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 (Chris) 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.