53. Inside the Emotional Systems That Shape Us

In this episode of the Connection Therapy Podcast, Dr. Brenda Murrow explores how our most basic emotional systems—shared with other mammals—shape both our behavior and overall well-being. Drawing from the work of Jaak Panksepp, Mark Solms, and Temple Grandin, she breaks down how concepts like allostasis, heart rate variability, and emotional flexibility connect to mental health and personality.You’ll hear how Panksepp’s seven emotional systems can be translated into meaningful clinical work, how Mark Solms defines consciousness through the lens of biology, and why it matters that living beings must stay within specific physiological ranges. Dr. Murrow also introduces the idea of personality as a reflection of our brain’s strategy for staying regulated over time—not just day-to-day, but across our lifespan.This episode challenges traditional personality assessments and highlights why moderate, adaptable functioning is often a more useful marker of mental health than extreme traits. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Temple Grandin, we consider how factors like genetics, environment, and sensory processing shape individual behavior—and how visualizing emotional systems like adjustable “volume knobs” can help both clients and clinicians understand themselves better.Whether you're a mental health professional or simply interested in how emotional and biological systems work together, this conversation offers a compelling blend of science, experience, and practical application.Enjoying the podcast?There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlistReferences:Grandin, T. (2018). My reflections on understanding animal emotions for improving the life of animals in zoos. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 21(Suppl 1), 12–22. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/10888705.2018.1513843Marchant, J., Khazan, I., Cressman, M., & Steffen, P. (2025). Comparing the effects of square, 4–7-8, and 6 breaths-per-minute breathing conditions on heart rate variability, CO~~2~~ levels, and mood. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 50(2), 261–276. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10484-025-09688-zPanksepp, J. & Biven, L. (2012). The Archaeology of mind: Neuroevolutionary origins of human emotions. New York, NY: Norton.Solms, Mark on Brain Science with Ginger Campbell, MD podcast, May 28, 2021Steffen, P. R., & Olsen, J. A. (2025). Conceptualizing personality as individualized allostasis: Exploring a balanced measure of personality for psychotherapy/psychophysiology integration. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 50(2), 277–287. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10484-025-09700-6