# 209. Triggered in Marriage, Parenting, or Friendship? How to Respond Without Overreacting OR Shutting Down

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-best-of-you-5434878/209-triggered-in-marriage-parenting-or-friendship-how-to-respond-without-overreacting-or-shutting-down
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-best-of-you-5434878/209-triggered-in-marriage-parenting-or-friendship-how-to-respond-without-overreacting-or-shutting-down.md
Podcast: [The Best of You](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-best-of-you-5434878)
Published: 2026-05-21T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/arttrk.com/p/TSFL1/claritaspod.com/measure/traffic.megaphone.fm/AMPH6115191125.mp3
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/arttrk.com/p/TSFL1/claritaspod.com/measure/traffic.megaphone.fm/AMPH6115191125.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-best-of-you-5434878/episodes/209-triggered-in-marriage-parenting-or-friendship-how-to-respond-without-overreacting-or-shutting-down
Duration seconds: 3354

## Resource

What if getting “triggered” isn’t the problem… but a signal? We all have moments where our body reacts fast—your heart races, your defenses go up, and suddenly you’re not responding from your wisest self. In this episode, Dr. Alison sits down with Dr. Kelly Flanagan to explore what’s really happening in those moments—and how to respond with more clarity, connection, and intention. Together, they unpack what’s happening behind reactivity and what it looks like to interrupt that cycle in real time. You’ll learn: Why being triggered is a normal nervous system response How to notice your reactions before they take over The difference between protection mode and connection mode How to set boundaries without escalating conflict Why an open heart leads to wiser—not weaker—boundaries If you’ve ever felt stuck in reactive patterns in your relationships, this conversation offers a grounded, compassionate way forward. More Resources: Order Dr. Kelly Flanagan’s new book, The Road Less Triggered. You can preorder Dr. Alison’s newest book, The Secure Soul, and immediately receive the first 3 chapters as well as early access to the companion guide! Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram Curious what Family Role may have shaped you? Take the Family Role Quiz to learn how you may be showing up in your relationships with others. Want to hear more like this? Start here: Episode 203: Staying Close When Connection Feels Hard: The Relationship Skills No One Has Taught You Episode 180: When People Push Your Buttons — The Power of Curiosity Over Control 📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here Don't forget to browse this week's sponsors, who make it possible for me to bring you these resources for free + provide you with additional discounts! Quince - How…

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-best-of-you-5434878/episodes/209-triggered-in-marriage-parenting-or-friendship-how-to-respond-without-overreacting-or-shutting-down/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-best-of-you-5434878/209-triggered-in-marriage-parenting-or-friendship-how-to-respond-without-overreacting-or-shutting-down.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.