Stuck Not Broken

Mar 04 2025 309 ep. 26 mins 964

Stuck Not Broken Podcast artwork

Stuck Not Broken is the first podcast built on clearly teaching the Polyvagal Theory and applying it to your trauma recovery process. Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist that makes the science of connection easily understood and accessible to anyone. He created the Polyvagal Trauma Relief System and is the author of Trauma & The Polyvagal Paradigm. (Justin Sunseri, LMFT99147)

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249. Easily Identify Your Autonomic State: Polyvagal Theory for Everyday Life (tip 1 of 5)

Mar 04 2025 18 mins

Understand and identify your polyvagal primary and mixed states. This episode covers connection, escape, aggression, collapse, play, motivation, stillness, intimacy, freeze, and appeasement and fawn states. Start identifying your states today.00:00 Intro: Apply your Polyvagal Knowledge02:27 Do you feel like connecting?04:30 Do you feel like escaping or aggressing?05:56 Do you feel

Stuck in Shutdown A Guide to Recognizing and Helping Loved Ones

Feb 07 2025 24 mins

Justin Sunseri explains the concept of dorsal vagal shutdown, a state of immobilization and resource conservation in the face of life threats. He outlines how this shutdown affects emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and connections with others, making it difficult for individuals to function normally. Justin provides insights on recognizing shutdown in loved ones, emphasizing the impor

How Shutdown can Become Freeze & What to do About it

Jan 28 2025 17 mins

Justin Sunseri discusses transitioning from a prolonged state of shutdown to experiencing freeze. He explains the differences between shutdown and freeze through the lens of polyvagal theory, and provides insights into the healing process. Justin discusses the importance of building a safety state and how to mindfully connect with different states of defense. He also introduces his

Anxiety: Do you need to know the cause?

Jan 21 2025 17 mins

Justin Sunseri tackles a common belief among his clients—the necessity of identifying the root cause of anxiety, anger, or depression to address these feelings. Justin reads and responds to a community member's query about 'safety anchors' and their effectiveness when the source of anxiety is unknown. He explains that while knowing the trigger can be helpful, it is not essential

Optimize Productivity and Creativity with the Nervous System: Connect, Mobilize, Restore

Jan 01 2025 35 mins

In this episode of Stuck Not Broken, therapist and coach Justin Sunseri explores how understanding and embracing the different states of your nervous system can dramatically enhance your productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. Justin delves into the Polyvagal Theory, explaining the primary and mixed states of safety, mobility, and shutdown, and offers practical tips for a

Wisdom & Encouragement to Help Your Shutdown: Real People Share

Dec 18 2024 44 mins

This episode provides a platform for survey participants to offer encouragement, personal insights, and advice to those also experiencing shutdown. The shared experiences discuss common themes such as shame, isolation, the body's autonomic responses, and ways to work compassionately through shutdown states. The episode also highlights the importance of small steps, self-compassion,

Crying and the Polyvagal Theory: Release, Panic, and Rage

Dec 10 2024 14 mins

Therapist and Coach Justin Sunseri explores how crying fits into the Polyvagal Theory. He shares insights from a private community meetup about crying as a self-regulatory process, emphasizing that it's not a Polyvagal state but a behavior to help climb the Polyvagal ladder. Justin discusses the different flavors of freeze, such as rage and panic, and provides practical advice on p

4 Mental Wellness Options: Self Care, Coping, Building Safety, and Getting Unstuck

Nov 18 2024 16 mins

You're likely trying many things to feel mentally and emotionally better, but are they all effective? Learn to put your efforts into 4 different buckets to understand what is effective and what isn't.Resources:🔸 Free resources and course in the Members Center - https://www.justinlmft.com/members🔸 SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess 🔸 Polyv

Beneath Your Emotions: the Polyvagal Theory & the Body's Experiences

Nov 13 2024 9 mins

Let's examine two unasked questions: “What do I feel?” and “How do I know I feel that way?” These questions lie at the heart of understanding our Polyvagal states and how they influence our emotions and physical sensations. By exploring the connection between mind and body, you can learn how to tune into your inner experiences with mindfulness and self-compassion.Chapters:0

A Real Story of Self-Regulating out of Dorsal Vagal Shutdown: Macy's "Dancing"

Oct 22 2024 18 mins

Justin Sunseri shares an inspiring story from Macy to demonstrate effective self-regulation out of the Polyvagal state of shutdown. He explores Macy's experiences of navigating through states of immobilization—shutdown, freeze, and stillness—using music and movement to manage sympathetic activation. Justin also discusses why unexpected memories may pop into consciousness when p