The Hoffman Podcast

“It was this conversation between three generations — but I was the only one who could speak. Someone wise told me to recognize the gifts that come with change. That was really a gift. There’s a connection there across generations. And that’s really what Hoffman does.” – Mike Ingrasci Drew and Mike/Hoffman Podcast Studio Hoffman’s Director of Marketing, Mike Ingrasci, sits down with Drew to talk marketing, brand, and his Hoffman experience. The son of Raz and Liza Ingrasci, founders of the Institute, Mike’s experience of Hoffman goes way back. He shares, “I think that I got Hoffman a bit through osmosis, whether it was like whispers in the house, teachers who came to visit at dinner, just the way in which my parents raised us as children. …They really let us be kids, and they were protective of that, because they had done the Process, and they knew what that meant.” Raz, Mike, and Leo Since Raz’s passing, Mike has reflected on the gifts that come with change. His friend suggested this as a way through the tough time ahead. Between the day Raz passed away, Dec 31, 2025, and the day of his Celebration of Life in March, Mike and Sara needed to take turns putting Leo to bed. Leo was going through a stage where he didn’t want to be left alone. So every other evening, Mike would lie on the floor by Leo, writing into his Notes app on his phone. One night, he realized that there were three generations linked – father, son, grandson – and only one of them – Mike – could speak. He continued to write the words from this generational connection, eventually sharing them with the over 1500 friends and family gathered. As Mike shares, this is a cornerstone of what Hoffman is about. Aligning and refining Hoffman’s Brand: As Director of Marketing, one of Mike’s goals is to align and refine Hoffman’s brand to accurately reflect the decades of powerful transformational experiences of well over 100,000 Process graduates. When young, Mike had a hard time knowing how to talk about the Process. He knew his parents were ‘helping people,’ and that they loved and wholeheartedly believed in the Process. Once Mike took the Process in 2009, he understood, as a lived experience, what he could never conceptualize. And now, it is perfect that he is the guide for this elevation of Hoffman’s brand into something that reflects what it is and makes it welcoming, understandable, and reflective of its organic coolness. Armed with a mood board, Instagram, and a lifetime surrounded by Hoffman, Mike is crafting an ever-evolving invitation into the profound beauty and magic of the Hoffman Process. For Mike, Brand = Promise + Experience + Reputation. At Hoffman, these three things have always been incredibly strong. The Process delivers on its promise, the experience is transformative, and the reputation speaks for itself. Mike’s approach isn’t about changing any of that…it’s about building the world around it: creating an ecosystem that feels thoughtful, elevated, and welcoming for both people discovering Hoffman for the first time and graduates who continue to engage with it for years. His goal is simple: to make every touchpoint reflect the integrity of the Process, and elevate how Hoffman is experienced and perceived while remaining true to the work itself. We hope you feel the warmth and care of this invitation and conversation. https://youtu.be/OlvZy60Vjkc Listen on Apple Podcasts More about Mike Ingrasci: Liza, Mike, Raz, and Marissa Long before joining the Hoffman Institute as Director of Marketing, Mike Ingrasci was embraced by the Process. His parents, Raz and Liza Ingrasci, served as its stewards for decades. Hoffman was woven into the fabric of Mike’s childhood. Mike earned a BFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts before beginning his career as Director of Video at Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp. He joined Barack Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign as an intern, then became a key member of the 2012 Obama campaign’s Chicago-based video team. He produced content for the President throughout his successful re-election campaign. This experience reinforced Mike’s belief in the power of storytelling to move people and create change. Leo, Mike, Sara Ingrasci Over twelve years, Mike helped build John Elliott into one of the world’s most respected independent fashion brands. He led sales and brand marketing while helping shape its creative voice. During Mike’s tenure, the brand earned accolades, including GQ’s Best New Menswear Designer, presented runway shows in New York and Paris, and collaborated with globally recognized brands Nike, Converse, Gap, and more. That experience shaped Mike’s approach to marketing: the best stories don’t sell — they connect. Although Mike grew up around Hoffman, the Process itself remained unknown until he attended in 2009. His biggest takeaway? While many of us spend our lives searching for love outside ourselves, we’re ultimately looking for the ability to give more love — and the openness to receive it. This realization underscores Mike’s work, relationships, approach to fatherhood, and the stories he tells. Mike lives in Northern California with his wife, Sara, and their two-year-old son, Leonardo “Leo” James. Leo’s middle name honors Raz, whose lifelong dedication to the human potential movement inspires Mike’s work and belief in the transformative power of the Process. Discover more: Follow Mike on Instagram and Facebook. As mentioned in this episode: Raz and Liza Ingrasci, Founders of the Hoffman Institute Foundation • Liza is the former CEO and President. Raz was a Hoffman teacher and the former Chairman of Hoffman International. Listen to Raz on the Hoffman Podcast: Husband, Father, Son • Liza and Raz Ingrasci’s stated mission: “Our mission is to provide people greater access to the wisdom and power of love in themselves, in each other, and in the world.” Mike filming during the Obama campaign. Mike was drawn to the message of hope and change. Oprah and Raz on the Oprah Podcast Maria Shriver shares her Process experience on the Oprah Podcast. Hoffman on Instagram: Daily 8 am PT Quad checks and 6 pm PT Appreciation and Gratitude posts Inside(r) Baseball New Age Hoffman Process Scholarships Ongoing Hoffman programs: The Q2 three-day intensive: Beyond Mom and Dad Webclasses One-day Refreshers The iPhone Notes App The Ingrasci Family photo, Thanksgiving, 2025 Charles “Raz” James Ingrasci Obituary Video recording of Charles “Raz” Ingrasci Celebration of Life, March 14, 2026 “Look at the hoop, close your eyes, and think of something you love, and it will go through.” – Raz Ingrasci “Love is a renewable resource.” – Raz Ingrasci  

“By doing this work, we know there’s something powerful about how the human heart opens in the presence of other open-hearted humans.” – Matt Brannagan, CEO, Hoffman Institute Foundation Photo by Sam Comen We open season 12 of The Hoffman Podcast with Matt Brannagan, Hoffman Process teacher and Hoffman Institute’s new CEO. In conversation with Drew, Matt reflects on this moment of transition and the thoughtful leadership handoff shaped by Raz and Liza Ingrasci. Their generosity, wisdom, and long-term vision laid the foundation for what Matt terms “Hoffman 3.0.” It’s an evolution rooted in continuity, care, and purpose. Hoffman 1.0 was the creation and first few phases of this powerful work by Bob Hoffman. The Hoffman Process started in Bob’s office in Oakland, California, in 1967. He shepherded it through its first iterations, beginning with one-on-one clients, then a series of weekly group classes, and finally the week-long Process we know today. Hoffman 2.0 began with Raz and Liza establishing the Hoffman Institute and creating the non-profit it is today, increasing capacity so more people could attend the Hoffman Process. They laid the foundation for incredible growth and transformation. Now, on that strong foundation, Hoffman 3.0 takes flight. Matt steps into this role after 18 years at the Hoffman Institute, serving as both teacher and leader. Before Hoffman, Matt served in the military. He deployed to Iraq shortly after completing the Process in 2004. For more than two decades with Hoffman, Matt has lived and honed a life of service and leadership. Currently, he’s a doctoral candidate pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Matt brings a steady, embodied presence to this new Hoffman era. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Matt and Drew, the first of this season. We have many great guests ahead that we know you’ll love. Setting an important context: We offer this context to help frame the conversation you’re about to hear. In this episode, Drew and Matt discuss the legacy of Raz Ingrasci, founder of the Hoffman Institute Foundation. We recorded this conversation on December 19. With great sadness, we share that Raz passed away unexpectedly on December 31. This was the same day he formally stepped back from his day-to-day role at Hoffman, alongside his wife, Liza. Watch and listen to Matt & Drew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03FNQBZKBeM Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify More about Matt Brannagan: Matt Brannagan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Hoffman Institute Foundation. He joined the Institute in 2007 and has previously held the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Director of Faculty, in addition to serving as a Teacher and Coach. Matt is a retired veteran and former Master Resilience Trainer for the U.S. Army. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology and holds both a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. Matt learned of the Hoffman Process at the age of 20 after recently completing three years of active military duty. While examining his direction in life, he was inspired by those he met who had attended Hoffman. It became the logical next step on his growth journey, and he completed the Hoffman Process in 2004, unexpectedly being deployed to Iraq shortly after graduation. While holding a senior role in his unit, it was his Hoffman community that challenged him to continue his personal work during that crucial time, and he enrolled in Hoffman teacher training shortly after returning home. Extensive leadership training allows Matt’s work as a Hoffman faculty member to be grounded in clarity, compassion, and accountability, led by the belief that organizational culture is strengthened when people feel empowered, supported, and connected to purpose. In his work with students, “I love that moment when it all clicks, and the students begin to take on the tools and practices for themselves. They offer such great insights, and I get to deepen my learning as I teach.” Committed to guiding Hoffman’s evolution, Matt is focused on ensuring sustainable long-term growth. He is honored to usher the Institute into its next chapter and holds deep gratitude for the opportunity to carry forward the work stewarded for decades by Liza and Raz Ingrasci. As mentioned in this episode: Listen to Matt on The Hoffman Podcast: S2e22: Communities of Meaning. Our new California retreat site is Santa Sabina. Our first Process at Santa Sabina will be in April 2026. The Q2: Beyond Mom and Dad – Our 3-day Hoffman graduate program. Listen to Tim Callan on The Hoffman Podcast: S2e14: A Journey Through Grief to New Love    

“So much of what I was trying to address was so buried deep within me. It was like scratching an impossible itch, and then, finally, I got to Hoffman, and I was like, Oh my gosh, I can reach the spot. Wow.” – Emma Swift Singer-songwriter Emma Swift sits down with Sadie to talk about her time at the Hoffman Process, a time she says was “utterly magical.” Emma’s story incorporates many lands. Her homeland is Australia. Her new home is Nashville, Tennessee. The rolling hills of Northern California and White Sulphur Springs are where Emma did her Process. And, then, the land within Emma – a deep interior she would need to excavate to heal. Living among highly creative musicians, and as a singer-songwriter, Emma’s career counts on her creativity and ability to feel deeply. Before Hoffman, she felt repressed. She would go to write songs, sitting with her guitar, singing them, and feel very uncomfortable. She felt sad and longed to do what she saw other songwriters doing. Emma now realizes that what she saw in others provoked a deep longing in herself. Emma enrolled in the Process to break through her writer’s block. But once there, she realized she had come for a deeper issue – her relationship with her father. He had passed away, and Emma had been carrying a feeling inside that something was not right and couldn’t be set right. It was an “unresolved tension” that she feared was “never going to go away.” Through the power of the Process and Emma’s deep work, she was finally able to have a healing conversation with her father. When we’re willing to travel to unexplored lands, beautiful and even unexpected, healing can occur. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Emma and Sadie. More about Emma Swift: Emma Swift is an Australian-born singer-songwriter. She lives in Nashville, TN. Emma describes her music as indie-folk, with her biggest influences being Marianne Faithfull and Sandy Denny. Her new album, “The Resurrection Game,” was released in September this year. It explores themes of love, loss, and transcendence. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: The Resurrection Game: Album and Song Calistoga, California Indie Folk Genre • Bob Dylan • Joan Baez Nashville, Tennessee Sydney, Australia Eucalyptus trees

“It is my life that I claim. That sense of empowerment wouldn’t have happened without the Process.” Ana Bok Today’s conversation with Hoffman graduate Ana Bok begins with Ana sharing a story that happened three years after her Process. Her week at Hoffman provided a powerful foundation that would come to help guide her through a tough time. Since childhood, Ana’s dream has been to become a doctor. At age fourteen, she came to the United States. After graduating with her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience with a concentration in Behavioral Studies, Ana planned to attend Yale Medical School. But first, she was a post-graduate research associate at a child psychiatry research lab at the Yale Child Study Center. She was on her way to her long-held dream. But there, Ana found herself in inner turmoil and conflict. Already a Hoffman grad, Ana had thought to herself that after the Process, she was on her “right road” and that everything was “supposed to work.” She didn’t know what was wrong, but she knew her Quadrinity was out of alignment. Listen in to hear Ana tell about this pivotal moment along the journey of her life. The Process offers a powerful foundation for navigating life. Ana found hope at the Process. Hope and her Spiritual Self guided Ana through this difficult time. Ana’s story is powerful because it reminds us that after doing the Process, life is still life. How life works hasn’t changed, but we have. We hope you enjoy this deeply vulnerable and moving conversation with Ana and Drew. More about Ana Bok: Ana was born in Korea, raised in China, and moved to the U.S. alone at age fourteen. She studied Neuroscience with a concentration in Behavioral Studies at Columbia University and spent five years researching molecular pathobiology and pain mechanisms during and after college. In 2022, Ana attended the Hoffman Process, which affirmed her deep interest in child and adolescent mental health. Ana recently completed two years of postgraduate training at the Yale Child Study Center. She continues her research on obsessive-compulsive disorder at the Yale School of Medicine. Fascinated by the intersection of science and spirituality, Ana hopes to one day integrate spirituality into early mental health interventions. Alongside her research, Ana has mentored middle and high school students, supporting their academic and personal growth. Ana served as a NYC Hoffman Graduate Group Leader in 2022–2023 before her fellowship at Yale and recently returned as a co-facilitator for the NYC Uptown Hoffman group. She welcomes connections from fellow Hoffman graduates and can be reached at dianabok.connect@gmail.com. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify As mentioned in this episode: Left Road/Right Road: The left road represents repeating patterns from your past, while the right road is the path of authenticity, choice, and self-responsibility. The Quadrinity™ Symbol Bob Hoffman designed the Hoffman Quadrinity™ Symbol in 1967 to represent the wholeness of Self. The circle represents the Body; the large vertical diamond in the middle represents the Spirit; the 2 smaller horizontal diamond shapes represent the Intellect and Emotions. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.   Korean fortune-telling: “Saju” is a traditional Korean fortune-telling system that analyzes an individual’s birth year, month, day, and hour to create a personal profile. It is a widely practiced cultural tradition for seeking guidance on personality, relationships, career, and life path. It is often used for entertainment as well as for serious life decisions. Rooted in ancient Chinese metaphysics, saju calculates cosmic energy at the time of birth to provide insights into one’s destiny.