistic approach to psychotherapy, incorporating trauma-informed modalities like Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and other experiential methods for working with the nervous system. Dr. Clayton shares insights from her groundbreaking book Believing Me: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse and Complex Trauma, shedding light on how gaslighting erodes self-trust, the profound impact of narcissistic abuse, and why traditional therapy often falls short for survivors. She discusses her relational approach to therapy—built on the belief that a therapist can’t take clients further than she’s willing to go herself—bringing her whole self into the work through personal experience, intuition, and education. She also offers a preview of her upcoming book Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves—and How to Find Our Way Back, set for release in 2025. In this new work, Dr. Clayton explores the fawning trauma response—how people-pleasing develops as a survival mechanism in abusive relationships, why it keeps survivors trapped in toxic cycles, and how to break free to reclaim a true sense of self. Together, they explore: The difference between narcissistic abuse and other forms of trauma How gaslighting rewires the nervous system and disrupts identity The importance of experiential healing modalities like Somatic Experiencing and EMDR How self-validation and relational healing empower survivors to reclaim their lives What fawning is, how it develops, and steps to overcome it This deep and validating conversation offers both understanding and practical tools for anyone looking to heal from toxic relationships and step into their truth. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    45 min

  5. JAN 28

    063 - Breaking Free from Gaslighting: Andrea Owen’s Guide to Reclaiming Your Power

    Breaking free from toxic patterns and emotional manipulation isn’t just a challenge—it’s a journey toward reclaiming your power and rediscovering your true self. In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern is thrilled to welcome Andrea Owen, a globally recognized life coach, dynamic speaker, and the best-selling author of How to Stop Feeling Like Sht* and Make Some Noise. Andrea brings her wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to this heartfelt conversation, diving into the complex emotional toll that gaslighting and manipulation can take on your mental health and sense of self. Together, we unpack how to identify gaslighting in relationships, why it’s so insidious, and how it can lead to self-doubt and emotional erosion. But this episode isn’t just about recognizing the problem—it’s about finding solutions and regaining your power. Andrea shares practical strategies for silencing your inner critic, setting firm boundaries, and building the confidence needed to step into your authentic self. With her compassionate and no-nonsense approach, Andrea inspires listeners to let go of shame, embrace self-compassion, and take actionable steps toward healing. Whether you’re a survivor of emotional abuse, navigating challenging relationships, or simply looking to strengthen your emotional resilience, this episode offers powerful tools and transformative insights to empower your journey. Get ready for an engaging and inspiring conversation filled with wisdom, hope, and actionable advice to help you rebuild, redefine, and thrive. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    47 min

  6. JAN 14

    062 - America Unfiltered: Emotional Intelligence and the Power of Seeing Beyond Divides

    Today’s episode offers a compelling exploration of truth, resilience, and the power of storytelling in a divided world. At the height of the pandemic, two immigrant filmmakers, cinematographer Horacio Marquínez and film editor Kirill Myltsev, journeyed across the United States to uncover an unfiltered, unflinching portrait of America. In an era dominated by mindless scrolling and stylized selfies, their documentary America Unfiltered reveals raw, intimate conversations and searing black-and-white portraits that strip away artifice and distraction to expose the vulnerable truth of the human experience, and exploring the central theme of the documentary - "What does it mean to be an American?"  Through stark, unvarnished imagery, Horacio’s compositions lay bare the essential character of each person he photographed — inviting us to see beyond divisions and connect with one another on a deeper level. The film asks: What if we could better relate to one another and heal our nation’s divides by recognizing the shared humanity beneath the surface? Robin is thrilled to be joined by her good friends Horacio Marquínez, the visionary cinematographer behind America Unfiltered, and Dr. Marc Brackett, who served as a producer on the film in addition to his role as founder and director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel. Together, they discuss how media manipulation, emotional gaslighting, and truth distortion shape our collective consciousness — and how emotional intelligence and storytelling can help us build empathy and foster hope for America’s next chapter. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    54 min

  7. 12/31/2024

    061 - From Mess to Mastery: Scott Jeffrey Miller on Leadership, Mentorship, and Personal Power

    On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern’s guest is someone who has spent decades guiding individuals and organizations toward clarity, integrity, and transformational leadership. Scott Jeffrey Miller capped a remarkable 25-year career as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President at FranklinCovey, and he now serves as an advisor on their thought leadership strategy. Scott is also the voice behind two groundbreaking podcasts: On Leadership with Scott Miller, the world’s largest weekly leadership podcast featuring nearly 400 interviews with some of the greatest minds of our time, and C-Suite Conversations with Scott Miller, where he connects with top global executives. Scott is a prolific author whose works include the Master Mentors series, distilling wisdom from visionaries like Seth Godin, Susan Cain, and General Stanley McChrystal. His latest releases, The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship and Career on Course: 10 Strategies to Take Your Career from Accidental to Intentional, continue to empower leaders, mentors, and professionals worldwide. Scott fundamentally believes we learn more from our messes than our successes. He uses his messes to not just teach himself, but also to inspire leaders from a variety of backgrounds all around the world. Robin and Scott explore insights on leadership, mentorship, and how these principles can help us navigate toxic dynamics, establish healthy boundaries, and build lives of intention and purpose. Whether you’re leading a team, mentoring a colleague, or reclaiming your personal power, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped with actionable strategies. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    44 min

  8. 12/17/2024

    060 - Gaslit By Doctors: Former CIA Officer Marc Polymeropoulos On Overcoming Medical Gaslighting and Finding Clarity In Crisis

    On today's episode, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Marc Polymeropoulos, a distinguished leader whose experiences offer profound insights into thriving under pressure and navigating the complexities of manipulation—including his own battles with the effects of gaslighting in high-stakes environments. Marc retired from the Senior Intelligence Service ranks in 2019 after an extraordinary 26-year career in the Intelligence Community, where he served in operational field and leadership assignments. As one of the most highly decorated field officers in the Intelligence Community, Marc is an expert in counterterrorism, covert action, and human intelligence collection. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Marc has faced significant personal challenges, including a mysterious health condition that emerged after his service and was compounded by medical gaslighting. Despite being dismissed and misdiagnosed by numerous medical professionals, Marc refused to accept incomplete answers. His determination to advocate for himself and uncover the truth about his condition is a testament to his resilience and unwavering pursuit of clarity. Through persistence, he ultimately found the support and care he needed, turning this personal struggle into a powerful example of overcoming manipulation and advocating for one’s well-being In his book, Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA, published by HarperCollins in 2021, Marc shares lessons from his extraordinary career to help others find strength amidst chaos. His mission is to bring his unique experiences from the world’s hot spots into the sports and business arenas, helping leaders recognize and overcome manipulation, including gaslighting, while fostering resilience and clarity. To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Gaslight Effect Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to leave us a review to let us know what you think. Until next time, remember: healing is a journey, and you don't have to walk it alone. Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drrobinstern/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.robinstern/ Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/RobinSStern LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a Dr. Robin Stern's Books: The Gaslight Effect The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed on The Gaslight Effect Podcast do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.

    53 min
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    Ratings & Reviews

    4.7
    out of 5
    45 Ratings

    About

    Gaslight (/ˈɡaslīt/). Verb. Manipulating someone by psychological means into questioning their own reality. The Gaslight Effect podcast is hosted by Dr. Robin Stern, co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of the best-selling book, The Gaslight Effect. On her podcast, Robin helps listeners identify gaslighting, to escape the destructive dynamic and reclaim their reality.

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