Returning to Us

By Lauren Spigelmyer & Jessica Doering

To help people who help people, the organization needs to be healthy and have practices in place that consider the trauma of those they serve. Lauren Spigelmyer and Jessica Doering have helped thou

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FAQs about Returning to Us:

How many episodes does Returning to Us have?

The podcast currently has 220 episodes available.

Returning to Us episodes:

November 25, 2025Policy as a Nervous System
Lauren shares how policies and procedures act like an organization’s neural pathways, shaping safety, trust, and overall regulation. Punitive or confusing policies create anxiety, while clear and compassionate ones build stability and support.
She explains the difference between stress-driven and safety-driven policies and offers simple steps to make them more regulating. Lauren encourages listeners to reflect on their own policies and take one small step toward a safer, more supportive workplace.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
Meetings that Calm, Not Drain
The Regulated Organization: What it Means to be a Regulated Organization
Retain: Sustaining Staff, Culture, and Capacity
Reinforce- Ensuring that Change becomes Cultural Muscle Memory
Reset: Moving from Relief to Real Transformation
Stage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival Mode
Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
17min
November 18, 2025Meetings That Calm, Not Drain
Meetings set the tone for an organization. Lauren explains how structure, pacing, tone, and clarity can calm the nervous system and keep teams grounded instead of drained.
She also shares simple practices like ritualized starts, sensory grounding, one word check ins, and clear closures to help meetings become stable, productive spaces that support a healthier culture.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
The Regulated Organization: What it Means to be a Regulated Organization
Retain: Sustaining Staff, Culture, and Capacity
Reinforce- Ensuring that Change becomes Cultural Muscle Memory
Reset: Moving from Relief to Real Transformation
Stage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival Mode
Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
23min
November 11, 2025The Regulated Organization: What It Means to Be a Regulated Organization
Lauren launches The Regulated Organization series, exploring how stress and regulation affect entire workplaces, not just individuals. She explains how an organization’s “nervous system” shapes culture, communication, and trust, and how the Five Ives framework helps bring balance and sustainability to teams.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
Retain: Sustaining Staff, Culture, and Capacity
Reinforce- Ensuring that Change becomes Cultural Muscle Memory
Reset: Moving from Relief to Real Transformation
Stage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival Mode
Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
30min
November 04, 2025Retain: Sustaining Staff, Culture, and Capacity
In this episode, Lauren explores how organizations can move beyond burnout to build lasting staff retention through the Three M’s: Moments, Memories, and Meaning. She explains that small daily interactions, shared experiences, and a sense of purpose create connection, stability, and momentum. True retention, she says, isn’t just about keeping people; it’s about helping them thrive.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Resources
Inside Out 2 Movie
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
Reinforce- Ensuring that Change becomes Cultural Muscle Memory
Reset: Moving from Relief to Real Transformation
Stage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival Mode
Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
36min
October 28, 2025Reinforce- Ensuring that Change becomes Cultural Muscle Memory
In this episode, Lauren dives into Reinforce, the third phase of the Staff Sustainability Program. After moving through relief and reset, this stage is about turning new, healthy patterns into lasting habits that define an organization’s culture. She shares how repetition, reflection, and consistent routines help build stability, trust, and regulation across teams. By focusing on reinforcement, organizations can move beyond short-term fixes and create a culture of well-being that truly lasts.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
Reset: Moving from Relief to Real Transformation
Stage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival Mode
Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
Can't Sleep, Can't Think? Resetting Rhythms That Rule Your Day
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
29min
October 21, 2025Reset: Moving from Relief to Real Transformation
In this episode, Lauren explores what it means for organizations to truly reset after burnout. She shares how leaders and teams can move from short-term fixes to lasting change by addressing root causes, rebuilding trust, and fostering compassion-driven accountability. Through small, consistent practices and reflective leadership, Lauren shows how organizations can build cultures that support well-being, connection, and sustainable growth.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Resources
Jim Kwik's Website
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
Stage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival Mode
Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
Can't Sleep, Can't Think? Resetting Rhythms That Rule Your Day
Part 2: Regulation in the Real World
Part 1: Regulation in the Real World
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
36min
October 13, 2025Stage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival Mode
In this episode, Lauren explores why many organizations try to build sustainability while running on empty and how real change begins with creating relief. She shares how survival mode shows up through reactivity and disconnection and offers practical ways for leaders and teams to calm their systems, rebuild trust, and create the foundation for lasting change.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
"Why Wasn't I Good Enough?": Walking Away From What Wasn't Meant For You
Can't Sleep, Can't Think? Resetting Rhythms That Rule Your Day
Taming Transitions: Tiny Rituals That Calm Big Shifts
Part 2: Regulation in the Real World
Part 1: Regulation in the Real World
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
38min
October 07, 2025Why Women in Leadership Micromanage
In the second episode of the Staff Sustainability series, Lauren explores why women in leadership often turn to micromanagement and how it’s rooted in stress, trauma, and cultural expectations. She shares practical steps to move from control to co-regulation, helping leaders build safer, more sustainable workplaces grounded in trust and collaboration.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted Organizations
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
"Why Wasn't I Good Enough?": Walking Away From What Wasn't Meant For You
Can't Sleep, Can't Think? Resetting Rhythms That Rule Your Day
Taming Transitions: Tiny Rituals That Calm Big Shifts
Spaces that Regulate
Part 2: Regulation in the Real World
Part 1: Regulation in the Real World
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
35min
September 30, 2025Understanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma-Impacted Organizations
In this episode, Lauren launches a new series on staff sustainability and explores the hidden costs of burnout and turnover in trauma-impacted organizations. She shares why quick fixes like pizza parties or gift cards fall flat and how deeper systemic change is needed.
Through the lens of the nervous system, Lauren reframes burnout as a collective issue rather than an individual failing. She explains how creating cultures of belonging, safety, and regulation can shift organizations from survival toward thriving.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
"Why Wasn't I Good Enough?": Walking Away From What Wasn't Meant For You
Can't Sleep, Can't Think? Resetting Rhythms That Rule Your Day
Taming Transitions: Tiny Rituals That Calm Big Shifts
Spaces that Regulate
Part 2: Regulation in the Real World
Part 1: Regulation in the Real World
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
25min
September 23, 2025The Five Ives Hot Seat: Honest Answers for Hard Questions
In this Q&A episode, Lauren tackles some of the most pressing challenges organizations face including burnout, high turnover, and behavior struggles in both staff and students. She explains how the Five Ives framework, rooted in nervous system science and trauma-informed care, offers practical micro-strategies that boost morale, improve regulation, and create sustainable cultural shifts without adding extra burdens.
Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course
Learn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the root
Other related resources from Five Ives:
Blog Post:
Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
What are the Five Ives?
Podcast:
The Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that Breathe
No Off Switch: Why Regulation Belongs in All Your Roles
"Why Wasn't I Good Enough?": Walking Away From What Wasn't Meant For You
Can't Sleep, Can't Think? Resetting Rhythms That Rule Your Day
Taming Transitions: Tiny Rituals That Calm Big Shifts
Spaces that Regulate
Part 2: Regulation in the Real World
Part 1: Regulation in the Real World
How to Get Kids to Cooperate without Power Struggles
What Happens When Consequences Backfire
Hive- The Last Stage of the Five Ives
Thrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five Ives
Strive- The Third Stage of the Five Ives
Revive- The Second Stage of the Five Ives
Survive- The First Stage of the Five Ives
Our Online Programs:
Behavior Breakthrough
Policing Under Pressure
Board Governance Training
University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!
Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
Five Ives Website website
The Behavior Hub blog
If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guide
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
...more
21min

FAQs about Returning to Us:

How many episodes does Returning to Us have?

The podcast currently has 220 episodes available.

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