The Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast
Hosted by Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson, the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast (AHA Podcast) explores how activating the brain engages the body’s interoceptive awareness and natural homeostatic processes, helping restore nervous system balance and support healing from stress.Grounded in neuroscience and the body’s innate intelligence, each episode offers practical strategies, scientific insights, and real conversations to help you build whole-person wellness—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Join Tom and Ruth as they unpack the science behind Autonomic Homeostasis Activation™, share tools for self-regulation, and invite you into a living systems approach to wellness that empowers resilience, freedom, and everyday well-being.
Episodes
In this thought-provoking episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals welcome back Scott Turner, renowned physiologist and expert on homeostasis, cognition, and superorganisms, for a deep dive into the science and mystery behind Autonomic Homeostasis Activation (AHA).
Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous ...
In this thought-provoking conversation, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals welcome back Scott Turner, author of Purpose and Desire, to explore the fascinating intersections of niche construction theory, homeostasis, and human wellness. Together, they unpack how living systems—down to the cellular level—act with agency, intentionally shaping and being shaped by their environments.
From Walter Cannon’s classic definition of ...
Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system are at the heart of this conversation on trauma healing and body-based wellness—drawing inspiration from Scott Turner’s groundbreaking book, Purpose and Desire.
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals explore the shift from traditional mechanistic models of the human body to a living systems approach—...
Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system come together in this powerful episode to help you understand why you may not feel safe—even when there's no actual danger. Hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals unpack how trauma, chronic stress, and learned woundings can keep your internal nervous system misaligned—and what science shows us about re-creating safety from within.
What You'll Discover:
Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system unite in this episode to explore the concept of Brain-fulness—a mindful, embodied practice for restoring balance, healing from stress, and cultivating whole-person wellness. Hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals dive deep into practical applications of neuroscience to foster self-regulation, emotional resilience, and mind‑body‑spirit integration.
What You'll...
Interoception, homeostasis, and the autonomic nervous system frame this insightful exploration of the Five P’s of Wellness—an intuitive framework to determine what truly supports or hinders your well-being. Hosts Ruth Lorensson and Tom Pals map practical applications of the Five P’s (Purpose, Presence, Practice, Processing, and Play) into the neuroscience of somatic healing, trauma recovery, and holistic wellness.
What...
Personal wellness does not happen in isolation. In this Fundamentals of Wellness episode, Tom and Ruth examine how health is shaped by both individual habits and our shared environment.
Using the recent Fort Collins mall incident as a case study, they address:
- Vicarious trauma – why events you only hear about can still activate your stress response.
- Me-We homeostasis – the science of co-regulation and how supportive ...
In this eye‑opening installment of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson peel back the layers of a sense most of us never knew we had—interoception, the brain’s moment‑to‑moment read‑out of everything happening inside the body. Moving beyond Aristotle’s famous “five senses,” Tom explains why modern neuroscience recognizes at least 21 human senses and argues that interoception is the...
In this enlightening episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson dive deep into the fascinating world of bodily healing and homeostasis. Challenging conventional wisdom about wellness, they explore the counterintuitive concept of "not scratching the itch" - both literally and metaphorically.
Discover why those uncomfortable sensations like itching, pain, and fever...
Is achieving balance really the key to wellness? Or have we misunderstood homeostasis all along? In this eye-opening episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson dive deep into the science of homeostasis and uncover why true wellness isn’t about achieving perfect equilibrium—it’s about thriving in dynamic disequilibrium.
They break down the history of homeostasis, from Walt...
In this episode of the Autonomic Homeostasis Activation Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the true essence of wellness—what it means, where it comes from, and how to cultivate it in daily life. They dive into the origins of the word well, linking it to ancient water sources and the fundamental human need for nourishment, both physically and emotionally.
Through rich conversation and insightful reflecti...
Join Tom Pals and co-host Ruth Lorensson as they explore the often-overlooked ways our brains naturally work to restore balance—body, mind, and spirit. Learn why discomforts like itching, pain, and even unexpected emotional responses aren’t always signs of illness, but can be signals of a deeper healing process. Discover practical insights into how our brains orchestrate homeostasis, and why redefining “symptoms” can ...
In this episode of the AHA Podcast, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals introduce the groundbreaking concept of brain-informed wellness as part of their new series, The Fundamentals of Wellness. As the new year begins, many of us look to reset and embrace healthier habits, but what if the key to wellness isn’t about adding more to your plate, but about tapping into the innate wisdom of your brain?
Join Ruth and Tom as they ...
Ready to dive into wellness? 🌱 Join hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson as they kick off an exciting new season, The Fundamentals of Wellness, a fresh exploration of what it means to thrive in body, mind, and spirit.
In this debut episode, Tom shares his transformative journey from trauma survivor to psychotherapist, and now certified wellness coach. He reveals how he integrates cutting-edge autonomic homeostasis activa...
🎄 AHA Podcast Christmas Special: Light, Love, and Life 🎄
As the Christmas season unfolds, Ruth and Tom delve into the heart and soul of what makes this time of year truly special. From cherished traditions and the joy of Christmas lights to the deeper meaning of connection, they explore what truly lights up this time of year.
Hear heartwarming stories—from Tom's magical visit to the Denver Zoo Lights with his gra...
In this momentous finale of the "ABCs of Thriving" series, Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the vibrant power of zest—both as a metaphor and a mindset. Unpacking its roots in citrus and its neurobiological impact, they discuss how zest can refresh, balance, and enhance life, even in challenging seasons. From small choices like savoring a quiet moment to big adventures like climbing a 14er, this episode in...
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the profound concept of yielding as an essential element of thriving. They delve into the multiple facets of yielding—from the idea of giving way to receive something of value, to the interconnectedness of human relationships and community. Through insightful stories about navigating traffic, the symbolism of the sunflower, and...
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the transformative concept of xenophilia—"the love of strangers"—and how embracing this mindset fosters resilience and connection in a world where change and movement are constant.
Together, they unpack the contrasts between xenophobia and xenophilia, illuminating how a hospitality mindset toward strangers c...
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson explore the concept of Verity—a transcendent form of truth that goes beyond mere facts. As part of their ongoing series on the ABCs of Thriving, they unpack how embracing Verity can help individuals align their minds, bodies, and spirits to truly thrive. Tom and Ruth discuss the distinction between truth and Verity, how our minds can d...
In this episode of the Autonomic Healing Podcast, hosts Tom Pals and Ruth Lorensson continue their journey through the ABCs of Thriving, focusing on the letter "W" for Wisdom. They delve into how wisdom is essential for thriving in life, influencing everything from our health to our decision-making. Tom and Ruth explore the neurobiology behind wisdom, discussing the role of the prefrontal cortex, the limbic ...
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