Uncommon Practice

with Oren Shai
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Management

Bridging neuroscience, somatics, and leadership to challenge outdated norms, breathe life back into your day-to-day, and equip you to bring your presence into a world on autopilot. unpractice.substack.com

  1. 07/29/2025

    17 | Rachel Nazhand: Leadership that Breathes

    In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Nazhand, a seasoned ops leader who’s done the high-growth hustle, the burnout, the ER visits… and found her way back to herself. Through a deeply personal conversation, Rachel shares what it’s taken to move from hyper-productivity and depletion into a sustainable rhythm of leadership fueled by presence instead of pressure. Rachel proves that it is possible to lead in high-intensity environments without losing yourself. She’s worked across Fortune 100s, scrappy startups, and pre-IPO orgs, yet what makes her stand out to me goes beyond her resume: she integrates her somatic practice into how she leads, builds teams, and sustains her own well-being. We talk about: * The fallacy of control (and why “just take action” is a trap) * What the nervous system actually needs to reset at work * How she stopped equating worth with output * Tiny, subversive ways to rehumanize fast-paced work cultures * The weirdly transferable wisdom of toddler parenting And maybe most importantly, Rachel gives language to what so many high-achieving professionals feel: It might not be the job itself that’s unsustainable. It’s the way we’ve been taught to push through it. “Nobody’s thinking about you as much as you’re thinking about you—so you might as well use that to your advantage.” 🎧 Listen for real talk about success that doesn’t require self-sacrifice. Follow Rachel on LinkedIn Follow Oren on LinkedIn Learn more about somatic work for leaders at Feeling School. Learning something from the podcast? Leave a review, hit subscribe, and share this episode with one person who keep trying to optimize their way out of overwhelm. (We all know one.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

  2. 05/21/2025

    16 | Tamás Hovanyecz: The Relational Roots of Resilient Leadership

    What if resilience wasn’t something you build alone, but something we practice together? If you’ve ever noticed the way some well-intentioned leadership skills fall flat in high-stakes moments, this conversation is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with Tamás Hovanyecz — a leadership guide, facilitator, and highliner (yep, he willingly walks across ropes suspended hundreds of meters in the air) — to talk about how our nervous systems and relational patterns shape our capacity to lead, respond, and connect when it matters most. We explore: * Why most leadership development quietly collapses the moment pressure hits * What “relational intelligence” looks like in a room full of Type-A world-changers * The cost of staying in protection mode — for you, your team, and your nervous system * How systems mirror survival states (yes, your org chart might be dissociating) * What actually helps teams innovate during crisis (spoiler: it’s not grit) * How a slackline can expose your fear and your healing in 10 seconds flat Tamás also shares a story about what happens when you ask ambitious humans to slow down and just relate. (Spoiler: some tried to form a rebellion. Others had a breakthrough.) 💬 “Shifting how we interact and relate with each other is inherently changing the system.” — Tamás Hovanyecz The real shift doesn’t happen in your head. It happens in the space between us. As always, this show is about coming back into relationship — with your body, your people, your work. Not in theory. In practice. Mentioned in the episode: * Inner Mastery Lab: innermasterylab.co * WHO Cards: whocards.cc * Find Tamas on LinkedIn Find Oren on LinkedIn for the neuroscience of impact from the inside out Access the Working with Feeling newsletter and show notes Enjoy this episode? Leave a review, subscribe, and share the episode with one person you kinda like and want to have groundedness amidst the chaos of life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

  3. 04/01/2025

    15 | Marissa Morrison: Presence, Priorities, and the Power of Pause

    A relentless pace is the norm for most of us at work. For many leaders, especially those leading in distributed and fast-paced environments, the default has become more: more meetings, more obligations, more to prove. In this rich conversation with Marissa Morrison, we explore what becomes possible when we disrupt that default. When we pause. Marissa shares her journey from burnout to clarity, and the small-but-mighty practices she’s brought to herself and her teams—monthly prioritization check-ins, walk-and-talks, meeting resets, and making the phone call cool again. These are more than hacks. They are culture-shaping moves that remind us: we have agency. And beneath it all, this question: Am I present in my own life? Whether you’re a seasoned leader or early in your exploration of inner work, this episode offers both permission and practical ways to return to what matters. We touch on: • The cost of inherited urgency and what it takes to interrupt it • Why simplification is a leadership superpower • How to design your weeks around your natural energy rhythms • Moving from “shoulds” to “what fills my cup” • Life audits, seasonal practices, and evolving how we care for ourselves Clarity isn’t just a strategy tool — it happens through your nervous system. 🔗 Connect with Marissa Morrison on LinkedIn 🌀 Practice mentioned: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron 📝 Invitation: Try morning pages or a solo, tech-free walk this week. * Find Oren on LinkedIn for the neuroscience of impact from the inside out * Access the Working with Feeling newsletter and show notes Enjoy this episode? Leave a review, subscribe, and share the episode with one person you kinda like and want to have groundedness amidst the chaos of life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

  4. 03/04/2025

    14 | Wired to belong

    If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking while your friends just blurt things out with reckless ease, or if you’ve perfected the art of appearing engaged while internally planning an escape route — welcome. You’re human. And today we’ll uncover why the advice to ‘just be vulnerable’ is just plain silly. We’ll also get into the sneaky push/pull between cultural expectations and our biology, breaking down why high performers struggle with connection, and sharing two super simple practices to make social interactions feel less high-stakes. What we cover • The cultural myths that keep us stuck in isolation, despite our innate need for connection. • How our neurobiology reacts to vulnerability, and why ignoring it makes connection harder. • The SAD Cycle (Stress, Anxiety, and Depletion) and how it perpetuates disconnection. • Moving from an orientation of control to an orientation of connection. Key takeaways ✅ Connection is a biological necessity, not a luxury. Our nervous system depends on it. ✅ Hyper-individualism is a cultural lie. We cannot truly thrive alone. ✅ Vulnerability isn’t just emotional — it’s physiological. Understanding this helps us keep opening instead of avoiding. ✅ Somatic awareness is key. Noticing subtle shifts in the body allows us to catch protective patterns before they block connection. ✅ Small changes make a big difference. Two simple practices—deepening eye contact and resetting between interactions—can transform how we connect. Action steps 🔹 Note attention quality. Notice not just what someone is saying, but the emotional resonance behind their words. Where is your attention when you’re looking at someone? 🔹 Reset before interactions. Before meetings or social situations, take a few seconds to let go of whatever emotional charge you’re carrying, so you can arrive more fully present. Join the conversation 💬 What resonated most with you? What practice are you trying this week? DM Oren on LinkedIn or Substack. 📩 Need support in cultivating deeper connection and somatic awareness? Reach out to Oren for coaching, referrals, and practical resources. Support this work! ✔ Subscribe to Working with Feeling for more insights on human connection, nervous system fluency, and leading with presence. ✔ Leave a review to help spread these conversations and shift our culture toward one of deeper connection. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

  5. 02/02/2025

    13 | Jaclyn Pascocello: Belonging beyond work & home (Why we need a Third Space)

    How can we bring about more connection and belonging in personal and professional settings by addressing the root issue that lies beyond those walls? Join me as I sit down with Jaclyn Pascocello, founder of Fabrik, a third space designed to combat loneliness and foster deeper human connection. We explore the systemic roots of disconnection, the neuroscience behind why casual interactions matter, and practical steps for reclaiming real-life community in an increasingly digital world. What We Cover in This Episode ✅ The loneliness epidemic and its impact on mental & physical health ✅ The importance of second- and third-degree connections in our daily lives ✅ Why third spaces (beyond home and work) are essential for well-being ✅ The problem with corporate mental health initiatives that don’t address real human needs ✅ How organizations can rethink engagement & belonging in a way that actually works ✅ Small steps to cultivate more connection in your daily life ✅ Why re-learning social presence & interaction is key in a world of digital distraction ✅ Jaclyn’s personal somatic practices for grounding and presence About Jaclyn Pascocello Jaclyn is the founder of Fabrik, a unique third space in NYC designed to combat loneliness and foster meaningful connection. With a background in hospitality and startups, she has dedicated her career to creating spaces that bring people together in a disconnected world. Links * Connect with Jaclyn on LinkedIn * Check out Fabrik’s website * Find Oren on LinkedIn * Working with Feeling newsletter and show notes — Enjoy this episode? *Please leave a review*, subscribe, and share the episode with one person you kinda like and want to have a happy nervous system! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

  6. 01/14/2025

    12 | The meta-practice for working with feeling

    Something often missing in the conversation about nervous system regulation and emotional intelligence is the essential role of the ongoing practice of presence. It’s more tangible than it sounds, I promise. So, what is the 'Big P' practice that transcends traditional compartmentalized approaches to personal growth? How does it look to continuously engage with our inner state to connect more fully with the people and activities we care about? Being present in every moment is a worthy aspiration in a disconnected world where our attention is actively fragmented. Whatever your goals may be, coming back to a more whole presence facilitates them. And it starts now, in the body. Key Moments 05:35 Understanding Big P Practice 09:59 Nervous System Regulation and Presence 12:55 The Continuous Journey of Practice Links * Ido Portal on Youtube * Oren on LinkedIn * Working with Feeling newsletter with detailed show notes and resources Enjoy this episode? *Please leave a review*, subscribe, and share the episode with one person you kinda like and want to have a happy nervous system. Intro/outro music by Youssouf Karembe (licensed). Listen to the full track here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

  7. 12/10/2024

    11 | Elisabeth Kristof: Getting real about nervous system regulation

    This might be the most comprehensive approach to nervous system regulation and somatics you’ve heard. Listen in to this conversation so you can find the signal through all that noise out there as somatics and nervous system work continues going mainstream. Elisabeth Kristof’s work is unique and powerful, and stands out from the growing hype around somatics in several key ways we discuss. One of those ways: by addressing the power of going beyond our nervous system *outputs* and tending to sensory *inputs* essential for neuroplasticity for personal growth. This is how we get to the root of increasing our capacity for change from the inside out. We also address the very real challenges of modern life that often go unnamed, the dangers of those tempting cathartic experiences that center intense emotional release, and practical tools for healthy emotional expression and regulation. (Spoiler alert: you probably can’t “heal” your nervous system on one retreat in a Tulum jungle or Costa Rican beach.) What does a more holistic approach to nervous system health look like? And how do we move toward a personal growth paradigm for true, sustainable change which considers the unique history and physiology of the individual? Explore these questions with us so you can continue developing your personal practice and experiencing the aliveness you’ve known is possible. About Elisabeth Elisabeth Kristof, MA, is an Applied Neurology & Somatic Practitioner, and co-host of the Apple Top 100 podcast, Trauma Rewired. Elisabeth has been involved in neuro- and movement-based therapies since 2007, with a focus on the intersection of complex trauma and nervous system regulation for the past five years. Her expertise has positioned her as a leading voice in the field of trauma-informed neurology. Elisabeth is the founder of the Neurosomatic Intelligence (NSI) coaching certification program, an ICF-accredited course that trains practitioners, therapists, and coaches to harness the power of the nervous system for resilience, behavior change, and performance. She is also the founder of BrainBased.com an online community that uses applied neurology and somatics for nervous system health, emotional expression and resilience. Key Moments 00:00 Understanding the Nervous System and Emotional Processing 05:55 The Importance of Sensory Inputs in Behavior Change 11:55 Rehabilitation of the Nervous System in Modern Life 18:05 The Role of Neuroplasticity in Personal Growth 24:12 Navigating Emotional Experiences and Regulation 30:11 The Dangers of Cathartic Experiences 35:52 Practical Tools for Emotional Expression and Regulation Takeaways * Minimum effective dosing is crucial for emotional processing. * The nervous system's health is linked to physical movement. * Inputs from our body significantly influence our behavior. * Cognitive thoughts alone cannot create sustainable change. * Emotions are physiological experiences, not just thoughts. * Understanding our sensory input systems is essential for change. * Nervous system rehabilitation is necessary in modern life. * Neuroplasticity allows for both positive and negative adaptations. * Emotional expression is vital for physical and mental health. * Daily practices can significantly improve nervous system function. Links * Elisabeth on Instagram * Neurosomatic Intelligence * BrainBased * Trauma Rewired Podcast * Oren on LinkedIn * Working with Feeling newsletter and show notes — Enjoy this episode? *Please leave a review*, subscribe, and share the episode with one person you kinda like and want to have a happy nervous system! Intro/outro music by Youssouf Karembe (licensed). Listen to the full track here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

  8. 11/08/2024

    10 | Somatic Side: What to do when your gas pedal is stuck

    Why is it often hard to truly relax? And what’s happening beneath the surface when we feel “wired but tired”? Following our last chat with Rachel Hamlin, we break down why downregulation can be so tricky in modern life, and cover practical somatic tools to have in your back pocket. If you’ve ever found yourself on the thought carousel at night and struggling to step off, this one’s for you. Key Ideas [01:00] Why It’s So Hard to Switch Off Oren explains why our ancient survival wiring clashes with our modern environment, making relaxation something we have to re-learn. [02:30] The Science of Downregulation Discover what downregulation is, why “just relaxing” doesn’t work, and how the autonomic nervous system responds to constant, low-grade stressors. [04:30] The Window of Tolerance: Finding Your Center An intro to Dan Siegel’s Window of Tolerance, a framework that helps you get a sense of your arousal level so you can determine what you need. [06:30] Practical Tools for Unwinding Accessible techniques to based on the “Clearing” and “Caring” pathways. [09:30] Clearing vs. Caring: Choosing the Right Practice Two distinct approaches to managing arousal — one to release excess energy, the other to gently soothe. Somatic practices are not one-size-fits-all. Learn how to personalize these practices, tune into your body’s unique signals, and adjust based on what feels right for you. — View the full show notes with any accompanying visuals. Connect with Oren on LinkedIn — Enjoy this episode? *Please leave a review*, subscribe, and share the episode with one person who could benefit from shifting from control to connection in life and leadership. Intro/outro music by Youssouf Karembe (licensed). Listen to the full track here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unpractice.substack.com

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5
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About

Bridging neuroscience, somatics, and leadership to challenge outdated norms, breathe life back into your day-to-day, and equip you to bring your presence into a world on autopilot. unpractice.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    with Oren Shai
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © neurorebel
  • Show Website
    Uncommon Practice