Emotional Regulation Defined as Brain-Body Process

“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

  Call to Action:

  If this episode brought you clarity, comfort, or a deeper understanding of your emotional world, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite audio platform or hit the bell on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

  👉 Want to learn how to rewire your nervous system, strengthen emotional regulation, and support others in doing the same? Explore www.rewiretrial.com.

  Healing starts with integration—when your brain and body begin working together, real regulation becomes possible.

Disclaimer:

Trauma Rewired 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. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911.

We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. 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 invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don’t verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.

We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and RewireTrial.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing

and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.

Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

We’ve done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at traumarewired@gmail.com.

All rights in our content are reserved.