Notes to My Nervous System: regulation, relationships, and real life.

Mind Circuit | Erin Vandermore
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

What happens when you understand your stress instead of fighting it? Notes to My Nervous System is a podcast about regulation, relationships, mental health, and the messy reality of being human. Hosted by therapist and former educator Erin Vandermore, LCMHC-S, the show brings together honest conversations about stress, burnout, parenting, relationships, attachment, boundaries, behavior, and the patterns we fall into when life becomes overwhelming. You’ll also hear Mom Therapy, a recurring series about the mental load, overstimulation, relationships, guilt, parenting, identity, ..life

  1. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    The Mental Load of Motherhood: Why Moms Do It All | Regulated-ish

    Why does everything seem to fall on Mom? From endless to-do lists and household chores to mom guilt, ADHD, and the fear of being called a nag, the invisible mental load of motherhood can be exhausting. In this episode of Regulated-ish, Erin and Meghan get real (and a little ridiculous) about what happens when women stop trying to manage everything and start letting other people take responsibility. Erin shares what happened when she stopped doing everything for her kids, while Meghan opens up about her two-and-a-half-year doom pile, body doubling, and the struggle to ask for help. They talk about setting boundaries without guilt, sharing household responsibilities, raising independent kids, communicating with partners, and why “I’ll just do it myself” isn’t always the easier option. Because sometimes the answer to feeling less overwhelmed isn’t getting better at doing everything. It’s realizing you don’t have to. Real conversations, plenty of laughs, and a reminder that you don’t have to carry the entire household in your head. This isn't therapy or a how-to show—it's two real humans noticing what's showing up and trying to be kinder to ourselves. If you're tired of perfectly staged mom content and want authentic conversation about women's health, mental health, and motherhood, this is your space. This conversation speaks to women navigating stress, advocacy for their own health, and the invisible nervous-system load so many carry quietly. Support the Show:If this episode helped you understand your wiring a little better, please follow the show and leave a 5-star review. It helps us reach more people looking for their own "Aha!" moments. Disclaimer: "Mom therapy" discussions are purely educational and do not replace clinical advice.  © 2026 Mind Circuit Inc. All right reserved.  YouTube → @MindCircuitIncWebsite → ⁠⁠https://mindcircuit.org⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠@Mindcircuit Meghan Samaras (@embracing_my_weirdness)    Regulated-ish: To moms, two cities one frequency   Two moms regulated in real time so you don’t have to do it alone

  2. 2d ago

    Nervous System & Self-Sabotage: Reclaiming Your Space | Natalie Siston

    What if the thing holding you back is not your ability, but a dysregulated nervous system telling you it is not safe to take up space? In this episode of mom therapy and real conversations, we explore why so many high-achieving women stay stuck in self-doubt, undercharge for their work, and wait for permission that never comes. This podcast is the audio companion to Mind Circuit: Ease. Pair today’s insights on inner saboteurs with the app’s Bilateral Brain Stimulation (BLS) and AI-powered mood tracking to actively process self-doubt, build internal safety, and step into the bigger version of your life. Today, host Erin Vandermore sits down with Natalie Siston—speaker, coach, author, and global presenter for Positive Intelligence. From a TEDx talk 10 years in the making to a keynote in Malaysia, Natalie shares her winding path from corporate sales coaching at a Fortune 100 company into entrepreneurship. She breaks down the framework that helps her clients spot their inner critics, build self-command, and learn the simple but powerful rule that it takes three positive thoughts to counter one negative thought. Why Positive Intelligence is the missing piece for people who have tried therapy, coaching, or personal development before but still feel stuck. How taking a saboteur assessment helps you identify patterns like the "Restless" and the "Stickler" before they run the show. The crucial difference between therapy and coaching, and how to know which one you actually need. Why busy working moms are the most common people to undervalue their own growth and feel guilt around asking to be paid. How to spot remedial coaching, bad-fit offers, and know when credentials matter more than charisma. The reality of what women are still taught around money, visibility, leadership, and the exhausting habit of saying yes to everything. If you have ever felt like you need permission to rest, invest in yourself, or go after the bigger version of your life, this conversation will hit hard. Perfect for women who are over-functioning for everyone else, and anyone ready to stop playing small. Download Mind Circuit: Ease today to access the somatic tools you need to support your growth. Website: mindcircuit.org Apple App Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for iOS Google Play Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for Android To connect with Natalie Siston, check out her book Let Her Out: Reclaim Who You've Always Been, and her keynote Permission Granted. Mom TherapyThe conversations moms are having in therapy but not always saying out loud. Disclaimer:The content provided in the Notes to My Nervous System podcast and the Mind Circuit: Ease app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or trauma recovery. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or read on the app. Copyright:© 2026 Notes to My Nervous System / Mind Circuit App. All rights reserved. What You Will DiscoverConnect With The Mind Circuit Ecosystem

  3. Oct 20

    Nervous System & Perfectionism: Breaking the Burnout Cycle | Dr. Sharon Martin

    Perfectionism does not make you better—it keeps your nervous system anxious, burned out, and convinced you are never quite enough. In this episode of real conversations and mom therapy, we explore why settling for "good enough" feels so threatening to a dysregulated nervous system, and how to stop chasing the impossible. This podcast is the audio companion to Mind Circuit: Ease. Pair today’s insights on releasing rigid expectations with the app’s Bilateral Brain Stimulation (BLS) and AI-powered mood tracking to actively process self-criticism, calm your inner critic, and find genuine safety in your body without having to earn it. Today, host Erin Vandermore, LCMHC-S, sits down with Sharon Martin to guide the conversation into the everyday places perfectionism shows up: the pressure to perform, the fear of being judged, the inability to ask for help, and the resentment that builds when your needs go unspoken. Sharon explains how rigid “shoulds,” achievement-based self-worth, and black-and-white thinking trap people in a cycle that never delivers the relief they are chasing. The crucial difference between healthy striving and toxic perfectionism. Why perfectionists constantly confuse their achievements with their self-worth. How self-criticism becomes a background noise that you eventually stop noticing. Why self-compassion actually improves performance, despite what your inner critic says. What to do when social media, comparison, and “doom-scrolling” trigger your perfectionist spiral. Practical ways to spot your inner critic, and why rest, boredom, and stillness feel almost impossible when you are stuck in performance mode. If you have ever felt guilty for resting, embarrassed by imperfection, or trapped by the need to control outcomes, this conversation offers a different way forward. The answer is not more pressure, but nervous system support. Download Mind Circuit: Ease today to access the somatic tools you need to loosen perfectionism’s grip and build a life that feels more balanced, resilient, and real. Website: mindcircuit.org Apple App Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for iOS Google Play Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for Android Mom TherapyThe conversations moms are having in therapy but not always saying out loud. Disclaimer:The content provided in the Notes to My Nervous System podcast and the Mind Circuit: Ease app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or trauma recovery. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or read on the app. Copyright:© 2026 Notes to My Nervous System / Mind Circuit App. All rights reserved.

  4. Oct 13

    Rebuilding Connection with Your Teen | Stacy Schaffer

    Teen screen battles are rarely just about screens—they are about dysregulated nervous systems, the deep need for belonging, and kids trying to survive a world that feels louder and more overwhelming than ever. In this episode of real conversations and mom therapy, we explore what is actually driving your teen's behavior. This podcast is the audio companion to Mind Circuit: Ease. Pair today’s insights on co-regulation with the app’s Bilateral Brain Stimulation (BLS) and AI-powered mood tracking to actively manage your own parenting triggers, safely reset your nervous system, and show up as the grounded anchor your teen needs. Today, host Erin Vandermore sits down with children’s therapist Stacy Schaefer, author of With Love From a Children’s Therapist. Stacy breaks down what parents, caregivers, and therapists need to understand about adolescent behavior right now—from dopamine-fueled scrolling and Snapchat streaks to why so many teens shut down, lash out, or melt down when devices get involved. If you have ever wondered where the line is between support and punishment, this conversation gives you a clearer, kinder way forward. Why time limits on screens matter more than most parents realize. The neuroscience behind dopamine-fueled scrolling and why it feels so hard to stop. How COVID permanently changed kids’ relationship with technology and connection. What happens to a teen's sense of safety when they feel left out because they do not have a device. Why your delivery and tone matter far more than using perfect wording when you talk to teens. How to use agency, choice, and radical acceptance without giving up your boundaries. The heavy emotional weight kids carry beyond technology—including lockdown drills, school violence, and the exhausting pressure to look fine online even when they are not. If you want a conversation that is honest, practical, and deeply human, this one will stay with you long after it ends. This episode is essential listening for anyone parenting a teen, supporting anxious kids, or trying to help young people build resilience. Start co-regulating with your teen by finding your own calm first. Download Mind Circuit: Ease today. Website: mindcircuit.org Apple App Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for iOS Google Play Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for Android Mom Therapy The conversations moms are having in therapy but not always saying out loud. Disclaimer:The content provided in the Notes to My Nervous System podcast and the Mind Circuit: Ease app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or trauma recovery. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or read on the app. Copyright:© 2026 Notes to My Nervous System / Mind Circuit App. All rights reserved.

  5. Oct 6

    Nervous System & Parenting: Why Emotional Maturity Matters More Than Perfection | Dr. Lindsay Gibson

    Most parents are taught to manage behavior, but what kids really need is a regulated nervous system so they can feel seen, safe, and emotionally connected. In this episode of real conversations and mom therapy, we explore what it actually takes to raise resilient kids without expecting perfection from yourself. This podcast is the audio companion to Mind Circuit: Ease. Pair today’s insights on family dynamics and generational healing with the app’s Bilateral Brain Stimulation (BLS) and AI-powered mood tracking to actively process your own parenting triggers, safely reset your nervous system, and show up as the grounded anchor your child needs. Today, host Erin Vandermore sits down with Dr. Lindsay Gibson, clinical psychologist and bestselling author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents and her new book, How to Raise an Emotionally Mature Child. Together, they unpack why so many families get stuck in cycles of blame, guilt, and dysregulation. If you have ever wondered why a child’s behavior can feel so confusing, or why some adults still act with the emotional capacity of a much younger child, this conversation will completely change how you view your relationships. What emotional maturity actually looks like in real life—not just in theory. Why a child’s behavior is often their clearest form of communication when their nervous system is overwhelmed. The critical difference between healthy authority and power-based relationships. How repair, apology, and genuine curiosity build lasting trust with kids. Why setting boundaries is really about protecting your vital energy, not just controlling others. How social-emotional learning fits into the bigger picture of raising capable, self-trusting humans. How role-based family dynamics keep people stuck, and what it means to finally trust your own internal signals. If you are a parent, therapist, educator, or anyone trying to build healthier relationships without losing yourself in the process, this episode is essential listening. Download Mind Circuit: Ease today to access the somatic tools you need to break generational patterns and build deep, lasting self-trust. Website: mindcircuit.org Apple App Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for iOS Google Play Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for Android Mom TherapyThe conversations moms are having in therapy but not always saying out loud. Disclaimer:The content provided in the Notes to My Nervous System podcast and the Mind Circuit: Ease app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or trauma recovery. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or read on the app. Copyright:© 2026 Notes to My Nervous System / Mind Circuit App. All rights reserved.

  6. Sep 29

    Nervous System & OCD: Overcoming Shame and Isolation | Nora Shalaway Carpenter

    When mental health support feels too expensive, distant, or stigmatized, your nervous system often speaks first. In this episode of real conversations and mom therapy, we explore what happens when shame, rural isolation, and undiagnosed OCD collide. This podcast is the audio companion to Mind Circuit: Ease. Pair today’s insights on trauma and healing with the app’s Bilateral Brain Stimulation (BLS) and AI-powered mood tracking to actively process hidden anxiety, reduce hypervigilance, and find genuine safety in your body. Today, host Erin Vandermore sits down with award-winning novelist Nora Shalaway Carpenter to unpack the hidden nervous system response behind denial and the exhaustion of trying to "self-suffice" through a crisis. Nora opens up about her own trauma-induced OCD, the long road to getting the right diagnosis, and why so many people dangerously misread OCD as just neatness or perfectionism. Together, they explore how fiction and storytelling can become a lifeline that lowers defenses and builds empathy. Why mental health struggles often show up as tension, shutdown, and hypervigilance in the body before they become words. How shame and stigma keep people from getting help, especially in rural communities. What cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) actually looked like in Nora's trauma recovery process. Why her novel The Edge of Anything and the co-edited anthology Absolutely Normal (with Rocky Callan) are changing how readers think about mental illness. How lived experience—not clinical labels—creates the most compassionate stories and helps people feel less alone. Vital resources for those living outside major cities, including the work of ruralminds.org. If you have ever hidden a struggle, loved someone who is suffering, or needed a reminder that mental health challenges are real, treatable, and never something to be ashamed of, this conversation is for you. If you need hope, language, or a gentler way into this conversation, start here. Download Mind Circuit: Ease today to access somatic tools and daily tracking that support your healing journey, no matter where you live. Website: mindcircuit.org Apple App Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for iOS Google Play Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for Android  Notes to My Nervous System is hosted by Erin Vandermore, founder of Mind Circuit™—a regulation-first platform developing brief, practical tools for schools. For adults who want access to these kinds of reset tools in everyday life, the adult version is available through the EASE™ app on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more at MindCircuit.org. Mom TherapyThe conversations moms are having in therapy but not always saying out loud. Disclaimer:The content provided in the Notes to My Nervous System podcast and the Mind Circuit: Ease app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or trauma recovery. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or read on the app. Copyright:© 2026 Notes to My Nervous System / Mind Circuit App. All rights reserved.

  7. Sep 24

    Nervous System & Parenting: Trusting Your Intuition and Co-Regulating Big Emotions | Dr. Mona

    Understanding the nervous system changes everything about how we parent. When a child reacts to stress, their behavior is not a problem to be fixed—it is a signal that their body needs safety. In this episode of real conversations and mom therapy, we explore how to handle big emotions, reparent yourself, and trust your own intuition in a world of information overload. This podcast is the audio companion to Mind Circuit: Ease. Pair today’s insights on co-regulation with the app’s Bilateral Brain Stimulation (BLS) and AI-powered mood tracking to actively process postpartum anxiety, manage sleep deprivation, and safely anchor your own nervous system so you can show up for your kids. Today, host Erin Vandermore sits down with Mona to unpack the realities of child development and postpartum mental health. Together, they discuss why your feelings are valid and important to acknowledge, how hormones and exhaustion impact new parents, and the profound difference between simply managing behavior and truly connecting. They also explore the power of vulnerability, sharing personal stories to break the cycle of generational trauma and isolation. Why understanding the nervous system is the ultimate game-changer for parents. How your specific parenting style influences your child's emotional responses. How to recognize when a child is dysregulated and the vital role of co-regulation and calming strategies. Breaking the cycle: What it actually looks like to reparent yourself and heal from past trauma. How to navigate social media, quiet the information overload, and learn to trust your own intuition. The unspoken realities of postpartum mental health and how to support yourself through anxiety. The science of attachment in early childhood and why community is essential for emotional growth. If you are navigating the heavy load of postpartum mental health, trying to break old family cycles, or simply feeling overwhelmed by your child's big emotions, you do not have to do it alone. Trust yourself and embrace the journey. Download Mind Circuit: Ease today to access the somatic tools and quick emotional resets that help you find your calm amidst the chaos of parenting. Website: mindcircuit.org Apple App Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for iOS Google Play Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for Android Mom TherapyThe conversations moms are having in therapy but not always saying out loud. Disclaimer:The content provided in the Notes to My Nervous System podcast and the Mind Circuit: Ease app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or trauma recovery. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or read on the app. Copyright:© 2026 Notes to My Nervous System / Mind Circuit App. All rights reserved.  Notes to My Nervous System is hosted by Erin Vandermore, founder of Mind Circuit™—a regulation-first platform developing brief, practical tools for schools. For adults who want access to these kinds of reset tools in everyday life, the adult version is available through the EASE™ app on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more at MindCircuit.org.

  8. Sep 22

    Nervous System & Intimacy: Moving From Shame to Connection | Laura Jurgens

    Shame keeps people silent about sex, but silence is exactly what keeps a dysregulated nervous system stuck in fear and shutdown. In this episode of real conversations and mom therapy, we explore why traditional talk therapy often falls short for sexual healing, and how somatic, body-based work can finally help your nervous system feel safe. This podcast is the audio companion to Mind Circuit: Ease. Pair today’s insights on attachment and body autonomy with the app’s Bilateral Brain Stimulation (BLS) and AI-powered mood tracking to actively process old shame, release bodily tension, and create genuine internal safety. Today, host Erin Vandermore sits down with Laura Jurgens, a nervous system, attachment, and intimacy coach. With a background in biology and evolutionary science, Laura brings a rare blend of hard science and body-based healing to a topic most people are still too uncomfortable to discuss. Together, they tackle the missing sex education, the limits of vague advice, and practical ways parents, partners, and individuals can start changing their intimacy patterns right now. Why intimacy struggles are not a sign that you are "broken," and why porn and vague advice are terrible teachers. How to recognize when you need a somatic specialist instead of a generalist talk therapist. The power of neuro-affective touch: a slow, consent-led approach designed to release old bracing, attachment wounds, and trauma held in the body. Why a truly reparative healing experience starts with being deeply respected, not pushed. How parents can model consent early on—from clothing choices to forced physical affection—to shape a child's lifelong body autonomy. How to spot your "growing edge" in healing, overcome fear, and finally ask for what you actually want. If you have ever felt shame about your desires, struggled to connect with your partner, or wondered how to help a teen build a healthier relationship with intimacy, this conversation offers a grounded, compassionate place to start. Download Mind Circuit: Ease today to access somatic tools that help you bring your body back into the conversation safely. Website: mindcircuit.org Apple App Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for iOS (Add your specific Apple link here) Google Play Store: Download Mind Circuit: Ease for Android (Add your specific Android link here) Mom TherapyThe conversations moms are having in therapy but not always saying out loud. Disclaimer:The content provided in the Notes to My Nervous System podcast and the Mind Circuit: Ease app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or physical/sexual trauma recovery. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast or read on the app. Copyright:© 2026 Notes to My Nervous System / Mind Circuit App. All rights reserved. What You Will DiscoverConnect With The Mind Circuit Ecosystem

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What happens when you understand your stress instead of fighting it? Notes to My Nervous System is a podcast about regulation, relationships, mental health, and the messy reality of being human. Hosted by therapist and former educator Erin Vandermore, LCMHC-S, the show brings together honest conversations about stress, burnout, parenting, relationships, attachment, boundaries, behavior, and the patterns we fall into when life becomes overwhelming. You’ll also hear Mom Therapy, a recurring series about the mental load, overstimulation, relationships, guilt, parenting, identity, ..life

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