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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 inclusive, yet actually perpetuate stress, trauma, insecurity, and disconnection. In contrast, they describe how authentic love and belonging cultivates safety, security, contentment, and mutual growth — the true foundation for self-actualization, resilience, and wholeness.

Listeners will learn how to recognize the signs of false belonging, how to choose pathways that foster genuine wellness, relational health, and homeostasis, and why this choice is central to becoming our truest, healthiest selves.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the spaces you belong to are building you up or holding you back, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and practical insights for personal growth and sustainable wellness.

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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 colonies, superorganisms, and the many little lives within the body, showing how persistent homeostatic states—whether healthy or unhealthy—can be shifted through new conversations at the cellular and cognitive level.

Listeners will discover:

• What AHA (Autonomic Homeostasis Activation) really is and how it works.
• Why combining homeostasis activation with interoceptive awareness produces powerful outcomes.
• How disease and wellness can be understood as conversations within the body.
• Parallels between biological cognition, consciousness, and collective intelligence.
• Why anecdotal evidence and case studies are vital in exploring emerging therapies.

This conversation bridges science, wellness, and biomimicry, offering a hopeful lens on healing, resilience, and the neurobiological roots of human thriving.

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Email Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.org
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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 wellness science. Scott Turner explains why adaptation is more than mechanistic feedback loops—it’s about purposeful striving at every level, from microbiomes to ecosystems. The trio dives deep into the “many little lives” metaphor, revealing how cellular conversations influence our overall health, vitality, and resilience—and how disruption in those conversations can lead to illness, cancer, and even addiction.

Key topics include:

• The agency of living systems and its role in adaptation and wellness
• How niche construction theory challenges modern Darwinism
• Why homeostasis is misunderstood and how it truly operates
• The parallels between ecosystem health and human health
• The role of interoception in restoring balance and fostering well-being

Whether you’re a wellness professional, leader, or simply curious about the science of thriving, this episode offers a fresh lens on what it means to be well—and how to consciously participate in the adaptive conversations that sustain life.

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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, especially the healing power of interoception—the internal sense that allows us to listen to the body rather than control it. Ruth recounts the story of how they connected with Scott and why his perspective has become foundational to understanding what true wellness really is.

Tune in for a story-rich, science-grounded episode that challenges the machine metaphor of the body—and invites us to see ourselves as intelligent, self-regulating systems capable of healing from within.

Key Topics:

• How Scott Turner’s book Purpose and Desire shaped the origins of AHA
• The difference between mechanistic and living systems models of the body
• Why homeostasis is more than balance—it’s the body’s deepest intelligence
• The role of interoception in healing from trauma and chronic stress
• How curiosity, observation, and conversation drive true transformation

Join Ruth and Tom as they lay the groundwork for the next two episodes with Scott Turner—and reveal why changing how we see the body might be the first step in helping it heal.

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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.
• Practical tools rooted in somatic healing, stress recovery, and self-regulation.
• How listening to the body—and not overthinking it—can transform your relationship with safety and well-being.

Why This Episode Matters:
Feeling unsafe when everything seems fine can be confusing and unsettling. This episode frames it through a living systems lens, showing why self-regulation is key to recovering emotional resilience and achieving whole-person wellness.

Tune In For:
A grounded, support‑based conversation blending neuroscience, somatic awareness, and real-life stories to guide you back to alignment, safety, and greater emotional freedom.

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Email Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.org
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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 homeostasis
• Science-based ways to regulate the autonomic nervous system and recover from trauma or chronic stress
• How the body, brain, and spirit interact through living systems theory
• Tools for cultivating self-regulation, resilience, and embodied emotional well-being

Why It Matters:

In a world where many of us operate on autopilot, Brainfulness offers a path back to living systems alignment—an approach where your body’s natural intelligence leads the way to wholeness and healing.

🔔 Tune in for an inspiring, science-grounded exploration of Brainfulness, interoception, and nervous system balance. Let this episode empower you to integrate wellness in body, mind, and spirit.

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Email Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.org
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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 direction, presence anchors you in awareness, practice stabilizes patterns, processing unlocks healing, and play reclaims joy.
• How interoceptive awareness allows you to tune into what each P is doing in your system.
• Science-based tools for promoting homeostasis, self-regulation, and whole-body wellness.

Why It Matters:

The Five P’s provide a simple but powerful map to assess and adjust your routines, habits, and mindset—from a living systems perspective. By listening to your body’s signals (via interoception) and fostering balance through each P, you cultivate resilience, clarity, and integrated wellness.

🎧 Tune in for a grounded, story-rich conversation that helps you differentiate what’s beneficial versus what’s detrimental—so your autonomy and well-being shine through.

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Email Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.org
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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 in a healthier direction.
• The power of “AND” – moving from anxious “yeah, but …” thinking to productive “yes, and …” mindsets that open space for healing.

You’ll learn practical ways to notice sympathetic surges, create collective resilience rituals, and make time work for—rather than against—your health.

Listen in to turn moments of strain into pathways toward shared strength.

Support the show

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You can follow us on
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Check out the Autonomic Healing Website & InnerWorkings Website

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

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