053 - Are We All Being Gaslighted? Steven Hassan on Mind Control And The Cult of Trump
Release Date: 09/10/2024
076 - Purpose Over Prestige: Reframing the College Quest
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes college‑admissions veteran —founder of and author of Fat Envelope Frenzy and B+ Grades, A+ College Applications. Joie, a Dartmouth alum and former Assistant Director of Admissions, reveals how her own curiosity about the process led her to guide students away from small missteps and toward a more empowered, self‑directed path. Together, Stern and Jager‑Hyman demystify the intense pressures of Ivy‑League admissions—from “fat‑envelope envy” and the ever‑escalating expectations of top high schools,...
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075 - Misbelief: Dan Ariely on Conspiracy Theories and Cognitive Bias
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern sits down with behavioral economist and bestselling author —whose books have upended the way we think about decision-making—to expose how gaslighting operates not only between individuals but on a mass scale. Drawing on his own experience of being targeted by conspiracy theories during the pandemic, Ariely reveals how fear and simple narratives can be weaponized to warp our perception of reality and undermine our trust in what we “know.” Together, Robin and Daniel demonstrate how our overconfidence in everyday...
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074 - The Hidden Burnout: Breaking Free from Emotional Inflammation
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
In this insightful and uplifting episode, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes award-winning journalist to explore a concept that feels more important than ever: emotional inflammation. Stacey Colino is an award-winning writer specializing in health, psychology, and wellness. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Parade, and many other publications. She’s also the co-author of , a compassionate guide to finding clarity and balance in an anxious, often overwhelming world. If you’ve ever felt constantly on edge, like you’re living in a low-grade state of...
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073 - Turning Down The Inner Critic: How Internal Gaslighting Blocks Creativity, And What To Do About It
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
On this episode of The Gaslight Effect podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes , Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, for a powerful conversation about how gaslighting—especially the kind we direct at ourselves—can sabotage creativity. Together, they examine the subtle but damaging effects of internal gaslighting: the self-doubt, second-guessing, and emotional suppression that keep us from pursuing creative ideas or expressing ourselves fully. Dr. Pringle explains how emotional intelligence can help us recognize these internalized messages, regulate our...
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072 - Redefining Leadership: David McLaughlin on Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence, and the Modern Workplace
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
On this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, host Dr. Robin Stern welcomes , M.Ed, SHRM-SCP, CWMF, founder of , host of podcast, and author of for a timely conversation about how emotional intelligence and mindfulness can transform modern leadership. Drawing from his extensive experience in organizational development and his podcast, David offers a fresh take on what leadership should look like in today’s workplace. Together, David and Robin examine the subtle ways gaslighting can show up in professional settings—often disguised as “just business”—and how leaders can...
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071 - Gaslighting on the World Stage: Ramu Damodaran on Leadership, Truth, and Dignity
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
In this captivating episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern is joined by — esteemed diplomat, scholar, former Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact initiative, and a distinguished voice in global communications and public service. With a career that spans over four decades — including pivotal roles in the and the — Ramu shares a profound and nuanced perspective on how gaslighting operates not only in personal relationships but also at the highest levels of diplomacy, media, and global policy. He unpacks how narratives are shaped, distorted, and contested...
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070 - Reclaiming Your Voice: The Journey to Post-Traumatic Parenting
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
In this enlightening episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, in honor of , Dr. Robin Stern welcomes clinical psychologist and trauma expert for a powerful conversation on breaking free from psychological control, reclaiming identity, and the complex process of healing from gaslighting. Dr. Koslowitz, founder of and host of the , draws from her extensive clinical experience working with individuals from insular and high-control communities. She shares profound insights on how gaslighting can dismantle a person’s internal world—especially when embedded in religious, cultural, or...
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069 - From Gaslighting to Activism: The Role of Youth in Shaping Political Discourse
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern is joined by two distinguished scholars—, Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and , Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Associate Director of the Media & Social Change Lab (MASCLab). Together, they explore how young people are responding to and resisting gaslighting in today’s media and political landscapes. We dive into the subtle and systemic ways gaslighting operates at the societal level—through disinformation,...
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068 - Stuck In A Role: Diana Feldman on Drama, Trauma, and Reclaiming Personal Agency
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
In this compelling episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, host Dr. Robin Stern welcomes , a trailblazer in the field of drama therapy and the founder of a groundbreaking non-profit organization that served over 200,000 students in New York City schools for 25 years. Diana shares her journey of developing the —an evidence-based approach recognized by the American Group Psychotherapy Association as the Best Creative Group Counseling Method. She discusses how drama therapy helps individuals process trauma, reclaim their narratives, and build emotional resilience. With insights from her...
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067 - Lifting Each Other Up: How Women’s Mentorship Is Empowering The Next Generation
The Gaslight Effect Podcast
On this special Women’s History Month episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence’s high school initiatives, and . As a leading expert in social-emotional learning (SEL), Jessica’s work helps students develop emotional awareness, build healthier relationships, and create positive school climates. Dr. Stern and Jessica explore the critical role of women mentoring women, discussing how mentorship can foster confidence, resilience, and leadership—especially in environments where gaslighting and self-doubt...
info_outlineOn this episode, Dr. Robin Stern is joined by returning guest Dr. Steven Hassan, one of the world's leading experts on cults and undue influence. Steven is a mental health professional, former member of the Unification Church (familiarly known as "The Moonies") led by Sun Myung Moon, and the author of several bestselling books, including Combatting Cult Mind Control, Freedom of Mind, and The Cult of Trump.
In The Cult of Trump, Steven delves into how gaslighting and mind control techniques are used not only in cults but in political movements to distort reality and create confusion. Drawing on his personal experience as a former member of a high-control group, he developed the BITE Model, which explains how behavior, information, thought, and emotional control are used to manipulate individuals.
On today's episode, Robin and Steven explore the role of gaslighting in authoritarian movements, cults, and abusive relationships. Steven will share his insights on how these tactics manipulate our thoughts and beliefs, and how we can arm ourselves with the tools to resist, recover, and regain our sense of reality.
You won't want to miss this eye-opening conversation with Steven Hassan, as we uncover the psychology behind gaslighting and how to protect yourself from its damaging effects.
To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com.
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The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide
Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders
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