The Aligned Interior

In this episode, we explore how hypnotherapy works with the deeper/subconscious mind to help with stress, anxiety, fear, habits, and long-standing patterns that keep people stuck.
I’m joined by Brian Mahoney, a Boston-based hypnotherapist and coach with over 22 years of experience and more than 25,000 client hours. Brian’s work is practical and solutions-oriented, focused on helping clients get to the core of issues by engaging the deeper parts of the mind so they can create lasting change.
Brian is also my hypnotherapist, and this is a candid, first-person conversation. We share real examples of what hypnotherapy sessions are actually like. What can surface, how memories or symbolic imagery emerge, and how emotional pain points are worked through in a grounded way.
Listeners will gain a behind the scenes look at hypnotherapy, learn how subconscious patterns shape behavior, and discover practical insights they can apply to their own lives for personal growth, and real-life change.

Timestamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(2:00) You've studied with a lot of leaders in the field and different methods, how do you define hypnotherapy? 
(5:40) Do you feel hypnotherapy gets to the core of an issue? 
(8:35 )  Favorite hypnotherapy modalities
(11:23) Brian and I describe a first hand experience of a hypnotherapy session 
(19:40) Apps versus working with a live hypnotherapist
(23:47) We chat about what viewing a recording of a hypnotherapy session would look like 
(27:00) What made me have a physical reaction during my session from a hypnotherapist's perspective? 
(32:54) Could you explain how sensory input interacts with the subconscious? 
(35:47) Sensory design and the deeper mind
(38:32) Hypnotherapy for everyday life
(40:56) Thought patterns, limiting beliefs and your shadow side 
(42:10) Confronting and integrating shadow self
(46:06) I'd love it if you could share one of the most challenging as well as favorite experiences you've had as a hypnotherapist? What a client was navigating and the results they achieved? 
(49:51) Stress, anxiety, fears, and self-reinforcing trances
(53:38) What can everyday listeners learn from how high performers and athletes use mental training? 
(58:32) Past life experiences and symbolic imagery in hypnosis
(01:03:02) After decades in the field, what has hypnotherapy taught you about human potential? 
(01:06:59) Fear of death 
(01:08:04) How can hypnotherapy support mental and emotional health in daily life? 
(01:12:27) If you could snap your fingers and change 
one thing about the way people think about hypnotherapy, what would it be? 
(01:14:52) Closing remarks and outro 

Resources ⁠Brian Mahoney ⁠
⁠Bessel Van Der Kolk ⁠
⁠David Spiegel ⁠
Hypnotherapy App: ⁠Reverie App⁠

🎶 Music by: 
TELL YOUR STORY by ikson™

🛑 Disclaimer 
- The Aligned Interior Podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or mental health advice. 
- The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 
- Use of the information provided is at the listener’s own risk.

Your home is more than a place, it’s a living reflection of your true self and life purpose. In this episode of The Aligned Interior, I’m joined by Jade Sol Luna, creator of Asterian Astrology, to explore how your Karma Report (Birth Chart) can be translated into a home design that supports alignment, well-being, and spiritual growth.

We discuss the Asterian Astrological Home Reading process, showing how you can translate chart insights into design choices, from layout and lighting, to furniture and decor, that resonates deeply with who truly you are. If you’re curious about astrology, interior design, or simply how your home can feel more aligned, this episode is full of practical tips and inspiration.

🌀 Jade Sol Luna is the creator of Asterian Astrology, a system that translates ancient Hindu Astrology into a Greco-Roman format. With over 30 years of experience, Jade brings deep astrological insight to this conversation, offering Asterian Astrology foundations that inform the Asterian Astrological Home Design Reading.

Timestamps: 
(0:00) Introduction 
(2:26) What makes Asterian Astrology unique?
(4:55) How Sun, Moon, and Rising signs shape your energy
(11:00) Training others and passing Asterian Astrology forward
 (13:35) Experiencing the Astrological Home Reading firsthand
(15:50) Did you notice any shifts in how you related to your space afterward? 
(18:08) How matching your home to your inner essence supports alignment 
(26:10) Jade's personal process when choosing a new home
(30:27) Practical ways to connect your home design to your birth chart
(37:23) How Jade would like to see people begin integrating Asterian Astrology into their environments
(39:48) The connection portal and expression of spirit through your home design. The value of working with an expert to accelerate alignment. 
(50:30) One change Jade would make about how people interact with astrology

📚 Resources
Jade Sol Luna - Asterian Astrology
Jade Sol Luna - Asterian Astrology Readings
⁠Sonya Randell – Astrological Home Reading & Interior Design Services
The Aligned Interior - Residential, Commercial, and Hospitality Design Services

🎶 Music: “TELL YOUR STORY” by ikson™ | ⁠Link ⁠

🛑 Disclaimer
The Aligned Interior Podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical, mental health, or astrological advice.
The content is not a substitute for professional guidance.
Use of the information provided is at the listener’s own risk.

Mold isn’t just unsightly, it’s a silent disruptor of health, energy, and living spaces.
In this episode of The Aligned Interior, I’m joined by environmental quality specialist and author John C. Banta to explore the hidden ways mold impacts our homes and health.
We cover how mold develops, why it can be so stubborn to remove, and the steps John takes for effective, non-chemical remediation. He shares decades of insight into how moisture and building materials contribute to mold growth, common mistakes in construction and remodeling, and practical strategies for preventing mold in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and beyond.
John also discusses how environmental exposures, including mold, can contribute to ongoing health issues, like allergy-like symptoms, migraines, fatigue, and asthma, and why early detection and proper remediation are essential. For renters, homebuyers, and designers, he explains what to look for to minimize hidden risks.
We also touch on how John works with medical professionals, and highlight key insights from his books Prescriptions For A Healthy House and his latest, Mold Controlled, A Guide to Finding, Fixing, Preventing and Getting Help with Mold Problems.
Whether you’ve encountered mold firsthand or simply want to understand how our built environments shape our well-being, this episode offers actionable insights for creating healthier homes.
🌀 John Banta is the mold expert, an environmental quality specialist and author whose work bridges environmental health, remediation, and practical solutions for homeowners and professionals alike.

Timestamps:  
(0:00) Introduction. 
(2:05) John’s background & how he started in indoor air quality and mold.
(5:20) What sets his approach apart from others in the field.
(7:48) How common are mold issues in homes and buildings.
(11:28) Under-appreciated health impacts of mold.
(14:30) Collaborating with doctors.
(17:23) Construction and remodeling mistakes that encourage mold.
(22:01) “Building better” to prevent mold in practice.
(25:40) Linking hidden mold exposure to chronic symptoms.
(30:24) Most common causes of mold in homes.
(33:00) How material choices affect mold vulnerability.
(42:00) What renters and buyers should look for to spot mold risks.
(48:07) Steps for effective mold cleaning.
(01:05:20) Practical home precautions to prevent mold.
(01:11:40) Key chapters or sections to focus on in the book.
(01:14:17) Ideal changes in building design or regulation.
(01:15:36) One shift listeners should make about their homes and health.
(01:16:25) Closing thoughts & outro.

📚 Resources ⁠
John C Banta’s  Website
Mold Controlled, A Guide to Finding, Fixing, Preventing and Getting Help with Mold Problems
John Banta’s new book⁠ ⁠Prescriptions for a Healthy House⁠: A Practical Guide For Architects, Builders, and Homeowners

🎶 Music by: TELL YOUR STORY by ikson™ | ⁠Link⁠

🛑 Disclaimer 
The Aligned Interior Podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or mental health advice.
 The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 
Use of the information provided is at the listener’s own risk.

Sound isn’t just something we hear, it’s something that shapes our physiology, influencing our thoughts, feelings, actions… and even our capacity to heal
In his second appearance on The Aligned Interior, renowned sound expert and author Julian Treasure returns to explore the profound role sound plays in shaping our environments, our bodies, and our lives.
We explore how sound, vibration, and frequency shape our well-being, from the rooms we design to the cities and bodies we inhabit. Together, we examine how sound affects us socially, our learning, focus, nervous system regulation, healing and so much more.
This expansive dialogue bridges the history of sound, interior design, vibrational medicine, plant communication and planetary frequencies. Reminding us that sound connects us all, and that it’s a powerful tool for facilitating harmony in our bodies, lives, and environments.
🌀 Julian Treasure is a leading voice in sound, communication, and acoustic design. He’s the author of Sound Business and How to Be Heard, and his newest book, Sound Affects: How Sound Shapes Our Lives, Our Well-Being, and Our Planet. With TED Talks reaching over 150 million views, Julian’s work continues to shape how we design for, and with, the ears.

(0:00) Introduction
(2:35) About Julian & His New Book. The inspiration behind Sound Affects
(7:10) The History of Sound in Humanity. Speaking, listening & the evolution of noise
(17:21) Sound & The Nervous System. Exploring the impact of everyday noise on well-being and how to create spaces that support nervous system regulation
(25:15) Sound, Multisensory Design & Superadditivity. How sound design can amplify emotional and sensory impact
(37:37) Sound, Vibration & Frequency. From cellular biology to cosmic resonance, we explore how sound shapes life at every scale and the potential it holds for healing and design
(49:38) Sound, Plants & Biophilia. Exploring plant communication and how biophilic design fosters greater wellbeing
(56:10) Sound in Sacred Spaces, Cultures & Traditions. Wisdom for modern sound design
(1:00:42) Julian’s Favorite Sound + Sound Resources (see below for links and free trial info)
(1:02:34) Final Reflections & Outro

📚 Resources:
Julian Treasure

Sound Affects – Julian's new book

How To Be Heard

Sound Business

WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for Europe

MyNoise

The Listening Society – Free 30 Day Trial 🤗

🎶 Music by: TELL YOUR STORY by ikson™ | Link

🛑 Disclaimer:
The Aligned Interior Podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or mental health advice.
The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Use of the information provided is at the listener’s own risk.

How do our spaces help us balance, not just emotionally, but neurologically? In Part 2 of my conversation with world-renowned neuroaesthetics expert Dr. Oshin Vartanian, we explore how interior design can support emotional processing, facilitate creativity, and foster well-being and meaning.
Together, we unpack how subtle design choices, from natural elements to multisensory design, can engage the brain in ways that often operate beneath conscious awareness. We touch on topics like exposure therapy through design, brain homeostasis, and why the environments we choose might be more connected to our nervous system than we realize.
Whether you’re a designer, therapist, creative, or simply curious about how the brain responds to interior space, this episode offers a grounded and eye-opening look into the intersection of neuroaesthetics and environmental psychology.
🧠 Dr. Vartanian is a leading voice in the neuroaesthetics field. He is a Professor at the University of Toronto and President of the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics (IAEA). His research bridges psychology, neuroscience, and aesthetics, and has shaped how we understand the power of space on human cognition and emotion.
🎧 Tap play to discover:
How natural materials and multisensory design quietly shape your emotional and creative states
The surprising ways your brain seeks balance through the environments you choose
How thoughtfully designed spaces can support emotional healing and nervous system regulation
Why personalization matters more than design trends in creating meaningful interiors
The latest tools researchers use to study how design impacts brain function over time
👇 If something resonates, share it with a fellow design-lover, and follow the show for future episodes. 
⏱️ Timestamps: 
(0:00) Introduction 
(2:22) What mental and emotional health benefits can we gain by incorporating nature into our interior environments? 
(6:53) Neuroaesthetics vs. environmental psychology: what’s the difference?
(10:27) Neurological mechanisms that foster connection, belonging, and unity through natural elements
(15:45) Cathedrals, multisensory design, and how sacred spaces affect the brain
(17:22) What’s the sweet spot for multisensory design load on the brain and nervous system?
(24:07) Design elements that support creativity + Dr. Vartanian’s personal story of rediscovering focus in a nostalgic space
(26:34) Pleasure versus joy in neuroaesthetics 
(30:00) Portable EEGs, VR, and studying real-time brain response to space 
(32:17) How design supports emotional processing and homeostasis 
(35:12) Therapeutic spaces, fear rooms, and emotional alchemy
(39:35) Meaning-making in art, design and aesthetics  
(41:24) Interior environments and personal development 
(42:28) Common design mistakes & understanding the end user 
(45:48) Flexible design features: ceiling height and cognition 
(47:39) The future of neuroaesthetic research and unanswered questions 
(49:52) How reward systems process beauty and space 
(51:15) Where to learn more: IAEA, APA Division 10, and ANFA. See resources below for direct links! 
(54:12) Closing and outro 
Resources: ⁠
Dr. Oshin Vartanian – University of Toronto ⁠
International Association of Empirical Aesthetics (IAEA) ⁠
American Psychological Association – Division 10 
⁠Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) ⁠
⁠🎶 Music by: TELL YOUR STORY by ikson™ Link: https://ikson.com/tell-your-story 
🛑 Disclaimer:
The Aligned Interior Podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or mental health advice. 
The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 
The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk.