When Family Stories Collide: Gaslighting, Intervention, and the Power of Humo

In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Marina Tempelsman and Niccolo Aeed, comedians, writers, and filmmakers whose debut feature film, This Will Never Work, takes a darkly comedic look at family dysfunction, intervention, and the complicated stories families tell about themselves. Inspired by their own experiences organizing interventions for family members, Marina and Niccolo explain how they turned deeply personal and often painful experiences into a comedy about a family attempting to resolve its problems in a single room. What begins as an effort to help one family member quickly exposes years of unresolved tensions, conflicting perspectives, and complicated power dynamics. Together, Robin, Marina, and Niccolo explore the unspoken expectations that shape family relationships, the ways gaslighting can emerge when one person's reality is dismissed, and why family members often see themselves and one another so differently. They also discuss the role of race, motherhood, generational patterns, and the sometimes uncomfortable experience of inviting an outsider into a family's private conflicts. This thoughtful and entertaining conversation explores how humor can help us examine difficult truths about ourselves and our relationships. Marina and Niccolo share their creative process, the personal experiences that influenced the film, and why This Will Never Work offers audiences an opportunity to reflect on their own family dynamics long after the laughter ends. 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 -   / drrobinstern   Instagram -   / dr.robinstern   Twitter (X) -   / robinsstern   LinkedIn -   / 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.