Podcast Summary: “You Make Sense” – Episode 1: How Your Nervous System Creates Your Entire Experience

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of You Make Sense, host Sarah Baldwin delves into the foundational role of the autonomic nervous system in shaping our entire human experience. Drawing from the latest neuroscience and trauma research, Sarah emphasizes the importance of nervous system regulation as the cornerstone of healing and personal empowerment.

Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System

Sarah begins by likening the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to an untaught vehicle that governs every sensation, feeling, thought, and behavior we experience. She underscores that our ANS operates subcortically, meaning it functions below the level of conscious thought, thus making verbal reassurances ineffective in altering its state.

Sarah [03:15]: “Every sensation you have in your body... your nervous system creates every single feeling you have ever had in your life.”

Regulation vs. Dysregulation

The episode distinguishes between two primary states of the ANS:

• Regulation: When the nervous system perceives safety, allowing for feelings of ease, connection, and aliveness.
• Dysregulation: When the nervous system detects danger, triggering symptoms like anxiety, fear, and dissociation.

Sarah asserts that achieving a predominantly regulated state is essential for leading a fulfilling and happy life.

Sarah [10:45]: “The only way to have a full, happy life is that we're predominantly anchored in regulation in our nervous system.”

Neuroception and Threat Detection

A pivotal concept introduced is neuroception, a term coined by Stephen Porges. Neuroception refers to the nervous system’s automatic threat detection mechanism that evaluates safety based on past experiences.

Sarah [22:30]: “Neuroception is this threat detector that lives subcortically in our brain stem... Every millisecond of your life, it has been looking out to see if you're safe or not.”

Sarah explains that neuroception doesn't seek exact matches to past threats but rather similarities, often leading to mistaken perceptions of danger in safe present situations.

Somatic Therapies vs. Talk Therapy

Highlighting the limitations of traditional talk therapy, Sarah advocates for somatic therapies—therapies that engage the body’s experiences—to effectively regulate the nervous system. She illustrates this by contrasting cognitive learning (e.g., reading about gardening) with somatic learning (e.g., actually gardening).

Sarah [30:50]: “Somatic therapy is essentially the therapy of the embodied experience, and it's the language of our nervous system.”

Sarah’s Personal Journey

Sarah shares her personal struggles with chronic dysregulation, including anxiety, depression, and chronic illness. Her journey toward healing through somatic experiencing and nervous system regulation underscores the transformative power of this approach.

Sarah [38:10]: “I was living this very small, simple life. And that was because my nervous system didn't know I was safe.”

Q&A with Rachel: Practical Insights and Personal Experiences

Towards the end of the episode, Sarah introduces Rachel, her human connection specialist, who shares her own experiences with the nervous system work.

1. Disconfirming Experiences

   Rachel asks about disconfirming experiences—practical ways to demonstrate to the nervous system that past dangers are no longer present. Sarah explains that these are embodied experiences that provide new data points, helping to overwrite the nervous system’s old threat assessments.

   Sarah [47:17]: “A disconfirming experience is the embodied way that we show our nervous system things are different now.”

   Rachel adds that taking small, manageable steps (tolerable steps) is crucial in this process to gently guide the nervous system toward safety.

2. Managing Confusion

   Another question addresses daily confusion and difficulty in decision-making, which Sarah attributes to a disconnection from one’s embodied truth. She emphasizes reconnecting with the body and regulating the nervous system to restore clarity.

   Sarah [53:56]: “Confusion is a symptom of being disconnected from our embodied truth.”

3. Navigating Relationships and Attachment

   The final question explores how anxious attachment can hinder the ability to let go of incompatible relationships, even when the decision is rational. Sarah explains that the nervous system’s threat detection often superimposes past relationship traumas onto current interactions, making it challenging to move forward.

   Sarah [61:07]: “Your nervous system creates every behavior. So every action you take or don't take is a result of what's occurring in your nervous system.”

   Rachel shares her gratitude for the work, noting significant positive changes in her own relationships.

Conclusion

Sarah wraps up the episode by reinforcing that understanding and regulating the autonomic nervous system is essential for unlocking a fulfilling life. She invites listeners to engage with the podcast community, submit questions, and participate in upcoming live experiences to further their healing journey.

Sarah [67:59]: “When we regulate our nervous system, everything opens up for you.”

Key Takeaways

• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Central to every aspect of our experience, governing sensations, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
• Regulation vs. Dysregulation: Achieving a regulated state is essential for well-being, while dysregulation leads to suffering.
• Neuroception: The unconscious threat detection system that influences our perception of safety based on past experiences.
• Somatic Therapies: Effective in regulating the nervous system by engaging the body’s embodied experiences.
• Disconfirming Experiences: Practical, embodied actions that help rewire the nervous system’s perception of safety.
• Personal Empowerment: Taking control of the nervous system leads to personal freedom, ease, and the ability to live an expanded life.

Notable Quotes

• Sarah [03:15]: “Every sensation you have in your body... your nervous system creates every single feeling you have ever had in your life.”
• Sarah [10:45]: “The only way to have a full, happy life is that we're predominantly anchored in regulation in our nervous system.”
• Sarah [22:30]: “Neuroception is this threat detector that lives subcortically in our brain stem... Every millisecond of your life, it has been looking out to see if you're safe or not.”
• Sarah [30:50]: “Somatic therapy is essentially the therapy of the embodied experience, and it's the language of our nervous system.”
• Sarah [47:17]: “A disconfirming experience is the embodied way that we show our nervous system things are different now.”
• Sarah [53:56]: “Confusion is a symptom of being disconnected from our embodied truth.”
• Sarah [61:07]: “Your nervous system creates every behavior. So every action you take or don't take is a result of what's occurring in your nervous system.”
• Sarah [67:59]: “When we regulate our nervous system, everything opens up for you.”

Final Thoughts

Episode one of You Make Sense serves as a comprehensive introduction to the pivotal role of the autonomic nervous system in our lives. Through clear explanations, personal anecdotes, and practical advice, Sarah Baldwin equips listeners with the understanding and tools necessary to begin the journey toward nervous system regulation and holistic healing.