Motor City Hypnotist

Podcast Your Voice Studio
Podcast Your Voice Studio
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Motor City Hypnotist Podcast discusses all things related to hypnosis, mental health, self-help and inspiration without the psychobabble. Come join us for fun, informative and entertaining content that you can use to improve yourself and make positive changes! David R. Wright is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Hypnotist/Hypnotherapist.  He has been in practice for 29 years and performs comedy hypnosis stage shows as The Motor City Hypnotist.

  1. 6d ago

    Road Rage To Wall Punching: What Is IED Anyway (part 1)

    Send us Fan Mail Anger can be normal. What’s terrifying is when the anger shows up like a switch flip, blows past logic, and leaves damage behind. We dig into Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), a DSM-5 diagnosis defined by repeated episodes of impulsive aggression, and we unpack why it can look like “a bad temper” while actually behaving more like a nervous system alarm that won’t shut off. We talk through what IED tends to sound and feel like in real life: screaming over something minor, punching walls, breaking objects, or snapping at people you love. We also spend time on the aftermath that almost nobody sees, the shame, regret, and embarrassment that can hit once the episode ends. That guilt can quietly fuel the next blowup, creating a brutal loop that hurts confidence and relationships. From there we explore likely contributors: genetics, brain chemistry and serotonin, and the brain’s threat system, including the amygdala and the frontal cortex’s role in impulse control. We connect the dots on how trauma, unpredictable caregiving, and growing up around yelling or violence can train the brain to detect danger everywhere, even in everyday stress like criticism, disagreement, or frustration. We also share personal perspective on what it’s like to live around these episodes and why “just calm down” usually fails in the moment. We close with hope and practical next steps: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), stress management, sleep, exercise, reducing alcohol, relaxation skills, mindfulness, and when appropriate, medication support. Part two is coming with even more specific tools you can try and share. If this helps, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Recorded 06-29-26 FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

  2. Jul 9

    Recovery Tools For Intermittent Explosive Disorder (part 2)

    Send us Fan Mail Anger can show up in an instant, but the damage can last for days, years, or an entire relationship. We pick up our conversation on intermittent explosive disorder (IED) with the part people crave most: how recovery works when it feels like your reactions are faster than your thinking. We get practical about what “taking back control” really means, starting with neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to build new pathways through repetition. We walk through how to identify triggers, why tiny moments can set off huge explosions, and how an anger journal can reveal patterns you can actually change. From there, we break down therapy approaches that teach real skills, not just talk, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). We also dig into hypnosis as a tool for emotional regulation, stress reduction, and rehearsing healthier responses, kind of like how athletes use focus and visualization to perform under pressure. Then we zoom out to the relationship side: how outbursts erode trust, what a real apology sounds like, and how supporters can set boundaries while still encouraging treatment. We close with clear warning signs that mean it’s time to seek help immediately, plus a quick community note you won’t want to miss. If this hit close to home, share it with someone who needs hope and a plan. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what coping skill you want to build first. Recorded 06-29-26 FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

  3. Jul 2

    Parenting Teens With Oppositional Defiant Disorder With Consistent Boundaries (part 4)

    Send us Fan Mail Defiance can look like disrespect, but up close it often looks like a teen who is flooded, stuck, and missing a few key skills. We wrap up our oppositional defiant disorder series by getting very practical about what helps and what makes things worse. If your home feels like it’s stuck in a loop of blowups, cooldowns, and broken promises, we talk through the exact patterns that keep that cycle alive and the small changes that start to break it. We dig into why escalation is so destructive: yelling, shaming, and punishments delivered in anger don’t create compliance, they create bigger reactions. We also spend time on one of the most common traps for families dealing with ODD in teens, inconsistent discipline. When expectations shift based on a parent’s stress level, a teen experiences rules as unpredictable, which invites more conflict. Our fix is simple but not easy: write down expectations and consequences ahead of time and treat it like a shared agreement, so nothing turns into a surprise “because I said so” battle. From there, we lay out protective factors backed by research: warm stable relationships, predictable routines, emotional coaching, and positive reinforcement that competes with the constant negative feedback many kids hear at school and at home. We also talk about school support like IEP plans, and what progress really looks like with oppositional defiant disorder: fewer explosions, better communication, stronger relationships, and steady gains over time. We end with a powerful reframe that changes everything, moving from “What’s wrong with this child?” to “What skills or support does this child need?” If you find this helpful, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the show. Recorded  06-22-26 FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

  4. Jun 30

    ODD In The Teen Years (part 3)

    Send us Fan Mail Teen defiance can be loud, relentless, and personal, especially when oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is in the mix. We pick up our ODD series with a clear focus on adolescence and family dynamics, because the teen years add jet fuel to conflict: independence seeking, emotional intensity, identity formation, and a hair-trigger sensitivity to authority. When a teen already struggles with emotional regulation, normal boundary testing can turn into skipped school, broken curfews, explosive arguments, and daily rule battles that leave everyone exhausted. We dig into one of the biggest misconceptions about oppositional defiant disorder in teens: the idea that the behavior is calculated or purely manipulative. What we often see instead is low frustration tolerance, rapid emotional escalation, and real difficulty calming down once the system is flooded. That doesn’t excuse harmful behavior, but it does explain why harsh punishment, yelling, humiliation, public shaming, and inconsistent discipline tend to escalate the cycle. We also talk about how trauma and chronic stressors like bullying, neglect, criticism, and family instability can make a teen feel unsafe or powerless, and why trauma-informed therapy and skill-building matter more than winning a power struggle. You’ll hear practical, evidence-based options like Collaborative Problem Solving (Dr. Ross Greene), DBT skills for anger and impulsivity, and why parents need support and coaching too. We also cover medication as a tool, not a cure, including common overlaps like ADHD and when SSRIs or other options may be considered. If you’re parenting a teen with ODD, teaching, or trying to understand a young person who seems constantly on edge, this is a grounded roadmap toward calmer boundaries and better connection. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the help. Recorded  06-22-26 FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

  5. May 21

    ODD Is Not Just Bad Behavior And Here Is Why (part 2)

    Send us Fan Mail Defiance can look like disrespect, but what if it is really stress, shame, and a nervous system that cannot downshift? We pick up our series on oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) with a clear, parent-friendly breakdown of what ODD is, how common it is, and why it is most often diagnosed in kids and teens. We also talk through why the label gets missed or brushed off, even though it has been in the DSM for decades. From there, we dig into the risk factors that show up again and again: ADHD and emotional dysregulation, trauma and adverse childhood experiences, high-conflict homes, and inconsistent discipline that turns rules into a moving target. We also cover how autism spectrum traits, learning disabilities, sensory processing challenges, and executive functioning deficits can lower frustration tolerance and make everyday demands feel impossible. If you have ever wondered why a child seems to argue everything, explode fast, or blame others, we connect those behaviors to what may be happening underneath without excusing harm. We get practical about what helps: structure, predictability, fewer power struggles, and stronger positive reinforcement so the only attention is not tied to the worst moments. We talk therapy tools like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), why family therapy can change the whole household dynamic, and how repairing trust often starts with adults regulating themselves and owning mistakes. We also answer the medication question plainly: no medication is specifically approved for ODD, but treatment can include meds for co-occurring ADHD, depression, or severe mood instability under psychiatric guidance. You will also hear our “winner of the week” rescue dog story plus a shelter spotlight on May, who needs a home. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a parent or teacher, and leave us a review. What part of ODD feels the most familiar in your world right now? Recorded May 11, 2026 FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

  6. May 19

    Oppositional Defiant Disorder Is Not Just Bad Behavior (part 1)

    Send us Fan Mail Defiance gets blamed on attitude, laziness, or “bad parenting,” but what if the real issue is a nervous system that can’t calm down fast enough? We dig into oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in a clear, practical way, breaking down what the diagnosis actually means and why it’s so often misunderstood. If you’ve ever watched a child or teen go from fine to furious in seconds, this conversation helps you see what may be happening beneath the surface.  We walk through the DSM-5 framework for ODD, including the three big clusters clinicians look for: angry or irritable mood, argumentative or defiant behavior, and vindictiveness. We also talk about everyday signs people notice, like frequent tantrums, constant arguing, refusing rules, blaming others, and being easily annoyed, then explain the key point that separates ODD from typical boundary pushing: intensity, consistency, and real impairment across home, school, and social life.  We also place ODD in context, including how it first appeared in the DSM in 1980 and why it differs from conduct disorder, which involves more serious, planned violations. From there, we get into what research and lived experience often point to: emotional dysregulation, executive functioning challenges, stress, trauma, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other neurodevelopment factors that can combine into a perfect storm. We close with why families can miss the deeper issue at first and preview a Part Two with more support and next steps.  If this helped you rethink what “defiance” can mean, subscribe, share this with a parent or educator, and leave a review so more people can find it. Recorded May 11, 2026 FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

  7. May 12

    Jedi Calm And Sith Passion Through Real Philosophy: Finding Balance In The Force (Part 2)

    Send us Fan Mail Star Wars is fun, but the Force hits harder when you treat it like a map of your own mind. On May the Fourth, we go beyond fandom and use the Jedi and Sith as two competing philosophies of how to live with emotion, power, fear, and desire. If you have ever tried to “stay positive” while feeling something darker underneath, this conversation gives you a clearer way to think about what’s actually happening inside you. We explore why the Sith can feel weirdly relatable: passion, ambition, individuality, and self determination. Then we connect that to existentialism and the warning baked into the saga: freedom without ethical grounding turns destructive fast. From there we tackle the biggest question behind the entire Star Wars arc, what does “balance” even mean? We argue it’s not about wiping out the dark side, it’s about integration, self awareness, and choosing responsibility over impulse. That leads us straight into Carl Jung and the shadow, the parts of ourselves we try to hide or suppress. We talk about how growth comes from acknowledging the shadow instead of pretending it doesn’t exist, and how that idea lines up with the Force as a metaphor for the human condition. We also nerd out a bit with lightsaber talk to close things out. If you enjoy psychology, philosophy, mental health conversations, or you just want Star Wars to feel useful in real life, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who lives in the gray area, and leave us a review wherever you listen. FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

  8. May 7

    Star Wars Wisdom For Real Life Balance: The Force And The Mind (Part 1)

    Send us Fan Mail May the Fourth is a fun excuse to talk Star Wars, but we take a sharper turn: what if “the Force” is really a map of the human mind? We use the language of Jedi and Sith to explore themes we see every day in therapy and hypnosis work: emotional regulation, inner conflict, fear, connection, and the constant push to feel in control while still staying human. We unpack the Force as an “energy that binds all living things” and connect it to real philosophical traditions like qi and prana, plus Western ideas like Stoicism and the search for inner peace. From there, we get into the part most people live in: the gray area. Light side vs dark side sounds like good vs evil, but yin and yang points to something more useful. Opposing forces can be interconnected, and the real problem is often imbalance, not emotion itself. Then we look at the Jedi code through a modern mental health lens. Discipline can be a superpower, but detachment can slide into shutdown when it turns into constant suppression. Anakin’s story becomes a cautionary tale about unprocessed fear of loss and what happens when a mentor or a system tells you to “let go” without teaching you how. If you have ever tried to keep it together while something you love feels at risk, this conversation will hit close to home. If you like thoughtful psychology with a pop culture hook, subscribe for part two, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. FIND ME: My Website: https://motorcityhypnotist.com/podcast My social media links:  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motorcityhypnotist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCjjLNcNvSYzfeX0uHqe3gA Twitter: https://twitter.com/motorcityhypno Instagram: motorcityhypno FREE HYPNOSIS GUIDE https://detroithypnotist.convertri.com/podcast-free-hypnosis-guide Please also subscribe to the show and leave a review. (Stay with me as later in the podcast, I’ll be giving away a free gift to all listeners!) Change your thinking, change your life! Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.   David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT The Motor City Hypnotist

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Motor City Hypnotist Podcast discusses all things related to hypnosis, mental health, self-help and inspiration without the psychobabble. Come join us for fun, informative and entertaining content that you can use to improve yourself and make positive changes! David R. Wright is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Hypnotist/Hypnotherapist.  He has been in practice for 29 years and performs comedy hypnosis stage shows as The Motor City Hypnotist.

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