Aug 20, 2026 · 48 min · 12 segments
This week: Aaron talks to Dr Arielle Schwartz. Dr Arielle Schwartz is a psychologist’s teacher, author, blogger, and also leads courses and retreats. She shares her story of childhood complex PTSD…
Well, It's been a while since our listeners have heard someone explain polyvagal theory.
So before we go any further into this, and thank you for letting your story be the kind of unfolding of all of these things.
I think it's so helpful.
How would you explain polyvagal theory to someone who's never heard of it?
So I want to explain it and really house it in the context of the story that I've been sharing.
So polyvagal theory, if we break down the term, poly means multiple vagal is referring to our vagus nerve.
And it was A theory developed by Steve Porges that was trying to understand something that he refers to as the vagal paradox.
all of the systems of your body to your brain so your brainstem can do the best possible job managing everything from your respiratory rate to your heart rate to your digestive system and your endocrine system and so forth.
And the idea of this polyvagal, these multiple vagal circuits came about because when the vagus nerve is active, It works as a brake system on our sympathetic nervous system.
But in the context of safety, we need our sympathetic system because it lets us play or go get a good workout in or feel empowered or feel motivated to get out of bed.
And the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic system are always going to press the brakes on that gas pedal.
And sometimes we slow down but fall more into a place of powerlessness or an urge to isolate or get small or feel shame or want to hide.
Well, It's been a while since our listeners have heard someone explain polyvagal theory.
So before we go any further into this, and thank you for letting your story be the kind of unfolding of all of these things.
I think it's so helpful.
How would you explain polyvagal theory to someone who's never heard of it?
So I want to explain it and really house it in the context of the story that I've been sharing.
So polyvagal theory, if we break down the term, poly means multiple vagal is referring to our vagus nerve.
And it was A theory developed by Steve Porges that was trying to understand something that he refers to as the vagal paradox.
all of the systems of your body to your brain so your brainstem can do the best possible job managing everything from your respiratory rate to your heart rate to your digestive system and your endocrine system and so forth.
And the idea of this polyvagal, these multiple vagal circuits came about because when the vagus nerve is active, It works as a brake system on our sympathetic nervous system.
But in the context of safety, we need our sympathetic system because it lets us play or go get a good workout in or feel empowered or feel motivated to get out of bed.
And the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic system are always going to press the brakes on that gas pedal.
And sometimes we slow down but fall more into a place of powerlessness or an urge to isolate or get small or feel shame or want to hide.
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