Dr. Stephen Porges on Polyvagal Theory in Nonverbal Communications, Pets & Co-Regulation, Neurodivergence, and More

Welcome to a 1-hour exclusive Embodied Dialogue in 2025 with Dr. Stephen Porges, the esteemed creator of the Polyvagal Theory.

One of the many qualities I admire about Dr. Porges is his unwavering commitment to accessibility. As I become busier with a public lifestyle, I find myself challenged by the desire to reach out and the need to contain. Steve’s ability to stay connected, respond to emails, listen deeply, and maintain a safe presence amidst his growing popularity is truly inspiring.

Steve starts with opening up about his personal musings on cats and the unique ways they co-regulate with humans, offering insights that might just change the way you view your feline friends. We dive deep into the profound concepts of safety in the body and the transformative nature of feeling truly secure.

Among many other things we touch upon the significance of feedback loops in therapy and life, and how interoception—the awareness of our bodily states—plays a crucial role in healing trauma and addiction. 

It's a dialogue brimming with warmth, insight, and a little humor, inviting you to pause, reflect, and embrace the wisdom shared. Through Steve’s stories and reflections, I hope your understanding of polyvagal theory and its practical applications expands.

Chapter Overview
00:00 Nonverbal Communication in Music

03:30 Cat's Early Morning Routine

08:53 Understanding Embodiment Through Interoception

11:13 "Evaluating Reactions Mindfully"

13:32 Polyvagal Theory and Emotions

18:29 Reflecting on Bold Paradigm Shifts

23:22 "Balancing Accessibility and Self-Time"

26:47 Evolving Academic Models Post-Pandemic

29:14 Impact of ACEs on Individuals

31:28 "Integrating Neuroscience and Subconscious Therapy"

37:03 Academic Crisis: Research Structure Doomed

40:32 Innovative Music Experience for Neurodivergent

43:07 Developing Scalable Health Products

46:06 Trust and Motivation in Leadership

49:47 Neglected Behavioral Solutions in Autism

53:04 Critique of Autism Research Focus

56:13 Autism Diagnosis and Hope

This session is particularly special as we celebrate the release of three groundbreaking Polyvagal books this winter:
* Twenty Embodied Practices for Healing Trauma and Addiction by Jan Winhall https://janwinhall.com/20-embodied-practices/
* Somatic-Oriented Therapies https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324052722?promo=SOT20
* Polyvagal Perspectives: Interventions, Practices, and Strategies https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324053408