Ep 227 The Truth About Strangers

04/23/25 • 22 min

Have you ever had a brief moment with a stranger that unexpectedly lifted your mood or shifted your entire day? Whether it’s a kind smile from a passerby, a chatty waiter who made you feel seen, or a stranger’s calm presence in a stressful moment—these small interactions carry a surprisingly big impact.

In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah explores the powerful role strangers play in regulating our nervous system. You’ll learn:

• Why your nervous system craves small social interactions

• How strangers can actually help you co-regulate

• Practical, everyday ways to spark meaningful moments with people you don’t know

Leah also shares two touching stories—one from her grandmother’s life during Nazi Germany, and another from a simple dinner out—that illustrate how fleeting connections can help us feel grounded, safe, and deeply human.

These are more than just “nice moments”—they are opportunities for resilience, healing, and community in a disconnected world.

Nervous System Journaling Club:

https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1

Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation:

📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care

📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5IUVWcPthGPmTEq-jxcQPIk6tJpD99-XnLM99GwSBXJAkLyMdFN0CDDHLFdHGcc6EyM4DO8tnnH7ji7szBwh9d_76vqB8xH_Je8QPF3ROg.IGiR3gw4FamENcFMJSSGVx4FuM81aMBrYya9EStW-lY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1742349206&sr=8-1&th=1

🎧 Tune in now and discover how strangers can help you come home to yourself.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah explores the powerful role strangers play in regulating our nervous system. You’ll learn:

• Why your nervous system craves small social interactions

• How strangers can actually help you co-regulate

• Practical, everyday ways to spark meaningful moments with people you don’t know

These are more than just “nice moments”—they are opportunities for resilience, healing, and community in a disconnected world.

Nervous System Journaling Club:

https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1

Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation:

📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care

📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

🎧 Tune in now and discover how strangers can help you come home to yourself.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Builder or Wrecker: The Power of Words and Nervous System Cues

Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That’s not how I meant it to come out...” or felt the sting of someone else’s words lingering long after? The truth is, our words have weight—and they either build or break. But it’s not just what we say; it’s how we say it, and even more, how we’re showing up in our nervous system when we do.

In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, we explore the invisible but powerful role your nervous system plays in communication. Are you speaking from safety—or from survival? Are your words landing as support or as a threat?

Join me as we unpack:

• What it means to be a builder or a wrecker in everyday interactions

• How nervous system cues influence how your words are received

• Real-life strategies to communicate with more compassion, clarity, and regulation

• Why co-regulation matters—and what isn’t your responsibility

• And six practical tools you can start using today to build better connections

Nervous System Journaling Club:

https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1

Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation:

📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care

📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

This episode is a gentle but eye-opening invitation to reflect, reset, and rewire how you show up in your relationships—with yourself and others. Let’s build better, together.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Why Going Back Isn't Healing And What Is?

Stressed out with no time for meditation, breathwork, or long walks? In this video, Leah Davidson teaches you the Safety Sequence—a rapid, science-backed 3-step tool to reset your nervous system in the middle of real life. Whether you’re frozen, spiraling, or shut down, this technique will ground you, reconnect you, and keep you in the game.

Learn why your body panics even when you’re safe, and how to stop it—fast.

Nervous System Journaling Club:

https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1

Get My Resilience Journal to help you learn about nervous system regulation:

📝 Resilience: A Guided Journal for Emotional Well-Being & Nervous System Care

📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

🔔 Hit Subscribe for more nervous system hacks and resilience-building tools!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.