Why do so many of us learn to disconnect from ourselves? And how do we find our way back?

In this conversation, I speak with Sarah Peyton, author of The Resonant Self, about the neuroscience of self-compassion, attachment and healing. Sarah explains why warmth and understanding literally change the brain, why self-abandonment is a survival strategy rather than a personal failing, and how compassionate relationships help us reconnect with ourselves.

One of the most surprising moments in our conversation is Sarah's explanation of why verbal abuse can leave deeper and more enduring wounds than physical abuse, because it shapes our developing sense of self and can become the voice we carry inside us.

Together we explore:

• Why we abandon ourselves in order to survive
• The neuroscience of self-compassion
• How attachment patterns shape the way we relate to ourselves and others
• Why emotional numbing happens
• The hidden impact of verbal abuse
• How secure attachment can be earned
• The difference between empathy, compassion and resonance
• Why healing happens through relationship
• How old survival strategies can finally be released

Along the way I share some of my own experiences of self-abandonment, perfectionism and performance anxiety, and Sarah offers a powerful way of understanding how these patterns develop—and how they can change.

Whether you're interested in trauma, psychology, relationships or simply understanding yourself more deeply, this conversation offers both hope and practical insight.

Connect with Sarah Peyton

Website: https://sarahpeyton.com
Books: The Resonant Self and Your Resonant Self Workbook
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahPeytonCNVC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahPeytonAuthor

Connect with Alexandra Stevens

🌐 Website: https://alexandrastevenstherapy.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrastevensgold
✍️ Substack: https://fromtraumatogold.substack.com/p/im-writing-a-book-in-public