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.