In this special start-of-year episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern sits down with her producer, Mike Lenz, for a more personal conversation, reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026.

Robin shares what felt most meaningful across the past year—especially the human connections that have shaped her work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, in her clinical practice, and through the many powerful conversations on the podcast.

Robin and Mike talk about the courage and vulnerability guests brought when sharing their stories, and how those real-life experiences continue to deepen Robin's understanding of what gaslighting is—and what it isn't. Robin reflects on how the term has entered the mainstream, and why it matters to discern gaslighting from conflict, strong influence, or disagreement. She also speaks about a growing focus in her work: how gaslighting can function as a grooming tool in cult dynamics, and why shining light on these patterns helps people reclaim clarity and voice.

Looking ahead, Robin introduces a new series launching in January 2026, Conversations at the Edge—created for these divided times, when staying connected can feel hardest. The series is about practicing respectful dialogue, listening with integrity, and making space for perspectives we may not share.

Robin closes with an invitation for the new year: honor your feelings as information, stay in your integrity, trust your truth, and remain open to the conversations that help you see more clearly—especially the ones at the edges of your comfort zone.

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, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Zibby Owens—bestselling author, podcaster, and the founder/CEO of Zibby Media—for a conversation about the stories we're told, the stories we tell ourselves, and how those narratives can help ground us in truth.

Zibby has built a women-led, book-loving ecosystem—spanning a boutique publishing house, a beloved independent bookstore in Santa Monica, retreats and events, and her award-winning daily show Totally Booked with Zibby—all designed to deepen connection between readers and authors.

Together, Robin and Zibby explore how in today's polarized world, community can be a powerful antidote, and how reading and writing can foster meanigful conversations and help you reclaim your voice.

They also talk about Zibby's recent anthology project, On Being Jewish Now—a collection of reflections on identity, belonging, and what it means to keep showing up with honesty in complicated times.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

How Zibby is building a vibrant community of readers and writers

Why stories can be a bridge in a polarized world, helping people feel seen, understood, and less alone

The importance of championing women writers and creating more space for their voices

Turning a love of books into a mission-driven ecosystem (podcast, publishing, bookshop, retreats)

Practical ways to foster connection and belonging—especially when people feel divided or disconnected

If you have ever loved a book, you're in the right place. Stories are best when shared.

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 energizing episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern is joined by Dr. Christina Cipriano—associate professor at the Yale Child Study Center, Director of the Education Collaboratory at Yale, award-winning psychologist, and one of the leading voices in social and emotional learning (SEL) and the science of how children learn and thrive.

Chris's work centers on making schools and systems places where every person is seen, served, and safe. She and Dr. Stern explore the powerful intersection of emotional intelligence, gaslighting, and "the way we do things" in classrooms, clinics, workplaces, and families. Together, they look at what happens when feelings are dismissed or distorted by the adults and systems around us—and how emotionally intelligent, justice-oriented environments can offer a very different reality.

They dig into:

How SEL, done well, can protect against everyday gaslighting experiences—like being told "you're overreacting," "that didn't happen," or "it's all in your head."

Why centering students' and families' intersecting identities is essential for truly inclusive, emotionally safe learning environments.

The emotional impact on children when institutions minimize their pain, their stories, or their needs.

Practical tools for educators, parents, and providers to listen, validate, and respond in ways that build trust instead of doubt.

Chris also shares insights from her new book, Be Unapologetically Impatient: The Mindset Required to Change the Way We Do Things, where she shows how learning science, emotional intelligence, intrinsic motivation, and gratitude can help us challenge harmful "this is just how it's done" norms—at kitchen tables, in classrooms, in doctors' offices, boardrooms, and even in the halls of power. Anchored in her oldest son's rare disease journey, she weaves together decades of research and deeply human stories to help us recognize when systems are gaslighting us—and how to advocate for change with both courage and compassion.

Whether you're an educator, parent, provider, or simply someone who cares about how children and families are treated in our institutions, this conversation offers language, strategies, and hope for creating environments where people don't have to question their reality to be believed.

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.

On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern sits down with Dr. Natalie Fabert, a psychologist, faculty member at Arizona State University, and board member and Director of Continuing Education at the Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion. Dr. Fabert specializes in helping adults heal from trauma, abuse, and coercive control, especially in cultic and spiritually abusive environments.

Drawing on her clinical work and her role with the Lalich Center's training course for therapists, she and Robin explore how gaslighting operates not only in intimate relationships, but also in high-control groups and "cult-like" systems where unquestioned loyalty and obedience are expected.

Together, they unpack:

How gaslighting and coercive control show up in cults, spiritual communities, and other high-demand groups

Why thoughtful, intelligent, hardworking people can be drawn into abusive systems—and why "just leaving" is far more complicated than it sounds

The overlapping dynamics of narcissistic abuse, coercive control, and cult involvement

The particular challenges cult survivors face after leaving, including grief, identity loss, and complex trauma

Why therapists need to approach survivors with cultural humility and strong boundaries—and how trainings like the Lalich Center's course can help them do that more safely

This episode speaks directly to the question, "Why didn't they just leave?" Robin and Natalie offer language, validation, and hope—for survivors, for their supporters, and for the therapists who want to walk alongside them as they reclaim their reality and rebuild their lives.

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, 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 Officer of Empathetics, Dr. Riess has spent her career studying the neuroscience of empathy and translating those findings into practical tools for healthcare, education, business, and leadership. Her pioneering EMPATHY® training program, tested in randomized controlled trials at Massachusetts General Hospital, has been proven to enhance patient-doctor relationships, reduce burnout, and improve outcomes across organizations.

Dr. Riess and Dr. Stern discuss how empathy is evolving in today's interconnected world—where compassion and understanding are more vital than ever. They explore how cultivating empathy can help us bridge divides, reduce dehumanization, and foster emotional intelligence in every sphere of life, from intimate relationships to global leadership.

Listeners will learn how to:

• Apply empathy as a daily practice at work, at home, and in leadership

• Recognize and counteract dehumanization and scapegoating

• Strengthen emotional connection in high-stress or polarized environments

• Build cultures of compassion that promote well-being and trust

• How misuse can be lead to empathy being weaponized

Dr. Riess's work has earned numerous awards, including the Partners HealthCare Medical Education Research Award and recognition from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine. She is also a core member of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations, helping to shape the future of emotionally intelligent leadership.

As Dr. Riess reminds us, "Nourishing empathy lets us help not just ourselves, but everyone we interact with—whether for a moment or a lifetime."

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, 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 divorce and the family court system, offering a rare insider's perspective on how abusers weaponize the courts to maintain control. From financial gaslighting and emergency custody motions to the misuse of mental health records, Amy and Robin expose the systemic biases and misogynistic tropes that often paint women as "hysterical" or "vengeful."

The conversation also empowers listeners with concrete strategies for navigating these challenges. Amy outlines steps women can take before filing for divorce—such as building a support team, documenting evidence, and creating a financial plan—and stresses the importance of working with attorneys who truly understand coercive control.

Listeners will gain insight into how to rebuild self-trust after gaslighting, how to protect themselves emotionally and legally, and why reforms like Kayden's Law are critical to safeguarding children and survivors.

Key Takeaways:

How gaslighting and coercive control play out in family court.

The importance of silent preparation and strategic planning before divorce.

Why choosing the right attorney can make all the difference.

Practical steps for documenting abuse and protecting finances.

How to begin trusting your instincts again after manipulation.

Resources Mentioned:

Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld by Amy Polacko and colleagues

Divorce Decoded digital course by Amy Polacko

Freedom Warrior Coaching and support groups for survivors

Tune in for an essential conversation that sheds light on a hidden crisis—and offers a roadmap for recovery, empowerment, and change.

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.

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 the story of her own miscarriage at 16 weeks into her second pregnancy — a life-changing experience that reshaped her clinical work and inspired her to launch the I Had a Miscarriage campaign. Through her writing and advocacy, she has worked to dismantle the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding pregnancy loss and to foster a culture of openness, compassion, and understanding.

Together, Robin and Jessica explore how gaslighting often shows up in women's health, from dismissive medical encounters to well-intentioned but invalidating comments like "at least you know you can get pregnant." Dr. Zucker explains how these responses can deepen isolation and grief, and she offers guidance for supporting others through loss with empathy and validation.

The conversation expands to her second book, Normalize It, which addresses broader women's health topics — including menstruation, body image, and menopause — and the cultural discomfort that keeps so many of these issues unspoken. Both Dr. Stern and Dr. Zucker reflect on their own experiences growing up in a society that encouraged silence and self-criticism rather than self-acceptance.

Through powerful storytelling, Dr. Zucker emphasizes the importance of self-expression — whether through journaling or open dialogue — and the healing that comes from being truly seen and heard. She envisions a cultural shift toward greater psychological awareness, where people can meet one another's pain with compassion instead of minimization.

Key themes:

• The emotional and societal impact of miscarriage and pregnancy loss

• Medical and personal gaslighting in women's health

• The power of storytelling and vulnerability in healing

• Normalizing conversations about menstruation, menopause, and emotional well-being

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, 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 author of Framed and host of The Perfect Prey Podcast, where she amplifies survivor stories and deepens awareness around coercive control and narcissistic abuse.

Together, Robin and Christine explore how gaslighting and coercive control erode self-worth, why these patterns often go unnoticed, and what it takes to break free. They discuss the foundation of narcissistic abuse, the urgent need for awareness and education, and practical strategies for healing and empowerment.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of:

• How coercive control operates as the core of abusive relationships.

• Insights from Framed on navigating the aftermath of abuse.

• Lessons from The Perfect Prey Podcast that shed light on lived survivor experiences.

• Tools survivors can use to reclaim their voice and thrive beyond trauma.

Through her institute, book, and podcast, Dr. Cocchiola's work shines a light on an often invisible form of abuse while offering survivors validation, clarity, and hope.

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 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.