Growing Tall Poppies Podcast Season 3, Episode 103

When Trust Is Broken: What It Does To Your Nervous System

Podcast| Growing Tall Poppies| Season 3
May 04, 2026•2 min read

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast: Season 03, Episode 103

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When trust is broken, your nervous system doesn’t forget - it adapts.

In this episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr Nat Green explores what really happens when trust is disrupted - not just emotionally, but physiologically.

Because trust isn’t just relational. It’s something your nervous system experiences as safety.

And when that safety is compromised, your system adapts in ways you may not even realise. You may find yourself more “on”, more controlling, more self-reliant - without fully understanding why.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • Why trust is not just emotional - it’s neurological and physiological

  • How your system registers “this isn’t safe”

  • The subtle signs of nervous system activation after trust is broken

  • Why you may start overthinking, controlling, and holding more

  • The difference between “I need to trust more” vs “my system doesn’t feel safe yet”

  • How to begin restoring safety without forcing change

Key Insight

It’s not that you don’t trust.

It’s that your system doesn’t feel safe to.

Reflection Questions

  • Are you more “on” than usual?

  • Are you holding more responsibility?

  • Are you finding it harder to switch off?

Your system may be responding to a perceived loss of safety.

Gentle Ways to Support Your System

  • Slow your breath

  • Soften your body

  • Let something be unfinished

  • Reduce the need to control everything.

Explore Your Archetype

If this resonates, you can go deeper by understanding your unique pattern.

Take the free Archetypes of Transformation quiz to identify:

  • Your dominant archetype

  • Where your system holds stress

  • What’s shaping your response to pressure and control

👉 Take the Quiz here: quiz.drnataliegreen.com.au

Learn More & Connect

Follow or connect with Dr Nat for reflections, tools, and insights on identity, nervous system integration, and post-traumatic growth:

Next Episode

👉 Episode 104 - Coming Soon

Previous Episode

👉 Episode 102 - I Thought It Was a Strategy Problem... But It Was a Nervous System Trust Pattern

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Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast

Hosted by Dr Nat Green, this podcast empowers individuals to rise above trauma and create lasting transformation. Each episode features inspiring stories, expert advice, and practical strategies to help you break free from adversity, build confidence, and thrive. Tune in for real conversations that inspire personal growth and resilience.