The Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast - Neuroscience • Emotional Resilience • Trauma Recovery
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 Homeostasis Activation™ and the brain's innate capacity to facilitate healing and restore regulation.Whether you're interested in nervous system health, trauma recovery, em...
Is the Brain Actually Two Organs? New Neuroscience, the Gut-Brain Connection & Wellness
Send us Fan Mail
What if everything we thought we knew about the brain was only part of the story?
New neuroscience research is challenging how we understand the human brain, suggesting that the forebrain and hindbrain have distinct developmental origins. But what does this discovery mean for brain health, the gut-brain connection, and our body's remarkable capacity for homeostasis?
In this episode of the AHA (Autonomic Homeostasis Activation) Podcast, Tom and Ruth explore emerging brain research and its potential implications for understanding the nervous system, stress, trauma, and holistic wellness.<...
Spirituality and the Brain: The Neuroscience of Transcendence
Send us Fan Mail
What does spirituality have to do with the brain, interoception, and nervous system regulation?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the connection between the brain, mind, body, and spirit—and why spirituality may be better understood through the broader human experience of transcendence, rather than religion alone.
Drawing connections between neuroscience, psychology, interoception, homeostasis, and spiritual experience, Tom and Ruth examine how the brain allows us to sense not only what is happening within ou...
The Unconscious Mind: How Trauma Shapes Your Brain, Body & Nervous System
Send us Fan Mail
What’s happening beneath the surface of your conscious mind—and how might it be shaping your life without you realizing it?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA) Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the neuroscience of the unconscious mind, trauma, somatic healing, and nervous system regulation—and why true wellbeing may require us to look beneath the surface.
Drawing on the insights of Carl Jung and the emerging understanding of how the brain continues to process, learn, and problem-solve beyond our conscious awareness, they explor...
Is Your Brain More Conscious Than You Think? The Neuroscience of the Mind & Brain
Send us Fan Mail
What does it really mean to be conscious—and what if we've misunderstood the relationship between the mind and the brain?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA) Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson go deeper into new neuroscience research showing that the brain continues to process language, learn, remember, and anticipate—even when the conscious mind is under anesthesia.
Together, they challenge our mind-centered understanding of consciousness and explore a provocative possibility: we don't simply have a brain—the brain has us.
From the hippoc...
Can Your Brain Think Without You? The Neuroscience of Consciousness & Problem Solving
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA) Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore groundbreaking neuroscience that challenges our understanding of consciousness. New research suggests the brain can continue processing language, learning, and anticipating what's next—even under general anesthesia.
Together, they unpack what this means for brain health, interoception, memory, trauma recovery, and nervous system regulation. They also discuss how the brain's remarkable capacity for problem solving aligns with decades of practical experience using Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA).
Discover why your brain may be fa...
Your Relationship with Your Brain: Neuroscience, Interoception & Why Your Brain Isn't the Problem
Send us Fan Mail
What if one of the most important relationships you'll ever have is the one you have with your own brain?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA) Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson challenge one of the biggest assumptions in neuroscience and mental wellbeing: that the brain is simply an organ that processes information. Instead, they explore what happens when we begin to see the brain as a living partner in health, healing, and human flourishing.
Together they unpack why we often blame our brains for anxiety...
The Sympathetic Nervous System: Fight or Flight, Hypervigilance & the Key to Real Change
Send us Fan Mail
Did you know that up to 80% of physical health complaints are linked to stress and anxiety? What if being stuck in fight-or-flight mode is the very thing preventing the changes you're trying to make?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA) Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the sympathetic nervous system, the neuroscience of stress, and why chronic nervous system activation can keep us trapped in patterns of anxiety, hypervigilance, exhaustion, and reactivity.
Far from being the enemy, the sympathetic nervous system is a brilliantly designed...
Neuroscience, Trauma Recovery and Emotional Resilience | The Brain, Minds and Emotions
Send us Fan Mail
100 episodes in — and we're marking it with one of the most important conversations we've had.
What does the science of your nervous system have to do with healing from trauma — and why does autonomic homeostasis sit at the heart of lasting stress healing?
In this special milestone episode, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson go deep into the neuroscience of emotional resilience and trauma recovery: how the brain and body store stress, why so many people stay stuck in cycles of dysregulation, and what it actually takes to shift that at a...
Interoception Explained: How Your Brain and Body Work Together to Heal Stress
Send us Fan Mail
What is interoception—and why does it matter so much for stress, trauma, healing, and overall wellbeing?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals explore interoception, the brain’s sensory awareness of the body’s internal state. Together, they unpack how the brain and mind interpret feelings, emotions, pain, stress, and bodily sensations—and why interoception is central to nervous system regulation and homeostasis.
Through conversations around trauma, healing, embodied cognition, and neuroscience, Ruth and Tom explore how the brain works to preserve...
Autonomic Nervous System Explained: Why You Feel Stuck in Stress (and How to Reset)
Send us Fan Mail
What is the autonomic nervous system—and why does it matter so much for stress, anxiety, and overall wellbeing?
In this episode, Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals break down the autonomic nervous system in a clear, practical way—exploring how the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) systems work together to support homeostasis.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in stress, overwhelmed, or unable to “switch off,” this conversation will help you understand why. Rather than seeing stress as the problem, Ruth and Tom reframe the sympathetic nervous system as a protecti...
Mind vs Brain: Is Your Brain the Source of Consciousness?
Send us Fan Mail
What if the brain isn’t just an organ—but the context for everything we experience?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals explore the mystery of the brain, moving beyond a purely scientific lens into something more expansive. Together, they challenge the common assumption that the mind and brain are the same—and instead suggest that the mind is just one function of a much larger system.
They unpack what happens when we stop trying to solve problems through the mind alone...
Embodied Cognition Explained: Why the Brain Isn't Just in Your Head
Send us Fan Mail
What if the brain isn’t just in your head?
In this episode, we take a 30,000-foot view of the brain and challenge one of the most common assumptions in modern neuroscience. Exploring the enteric nervous system—often called the “second brain”—we uncover why it may actually be the first, and what it means to understand the brain as a whole, integrated system throughout the body.
From interoception and the vagus nerve to the role of internal “conversation” within our bodies, this episode reveals how health is not driven by isol...
How the Brain Maintains Homeostasis: A New Understanding of Stress and Wellbeing
Send us Fan Mail
What is actually happening in the brain when we feel calm, overwhelmed, reactive, or grounded?
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson step back for a 30,000-foot view of the brain—a simple but powerful overview of the neuroscience behind how we process stress, trauma, and wellness.
Rather than approaching the brain as something mysterious or overly technical, Tom breaks down its core structures using clear, accessible analogies—including the brain as a baseball mitt with a
Vicarious Trauma & the Nervous System: How to Stay Grounded in a World on Fire
Send us Fan Mail
In this timely and deeply practical episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom and Ruth explore what it means to live in a world saturated with distressing information — from global conflict to cultural upheaval to deeply personal stories of abuse and loss.
We are not just observers anymore. Through constant news cycles and social media exposure, we are often participants in vicarious trauma — absorbing pain that is not directly ours, yet deeply affects our nervous systems.
In this conversation, we unpack:
What vicarious trauma a...The Brain Has a Mind of Its Own (Part 2): From Survival Loops to Cognitive Homeostasis
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore how the brain thinks independently of the conscious mind—and how this capacity supports healing, clarity, and thriving.
Building on their previous conversation, they examine the difference between mind-based problem solving and brain-based wisdom, introducing the concept of cognitive homeostasis. The discussion unpacks why the mind often loops in fear, trauma, and overanalysis, while the brain integrates information holistically and delivers insight through spontaneous “aha” moments.
You’ll learn:<...
When the Brain Solves What the Mind Can’t
Send us Fan Mail
What if the breakthrough you’re looking for isn’t found by thinking harder—but by listening differently?
In this episode, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals continue their exploration of the wisdom of the brain, introducing the concept of cognitive homeostasis—how the brain independently problem-solves and offers insight beyond the mind’s habitual loops.
They unpack aha moments, involuntary thoughts, and sudden clarity as signs of the brain cutting through trauma-informed, fear-based thinking to guide us from survival to thriving. The conver...
The Brain Has a Mind of Its Own: The Oldest Way to Solve Problems
Send us Fan Mail
Season 4 begins with a foundational conversation on the wisdom of the brain and how it shapes problem solving, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Ruth and Tom explore the crucial difference between the mind and the brain, and why stress, trauma, and learned patterns can distort our thinking.
Introducing AHA Problem Solving, this episode shows how calming the nervous system allows the brain’s natural intelligence to generate clarity, insight, and genuine “aha” moments—especially around health anxiety, relationships, and life dec...
Maslow’s Final Stage: Transcendence and the Future of Human Potential
Send us Fan Mail
In this illuminating episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the rarely discussed—but profoundly important—final stage of Maslow’s thinking: transcendence.
Most people know Maslow for the “hierarchy of needs” pyramid, but as Tom reveals, Maslow never created a pyramid at all. And he certainly never stopped at self-actualization. At the end of his career, Maslow emphasized something deeper: a movement beyond the self into a state of connection, meaning, creativity, and belonging.
Together, Tom and Ruth unpack:
Why Maslow...Self-Actualization: The Missing Link Between Personal Growth and Collective Wellbeing
Send us Fan Mail
In this special birthday episode, Tom and Ruth explore what it really means to thrive as a whole human being. Building on their series about the fundamentals of wellness and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, they dive into the top of the hierarchy—self-actualization—and why it’s never just about “me.”
Together they unpack how homeostasis—that dynamic state of balance in body, mind, and spirit—is both personal and collective. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, somatic practice, and ecology, Tom explains how...
Self-Esteem: How to See Yourself (and Others) More Clearly
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson continue their exploration of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs through the lens of wellness and trauma-informed wholeness. Focusing on esteem, they unpack what it truly means to “appraise” value—both in ourselves and in others—and how unmet needs and trauma can distort our perception of worth and significance.
Through rich conversation and powerful metaphors—like Tom’s image of humans as uncut diamonds—they reveal how esteem isn’t about hierarchy or status, but about...
How the Brain Handles Change (And Why Transformation Feels Hard)
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the profound connection between change, homeostasis, and wellness. They unpack why change isn’t something to resist but to embrace—because homeostasis itself is change, the constant dynamic adjustment that keeps us alive and well.
Drawing on neuroscience, Tom explains how the brain perceives change through the amygdala, either as a threat (activating the sympathetic fight-or-flight response) or as an opportunity (activating the parasympathetic rest-recover-digest state). Together, Tom and Ruth explore how our perception of chan...
Beyond Stress: How to Feel Safe, Connected, and Truly Belong
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson continue their Fundamentals of Wellness series with a deep dive into the third level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: love and belonging. Together they explore the universal ache for connection, community, and healing felt across society today and ask an essential question: what kind of love and belonging truly nurtures wellness and mental health?
Drawing a distinction between the “tsunami of stress” and “rational intimacy,” Tom and Ruth unpack how certain relationships, communities, and affiliations may appear lov...
AHA Therapy: Changing the Conversation within the Body
Send us Fan Mail
In this thought-provoking episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals welcome back Scott Turner, renowned physiologist and expert on homeostasis, cognition, and superorganisms, for a deep dive into the science and mystery behind Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA).
Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system, unpacking how AHA may help reframe conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, Crohn’s disease, and autoimmune disorders. Scott shares insights from his research on te...
What Is Homeostasis? How Your Body Adapts, Regulates, and Stays in Balance
Send us Fan Mail
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, biophysi...
Purpose and Desire: What Drives Human Behavior? (with Scott Turner)
Send us Fan Mail
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, esp...
Why You Don’t Feel Safe (Even When You Are): Nervous System Explained
Send us Fan Mail
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 balanc...Brain-fulness: Achieving Optimal Homeostasis in Body, Mind, and Spirit | Nervous System Regulation
Send us Fan Mail
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 homeostasisScience-based ways to regulate the autonomic nervous system and re...What Actually Supports Your Health? The 5 Drivers of Wellness Explained
Send us Fan Mail
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 cl...Fight-or-Flight vs Rest-and-Digest: How Your Nervous System Affects Health
Send us Fan Mail
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...What Pain Is Really Telling You: Your Body’s Hidden Healing Signal
Send us Fan Mail
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 – draw...Why You Shouldn’t Fight Symptoms: How Your Body Heals Itself Naturally
Send us Fan Mail
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...
The Truth About Homeostasis: Why Balance is a Myth
Send us Fan Mail
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 const...
Where Wellness Really Comes From: Accessing Your Body’s Inner Healing
Send us Fan Mail
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 an...
Can Your Brain Heal Your Body? Rethinking Wellness vs Illness
Send us Fan Mail
Join Tom Pals and co-host Ruth Lorensson as they explore the often-overlooked ways our brains naturally work to restore balance—body, mind, and spirit. Learn why discomforts like itching, pain, and even unexpected emotional responses aren’t always signs of illness, but can be signals of a deeper healing process. Discover practical insights into how our brains orchestrate homeostasis, and why redefining “symptoms” can help us live with greater ease and confidence. If you’re ready to trust your body’s inherent wisdom and embrace a more holistic path to wellness, this conversation is for you.<...
What Is Brain-Based Healing? The Foundations of AHA Explained
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the AHA Podcast, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals introduce the groundbreaking concept of brain-informed wellness as part of their new series, The Fundamentals of Wellness. As the new year begins, many of us look to reset and embrace healthier habits, but what if the key to wellness isn’t about adding more to your plate, but about tapping into the innate wisdom of your brain?
Join Ruth and Tom as they discuss the difference between traditional wellness approaches like mindfulness and the AHA process, which focuses on ac...
What Is True Wellness? The Foundation of Health and Thriving
Send us Fan Mail
Ready to dive into wellness? 🌱 Join hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson as they kick off an exciting new season, The Fundamentals of Wellness, a fresh exploration of what it means to thrive in body, mind, and spirit.
In this debut episode, Tom shares his transformative journey from trauma survivor to psychotherapist, and now certified wellness coach. He reveals how he integrates cutting-edge autonomic homeostasis activation (AHA) with a holistic coaching approach to support well-being. Ruth reflects on her impactful work with Love Bristol and her current focus on leadership coaching, off...
Christmas Special 2024 - Light, Love & Life
Send us Fan Mail
🎄 AHA Podcast Christmas Special: Light, Love, and Life 🎄
As the Christmas season unfolds, Ruth and Tom delve into the heart and soul of what makes this time of year truly special. From cherished traditions and the joy of Christmas lights to the deeper meaning of connection, they explore what truly lights up this time of year.
Hear heartwarming stories—from Tom's magical visit to the Denver Zoo Lights with his granddaughter to Ruth's moving experience singing carols in Fort Collins. Together, they unpack the "Three L's" of Christmas: Light
How to Feel More Energy and Motivation (Zest)
Send us Fan Mail
In this momentous finale of the "ABCs of Thriving" series, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the vibrant power of zest—both as a metaphor and a mindset. Unpacking its roots in citrus and its neurobiological impact, they discuss how zest can refresh, balance, and enhance life, even in challenging seasons. From small choices like savoring a quiet moment to big adventures like climbing a 14er, this episode inspires you to add zest to your life, making the unpalatable palatable and the palatable extraordinary.
Celebrate this journey through the ABCs with us...
Yield
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the profound concept of yielding as an essential element of thriving. They delve into the multiple facets of yielding—from the idea of giving way to receive something of value, to the interconnectedness of human relationships and community. Through insightful stories about navigating traffic, the symbolism of the sunflower, and reflections on personal wellness, Tom and Ruth highlight how yielding can lead to holistic growth and balance in mind, body, and spirit. Join them for a thoughtful conversation on...
Xenophilia
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the transformative concept of xenophilia—"the love of strangers"—and how embracing this mindset fosters resilience and connection in a world where change and movement are constant.
Together, they unpack the contrasts between xenophobia and xenophilia, illuminating how a hospitality mindset toward strangers can enrich our lives, strengthen our communities, and move us from survival mode to thriving.
With personal stories, insights into human nature, and an inspiring call to embrace the humanity in each o...
