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Welcome to It Starts at Vagus – the ultimate podcast for women ready to reclaim their calm and reset their health, starting from the root cause: the vagus nerve. Here, we dive deep into holistic strategies, natural remedies, and actionable tips to support your body's natural healing process. Whether you’re managing stress, anxiety, or just looking to improve your overall well-being, our expert insights and practical advice are designed to help you feel empowered and connected. Subscribe for ...
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Coffee, Scrolling & Netflix: The Calm We Borrow But Never Keep
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Send Emily a Message! Are you trapped in the cycle of reaching for quick fixes to calm your stressed nervous system? That third cup of coffee, mindless scrolling, or end-of-day glass of wine might offer temporary relief, but they're actually teaching your body to outsource its sense of safety rather than build it from within. The truth is, many of …
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Send Emily a Message! Feeling like you're carrying invisible bricks all day long? When your nervous system is stuck in survival mode, even the most well-intentioned self-care practices can feel like unwelcome demands rather than relief. "You want me to do a full morning routine with juicing, exercising, and journaling? I'm still trying to survive t…
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Send Emily a Message! Your body is throwing an emergency brake while you're still trying to climb uphill—that's burnout. And the most alarming part? Most women don't realize they're experiencing burnout until their bodies physically force them to stop. Burnout isn't a badge of honor or a sign that you're working hard enough. It's a clear signal tha…
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Rediscovering Yourself: Simple Creative Practices for Busy Women
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Send Emily a Message! Bring creative joy into your day (without adding anything else to your plate). Creativity is essential for women to reconnect with themselves and express who they are in a world that often tells them to be quiet and helpful. This episode explores simple ways to incorporate creativity into daily life without adding pressure, he…
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Send Emily a Message! Ever finally sit down after a long day only to find yourself more tense than before? Your racing mind and clenched jaw aren't signs of failure—they're evidence of your body's remarkable survival system working overtime. The truth about rest is both fascinating and frustrating: your nervous system doesn't automatically know whe…
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Mental Load Fatigue: The Invisible Source of Women's Stress
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Send Emily a Message! The quiet background hum of your mental to-do list gets louder right when you're trying to relax—that's mental load fatigue, and it's hitting women particularly hard. This phenomenon isn't about a lack of organization or efficiency; it's the invisible burden of constant thinking, planning, anticipating, and emotional caretakin…
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How Survival Mode is Shutting Down Your Digestion
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Send Emily a Message! Anxiety manifests physically throughout your body, affecting everything from swallowing to nutrient absorption when your nervous system gets stuck in survival mode. We explore how stress creates a domino effect in your digestive system and share practical solutions to activate your parasympathetic "rest and digest" response. S…
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Send Emily a Message! The path to healing often begins when we feel safe—when our nervous system can finally relax and let down its guard. In this intimate conversation, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow massage therapist Melissa Kary to explore the transformative power of therapeutic touch for trauma survivors. Melissa opens up about her o…
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The Silent Burnout: My Journey to Healing
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Send Emily a Message! Have you ever felt "fine" while your body was silently screaming for help? That was my reality – the calm, high-functioning massage therapist whose world came crashing down with a debilitating gallbladder attack on Thanksgiving Day. Support the show Want to give a one-time donation as a thank you? Cash App me at $ItStartsAtVag…
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Toxic People, Tense Bodies: How Negativity Affects Your Nervous System
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Send Emily a Message! Your nervous system has a hidden vulnerability that few people discuss: the company you keep. When you surround yourself with chronically negative people, your body's emotional radar—neuroception—picks up subtle cues that trigger a low-level threat response. Even while you're smiling and nodding, your vagus nerve (your body's …
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Clearing Brain Fog: A Nervous System Reset
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Send Emily a Message! That moment when you've read the same paragraph three times and still can't remember what it said? Your brain isn't broken - it's likely in low power mode, signaling your nervous system needs attention. Brain fog manifests as that sluggish, forgetful mental state that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming. While not a medi…
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Voice Tone: A Vagus Nerve Approach to Social Anxiety
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Send Emily a Message! Voice tone, controlled by the vagus nerve, plays a crucial role in how we experience social anxiety and how others perceive our emotional state in conversations. • The polyvagal theory explains how our autonomic nervous system regulates safety, connection, and defense mechanisms through the vagus nerve • Ventral vagal activati…
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How to Listen to Your Body and Restore Balance
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Send Emily a Message! Unlock the secrets of your body in this episode as we delve into the intriguing messages sent by your nervous system. Learn how to recognize and respond to the signs of nervous system dysregulation and the simple yet transformative changes you can implement today for your wellbeing. Our engaging discussion covers essential top…
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Send Emily a Message! Unlock the secrets of holistic health as Emily, a passionate massage therapist, challenge the myths surrounding mental health. Ever thought mental health issues stop at the brain? Think again. Join me to explore how the vagus nerve connects it all—the brain, heart, gut, and beyond—unveiling the powerful impact mental health ha…
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Sneaky Stress: How It Silently Hijacks Your Health
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Send Emily a Message! Is stress silently sabotaging your health without you even knowing it? Discover the surprising ways sneaky stress infiltrates our daily lives and takes a toll on our well-being. This episode of "It Starts at Vagus" with your host Emily uncovers the hidden stressors that we often overlook, from the seemingly innocuous noise pol…
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Stress, Your Immune System & the Vagus Nerve
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Send Emily a Message! This episode highlights the intricate relationship between stress, immunity, and the vagus nerve, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy vagal tone for overall well-being. Practical techniques including deep breathing, singing, and improving gut health are shared to help listeners cultivate resilience and reduce c…
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Send Emily a Message! Explore the profound insights of the polyvagal theory, which connects our nervous system responses to emotional states. Recognizing signs of dysregulation and learning practical techniques can empower listeners to shift toward calmness and connection. • Discusses the vagus nerve and its role in emotional regulation • Explains …
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Send Emily a Message! Unlock the secrets to nurturing your brain through the power of social connections, movement, and sunlight. Join me, Emily, as we uncover how these elements activate the vagus nerve, fostering a state of calm and enhancing cognitive resilience. Discover why spending time with people you love not only uplifts your mood but also…
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Send Emily a Message! This episode focuses on how sleep quality, modern screen time habits, and background noise affect brain & mental health and overall well-being. We discuss actionable strategies for improving sleep routines and minimizing distractions to enhance mental clarity and calmness. • Importance of the vagus nerve for health • Sleep's v…
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Send Emily a Message! This episode explores the significant connection between posture and stress levels, revealing how our alignment impacts mental and emotional well-being. We discuss the anatomical position, the function of the vagus nerve, and provide practical techniques to improve posture and reduce stress in daily life. • Discusses the link …
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Influence Your Nervous System: Journey to Tranquility
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Send Emily a Message! This episode focuses on the power of the autonomic nervous system and how we can influence it for better health. The discussion highlights breathing techniques, the role of the vagus nerve, and practical approaches to reduce stress and promote calm. • Explanation of the autonomic nervous system and its two branches • Discussio…
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Send Emily a Message! Struggling to find peace in the chaos of everyday life? Discover how small, intentional routines can transform your evenings and prepare you for a successful tomorrow. Join me, Emily, as we uncover the secret power of the Vagus Nerve in mitigating anxiety and enhancing your mental health. In this episode of "It Starts at Vagus…
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Send Emily a Message! This episode delves into how the Grinch's behaviors stem from disconnection and isolation, exploring the impact of supporting the vagus nerve for social engagement and emotional well-being. We discuss practical exercises that can help foster joy and connection in our own lives. - Examining the Grinch's isolation and its effect…
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Send Emily a Message! 🎄Can you transform holiday chaos into a serene and joyful experience? Discover the answers in our latest episode, where we unlock five transformative strategies to harness the body's natural tools, especially the power of the vagus nerve, turning Christmas stress into tranquility. From the foundational importance of sleep and …
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Send Emily a Message! Can holiday traditions really calm your nerves and boost your mental well-being? Join me, Emily, as we explore the magical impact of Christmas rituals on our emotional health. Discover how the simple acts of setting up a Christmas tree, baking cookies, and singing holiday songs can transform stress into joy by grounding us in …
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Send Emily a Message! Unlock the secrets of your body's ultimate key to calm and connection! Join me, Emily, as we journey into the intricate world of the vagus nerve and discover its profound impact on our well-being. Inspired by the illuminating book "Accessing the Vagus Nerve," I'll unravel the fascinating polyvagal theory proposed by Dr. Stephe…
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Send Emily a Message! Unlock the secret to a calm and connected life by harnessing the transformative power of your vagus nerve. Imagine starting your day with a sense of peace rather than stress; this episode promises to teach you a simple yet powerful exercise that can do just that in mere minutes. Join Emily, your dedicated guide, as she reveals…
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Check to See the Anxiety & the Vagus Nerve Connection
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Send Emily a Message! Discover how muscle tension is more than just a physical strain—it's a key player in perpetuating anxiety. Join me, Emily, a neuromuscular massage therapist, as we unravel the intricate relationship between stress, tension, and the fight-or-flight response locked within your muscles. Through a fascinating exploration, you'll u…
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Send Emily a Message! Ever wish you knew body hacks to help your body calm down faster? Or have a desire to learn more about your body & how to support it to heal naturally? Welcome! That is exactly what you will get when you tune into It Starts at Vagus with your host, Emily Feist. Her passion? Helping others learn more about the vagus nerve so th…
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