# The Fight or Flight State: Polyvagal Theory

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stuck-not-broken-765818/the-fight-or-flight-state-polyvagal-theory
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stuck-not-broken-765818/the-fight-or-flight-state-polyvagal-theory.md
Podcast: [Stuck Not Broken](https://stenobird.com/podcast/stuck-not-broken-765818)
Published: 2026-07-14T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.stucknotbroken.com
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5bead355-7ba9-4465-8199-176c3e80d30e.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stuck-not-broken-765818/episodes/the-fight-or-flight-state-polyvagal-theory
Duration seconds: 1246

## Resource

Anxiety and anger can feel like opposites, but they are two sides of the same state. Fight or flight is your sympathetic nervous system mobilizing to protect you: flight shows up as anxiety and worry, fight as anger and irritability. This one is about what that state feels like, what it looks like in a person's face, breath, and voice, and why a system built for short bursts can leave you feeling stuck when it stays switched on. Courtney's story picks back up here too, and the day takes a turn. 👉 New here? Find your stuck state, and your starting place: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck Or go straight to what's best for you: 👉 Start free in the community: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/start 📘 Prefer to read, or want to support the show?: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/books 🎧 Practice on your own with the Self-Regulation Coach app: https://studio.com/justin/self-regulation-coach 👥 Prefer company? Move through it alongside others in the Unstucking Academy: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/unstuckingacademy 😊 About the Host: Justin Sunseri is a therapist and coach committed to helping you live with calm, confidence, and connection without psychobabble or woo-woo. Justin is the author of the Stuck Not Broken book series, a member of the Polyvagal Institute's Editorial Board, a father of two, and a husband. ✅ Crisis resources: National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988 National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233 LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline - 1 (866) 488-7386 National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673 Crisis Text Line - Text “HOME” to 741741 Call 911 for an emergency This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy.  Not…

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## Transcript

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