# Your Nervous System Has Been Running Your Life - How to finally take control with Stephen Porges (Inventor of Polyvagal Theory)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575/your-nervous-system-has-been-running-your-life-how-to-finally-take-control-with-stephen-porges-inventor-of-polyvagal-theory
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575/your-nervous-system-has-been-running-your-life-how-to-finally-take-control-with-stephen-porges-inventor-of-polyvagal-theory.md
Podcast: [Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement](https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575)
Published: 2026-04-24T03:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/mgln.ai/e/35/pfx.vpixl.com/k7b9t/op3.dev/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR7840106976.mp3?updated=1776954865
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/mgln.ai/e/35/pfx.vpixl.com/k7b9t/op3.dev/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR7840106976.mp3?updated=1776954865
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575/episodes/your-nervous-system-has-been-running-your-life-how-to-finally-take-control-with-stephen-porges-inventor-of-polyvagal-theory
Duration seconds: 3447

## Resource

How the science of the vagus nerve explains anxiety, ambition, burnout, and the art of becoming who you actually are. Humans, might be the most sophisticated organism on Earth (capable of writing symphonies, landing on the moon, and inventing artisanal sourdough). Yet at our core, we are running threat-detection software that predates the dinosaurs. Stephen Porges, the scientist who mapped the vagus nerve's extraordinary influence on human behaviour, joins us to explain why this ancient wiring is quietly making most of your big life decisions for you. The good news is that evolution, for once, gave us a rather elegant solution. Safety — genuine, physiological safety — unlocks curiosity, creativity, and the particular satisfaction of becoming who you actually are. The even better news is it's achievable without a retreat, a cold plunge, or a subscription. What you'll take away: Why your gut reactions are data, not drama How the environments we build either cage or liberate our best thinking Why the most calming people aren't trying to be calm Your nervous system has been waiting for this conversation. SPONSORS 🌳 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Acorns⁠⁠⁠⁠ Smart way to grow your money $5 welcome bonus ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Acorns.com/PSYCHOLOGY⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEW SHOW - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all major podcast players: Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ht…

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