The Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast
Hosted by Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson, the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast (AHA Podcast) explores how activating the brain engages the body’s interoceptive awareness and natural homeostatic processes, helping restore nervous system balance and support healing from stress.Grounded in neuroscience and the body’s innate intelligence, each episode offers practical strategies, scientific insights, and real conversations to help you build whole-person wellness—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Join Tom and Ruth as they unpack the science behind Autonomic Homeostasis Activation™, share tools for self-regulation, and invite you into a living systems approach to wellness that empowers resilience, freedom, and everyday...
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...
A 30,000-Foot View of the Brain
Send a text
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 ba...
Vicarious Trauma & the Nervous System: How to Stay Grounded in a World on Fire
Send a text
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 actu...The Brain Has a Mind of Its Own (Part 2): From Survival Loops to Cognitive Homeostasis
Send a text
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:
What c...When the Brain Solves What the Mind Can’t
Send a text
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 conversati...
The Brain Has a Mind of Its Own: The Oldest Way to Solve Problems
Send a text
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 decision...
Maslow's Last Lesson: Transcendence
Send a text
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’s h...Self-Actualization — The Me-We of Wellness
Send a text
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 tru...
The Heart of Esteem: Seeing Ourselves and Others Clearly
Send a text
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 mutua...
Change as Life: How the Brain Navigates Transformation
Send a text
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 change dete...
Beyond Stress: Finding Real Love and Belonging
Send a text
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 loving and...
AHA Therapy: Changing the Conversation within the Body
Send a text
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 termite co...
Purposeful Homeostasis: Agency, Adaptation, and the Many Little Lives Within Us
Send a text
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...
Purpose, Desire, and the Design of Life: Introducing Scott Turner
Send a text
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, especial...
Why You Don’t Feel Safe (Even When You Are)
Send a text
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.Practi...Brain-fulness: Achieving Optimal Homeostasis in Body, Mind, and Spirit | Nervous System Regulation
Send a text
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 recove...Beneficial or Detrimental? The Five P’s of Wellness
Send a text
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 d...Wellness on the Clock: From Fight-or-Flight to Rest-and-Digest
Send a text
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...Pain: Your Body's Secret Healing Language
Send a text
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...Don't Scratch the Itch: Working with Your Body's Natural Healing
Send a text
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...
The Truth About Homeostasis: Why Balance is a Myth
Send a text
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...
The Well Within: Drawing from the Deep Source of Wellness
Send a text
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 pe...
Wellness vs. Illness: Trusting Your Brain’s Innate Power to Heal
Send a text
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.
...Brain-Informed Wellness: The Foundations of AHA
Send a text
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 activating yo...
Wellness: The Ground Beneath our Feet on the Path to Thriving
Send a text
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, offering ins...
Christmas Special 2024 - Light, Love & Life
Send a text
🎄 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, L...
Zest
Send a text
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 an...
Yield
Send a text
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 em...
Xenophilia
Send a text
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 of us...
Wisdom
Send a text
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson continue their journey through the ABCs of Thriving, focusing on the letter "W" for Wisdom. They delve into how wisdom is essential for thriving in life, influencing everything from our health to our decision-making. Tom and Ruth explore the neurobiology behind wisdom, discussing the role of the prefrontal cortex, the limbic system, and the enteric nervous system in creating balanced, insightful decision-making. They also explain the distinction between intelligence, common sense, and wisdom, emphasizing how wisdom balances immediate needs with...
Verity
Send a text
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the concept of Verity—a transcendent form of truth that goes beyond mere facts. As part of their ongoing series on the ABCs of Thriving, they unpack how embracing Verity can help individuals align their minds, bodies, and spirits to truly thrive. Tom and Ruth discuss the distinction between truth and Verity, how our minds can distort the truth, and the importance of pairing truth with love to experience genuine growth and freedom. Tune in for a conversation that di...
Understanding
Send a text
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals explore the profound power of "understanding"—both intrapersonal and interpersonal—in fostering a thriving life. As part of their ongoing ABCs of Thriving series, they break down the letter "U," focusing on how understanding impacts personal growth, relationships, and empathy.
Tom and Ruth discuss three key facets of understanding: knowledge, empathy, and agreements. They emphasize how gaining knowledge (knowing stuff), showing empathy (caring about stuff), and creating informal agreements (doing stuff) are essential for holistic healing and personal fulf...
Time for Thriving
Send a text
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, Tom and Ruth discuss the common habit of letting past traumas and experiences dictate our present and future, often keeping us stuck in survival mode. They offer practical insights on how to shift from this mindset to one that embraces the present moment and uses it as a foundation for thriving. Join them as they unpack the significance of living in the "now" and how this simple yet powerful shift can transform your life. Whether you're new to the series or have been following along, this...
Sustain Psyche
Send a text
In this episode of "The ABCs of Thriving," Tom and Ruth dive deep into the letter S, exploring the ancient Greek concept of "Psyche". Psyche goes beyond just the mind—it's the essence of being, encompassing body, mind, and spirit. Tom and Ruth discuss the importance of sustaining Psyche for true thriving, emphasizing the balance between support and relief. They explore how to sustain our well-being in a world filled with pressures and distractions and share practical ways to foster holistic health. Whether you're familiar with their work or just tuning in, this conversation wi...
Reinforce Resilience
Send a text
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!
Quiescently Questing
Send a text
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the profound connection between calm and questing as they dive into the letter "Q" in their ABCs of Thriving series. They examine the concept of quiescence—a state of calm and rest—and how it can be a foundation for embarking on life's quests. Discover the importance of a centering practice, the role of the autonomic nervous system, and the interplay between rest and purposeful action. Tune in to learn how to thrive from a place of well-being and bala...
Poised for Possiblities
Send a text
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals delve into the concept of being "poised for possibilities" during stressful situations. They discuss holistic approaches to managing stress and trauma that foster empowerment and growth. Ruth opens up about a personal experience of feeling overwhelmed, yet discovering new opportunities through self-reflection and maintaining poise. Tom offers a neuroscientific perspective on stress responses and highlights the benefits of rational thinking. Together, they emphasize the importance of shifting one's perspective from seeing obstacles to engaging in creative problem-solving and embracing possibilities...
Open to Change
Send a text
What if embracing change could transform your life from mere survival to thriving? Join us in this episode as we uncover the transformative power of being open to change.
We begin by exploring the profound implications of the word "open" and how it contrasts with the rigidity of being "closed." Openness invites curiosity, receptivity, and a willingness to question the status quo. Using real-life examples like seasonal shifts and parenting during long summer vacations, we illustrate how adaptability is not just a survival skill but a catalyst for personal growth.
...
Nominal Functioning
Send a text
Welcome to the Autonomic Healing Podcast with Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson! In this captivating episode from our series "The ABCs of Thriving," we dive into the concept of "nominal functioning." What does it mean to keep things nominal, and how can this lead to thriving rather than just surviving?
Tom shares his childhood fascination with space exploration and how the term "nominal" from NASA's space missions inspired him. We explore how maintaining a nominal trajectory, much like spacecraft, ensures optimal functioning and thriving in our lives.
Join us as...
Many Little Lives
Send a text
In this episode, Tom and Ruth delve into the concept of "Many Little Lives" and its profound implications for individual and collective thriving. They explore the origins of this idea, dating back to Theodore de Bordeaux in the mid-1700s, who used the metaphor of many little lives to describe homeostasis in organisms.
Drawing parallels from nature, Tom and Ruth discuss how every organism, whether it's insect colonies or the cells in the human body, is composed of many little lives working together for mutual accommodation and negotiation. They emphasize the importance...
