Brendan O'Connor Dr. Richard Hogan - “Feeling powerless is central to being triggered”
Jan 17, 2026
In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Richard Hogan, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma, dives into the mechanics of our nervous system and the triggers that arise from past experiences. He explains the connection between childhood attachment styles and adult anxiety, and offers practical techniques for managing triggers, like self-talk and grounding. Hogan emphasizes the importance of kindness toward oneself and others, encouraging listeners to recognize powerlessness as a core aspect of their emotional responses.
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Family Origins Create Deep Triggers
- Family-of-origin dynamics are the biggest source of triggers because they return you to childhood patterns.
- Christmas often amplifies these dynamics and leaves people burnt out into January.
Vagus Is Body's Highway To The Brain
- The vagus nerve carries mostly body-to-brain signals and holds early-life patterns in the body.
- You cannot simply 'outthink' or hijack the vagus; integration and allowing sensations to pass work better.
Check Which Stress Mode You Are In
- Identify whether you respond with calm, dorsal (numbing), or sympathetic (fight/flight) reactions.
- Use embodied resets like sea swimming, running or laughter to downregulate the system.
