

Changeworking
James Tripp & Ruckus Skye
Changeworking is a show for practitioners and coaches who help their clients create change. Host Ruckus Skye engages in conversations with internationally renowned hypnosis and changework expert and trainer James Tripp. Discussions include tools & techniques, concepts and insights, and changework philosophy for the working practitioner.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 9min
Confidence & Self-Doubt in Coaching
First: This is incredibly human. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re good enough, feared not being able to help, or felt pressure to deliver a result… you’re not alone. These are deeply human experiences. They don’t make you a bad coach—they just make you a person doing work that matters to you. That in itself is a good sign.
Second: We don’t get to control complex systems. This is a foundational distinction for me. There are two types of systems in the world: • Complicated systems, like machines, where all the parts and dependencies are knowable and can be managed. • Complex systems, like people, where many of the interdependencies are unknown and even unknowable. Coaching lives in the domain of complex systems. We cannot predict what will happen. We cannot control it. What we can do is bring curiosity, responsiveness, presence, and creativity to the moment—and see what emerges.
Third: You’re not the agent of change. You’re the catalyst. One of the most liberating frames I’ve ever adopted is that I am not the one who “makes” change happen. I don’t “fix” the client. I don’t “make” them change. That’s not my job—and it never was. Instead, I see myself as a catalyst—a participant in a co-creative flow. My job is to create conditions that support the client’s own generative intelligence—the deep inner faculty that actually does the learning, shifting, adapting. That creative intelligence lives in every client. It built their language. It built their identity. It knows how to build new responses. And our job is to help it come back online.
Fourth: Let go of outcome pressure. There is no universal law that says, “You must get a result in every session.” That’s not how change work works. That’s not how life works. When we take excess responsibility for outcomes, we place ourselves in a trance—a controlling trance. And ironically, we do our worst work from that place. The more we can unhook from needing to “get it right,” the more creative, present, and effective we become. Instead of pressure, choose curiosity. Instead of control, choose participation. Instead of needing to prove something, choose to play. Fifth: If this is something you struggle with—beautiful. This is part of the work. This is part of the unfolding. You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re just walking a path that includes unwinding old conditioning, unhooking identity from performance, and coming back into relationship with the deeper intelligence in you and in your client. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to know everything. You don’t even have to feel confident. But you do get to keep showing up. You do get to bring presence, curiosity, and care. And you do get to let this work change you as you offer it to others.

11 snips
Sep 8, 2025 • 54min
Showmanship & Performance in Changework
A fascinating dive into the intersection of showmanship and changework unfolds, with connections to hypnosis, shamanism, and performance arts. Discover how performers often excel as hypnotists and the role of evocation versus information in effective communication. Practical techniques like tonal shifts and street hypnosis are introduced, along with insights on borrowing from comedy and acting to enhance coaching. The discussion touches on historical hypnotism, the power of language, and the nuances of nonverbal influence—all aimed at creating a more impactful client experience.

12 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 41min
Identity: How shifts in self-concept can transform
Delve into the intriguing world of identity and self-concept, where personal narratives shape your reality. Discover how a simple shift in language can unlock new self-perceptions and influence behavior. Learn why self-concept is believed to be destiny, affecting everything from feelings of safety to life choices. Explore Ruckus's surprising personal therapy story about identity fear and the challenges of adapting to life's transitions. Uncover the transformative power of words and how they can evoke profound change in your life.

4 snips
May 30, 2025 • 45min
Psychoactive Facilitation
What does it really mean when a client “goes psychoactive”? In this episode, Ruckus and James explore how deep engagement emerges — not from force, but from slowing down, dropping judgment, and leaning into possibility. From metaphors to memory reconsolidation, this conversation unpacks what makes transformation feel alive.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: What is psychoactive facilitation? 01:00 – James shares the origins of the term from David Grove’s quadrant model 05:00 – The difference between being in a state vs. describing one 09:00 – Ruckus connects psychoactive facilitation to immersive, imaginal states 14:00 – Psychoactive facilitation is dynamic dreaming — trance as co-creation 19:30 – Where psychoactive states meet changework 22:45 – How to tell when a client is going psychoactive 26:00 – Letting go of “what should happen” to allow emergence 31:30 – Being oriented toward possibility = psychoactive facilitation 35:00 – Creating conditions for unconscious engagement 41:50 – Stacking the odds toward psychoactive facilitation 44:00 – Closing thoughts and outro
CONTACT
Email: changeworkingpod@gmail.com
Website: www.clientshifts.com
Changeworking is produced by Ruckus Skye.
#podcast #changework #hypnosis #nlp #coaching #coach #CoachingTools #ClientBreakthroughs

May 20, 2025 • 41min
Beliefs, Truths, and Trances of Identity
James Tripp, an internationally recognized hypnosis and changework expert, dives deep into the realm of beliefs and their unseen influences on our lives. He discusses how unconscious beliefs can act as invisible operating systems that dictate our realities. Tripp explores Byron Katie’s belief-turnaround process and delves into the concepts of truth versus usefulness. He also shares insights on how self-identity shapes emotional connections and offers techniques for reframing beliefs to promote personal growth. This conversation sparks a journey towards psychological freedom.

12 snips
May 9, 2025 • 43min
Mindshifts & Meta-Awareness
James Tripp, an internationally renowned hypnosis and changework expert, dives deep into the fascinating world of meta-awareness and mind shifts. He discusses how recognizing one's identity can lead to significant transformative moments. Curiosity emerges as a vital resource for facilitating change in clients. The conversation explores the integration of breakthrough experiences and the subtleties of navigating resistant clients. Tripp highlights the connection between trance and identity, making a compelling case for the power of self-witnessing in personal growth.

25 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 3min
Parts Work: The Multiplicity of the Mind
This discussion dives into the intriguing concept of 'parts work,' revealing how our minds are composed of multiple subpersonalities. The hosts share personal stories that highlight the benefits of recognizing these inner parts for personal growth and emotional healing. Techniques for engaging with our emotions and understanding different internal narratives are explored, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness. Additionally, the talk offers insights on applying these ideas to improve relationships by acknowledging the various aspects within ourselves and others.

9 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 40min
Brain Hemispheres: Beyond Left vs. Right
James Tripp, an internationally renowned hypnosis and changework expert, shares intriguing insights on brain hemispheres and their significance in change work. He discusses Ian McGilchrist's ideas, highlighting how the left hemisphere favors control-oriented thinking while the right hemisphere embraces holistic awareness. The episode delves into the contrasting ways each hemisphere processes experiences and offers techniques to balance these perspectives in therapeutic settings. Tripp's journey and renewed appreciation for trance work further enrich the conversation.

22 snips
Mar 7, 2025 • 49min
Curiosity in Changework
In this engaging discussion, James Tripp, an internationally renowned hypnosis and changework expert, dives deep into the power of curiosity. He explains how curiosity can counteract fear and reactivity, paving the way for genuine exploration in therapeutic settings. You'll learn various techniques, like 'curiosity hooks,' that practitioners can use to spark profound shifts in their clients. James also reflects on the impact of personal narratives and the challenges of modern life, emphasizing the need for authentic curiosity to foster lasting change.

Feb 24, 2025 • 46min
Tools: Timeline & Memory Reconsolidation
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode, Ruckus and James Tripp dive into the world of timeline techniques and memory reconsolidation—tools that can create profound, lasting change for clients and practitioners alike. Ruckus shares his personal enthusiasm for timeline work, revealing how it has transformed both his client sessions and his own healing journey. The conversation explores the neurological basis of memory, debunking common misconceptions about how our minds store experiences, and offering practical insights into how practitioners can help clients reprocess painful memories without re-traumatizing them. You'll discover why changing your relationship to past events can be more powerful than trying to "get over" them, how to work with resistance as a natural protective mechanism, and why timeline techniques provide such a versatile framework for changework.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Opening introduction
01:52 Origins of timeline techniques and the Bandler/Grinder split
02:45 Different ways people organize time in their minds ("in time" vs "through time")
05:43 Timeline positions and viewing memories from different perspectives
07:56 How changing your relationship to memories leads to reprocessing
11:38 Depotentiating negative energies from memories
13:39 Discussion about resistance in clients and how to work with it
18:22 Content-free work with timeline techniques
21:05 The "memory wars" and Elizabeth Loftus's research on false memories
24:25 Memory reconsolidation as a general approach rather than a specific protocol
30:42 Working with clients who don't consciously recall specific memories
34:26 Other NLP tools related to memory reconsolidation (Change Personal History, Decision Destroyer)
40:17 Philosophical discussion on creating positive memories vs seeking truth
46:01 Closing
LINKS
Tad James Timeline Therapy (book) https://www.amazon.com/Therapy-Basis-Personality-Pedagogy-Changing/dp/1785832832
Memory Reconsolidation in Psychotherapy: The Neuropsychotherapist Special Issue (book) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506004342
Elizabeth Loftus's TED Talk on false memorieshttps://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_loftus_how_reliable_is_your_memory
CONTACT
Email: changeworkingpod@gmail.com
Training: www.clientshifts.com