In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Dr. Helen Riess, Harvard Medical School psychiatrist, empathy researcher, and author of The Empathy Effect.

Together, they explore how empathy—often considered an emotional instinct—is actually a learnable, science-based skill that can transform how we connect, communicate, and lead.

As the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Empathetics, Dr. Riess has spent her career studying the neuroscience of empathy and translating those findings into practical tools for healthcare, education, business, and leadership. Her pioneering EMPATHY® training program, tested in randomized controlled trials at Massachusetts General Hospital, has been proven to enhance patient-doctor relationships, reduce burnout, and improve outcomes across organizations.

Dr. Riess and Dr. Stern discuss how empathy is evolving in today's interconnected world—where compassion and understanding are more vital than ever. They explore how cultivating empathy can help us bridge divides, reduce dehumanization, and foster emotional intelligence in every sphere of life, from intimate relationships to global leadership.

Listeners will learn how to:

• Apply empathy as a daily practice at work, at home, and in leadership

• Recognize and counteract dehumanization and scapegoating

• Strengthen emotional connection in high-stress or polarized environments

• Build cultures of compassion that promote well-being and trust

• How misuse can be lead to empathy being weaponized

Dr. Riess's work has earned numerous awards, including the Partners HealthCare Medical Education Research Award and recognition from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine. She is also a core member of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations, helping to shape the future of emotionally intelligent leadership.

As Dr. Riess reminds us, "Nourishing empathy lets us help not just ourselves, but everyone we interact with—whether for a moment or a lifetime."

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 sits down with award-winning journalist, divorce coach, and advocate Amy Polacko, co-author of Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld.

Together, they explore how gaslighting and coercive control extend far beyond personal relationships—and into the legal systems meant to protect survivors.

Amy shares her own journey through divorce and the family court system, offering a rare insider's perspective on how abusers weaponize the courts to maintain control. From financial gaslighting and emergency custody motions to the misuse of mental health records, Amy and Robin expose the systemic biases and misogynistic tropes that often paint women as "hysterical" or "vengeful."

The conversation also empowers listeners with concrete strategies for navigating these challenges. Amy outlines steps women can take before filing for divorce—such as building a support team, documenting evidence, and creating a financial plan—and stresses the importance of working with attorneys who truly understand coercive control.

Listeners will gain insight into how to rebuild self-trust after gaslighting, how to protect themselves emotionally and legally, and why reforms like Kayden's Law are critical to safeguarding children and survivors.

Key Takeaways:

How gaslighting and coercive control play out in family court.

The importance of silent preparation and strategic planning before divorce.

Why choosing the right attorney can make all the difference.

Practical steps for documenting abuse and protecting finances.

How to begin trusting your instincts again after manipulation.

Resources Mentioned:

Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld by Amy Polacko and colleagues

Divorce Decoded digital course by Amy Polacko

Freedom Warrior Coaching and support groups for survivors

Tune in for an essential conversation that sheds light on a hidden crisis—and offers a roadmap for recovery, empowerment, and change.

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.

October marks both Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time to honor women's experiences of loss, resilience, and healing.

In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Dr. Jessica Zucker, a Los Angeles–based psychologist and award-winning author who specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health.

Dr. Zucker shares the story of her own miscarriage at 16 weeks into her second pregnancy — a life-changing experience that reshaped her clinical work and inspired her to launch the I Had a Miscarriage campaign. Through her writing and advocacy, she has worked to dismantle the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding pregnancy loss and to foster a culture of openness, compassion, and understanding.

Together, Robin and Jessica explore how gaslighting often shows up in women's health, from dismissive medical encounters to well-intentioned but invalidating comments like "at least you know you can get pregnant." Dr. Zucker explains how these responses can deepen isolation and grief, and she offers guidance for supporting others through loss with empathy and validation.

The conversation expands to her second book, Normalize It, which addresses broader women's health topics — including menstruation, body image, and menopause — and the cultural discomfort that keeps so many of these issues unspoken. Both Dr. Stern and Dr. Zucker reflect on their own experiences growing up in a society that encouraged silence and self-criticism rather than self-acceptance.

Through powerful storytelling, Dr. Zucker emphasizes the importance of self-expression — whether through journaling or open dialogue — and the healing that comes from being truly seen and heard. She envisions a cultural shift toward greater psychological awareness, where people can meet one another's pain with compassion instead of minimization.

Key themes:

• The emotional and societal impact of miscarriage and pregnancy loss

• Medical and personal gaslighting in women's health

• The power of storytelling and vulnerability in healing

• Normalizing conversations about menstruation, menopause, and emotional well-being

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.