EPISODE · Nov 25, 2025 · 16 MIN
Policy as a Nervous System
from Returning to Us · host Lauren Spigelmyer & Jessica Doering
Lauren shares how policies and procedures act like an organization’s neural pathways, shaping safety, trust, and overall regulation. Punitive or confusing policies create anxiety, while clear and compassionate ones build stability and support.She explains the difference between stress-driven and safety-driven policies and offers simple steps to make them more regulating. Lauren encourages listeners to reflect on their own policies and take one small step toward a safer, more supportive workplace.Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited CourseLearn about the Staff Sustainability System a proven system to reduce burnout at the rootOther related resources from Five Ives: Blog Post: Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in CrisisWhat are the Five Ives?Podcast:Meetings that Calm, Not DrainThe Regulated Organization: What it Means to be a Regulated OrganizationRetain: Sustaining Staff, Culture, and CapacityReinforce- Ensuring that Change becomes Cultural Muscle Memory Reset: Moving from Relief to Real TransformationStage 1: Relieve — Stabilizing in Survival ModeWhy Women in Leadership MicromanageUnderstanding Burnout & Turnover in Trauma Impacted OrganizationsThe Regulated Team: Creating Cultures that BreatheHive- The Last Stage of the Five IvesThrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five IvesStrive- The Third Stage of the Five IvesRevive- The Second Stage of the Five IvesSurvive- The First Stage of the Five IvesOur Online Programs: Behavior BreakthroughPolicing Under PressureBoard Governance TrainingUniversity of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited CourseSubscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!Five Ives Website websiteThe Behavior Hub blogIf you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey. Schedule a free discovery call and let us be your guideAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What this episode covers
Lauren shares how policies and procedures act like an organization’s neural pathways, shaping safety, trust, and overall regulation. Punitive or confusing policies create anxiety, while clear and compassionate ones build stability and support. She explains the difference between stress-driven and safety-driven policies and offers simple steps to make them more regulating. Lauren encourages listeners to reflect on their own policies and take one small step toward a safer, more supportive workp...
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Policy as a Nervous System
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