Ann, a secure attachment expert, and Sue, a mindfulness practitioner, discuss what secure attachment looks like in daily life. They talk about conversation skills, parenting practices, self-check-ins, and deepening connections. They also explore the difference between feeling secure and being secure, the importance of integration and security, and the role of curiosity in maintaining a secure state of mind.

You don't have to be totally healed from years of therapy under your belt or a history of secure attachment to develop skills for increased intimacy and secure relating. This is something that anybody, no matter their history, can begin to learn. Channeling your inner awareness to recognize a heightened state of arousal or using visualizations to help stay in a regulated place helps tap into your right brain to connect with yourself and your humanity. Ann and Sue navigate their personal examples, self-regulating tips, breaking out of their defensive "competitive head", and many more useful strategies to explore the ways we can move in the direction of secure connections.

Attachment basics are explored in this episode. Ann and Sue break down what attachment is, its impact on early development, and the importance of understanding attachment patterns. They discuss embodied stories, the protection system, and building secure attachment through curiosity. Topics include coherent narratives and recognizing patterns in nervous system behaviors.

When you unconsciously deem "power" as what keeps you "safe" in vulnerable situations, reflecting and rewiring on this dynamic can transform your connections. Human defenses are quite necessary to protect our nervous system and sense of self. The goal isn't to eliminate defenses - but to learn how to regulate them, especially in relationships. Defenses can often feel triggered when there is an uneven power dynamic expressed in a relationship and can be influenced by outside factors like gender socialization, culture, or personal history.

Authors Ann and Sue discuss themes from their book 'Secure Relating: Holding Your Own in an Insecure World'. They emphasize the importance of secure connections, healing, personal growth, and collaboration to overcome division. They break down the three sections of the book, highlighting the healing process and building agency in relationships.

Delve into how early experiences shape internal working models of attachment, influencing relationships. Learn about caregivers' role in shaping emotions and beliefs about relationships. Explore misunderstandings, insecurities, and projections in real-time interactions. Discover the importance of self-awareness for secure relating and applying attachment theory in daily life.

Alan and Alon discuss how to teach your brain to turn off the fear of chronic pain by introducing corrective experiences and setbacks. They provide real life examples with pain sufferers Sue and Christie. Discover how interpreting sensations differently, paying attention with less effort, and exploring somatic tracking can help alleviate pain and fear.

In this heartfelt discussion, Sue, a devoted mother, recounts her son's challenging journey through bipolar and schizoaffective disorders. She candidly shares her family's struggles within the mental health and legal systems, emphasizing the overwhelming emotional toll. Sue highlights the critical need for better communication and resources in mental healthcare. Her story reveals the isolation families face and the importance of advocacy, offering hope and insights to others navigating similar paths.

Authors Ann and Sue discuss understanding attachment spectrum colors, recognizing internal activations, and shifting activation levels. They explore blue leaning patterns, dismissing attachment activation, preoccupied patterns, trauma resolution, and the importance of learning how our body responds when activated.

Sue shares her 2020 UFO sighting on Kent Island, Maryland. Zach recounts witnessing a UFO with his girlfriend on a Florida highway in 2021. The podcast delves into personal experiences, financial stability tips, and other intriguing UFO encounters from listeners.