Send us a Text Message. 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 ov…

Send us a Text Message. 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, re…

Send us a Text Message. 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 fas…

Send us a Text Message. 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. Drawin…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Tom and Ruth delve into the profound topic of love, exploring its role in both surviving and thriving. They dissect the concept of love as a strong attraction and attachment, examining how it can either contribute to thriving or become co-opted into survival mode. Throughout the discussion, Tom and Ruth emph…

Send us a Text Message. Join hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson on the Autonomic Healing Podcast as they explore the profound impact of kindness in managing stress and trauma. In this episode, Tom and Ruth delve into how acts of kindness alleviate burdens, foster connections, and trigger shifts from stress to well-being. Through personal anecdotes a…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the concept of joy beyond mere happiness, delving into its connection to well-being, gifting, and grace. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, they discuss how joy can be found amidst suffering and challenge listeners to…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Tom and Ruth delve into the importance of inviting intimacy as they explore the ABCs of thriving. They discuss how trust, autonomy, initiative, industry, identity, and empowerment form the foundational layers leading to healthy intimacy. Drawing insights from developmental psychologist Erik Erikson's stages …

Send us a Text Message. 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 out…

Send us a Text Message. 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 …

Send us a Text Message. 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 someth…

Send us a Text Message. 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 bou…

Send us a Text Message. 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 f…

Send us a Text Message. 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…

Send us a Text Message. 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 communi…

Send us a Text Message. 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 experienc…

Send us a Text Message. 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 …

Send us a Text Message. 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 ti…

Send us a Text Message. 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…

Send us a Text Message. 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 u…

Send us a Text Message. 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 rati…

Send us a Text Message. 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 fanta…

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Check out the Autonomic Healing Website We appreciate you!By Thomas Pals and Ruth Lorensson

Send us a Text Message. 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 successfu…

Send us a Text Message. 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. …

Send us a Text Message. 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 contrib…

Send us a Text Message. 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 contrib…

Send us a Text Message. 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 …

Send us a Text Message. 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 of…

Send us a Text Message. 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 2:1…

Send us a Text Message. 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 bo…

Send us a Text Message. 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. Thanks for liste…

Send us a Text Message. 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 t…

Send us a Text Message. Community is a word that's tossed around lightly these days. But how do we create our own sense of community in a world that feels less and less safe? The epidemic of loneliness continues even though we are more connected than ever. There is a real ache in people's hearts for a sense of belonging to a genuine community. But …

Send us a Text Message. There can be a lot of stress associated with change. Generally, it involves the loss of something, someone, or a situation from the past that is no longer present. As a result of it, we are moved towards new realities and led towards the possibilities of what might be. The way in which we respond to change in a healthy way i…

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to Season Two of The Autonomic Healing Podcast! As Ruth & Tom introduce the upcoming season's overarching journey, they'll be taking us on a deep dive into rational intimacy, which is the focus of the new season. A huge aspect of our lives is how we relate to ourselves and to each other as a whole. It can either be a…

Send us a Text Message. As we close out Season One of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, we look at Hope's importance in our lives. Listen as Ruth & Tom talk about the role of Hope in our lives. Hope is the antidote to negative anticipation. It resembles light coming in the darkness and new life being around the corner. As we enter 2023, we wish you al…

Send us a Text Message. Merry Christmas from the Autonomic Healing Podcast! In this special Christmas episode, Ruth & Tom read excerpts from Margery Williams British Children’s novel ‘The Velveteen Rabbit - How Toys Become Real.’ First published in 1922, this beautiful story depicts themes humans can easily relate to - the desire and journey we all…

Send us a Text Message. The great discovery of every human is to find out who we are. Finding out about our identity is fundamental to our being. Listen as Ruth and Tom explore how Autonomic Healing and the activation of homeostasis in Spiritual Formation brings Identity formation—allowing us to thrive instead of just surviving. Thanks for listenin…

Send us a Text Message. In Greek, the root word from which we get 'faith' is the noun Pistis. The word 'faith' can be a loaded word carrying all sorts of connotations for people - good and bad (depending on the person's experience) but at the heart of faith is the invitation to take healthy risks into the unknown so that we get to adventure into th…

Send us a Text Message. Ruth and Tom continue to talk about Autonomic Healing and Spiritual formation. In this episode, Ruth unpacks her AHA spiritual formation session, sharing how God spoke to her very visually, which has dramatically impacted her life. Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podca…

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Check out the Autonomic Healing Website We appreciate you!By Thomas Pals and Ruth Lorensson

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Check out the Autonomic Healing Website We appreciate you!By Thomas Pals and Ruth Lorensson

Send us a Text Message. Tom and Ruth continue to unpack Autonomic Healing Problem Solving, where the brain informs the mind what is actually rational. Tom shares the patterns of seemingly rational perceptions that people have and how AHA PS empowers them to move into their actual rational alternatives. Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Fac…

Send us a Text Message. Many people have phobia's - fear of snakes, fear of small spaces, fear of dentists! In fact there are more than 400 phobia's that people experience. In this episode Tom and Ruth share their latest adventure of climbing one of Colorado's 14,000 ft mountains - Grey's Peak. Listen as Ruth shares how this was an achievement in m…

Send us a Text Message. Stress and trauma's lingering effect settles itself in our perceptions of ourselves, others, and the situations we face daily. We all have (what Tom calls) seemingly rational perceptions - they seem perfectly rational to us, but often they are a product of how stress and trauma have formed us. In this episode, Ruth and Tom i…

Send us a Text Message. Join us as we explore the impact of trauma: Tom shares how trauma affects our physical health, relationships, and perceptions. Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Check out the Autonomic Healing Website We appreciate you!…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Ruth and Tom begin to unpack the complex trauma topic. Trauma is something we've now started to talk about a lot more as a society, but understanding what it is, its effect, and its impact on a human being, and more importantly, how we can heal from trauma is a much-desired conversation. Listen as Tom shares…

Send us a Text Message. Chris is a therapist in Colorado and has been treating offenders for the last 18 years. Listen to the story of how he and Tom met and how he became Tom's first AHA-certified practitioner. Chris now offers AHA therapy each week as part of his private practice and makes incredible headway with his clients. Check out Chris at w…

Send us a Text Message. In this last episode on rational intimacy, Ruth and Tom explore how loving ourselves is essential to loving our neighbor. Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Facebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Check out the Autonomic Healing Website We appreciate you!…