In this episode, Lauren and Jessica reintroduce the Five Ives—Survive, Revive, Strive, Thrive, and Hive—and take a closer look at the first step: Survive. They explore how many people today are unknowingly stuck in a state of survival, shaped by trauma, chronic stress, the lingering effects of the pandemic, political unrest, and the constant stream of heavy information. Most don’t even realize they’re operating from this place, but the signs are clear: constant exhaustion, mood swings, avoidance, and a gut feeling that something just isn’t right.

Survival mode doesn’t stop with individuals—it shows up in organizations too. High turnover, disengagement, and burnout often indicate that an entire workplace is stuck in survival. Lauren and Jessica explain that when people within an organization are just trying to get by, the organization itself reflects that same struggle. But there’s hope. Whether you're an individual or part of a team, recognizing survival mode is the first step toward meaningful change—and you don’t have to stay stuck. We can help.

Other related resources from Five Ives:

Blog Post:

• What are the Five Ives?
• Why Traditional Employee Wellness Programs Fail (And What Works Instead)
• Survive Mode: Recognizing When Your Organization is in Crisis
• What are the Five Ives?

Podcast:

• A Five Category Regulation Framework - Five Ives!
• Using Our 5-Category Regulation Framework in the Workplace
• Impacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 Ps
• Impacting Organization Culture: Explaining the Second 2 Ps

Our Online Programs:

• Behavior Breakthrough
• Policing Under Pressure
• Board Governance Training

Subscribe to our mailing list and find out more about Stress, Trauma, Behavior and the Brain!

• Check out our Facebook Group – Five Ives!
• Five Ives Website website
• The Behavior Hub blog

If you’re looking for support as you grow your organization’s capacity for caring for staff and the community, we would love to be part of that journey.
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