
Understanding your nervous system in conflict with the authors of Beyond Difficult
From Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron by Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.
November 3, 2025 · 36 min · Season 8 · Episode 34
About this episode
This episode explores the science behind conflict and how our nervous systems and attachment histories influence our responses during disagreements.
Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever wondered why you become a different version of yourself during conflict… this episode is going to change the way you see those moments forever. I’m sitting down with psychologists and authors Rachel Samson and Dr. Jessie Stern to unpack the science beneath conflict: your attachment history, your temperament, your nervous system sensitivity, and how all of this shapes the way you argue, withdraw, pursue, or shut down. This episode is not about “how to argue bett...
People in this episode
Host: Cindy Hovington
Guests: Rachel Samson, Dr. Jessie Stern
Topics covered
- nervous system
- conflict resolution
- attachment history
- temperament
- psychology
- communication styles
Keywords
- nervous system
- conflict
- attachment
- psychology
- communication
- temperament
- withdraw
- argue
- shut down
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Beyond Difficult
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