Expanding Consciousness

Michael Wally and Nikolas Haag

How to connect to your higher self & escape the matrix. Two software engineers deconstruct together what they learned about spirituality, non-duality and the human experience. We explore to sharpen our awareness, make life more enjoyable, be little kinder, become more authentic, less reactive, more present & ultimately expand our consciousness. For Feedback & Inquiries: expanding.consciousness.podcast@gmail.com

  1. 27 MAR

    Rewiring the Subconscious: How Hypnotherapy Heals Trauma at the Root w/ Peter McLaughlin | Ep. 81

    What if your biggest struggles weren’t random—but rooted deep in your subconscious… or even beyond this lifetime? In this episode, we sit down with hypnotherapist Peter McLaughlin, who shares his powerful journey from firefighter and EMT to helping people resolve anxiety, emotional blocks, and deeply ingrained patterns through hypnosis. We explore what hypnosis really is (hint: you already experience it daily), how trauma gets stored in the subconscious, and how accessing these states can lead to rapid transformation—sometimes in just minutes. Peter explains how emotional patterns, beliefs, and even guilt or shame can shape our lives without us realizing it—and how they can be rewritten. We also dive into more unconventional territory, including past life regression, spiritual perspectives on healing, and why confronting inner pain (rather than avoiding it) can be the key to lasting change. This episode is a deep and thought-provoking exploration of the mind, healing, and what it really means to transform from the inside out. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Peter’s background 01:10 From firefighter to life-threatening diagnosis 02:26 Discovering hypnosis & subconscious healing 04:58 What is hypnosis really? 08:56 How hypnotherapy rewires patterns 09:49 How to enter a hypnotic state 14:44 Processing trauma in hypnosis 15:19 Creating safety in therapy 18:35 Confronting pain vs avoiding it 19:14 Making the unconscious conscious 23:05 Past life vs current life trauma 28:22 Why guilt & shame are so powerful 31:46 Why we carry trauma across lifetimes 36:18 How long does transformation take? 37:55 Are we ever “done” with the work? 41:55 Skepticism: is it just imagination? 45:44 Spiritual implications of healing 50:11 Do clients know what they’re getting into? 53:44 Who is drawn to this work? 54:24 Stanislav Grof 55:44 Birth trauma vs past life regression 58:01 Psyched**ics vs hypnosis 01:00:43 Spiritual attachments explained 01:02:51 How entity attachment healing works

    1hr 11min

  2. 12 MAR

    Messages From Beyond: Barbara Banner on Spirits & the Afterlife | Ep. 80

    In this episode, we talk with evidential medium Barbara Banner, who shares her personal journey into mediumship and how she began delivering detailed, verifiable messages from people in spirit. We explore what mediumship actually feels like from the inside, how messages come through, and whether this ability is something only a few people have — or something anyone can learn to access. Barbara explains how grief affects the connection to the other side, why signs from loved ones often appear in everyday life, and what spirits supposedly experience after death. The conversation also dives into deeper questions about reincarnation, life reviews, spirit guides, and whether those on the other side can influence what happens here on Earth. Toward the end, Barbara even attempts a live reading during the podcast, showing how unexpected and symbolic these messages can be. Topics include: How Barbara discovered her abilities What happens during a medium reading Signs from loved ones after death Life after death & reincarnation Spirit guides and intuition Can anyone learn mediumship? A live reading during the episode Timestamps 0:00 Intro 1:22 Barbara’s story – how mediumship started 2:46 Crisis work, grief support, and early experiences 5:02 Paranormal events that changed everything 6:41 First readings and learning mediumship 8:35 Mediumship and grief – why timing matters 11:08 What messages from spirits are usually about 14:02 Validations, signs, and surprising details 18:33 How spirits communicate with a medium 20:52 Can anyone learn intuition and connection? 24:30 Teaching clients to connect themselves 26:35 When messages don’t make sense at first 27:59 Who shows up in a reading? 30:52 Burnout and self-care as a medium 32:44 Negative spirits, protection, and safety 35:00 Life after death and the life review 38:57 Reincarnation and why souls come back 42:06 Can spirits influence life on Earth? 45:06 Live reading during the podcast 52:55 When messages make sense later 54:46 Where to find Barbara Banner online 55:38 Outro

    56 min

  3. 19 FEB

    From MIT Engineer to Miracle Healer: Rewriting the “Source Code” of Reality w/ Brent Michael Phillips | Ep. 79

    Our Guest's Website: https://awakening-dynamics.com/ What if miracles aren’t magic… but misunderstood technology? In this episode, we sit down with Brent Michael Phillips, a former MIT-trained engineer and video game entrepreneur who went through a devastating physical and emotional collapse — only to experience what he describes as an instantaneous miracle healing that changed the trajectory of his life. After being told he would be in pain forever and would never work again, Brent hit rock bottom. Chronic pain, betrayal, financial ruin, and depression forced him into what he calls a true “dark night of the soul.” But everything shifted after a session with an unconventional healer that restored movement to his paralyzed arm in seconds. Instead of dismissing the experience, Brent did what any engineer would do: he reverse-engineered it. Today, he teaches what he calls Awakening Dynamics — a system for decoding and “debugging” the subconscious mind. Using powerful analogies from software engineering, Brent explains: Why your body works like hardware and your subconscious like software How “miracles” may simply be rewritten code Why lottery winners and NFL players often lose their wealth What it really takes to reprogram deep subconscious patterns The difference between information and true embodiment This conversation bridges science, spirituality, somatics, and psychology — especially for those who think in systems. If you’ve ever wondered whether healing and manifestation can be approached like engineering problems, this episode will challenge how you see reality. Timestamps 00:40– Introduction 01:38 – From nerdy MIT engineer to internet startup founder 03:46 – The 100-hour work weeks and physical collapse 06:28 – “You’ll never work again”: The devastating diagnosis 09:36 – Betrayal, loss, and the dark night of the soul 13:01 – The failed search for healing (5 years of alternative medicine) 15:02 – Rock bottom: Surgery, paralysis, and despair 16:38 – Meeting the “crazy healer lady” 18:23 – The instant healing of his paralyzed arm 20:18 – Why the miracle didn’t fix everything overnight 21:49 – Reverse engineering the masters 24:35 – The hardware vs. software analogy 27:42 – Why lottery winners and NFL players go broke 29:41 – The body as a constantly re-rendered reality 32:29 – Debugging the subconscious like code 34:50 – Somatics, embodiment & reintegrating the nervous system 37:46 – Miracles vs. long-term transformation 40:24 – “How long will it take?” Debugging complexity explained 43:29 – Why doctors ignore spontaneous healing 44:29 – How Brent rewrites subconscious blocks in milliseconds 46:45 – Different tools for different people (passenger car vs. race car) 48:42 – Integrating the shadow & facing the mud 50:29 – How to work with Brent & his training communities 55:41 – Final reflections & where to find him

    59 min

  4. 3 FEB

    Dianetics Explained: Understanding the Reactive Mind and Emotional Trauma w/ Alyssa Burke | Ep. 78

    In this episode, we explore Dianetics—a mental health framework closely associated with Scientology, yet far less understood, especially in Europe. Together with guest Alyssa Burke, Nikolas and Michael dive into the core ideas behind Dianetics, including the distinction between the analytical and reactive mind, how unresolved trauma influences behavior, emotions, and even physical health, and how these hidden mental recordings shape our lives without us realizing it. Alyssa shares her personal journey with Dianetics, explains the auditing process in detail, and uses clear analogies—from computer viruses to everyday experiences—to make complex ideas accessible. The conversation draws thoughtful parallels to modern psychology, trauma work, meditation, and somatic approaches, while also addressing questions around safety, effectiveness, and how Dianetics differs from traditional therapy. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or simply interested in understanding how past experiences continue to affect present-day reactions, this episode offers a deep, nuanced, and respectful exploration of Dianetics and its place in the wider landscape of mental health frameworks. Timestamps 00:41 – Introduction: Why explore Dianetics? 01:38 – Alyssa’s personal journey into Dianetics 04:10 – What Dianetics is: analytical vs. reactive mind 06:46 – Psychosomatic illness and the mind–body connection 10:49 – Is Dianetics therapy? How auditing works 13:55 – The “eggs” example: how the reactive mind forms triggers 19:32 – Processing reactive content with the analytical mind 22:55 – How many sessions are needed? Results and relief 27:51 – What makes Dianetics different from other approaches 30:19 – The computer virus analogy explained 33:07 – Awareness, meditation, and distance from reactivity 37:52 – Identifying hidden trauma with an auditor 43:18 – Safety, severe trauma, and emotional capacity 46:51 – The role of the auditor (and why they don’t analyze) 50:22 – Self-responsibility vs. being “fixed” 52:43 – How to get started: books, centers, DIY approach 54:27 – Closing thoughts and final reflections

    55 min

  5. 18 JAN

    How Attachment Styles Shape Your Relationships | Bryan Power | Ep. 77

    Bryan Power's Website: https://www.myrelationshipfail.com/ In this episode, we dive deep into Attachment Theory and explore how our early childhood experiences shape the way we love, communicate, and connect in adult relationships. Our guest Bryan Power shares a powerful personal story of how his marriage reached a breaking point — and how that crisis became the turning point that led him into deep healing work through attachment styles and integrated attachment theory. Together, we break down the four attachment styles (secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant), explain why opposites often attract, and uncover the patterns that keep couples stuck in repeating conflicts. Bryan also introduces the six pillars of Integrated Attachment Theory, giving practical tools for emotional regulation, needs, boundaries, communication, and lasting relationship change. If you’ve ever found yourself caught in the same fights, feeling misunderstood, or “listening to defend,” this episode will give you clarity — and a roadmap forward.

    1hr 3min

  6. 3 JAN

    The Productivity Myth: Why Doing Nothing Makes Us Feel Guilty | Ep. 76

    Why does resting feel so uncomfortable? Why do so many of us feel guilty when we’re not being productive? In this episode, Nikolas and Michael unpack one of the deepest cultural myths of modern society: the belief that our worth is defined by productivity. Starting from personal experiences of guilt, burnout, and career pauses, the conversation expands into capitalism, work identity, burnout culture, universal basic income, AI, and gender roles. They explore how productivity becomes wired into our nervous systems, how fear and social pressure keep the system running without anyone holding a whip, and why many people feel lost when asked what gives their life meaning beyond work. Along the way, they touch on career gaps, tech culture, burnout at a young age, and what it takes to step off the hamster wheel. This episode is an honest, reflective dialogue about rest, fear, meaning, and the courage it takes to question a system we’ve been trained not to question. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:41 – Feeling guilty for resting and the discomfort of doing nothing 01:59 – Productivity as self-worth and the need to produce to feel valuable 03:43 – Capitalism, vacations, and rest as a tool for productivity 05:16 – Productivity as a deeply ingrained social belief 06:56 – Advertising, money, and the illusion of happiness 09:15 – Making money as a substitute for meaning 11:22 – Universal basic income, AI, and meaningful work 13:54 – “I am enough”: nervous systems, burnout, and constant tension 16:52 – Work as identity and why “What do you do?” defines us 19:17 – Career gaps, lying about work, and the stigma of not working 22:56 – Tech culture, AI, and impossible job requirements 25:39 – Redefining success: time, meaning, and quality of life 28:28 – Productivity, masculinity, and gender role expectations 30:51 – Parenting, toys, and early gender conditioning 33:07 – Challenging rigid gender roles and societal power structures 36:49 – Sitting with discomfort and stepping away from stable careers 38:44 – Health, burnout, mortality, and choosing meaningful contribution 41:04 – Modeling alternative paths and undoing the productivity program 43:14 – Awareness as the first step and closing reflections

    46 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    Navigating Social Anxiety Through Polyvagal Theory | Ep. 75

    In this episode, Michael shares a deeply personal experience from his somatic therapy studies: feeling calm and articulate in small classes, yet anxious, self-critical, and dysregulated in larger group settings. Together with Nikolas, he explores this contrast through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, unpacking how the nervous system perceives safety, threat, and social connection. The conversation moves beyond theory into lived experience—touching on fight-or-flight responses, faulty neuroception, self-regulation strategies, and why intellectual understanding alone often isn’t enough to calm the body. They discuss practical approaches such as breathing, leaving and re-entering situations, nervous system “priming,” vulnerability, co-regulation, and the limits of exposure-based methods. A thoughtful, honest exploration of social anxiety, embodiment, and what it really takes to retrain the nervous system—especially when you already “know better,” but your body hasn’t caught up yet. Timestamps 00:41 – Introduction and framing the episode 01:35 – Overview of Polyvagal Theory: ventral vagal, sympathetic, dorsal vagal 03:35 – Michael’s experience: small classes vs. large classes 05:35 – Nervous system threat perception and fight-or-flight in social settings 07:18 – Safety, self-monitoring, and why “just focusing outward” doesn’t work 09:54 – Breathing and self-regulation: what helps and what doesn’t 12:34 – Why self-soothing techniques can fail in high activation 14:53 – Leaving situations to reset the nervous system 16:50 – Priming before stressful situations (movement, yoga, routines) 19:39 – Hidden triggers: commuting stress and activating content before class 21:45 – Reducing shame through understanding nervous system patterns 23:35 – Designing an ideal program for social anxiety 25:22 – Exposure vs. skill deficits: where the real issue lies 27:04 – Does exposure actually teach safety to the nervous system? 28:38 – Relief after leaving situations and what the body learns 30:08 – Holding it together vs. genuine regulation 31:36 – Vulnerability as a way out of incongruence 34:22 – Acceptance vs. forceful self-regulation 35:55 – Co-regulation, empathy, and being seen in anxiety 37:02 – Behavioral therapy: when it helps and when it doesn’t 38:54 – Closing reflections and wrapping up

    41 min

  8. 04/11/2025

    From Guilt to Growth: Healing the Root of People Pleasing | Ep. 74

    In this deep and insightful conversation, Michael and Nikolas revisit the intertwined themes of anxiety and people pleasing — exploring how childhood patterns, guilt, and hyper-empathy shape adult behavior. They discuss why so many of us unconsciously take responsibility for others’ emotions, how this limits authenticity, and what it truly means to differentiate between our own feelings and those we absorb from others. Along the way, they weave in concepts from Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Nonviolent Communication, offering both psychological depth and practical pathways toward inner freedom. Whether you identify as an empath, a recovering people pleaser, or someone navigating social anxiety, this episode provides a compassionate look at how to build emotional boundaries, practice forgiveness, and find peace in simply being yourself. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:41 – Welcome & revisiting the topics of anxiety and people pleasing 01:16 – Nikolas on authenticity vs. programming: realizing people-pleasing tendencies 02:48 – Michael’s experience as a “recovering people pleaser” and fear of rejection 04:36 – How childhood conditioning creates people-pleasing behavior 06:20 – The role of empathy and taking on others’ emotions 08:08 – Michael on emotional transference and childhood roots of empathy 11:54 – Guilt as the driving force and forgiveness as the antidote 13:12 – Michael on self-forgiveness and gratitude for old coping mechanisms 17:02 – Sensitivity, nervous system linkage, and emotional boundaries 19:40 – Setting intentions and emotional boundaries in social settings 22:14 – Connecting people pleasing and anxiety 24:06 – Nikolas’ theory: anxiety as “micro fear” and its biological purpose 25:52 – Michael on anxiety as a survival mechanism and faulty neuroception 31:38 – Group dynamics and why anxiety increases in larger settings 33:55 – Working on the root framework behind the behavior 34:59 – Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a tool for inner dialogue 36:22 – Michael on disowning vs. working with inner parts 38:43 – Rejecting vs. befriending anxiety and guilt 39:39 – Applying Nonviolent Communication to inner parts 43:26 – Nikolas on IFS as an accessible framework for everyone 44:22 – Exploring modalities and Michael’s 30-year journey with anxiety 46:42 – Nikolas on anxiety returning in cycles and self-understanding 49:00 – Acceptance, oscillation, and the role of suffering in growth 50:15 – Closing reflections and tools for inner healing 50:42 – Wrap-up

    52 min
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About

How to connect to your higher self & escape the matrix. Two software engineers deconstruct together what they learned about spirituality, non-duality and the human experience. We explore to sharpen our awareness, make life more enjoyable, be little kinder, become more authentic, less reactive, more present & ultimately expand our consciousness. For Feedback & Inquiries: expanding.consciousness.podcast@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Wally and Nikolas Haag
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Wally and Nikolas Haag
  • Show Website
    Expanding Consciousness

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