Stuck Not Broken
Stuck Not Broken
Justin Sunseri
The Safety State: The Top of the Polyvagal Ladder
14 minutes Posted Jul 7, 2026 at 12:00 pm.
Safety Makes Life Manageable
Safety State Explained
What Safety Feels Like
Safety Brings Clear Thinking
How Safety Looks and Sounds
Touch Movement and Body Signs
Building More Access to Safety
What's needed for safety?
Meet Courtney
Wrap Up and Next Episode
0:00
14:27
Download MP3
Show notes

Safety is the state where life feels workable. Not perfect, just manageable. It's the top of the ladder and the place we're all reaching for, so this episode is about what it actually feels like in your body, what it looks like on someone's face and in their voice, and what it really takes to get there. You'll also meet Courtney, whose story we follow throughout the states from here.

๐Ÿ‘‰ New here?

Find your stuck state, and your starting place: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck

Or go straight to what's best for you:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Start free in the community: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/start

๐Ÿ“˜ Prefer to read, or want to support the show?: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/books

๐ŸŽง Practice on your own with the Self-Regulation Coach app: https://studio.com/justin/self-regulation-coach

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Prefer company? Move through it alongside others in the Unstucking Academy: https://www.stucknotbroken.com/unstuckingacademy

๐Ÿ˜Š About the Host: Justin Sunseri is a therapist and coach committed to helping you live with calm, confidence, and connection without psychobabble or woo-woo. Justin is the author of the Stuck Not Broken book series, a member of the Polyvagal Institute's Editorial Board, a father of two, and a husband.

โœ… Crisis resources:

  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233
  • LGBT Trevor Project Lifeline - 1 (866) 488-7386
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673
  • Crisis Text Line - Text โ€œHOMEโ€ to 741741
  • Call 911 for an emergency

This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (โ€œJustinLMFTโ€) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy.  Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship.  Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms.  Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).

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Mentioned in this episode:

Naming Your Stuckness

Not sure which stuck state you're in? That's normal, and more common than you'd think. I made a free page that lays the stuck states out in plain language so you can find words for what you're experiencing. No quiz, no email just to look:

https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=dynamic_spot&utm_campaign=stuck-page