On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Vanessa Reiser. Vanessa is a licensed clinical social worker, an expert on narcissistic abuse, the author of Narcissistic Abuse, and the founder of a teletherapy and life coaching practice that’s changing lives by helping people heal from the trauma of narcissistic relationships.

Vanessa’s personal journey is one of resilience and empowerment. After growing up in a household filled with instability and facing trauma from a young age, Vanessa found herself in a relationship filled with gaslighting, manipulation, and isolation—classic tactics of a narcissist designed to distort reality and erode the victim’s sense of self.

She broke free from this toxic cycle, and today, she dedicates her life to helping others do the same. She brought attention to narcissistic dometic abuse by running across NY State in a wedding dress.

In her book, Narcissistic Abuse, Vanessa breaks down the full range of tactics narcissists use, from gaslighting to love bombing, hoovering, and triangulating. She shows how these behaviors, which are often difficult to recognize, are part of a broader pattern of emotional abuse. Narcissistic abuse, as Vanessa emphasizes, is a form of domestic violence—one that leaves lasting psychological scars. Her book provides strategies for identifying, escaping, and healing from these toxic relationships, empowering victims to reclaim their lives.

Vanessa also operates a teletherapy and life coaching practice, where she guides survivors of narcissistic abuse toward healing and self-discovery. She helps clients recognize the gaslighting and manipulation they've endured, clarify their goals, and overcome the obstacles holding them back. Vanessa’s unique approach combines her clinical expertise with tailored life coaching techniques, helping people rebuild their confidence and manifest the life they deserve.

Today, we’ll explore Vanessa’s story, her expertise on gaslighting and narcissistic abuse, and how her coaching practice helps survivors reclaim their power.

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.

On this episode of The Gaslight Effect podcast, Dr. Robin Stern explores the shadows of manipulation and the journey toward reclaiming our truth with a guest who knows this struggle all too well: Jessi Hersey.

Jessi is a queer neurodivergent author and a Pencraft Award winner, featured in Netflix's Escaping Twin Flames docu-series, where she shares her harrowing experience of escaping the Twin Flames Universe cult, a journey marked by intense gaslighting that threatened her identity and sense of self.

Jessi's collection of poetry, Lit Soul: My Journey Back to Faith, takes readers on an honest exploration of love, loss, and the search for belonging. Written in four heartfelt sections, this book reflects on her life from age six to the present, highlighting the journey of rediscovering faith and the strength that comes with it.

Beyond her own story, Jessi is the host of Jessistories, a dynamic interview-style channel that provides a platform for cult survivors to speak out about their experiences with manipulation and emotional abuse. This inclusive space embraces queer authors, influencers, and creators, emphasizing that every story matters in the fight against gaslighting.

Robin and Jessi delve into Jessi’s incredible journey of resilience, the tactics of gaslighting she faced, and the importance of sharing our truths. Whether you’re navigating your own challenges or seeking to understand this complex issue better, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

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.

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern talks with Marceia Cork, also known as The Change Coach®.

Marceia is SHRM, HRCI, PROSCI®, and Grief Recovery Method® certified, with expertise in restorative communication. She specializes in helping people navigate the difficult journey of change by addressing a core issue that many of us overlook—grief.

Through her multimedia brand The Change Coach Presents™, Marceia has developed non-clinical frameworks like The Good Grieve, empowering individuals to heal from unconscious grief, emotional manipulation, and the toxic effects of relationships.

Marceia is the author of The Good Grieve: A Guide for Exploring What Life Can Look Like After Loss, Trauma, and Hardship for adults, and My Good Grieve: A Youth's Guide to Navigating Loss, Trauma, and Hardship... the Good Way for younger audiences. Both workbooks offer her proprietary, non-clinical approach to grief recovery, giving people tools to rebuild after trauma.

Marceia’s unique approach to change and transformation has been featured in The Boston Globe, ESSENCE, Forbes, and FOX. On her top 100 podcast, Oooh, Those Effin’ C-Words, she dives deep into trauma and healing, bringing clarity to how unresolved grief can be manipulated by gaslighters. On this episode, Marceia shares her insights on identifying gaslighting in relationships, addressing the grief that it causes, and reclaiming your sense of self.

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.