The Decision-Making Studio Podcast

Ep. 227: Jonny Miller - On Nervous System Mastery and Decision-Making

Sep 4, 2024

In this insightful discussion, Jonny Miller, an expert in nervous system mastery and former startup founder, reveals how our nervous system influences decision-making. He argues that integrating emotional awareness can enhance our choices, especially during uncertainty. Jonny explores breathwork and techniques for regulating emotions, the detrimental effects of open workspaces, and the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. He also offers a five-week program for mastering these skills, highlighting the connection between physical well-being and cognitive performance.

01:36:05

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Episode guests

Jonny Miller

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Mastering your nervous system through practices like breathwork enhances emotional regulation, leading to more intentional and balanced decision-making.

Integrating emotional awareness into decision-making allows individuals to utilize their emotional experiences as valuable insights rather than obstacles.

Creating a calm physical environment plays a significant role in facilitating better emotional regulation and clearer thinking during decision-making processes.

Deep dives

Decreasing Reactivity for Better Decision-Making

The concept of reducing the half-life of emotional reactivity is essential for making better decisions. Initially, individuals might hold onto frustrations for extended periods, but through practice, this reactivity can be shortened to mere moments. When people become aware of their triggered states and employ strategies to ground themselves, they can return to a more intentional state of mind. This practice not only enhances emotional resilience but also supports better decision-making that isn’t founded on impulsive reactions.

Intro

4min

Navigating Grief and Nervous System Mastery

12min

Redesigning Workspaces for Enhanced Decision-Making

6min

Mastering Breath and Emotion in High-Stress Situations

30min

Emotions in Leadership and Decision-Making

18min

Mastering Emotion and Decision-Making

21min

Exploring a Five-Week Nervous System Mastery Program

3min

Exploring the Intersection of Nervous System and Decision-Making

2min

Today, we delve into the role of our nervous system in decision-making, and we explore whether the best decision-making is emotional. This one will perhaps make you think differently about that. That does not mean that we ought to decide impulsively or like a toddler, but it does mean that we should integrate our emotional states into our decision-making. And doing that is a skill that involves knowing how to work with our nervous system.

My guest is Jonny Miller, who makes his second appearance on the show. Jonny works with leaders and founders on burnout and how to regulate their nervous systems. He was a successful startup founder himself, but for the last several years has studied and practised nervous system mastery intensely, he has curated the most effective evidence-based practices he's found, and he leads a program called Nervous System Mastery.

On this episode, we cover breathwork and how to regulate our nervous system, how to work with our emotions, the body and its role in emotions and decision-making, why Johnny believes that the best decision-making is indeed emotional, making decisions in triggered states and how to avoid that, leadership, and so much more.

Show notes:

Jonny’s website

Jonny’s Nervous System Mastery programme

Jonny’s article “Why The Best Decision-Making is Emotional”

Curious Humans with Jonny Miller

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Iain McGilchrist

Confabulation

The Hour Between Dog and Wolf by John Coates

The Sports Gene by David Epstein

Patrick McKeown, The Oxygen Advantage – Ep. 137 of our podcast

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk