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In this thought-provoking conversation, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals welcome back Scott Turner, author of Purpose and Desire, to explore the fascinating intersections of niche construction theory, homeostasis, and human wellness. Together, they unpack how living systems—down to the cellular level—act with agency, intentionally shaping and being shaped by their environments.

From Walter Cannon’s classic definition of homeostasis to Aristotle’s ideas on purposefulness, the discussion bridges evolutionary biology, biophysics, and wellness science. Scott Turner explains why adaptation is more than mechanistic feedback loops—it’s about purposeful striving at every level, from microbiomes to ecosystems. The trio dives deep into the “many little lives” metaphor, revealing how cellular conversations influence our overall health, vitality, and resilience—and how disruption in those conversations can lead to illness, cancer, and even addiction.

Key topics include:

• The agency of living systems and its role in adaptation and wellness
• How niche construction theory challenges modern Darwinism
• Why homeostasis is misunderstood and how it truly operates
• The parallels between ecosystem health and human health
• The role of interoception in restoring balance and fostering well-being

Whether you’re a wellness professional, leader, or simply curious about the science of thriving, this episode offers a fresh lens on what it means to be well—and how to consciously participate in the adaptive conversations that sustain life.

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Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system are at the heart of this conversation on trauma healing and body-based wellness—drawing inspiration from Scott Turner’s groundbreaking book, Purpose and Desire.

In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals explore the shift from traditional mechanistic models of the human body to a living systems approach—where homeostasis is understood not just as a function, but as the body’s deepest purpose.

Tom shares how Turner's work helped crystallize the core concepts behind AHA, especially the healing power of interoception—the internal sense that allows us to listen to the body rather than control it. Ruth recounts the story of how they connected with Scott and why his perspective has become foundational to understanding what true wellness really is.

Tune in for a story-rich, science-grounded episode that challenges the machine metaphor of the body—and invites us to see ourselves as intelligent, self-regulating systems capable of healing from within.

Key Topics:

• How Scott Turner’s book Purpose and Desire shaped the origins of AHA
• The difference between mechanistic and living systems models of the body
• Why homeostasis is more than balance—it’s the body’s deepest intelligence
• The role of interoception in healing from trauma and chronic stress
• How curiosity, observation, and conversation drive true transformation

Join Ruth and Tom as they lay the groundwork for the next two episodes with Scott Turner—and reveal why changing how we see the body might be the first step in helping it heal.

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Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system come together in this powerful episode to help you understand why you may not feel safe—even when there's no actual danger. Hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals unpack how trauma, chronic stress, and learned woundings can keep your internal nervous system misaligned—and what science shows us about re-creating safety from within.

What You'll Discover:

• The disconnect between perceived threat and actual safety—driven by trauma, not current reality.
• How interoception and homeostatic regulation support the restoration of nervous system balance.
• Practical tools rooted in somatic healing, stress recovery, and self-regulation.
• How listening to the body—and not overthinking it—can transform your relationship with safety and well-being.

Why This Episode Matters:
Feeling unsafe when everything seems fine can be confusing and unsettling. This episode frames it through a living systems lens, showing why self-regulation is key to recovering emotional resilience and achieving whole-person wellness.

Tune In For:
A grounded, support‑based conversation blending neuroscience, somatic awareness, and real-life stories to guide you back to alignment, safety, and greater emotional freedom.

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Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system unite in this episode to explore the concept of Brain-fulness—a mindful, embodied practice for restoring balance, healing from stress, and cultivating whole-person wellness. Hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals dive deep into practical applications of neuroscience to foster self-regulation, emotional resilience, and mind‑body‑spirit integration.

What You'll Learn:

• The meaning of Brainfulness: mindfully tuning into interoceptive cues to support homeostasis
• Science-based ways to regulate the autonomic nervous system and recover from trauma or chronic stress
• How the body, brain, and spirit interact through living systems theory
• Tools for cultivating self-regulation, resilience, and embodied emotional well-being

Why It Matters:

In a world where many of us operate on autopilot, Brainfulness offers a path back to living systems alignment—an approach where your body’s natural intelligence leads the way to wholeness and healing.

🔔 Tune in for an inspiring, science-grounded exploration of Brainfulness, interoception, and nervous system balance. Let this episode empower you to integrate wellness in body, mind, and spirit.

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Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system frame this insightful exploration of the Five P’s of Wellness—an intuitive framework to determine what truly supports or hinders your well-being. Hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals map practical applications of the Five P’s (Purpose, Presence, Practice, Processing, and Play) into the neuroscience of somatic healing, trauma recovery, and holistic wellness.

What You’ll Discover:

• The core of each “P”, and how it shapes nervous system regulation—purpose clarifies direction, presence anchors you in awareness, practice stabilizes patterns, processing unlocks healing, and play reclaims joy.
• How interoceptive awareness allows you to tune into what each P is doing in your system.
• Science-based tools for promoting homeostasis, self-regulation, and whole-body wellness.

Why It Matters:

The Five P’s provide a simple but powerful map to assess and adjust your routines, habits, and mindset—from a living systems perspective. By listening to your body’s signals (via interoception) and fostering balance through each P, you cultivate resilience, clarity, and integrated wellness.

🎧 Tune in for a grounded, story-rich conversation that helps you differentiate what’s beneficial versus what’s detrimental—so your autonomy and well-being shine through.

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Personal wellness does not happen in isolation. In this Fundamentals of Wellness episode, Tom and Ruth examine how health is shaped by both individual habits and our shared environment.

Using the recent Fort Collins mall incident as a case study, they address:

• Vicarious trauma – why events you only hear about can still activate your stress response.
• Me-We homeostasis – the science of co-regulation and how supportive communities shift us from fight-or-flight to rest-and-recovery.
• Chronos vs. Kairos – understanding linear time versus “the opportune moment” to steer your well-being in a healthier direction.
• The power of “AND” – moving from anxious “yeah, but …” thinking to productive “yes, and …” mindsets that open space for healing.

You’ll learn practical ways to notice sympathetic surges, create collective resilience rituals, and make time work for—rather than against—your health.

Listen in to turn moments of strain into pathways toward shared strength.

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In this eye‑opening installment of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson peel back the layers of a sense most of us never knew we had—interoception, the brain’s moment‑to‑moment read‑out of everything happening inside the body. Moving beyond Aristotle’s famous “five senses,” Tom explains why modern neuroscience recognizes at least 21 human senses and argues that interoception is the one that lets us feel all the others.

Together they explore:

• Pain as a homeostatic emotion – drawing on A.D. (Bud) Craig’s groundbreaking work to show how pain isn’t just a warning siren but a built‑in motivation to heal, rest, and restore balance.
• The sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous systems, and how our mind‑jerk reactions can flip pain from a helpful signal into runaway anxiety, anger, or depression.
• Real‑life stories—from Ruth’s post‑spine‑surgery recovery to lived battles with hypochondria—illustrating how re‑interpreting internal sensations can turn distress into a path toward wellness.
• Practical tips for “letting the brain inform the mind”: noticing bodily cues without judgment, shifting from threat mode to curiosity, and partnering with the body’s natural drive toward equilibrium.

Whether you’re a clinician, a bio‑hacker, or simply tired of being ruled by aches, twitches, and racing thoughts, this conversation will change how you feel about…well, how you feel. Tune in and discover how activating interoception can unlock true mind‑body‑spirit homeostasis.

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In this enlightening episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson dive deep into the fascinating world of bodily healing and homeostasis. Challenging conventional wisdom about wellness, they explore the counterintuitive concept of "not scratching the itch" - both literally and metaphorically.

Discover why those uncomfortable sensations like itching, pain, and fever might actually be your body's intelligent healing mechanisms at work. Learn how our typical responses to discomfort often disrupt natural healing processes and what it truly means to work with - not against - our body's innate wisdom.

Through engaging discussions and practical insights, Tom and Ruth reveal how understanding homeostasis can transform our approach to physical and emotional wellness. Whether you're dealing with physical recovery, emotional healing, or simply seeking a more holistic understanding of your body's capabilities, this episode offers profound perspectives on natural healing.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding homeostatic pruning
• Why discomfort isn't always a bad sign
• How to support your body's natural healing processes
• Insights into working with, not against, your body's intelligence

Join us for an eye-opening conversation that will change how you think about health, healing, and your body's remarkable capabilities.

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Is achieving balance really the key to wellness? Or have we misunderstood homeostasis all along? In this eye-opening episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson dive deep into the science of homeostasis and uncover why true wellness isn’t about achieving perfect equilibrium—it’s about thriving in dynamic disequilibrium.

They break down the history of homeostasis, from Walter Cannon’s groundbreaking research to modern-day misunderstandings that could be holding us back in our pursuit of health and resilience. Learn how your body naturally adapts to constant change, why chasing "balance" can be counterproductive, and how embracing the natural fluctuations of life can lead to greater well-being in mind, body, and spirit.

Join the conversation as we challenge conventional wellness wisdom and explore how to work with change, rather than against it.

🎧 Tune in now to shift your perspective on what it truly means to be well!

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In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the true essence of wellness—what it means, where it comes from, and how to cultivate it in daily life. They dive into the origins of the word well, linking it to ancient water sources and the fundamental human need for nourishment, both physically and emotionally.

Through rich conversation and insightful reflections, they outline five key elements of wellness: love, self-awareness, self-acceptance, significance, and intention. These pillars form the foundation for holistic well-being and personal transformation. They also discuss how wellness coaching helps individuals draw from their inner well—unlocking the deep reserves of well-being that already exist within.

Join Tom and Ruth as they challenge listeners to embrace wellness as an essential part of life, not just an afterthought. Whether you’re on a personal journey of healing or seeking deeper meaning, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and practical insights to guide you forward.

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