Polyvagal Talks: Clinicians & Scientists in Dialogue with Stephen W. Porges

Summary

Conversations among thought leaders about the transformational applications of Polyvagal Theory.

Stephen Porges first introduced Polyvagal Theory in 1994. In the decades since, its neurobiological explanation for how our nervous system shapes behavior, communication, and health has profoundly influenced trauma treatment. Increasingly, the polyvagal perspective has also informed wellness, healthcare practice, and broader societal understanding. This exchange has been reciprocal: while PVT has influenced innovators across fields, their insights have in turn shaped the theory, pushing it toward greater relevance and practical application.

This volume presents conversations between Stephen Porges and leading figures including Bessel van der Kolk, Gabor Maté, Deb Dana, Daniel J. Siegel, Peter Levine, and others. These dialogues show how Polyvagal Theory has shaped their work and lives, while also revealing how their perspectives continue to inform and challenge the theory. Both personal and academic, reflective and forward-looking, the conversations highlight how PVT contributes to fields as varied as child development, attachment, trauma studies, and healthcare, while deepening our understanding of human resilience and healing.