Join us as we unravel the complexities of sensory overwhelm. We start by defining it as the brain receiving more sensory input than it can process, leading to stress, anxiety, and disorientation. Through personal anecdotes, we illustrate the everyday challenges of living in a sensory-rich world. The constant bombardment of stimuli often leaves us craving moments of quiet to recharge. Together, we explore the many ways we navigate this overstimulating environment. We dive deep into sensory processing, unpacking the difference between hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity. You'll learn about the 8 senses — the five we’ve known since childhood (sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing), and the three internal senses: interoception, proprioception, and the vestibular system. Understanding our sensory differences is the first step in accommodating our differing needs. Finally, we take a lighter turn with an exploration of the salad dressing market, touching on the rich history and modern-day popularity of packaged dressings, with a nod to ranch dressing's beloved status in the United States.

Welcome back to Safely Divergent!In this episode, we dive into the powerful concepts of internal vs external safety, and how our nervous system respond to perceived threats. The conversation explores how things like visible security measures, while intended to make us feel safe, can sometimes have the complete opposite effect. Pulling from Dr. Stephen Porges' groundbreaking work, we discuss how our culture tends to prioritize thoughts over feelings, often overlooking the signals our bodies send us. We focus on the importance of creating spaces that nurture true security.This leads us into a fascinating discussion about neuroception, the body’s innate ability to sense safety or threat, often without our conscious awareness. From there, we explore the intricacies of stress responses and how our brains are wired for survival. You’ll learn how neuroception shapes our reactions to different stimuli, influencing how we assess danger and respond emotionally. We talk about how stress shows up in different ways—whether as fight, flight, or freeze—and how these reactions affect not just our behavior but our relationships and communication. Through personal stories and expert insights, we offer practical strategies for recognizing and managing stress, and how to develop healthier coping mechanisms that improve both our inner well-being and our interactions with others.

this episode dives into what it means to be "safely divergent”—a space where authenticity and meeting your unique needs take center stage. we get real about the process of owning our differences.we explore neurodiversity, busting myths around labels, and stressing the importance of personal, tailored support.

oh, and an unexpected detour into the world of pigeons—once majestic, now misunderstood. whether it's the brain or birds, we’re all about fostering self-love and connection.join us as we embrace the freedom of becoming safely divergent!

Safely Divergent is almost here!

A podcast for brains that do their own thing and people building a life that actually works for them. The first episode drops April 3rd—hit follow so you don’t miss it!