Thomas Pals and Ruth Lorensson

The Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast - Neuroscience • Emotional Resilience • Trauma Recovery

Health EN ↓ 102 episodes

The Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA) Podcast explores the autonomic nervous system, interoception, homeostasis, nervous system regulation, and the neuroscience of stress, healing, and wellbeing. Hosted by Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson, each episode combines neuroscience, living systems thinking, and practical insight to help listeners better understand how the brain and body work together to support resilience, recovery, and thriving. Through conversations on stress, trauma, emotional wellbeing, cognition, and whole-person health, Tom and Ruth unpack the science behind Autonomic Homeostasi...

Author

Thomas Pals and Ruth Lorensson

Category

Health

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

Hope is Thriving 21.02.2024

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tom and Ruth delve deep into the concept of hope and its transformative power in managing stress and trauma. They explore the difference between wishful thinking and genuine hope, emphasizing how hope is not just a passive desire for things to be different but an active, rational anticipation of positive outcomes. Drawing on scientific research and personal insigh...

Give Generously 10.02.2024

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tom and Ruth navigate through the nuances of generosity, emphasizing its connection to kindness, compassion, and thriving mentality. Drawing from philosophical insights and personal anecdotes, they unravel the hidden beauty inherent in acts of generosity, highlighting its cryptic nature that transcends mere selflessness. They delve into the significance of integri...

Forgive Fearlessly 23.01.2024

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson dive into the topic of forgiveness, specifically exploring the concept of "forgive fearlessly."  The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding forgiveness as giving, rooted in the ancient Greek term "charismi," which means to give something. They shed light on the physiolo...

Energize Empathy 10.01.2024

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Autonomic Healing Podcast with Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson. In this episode, Tom and Ruth dive into the ABCs of thriving, focusing on the letter E—Energize Empathy. They explore the crucial difference between sympathy and empathy, emphasizing the importance of understanding emotions and maintaining healthy boundaries. Tom introduces the concept of "with" a...

Christmas Carols - Our Shared Heritage 21.12.2023

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Autonomic Healing Podcast Christmas Edition ! In this episode Ruth and Tom take you on a trip back in time, with a flight of Christmas Carols, exploring their history and meaning. Listen in, to hear Ruth and Tom's share stories from their heritage, some singing, and merry conversation.  We hope you enjoy this festive episode!  Support the show Thanks for listen...

Defer to Loving 11.12.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson delve into the powerful concept of "deferring to loving." They reflect on their previous discussions about accepting adversity, believing in beneficence, and creating contentment, setting the stage for the current topic of deferring to loving. They highlight the distinction between "...

How to Feel Content (Without Needing More to Be Happy) 21.11.2023

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Autonomic Healing Podcast with your hosts, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson. Tom and Ruth talk about creating contentment in their ABCs of thriving. They delve into the deeper layers of contentment, challenging conventional definitions and emphasizing the importance of understanding it within the context of community and connection. Tom challenges the traditional definit...

Why Believing in Goodness Changes How You Experience Life 07.11.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the "Autonomic Healing Podcast," hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson delve into the concept of believing in beneficence in the face of adversity. They discuss how adversity can challenge the innate benevolence within us and how choosing to act in ways that are beneficial can fundamentally alter our experience of adversity. Tom and Ruth emphasize that it&...

How to Handle Adversity Without Losing Yourself 23.10.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tom and Ruth dive deep into the concept of thriving in the face of adversity. They explore the idea that accepting adversity is the first step towards achieving personal growth and empowerment. By accepting what is in front of us, we can shift from a fight-or-flight response to a state of homeostasis, where we can find the capacity to thrive. Tom and Ruth discuss...

Lessons from the Hummingbird 16.10.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tom and Ruth explore the transition from surviving to thriving and how activating the autonomic healing response can help manage stress and trauma, promoting healing in the mind, body, and spirit. The discussion centers around the symbolism of the hummingbird, which is known as a messenger and guardian of time. The hummingbird's ability to fly backward serves...

The Mobius of Motivation: Building Momentum in Rational Intimacy 28.09.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the final stage of rational intimacy, Stage Eight: Motivation. Join us as we explore the profound connection between motivation and our innate human needs, as outlined by Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Discover how motivation isn't just a driving force but also an informed choice that can lead us towards authentic healing in mind, bod...

From Compliments to Confidence: Unpacking Commendation in Rational Intimacy 12.09.2023

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Autonomic Healing Podcast with your hosts, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson. In this episode, Tom and Ruth delve into the intricacies of stage seven in the journey of Rational Intimacy: Commendation and Praise. They explore the challenges people often face when it comes to receiving compliments and delve into the underlying factors that may cause discomfort or resistance...

Win/Win: The Rational Intimacy Paradigm 29.08.2023

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast with your hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson. In this enlightening conversation, Tom and Ruth delve into the heart of rational intimacy, exploring its essence, challenges, and the transformative power it holds.  They explore the challenges that hinder the path to rational intimacy, including ignorance, denial of truth, fea...

From Fantasy to Fulfillment: The Path of Envisioning in Rational Intimacy 15.08.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson delve into the concept of envisioning as a key stage of rational intimacy. Building on their previous discussions about various stages of rational intimacy, Tom and Ruth explore the crucial distinction between fantasy and envisioning. Tom defines the difference between fantasy and envisioning, highlighting how fantasizing can be d...

Rethinking Devotion 03.08.2023

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Check out the Autonomic Healing Website & InnerWorkings Website Email Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.org Email Ruth ruth@bridgeandrhino.com Support us We appreciate you!

Being in Relationship Without Losing Your Mind 15.07.2023

Send us Fan Mail During this episode, Tom and Ruth discuss the stages of Rational Intimacy - particularly the stage when connectedness to others and ourselves thrives. The basis of this is cultivating a consenting relationship. Listen to them as they explore what a consensual relationship requires and what it does not require to be successful.  Support the show Thanks for listening! You can follow...

Being Human - Many Little Lives or Dysfunctional Mechanism 28.06.2023

Send us Fan Mail Listen to this episode as Tom and Ruth discuss the key takeaways from Scott Turner's Conversation on Homeostasis and share with you their thoughts and observations. In particular, they discuss the differences between mechanisms and organisms, and how a healthy environment is the result of many little lives working together.  Support the show Thanks for listening! You can foll...

Let's Talk Homeostasis - with Guest Scott Turner (Part Two) 13.06.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, our guest Scott Turner shares his insights on homeostasis.   J Scott Turner is a distinguished scientist and author known for his groundbreaking work in the field of biology. With a passion for understanding the intricate relationship between organisms and their environment, Turner has made significant contributions to the study of animal physiology, behavior, and...

Let's Talk Homeostasis - with Guest Scott Turner (Part One) 26.05.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, our guest Scott Turner shares his insights on homeostasis.   J Scott Turner is a distinguished scientist and author known for his groundbreaking work in the field of biology. With a passion for understanding the intricate relationship between organisms and their environment, Turner has made significant contributions to the study of animal physiology, behavior, and...

Living in Grace 17.05.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Ruth and Tom explore the concept of grace. They discuss how grace is not only a place of poise, but also a place of gifting. So many people who want to contribute to the world with their gifts are limited because of their perceptions, especially when they encounter the tsunami of stress. Through their conversation, Ruth and T...

Contentment 03.05.2023

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Ruth and Tom on this episode of The Autonomic Healing Podcast. They delve into the topic of contentmentand its crucial role in rational intimacy. In spite of the fact that many of us desire contentment, in our never-ending to-do lists it is often pushed to the side. Ruth and Tom discuss why this is the case and offer practical tips on cultivating a content mindset. They...

Rational Intimacy - This Beautiful Offering 19.04.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, hosts Ruth and Tom delve into the concept of Rational Intimacy and how it can be seen as life's beautiful offering. Ruth shares a poem she wrote about the revelation she had regarding this idea and how it has impacted her life. They explore the biblical reference to Rational Intimacy in Ephesians 2:10 where Paul writes that we are God's workmansh...

The Secure and Insecure Pathways of the Brain 04.04.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Ruth & Tom explore the neuroscience behind the secure and insecure pathways of the brain.  When we feel safe and secure, the brain's secure pathway is activated, and the parasympathetic nervous system takes over. This system helps us relax, slow down our heart rate, and decrease blood pressure, allowing our body to rest and recover. When we feel calm and r...

The Dynamics of Perceptions 14.03.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tom and Ruth discuss the dynamics behind our perceptions of ourselves, others, and situations. Listen to them explain why seemingly rational perceptions exist, why they follow a distinct pattern, and how they can be transformed into rational perceptions through the activation of homeostasis.  Support the show Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Ins...

The Very Real Risks of Seemingly Rational Perceptions 28.02.2023

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tom and Ruth discuss perceptions, the role they play in our lives, and the importance of understanding them. The risks of our seemingly rational perceptions are real - unchecked they keep us in the detrimental patterns of the tsunami of stress. Learn why perceptions seem rational, how AI is a reflection of this, and why discovering our actual rational perceptions...

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