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In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals explore why safety is a non-negotiable foundation for true wellness. Building on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, they unpack how feeling safe—both physically and psychologically—is essential before we can access higher states like love, connection, and self-actualization.

Tom offers a deep dive into the neurobiology of safety, explaining how our autonomic nervous system processes both real and perceived threats, and how chronic stress can keep us stuck in survival mode. Ruth shares relatable stories and personal reflections on how subtle cues—like a shadow mistaken for a mouse—can reveal deeper patterns of unsafety in the body. Together, they illuminate why so many people, even with their basic needs met, still don’t feel safe—and how that affects everything from parenting to productivity.

Tune in for a compassionate, science-informed conversation on how to recognize when your nervous system is stuck in overdrive, and how to begin creating the conditions for calm, connection, and healing.

Key Topics:

• Why safety is foundational in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
• The role of the sympathetic nervous system in chronic stress and trauma
• How perceived threats shape our experience of reality
• Practical tools for restoring a sense of safety
• Why safety is the gateway to love, connection, and true wellness

Join Ruth and Tom as they uncover the hidden dynamics of safety and offer a hopeful path forward—one rooted in awareness, regulation, and the power of your brain to heal.

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Email Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.org
Email Ruth ruth@bridgeandrhino.com

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