In this episode of The Constructed Awareness Podcast, host Tyler Orr is joined by clinicians Jamie Morehart and Christina Kantzavelos to explore the Constructed Awareness (CA) theory of orientation styles—mental, sensation, and external—and how these orientations shape our experience, self-regulation, and relationships. Each guest embodies one of the three orientations: Tyler is mentally oriented, Jamie is sensation oriented, and Christina is externally oriented. Together, they share personal stories, clinical insights, and deeply honest reflections on how these ways of experiencing the world influence everything from chronic illness to communication, empathy, and attachment patterns. This episode is both a primer on CA theory and a rich discussion on what it means to tune into ourselves and others more fully.
Key Moments & Timestamps: 00:00–02:00 – Intro and guest introductions Tyler introduces Jamie and Christina and sets up the conversation as a three-way dialogue among different orientation styles. 02:00–04:30 – Overview of Constructed Awareness theory Tyler explains the three building blocks (thoughts, sensations, external senses) and the CA principles. 06:08–09:03 – Orientation patterns in clients The group discusses which orientations are most common and how these patterns show up in their practices. 09:03–13:05 – Jamie on sensation orientation and being a highly sensitive person Jamie shares how CA helped her trust her embodied experience and manage empathic overwhelm. 17:52–20:31 – Jamie on how she regulates through physical comfort She describes using weighted blankets, ice water, and sensory tuning to stay grounded. 21:38–24:10 – Jamie on movement and nonverbal expression Jamie talks about how shaking, vocal vibration, and physical release help regulate emotion. 25:02–27:00 – Tyler on the contrast between mental and sensation orientation Tyler shares how moving out of his mind and into his body during CA practices changed his perspective on regulation. 27:17–30:36 – Christina on external orientation and people-pleasing Christina discusses how being externally oriented led to disconnection from her inner world and how CA helped her return to it. 30:36–33:52 – Christina on disembodiment and reclaiming her body She explains how being present with sensations helped her heal from chronic illness and reconnect with herself. 35:42–37:44 – Tyler’s story of becoming aware of his environment for the first time He recounts a powerful moment of shifting from mental to external orientation. 38:22–43:04 – Attachment patterns and how orientation styles develop The group reflects on how childhood experiences shape which building blocks we cling to. 44:06–46:35 – Chronic illness and orientation Jamie and Christina describe how CA has helped clients reduce pain and Jamie shares her own story of resolving chronic migraines. 46:35–53:44 – “Talking With Your Hands” and building a sensation vocabulary Jamie and Christina explain how describing internal sensations using tactile language supports regulation and clarity. 55:17–57:15 – Jamie and Tyler on the difference between drowning in sensation and observing it Jamie reflects on how the building blocks support each other and allow for true emotional presence. 57:15–58:57 – Wrapping up: CA, tuning, and how awareness leads to change Tyler shares a powerful story of how CA helped him break a conflict pattern and respond differently through awareness. 01:01:07–01:03:12 – Where to learn more and closing remarks The guests share how to contact them, and Tyler announces upcoming CA trainings and CE offerings.