Hosted by Kosha Joubert. Produced by J’aime Rothbard.

Deb Dana is a pioneering clinician who has helped thousands of people to understand how our nervous systems shape our capacity for healing, connection, safety and peace.

In this episode, Deb shares how we can learn to notice when we’re receiving the cues of unsafety that cause us to withdraw. This first step can support us to consciously choose to connect with the resources that allow us to stay related to people or situations that might otherwise cause us to turn away.

As host Kosha Joubert explains, at a time when so many people are living with stress, trauma, and uncertainty, Deb’s work reminds us that peace does not begin only in institutions or negotiations — it begins in our capacity to feel safe enough to connect with one another.

The first part of the conversation provides practical guidance on how we can befriend our own nervous systems and grow our ability to respond rather than react when we feel triggered or challenged.

Deb also shows how the work we do to regulate ourselves forms the foundation of effective work to transform our family systems, communities, and old societal structures that now need to evolve into something new.

“We can create the conditions that help us come into connection,” Deb says. “From there, we can begin to build more peace in the world. It’s only through feeling safe enough to be here in my full presence and to reach out to you that we can be peace-builders.”

This conversation was recorded at a Pocket Project community call held on International Women’s Day – March 8, 2026 – to explore women’s power to stand for peace.  

REGISTER HERE : It’s not too late to hear over 20 incredible converations on peace building at the Pocket Project World Women Summit 2026: Women Rising for Peace. On Friday, April 3 and Saturday April 4, you can still register to gain access to the full list of 22 speakers with the option to upgrade to lifetime access to the Summit and also receive The Peace Lessons. 

The Peace Lessons are a gentle yet powerful invitation to walk this question together. These lessons bring to you the nuggets of gold and distilled wisdom of the World Women Summit. 

Beginning on Easter Sunday, you will receive 7 daily emails, each offering a condensed and easily digestible inspiration  from the Summit, designed to support you in walking your path to inner and outer peace every day. Together, we grow a field of presence, connectedness, and groundedness in times of upheaval and rupture. Register Here. 

Further Resources:

Rhythm of Regulation, Deb Dana’s website

Befriending our Nervous System, Creating Spaces of Safety Within & Without (Pocket Project Self-Study Masterclass with Deb Dana)

Pocket Project World Women Summit 2026: Women Rising for Peace

About Deb Dana:

Deb Dana, is a clinician, consultant, and author. She is a founding member of Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and advisor to Unyte. Deb is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both clear and accessible and for her significant contribution pioneering Rhythm of Regulation® methodology and practices which open up the power of Polyvagal Theory for professionals and curious people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life.

Deb is the author of The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client-Centered Practices, Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety, Polyvagal Prompts: Finding Connection and Joy Through Guided Explorations, Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory, co-editor of Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies, and creator of the Polyvagal Flip Chart and the Polyvagal Card Deck.