In this episode of AWAKEN with Ryan DeJonghe, I sit down with a true hero of mine in the hypnosis world, Chris Thompson. Chris is the engine behind the world-renowned Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy and a master at distilling complex psychological concepts into actionable steps for personal and professional growth.

We trace Chris’s journey from a shy engineering student who first saw Mike Mandel perform on a university stage to becoming a business strategist and professional hypnotist. Chris shares the "hidden secrets" of the Academy, including the 24/7 practice rooms that have revolutionized how students learn hypnosis.

We also dive into:

• The "Pykthos" Origin Story: The hilarious, accidental way Chris and Timothy September named their business mastermind.
• Hypnosis for Parents: How Chris used Ericksonian language patterns to navigate the "terrible twos" and help his children through emotional outbursts.
• Business Mastery: Why Chris believes you can learn anything and why he refuses to ever quit.
• Relationship Interventions: How everything in a relationship is an "ego state" problem and how to use inquisitive curiosity to de-escalate conflict.

Stay tuned until the end for a powerful guided hypnotic induction led by Chris, designed to help you take ownership of your personal change and identify your next logical baby step toward the life you want.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome Chris Thompson: Hypnosis certifications and the deck of cards that changed everything.
• 01:05 – The "Hidden Secret" of MMHA: The power of the 24/7 Practice Rooms.
• 02:18 – How Chris got into hypnosis: From shy engineering student to witnessing Mike Mandel’s stage show.
• 06:55 – Transitioning from Stock Analyst to Hypnosis Entrepreneur.
• 14:12 – Talking to Toddlers: Applying hypnotic language patterns to parenting.
• 18:59 – Everything is an Ego State: Solving relationship conflict with hypnosis.
• 21:12 – "Sharpening the Blade": Why the best hypnosis trainers never stop studying.
• 34:00 – Ryan’s personal success story: Using a practice room session to stay consistent with workouts.
• 40:51 – The story behind Pykthos and the "Strategy Cafe."
• 47:00 – How to build a business by "Greasing the Chute."
• 1:03:00 – Guided Hypnotic Induction: Taking ownership of your change with Chris Thompson.

Key Links Mentioned

• Mike Mandel Hypnosis Academy: Get the Digital Cards and training at MikeMandelHypnosis.com/digital-cards
• Pykthos Strategy Cafe: Join Chris and Timothy for a virtual coffee every second Friday at Pykthos.com/cafe

In this episode of AWAKEN with Ryan DeJonghe, Ryan sits down with the prolific author and psychotherapist Bill O’Hanlon for an enlightening discussion on the legacy of Milton Erickson, the mechanics of change, and the power of the creative unconscious.

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**Episode Summary**

The conversation centers on O'Hanlon's unique journey from being Milton Erickson’s gardener to becoming one of the primary disseminators of Ericksonian hypnosis. Bill shares legendary stories of Erickson’s unconventional "shaman-like" therapy and explains how he transformed his own life from a "painfully shy" student into a world-renowned workshop presenter.

The episode concludes with a special musical performance by Bill and a guided hypnotic gift designed to help listeners tap into their own inner resources.

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Key Discussion Points

**The "Inside-Out" Model of Change**

Resource Utilization: Unlike traditional therapies that view symptoms as liabilities to be removed, Bill explains how Erickson viewed them as unused resources.

Evocation vs. Reprogramming: Bill differentiates Ericksonian work by its focus on evoking a person's existing strengths rather than trying to "reprogram" them from the outside.

Psychotic Optimism: Bill discusses his transition to a state of "psychotic optimism," believing that no one is truly hopeless regardless of their history.

**The "Unconscious" Mind**

Benevolent View: Following Erickson, Bill describes the unconscious not as a "Freudian cauldron" of dark urges, but as a warehouse of abilities, memories, and wisdom.

The Four Categories of the Unconscious: Bill breaks down how the unconscious can be smart (playing guitar automatically), dumb (not knowing a new skill), or "smart about things it’s dumb to be smart about" (deeply ingrained trauma flinches).

**Legends of Milton Erickson**

The Suicidal Woman: How Erickson used a "gap in the teeth" and a mouthful of water to break a woman’s suicidal trance.

The African Violet Queen: A story of how a depressed, isolated woman in a wheelchair became a community legend through a simple "Christian duty" involving plants.

Psychological Shock Therapy: The dramatic account of how Erickson used anger to help a "hopeless" stroke victim walk again.

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**About Bill O'Hanlon**

Bill O'Hanlon is a psychotherapist, songwriter, and the author of **43 books**, including the bestseller *Do One Thing Different*. He has spent over 30 years traveling the world teaching "Possibility Therapy" and Ericksonian methods.

Website: https://www.billohanlon.org/

Free Resource: Bill mentions his book, A Lazy Man's Guide to Success, as a great starting point for those looking to change their lives.

**Featured Books**


Do One Thing Different: The book that landed Bill on Oprah.

A Remarkable Man: Bill’s accounts of his encounters with Milton Erickson.

Change 101: A foundational guide on the mechanics of how change actually happens.

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In this episode of AWAKEN with Ryan DeJonghe, I’m joined by Dr. Cameron Alldredge, a clinical psychologist and researcher at Baylor University. We move beyond the "woo-woo" and stage entertainment to explore the hard science of clinical hypnosis. Dr. Alldredge explains how hypnosis functions as a powerful tool for neuroplasticity, its effectiveness in treating physical symptoms like hot flashes, and how it is being used to facilitate mystical experiences traditionally associated with psychedelics.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points

• From Entertainment to Clinical Science: Dr. Alldredge shares his journey from performing stage hypnosis as a teenager to earning a PhD in clinical psychology and conducting rigorous research at the Baylor Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory.
• Hypnosis vs. Traditional Therapy: A look at how hypnotherapy "kicks therapy into high gear" by making positive changes feel more tangible and immediate compared to standard talk therapy.
• The Neuroscience of the "Trance": We discuss what actually happens in the brain during hypnosis, including decreased activity in the Default Mode Network, which allows for a raw, immersive experience without constant self-monitoring.
• Clinical Success with Hot Flashes and Smoking: Insights from a massive seven-year JAMA study that proved standardized hypnosis audio sessions can significantly reduce postmenopausal hot flashes. We also touch on the "Finito" app and its success in smoking cessation.
• Hypnosis as a Non-Drug "Psychedelic": Dr. Alldredge discusses his current $500,000 research project exploring how hypnosis can induce profound, mystical experiences—measured by the MEQ30—without the logistical hurdles or side effects of mind-altering substances.
• The Mind-Body Connection: A fascinating look at "functional" issues, such as blindness or physical reactions that occur entirely within the brain’s processing, and how hypnosis can address these at the source.

Episode Resources

• Access the Studies: Explore the research papers and JAMA article mentioned in this episode here.

Live Guided Experience

The episode concludes with a short, safe guided hypnosis session focused on goal visualization and "stepping into" the version of yourself you want to become 5-6 months from now.

In this episode, we are joined by the incredible Richard Hill, a world-renowned psychotherapist, author, and educator who has bridged the gap between the creative arts and the science of the mind.

We dive deep into how we can escape the pressure of the "Winner-Loser World" by embracing curiosity, the biology of change, and the 4-Stage Creative Cycle that governs how we learn and grow. Richard also shares a special "hypnotic gift" at the end of the episode—a guided demonstration of the Mirroring Hands technique.

🎁 Free Hypnotic Resources & Work with Ryan If you would like to work with Ryan or get a free library of hypnotic help, please visit: https://www.trancewell.help/start

👤 About Richard Hill

Richard Hill (MA, MEd, MBMSc, DPC) is a specialist in the mind, brain, and human condition. His journey is unique: after a successful 20-year career as an actor and entertainer, he returned to university in his mid-40s to study linguistics, which sparked a new path into psychotherapy. He now holds three Master’s degrees, including a Masters in Brain and Mind Sciences from Sydney University.

Richard is a close collaborator and mentee of the late Ernest Rossi, PhD (a pioneer in psychobiology and a direct student of Milton Erickson). Together, they co-authored The Practitioner’s Guide to Mirroring Hands, carrying forward the Erickson/Rossi lineage of non-directive, naturalistic hypnosis. Richard is also the Past-President of the Global Association of Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS) and explores how therapeutic practice impacts us at the genetic level.

🧬 The 4-Stage Creative Cycle

Richard outlines the fundamental cycle of how we learn, create, and change—a process that mirrors how our genes express themselves and how the universe evolves:

1. New Information (Curiosity): The cycle begins with gathering new data. This is driven by curiosity—moving away from "fixing" a problem and toward exploring possibilities.
2. Relevance & Struggle (The "Dark Night"): This is the stage of wrestling with the information. You ask, "What does this mean to me?" It is often uncomfortable and confusing, but it is necessary for making the knowledge your own.
3. Breakthrough (The Creative Spurt): The "Aha!" moment where the new understanding clicks into place, leading to a surge of creativity and a new way of being.
4. Verification & Implementation (The Pause): The most critical step. We must stop, contemplate, and review the change to integrate it fully into our lives before starting the cycle again.

🙌 The Mirroring Hands Technique

We finish the episode with a live demonstration of Mirroring Hands, a "fail-safe" therapeutic technique developed by Richard Hill and Ernest Rossi. It acts as a bridge between your conscious mind and your subconscious/body. By inviting the hands to represent different aspects of your experience (e.g., a problem in one hand, a resource in the other) and allowing them to move naturally without conscious control, you allow your system to "speak" and find its own resolution.

Connect with Richard Hill & Upcoming Events:

• HypnoThoughts Live: If you would like to register for one of Richard's workshops at HypnoThoughts Live, please visit: https://www.htlive.net/
• Website: https://www.richardhill.com.au

In This Episode:

• Transitioning from acting to psychotherapy
• Why we get stuck in a "Winner-Loser World"
• "Curiosity Squared": How to be curious about your curiosity
• The biology of telomeres and how community affects aging
• A guided Mirroring Hands experience

What if your past trauma is just a "file" in your brain that can be rewritten? In this episode of AWAKEN, Ryan DeJonghe sits down with Surinder Gill, a former police officer turned Master Hypnotist and NLP Trainer. Surinder shares his fascinating journey from high-stress law enforcement to helping people reprogram their minds for success and peace.

Together, they demystify Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and explain how it differs from traditional therapy. Surinder breaks down complex concepts using the "Filing Cabinet" analogy and shares incredible stories of healing—including a woman who overcame 19 years of agoraphobia in a single session and clients who have conquered misophonia (hatred of specific sounds).

🎧 Interactive Experience: Don’t miss the end of the episode where Surinder guides listeners through a live Peripheral Vision exercise. This powerful, real-time technique is designed to instantly lower cortisol, stop panic attacks, and bring you into a state of total presence.

In this episode, we cover:

• From Cop to Coach: Why a 24-year police veteran turned to hypnosis to heal PTSD and public speaking phobias.
• What is NLP? Understanding the "Neuro," "Linguistic," and "Programming" of your mind.
• Therapy vs. NLP: Why digging up the past isn't always necessary to heal the wound.
• The Filing Cabinet Analogy: How your unconscious mind stores memories and how to change the files.
• The Placebo Effect & Belief: How shifting your perception changes your biological reality.
• LIVE DEMO: A guided Peripheral Vision technique to instantly reduce anxiety and increase focus.

Guest Information: Surinder Gill is a Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy®, and Hypnosis. He is the founder of Gill Training Systems, where he trains others to become certified practitioners and helps clients break through limiting beliefs.

🔗 Connect with Surinder Gill:

• Website & Training: https://gill-training-systems.com/
• YouTube: Search for Surinder Gill for client testimonials and tips.

Connect with the Host:

• Podcast: AWAKEN with Ryan DeJonghe
• Website: https://www.trancewell.help/

In this episode of Awaken with Ryan DeYoung, Ryan sits down with Dr. G. Fredric Mau, an award-winning clinical hypnotherapist, licensed professional counselor supervisor, educator, and internationally recognized speaker, for a wide-ranging and grounded conversation on the science, research, and real-world application of clinical hypnosis.

Dr. Mau is the 2025 Hypnotist of the Year, awarded by the International Association of Counselors and Therapists, and has been in private practice in Columbia, South Carolina since 2004. He is board certified as a National Certified Counselor (BC-NCC) and Board Certified Hypnotherapist (BC-H), and is approved to provide continuing education to licensed counselors and social workers.

Together, Ryan and Dr. Mau explore how hypnosis works from a neuroscience and evidence-based perspective, why it can create meaningful change more quickly than traditional talk-based approaches, and why individuals with anxiety often respond exceptionally well to hypnotic work due to heightened attentional systems.

The conversation moves fluidly between:

• Clinical research and peer-reviewed findings
• Real-world outcomes from decades of practice
• Misconceptions about hypnosis and suggestibility
• The role of belief, expectation, and meaning in change
• Thoughtful discussions touching on faith, miracles, and spirituality—approached with curiosity rather than doctrine

Dr. Mau also discusses:

• His recent professional recognition and awards
• His work as an instructor and keynote speaker at international hypnosis and counseling conferences
• An upcoming hypnosis training program for professionals

The episode concludes with a guided experiential hypnosis segment, offering listeners a direct, felt sense of the principles discussed throughout the conversation.

This episode is ideal for clinicians, coaches, therapists, and curious listeners who want a clear, grounded, and intellectually honest exploration of hypnosis—without hype, fear, or exaggeration.

🔗 Guest Links

• Learn more about Dr. Mau & professional training:
  https://watermarkcolumbia.com/
  
  
• Hypnosis training & education:
  https://watermarkcolumbia.com/learnhypnosis/

In this episode of AWAKEN, Ryan DeJonghe sits down with fellow hypnotist Jason Smith for an honest, grounded conversation about hypnosis, healing, and Christianity.

Together, they address one of the most common concerns people from Christian backgrounds have about hypnosis — whether it’s dangerous, sinful, or something to fear. Ryan and Jason clearly explain what hypnosis actually is (and what it isn’t), why it’s not witchcraft or mind control, and how the same principles of focus, attention, and suggestion already exist in everyday life, prayer, worship, and teaching.

Jason also shares his personal journey, including how periods of depression and inner struggle led him toward healing and the work he does today. They discuss why calm and awareness must come before real change, what Jason is currently building, and how hypnosis can be used ethically as a supportive tool rather than something mysterious or harmful.

To close the episode, Jason guides listeners through a short calming hypnotic reset, allowing you to experience the state being discussed rather than just hear about it.

This episode isn’t about debate or persuasion — it’s about understanding, discernment, and reclaiming agency over your own mind.

Some truths can’t be explained.
They can only be entered.

In this episode of Awaken with Ryan DeJonghe, Ryan is joined by Matthias Grusz for a slow, grounded conversation about why awakening so often begins — and then slips away.

Not because people aren’t sincere.
Not because they’re doing it wrong.
But because insight alone isn’t enough.

Together, they explore the three essential conditions that allow awakening to stabilize in the body and in lived experience — not as a peak state, but as something sustainable and human.

This conversation isn’t about chasing realization.
It’s about what allows realization to stay.

Near the end of the episode, Matthias guides listeners through a direct experiential journey — a meditation / hypnotic process designed to move out of understanding and into felt presence.

No effort.
No striving.
No fixing.

Just an invitation to enter what the conversation has been pointing toward all along.

This episode is best experienced in a quiet space, without distraction — especially the closing journey.

Let the words do what they can.
Then let them fall away.

The final portion of this episode includes a guided experiential process. Please listen in a safe, quiet environment and avoid driving or multitasking.