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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern is  joined by award-winning journalist, author, and NPR correspondent, Elise Hu, to discuss the intricate and often overwhelming world of beauty standards.

Drawing from her book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital, Elise combines international reporting, cultural commentary, and personal memoir to explore the global rise of K-Beauty culture and the power of appearance standards around the world.

Robin and Elise dive into the pressures of keeping up with beauty norms, using South Korea's intense appearance expectations as a starting point to examine how technological advancements are likely to heighten the pressure to look "better"—for those who can afford it.

Elise shares her insights on the “gaslighting” effect of beauty culture in a hyperconnected world, where digital and social platforms amplify unrealistic ideals and make self-worth seem tied to how well we meet them.

Join Robin and Elise for a compelling conversation on how beauty standards are shaping our identities, the impact of technology on appearance expectations, and what it means to find authenticity in a world that often tells us we’re never enough.

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 has a truly special guest: Stephanie Quayle. A Nashville recording artist and a world-touring musician, Stephanie is also an entrepreneur, running her own record label, Big Sky Music Group. Rolling Stone Country has called her “an artist you need to know,” and she’s been highlighted by CMT as part of their “Next Women of Country” franchise.

She’s no stranger to the national spotlight, with appearances on shows like The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. As an indie artist, she’s charted two Billboard singles—“Selfish” and “Whatcha Drinkin ’Bout”—and she’s graced iconic stages, including CMA Fest and the Grand Ole Opry.

But Stephanie’s story is more than just her musical success. The Montana native has also become a voice of resilience and empowerment, using her platform to inspire others to recognize their own worth. Her latest album, On the Edge, is a deeply personal exploration of her journey through a toxic relationship, offering a raw and honest look at the pain and the healing process that followed.

Robin talks to Stephanie not only about her music but also about her upcoming debut book, Why Do We Stay?, which hits shelves on April 30, 2024, and is available for preorder now. The book, a continuation of the story she first shared through her album, dives deeper into the dynamics of toxic relationships, with the help of insights from psychologist W. Keith Campbell, PhD. Together, they explore how to recognize a toxic relationship, how to break free, and how to heal.

In today’s conversation, Robin and Stephanie discuss the reality of gaslighting, Stephanie’s personal experience, and how she’s using her platform to empower others to take back their power and rewrite their story. 

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 is joined by Dr. Richard Boyatzis, a world-renowned expert in emotional intelligence, leadership, and the science of lasting change. Dr. Boyatzis is a frequent speaker on the international circuit, with engagements on all seven continents and over 35 countries, where he’s shared his insights with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and organizations across the globe.

In his latest book, The Science of Change, Dr. Boyatzis brings together 50 years of groundbreaking research on behavior change and introduces his Intentional Change Theory—a framework that helps us understand and achieve sustainable transformation at every level, from individuals to entire communities. As a Coursera educator, Dr. Boyatzis has reached over 1.35 million learners through his popular course, Inspiring Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence, and his influence continues to resonate worldwide.

Today, we’ll discuss how the principles of his Intentional Change Theory can be applied to confront and heal from manipulation tactics like gaslighting, restore self-confidence, and rebuild one’s sense of self.

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.