Episode #20
Unraveling Hypnosis, Habits & Stories We tell Ourselves with Karen Ross
What if some of the beliefs and behaviors holding you back aren't really conscious choices—but stories your subconscious mind has been carrying for years? In this episode of Unravel & Uplift , Jen and Claire sit down with hypnotherapist Karen Ross to explore the fascinating relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind. Karen helps unravel some of the biggest misconceptions about hypnosis and explains how accessing the subconscious can help people shift patterns, beliefs, habits, and self-talk that may no longer serve them. The conversation explores why willpower alone can sometimes fall short, how deeply rooted beliefs can influence our behavior, and why changing the way we talk to ourselves can be so powerful. Karen shares compelling stories from her work, including a client who overcame a lifelong difficulty swallowing pills and another who used visualization to achieve a golf score he once thought was impossible. For women in midlife—and anyone who has ever wondered, "Why do I keep doing this when I know better?" —this episode offers a thought-provoking look at how our past experiences shape our beliefs and how awareness and intention can help us create change. Most importantly, Karen leaves listeners with a message of hope: the stories and beliefs we've carried don't have to be permanent, and we have more power to change than we may realize. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & What We Think We Know About Hypnosis 02:20 – Your Conscious vs. Subconscious Mind 06:00 – Who Is Hypnosis Really For? 10:45 – Learning to Quiet the Inner Critic 12:00 – Changing Fear Into a Different Response 16:15 – Focus on What You Want, Not What You Fear 21:35 – Curiosity, Skepticism & Being Open to Change 23:40 – Why Do We Keep Doing Things We Know Aren't Good for Us? 25:15 – How Childhood Beliefs Follow Us Into Adulthood 29:00 – Why Willpower Isn't Always Enough 31:05 – Stop Fighting Against Something 32:40 – Take Ownership of Your Change 34:30 – An Unexpected Breakthrough: The Power of Visualization 38:35 – The Pressure on High-Achieving Young People 42:00 – Visualization, Performance & Success 44:15 – Start Listening to Your Self-Talk 47:40 – The Beliefs Women Carry About Themselves 49:35 – Find a Power Partner 50:00 – The Lemon Exercise: Experience Your Subconscious at Work 53:30 – Your Stories Don't Have to Be Permanent 55:20 – You Are More Powerful Than You Think
