The Gaslight Effect Podcast

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 medical negligence bring a unique perspective to this episode's conversation.

Joining Brian is Dr. Debra Rosenzweig, a psychotherapist whose dedication to mindfulness and psychology has illuminated the path toward healing for many. Dr. Rosenzweig brings to our conversation a wealth of experience in working with clients who have faced the challenges of medical gaslighting—a subtle yet profound form of manipulation within the healthcare system.

Today, we dive into the heart of the matter—Brian's legal expertise in the realm of medical malpractice and Dr. Rosenzweig's nuanced understanding of the psychological impact of medical gaslighting. Together, they unravel the complexities, signs, and consequences of these issues that affect countless lives.

Brian sheds light on the legal aspects, discussing the hurdles faced by those seeking justice in cases of medical malpractice. Dr. Rosenzweig shares her experiences in supporting individuals who have felt dismissed or invalidated in their healthcare journey, exploring the psychological toll of medical gaslighting.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to listen to ther episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and be sure to leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

Dr. Robin Stern's Social Media Links:

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Diclaimer:

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 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 him.

Collier is the central figure in the documentary "A Murder In Mansfield," produced by Collier and directed by Barbara Kopple.

The film centers around the murder of Noreen Boyle, Collier Landry's mother, which took place in Mansfield Ohio in 1989. At the time Collier was a young boy who had been a witness to his mother's murder, and his testimony played a crucial role in the trial of his father, Dr. John Boyle, who was accused and ultimately convicted of the crime.

Robin and Collier unravel the layers of his story, his unwavering courage in the face of manipulation, and the profound inspiration he offers to all who have faced the darkness of gaslighting. His resilience is a testament to the human capacity for healing and growth, even in the wake of the most haunting challenges.

Be prepared to be both moved and empowered by this transformative episode with Collier Landry. His story shines a light on the courage it takes to confront the demons of manipulation and emerge as an inspiration to others.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to listen to other episodes of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, head over to robinstern.com, and please remember to leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

Links:

https://www.tiktok.com/@collierlandry

https://www.instagram.com/collierlandry/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYIJGxnTPGxaKRZc-Gq63iA

https://www.facebook.com/collierlandry

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, and has been honored with lifetime achievement awards by both the Association for Psychological Science and the International Positive Psychology Association. He has devoted his career to understanding how people cope with loss, trauma, and adversity. In addition to the books, The End of Trauma and The Other Side of Sadness, Dr. Bonanno has published hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific articles, many appearing in leading journals such as Nature, JAMA, American Psychologist, and the Annual Review of Psychology. Dr. Robin Stern also wrote a book titled Project Rebirth: Survival and The Strength of The Human Spirit From 9/11 Survivors. Her book follows people dedicated to rebuilding, both physically and emotionally. Spirituality, resilience, and hope are at the center of their stories.

On this episode, Robin and Dr. Bonanno delve into a pivotal moment in modern history—the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. It's a day etched into the collective memory of our nation and the world. Dr. Bonanno's research has shed light on how individuals and communities coped with the immense grief and trauma that followed that fateful day.

Dr. Stern and Dr. Bonanno explore the human capacity for resilience, the intricate process of grief, and the profound lessons learned from the aftermath of 9/11. Dr. Bonanno's work challenges conventional wisdom about grief and offers hope and understanding to those who have experienced loss, both on that day and in other difficult circumstances.

Join Robin as she discusses this journey of discovery, compassion, and healing with Dr. George Bonanno. Let's explore the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to listen to other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

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 Healthy Relationships and Making Your Crazy Work For You: From Trauma and Isolation to Self-Acceptance and Love.

Dr Grant Brenner is a board certified physician-psychiatrist, an entrepreneur, author, teacher, speaker and not-for-profit board member. He has been featured on a variety of top ranked psychology resources and media as a thought leader and contributor.

Dr. Brenner and Dr. Stern shine a light on the shadowy corners of gaslighting—a psychological manipulation tactic that distorts reality and undermines our sense of self. Dr. Brenner's unique perspective reveals the psychological mechanisms at play, helping us recognize and navigate these subtle and damaging dynamics.

On this episode, we explore the intersection of emotional intelligence and gaslighting, offering practical insights on how to bolster resilience, maintain mental clarity, and regain control over one's narrative. Dr. Brenner's expertise in both mind-body medicine and the intricate workings of manipulation equips us with tools to identify, counter, and heal from gaslighting experiences.

Whether you're seeking to understand the deep connections between mind and body or yearning to unmask the shadows of gaslighting, this conversation with Dr. Grant Brenner is a must listen.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to listen to other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please be sure to leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

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 for Young Readers, was a New York Times bestseller, a National Book Awards finalist, and Tomás Rivera Award winner. Time has recognized it as one of the best YA novels of all time. It is now is being made into a film directed by America Ferrera. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter has also been adapted to the theater at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago and Seattle Rep Theater.

Most recently Sánchez published a critically acclaimed memoir-in-essays titled Crying in the Bathroom with Viking Books. It won the Chicago Review of Books Nonfiction award in 2022. Sánchez was a Fulbright Scholar, a 2015 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent fellow from the Poetry Foundation, a 2017-2019 Princeton Arts Fellow, a 2018 recipient of the 21st Century Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation, and a 2019 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship."

Known for her powerful writing and courageous voice, Erika, along with Robin, sheds light on the signs, effects, and strategies to combat gaslighting, drawing from her own experiences and observations.

Robin and Erika discuss the struggles Erika went through to realize her dream of becoming a writer. Erika is proud to be a role model for other women of color, through her determination to achieve her goal of becoming a full-time writer as well using the platform she has gained through the awards and notoriety she has received.

Erika points out that gaslighting is often used as a tactic against women of color, and they must fight against being told a narrative that they know in their hearts is untrue.

Erika Sánchez's candid wisdom and unwavering dedication to shedding light on important issues promise to make this episode an empowering and transformative experience.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to listen to other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please be sure to leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast. Thank you!

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 loved ones. We wanted to invest in travel, new experiences and growth. We craved meaningful work that was aligned with how we wanted to feel, while having positive impact in the world. Most importantly, we desired more freedom and flexibility.

That journey took us through A LOT of changes. Slowly untangling from culture's definition of "success," (which we were really crushing, by the way!).

We left behind "successful" careers. We left life-changing financial opportunities. We left our unhealthy relationships. We left homes. We left our attachment to material possessions. We left business ventures (that we created). We left behind old versions of ourselves (and continue to do so as we grow).

Those changes transformed our lives."

Robin and Phil discuss how this decision to step away from corporate success and chart a new path of personal transformation wasn't without it's difficulties.

As Phil describes, one of the challenges was overcoming his innate default of being a "harmonizer" which Phil says goes back to his early childhood years.

Phil also explains how he and his wife Krista's personalities are very different. He is more of a big idea thinker who likes to explore lots of big picture goals and ideas, while Krista's personality is more rooted and internal.

This difference has led to times in the past where Phil feels he has been a gaslighter in his marriage. Robin's book and her teachings have helped Phil to not only give language to his behavior, but also have allowed him to identify and change his behavior to be better aligned with Krista both personally and within their business.

We hope you enjoy this open, honest and transformative conversation.

To read the full transcript and to hear other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

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 she was only 18 years old, and ultimately married him in 1994.

Robin and Tasha discuss how gaslighting started very early in Tasha's relationship with Stewart, and continued to escalate as their marriage progressed and they had their 6 children.

Tasha describes the difficulty she had keeping her children as well as herself safe as Stewart's behavior continued to escalate and become very dangerous. The family endured both psychological and physical abuse at the hands of Rhodes and he kept Tasha and their children increasingly more isolted as time went on.

Thankfully, Tasha's divorce from Rhodes became official just prior to his sentencing.

Robin and Tasha discuss life after escaping from Rhodes and how her children are remaining strong and supportive of one another in the aftermath of their very long ordeal.

Tasha is in the process of writing a book about her experience, titled The Oath Keeper Wife.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to hear other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

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 practitioners. She offers non-sectarian retreat and study opportunities for participants from widely diverse backgrounds.

Sharon has also emerged as a featured speaker and teacher at a wide variety of events.

The written word is central to Sharon Salzberg's teaching and studies. She is the author of eleven books including Lovingkindness, the NY Times best seller Real Happiness, and her 2017 work, Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection and her newest book, Real Change: Mindfulness To Heal Ourselves and the World.

Sharon's writing can be found on Medium, On Being, the Maria Shriver blog, and Huffington Post and she was a contributing editor of Oprah's O Magazine for several years. She has appeared in Time Magazine, Yoga Journal, msnbc.com, Tricycle, Real Simple, Body & Soul, Mirabella, Good Housekeeping, Self, Buddhadharma, More and Shambhala Sun, as well as on a variety of radio programs.

Sharon is the host of her own podcast, The Metta Hour, featuring 100+ interviews with the top leaders and voices in the meditation and mindfulness movement.

On this episode, Robin and Sharon discuss:

• The role of forgiveness in gaslighting.
• The importance of understanding that forgiveness does not mean amnesia.
• How people who are being gaslighted give over their power to someone else.
• Achieving a balance between someone else and ourselves.
• Understanding that self compassion is not laziness.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to listen to other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

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 The Frost Place, Tent, The Sarah Lawrence Summer Seminar for Writers, and The Community of Writers at Squaw Valley. His writing has appeared in Provincetown Arts, Bat City Review, The Sarah Lawrence Review, The Westchester Review, The Offbeat, The Fourth River, and The Bennington Review. He lives in Los Angeles.

Daniel is the author of Slonim Woods 9: A Memoir, which recounts Daniel's involvement, and subsequent escape from the college cult that rocked the nation in 2019.

Daniel is also an Executive Producer of Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence, a three-part series airing on Hulu, that documents "A group of bright Sarah Lawrence College students" that "fall under the dark influence of a friend's father, Larry Ray. With unprecedented access to the survivors who lived with Ray, the film follows the cult from its origins through its still-unfolding aftermath."

Daniel and Robin discuss the path that led Daniel into this cult, the bizarre and often terrifying experiences he had, and ultimately his escape from the grip of Larry Ray.

Daniel not only survived the ordeal, but is now thriving as an author and teacher.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to hear other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!

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 The New York Times and CBS News.

Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice and also speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being.

Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. She has been a fellow at Yale's Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and the University of Michigan's Power Foundation.

Dr. Stern and Dr. Damour discuss:

• A pragmatic approach to "toxic masculinity" when girls are being harassed and gaslighted by boys.
• Dealing with controlling relationships.
• How things that "feel really good" can be problematic in their own right.
• The importance of looking for these good feelings in a healthier context.
• The complexity of the social media universe.
• How what is happening on social media mirrors what is happening in a teen's real life.
• How adults can help young people deal with social media.
• How teenagers are more vulnerable to norms than kids are.
• How these norms can impact and alter a teen's sense of reality.

To read the full transcript of this episode and to hear other episodes, head over to robinstern.com, and please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast!