Wired for Connection: A Polyvagal Podcast

In the second part of our episode on performance with Michael Allison, we discuss performance in an athletic and physical context. Michael touches on some of the great athletes, teams, and coaches and highlights how they were (or were not) able to move in and out of different nervous system states depending on the task at hand. 

We also discuss how this information can help inform goal-setting and achievement of any kind. By honing your ability to listen to your body, and shift your physiology, using what Michael calls Autonomic Agility, you can achieve the optimal nervous s...

Duration: 00:34:48

Trigger Warning: Please be advised, this episode contains dialogue about self-harm, abuse, and other sensitive topics. Please take care while listening and feel free to skip this episode if needed.

In this Wired for Connection episode with Polyvagal Institute, host Travis Goodman, LMFT welcomes psychiatrist and trauma pioneer Dr. Judith Herman. Dr. Herman explains how the modern trauma field emerged and why it still fails many survivors of complex trauma and gender based violence. She traces the history from Vietnam veterans and the women’s movement to the recognition of PTSD and the ongoing fight to recognize co...

Duration: 00:46:32

This episode of Wired for Connection is about the physiology of performance. In Part One of this discussion with Michael Allison, we'll learn more about Michael and his background in performance consulting, and how polyvagal principles help inform performance in the workplace and in building relationships. 

In Part Two, coming early January 2026, we'll discuss athletic performance, and deconstruct dominant narratives about performance and achievement -- using the nervous system and Polyvagal Theory as a guide.

Michael Allison is a globally recognized performance consultant, educator, and author who applies Polyvagal Theory to optimize health, resilience, and e...

Duration: 00:40:11

Trigger Warning: Please be advised, this episode contains dialogue about self-harm, abuse, and other sensitive topics. Please take care while listening and feel free to skip this episode if needed.

In this episode, Dr Janina Fisher joins Travis Goodman to unpack why traditional talk therapy often fails clients with complex trauma, chronic self-harm tendencies, and what methods can move them towards safety & healing. 

Janina shares how studying with Judith Herman and working alongside Bessel van der Kolk shaped her view that people suffer because real things happened to them, not because of “personality defects.” She expla...

Duration: 00:53:53

In this episode of Wired for Connection: A Polyvagal Podcast, we discuss applying Polyvagal Theory and polyvagal principles in a therapeutic setting. 

Stephanie D'Angelo, from Polyvagal Institute, moderates a discussion with Ruby Jo Walker, LCSW. Ruby Jo has been applying PVT in therapy with clients for almost 15 years now, and has been a therapist working with those who have experienced trauma for over thirty years. 

Ruby Jo is a PVI Course Partner, teaching the course "Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory." Learn more about our courses at: learning.polyvagal.org.

CONNECT WITH PVI

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Duration: 00:44:57

In this episode of Wired for Connection, host Travis Goodman interviews Dr. Frank Anderson, founder of the Trauma Institute and a renowned leader in trauma healing. Together, they explore Dr. Anderson’s journey into trauma work, his evolution in understanding healing as both an internal and relational process, and the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Polyvagal Theory. Through personal stories and professional insight, Dr. Anderson shares his perspectives on parts work, the significance of ‘self’ and ‘soul,’ and the nuanced ways trauma shapes and can heal the nervous system.

For more resources or to get involved...

Duration: 00:45:11

In this episode, Dr. Lori Desautels, assistant professor at Butler University and founder of the Applied Educational Neuroscience certification program, discusses the transformative power of understanding the nervous system—particularly through the lens of polyvagal theory—in education. She shares her journey from special education teacher to neuroscientific educator and highlights how applied neuroscience can revolutionize classroom practices to support both teachers and students.

Join Dr. Desautels & Dr. Niki Elliott for a special one-day summit for Educators at the Polyvagal Institute on October 4, 2025: https://learning.polyvagal.org/courses/a-one-day-summit-for-educators

The Adult Nervous System Sets the Tone:
A...

Duration: 00:45:52

In this episode, Travis interviews Dr. Niki Elliott, an educator, author, and director at the University of San Diego's Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity. Dr. Elliott is also a PVI Course Partner & PVI Board Member.

Dr. Elliott shares her personal journey in education, her dedication to supporting neurodiverse learners, and the transformative impact of understanding nervous system needs through the lens of polyvagal theory. The conversation explores how reimagining classroom environments—with an emphasis on sensory and relational safety—can unlock the brilliance of every child.

Understanding Behavior Through the Nervous System Lens
Dr...

Duration: 00:41:18

In this episode of “Wired for Connection,” host Travis welcomes Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a clinical psychologist and expert in somatic psychology, to talk about the natural ways to stimulate the vagus nerve for physical, mental, and emotional health. Dr. Schwartz shares her professional journey—beginning with her personal experience with yoga and anxiety—and how this path led to her deep dive into polyvagal theory and natural mind-body therapies for trauma recovery. Together, they discuss accessible, practical vagus nerve stimulation techniques, the importance of self-compassion in healing, and how therapies like yoga, touch, and movement are essential for regulating the nerv...

Duration: 01:00:16

In this engaging episode, Dr. Peter Staats—chief medical officer and cofounder of ElectroCore, and a trailblazer in the fields of pain management and neuromodulation—shares his compelling journey and the emerging science that’s reshaping how we approach healing. Rather than relying solely on pharmaceuticals or surgical intervention, Dr. Staats introduces a transformative model centered on neuromodulation: the use of electrical stimulation to influence bodily systems in targeted, noninvasive ways.

At the heart of this model is the vagus nerve. Known as a master regulator, it plays a crucial role in managing inflammation, stress responses, and emotio...

Duration: 00:52:07

In this episode of Wired for Connection, BG Mancini, a neuro integrative medicine provider, discusses the intricate relationship between gut health, the nervous system, and emotional well-being with host Travis. BG shares her insights on the impacts of stress on the microbiome and how it can lead to inflammation, affecting both physical and emotional health.

The Brain-Gut Axis: BG emphasizes the critical link between our gut and brain. Stress can erode the microbiome's lining, leading to inflammation that acts as an alarm system. This inflammation can affect brain function and emotional regulation, highlighting the importance of gut health...

Duration: 01:00:30

In this episode of "Wired for Connection," Travis hosts Deb Dana and Stephen Porges, who discuss the origins and developments of the Polyvagal Theory and its applications in therapeutic settings. Here are three key takeaways from their conversation:

Polyvagal Theory's Impact on Therapy: The theory revolutionized understanding of trauma by introducing concepts like neuroception and the body's hierarchical response to threats. Its focus on embodying therapeutic principles rather than creating a strict protocol allows for flexibility and integration in various therapeutic models. The Power of Co-regulation: Stephen and Deb emphasize the importance of co-regulation in therapy and daily...

Duration: 00:58:42

"Wired for Connection" is a podcast that delves into Polyvagal Theory and the role of the vagus nerve in our autonomic nervous system. Hosted by Travis and produced by the Polyvagal Institute, this podcast brings together experts from various fields such as therapy, psychology, and somatic practices to discuss how our nervous system influences our daily lives and relationships.

Here is what to expect:

Understanding Polyvagal Theory: The podcast focuses on Polyvagal Theory, which highlights the significance of the autonomic nervous system and the vagus nerve in shifting our states and affecting behaviors and relationships. Diverse...

Duration: 00:01:56