Dr. Caroline Leaf Podcast

Have you ever walked into your family home for the holidays and felt yourself slipping back into old patterns—people-pleasing, shutting down, overreacting—even when you thought you’d grown past them? It’s not just psychological—it’s neurological.In this episode, I break down the science behind why holiday visits activate dormant emotional pathways and how to stay anchored in your present identity. You’ll learn practical tools to interrupt old scripts and keep control of your mind, even when the environment tries to pull you back.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅ Why childhood environments trigger survival patterns in adulthood✅ How familiar voices, smells, and rooms activate your limbic system✅ The 3-step Holiday Grounding Plan to avoid emotional regression✅ Simple Neurocycle® strategies to keep you in control before, during, and after visits