Welcome to season 3 of my newly renamed podcast Beneath the Surface.

In this episode I explore safety strategies — the hidden drivers behind behaviours like emotional eating, procrastination, overworking, doom scrolling, and people-pleasing. I explain the science behind these behaviours, and why, when our threat system is activated it is harder to access logical thinking and choose differently.

I also introduce the soothe system and the idea of developing a “steady self” — an observing part of the mind that helps you respond to these patterns with awareness rather than being driven by them.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Season 3 introduction

00:38 – What safety strategies are

01:45 – Why all behaviors serve a function

02:35 – The brain’s threat system

03:45 – Amygdala, stress hormones & reactivity

05:20 – Why change feels hard in the moment

06:10 – The soothe system

07:10 – Why soothing can feel difficult

08:00 – Developing the “steady self”

09:00 – Understanding emotional parts

09:40 – Reflecting on your safety patterns

10:27 – Wrap up

More Resources:

• Grab the free mini-course: Emotion Systems Audit – Download here
• Connect with Shannon on Instagram: @coachshannonbeer
• Learn more about compassion coaching: get the details here