The Road Less Triggered (and the calm we’re all longing for)

Weekend Musings from Ashton

Author

Ashton Gustafson
February 28, 2026

Hey friends,

Dr. Kelly Flanagan is coming back on the podcast this week — and his new book releases March 3rd: The Road Less Triggered.

If Lovable helped us understand connection, this book helps us understand what happens when we lose it.

Kelly unlocked a huge truth for me:

Communication doesn’t break down between people.
It breaks down within people.

When we’re triggered, it feels like the problem is out there.
But most of the time, something inside us feels:

  • Unseen

  • Misunderstood

  • Unsupported

And when we don’t know what we’re reacting to, we blame who we’re reacting to.

Here’s the line that’s been staying with me:

A soothed nervous system soothes nervous systems.
A calm soul calms souls.
An open heart opens hearts.

We don’t have power over people.
But we have tremendous power around them.

We’re the weather.

This book isn’t about never being triggered again.
It’s about learning to pause in that space between stimulus and response — and choosing connection over protection.

If you want a calmer home, steadier leadership, and fewer escalations in your relationships, I can’t recommend this enough.

The Road Less Triggered — out March 3rd.
Details and bonuses at: roadlesstriggered.com

— Ashton