Picture the life of a hypnotist. The idea of the profession may bring to mind a tuxedo, an audience, a swinging pocket watch, and a drove of willing participants squawking like chickens. But look beyond the stage and there's a darker side to the practice and plenty of perils with the lifestyle.
Professional stage hypnotist John-Ivan Palmer recounts stories form his time on the road and details the darker side of the craft in his latest book Hypnotic Control: Reflections on the Nature of Staged Influence.
Along with stories of seedy goings-on backstage, Palmer also addresses how influence affects society. "Political extremism, hate groups, terrorist recruitment, school shootings... all of these things are a result of influence that is staged very similar to what I do on stage," says Palmer.
Hypnotic Control, a 2025 publication by Whistling Shade Press, is available through the Whistling Shade website and on Amazon.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
