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What is actually happening in the brain when we feel calm, overwhelmed, reactive, or grounded?

In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson step back for a 30,000-foot view of the brain—a simple but powerful overview of the neuroscience behind how we process stress, trauma, and wellness.

Rather than approaching the brain as something mysterious or overly technical, Tom breaks down its core structures using clear, accessible analogies—including the brain as a baseball mitt with a ball inside—to explain how different parts of the brain work together to help us survive, adapt, and thrive.

Together they explore:

• Why the brain is fundamentally your ally, designed for your well-being
• The role of the prefrontal cortex in executive function, anticipation, decision-making, and problem-solving
• How the limbic system, including the hippocampus and amygdala, stores experiences and evaluates signals of reward or threat
• Why your brain remembers everything you’ve ever experienced—even when you can’t consciously recall it
• How the autonomic nervous system carries signals from the brain throughout the body
• What happens when the brain shifts into sympathetic (fight/flight) or parasympathetic (rest and restore) states
• Why past experiences and trauma can shape how the brain interprets present situations

The conversation highlights a key insight:
Understanding the brain doesn’t require becoming a neuroscientist—but having a basic map of how it works can dramatically improve how we respond to stress, relationships, and everyday challenges.

Next episode we look at why the brain is actually three parts and how the original part of the brain lives in your gut.

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Email Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.org
Email Ruth ruth@bridgeandrhino.com

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