"Fake it till you make it" can keep you moving, but there is a cost. When the prefrontal cortex tries to do the job of the whole brain, it burns fuel fast, cravings rise, and coping loops take over. This episode breaks down emotional regulation as a full-body, brain-wide process, not a mindset trick. Matt Bush, lead educator at the NSI certification and founder of Next Level Neuro, joins Elisabeth and Jennifer for this fascinating covnersation. You will learn how integration across interoception, proprioception, the insula, anterior cingulate, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex supports flexible, context-appropriate responses. We explore why shutdowns, flooding, or masking are often adaptations to threat, how sensory mismatch and modern screen habits compound dysregulation, and why big peak experiences without preparation can overwhelm rather than heal. Expect practical, trauma-informed ways to build capacity with minimum-effective-dose practices, daily nervous system hygiene, and a simple "emotional retrospect" journaling flow that plants new options for next time. If you have ever thought, "I know I am safe, but my body does not," this conversation offers science, compassion, and usable tools to reconnect brain and body.
Timestamps:
00:00 What "fake it till you make it" costs the nervous system
05:12 What emotional regulation really is and why context matters
12:30 Integration 101: body signals, brain networks, and coordination
21:45 Everyday patterns: flooding, shutdown, perfectionism, doom-scrolling
29:10 Key regions: insula, ACC, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex
36:05 Sensory mismatch, modern lifestyle, and capacity
44:20 Peak somatic experiences: preparation, risk, and integration
52:00 Building capacity: daily hygiene, minimum-effective-dose practice
58:40 The "emotional retrospect" journaling protocol
1:05:00 Individual and collective growth, closing takeaways
Key Takeaways:
Emotional regulation means full-spectrum access to feelings without being hijacked, not suppression.
Integration is a brain-body loop; accurate interoception and proprioception improve predictions and choice.
Sensory mismatch and chronic stress bias the system toward protection, which can look like flooding, masking, or collapse.
Peak intensity does not equal integration; preparation and real-time capacity building matter.
Small, consistent practices create new options by improving signal quality and planting novel responses.
Resources Mentioned:
RewireTrial.com - two-week free trial for live classes and on-demand neurosomatic tools
Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI) Coaching Certification - ICF-accredited training for practitioners
Next Level Neuro - education referenced in the episode
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