On today's episode, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Marc Polymeropoulos, a distinguished leader whose experiences offer profound insights into thriving under pressure and navigating the complexities of manipulation—including his own battles with the effects of gaslighting in high-stakes environments.

Marc retired from the Senior Intelligence Service ranks in 2019 after an extraordinary 26-year career in the Intelligence Community, where he served in operational field and leadership assignments. As one of the most highly decorated field officers in the Intelligence Community, Marc is an expert in counterterrorism, covert action, and human intelligence collection.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Marc has faced significant personal challenges, including a mysterious health condition that emerged after his service and was compounded by medical gaslighting. Despite being dismissed and misdiagnosed by numerous medical professionals, Marc refused to accept incomplete answers. His determination to advocate for himself and uncover the truth about his condition is a testament to his resilience and unwavering pursuit of clarity. Through persistence, he ultimately found the support and care he needed, turning this personal struggle into a powerful example of overcoming manipulation and advocating for one’s well-being

In his book, Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA, published by HarperCollins in 2021, Marc shares lessons from his extraordinary career to help others find strength amidst chaos. His mission is to bring his unique experiences from the world’s hot spots into the sports and business arenas, helping leaders recognize and overcome manipulation, including gaslighting, while fostering resilience and clarity.

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 episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern is joined by award-winning journalist, author, and NPR correspondent, Elise Hu, to discuss the intricate and often overwhelming world of beauty standards.

Drawing from her book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital, Elise combines international reporting, cultural commentary, and personal memoir to explore the global rise of K-Beauty culture and the power of appearance standards around the world.

Robin and Elise dive into the pressures of keeping up with beauty norms, using South Korea's intense appearance expectations as a starting point to examine how technological advancements are likely to heighten the pressure to look "better"—for those who can afford it.

Elise shares her insights on the “gaslighting” effect of beauty culture in a hyperconnected world, where digital and social platforms amplify unrealistic ideals and make self-worth seem tied to how well we meet them.

Join Robin and Elise for a compelling conversation on how beauty standards are shaping our identities, the impact of technology on appearance expectations, and what it means to find authenticity in a world that often tells us we’re never enough.

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 has a truly special guest: Stephanie Quayle. A Nashville recording artist and a world-touring musician, Stephanie is also an entrepreneur, running her own record label, Big Sky Music Group. Rolling Stone Country has called her “an artist you need to know,” and she’s been highlighted by CMT as part of their “Next Women of Country” franchise.

She’s no stranger to the national spotlight, with appearances on shows like The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. As an indie artist, she’s charted two Billboard singles—“Selfish” and “Whatcha Drinkin ’Bout”—and she’s graced iconic stages, including CMA Fest and the Grand Ole Opry.

But Stephanie’s story is more than just her musical success. The Montana native has also become a voice of resilience and empowerment, using her platform to inspire others to recognize their own worth. Her latest album, On the Edge, is a deeply personal exploration of her journey through a toxic relationship, offering a raw and honest look at the pain and the healing process that followed.

Robin talks to Stephanie not only about her music but also about her upcoming debut book, Why Do We Stay?, which hits shelves on April 30, 2024, and is available for preorder now. The book, a continuation of the story she first shared through her album, dives deeper into the dynamics of toxic relationships, with the help of insights from psychologist W. Keith Campbell, PhD. Together, they explore how to recognize a toxic relationship, how to break free, and how to heal.

In today’s conversation, Robin and Stephanie discuss the reality of gaslighting, Stephanie’s personal experience, and how she’s using her platform to empower others to take back their power and rewrite their story.

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.