5 Most Popular Articles of 2016

For five years I have written on this blog about hypnosis as a tool for health, wellness and exceptional living. The focus of my editorial has been to engage, educate and, when appropriate, entertain, while dispelling the misconceptions that exist about the practice of visualization.

I am incredibly appreciative of the time you’ve invested with me and for the Emails I have received from readers – both the compliments and the criticisms.  (Yes…I get those too.)

Today, I spent a few minutes reviewing a readership report for 2016.  I’ve included below links to the most popular articles I published this year, each of which attracted more than 1,000 visits.

Have a wonderful New Year!

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Do you have plans New Year’s Eve?  Join me at Professionals in the City’s annual party at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.  It’s a wonderful event with a myriad of exceptional entertainers.  I am set to perform two shows at 10:45 PM and 12:30 AM.  Type in the code “Marc” when purchasing tickets and you will receive a $5 discount.

Loved Me/Hated Me:  High Schoolers Rate the Hypnotic Experience (9.27.16)

After my visit to Walt Whitman High School, students shared their candid assessment of my talk and hypnosis demonstration.

Hypnosis Revealed: Video of My Talk About Hypnosis to High School Students (11.22.16)

My entertaining talk at Northwest High School about hypnosis -- what it is and what it isn’t.

Dental Hygienist Talks Health, Wellness and Hypnosis (2.3.16)

A leader in the mid-Atlantic dental community talks career, health and what it was like to be hypnotized.

Richard Montgomery High School Psychology Curriculum Comes Alive (4.8.16)

Recap of my talk about and demonstration of hypnosis to more than 150 high school students.

Cross Fit Competitor Gives Hypnosis a Try (8.24.16)

This athlete goes all in when it comes to her physical training.  Will hypnosis give her the mental edge required to be a champion?

Brady Bunch Actress was also a Trained Hypnotist

Last month actress Florence Henderson died at the age of 82.  Here is a link to the nice write-up about her life published by CNN.

Often referred to as “America’s mom” because of her portrayal of Carol Brady on the TV sitcom Brady Bunch, Henderson’s career spanned decades and included a myriad of television shows, movies and talk show appearances.

I was surprised to learn that Henderson was also a trained hypnotherapist.  She was introduced to the practice of hypnosis by her second husband, who helped Henderson rise above stage fright through the use of visualization.

Check out the video below of her interview last year with NBC Today Show host Matt Lauer.  Henderson’s discussion of hypnosis starts at 3:15 and she refers to it as a “wonderful tool.”

Exceptional Educator Explores What Makes Us, Us

Each semester I have the opportunity to visit with high school students in Montgomery County, Maryland to talk about hypnosis.  During my informative (and entertaining) presentation I overview what hypnosis is, what it isn’t and popular applications – including stress management, self-confidence and athletic performance.

The kids are great and typically very engaged in the topic.  Equally impressive is the quality, professionalism and commitment of the educators who host me.

I’m a Montgomery County public school product myself and have three sons who will one day graduate from Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD.  As a parent, it is comforting to know the County has such a strong track record recruiting and retaining exceptional teachers.

One such educator is Dr. Joe Swope, who teaches AP psychology at Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland.  After speaking in November to a group of Northwest students, I sat down with Dr. Swope for an exclusive Q&A.

Question:  You have quite an interesting background as a teacher, author and speaker.  Plus, you have earned a PhD.  Tell me about your advanced degree.

Dr. Swope

My doctorate pursuit was motivated by a desire to continue my own knowledge growth and study.  It took four years because I was working full-time as well.

I am intrigued by what makes “us, us.”  Is it background?  Culture?  I’ve come to realize there may be no answer to these questions.  

My thesis focused on the practice of self-hypnosis.  Could an average person learn hypnosis so they could make one hand warmer than the other?  Self hypnosis was such an interesting and helpful tool for my participants that many of them wanted to continue to use it in their lives.

Question:  How does the Montgomery County curriculum deal with the topic of hypnosis?

There is one class period dedicated to it as part of the discussion of altered states of consciousness.  I explore the differences between therapy and entertainment-oriented applications.  As part of the discussion with students, I also dispel myths about hypnosis, such as the notion that a person loses control.

Question:  Your biography states that you are a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  Is your study of martial arts helpful in your role teaching psychology?

It sure is; on many levels.  I have studied and practiced martial arts for 25 years.  While every sport has the ‘zone’ you can get into as an athlete, martial arts has the zone as its goal.  

Hypnosis Revealed: Video of My Talk to High School Students

Last week I had the opportunity to speak to an exceptional group of students at Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland about hypnosis -- what it is (and isn't) and its health and wellness applications.   

Below is a video of my informative (and entertaining) introductory remarks.  During the talk I address the two most common questions I get about hypnosis:  1) Can anyone be hypnotized? and 2) What does it feel like to be hypnotized? 

Special thanks to Dr. Joe Swope at Northwest for hosting me.

Post Prom Fundraising for QO and Seneca Valley

Sign at Quince Orchard HS promoting my upcoming show.

It requires a Herculean effort for a school’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) or Booster Club to plan, organize, promote and host a post prom or all night graduation party.  Everyone involved is a volunteer.  It is very much a labor of love. 

There is also the challenge of paying for it all – the facility, food, entertainment, clean-up and security.  The cost runs well into the thousands of dollars.

That’s why the effort of organizations like Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation (MCPPG) is so important.  MCPPG helps volunteers from member schools share best practices, plus they facilitate fundraising by applying for grants.

For five years I have donated my time to entertain at post prom and graduation events held by schools in Montgomery County and Fairfax County.  It is a whole lot of fun and, personally, very fulfilling to do my small part to help.

This year I’m raising my game through more direct support of the fundraising process.  On Saturday, November 19, I will be the headline performer at an event hosted by the Quince Orchard High School Booster Club.  Ticket sales for my Hypnotic Experience show and the accompanying silent auction will fund after school activities. 

Early in the New Year on Friday, January 13 I’ll do the same for a fundraising event hosted by Seneca Valley High School’s PTSA. 

Email me at m.russell.hausman@gmail.com if you would like more information about either of these shows.  I encourage you to come on out for a great time and to support two wonderful schools.