Part I – Reptilian Brain Behavior

Welcome back to If Left Unchecked… Season Two — a deeper dive into how our minds actually work and why so many of us live in constant survival mode.

In this episode, Jason Gillette introduces the first part of the series: the “reptilian brain” — not as a diagnosis, but as a behavior pattern many of us carry from past experiences and trauma. The focus isn’t labeling people; it’s understanding why we react before we think, why we struggle to rest, and why success doesn’t always feel safe.

Jason shares his own story of realizing he never truly left survival mode — even after accomplishments, stability, and growth. The episode explores how survival thinking can quietly shape relationships, work, identity, and even small daily habits. When survival becomes the default, we may sacrifice presence, peace, and connection without realizing it.

This series is about awareness: learning when survival protects us and when it limits us. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with me?” we begin asking, “What narrative am I operating from — and is it still serving me?”

Because healing isn’t about fixing who you are.

It’s about recognizing what you no longer have to carry.