Dr. Jennifer Fraser is the author of The Bullied Brain and The Gaslit Brain. It is her mission to educate people on how to recognize and name these behaviors and stay safe when they show up.

Mentioned on the Show

• Dr. Jennifer Fraser’s website: https://bulliedbrain.com/
• Read The Gaslit Brain: https://a.co/d/0fupTc7K
• Get Dr. Fraser’s book The Bullied Brain: https://a.co/d/09JvZBgo
• Jennifer Fraser, PhD is a regular contributor to Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/jennifer-fraser-phd
• Learn more about BrainHQ training: https://www.brainhq.com/

Timestamps
(00:00:00) - Jennifer Fraser, PhD joins People Business with O'Brien McMahon

(00:02:24) - Workplace dynamics: Personal agendas vs. Organizational agendas

(00:06:09) - Denial: why do we think “this could never happen”?

(00:11:48) - What does gaslighting look like and what is manipulative communication?

(00:17:46) - What is happening in our brains when we are being gaslit?

(00:23:25) - What is healthy self-esteem and status and what is unhealthy ego?

(00:25:55) - Is “true” psychopathy a spectrum?

(00:29:40) - DARVO: Denial; attack; reverse; victim; offender

(00:35:30) - When is appropriate to terminate and when should a second chance be offered?

(00:37:46) - How can workplace gaslighting be recognized earlier?

(00:48:08) - What happens in the brain after gaslighting and bullying?

(00:53:20) - How we should think about high status people in positions of power?

(01:00:38) - Final thoughts from Jennifer Fraser, PhD

Daniel Ratner is a relationship coach, speaker, and author helping people build healthier connections by recognizing draining patterns and setting stronger boundaries. He is the author of three books, including Emotional Vampires, teaching readers how to protect their happiness from toxic people.

Mentioned on the Show

• Coach Dan Ratner’s website: https://coachratner.com/
• Connect with Coach Ratner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-ratner-45b4678a/
• Check out Coach Ratner’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecoachratnerpodcast
• Coach Ratner on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachratnerpodcast

Timestamps
(00:00:00) Coach Daniel Ratner sits down with O'Brien McMahon of People Business

(00:03:43) What is an "emotional vampire"?

(00:07:22) What are some of the red flags for narcissists?

(00:08:53) How do we set the right boundaries with manipulative people in the workplace?

(00:11:21) How do we protect ourselves against narcissists who love bomb people?

(00:12:51) Wisdom about assessing if someone treats people well (or poorly)

(00:19:50) Drama Queens and people who play the victim card

(00:21:20) Is there a good way to snap people out of the victim mindset?

(00:23:43) How do we find that balance between helping people change and knowing when to move on?

(00:25:17) How do we build self-esteem in ourselves so it's easier to look at painful truths?

(00:28:42) What kinds of activities help people build esteem outside of relationships and work?

(00:36:25) What are things introverts can do to still bring positive energy into meetings?

(00:41:50) Anything we didn't hit that would be important or any final message?

Sri Kaza is a business leader and small business advocate with a career spanning corporate strategy, entrepreneurial ventures, and dedicated support for small businesses. He is the author of Unconvention: A Small Business Strategy Guide.

Mentioned on the Show

• Visit Sri’s website: https://sri-kaza.com/
• Connect with Sri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikaza
• Get Sri’s book, Unconventional: https://a.co/d/d9swnpB
• O’Brien and Sri discussed the book The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek: https://a.co/d/iDTdkFG (start with this book, not this one)

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Sri Kaza joins People Business with O'Brien McMahon

(00:02:22) Could you connect your McKinsey background to writing a book on small business strategy?

(00:10:36) What's the minimum threshold for making something unique in positioning?

(00:12:09) Understanding lifestyle businesses vs. scalable businesses

(00:19:50) Simon Sinek's The Infinite Game

(00:22:29) How do small businesses with a deeper purpose make trade-offs between business and purpose?

(00:28:35) What is meant by customer “intimacy” or customer proximity?

(00:38:31) How can a business owner assess their own performance and sharpen your gut?

(00:40:31) What are some effective self-reflection practices?

(00:45:52) What are the best ways you've seen organizations scale purpose, proximity, and position while keeping the essence of those principles?

(00:52:02) Final thoughts from Sri Kaza