The Gaslight Effect Podcast

In this episode of  The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Dr. Helen Riess , Harvard Medical School psychiatrist, empathy researcher, and author of The Empathy Effect . Together, they explore how empathy—often considered an emotional instinct—is actually a learnable, science-based skill that can transform how we connect, communicate, and lead. As the Founder and Chief Medical Offic...

In this episode of  The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern sits down with award-winning journalist, divorce coach, and advocate Amy Polacko , co-author of Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld . Together, they explore how gaslighting and coercive control extend far beyond personal relationships—and into the legal systems meant to protect survivors. Amy shares her own journey through...

October marks both Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time to honor women's experiences of loss, resilience, and healing. In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Dr. Jessica Zucker , a Los Angeles–based psychologist and award-winning author who specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health. Dr. Zucker shares th...

In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Dr. Christine Cocchiola , a leading expert, researcher, and advocate on the devastating impact of coercive control. Dr. Cocchiola is the founder of the  Coercive Control Consulting Institute , where she trains professionals and supports survivors in understanding and dismantling the hidden dynamics of abuse. She is also the...

In this deeply personal and illuminating episode of  The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern sits down with Irene's Entropy —storyteller, musician, and fierce explorer of lived experience—to map the intersections between identity, mental health, and the subtle dynamics of gaslighting. Through candid conversation, Irene shares her very personal journey of navigating internal and external turb...

Therapy language is everywhere—on social media, in conversations with friends, and inside our most intimate relationships. But what happens when words like "gaslighting," "narcissist," or "boundaries" are misunderstood—or worse, weaponized? In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , host Dr. Robin Stern is joined by clinical psychologist and EFT-certified couples therapist Dr. Isabelle Morle...

In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , host Dr. Robin Stern speaks with Vail Brokaw, Sasan Korangy, and Salar Korangy about their groundbreaking work with Young Leaders for Peace (YLP) , a flagship program of UPEACE NY in collaboration with the University for Peace . Motivated to better navigate the global challenges and conflicts facing their generation, Vail and Sasan co-founded YLP as...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes  Dr. Dacher Keltner — UC Berkeley psychologist, founding director of the Greater Good Science Center , and leading expert on the science of awe. Together, they explore how cultivating moral beauty — the recognition of kindness, courage, humility, and justice — can counter the harm of gaslighting and the moral ugliness that fuels polarization and disconnect...

On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern welcomes college‑admissions veteran Dr. Joie Jager‑Hyman —founder of College Prep 360 and author of  Fat Envelope Frenzy and B+ Grades, A+ College Applications . Joie, a Dartmouth alum and former Assistant Director of Admissions, reveals how her own curiosity about the process led her to guide students away from small missteps and to...

On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern sits down with behavioral economist and bestselling author Daniel Ariely —whose books  Misbelief,  Predictably Irrational and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty  have upended the way we think about decision-making—to expose how gaslighting operates not only between individuals but on a mass scale. Drawing on his own experience of bein...

In this insightful and uplifting episode, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes award-winning journalist Stacey Colino to explore a concept that feels more important than ever: emotional inflammation . Stacey Colino is an award-winning writer specializing in health, psychology, and wellness. Her work has appeared in  The Washington Post , U.S. News & World Report , Parade , and many other publications. She's a...

On this episode of  The Gaslight Effect podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle , Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, for a powerful conversation about how gaslighting—especially the kind we direct at ourselves—can sabotage creativity. Together, they examine the subtle but damaging effects of internal gaslighting: the self-doubt, second-gue...

On  this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , host Dr. Robin Stern welcomes David McLaughlin , M.Ed, SHRM-SCP, CWMF, founder of Pendulum Coaching , host of The Modern Leader podcast, and author of Modern Leadership: Leaving Vintage Leadership Behind for a timely conversation about how emotional intelligence and mindfulness can transform modern leadership. Drawing from his extensive experience...

In this captivating episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern is joined by Ramu Damodaran — esteemed diplomat, scholar, former Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact initiative, and a distinguished voice in global communications and public service. With a career that spans over four decades — including pivotal roles in the United Nations and the Indian Foreign Service — Ramu  ...

In this enlightening episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month , Dr. Robin Stern welcomes clinical psychologist and trauma expert  Dr. Robyn Koslowitz for a powerful conversation on breaking free from psychological control, reclaiming identity, and the complex process of healing from gaslighting. Dr. Koslowitz, founder of The Center for Psychologic...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , Dr. Robin Stern is joined by two distinguished scholars— Dr. Neta Kligler-Vilenchik , Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Dr. Ioana Literat , Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Associate Director of the Media & Social Change Lab (MASCLab). Tog...

In this compelling episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast , host Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Diana Feldman , a trailblazer in the field of drama therapy and the founder of a groundbreaking non-profit organization that served over 200,000 students in New York City schools for 25 years. Diana shares her journey of developing the ENACT Drama Therapy Method —an evidence-based approach recognized by the A...

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...

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 societ...

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 struggl...

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, EM...

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 Sh t* and Make Some Noise . A...

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...

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 behi...

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...