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This week on Mojo Monday, Carly explores three powerful lenses we can use to make sense of our emotional suffering — Blame, Brain and Environment — and explains why understanding ourselves through multiple perspectives, rather than a single narrow narrative, can restore agency, clarity and direction.

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In this episode, I chat with Dr Kevin Tracy, a renowned researcher and inventor, about his journey in medicine and the significance of the vagus nerve in health. Kevin shares personal anecdotes, including the impact of his mother's illness on his career path. The discussion delves into the vagus nerve's role in regulating inflammation, heart rate variability, and its potential in treating autoimmune diseases through vagus nerve stimulation. Kevin emphasises the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and the need for further research in this promising field.

Key Takeaways:

• The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating inflammation.
• Heart rate variability is a measure of vagal tone but has limitations.
• Vagus nerve stimulation shows promise in treating autoimmune diseases.
• Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation.
• The vagus nerve connects the brain and immune system, influencing health.
• Cold exposure may activate the vagus nerve and reduce inflammation.
• Healthy lifestyle choices are essential for overall well-being.
• Future research may uncover more applications for vagus nerve stimulation.

02:49 Personal Journey into Medicine

08:37 The Vagus Nerve: A Key to Health

14:50 Heart Rate Variability and Vagal Tone

31:28 The Inflammatory Reflex and Vagus Nerve

45:46 Clinical Applications of Vagus Nerve Stimulation

51:11 Future Directions in Vagus Nerve Research

Resources

Connected with Dr Kevin Tracey

Kevin's latest book:

The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes

https://feinstein.northwell.edu/institutes-researchers/our-researchers/kevin-j-tracey-md

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjtraceymd/

X https://x.com/KevinJTraceyMD

Support the Podcast

If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

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We’re often told to “just stay positive” when things get tough. But what if that advice actually makes it harder to cope?

In this Mojo Monday, Carly explores the difference between positive thinking and realistic optimism, drawing on the Stockdale Paradox and a powerful personal story from her family’s experience navigating serious illness.

This episode is about facing reality honestly, without losing hope, and why accepting what is can be the first step toward meaningful action.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between how life is and how you wish it were, this one’s for you.

Carly Taylor is a counsellor and mindset coach with a Master of Counselling. Trained in Japanese Psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and a member of the Australian Counselling Association, she helps people develop practical tools to live purposeful, engaged lives.

To find out more about Carly, visit www.carlytaylorcoaching.com.au.
Follow her on Instagram: carly_taylor_coaching

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In this podcast episode, Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky discusses her extensive research on happiness, including defining happiness and the historical context of its study. She elaborates on the two components of happiness: experiencing positive emotions and believing that life is good. Sonja also outlines the genetic, circumstantial, and behavioural influences on happiness and addresses the impact of mental health issues. The conversation covers cultural factors, the role of social connection, and various strategies to boost happiness, such as acts of kindness, gratitude, and engaging conversations.

Key Takeaways

• Positive Social Connections Are Crucial: Developing strong social ties and feeling connected with others are significant contributors to a person's overall happiness.
• Small Acts, Big Impact: Engaging in simple acts of kindness can boost happiness for oneself and others. This practice fosters a sense of connection and community.
• Personalisation of Happiness Strategies: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to happiness. It's important to find what works best for you, as happiness strategies can be tailored to one's personality and preferences.
• Gratitude and Mindfulness: Integrating gratitude into daily routines and savouring positive experiences can profoundly impact overall life satisfaction.
• Biological and Psychological Interaction: Understanding that biology and psychology are intertwined helps highlight the importance of holistic approaches to improving mental health.
• Life Circumstances and Happiness: While genetics and personality play a role, life circumstances and how one responds to them can significantly influence one's happiness levels.

Resources

Connect with Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky

Website: https://sonjalyubomirsky.com/

Buy How To Feel Loved: https://howtofeelloved.com/buy-the-book/

Take the 5 Mindsets Quiz: https://tally.so/r/Pd1l0d

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonjalyubomirsky/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-lyubomirsky-21283bb/

00:34 Journey into Happiness Research

01:55 Defining Happiness

03:00 Genetics and Happiness

05:31 Life Stages and Happiness

10:15 Cultural Influences on Happiness

22:34 Gratitude and Happiness

29:33 Awe and Gratitude in Everyday Life

30:23 The Neuroscience of Gratitude

31:12 Acts of Kindness and Their Impact

34:03 The Role of Biology in Mental Health

36:29 Designing Experiments on Happiness

38:45 Personality Traits and Happiness

40:58 Cultivating Happiness Through Daily Practices

47:25 The Complexity of Human Behaviour

52:53 Future Directions in Happiness Research

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A simple process for when emotions feel like too much. Carly shares MOVE, a practical way to respond to difficult feelings and keep living your life.

Carly Taylor is a counsellor and mindset coach with a Master of Counselling. Trained in Japanese Psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and a member of the Australian Counselling Association, she helps people develop practical tools to live purposeful, engaged lives.

To find out more about Carly, visit www.carlytaylorcoaching.com.au.
Follow her on Instagram: carly_taylor_coaching

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.