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 turbulence: the disorienting effects of self-doubt, the complexities of her mental and emotional landscape, the ways in which others can warp one’s sense of reality, and what it takes to reclaim truth. 

Irene's music—including Identity, Freedom Was Pain, Gaslight Me, Speak, P.T.S.D, and Bread 2 Stone—threads through the discussion, offering lyrical snapshots of the pain of manipulation, the struggle to define oneself, and the hard-won courage of reclaiming one’s voice.

Together, they explore:

• How emotional and societal expectations distort identity—and how gaslighting often shows up not only in relationships with others, but in the ways we silence or invalidate ourselves.

• The tipping point: identifying the patterns (in words, relationships, internal dialogue) that signal when “entropy” has taken over.

• Tools, practices, and mindsets that support disentangling from those patterns: how to “ground” reality, rebuild trust in one’s own perceptions, and find stable footing amid chaos.

• How storytelling, vulnerability, and creative expression—whether through conversation or songs like Speak—become acts of resistance and steps toward healing.

This episode offers both piercing insight and compassionate companionship for anyone who has questioned what is “real,” wrestled with self-identity, or felt lost in someone else’s narrative.

Robin and Irene remind us: you deserve clarity. You deserve truth. And with effort, you can rediscover the voice that gaslighting tried to erase.

Tune in for a conversation that’s raw, hopeful, and a reminder that even when things feel upside down, there are ways back to solid ground.

To check out this and other episodes, 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.

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 Morley, author of They’re Not Gaslighting You.

Together, they unpack the difference between well-intentioned misuse of therapy terms and deliberate manipulation, exploring how careless labeling can derail connection, fuel conflict, and obscure the reality of true gaslighting.

You’ll hear:

• How to tell the difference between misuse and weaponization of therapy speak

• Why labels can shut down vulnerability and repair in relationships

• A practical “response playbook” if therapy terms are being used against you

• How clinicians can reframe conversations and protect the integrity of therapy

• The role social media plays in spreading oversimplified—and often misleading—mental health content

Dr. Morley also shares insights from her new book, reminding us that intimacy requires risk, repair, and careful use of language.

Learn more at drisabellemorley.com

Follow Dr. Morley on Instagram: @drisabellemorley

To check out this and other episodes, 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.

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 a summer program focused on leadership development for high school students. With its successful launch in June 2025, they are now eager to bring the mission of YLP into their own school communities and beyond.

Joining the conversation is Salar Korangy, a rising high school senior who contributed to YLP as a youth instructor. Salar taught a course on Positive Psychology, helping participants explore the link between inner peace, resilience, and real-world impact. Drawing on his experience writing about the intersection of emotional intelligence and adolescence, Salar adds a powerful perspective on the role of mindset in shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

Together with Dr. Stern, they discuss how youth-driven initiatives like YLP are empowering the next generation to lead with compassion, creativity, and courage.

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.

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 disconnection.

Drawing from his acclaimed book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, Dr. Keltner shares groundbreaking research on how moments of wonder can lower inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, reduce anxiety and depression, and help us recover from pain and even long COVID. He offers practical, accessible ways to experience awe daily — from connecting with strangers and engaging with art to spending time in nature and reviving cultural traditions that inspire compassion.

The conversation moves from personal stories of loss and resilience to global initiatives like “Cities of Awe”, museum partnerships, and educational programs designed to bring more beauty and connection into our lives. Whether you’re looking for strategies to heal from manipulation or ways to strengthen community bonds, this episode offers a research-backed roadmap for living with more meaning, openness, and joy.

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.

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 toward a more empowered, self‑directed path.

Together, Stern and Jager‑Hyman demystify the intense pressures of Ivy‑League admissions—from “fat‑envelope envy” and the ever‑escalating expectations of top high schools, to the mental‑health toll of feeling you’re “just not enough.” Joie shares why she tells every student, “I hope you get into your dream school—but I also hope it’s the least important thing you do,” and how reframing ambitions around authentic acts of service can restore perspective and build real self‑worth.

They also tackle the modern amplifiers of stress: the public spectacle of social‑media acceptances (that 5 pm Yale notification everyone sees) and the isolating “don’t talk to your friends” advice that can fracture peer support.

You’ll learn concrete strategies for parents, educators, and students alike—how to create dedicated spaces for honest conversation, put mental‑health safeguards in place, and approach applications as a journey of growth, not just a destination.

Listen now to turn admissions anxiety into strategic empowerment, so every student can step into the process clear‑headed, confident, and ready to define success on their own terms.

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.

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 being targeted by conspiracy theories during the pandemic, Ariely reveals how fear and simple narratives can be weaponized to warp our perception of reality and undermine our trust in what we “know.”

Together, Robin and Daniel demonstrate how our overconfidence in everyday knowledge—what he calls the “illusion of explanatory depth”—becomes a prime tool for manipulative voices that twist facts into a distorted mirror. They delve into experiments on social exclusion, showing how even a casual frisbee-toss rejection can prime us for the seductive comfort of echo chambers that subtly gaslight us into conformity. And they unpack the hidden loyalty tests that masquerade as harmless identity checks but really serve to isolate and control.

By the end of this conversation, you’ll be armed with research-backed strategies for spotting when the narrative is being rewritten around you.

From asking the right questions (“How do you really know?”) to setting firm personal boundaries, Dr. Stern and Ariely guide you in reclaiming your own perceptions and standing strong against emotional distortion—whether it comes from someone close or the stories unfolding in the news.

Listen now to illuminate the hidden mechanics of gaslighting and reclaim the power of clear, rational thinking.

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.

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 also the co-author of Emotional Inflammation, a compassionate guide to finding clarity and balance in an anxious, often overwhelming world.

If you’ve ever felt constantly on edge, like you’re living in a low-grade state of panic, or you can’t tell whether you’re simply stressed—or whether someone is quietly making you question your reality—you’re not alone. Stacey describes emotional inflammation as that chronic hum of anxiety, irritability, and exhaustion that seeps in from the relentless pressures and negativity around us. It’s the perfect breeding ground for gaslighting—whether it’s coming from others or from the inner voice that insists, “You’re overreacting,” or “It’s all in your head.”

In this conversation, Stacey shares:

• The four “reactor types” that shape how we respond to chronic stress and subtle emotional manipulation

• How to recognize when everyday stress tips into something more corrosive

• Why naming and understanding your triggers is the first step to defusing them

• Her powerful RESTORE framework—a step-by-step process to build resilience and regain your sense of agency

Stacey guides us through each part of RESTORE: Recognize what’s setting you off, Evaluate your reactions, Steady your body and mind, Think about healthier responses, Obey your values, Reclaim your power, and Engage in practices that nurture your well-being.

Robin and Stacey also connect the dots between emotional inflammation and the subtle gaslighting that can make us second-guess ourselves, doubt our perceptions, and feel perpetually unbalanced.

This episode is filled with validation, practical tools, and hope—so you can soothe your nervous system, set healthier boundaries, and stand firm in your truth.

Tune in to learn how to quiet the noise, trust your instincts, and restore your equilibrium.

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.

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-guessing, and emotional suppression that keep us from pursuing creative ideas or expressing ourselves fully. Dr. Pringle explains how emotional intelligence can help us recognize these internalized messages, regulate our emotional responses, and build the resilience needed to move forward.

Drawing on her research and her new book  The Creativity Choice, Dr. Pringle reframes creativity as a conscious, ongoing decision—one that can be strengthened through emotional awareness and social support. She and Dr. Stern explore how language, mood, and even cultural expressions influence the way we relate to our emotions and creative work.

Listeners will walk away with practical insights on how to:

• Identify and interrupt patterns of internal gaslighting

• Use emotional intelligence as a creative tool

• Shift from fear and self-censorship toward creative confidence and clarity

Whether you're an artist, educator, leader, or someone rebuilding a sense of self after emotional manipulation, this episode offers empowering guidance on how to reclaim your voice and your creative power.

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.

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 organizational development and his podcast, David offers a fresh take on what leadership should look like in today’s workplace. Together, David and Robin examine the subtle ways gaslighting can show up in professional settings—often disguised as “just business”—and how leaders can unknowingly perpetuate harm through outdated, control-based models.

Listeners will gain actionable tools to recognize toxic leadership behaviors, foster psychological safety, and lead with greater self-awareness and empathy. Whether you're navigating workplace dynamics or working to become a more emotionally intelligent leader yourself, this conversation is a compelling reminder that integrity and clarity are foundational to lasting influence.

Key Moments:

• Recognizing gaslighting behaviors in professional environments

• The power of mindfulness in leadership and self-regulation

• How emotionally intelligent leaders build safer, more resilient teams

• Why abandoning "vintage leadership" is essential for the future of work

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.

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 shares a profound and nuanced perspective on how gaslighting operates not only in personal relationships but also at the highest levels of diplomacy, media, and global policy. He unpacks how narratives are shaped, distorted, and contested on the world stage — and how individuals and institutions alike must navigate these complex dynamics in the pursuit of truth.

Ramu reflects on his time as Executive Assistant to the Prime Minister of India, as Chief Editor of the UN Chronicle, and as founding head of the United Nations Academic Impact, a global initiative launched at the request of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to bridge academia and international policymaking. His career has also included peacekeeping assignments, human rights advocacy, and work as a television and radio journalist — all of which inform his thoughtful insights on the power of language, perception, and responsibility.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How gaslighting manifests on both personal and geopolitical levels

• The critical role of storytelling in shaping collective memory and truth

• Lessons from decades inside the world’s most influential institutions

• Why emotional intelligence and intellectual honesty are essential for leadership

• How reclaiming narrative power can lead to healing and transformation

Ramu Damodaran’s wisdom, humility, and deep humanity shine in this far-reaching conversation — a must-listen for anyone seeking clarity in a world often clouded by distortion.

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.