Power in Relationships

Emotional Intelligence

America Unfiltered: A Film Exploring the Soul of a Nation

Robin Stern Ph.D. on April 28, 2025

An intimate look at how listening—with emotional intelligence and without judgment—can reveal the complexity, beauty, and humanity at the heart of the American experience.

An intimate look at how listening—with emotional intelligence and without judgment—can reveal the complexity, beauty, and humanity at the heart of the American experience.

Leadership

A Seat at the Table: Women’s Vital Role in Peacebuilding

Robin Stern Ph.D. on March 27, 2025

Women are essential to lasting peace. We must champion their leadership, invest in their potential, and ensure their role in negotiations for a more inclusive, peaceful future.

Women are essential to lasting peace. We must champion their leadership, invest in their potential, and ensure their role in negotiations for a more inclusive, peaceful future.

Social Media

Likes and Lies: The Effects of Influencers on Teens

Robin Stern Ph.D. on March 9, 2025

Influencer culture and gaslighting can affect teens and shape their identity.

Influencer culture and gaslighting can affect teens and shape their identity.

Emotions

‘Snacky’ and Its Cousins

Robin Stern Ph.D. on February 23, 2025

Slang reshapes emotional communication, and some terms can cause confusion, hindering connection.

Slang reshapes emotional communication, and some terms can cause confusion, hindering connection.

Emotional Intelligence

Election to Inauguration: The Liminal Space Is Over

Robin Stern Ph.D. on January 16, 2025

Liminal space, such as the period between the election and inauguration day, is marked by uncertainty and unknown outcomes but can be navigated with emotional intelligence.

Liminal space, such as the period between the election and inauguration day, is marked by uncertainty and unknown outcomes but can be navigated with emotional intelligence.

Gaslighting

Under the Influence: Gaslighting In Cults

Robin Stern Ph.D. on January 7, 2025

Gaslighting underpins cults as leaders use emotional manipulation to gain trust and control, making outside support systems vital for identifying harm and safe exit strategies.

Gaslighting underpins cults as leaders use emotional manipulation to gain trust and control, making outside support systems vital for identifying harm and safe exit strategies.

Relationships

The One Show We Couldn't Stop Thinking About This Year

Robin Stern Ph.D. on December 13, 2024

"Baby Reindeer" is a powerful — and eerily relatable — exploration of the complexities of empathy, trauma, guilt, and shame in modern relationships.

"Baby Reindeer" is a powerful — and eerily relatable — exploration of the complexities of empathy, trauma, guilt, and shame in modern relationships.

Social Media

Behind the Influence of Influencers

Robin Stern Ph.D. on May 19, 2024

Influencers are everywhere. Here's what you need to know about their impact on teens—and what parents and caregivers can do.

Influencers are everywhere. Here's what you need to know about their impact on teens—and what parents and caregivers can do.

Gaslighting

Amanda Knox's Gaslighting Odyssey

Robin Stern Ph.D. on January 25, 2024

Amanda Knox's story is an inspiration to all those navigating the paralyzing grip of gaslighting.

Amanda Knox's story is an inspiration to all those navigating the paralyzing grip of gaslighting.

Gaslighting

How to Guard Against Gaslighting

Robin Stern Ph.D. on January 9, 2024

Parents, even with the best of intentions, may weaponize their power and control because they want a specific outcome for their child or fear a possible negative outcome.

Parents, even with the best of intentions, may weaponize their power and control because they want a specific outcome for their child or fear a possible negative outcome.

Gender

Boys Will Be the Boys We Give Them Permission to Be

Robin Stern Ph.D. on September 8, 2023

Has your newsfeed seemed particularly pink lately? Beyond the glamour and gloss of "Barbie" lies a necessary conversation about insidious assumptions society imposes on children.

Has your newsfeed seemed particularly pink lately? Beyond the glamour and gloss of "Barbie" lies a necessary conversation about insidious assumptions society imposes on children.

Gaslighting

Institutional Gaslighting: When Power Is Misused

Robin Stern Ph.D. on January 12, 2023

A power imbalance in a relationship allows a gaslighter to undermine the victim's sense of self.

A power imbalance in a relationship allows a gaslighter to undermine the victim's sense of self.

Gaslighting

Why Gaslighting Was the Word of the Year

Robin Stern Ph.D. on December 1, 2022

Gaslighting looks up have exceeded expectations, but it's not surprising.

Gaslighting looks up have exceeded expectations, but it's not surprising.

Gaslighting

Thank You, Angela Lansbury: Reflections on Gaslighting

Robin Stern Ph.D. on October 15, 2022

Angela Lansbury not only graced our screens for decades but was a member of the "Gaslight" cast in the 1940s.

Angela Lansbury not only graced our screens for decades but was a member of the "Gaslight" cast in the 1940s.

Gaslighting

When It's Gaslighting, and When It Really Isn't

Robin Stern Ph.D. on June 18, 2022

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where one person’s psychological manipulation causes another person to question their reality. That is different than having a disagreement.

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where one person’s psychological manipulation causes another person to question their reality. That is different than having a disagreement.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting: How to Spot the Signs Amidst World Challenges

Robin Stern Ph.D. on August 18, 2021

Are you in a gaslighting relationship? Did the pandemic make it worse? Here is the information you need.

Are you in a gaslighting relationship? Did the pandemic make it worse? Here is the information you need.

Gaslighting

Advancing a Political Agenda Through Attempted Gaslighting

Robin Stern Ph.D. on February 22, 2021

Someone authored an article using the name and credentials of the gaslighting expert to manipulate the national narrative. Here's how critical thinking can help.

Someone authored an article using the name and credentials of the gaslighting expert to manipulate the national narrative. Here's how critical thinking can help.

Read about the story of someone whose intense desire to become a better person and to avoid the mistakes of her past left her a victim of the gaslight effect.

Jealousy

Envy: The Power Vacuum

Robin Stern Ph.D. on September 9, 2019

How often do you envy others instead of feeling grateful for what you have? Envy can render us powerless. Learn to shift from envy to gratitude.

How often do you envy others instead of feeling grateful for what you have? Envy can render us powerless. Learn to shift from envy to gratitude.

Relationships

Revisiting Power in Our Relationships

Robin Stern Ph.D. on August 14, 2019

What is one area of your life in which you could benefit from a “power analysis"?

What is one area of your life in which you could benefit from a “power analysis"?