
Building Resilience
Life can feel overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with anxiety, stress, a dysregulated nervous system, or constant overthinking.But here's the good news: you're not alone, and relief is possible.I'm Leah Davidson, a nervous system resilience coach and speech-language pathologist, and I'm here to help you navigate life's ups and downs by teaching you practical tools for nervous system regulation. On this podcast, you'll learn how to manage anxiety, reduce stress, stop overthinking, and support a healthier, more regulated nervous system.Together, we'll share inspiring stories, practical tips, and compassionate support to build resilience and create a life filled with purpose, joy, and connection.Ready to befriend your nervous system and reclaim your peace? Let's get started! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Feb 12, 2025 • 28min
Emotional Regulation in Neurodivergent Families with guest Emily Hamblin
Parenting can feel like a rollercoaster, especially when your child struggles with emotional regulation. One moment, everything is fine, and the next, you're navigating a meltdown in the middle of the grocery store. How do you support your child---and yourself---through these intense emotional waves?As a certified teacher with years of experience working with kids all over the globe, Emily Hamblin was sure motherhood would be a breeze...except it wasn't. It took years for Emily to learn how to not only help her 4 kids (including several “neurospicy” ones) find healthy ways to handle their big emotions, but to handle her own neurodivergent brain's intense emotional responses too. Now, Emily hosts the Enlightening Motherhood podcast and runs the Neurodivergent Survival Kit for moms.On this episode of Building Resilience, Emily shares her journey of discovering that both she and her children are neurodivergent and how that realization transformed her parenting. We explore the connection between nervous system regulation and emotional regulation, the extra challenges faced by neurodivergent families, and why traditional parenting advice often falls short. Connect with Emily:Listen to Emily’s podcast ”Enlightening Motherhood” Visit Emily’s WebsiteFollow her on InstagramGet my Resilience Journal (Amazon US) (Amazon CA)]---your guided companion for building emotional resilience, self-awareness, and inner strength, one reflection at a time.Resources:The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Connections Membership---join the waitlist! Build resilience and foster growth through nervous system regulation and community support.It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (with a Creative Twist)---A free workshop to map your nervous system and create a calm toolkit with simple, creative techniques. No artistic skills required!Connect:Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 5, 2025 • 21min
The 5 Most Powerful Ways To Transform Your Life
Have you ever felt stuck, like you're just going through the motions without truly thriving? Sometimes, despite our best efforts, real transformation seems out of reach. But what if the key to lasting change was simpler than we think?On this episode, I break down five powerful, science-backed ways to transform your life. From understanding and befriending your nervous system to processing emotions, managing your mind, optimizing stress, and investing in relationships, we explore the foundations of true well-being—and I’ll give you actionable tips and how to apply them today!Resources:The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Connections Membership---join the waitlist! Build resilience and foster growth through nervous system regulation and community support.It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (with a Creative Twist)---A free workshop to map your nervous system and create a calm toolkit with simple, creative techniques. No artistic skills required!Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have. You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 29, 2025 • 25min
The Power of Belief: Understanding Placebo and Nocebo Effects
Our beliefs shape our reality in more ways than we realize. What if simply believing in a treatment could lead to real, measurable healing? And on the flip side, could negative expectations actually worsen our symptoms?On this episode of Building Resilience, we explore the fascinating world of the placebo and nocebo effects: how our minds influence our bodies in profound ways. We'll dive into a scientific study about housekeepers, and the surprising effects of an open-label placebo. Plus, how our daily rituals, environment, and even the language we use can reinforce either healing or harm. Resources:The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Connections Membership---join the waitlist! Build resilience and foster growth through nervous system regulation and community support.It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (with a Creative Twist)---A free workshop to map your nervous system and create a calm toolkit with simple, creative techniques. No artistic skills required!Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform: it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 2025 • 20min
Effort vs Surrender
The balance between effort and surrender can be a tricky one to strike—we often feel the need to fix issues as soon as they come up. But in reality, surrendering to challenging times can actually have the opposite effect.On this episode of Building Resilience, we go over how we can achieve that balance between effort and surrender—where transformation and growth often occur. We’ll talk about the pitfalls of overexertion, the challenges of relinquishing control, and highlighting how balancing "grit and grace" can lead to sustainable success. Links:Ep.186 - Grit and GraceResources: The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives. My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Connections Membership---join the waitlist! Build resilience and foster growth through nervous system regulation and community support.It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (with a Creative Twist)---A free workshop to map your nervous system and create a calm toolkit with simple, creative techniques. No artistic skills required!Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 15, 2025 • 23min
The Power of Resilient Words
Words are a powerful thing—not just the ones we speak to others but the ones we say to ourselves. Words can shape our thoughts, which control our emotions, which ultimately drive our actions. They hold the power to lift us up or tear us down, sometimes in just a moment. But what if we could use words to build resilience, foster growth, and create a life filled with hope and possibility?On this episode of Building Resilience, I’m giving you a hack of mine—my list of "resilience-building words." These 10 simple yet impactful words can help shift your perspective, calm your nervous system, and keep you moving forward even in challenging times. This week, I challenge you to notice the words you use and try incorporating some of these resilience-building words into your vocabulary. You might be surprised by how much power they hold.Links:Ep. 68: The Amazing RaceResources:The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives. Connections Membership---join the waitlist! Build resilience and foster growth through nervous system regulation and community support.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (with a Creative Twist)---A free workshop to map your nervous system and create a calm toolkit with simple, creative techniques. No artistic skills required!Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 8, 2025 • 26min
Die With Zero
Are you living a rich, fulfilling life, or are you waiting for the "right time" to enjoy it? Many of us are stuck saving for a future that may not come or waiting for the perfect moment to create memories. But what if the key to resilience and joy is found in living fully right now?On this episode of Building Resilience, I dive into the insights from the book Die With Zero by Bill Perkins. This transformative book challenges conventional thinking about wealth, health, and time, urging us to maximize life experiences while we can. I explore concepts like time buckets, memory dividends, and finding the balance between saving and savoring life. Resources:The "Memory Matters" course---cherish and protect your memories, they're invaluable.The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---join the waitlist! Dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Additional Resource:Die With Zero by Bill Perkins on Amazon– A must-read to rethink how you live and enjoy your life.Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 1, 2025 • 16min
My Travel Companions
Have you ever felt a pull between staying safe in what's familiar and venturing into the unknown? It's a common experience to wrestle with the tension between who you've been and who you're becoming. As we step into 2025, how can we navigate this journey with trust, intention, and resilience?On this episode of Building Resilience, we'll get into the concept of your past, present, and future selves as your travel companions on the journey of life. I share a powerful visualization to help you better understand the roles these "selves" play, and how each can support your growth. You'll discover how to thank your past self, trust your future self, and navigate your present with compassion and courage. It's not too late to sign up for my free workshop, It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (With a Creative Twist)! Join me on January 2 and 3.Resources:The "Memory Matters" course---cherish and protect your memories, they're invaluable.The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---join the waitlist! Dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 25, 2024 • 14min
Deliberate Gratitude
Have you ever noticed how gratitude can transform even the toughest moments? It’s not just about saying “thank you” or counting blessings—it’s a profound practice that connects us to resilience, hope, and joy. But how do we lean into gratitude when life feels heavy, or when challenges arise that seem insurmountable?On this episode of Building Resilience, we get into the concept of deliberate gratitude. I share personal stories and practices, from meaningful holiday traditions to life-changing experiences that taught me the power of gratitude, even in adversity. We’ll talk about simple, actionable ways to cultivate gratitude, explore its impact on the nervous system, and discover how it can be a source of healing and connection.It’s not too late to sign up for my free workshop, It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (With a Creative Twist)! Join me on January 2 and 3.Links:Ep. 110: The Zone of ResilienceResources:The "Memory Matters" course---cherish and protect your memories, they're invaluable.The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---join the waitlist! Dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 18, 2024 • 22min
The Power of Creativity for Nervous System Health
Creativity isn't just for artists --- it can be an amazing tool to help calm your nervous system and expand your resilience. When life feels overwhelming, unlocking your creative side might be the unexpected solution you need.On this episode of Building Resilience, I’m teaching about the power of creativity for nervous system health. I'll explain how creative activities can signal safety to your brain, reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, and reconnect you with joy and playfulness. Plus, I share practical strategies for incorporating creativity into your daily life --- even if you don't consider yourself a creative person. From five-minute creativity breaks to mindful practices, I’ll give you some simple ways to nurture your nervous system through creativity.Links:Workshop: It's Not Just Your Thoughts, It's Your Nervous System (With a Creative Twist): Sign up for free!Resources:The "Memory Matters" course---cherish and protect your memories, they're invaluable.The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training---join the waitlist! Dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution"---a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform---it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can also pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram. You can also find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 11, 2024 • 26min
The Mother-in-Law, Daughter-in-Law Connection With Special Guest Leann Austin
We all know the stereotypes: the controlling mother-in-law, the aloof daughter-in-law. Why is this relationship often painted as inherently difficult, fraught with tension and unmet expectations? And what if it didn't have to be that way?On this episode of Building Resilience, I'm joined by LeAnn Austin, a master-certified life coach who specializes in helping women create more connection and fun, particularly with their daughters-in-law. Together, we explore the often complex dynamics of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. Leann shares insights on expectations, communication styles, and the importance of connection. As Leann says, "You either love someone, or you don't understand them." Guest Links:Visit Leann Austin's website: leannaustin.comCheck out her podcast, Lovin My Daughter-in-LawGrab Leann's Connection Blueprint and One Question Guide at leannaustin.comFollow Leann on Instagram: @leannaustincoaching Resources:The "Memory Matters" course: cherish and protect your memories, they're invaluable.The Advanced Nervous System Resilience training! Dive deep into understanding the nervous system and its role in our lives.My video series, "The 30 Second Burnout Solution": a lifeline for those grappling with stress and burnout, especially compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress. Connect:Could you do me a favor? Please leave a review on your preferred podcast platform: it helps me reach more and more people. I'd also love to hear any insights or questions you have.You can pay me a visit on Facebook or Instagram, or find me on my website and book a mini session with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.