By Justin Sunseri
4.7
297297 ratings
The podcast currently has 303 episodes available.
Let's examine two unasked questions: “What do I feel?” and “How do I know I feel that way?” These questions lie at the heart of understanding our Polyvagal states and how they influence our emotions and physical sensations. By exploring the connection between mind and body, you can learn how to tune into your inner experiences with mindfulness and self-compassion.
Chapters:
02:00 Identifying Your Emotional State
03:47 Practical Exercise: Recognizing Your State
05:19 Deepening Your Emotional Awareness
08:44 Concluding Thoughts and Resources
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)
Justin Sunseri shares an inspiring story from Macy to demonstrate effective self-regulation out of the Polyvagal state of shutdown. He explores Macy's experiences of navigating through states of immobilization—shutdown, freeze, and stillness—using music and movement to manage sympathetic activation. Justin also discusses why unexpected memories may pop into consciousness when practicing self-regulation.
00:00 Introduction to Self-Regulation Story
00:42 Macy's Experience with Shutdown and Freeze
01:11 Understanding Different States of Immobility
02:52 The Role of Safety in Self-Regulation
06:36 Macy's Journey to Mobilization
07:18 Welcoming Sympathetic Activation
08:41 Macy's Memory and Co-Regulation
09:11 Macy's Roundabout Memory
10:25 Understanding Self-Regulation
12:04 Present Moment Focus
14:52 Handling Sympathetic Activation
15:29 Upcoming Courses and Community
16:53 Invitation to Stucknaut Collective
18:05 Disclaimer
🔸Download the free SSIEC sheet by signing up for the email list resource - https://www.justinlmft.com/ssiec
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)
Are you transitioning from a shutdown state to sympathetic mobilization? I address the common emotions of frustration, irritation, and anger as positive indicators of moving up the Polyvagal ladder.
01:32 Teagan's Journey: From Shutdown to Stillness
02:03 The Importance of Permitting Defensive States
03:29 Imagery and Irritation: Teagan's Experience
04:39 The Role of Fight Activation in Self-Regulation
07:41 Movement and Sympathetic Activation
09:31 Validating and Normalizing Fight Activation
11:00 Embracing Self-Compassion
11:20 Understanding Defensive States
12:27 Navigating Shutdown and Activation
13:57 The Role of Stillness in Self-Regulation
15:11 Managing Frustration and Anxiety
16:29 Sustaining Energy and Mobility
19:16 Harnessing Frustration for Growth
20:46 Invitation to the Stucknaut Collective
21:58 Disclaimer and Final Thoughts
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)
What supports do real people in shutdown find the most helpful? And how many supports do they try? This is part 4 of the Shutdown Experiences Survey results.
🔸Total Access Membership of trauma recovery courses and community - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸SNB: Book 1 - https://www.justinlmft.com/snb1
🔸Learn the Polyvagal Theory simply and for free - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔹I'd love your feedback! - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZhfJa5_AWDN1D4zDO1nDMqs7gl0UrKpmuCqRYLmA5et08zg/viewform?usp=sf_link
00:00 Introduction: You're Not Alone in Shutdown
00:34 Survey Insights: Most Helpful Resources
01:04 Exploring Support Options: What Works Best?
04:29 Challenges in Overcoming Shutdown
07:24 The Role of Co-Regulation and Support
10:14 Non-Professional vs. Professional Support
18:22 From Shutdown to Stillness
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 (800) 273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233
LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline - 1 (866) 488-7386
National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673
Crisis Text Line - Text “HOME” to 741741
Call 911 for emergency
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (99147).
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)
Let's practice validating! Can you validate the sensations, emotions, impulses, cognitions, and Polyvagal state in this story?
00:00 Introduction to Validation
00:07 Understanding Validation
01:01 Domains of Validation
01:45 Introducing the SSIEC Tool
03:18 Story of Maria
04:23 Analyzing Emotions and Cognitions
06:31 Exploring Sensations and Impulses
09:27 Polyvagal State Analysis
15:20 Conclusion and Resources
🔸Download the SSIEC sheet - https://www.justinlmft.com/ssiec
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)
Join therapist and coach Justin Sunseri as he delves into emotional validation and its role in self-regulation. Learn the first lesson from his course, Shutdown to Stillness, which focuses on compassionately validating and acknowledging your emotions as a critical step towards inner peace and self-regulation. Validation can lead to normalization and even permitting your emotions to be.
00:00 Introduction to Emotional Invalidation
01:27 Understanding Shutdown and Stillness
01:47 The Autonomic Nervous System Overview
04:35 Experiences of Shutdown
05:21 The Importance of Stillness
06:04 Combining Safety and Shutdown
07:50 Validating Shutdown
13:44 Self-Reflection
15:31 Conclusion and Course Information
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)
Why do you get obsessive, ruminating, or scattered thinking? Justin Sunseri answers this question through the lens of the Polyvagal Theory. He explains freeze and then describes how that results in cognitive shifts.
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Therapist and coach Justin Sunseri addresses a YouTube comment regarding persistent hyperarousal and difficulty accessing a state of ventral vagal safety. Justin discusses various perspectives and advice from members of his private community, highlighting the importance of small steps, connections with others, and mindful practices. The episode emphasizes the necessity of both internal and external sources of safety, including co-regulation with others and individual sensory experiences. Justin also mentions approaches like validating emotions, normalizing experiences, and incremental exposure to safety cues as critical components to overcoming emotional dysregulation.
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:16 Reading a YouTube Comment
03:15 Community Insights: Karen's Advice
12:36 Community Insights: Flo's Journey
17:08 Community Insights: Love Day's Experience
19:20 Community Insights: Mandy's Perspective
23:37 Understanding Co-Regulation
24:20 Professional vs. Friendly Co-Regulation
25:17 Using Co-Regulation Mindfully
26:19 Alternative Ways to Co-Regulate
27:35 Reconnecting with Others
29:10 Community Insights on Co-Regulation
30:21 Addressing Defensive State Activation
34:43 Personalizing Your Approach
43:13 Next Steps and Resources
45:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Learn what the Freeze trauma response is, the dangers of addressing it head-on, and how to start coming out of it.
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
Join therapist and coach Justin Sunseri as he addresses a key question from his private community about transitioning from dorsal vagal shutdown to sympathetic flight fight activation. In this episode of 'Stuck Not Broken,' Justin delves into the Polyvagal Theory, explaining how to safely navigate these states without reinforcing a shutdown pattern. He also provides insights into his upcoming book and exclusive cohort 'Shutdown to Stillness.' Learn how to live with more calm, confidence, and connection while enhancing your self-regulation skills.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:57 Understanding Shutdown and Sympathetic Activation
03:12 The Role of Safety in Navigating Shutdown
07:50 Practical Steps to Move from Shutdown to Mobilization
10:42 Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
15:42 Updates on the Book and Future Plans
20:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Resources:
🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members
🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess
🔸 Polyvagal Intro webpage - https://www.justinlmft.com/polyvagalintro
🔸 Stuck Not Broken book series - https://www.justinlmft.com/books
🔸 Polyvagal 101 audio series - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0
Crisis resources:
This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).
The podcast currently has 303 episodes available.
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