What if the most transformative part of a “conscious life” isn’t the serene moments—but the messy ones where you feel flooded, triggered, and ready to explode? I share a raw, real story about a birthday plan gone sideways, how a sold-out ticket spiraled into rage and self-blame, and the small, steady thread that kept me from making the night worse: a ventral narrator offering compassion and gentle reminders through a more grounded lens.

We break down the nervous system in practical terms—ventral regulation, sympathetic fight-or-flight, dorsal shutdown—and why blended states matter when life hits hard. You’ll hear how I moved from “I failed my kid,” and blaming my partner for the failing, to being in a place (within less than 24 hours!) where I felt grounded enough to connect and repair with my husband. I'll also share the surprising insight that sometimes calm reassurance doesn’t soothe an activated body. Matching a bit of the other person’s energy—naming the sting, acknowledging the frustration—can build connection faster than jumping straight to zen. We talk about how having that ventral narrator, who can offer far kinder self-talk than the hopeless dorsal dweller part that can get swept up in self-blame, can transform a moment of dysregulated reactivity, and how to ask for the support you actually need in the heat of the moment.

If parenting guilt, partner dynamics, or inner critics tend to hijack your evenings, this conversation offers a map: notice the state you’re in, name the unmet need, and choose a tiny next step. Conscious living isn’t about perfection; it’s about shortening the distance between rupture and repair, savoring gratitude alongside growth, and trusting that you can learn in real time by deeply attuning to yourself.

If this resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a gentler way through big feelings. And before you go, try one simple experiment today: take one step—any size, any direction—toward the life you want.

- If you and your partner are ready to co-create the roadmap to the relationship of your dreams, join us for the next in-person "Getting the Love You Want" Weekend Couples Retreat!

For support in how to have deeper connections and better communication in the relationships that matter most in your life, follow the host, Trish Sanders on Instagram , Bluesky or LinkedIn.