Ep. 11 - The Owl Brain, The Cheetah Brain, The Possum Brain

Host Lindsey Sneed was unfamiliar with the term 'polyvagal theory' until recently.  After reading “Autism in Polyvagal Terms,” however, she saw how guest and author Sean Inderbitzen is using the body-based approach and lived experience to conceptualize autism in a brand-new way.  

The polyvagal theory – centered around how vagal nerve branches control unconscious behaviors – has been prominent topic in the self-help section of bookstores since the ‘90s, but Dr. Inderbitzen posits that we can also use it to better understand the challenges of autism and look at nearly all mental health diagnoses along with the full human condition through the theory’s lens. In doing so, he came up with analogy that, in response to feelings of safety or threat, the vagus nerve triggers one of three brains: the owl (when we’re curious and open), the cheetah (fight or flight) and the possum (shutting down).  

He and Dr. Sneed discuss the novel concept, Sean’s motivation to increase access to mental health services and how demonstrating kindness is one of the most important themes of the book. 

"Autism in Polyvagal Terms" by Sean Inderbitzen: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324053217 

To learn more about Sean, hear him speak or book a consultation: https://linktr.ee/seaninderbitzen