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Neuroplasticity Nerds — Life Sciences
Neuroplasticity Nerds

The leading nervous system podcast

Join hosts Jessica Maguire and Madeleine Eliza for expansive, thought-provoking conversations with some of the world’s brightest thinkers. We explore the latest research into neuroscience, nervous system regulation, the brain-body connection, self-mastery, growth and change.

When you change your nervous system, you change your life.

Your hosts:

Jessica Maguire

Founder of Nervous System School, Jessica Maguire has helped tens of thousands of people to repair and optimise their nervous system via the Vagus Nerve Masterclass and Vagus Nerve Program. Jessica has a Masters in Physiotherapy and 13 years of clinical experience working with the body. She has also studied neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and brain-body medicine. Jessica is a TEDx speaker and is recognised as a leading global educator in the field of nervous system regulation.

Madeleine Eliza

A senior leader who has worked with some of Australia’s fastest growing digital businesses, Madeleine is passionate about leading teams through rapid growth and change, and the personal transformation that comes from operating way outside your comfort zone. With a background in the creative and performing arts, Madeleine is a huge advocate of play as a tool for expression and expansion. She writes and teaches on feminine leadership and embodiment.

Copyright: © This podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. From time to time, we may discuss topics that explore trauma, lived experience, and the body’s response to negative events. If you become distressed by our content, please immediately stop listening and seek professional support. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, and you’re in Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 000. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren’t responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We may invite guests onto the podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why Behaviour Makes Sense When We Look At It Through The Lens Of The Nervous System Apr 17, 2024

In my private practice, I often encountered patients like "Sally" and "Mark", who came in with seemingly unrelated symptoms but were actually dealing with deeper issues. For example, "Sally" might have presented with lower back pain, anxiety, and digestive issues, only to reveal that she was going through a relationship breakdown and looking for a new home. "Mark", on the other hand, might have been struggling with chronic fatigue and headaches after months of grief following the death of his father, leading to isolation and work-related issues.

These symptoms are like the tip of an iceberg, visible on the surface but with much more going on below. While we might initially address the back pain or headaches, it's essential to recognise that these symptoms are often manifestations of underlying nervous system dysregulation.

When we view these behaviours through the lens of the nervous system, they start to make sense. The side effects of nervous system dysregulation can manifest as seemingly isolated conditions with no clear root cause, leading to years of discomfort and unhappiness. If we only treat the symptoms without addressing the root causes, we're just putting band-aids over bullet holes. That's why it's crucial to dive beneath the surface and tackle the underlying issues.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• Nervous System Dysregulation
• Loss of Vagal Tone
• Changes in Neuroception
• Triggers of Implicit Memories

Join us as we delve into how these factors impact our behaviour and how we can work with them to promote healing and well-being.
Brand New Training: The Nervous System Certification Course

Divorce is Not a Dirty Word, with Nikki Parkinson Apr 10, 2024

Globally, 50% of all marriages end in divorce. And yet despite being so common, divorce is still stigmatised and largely viewed as a failure. There is no established roadmap for divorce, as there is for marriage. It’s a confusing, challenging, and often turbulent path that most people sadly find themselves walking alone.

Here to change this, and to paint a brighter vision of how we could do divorce better, is divorce doula Nikki Parkinson.

Nikki is a family law expert, TEDx speaker, divorce coach, separation strategist, parenting coordinator, co-parenting coach, Parents Under Pressure therapist, mother of 3 and unmarried. Her warm, wise, no-nonsense approach draws on her 25 years of experience in the Australian family law system, as well as her own personal divorce experience.

We discuss all the hot-button topics that arise during a divorce, including communication, boundaries and co-parenting, as well as tools for navigating grief.

Nikki shares her perspective on how we could reframe divorce as a courageous act of self-advocacy, and ideas for rituals to celebrate this important (and common!) rite of passage in our communities.

And to download your free video training on nervous system dysregulation, go to http://www.nervoussystemschool.com/divorce

From Rescuer to Regulated: The Science of Stress and Emotion Contagion Apr 03, 2024

In this episode, we explore the shift from being a rescuer to becoming regulated, focusing on the science of stress and emotion contagion.

Key Points:

•The Nervous System Is Relational: Understanding that your nervous system impacts and is impacted by those around you is crucial for teachers, clinicians, managers, and coaches.

•Stress Contagion: Research indicates that leaders and managers can act as 'nerve centers' for their teams, transmitting stress which can lead to a domino effect among employees.

•Impact on Students: Studies have shown that teachers' occupational stress is linked to students' physiological stress regulation, highlighting the potential for stress contagion in the classroom.

•Mother-Infant Interaction: Infants can catch their mothers’ physiological stress reactivity through interactions, showcasing the importance of relational processes in early development.

Takeaway:

Caring for our own nervous system, especially in high-stress situations, is essential for professional and personal growth when working in roles that involve helping others.

If you’d like to stay in the loop about our upcoming free training, head to https://www.nervoussystemschool.com/body-transformation-series to register.

If you enjoy our work, we’d love it if you could take a minute to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a rating and review. This helps to spread the word about the power of healing via neuroplasticity!

The Female Brain: Demystifying the Neuroendocrine System Mar 27, 2024

Menstruation, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, motherhood, menopause… let’s do this.

In today’s episode Jessica and Madeleine demystify the neuroendocrine system, and explain the interconnectedness of a woman’s hormones and her nervous system throughout the various stages of her life.

Weaving neuroscience research together with our own personal experiences, the conversation delves into the female menstrual cycle and its influence on the brain and nervous system. We also discuss the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as the social factors that can make the early months of parenthood so challenging, especially when returning to work.

We explore many facets of childbirth including the importance of birth education, the experience of pain, the different states of the nervous system at play, spiritual perspectives, and the importance of the mother-baby dyad.

Until recently there’s been very little research into the brain changes that occur during menopause. We discuss the emerging research and some methods to better understand, validate and support women’s experiences during this important rite of passage.

Takeaways

•The female brain is dynamic, and there is a need for a shift in perspective on women's health and well-being, recognizing the interconnectedness of the neuroendocrine system

•The female menstrual cycle has a significant impact on the female nervous system, with fluctuating hormones influencing brain function and behavior.

•Returning to work after maternity leave can be challenging for women, as hormonal changes and fatigue can affect cognitive function and memory.

•During pregnancy and birth, the body undergoes profound hormonal changes that support the bonding process between mother and baby. Touch and connection are crucial for babies' healthy development, particularly in the areas of attachment and regulation.

•The social factors impacting parenting have changed, with many women lacking the support of extended family and facing the challenges of balancing work and parenting.

•Postpartum hormonal changes can both have a significant impact on women's well-being, and it is important to recognize and support women during this time.

•Menopause is a significant transition that affects the neuroendocrine system, and it is important to understand and support women during this phase of life.

•The biopsychosocial model of health provides a framework for understanding the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence women's health.

•The conversation around women's health is evolving, and there is a growing recognition of the importance of addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by women.

If you’d like to learn more about cultivating interoceptive accuracy to support yourself through times of change and transition, head to nervoussystemschool.com/female to access your free worksheet.

If you enjoy our work, we’d love it if you could take a minute to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a rating and review. This helps to spread the word about the power of healing via neuroplasticity!

Why You Can't Think Your Way to Better Health: The Gut-Brain Axis Mar 20, 2024

The gut-brain axis is a two-way feedback loop, with gut health impacting the brain and nervous system, from the bottom up; and the brain and nervous system impacting on gut health, from the top down.

Join Nervous System School’s Jessica Maguire and Madeleine Eliza to unpack this connection, and the important role of the vagus nerve in the communication between the gut and the brain.

We know that 80% of the messages travelling between the brain and body via the vagus nerve are coming from the bottom up, including from the gut. We explore the impact of the microbiome on overall brain health including emotional regulation and cognition.

This conversation also unpacks the many ways in which the state of one’s nervous system can impact gut health, either positively or negatively; and the interconnectedness of the digestive, immune and endocrine systems.

Takeaways

• The gut-brain axis is a communication pathway between the gut and the brain that influences overall health and well-being.

• The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in this communication, sending signals from the gut to the brain and back again.

• Lifestyle choices, such as sleep, exercise, and diet, can impact gut health and the functioning of the gut-brain axis.

• Regulation of the nervous system is key to improving the brain-body connection and cultivating a healthy gut microbiome.

If you enjoy the show, the best way you can support it is by following, rating and reviewing Neuroplasticity Nerds wherever you get your podcasts to help spread the word!

And if you’d like to dive deeper into the foundational concept of Interoception, grab our free downloadable worksheet at www.nervoussystemschool.com/gut

Why Mindset Strategies Don't Always Work: A Trauma-Informed Perspective on Anxiety Mar 13, 2024

For so long we’ve thought of the body and the brain as separate entities; where the brain is a command centre in charge of what’s happening in our body. The story then follows that if we can just think differently, then we will feel better. This can trigger a lot of shame for people who find that top-down strategies such as mindset work or affirmations are not effective in managing their anxiety.

In this episode, Jessica unpacks the latest neuroscience which shows that the brain and body are inseparable, and in fact 80% of the vagus nerve fibers are running from the body up to the brain. This is why bottom-up techniques, which use the sensory systems of the body, are so often the ‘missing piece of the puzzle’ for recovery from chronic stress and trauma.

If we want to be trauma-informed in our organisations, institutions and communities, then we need a paradigm shift that integrates both top-down and bottom-up approaches for nervous system regulation. Listen in to join the revolution!

Takeaways

• The autonomic nervous system is the bridge between the brain and body, influencing our survival responses.

• Traumatic stress can lead to dysregulation in the nervous system, causing anxiety, shutdown, and dissociation.

• The bottom-up approach focuses on sensory information from the body to regulate the survival brain.

• The top-down approach involves mindset and cognitive strategies to regulate the nervous system.

• Integrating bottom-up and top-down approaches is crucial for expanding the window of tolerance and promoting healing.

If you’d like to learn more about interoception, head to nervoussystemschool.com/mindset to download your free worksheet.

If you enjoy our work, we’d love it if you could take a minute to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a rating and review. This helps to spread the word about the power of healing via neuroplasticity!

The "Stretch Zone": Neurobiological Limits & The Physiology of Burnout Mar 11, 2024

We are in the midst of an epidemic, with recent studies showing up to 3 in 4 people are experiencing burnout at work.

Burnout is not caused by laziness or a lack of willpower. It’s the physiological response of a nervous system exposed to prolonged stress without adequate time to recover.

In today’s conversation with Nervous System School’s Jessica Maguire and Madeleine Eliza, we take a deep dive into what exactly burnout is, and how to recover from it.

We start by defining neurobiological limits, and explore how constantly living beyond your limits makes you more susceptible to burnout. Conversely, if you tend to stay well within your limits, avoiding risk and challenge, you are denying yourself the chance to discover your true potential.

We also discuss the impact of your beliefs, and look at healthy and unhealthy ways in which the brain influences the nervous system.

This is an insightful episode, with so many powerful takeaways and homework ideas for those who want to dive deeper and discover their personal sweet spot, aka “the stretch zone”.

You can listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

And if you’d like to dive deeper into nervous system learning, grab our free downloadable worksheet all about your eighth sensory system, Interoception at https://www.nervoussystemschool.com/beliefs

How to Become a Master of Change, with Brad Stulberg Mar 04, 2024

We are in a period of rapidly escalating change - social, technological, ecological; and for many people, on a personal level as well.

However, the dominant model for understanding change is outdated. We mostly view change as the exception, rather than the norm. We talk about "getting back to normal" rather than understanding that "normal" is constantly evolving. We fear change, and we resist it - to our own detriment.

Here to share an empowering new model of change is bestselling author, sustainable excellence expert, and human performance coach, Brad Stulberg.

Brad is on faculty at the University of Michigan and is co-founder of The Growth Equation and the FAREWELL podcast.

His previous books include The Practice of Groundedness, Peak Performance, and The Passion Paradox.

The topic of our conversation today is Brad's latest book, Master of Change, a tour de force in cultivating resilience, thriving in uncertainty, and how to enter into conversation with change instead of letting it happen to you.

We explore all of these topics in detail, as well as rugged flexibility, tragic optimism, personal values, Buddhist teachings, overcoming resistance, and some moving insights into the process of recovering from tough personal challenges.

And to download your free video training on nervous system dysregulation, go to https://www.nervoussystemschool.com/change

The Social Causes of Our Depression and Attention Crises, with Johann Hari Mar 04, 2024

Diagnoses of depression, anxiety and attention disorders are skyrocketing around the world. The dominant story is that these issues are primarily biological in nature: caused by a person’s genetic makeup or brain chemistry.

Here to reframe this perspective and shed light on the social causes of mental health issues, is 3-time New York Times bestselling author Johann Hari, whose TED talks on depression and addiction have been viewed more than 93 million times.

Today’s conversation focuses on Johann’s most recent book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention, which was named one of the 3 best books of the year by Amazon, and lauded by everyone from Oprah to Gabor Mate.

Johann explains why our ability to pay attention is collapsing, and the powerful forces that are stealing your focus from you. We discuss the concepts of cruel optimism, surveillance capitalism, the crisis of kids' attention and ADHD, and explore alternatives and solutions.

We also discuss themes from Johann’s second book, Lost Connections: Uncovering The Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions. He argues that if we want to get to the root cause of depression and anxiety, we need to stop asking “what’s wrong with you?” and instead ask, “what happened to you?”.

The conversation explores the limitations of biological narratives in understanding mental health issues. It highlights the importance of addressing the underlying causes of depression and anxiety, such as childhood trauma and everyday stresses. The connection between loneliness, anxiety, and depression is also discussed, emphasizing the need for social connection and community support.

This episode is a masterclass in what it means to be trauma-informed.

To download your free training video ‘What is Nervous System Dysregulation?’, please visit https://nervoussystemschool.com/focus

Additional references:

Drop the Disorder

The Power Threat Meaning Framework
Disclaimer

The Science of Gut Instinct: Interoception and Intuition Mar 04, 2024

We hear a lot about “gut instinct” and the importance of listening to your body. But what does this actually mean, from a scientific perspective?

Join Nervous System School’s Jessica Maguire and Madeleine Eliza to explore the neuroscience behind these concepts.

Central to our conversation today is understanding the body’s 8th sensory system, Interoception. We discuss what exactly interoception is, the key role it plays in emotional regulation, and why emotional granularity is so important.

We don’t just want “more” interoception - it must be accurate. This is the foundation for strong decision-making where you feel confident to trust your own judgement. We’ll look at the forces that can negatively impact your interoceptive accuracy, including hustle culture and childhood trauma.

We also share some moments of decision-making within the Nervous System School business where we’ve been guided by the “full body f***-yes”!

And if you’d like to dive deeper into this fascinating topic, grab our free downloadable worksheet at www.neuroplasticitynerds.com/interoception
Disclaimer

Introducing: Neuroplasticity Nerds Feb 25, 2024

The leading nervous system podcast

Join hosts Jessica Maguire and Madeleine Eliza for expansive, thought-provoking conversations with some of the world’s brightest thinkers. We explore the latest research into neuroscience, nervous system regulation, the brain-body connection, self-mastery, growth and change.

When you change your nervous system, you change your life.

YOUR HOSTS:

Jessica Maguire

Founder of Nervous System School, Jessica Maguire has helped tens of thousands of people to repair and optimise their nervous system via the Vagus Nerve Masterclass and Vagus Nerve Program. Jessica has a Masters in Physiotherapy and 13 years of clinical experience working with the body. She has also studied neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and brain-body medicine. Jessica is a TEDx speaker and is recognised as a leading global educator in the field of nervous system regulation.

Madeleine Eliza

A senior leader who has worked with some of Australia's fastest growing digital businesses, Madeleine is passionate about leading teams through rapid growth and change, and the personal transformation that comes from operating way outside your comfort zone. With a background in the creative and performing arts, Madeleine is a huge advocate of play as a tool for expression and expansion. She writes and teaches on feminine leadership and embodiment.

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