Joshua Korac Podcast

Can clinical hypnosis help people manage anxiety, trauma, pain, chronic symptoms, or other emotional and physical concerns?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with pediatric pulmonologist and clinical hypnosis specialist Dr. Ran Anbar about what hypnosis is, how it works, and how it may support healing.

Dr. Anbar explains that clinical hypnosis is not mind control. It is a focused state of attention that can help people use relaxation, imagination, language, and internal awareness to influence emotional distress and physical symptoms. Rather than taking control away from the patient, therapeutic hypnosis aims to increase a person’s sense of agency.

Josh and Dr. Anbar discuss how hypnosis may be used with anxiety, chronic pain, breathing difficulties, functional symptoms, trauma-related concerns, and other conditions. They explore techniques such as guided imagery, relaxation, positive self-talk, and noticing the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.

The conversation also examines the subconscious mind. Dr. Anbar describes it as a possible source of creativity, insight, and problem-solving. Hypnosis may help some people access perspectives or internal resources that are difficult to reach through ordinary conscious thinking.

Josh and Dr. Anbar also discuss the power of language. The words used by clinicians, parents, and patients can affect expectations, confidence, and the way someone understands symptoms. Supportive language may increase hope and agency, while frightening or overly limiting messages may unintentionally increase distress.

They address common misconceptions about hypnosis, including fears about losing control, revealing private information, or being forced to act against your values. Dr. Anbar explains the difference between clinical hypnosis and stage hypnosis, and why trust, consent, collaboration, and appropriate training matter.

The episode also explores hypnosis and trauma. Hypnosis may help some people approach difficult memories or emotional experiences with greater distance and safety, but this work requires caution. Josh and Dr. Anbar discuss dissociation, internal voices, memory, and the importance of treating the whole person rather than focusing only on a diagnosis.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• What clinical hypnosis is and how it works
• The difference between therapeutic and stage hypnosis
• Why hypnosis does not require giving up control
• Relaxation, guided imagery, and positive self-talk
• Hypnosis for anxiety, pain, and chronic symptoms
• The connection between emotions and physical sensations
• How language and expectations can affect healing
• The subconscious mind as a source of creativity and insight
• The role of trust, consent, and collaboration
• Hypnosis, trauma, dissociation, and emotional safety

Dr. Ran Anbar is board certified in pediatric pulmonology and general pediatrics. He is a fellow and approved consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and has used clinical hypnosis with thousands of children. He previously served as a professor of pediatrics and medicine and director of pediatric pulmonology at SUNY Upstate Medical University. He is the author of Changing Children’s Lives with Hypnosis: A Journey to the Center.

Learn more about Dr. Anbar at centerpointhypnosis.com.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or an established therapeutic relationship. Hypnosis may not be appropriate for every person or condition. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

What is love, and how do people recognize it across different cultures, communities, relationships, and ways of life?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with writer, educator, and adventurer Scotte Burns about Journeys to Love, a multimedia project created with his wife, Toni, to explore the nature, meaning, and experience of love.

Scotte shares how one simple question, “What is love?”, became a years-long journey across the United States. Traveling by motorcycle through 48 states, Scotte and Toni gathered stories from people with different backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and life experiences. Their goal was not to find one narrow definition, but to understand what people have in common when they experience love, belonging, grief, meaning, and connection.

Josh and Scotte discuss love as more than a feeling or romantic experience. Scotte describes love as a kind of human sense that helps people recognize connection, value, and shared humanity. They explore how love may appear through acknowledgment, attention, service, sacrifice, curiosity, and the willingness to see another person more fully.

The conversation also examines the relationship between love and consciousness. Scotte reflects on whether love helps people move beyond isolation and recognize that they are part of something larger than themselves. Josh and Scotte discuss collective consciousness, meaning-making, spirituality, and the limits of understanding love through psychology alone.

They also explore grief as a disruption in a person’s experience of love and connection. When someone or something deeply meaningful is lost, grief may feel like the sudden absence of a familiar way of sensing the world. Scotte discusses how love can remain present through memory, relationship, and the meaning we continue to carry.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The origins of the Journeys to Love project
• How people define and experience love differently
• What diverse communities may share in their understanding of love
• Love as connection, acknowledgment, and shared humanity
• The relationship between love, meaning, and consciousness
• Why love may be more than an emotion
• How travel and storytelling can challenge assumptions
• Finding love in unexpected people and places
• The relationship between grief and lost connection
• How everyday acts can communicate care and belonging
• Why listening to another person’s story matters
• The possibility that love reminds us we are not alone

Scotte Burns is a writer, adventurer, and longtime English, creative writing, and geosciences educator. Alongside his wife, Toni, he created Journeys to Love to document stories about the nature, meaning, and unity of love. Their travels have taken them more than 100,000 miles through 48 states while meeting people from a wide range of American cultures and communities.

Learn more through the Journeys to Love YouTube channel and follow the project at @journeys_to_love.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute mental health treatment, diagnosis, spiritual direction, or an established therapeutic relationship.

How can ADHD, anxiety, depression, bullying, and comparison shape a young adult’s sense of identity and self-worth?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with Caroline Moorin about her experiences with ADHD, anxiety, depression, medication, relationships, and building a creative life through fashion.

Caroline was diagnosed with ADHD at age 12 and shares how difficulties with focus, productivity, insecurity, and feeling different affected her childhood and adolescence. She discusses the impact of bullying, social comparison, and negative experiences in high school, as well as the role supportive friendships and professional help played in her growth.

Josh and Caroline also explore the overlap between ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Caroline reflects on trying medication, experiencing unwanted side effects, and learning that mental health treatment may require patience, communication, and adjustment. They discuss the importance of working with qualified professionals rather than assuming one treatment approach will fit everyone.

The conversation also looks at creativity as a source of identity, expression, and emotional support. Caroline shares how fashion and art helped her feel more grounded and gave her a sense of control during difficult periods. She describes starting Dazed Vintage, a sustainable vintage clothing business, and the fulfillment and pressure that can come with turning a personal passion into a business.

Caroline also speaks openly about trust, relationships, negative beliefs, and the process of learning to take her own feelings seriously. Josh and Caroline discuss self-acceptance, grief, gratitude, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who reinforce that you are worthy of love, kindness, and respect.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• ADHD in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood
• The overlap between ADHD, anxiety, and depression
• How bullying and comparison can affect self-esteem
• Challenges with focus, motivation, and productivity
• Medication side effects and communicating with providers
• Therapy, support, and finding the right treatment
• Creativity and fashion as forms of self-expression
• Sustainable fashion and starting a small business
• Trust issues and relationship difficulties
• Coping with negative thoughts and beliefs
• Self-acceptance, grief, gratitude, and finding joy
• Building relationships that support your mental health

Caroline Moorin is an Indiana University graduate with a background in media advertising, marketing, business, and sales. She is the founder of Dazed Vintage, a sustainable vintage clothing brand, and has worked in the fashion industry in New York City.

Follow Caroline at @caroline.moorin and Dazed Vintage at @dazedvintagexcarol.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of ADHD, anxiety, depression, bullying, medication side effects, grief, and relationship difficulties.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or an established therapeutic relationship. Do not start, stop, or change medication without consulting a qualified healthcare professional.

What makes a professor or therapist memorable, and how can positive psychology help people move beyond simply reducing symptoms?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac reconnects with his former professor, Dr. Jonathan Dimos, for a candid conversation about teaching, counseling, positive psychology, professional identity, and the relationships that shape personal growth.

Josh and Dr. Dimos begin by engaging in “reality testing,” comparing how they each experienced their relationship during Josh’s time as a student. They discuss the assumptions students can make about professors, the pressure that comes with being placed on a pedestal, and what it is like for a teacher or therapist to be seen as an expert, authority figure, or role model.

Dr. Dimos reflects on his transition from private practice into teaching. He shares what drew him to education, how the classroom differs from the therapy office, and why helping students develop curiosity, self-awareness, and practical wisdom can be deeply meaningful. Josh and Dr. Dimos also explore the lasting influence professors, supervisors, counselors, and mentors can have on a person’s direction.

The conversation examines positive psychology and why mental health work should involve more than diagnosing problems or reducing distress. Positive psychology studies strengths, meaning, hope, character, well-being, relationships, and the conditions that help people flourish. Josh and Dr. Dimos discuss why these topics are not always emphasized in traditional psychology training and how they can complement, rather than replace, attention to suffering.

They also talk about humility, vulnerability, professional boundaries, and the importance of allowing teachers and clinicians to remain human. Being knowledgeable does not mean having every answer, and healthy helping relationships can include honesty, humor, uncertainty, and mutual respect.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• What positive psychology is
• The difference between reducing symptoms and promoting well-being
• Strengths, hope, meaning, and human flourishing
• Why positive psychology may receive less attention in training
• How professors and counselors can be placed on a pedestal
• The pressure of being viewed as an expert or role model
• Reality testing assumptions within relationships
• The transition from private practice to teaching
• Differences between counseling and education
• How mentors and professors influence personal growth
• Humility, vulnerability, and authenticity in helping professions
• Why mental health professionals do not need to have every answer

Dr. Jonathan Dimos is a licensed psychologist and professor with extensive experience in counseling, psychological assessment, and higher education. He has worked with adolescents, college students, adults, couples, families, missionaries, people with severe mental illness, and incarcerated populations.

Dr. Dimos has taught psychology and counseling at several universities and has also taught internationally in China. He earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver and his MA in Professional Counseling from Colorado Christian University.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute mental health treatment, diagnosis, supervision, or an established therapeutic relationship.

What is psychological flexibility, and how can it help you respond differently to difficult thoughts, emotions, and life experiences?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, commonly known as ACT, and how psychological flexibility can help people live with greater purpose, openness, and resilience.

Psychological flexibility is the ability to remain present with difficult internal experiences while choosing actions that reflect what matters most to you. Rather than waiting for anxiety, fear, shame, or self-doubt to disappear, ACT helps people develop a different relationship with those experiences and continue moving toward a meaningful life.

Josh and Diana discuss how emotional avoidance can offer temporary relief while gradually narrowing a person’s life. They explore how mindfulness, acceptance, self-compassion, and personal values can help people become more open to discomfort and more intentional about the choices they make.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• What psychological flexibility means
• The basic principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Why avoiding difficult emotions can keep people feeling stuck
• How to make room for anxiety, fear, shame, and uncertainty
• The difference between accepting an emotion and approving of a situation
• How thoughts can influence behavior without controlling it
• Identifying the values that matter most to you
• Turning personal values into meaningful action
• Why pain can sometimes point toward what you care about
• Mindfulness and staying connected to the present moment
• Developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself
• Taking small steps toward a meaningful life
• Responding more flexibly when life does not go as planned

Dr. Diana Hill is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and international trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and compassion-based approaches. Her work focuses on helping people develop psychological flexibility so they can respond more effectively to challenges and invest their energy in what matters most.

She is the author or coauthor of books including The ACT Daily Journal, The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, I Know I Should Exercise But…, and Wise Effort. She is also the host of the Wise Effort podcast.

Learn more about Diana and her work at drdianahill.com.

About the host:

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com, where he has worked with thousands of adult children and parents affected by family estrangement.

Learn more about Josh and his therapy practice at joshuakorac.com.

This podcast is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute mental health treatment, diagnosis, or an established therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Can the nervous system learn to move out of chronic stress and return to a greater sense of balance?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with therapist Thomas Pals about Autonomic Healing Activation, homeostasis, stress, trauma, and the relationship between the brain and body.

Thomas explains Autonomic Healing Activation as a body-based approach intended to support the nervous system’s natural movement toward regulation and balance. He describes homeostasis as the body’s ongoing effort to maintain internal stability, even when a person is under stress.

Josh and Thomas discuss how different parts of the brain respond to threat, safety, memory, and emotion. They explore why people can remain physically activated after a stressful or traumatic experience has ended and how chronic stress may affect the body, relationships, emotions, and daily functioning.

The conversation also looks at interoception, or the ability to notice internal sensations such as breathing, muscle tension, heartbeat, temperature, and discomfort. Developing greater awareness of these signals may help people recognize when their nervous system is activated and respond with more curiosity and less fear.

Thomas describes what an Autonomic Healing Activation session may involve and how the approach differs from therapies that rely mainly on talking or analyzing thoughts. Rather than forcing the body to relax, the process emphasizes attention, safety, and allowing the nervous system to respond at its own pace.

Josh and Thomas also discuss the importance of treating the whole person. Stress and trauma are not only mental experiences. They can influence sleep, energy, pain, digestion, concentration, emotional regulation, and a person’s ability to feel safe or connected.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• What Autonomic Healing Activation is
• Homeostasis and the body’s effort to restore balance
• How the autonomic nervous system responds to stress
• The relationship between the brain, body, and emotions
• Why stress responses can continue after danger has passed
• Interoception and awareness of internal sensations
• How trauma may affect physical and emotional functioning
• The difference between body-based and talk-based approaches
• What an Autonomic Healing Activation session may involve
• Why safety and pacing matter in nervous system work
• Supporting regulation without forcing relaxation
• The importance of treating the whole person

Thomas Pals is a therapist and the developer of Autonomic Healing Activation. His work combines somatic stress reduction, nervous system education, and a focus on the body’s homeostatic processes. He also hosts the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast.

Learn more about Thomas and Autonomic Healing Activation at autonomichealing.org.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or an established therapeutic relationship. Autonomic Healing Activation is a distinct therapeutic approach and should not be treated as a substitute for appropriate medical or mental health care.

What happens when an injury takes away the sport, identity, and future you thought you were building?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with former collegiate football player Kendall Ryan about concussions, athlete mental health, depression, anxiety, masculinity, identity loss, and rebuilding life after the end of a sports career.

Kendall shares how football became a central part of his identity from an early age. After experiencing multiple concussions, he was medically disqualified from playing the sport he had built much of his life around. Losing football meant more than losing an activity. It disrupted his community, goals, routine, confidence, and understanding of who he was.

Josh and Kendall discuss the emotional impact of sports-related injuries and why athletes may struggle to talk openly about depression, anxiety, grief, or fear. They explore how pressure to appear strong, competitive, and self-reliant can make it difficult for men and athletes to seek support.

The conversation also examines toxic masculinity and the belief that vulnerability is a weakness. Kendall reflects on learning to speak honestly about his mental health, opening up to family and friends, and discovering that vulnerability can create stronger relationships rather than diminish respect.

Josh and Kendall discuss the importance of community during major life transitions. Supportive relatives, close friendships, and chosen family helped Kendall feel less alone as he adjusted to life without football. They also explore how sharing personal stories can help other people recognize their own struggles and feel safer asking for help.

Kendall describes how travel, curiosity, and meeting people from different backgrounds helped him expand his identity beyond athletics. Rather than replacing football with one new defining role, he began building a broader life around relationships, learning, work, travel, and meaningful experiences.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The mental health effects of sports-related concussions
• How athletic identity can shape self-worth
• Grieving the unexpected end of a sports career
• Depression and anxiety among athletes
• Why mental health struggles may go unnoticed in sports
• Masculinity, vulnerability, and asking for help
• The importance of family, friendship, and chosen family
• Rebuilding identity after injury or major loss
• How community supports emotional recovery
• The power of sharing personal mental health stories
• Finding purpose outside achievement and competition
• Using travel and relationships to broaden your perspective

Kendall Ryan is a former collegiate football player whose athletic career ended after multiple concussions. Since college, he has worked in technology sales and lived in several cities across the United States. His experiences with injury, mental health, travel, and personal growth have shaped his belief that understanding emotion can help people create meaningful connections.

Follow Kendall at @kendall__ryan__.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of concussions, depression, anxiety, identity loss, and mental health challenges.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or an established therapeutic relationship. Anyone experiencing symptoms after a concussion should seek evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional.

What can forensic psychology teach us about serial killers, criminal behavior, and the way true crime is presented in popular culture?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with forensic psychologist and author Dr. Katherine Ramsland about her work with serial killers, including Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK Killer. They discuss how forensic psychologists study violent offenders, build rapport without excusing harm, and separate careful research from sensationalism.

Dr. Ramsland reflects on years of communication with Rader and explains how trust, boundaries, observation, and critical thinking shaped her work. Josh and Dr. Ramsland explore what can and cannot be generalized from serial killers, why motivations differ, and how the field of forensic psychology continues to evolve as researchers challenge old assumptions.

The conversation also examines the popularity of true crime. Dr. Ramsland discusses the difference between educating the public and turning violent offenders into entertainment. They consider how documentaries, podcasts, television, and news coverage can either deepen understanding or unintentionally glorify offenders while pushing victims and families into the background.

Josh and Dr. Ramsland also discuss media-inspired violence, the concern that some people may imitate crimes they encounter in entertainment, and the importance of distinguishing fascination from actual intent. They explore prevention, treatment, media responsibility, access to weapons, and the need to identify concerning patterns before violence occurs.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Ramsland emphasizes the importance of remembering the seriousness of these crimes. Studying violent offenders can support research, prevention, and better understanding, but it should never erase the humanity of victims or minimize the lasting impact on families and communities.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• What forensic psychologists study
• Dr. Ramsland’s work with Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer
• How researchers build rapport with violent offenders
• Boundaries and self-care in forensic work
• Why serial killers do not fit one simple profile
• Common myths about serial killers
• The difference between education and sensationalism
• The rise of true crime podcasts and documentaries
• Media-inspired violence and copycat concerns
• Ethical questions about giving offenders a platform
• Prevention, treatment, and early intervention
• Keeping victims and their families at the center

Dr. Katherine Ramsland is a forensic psychologist, professor, and internationally recognized expert on criminal behavior. She has appeared in more than 200 documentaries and television programs, consulted for productions including CSI and Bones, and written extensively about forensic psychology, death investigation, serial killers, and criminal profiling.

She is the author of more than 60 books, including Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer, How to Catch a Killer, and The Psychology of Death Investigations.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of murder, serial killers, mass violence, and the impact of violent crime.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute mental health treatment, forensic evaluation, legal advice, or an established therapeutic relationship.

How do you keep moving forward when life gives you almost no reason to believe you will survive?

In this episode, licensed professional counselor Josh Korac speaks with cancer survivor, adventurer, author, and motivational speaker Sean Swarner about resilience, purpose, fear, and accomplishing goals that once seemed impossible.

Sean was diagnosed with two different forms of terminal cancer as a teenager and was given an extremely small chance of survival. After recovering, he became the first cancer survivor to summit Mount Everest. He later climbed the highest mountain on every continent, completed the Explorers Grand Slam by reaching both the North and South Poles, and finished the Ironman World Championship in Kona.

Sean shares how his experiences with cancer changed his relationship with fear, time, identity, and possibility. Rather than seeing adversity as proof that life is over, he learned to focus on the next available step and the parts of life he could still influence.

Josh and Sean discuss the difference between optimism and denial. Sean does not suggest that positive thinking can remove illness, grief, or uncertainty. Instead, he describes mindset as a way of choosing where to direct attention and effort when many circumstances remain outside your control.

The conversation also explores purpose. Sean explains why reaching a summit is rarely the final goal. Accomplishments may create powerful moments, but meaning often comes from the people you bring with you, the lives you influence, and the ways you use your experiences in service of others.

Sean also discusses carrying a flag with the names of people affected by cancer to the summit of Mount Everest, creating the CancerClimber Association, and leading the Big Hill Challenge to help survivors and supporters reconnect with hope, community, and adventure.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• Surviving two terminal cancer diagnoses
• Climbing Mount Everest with one functioning lung
• Resilience during illness, uncertainty, and major setbacks
• Breaking overwhelming goals into manageable steps
• The difference between optimism and denial
• How fear can inform you without controlling you
• Finding purpose after trauma or serious illness
• Why achievement alone may not create lasting fulfillment
• Using adversity to support and inspire others
• The role of community in healing and perseverance
• Redefining what is possible after life-changing experiences
• Sean’s Seven Summits, polar expeditions, and Ironman journey

Sean Swarner is a two-time terminal cancer survivor, author, speaker, and adventurer. He became the first cancer survivor to summit Mount Everest and has completed the Seven Summits, the North and South Poles, and the Ironman World Championship. He is the founder of the CancerClimber Association and creator of the Big Hill Challenge.

Learn more about Sean, his books, and the Big Hill Challenge at seanswarner.com.

Josh Korac is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who specializes in trauma, family estrangement, loneliness, and complex relationship concerns. He is also the Lead Moderator of Estrangement.com.

Learn more about Josh at joshuakorac.com.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of cancer, serious illness, medical trauma, and death.

This podcast is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or an established therapeutic relationship.

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