Mind and Rhythm: Daniel Fryer on Hypnotherapy & Nikki Giovanni on Hip Hop Poetry

Writer's Voice with Francesca Rheannon

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we speak with Daniel Fryer, author of How to Cope with Almost Anything with Hypnotherapy, about the science and uses of hypnotherapy in mental health and well-being.

Then, we honor the late Nikki Giovanni with a replay of our 2009 conversation about Hip Hop Speaks to Children, celebrating poetry’s rhythm and its deep cultural roots.

“Hip hop is the vernacular turned into art—it’s gossip, rhythm, and rebellion rolled into one.” —Nikki Giovanni

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

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Read the Transcript

Key Words: hypnotherapy, Daniel Fryer, self-hypnosis, Nikki Giovanni, Hip Hop Speaks to Children, hip hop history, poetry, mental health

Key Points:

Daniel Fryer:

• Hypnotherapy works by accessing the unconscious mind and implanting positive suggestions, bypassing conscious resistance.
• Concerns about losing control during hypnosis are largely unfounded, as the participant remains in control and can resist suggestions they do not want.
• Self-hypnosis can be as effective as going to a practitioner, and involves recording and listening to self-guided hypnotic inductions.
• Hypnotherapy is an effective therapy for a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, pain control, and addiction.

“Hypnosis isn’t giving up control; it’s about reclaiming control over your mental habits and responses.” — Daniel Fryer

Nikki Giovanni:

• Hip-hop and poetry have shared roots in rhythm, cadence, and the African oral tradition of call-and-response.
• Nikki Giovanni’s poetry celebrates women’s strength, empowerment, and their central role in creation and life.
• The role of rhythm and cadence in storytelling and its cultural significance across generations
• Celebrating the democratic spirit of hip hop and its ability to transform deprivation into creativity

Enjoyed this episode? Share it and leave a review on your podcast app! Read an excerpt from Daniel Fryer’s How to Cope with Almost Anything with Hypnotherapy for practical tips.