Episode's summary
This oneâs a little more sciencey than I usually go, but Iâve done that on purpose. Because if youâre anything like the women I work with, you donât just want toolsâŚYou want to understand how and why things actually work. You want to know whatâs really going on when youâre spiralling, shutting down, over-apologising, or trying to force calm but feeling anything but. So in this conversation, Iâm walking you through the inner mechanics of emotional regulation, and the real reason why all your mindset work, breathwork, and journaling sometimes still donât cut it. Weâre talking: The role of the amygdala (your brainâs built-in alarm system) The prefrontal cortex (your inner CEO that goes offline when youâre overwhelmed) Why emotional hijacks arenât personal flaws, theyâre survival responses How neuroplasticity means you can retrain your emotional patterns And how grounding practices like breathwork, movement, and rest donât just âfeel goodâ; they literally help your brain come back online I created this to helpâŚ
This oneâs a little more sciencey than I usually go, but Iâve done that on purpose. Because if youâre anything like the women I work with, you donât just want toolsâŚYou want to understand how and why things actually work. You want to know whatâs really going on when youâre spiralling, shutting down, over-apologising, or trying to force calm but feeling anything but. So in this conversation, Iâm walking you through the inner mechanics of emotional regulation, and the real reason why all your mindset work, breathwork, and journaling sometimes still donât cut it. Weâre talking: The role of the amygdala (your brainâs built-in alarm system) The prefrontal cortex (your inner CEO that goes offline when youâre overwhelmed) Why emotional hijacks arenât personal flaws, theyâre survival responses How neuroplasticity means you can retrain your emotional patterns And how grounding practices like breathwork, movement, and rest donât just âfeel goodâ; they literally help your brain come back online I created this to helpâŚ
Episodes
episode 81: đ Why You React Before You Think: Emotional Hijacks, Explained
ListenedThis oneâs a little more sciencey than I usually go, but Iâve done that on purpose. Because if youâre anything like the women I work with, you donât just want toolsâŚYou want to understand how and why things actually work. You want to know whatâs really going on when youâre spiralling, shutting down, over-apologising, or trying to force calm but feeling anything but. So in this conversation, Iâm walking you through the inner mechanics of emotional regulation, and the real reason why all your mindset work, breathwork, and journaling sometimes still donât cut it. Weâre talking: The role of the amygdala (your brainâs built-in alarm system) The prefrontal cortex (your inner CEO that goes offline when youâre overwhelmed) Why emotional hijacks arenât personal flaws, theyâre survival responses How neuroplasticity means you can retrain your emotional patterns And how grounding practices like breathwork, movement, and rest donât just âfeel goodâ; they literally help your brain come back online I created this to helpâŚ
Episode 80: How to Become more Discerning | Discernment
Listenedđ¤ In this episode, Arianna explores the concept of discernment, particularly for high performers who often struggle with knowing when to push and when to rest. She emphasises the importance of self-awareness and nervous system regulation as foundational elements for making aligned decisions. Through practical insights and personal anecdotes, Arianna guides listeners on how to cultivate discernment in their daily lives, embrace discomfort as a source of data, and develop a deeper relationship with themselves to enhance their decision-making processes. đ Takeaways Discernment is the ability to make aligned decisions amidst pressure. Nervous system regulation is crucial for effective discernment. Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence. Discomfort should be viewed as data, not failure. High performers often struggle with knowing when to rest. Practising discernment on small decisions builds the muscle for larger ones. Creating stillness practices helps in recognising inner cues. TrustingâŚ
Episode 79: Practices for Recovery (Simple)
Listenedđđđđ¤ In this conversation, Arianna discusses the importance of intentionality in personal practices such as breath work, meditation, and movement. She emphasizes the need to regulate the nervous system through specific techniques and how to anchor the mind during meditation. Additionally, she highlights the significance of physical movement and yoga in maintaining body awareness and managing mental distractions. Finally, she introduces the Stillness Method, a structured 30-day program designed to help individuals cultivate these practices effectively. đ Takeaways 00:00 Intentional Living: The Key to Success 01:50 Regulating Your Nervous System 04:37 Anchoring Your Mind 07:15 The Importance of Physical Activity 09:42 Overcoming Mental Barriers 12:10 The Stillness Method: A 30-Day Journey đ¤ Stillness PLAYLIST LINK: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIS1OC2OeNNfmxiEWcsBOsisItTjDfpxC&si=wCEwZtE3QkZbzLV3 đ¤ Join the Stillness Method here: https://www.ariannapienaar.com/stillness đ¤ Yoga Nidra Practices:âŚ
EPISODE 78: What to do if you struggle to rest
ListenedIf rest feels frustrating, unproductive, or even impossibleâyouâre not alone. In this episode of The Art of Stillness, we explore why so many high-achieving women find it hard to slow down, even when they know they need to. You'll learn: The hidden resistance to rest (and what itâs really protecting) How your nervous system interprets stillness Why âdoing nothingâ can feel unsafeâand what to do about it Gentle practices to build your rest tolerance over time Whether youâve been stuck in hustle mode or feel guilty for slowing down, this episode offers grounded guidance, compassion, and practical tools to support your body and mind in recalibrating your relationship with rest.
EPISODE 78: [đď¸ EPISODE 7 BONUS SERIES]: Coming Home to Yourself: Living and Leading with Alignment
ListenedThis is the integration. The moment where all the insights, pauses, and shifts youâve experienced throughout this series begin to land. In this final episode, we explore what it means to lead from clarity, to live from energy, and to trust yourself againâfully. This is the place where force fades and magnetism rises. Where success feels less like striving and more like receiving. Youâll meet the version of you who knows how to choose herself without apology. Who no longer edits her truth to be palatable. If youâre ready to stop outsourcing your power and start living as the woman you were always meant to be, this one is for you. This is your still step forward. Letâs take it together.