ep2 safely

Welcome back to Safely Divergent! In this episode, we dive into the powerful concepts of internal vs external safety, and how our nervous system respond to perceived threats. The conversation explores how things like visible security measures, while intended to make us feel safe, can sometimes have the complete opposite effect. Pulling from Dr. Stephen Porges' groundbreaking work, we discuss how our culture tends to prioritize thoughts over feelings, often overlooking the signals our bodies send us. We focus on the importance of creating spaces that nurture true security. This leads us into a fascinating discussion about neuroception, the body’s innate ability to sense safety or threat, often without our conscious awareness. From there, we explore the intricacies of stress responses and how our brains are wired for survival. You’ll learn how neuroception shapes our reactions to different stimuli, influencing how we assess danger and respond emotionally. We talk about how stress shows up in different ways—whether as fight, flight, or freeze—and how these reactions affect not just our behavior but our relationships and communication. Through personal stories and expert insights, we offer practical strategies for recognizing and managing stress, and how to develop healthier coping mechanisms that improve both our inner well-being and our interactions with others.