THE ED MYLETT SHOW

How to Rewire Your Body's Response to Stress, Trauma & Anxiety Feat. Dr. Stephen Porges

36 snips
Apr 14, 2026
Dr. Stephen Porges, neuroscientist and creator of Polyvagal Theory, explains how your nervous system and vagus nerve shape safety, emotion, and behavior. He discusses neuroception, how trauma is held in the body, the limits of forced relaxation, and practical rhythms like acoustic stimulation, movement, and co-regulation to restore physiological safety.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Neuroception Detects Safety Before Thought

  • Neuroception is your nervous system's unconscious detection of safety or threat.
  • Porges describes how sounds, movements, and context trigger visceral defensive responses before conscious thought.
INSIGHT

Trauma Is A Nervous System Imprint

  • Trauma is not only an event but an imprint in the nervous system that maintains defensive states.
  • Porges explains trauma hardens the nervous system so it withholds social engagement unless safety is signalled.
ADVICE

Use Warm Engagement To Recalibrate Trauma

  • Do use safe, compassionate engagement to repair nervous system threat responses after trauma.
  • Porges emphasizes melodic voice, friendly faces, gestures and respecting vulnerability to invite physiological safety.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app