If you’re suffering from chronic pain, then this episode of Rays of Light might be for you!

Joel Norgaard’s back injury has healed, but he’s still in a lot of pain, making every aspect of his life more difficult. Listen in to hear Makiko and Karisha explore the ways in which our thoughts and emotions have a big impact on our pain levels. They also discuss studies (links included below) showing how hypnotherapy successfully helps people manage pain.

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

By the way, is there a topic or character type that you’d like us to focus on? Please let us know: contact

Short video where David Spiegel, MD Discusses Replacing Opioids with Hypnosis for Pain Treatment | Stanford Health Care

A 2007 review of 13 studies on Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain - PubMed.

One of 54 studies on hypnotherapy gathered by Bruce Bonnett: Hypnotic Treatment of Chronic Pain

Story: Karisha Kirk - ⁠FireflySuite⁠

Production: Makiko Suzuki - ⁠Hypnospark⁠

Music: ⁠High Street Jack⁠

If hormonal shifts are disrupting your life, or the life of someone you love, this episode of Rays of Light might be for you!

At 46, Gabriella Romero is feeling out of control as a fogginess takes over her previously sharp mind, and she’s worried that her career will suffer. Along with this, she’s noticed her facial features changing in ways she doesn’t appreciate. As if those problems weren’t enough, mood swings and increasing irritability are plaguing her for the first time since puberty. Listen in to hear how hosts Karisha and Makiko discuss the different ways people connect to their bodies.

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

Curious? Please send us your questions!

Rays of Light

Story: Karisha Kirk (⁠FireflySuite⁠)

Production: Makiko Suzuki (⁠Hypnospark⁠)

Music: ⁠High Street Jack⁠

If you’ve ever felt like a poor body image is ruining your life, or the life of someone you love, then this episode of Rays of Light might be for you!

Carene Neibaur is a fifteen-year-old who dislikes how she looks, and her father is very worried about her unhappiness. Listen in to hear hosts Karisha and Makiko explore how simple questions can open up new approaches to problems. They also discuss the benefits of creative activities, like drawing and visualizing, and why those often lead to quick results for children and teenagers.

The earlier episode we referenced was Taking Back Control in the Social Media Age (August 2025).

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

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Story: Karisha Kirk (⁠FireflySuite⁠)

Production: Makiko Suzuki (⁠Hypnospark⁠)

Music: ⁠High Street Jack⁠ highstreetjack.com

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If you’re having trouble sleeping, this episode of Rays of Light might be for you!

Gwen Poulin is having difficulty getting enough sleep. With her business partner’s choices putting their beloved café at risk, Gwen needs a clear mind more than ever, and three to four rocky hours of rest aren’t enough. Listen in to hear Makiko and Karisha discuss ways we can all improve our habits around sleep. Makiko also answers a listener’s question about whether or not she likes protein!

Here are the titles and dates of the earlier episodes that we referred to in this one:

• Who Else Struggles with Anger? From Anger to Action (May 2025)

• Taking Back Control in the Social Media Age (August 2025)

• Under the Cover of Anger (September 2025)

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

Would you like to support our show? Why, thank you! Please rate and review us in your favorite podcast app.

Story: Karisha Kirk (⁠FireflySuite⁠)

Production: Makiko Suzuki (⁠Hypnospark⁠)

Music: ⁠High Street Jack⁠

Contact: Rays of Light Podcast

If you have a fear of speaking or presenting in public, this episode of Rays of Light might be for you.

Daniel Miller has feared public speaking for as long as he can remember. While grieving the death of his closest friend Brent, he is asked to be the main speaker at Brent’s memorial. Listen in to hear Makiko and Karisha discuss why the fear of public speaking is so common. They also explain how they know that everyone can be hypnotized.

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

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Story: Karisha Kirk (⁠FireflySuite⁠)

Production: Makiko Suzuki (⁠Hypnospark⁠)

Music: ⁠High Street Jack⁠

Contact: Rays of Light Podcast

If you’ve ever felt anger over a rejection, then this episode of Rays of Light might be for you!

Marie Lou has been using anger to protect herself from feelings of rejection after being ghosted. Listen in to hear how hosts Karisha and Makiko explain why anger can be protective. They also discuss how different types of venting can be an important first step toward releasing unwanted emotions.

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

Would you like to support our show? Why, thank you! The best and easiest way is to click “follow” on Apple or Spotify.

Contact:

Story: Karisha Kirk (⁠FireflySuite⁠)

Production: Makiko Suzuki (⁠Hypnospark⁠)

Music: ⁠High Street Jack⁠

Rays of Light

If you’ve ever felt like social media is taking over your life, or the life of someone you love, then this episode of Rays of Light might be for you!

Akimitsu Takata is a popular seventeen-year-old who finds it difficult to stay off social media, even during the school day. His mother is very concerned, while Akimitsu thinks she is overreacting to perfectly normal behavior. Listen in to hear how hosts Karisha and Makiko explain why children are particularly receptive to hypnotherapy and how important even a tiny first step can be toward accomplishing change. They also discuss how stage hypnosis is entirely different than hypnotherapy.

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

If you would like to contact us with questions, compliments, or concerns, please do so here.

Story: Karisha Kirk (⁠FireflySuite⁠)

Production: Makiko Suzuki (⁠Hypnospark⁠)

Music: ⁠High Street Jack⁠

If you’ve ever felt frustration over politics, if you’d like to feel more control and experience greater relaxation, the first episode of the Rays of Light podcast might be for you!

Marie Lou is struggling with anger due to political changes in her village of Sunnyside. In her quest for help, she decides to try hypnotherapy. Listen in as hosts Makiko and Karisha share what they first thought about hypnosis, ways to change focus from fear to hope, and ideas you can incorporate into your life today. 

Each episode of Rays of Light takes place in the fictional village of Sunnyside.

Would you like to support our show? Why, thank you! The best and easiest way is to click “follow” on Apple or Spotify. And if you’re ever in the mood to do a little more, we’d adore a five-star review—or for you to tell a friend, maybe two!

Rays of Light is created and produced by Karisha Kirk and Makiko Suzuki.

Story by: Karisha - FireflySuite

Post production by Makiko - Hypnospark

Music by: HighStreetJack.