The Gaslight Effect Podcast

On this episode Dr. Robin Stern shares a conversation with Dr. Arghavan Salles that is both crucial and empowering. Dr. Salles wears many hats—she's a skilled surgeon, a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, and an expert in confronting gaslighting in medicine. Dr. Arghavan Salles gained global attention not just for her expertise but for her remarkable courage and resilience during the...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Dakota Adams , son of Stewart Rhodes , the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers organization. Dakota opens up about a life that was not only entangled with the controversial Oath Keepers but also shadowed by the dark clouds of gaslighting and abuse. Gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to make victims doubt their reality, is a t...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern guides us through the captivating and deeply personal journey of Dr. Kerry McAvoy - a story marked by heartbreak, betrayal, and the insidious effects of gaslighting. As a devoted mother, wife, and psychologist, Kerry's life took an unexpected turn after the loss of her first husband. Her second marriage seemed perfect until an unknown woman's text shattered the ill...

On this episode, the intricate realms of gaslighting, human behavior and emotional intelligence intersect, as Dr. Robin Stern talks with her colleague and good friend, Dr. Marc Brackett .  Dr. Brackett is the Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence , and author of " Permission to Feel ."  On this episode, Dr. Stern and Dr. Brackett unravel the subtle dynamics of gaslighting, a perva...

On this episode Dr. Robin Stern talks with attorney  Evan D. Schein , a seasoned attorney and partner at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP. Evan brings a wealth of experience in family law to the conversation. If you're curious about the legal nuances of relationships and the complexities of prenuptial agreements, this is the episode for you. As a divorce lawyer in New York City, Evan has been l...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Amanda Knox - a woman who, at a young age, found herself entangled in the complexities of the Italian legal system, her name echoed around the globe.  Robin and Amanda  illuminate the darker corners of her story, focusing on the glaring presence of gaslighting. Amanda Knox is an exoneree, journalist, public speaker, and author of the  New York Times  bes...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Brian Dretke and Dr. Debra Rosenzweig .  Brian Dretke is a legal professional with a rich history of service and dedication. Hailing from a background in law enforcement, Brian's journey took a turn into the legal arena, where he became a stalwart advocate for those who have experienced medical malpractice. His insights into the legal intricacies of medi...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern delves into a story that unearths the chilling depths of gaslighting, the indomitable strength of the human spirit, and the power of inspiration. Robin's guest, Collier Landry , has navigated a path marked by the most unthinkable circumstances.  Collier's story is a harrowing tale of a murder that rocked his world and the insidious web of gaslighting that ensnared...

On this special 9/11 episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Dr. George Bonanno .   Dr. Bonanno is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University's Teachers College and internationally recognized  for his pioneering research on human resilience in the face of loss and potential trauma. He is recognized by the Web of Science as among the top one percent most cited scientists in the world, an...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Dr. Grant Brenner .   Dr. Brenner is the principal and co-founder of Neighborhood Psychiatry , an NYC-based group practice. He is the author and co-editor of Creating Spiritual and Psychological Resilience as well as co-author of Irrelationship: How We Use Dysfunctional Relationships to Hide from Intimacy , Relationship Sanity: Creating and Maintaining H...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Erika Sánchez .   From Erika's website: "Erika L. Sánchez is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her debut poetry collection, Lessons on Expulsion , was published by Graywolf in July 2017, and was a finalist for the PEN America Open Book Award. Her debut young adult novel,  I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter , published in October 2017 by Knopf Books...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Phil Franks , co-founder, along with his wife Krista, of Owl & Key , a transformational lifestyle design company.  Phil and Krista created Owl & Key - in their own words - to be "Intentionally working toward a new reality where our most valuable resource  (time) was spent where and how it mattered most to us. We wanted to be present with our children and...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern interviews Tasha Adams , the former wife of  Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes .  In November 2022, Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy and evidence tampering related to his participation in the January 6th riot at the United States Capital. On May 23, 2023 he was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Tasha describes her childhood and how she met Stewart when...

On this episode Dr. Robin Stern talks with author, teacher, and meditation guru Sharon Salzberg . Born in New York City in 1952, Sharon Salzberg experienced a childhood involving considerable loss and turmoil. An early realization of the power of meditation to overcome personal suffering determined her life direction. Her teaching and writing now communicates that power to a worldwide audience of...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern interviews writer and producer, Daniel Levin .  Daniel Levin holds an MFA in poetry from the University of California, Irvine, where he taught creative writing and rhetoric, and a bachelor's degree from Sarah Lawrence College. He is the winner of the Stanley and Evelyn Lipkin Prize for Poetry, the Lynn Garnier Memorial Award and is the recipient of fellowships from...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Dr. Lisa Damour .  Dr. Damour is the author of three  New York Times  best sellers:  Untangled ,  Under Pressure , and  The Emotional Lives of Teenagers .  She co-hosts the  Ask Lisa podcast , works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour is also a regular contributor to  T...

On this episode Dr. Robin Stern interviews her friend and colleague Dr. Steven Hassan .  Dr. Hassan is a leading expert on cults and has dedicated his life to preventative education and helping people recover from their own experiences.  Dr. Hassan is the author of four books:  Combating Cult Mind Control ; Releasing The Bonds ; Freedom Of Mind ; and his most recent book, The Cult Of Trump .  Dr....

WARNING!  This episode includes discussions about sensitive topics including rape and violence and is intended for mature audiences.  On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with  Leslee Udwin . Leslee is an actor, producer, director and now an education sytem change activist. She directed and produced the documentary film India's Daughter .   Robin and Leslee discuss the process Leslee went throug...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern interviews Hannah Husain, a seventeen year old student studying abroad this semester, researching gaslighting interactions in relationships - particularly in teenagers. Hannah's first encounter with gaslighting occured when her friend had wanted to go to a concert, and was unintentionally gaslighted by her mom into not going.  Robin and Hannah discuss how, with soc...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talked with her close friend and colleague, Alice Forrester , the CEO of Clifford Beers Community Health Partners. Alice discussed how growing up as a teenager in the 1970s, she was aware of the culture shift that was occuring at that time in our country, and how her father struggled with this changing dynamic.  Alice recalled often being told she was wrong by her...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Ian Nichols, co-host of It's Only A Podcast - a horror movie review show.  Robin has been a guest on several of Ian's podcast episodes that explore gaslighting in horror movies.  Ian shares his personal experience with gaslighting, both within a romantic relationship as well as with his parents.  Ian describes himself as an empath and a very emotional pe...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with real-life sisters, psychotherapist Abby Rodman and former beauty executive now life coach Julie Howard , co-hosts of the popular podcast Sisters Cracking Up .  From their podcast website: "...we've been through a few things. If nothing else, life has a way of teaching us about balance -- and we've both had our share of blessings and challenges. We've lau...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Rachel Simmons , author of Odd Girl Out , a national bestseller that "ignited a long-overdue conversation about the hidden culture of female bullying." Rachel is also the author of Odd Girl Speaks Out , The Curse of the Good Girl , and Enough As She Is. Rachel is a "master facilitator and executive coach, she works for the world's most innovative compani...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with recording artist TUCKER about his career, his family, and the relationship that led him to write his hit song  'Can't Help Myself,' (with a cameo speaking performance by Robin Stern!) that explains the emotions involved in a relationship in which he felt he might be gaslighting himself.  As TUCKER says during the interview, "music is the unversal languag...

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Annabelle Stone (real name changed to protect her identity) about an all too common occurence - gaslighting in marriage.  Annabelle shares her story in the hopes that listeners can learn the signs of gaslighting in marriage and relationships.  Annabelle was introduced to her husband by a trusted common friend, and she felt very confident in her attractio...