Why do hard conversations feel like danger in your body—and why does it feel safer to “pick a side”? In this long-form entrée, Alyssia unpacks the neuroscience of polarization and ego, explaining how networks like the Default Mode Network, salience and prefrontal systems wire us for “me/us vs. you/them”—and how mindfulness, compassion, and loving-kindness can retrain that wiring. You’ll learn the Regulate → Relate → Reason sequence, the practice of Sacred Neutrality (conviction plus openness), and embodied tools to stay regulated without abandoning your values. Includes science, stories, and practical scripts for real conversations.

Show Notes: Episode 11 - The Neuroscience of Polarization

Try today's Dessert meditation.

Note that the other mindfulness meditation “dessert” I mentioned is not yet live and will be released next week on the podcast; if you want access early, you can access it here.

Relevant previous episodes to listen to first:
Compassion in Action
Beyond Binary: Fixed vs Fluid

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Book a Self-Trust Session with Alyssia → https://alyssiasheikh.com/self-trust-session