The Healthy Sensitive's Podcast

What's Your Burnout Type?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 22:55:14 -0300

In this episode, I spend a few minutes updating folks on my latest passion project (The Energy Generator). It's for women who run a business and who want more energy. In our program, we talk about how there are multiple types of burnout (they come in more flavors than one). I adapted the content to speak directly to highly sensitive people.

If you like the content and want to find out more, please join us for our webinar! I would love to see you. Even if you can't make it for the live presentation, you'll still get a recording of it afterward if you're interested. It's free!

Join us for the webinar! (Link below)

https://dani-dupuis.mykajabi.com/microcast-registration

If you would like to join the Healthy Sensitive Meetup group and get access to unlimited live events, and to our private discord channel, click here:

"The Healthy Sensitives": https://www.meetup.com/the-healthy-sensitives/

It's Good to be the King: Reclaiming small joys, emotional freedom, and the power of choosing your own internal weather.

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 22:48:55 -0300

🎧 Intro – Why I’m Still Talking

Hi everyone. I’m Leah Burkhart, and welcome back to The Healthy Sensitive—a podcast for sensitive souls trying to live awake in a world that’s still half-asleep.

This is a space for those of us who don’t just want to get through life—we want to feel it.

We’re the kind of people who tend to live like everything is a miracle, to borrow the quote often attributed to Einstein.
We notice the way light changes in a room. The shift in someone’s tone. The way our own hearts thud when something matters.
And we’re not here to tune that out—we’re here to make space for it.

There’s a quote I’ve always loved by Vivian Greene:

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”

And for sensitive people, I think we’re not just dancing in the rain. We’re memorizing the smell of it, writing poetry about it, and wondering if we’re supposed to be doing it better.

That brings me to what I really wanted to share today.

🛠️ What I’m Building (and Why)

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of content I want to create.
There’s just so much noise out there—podcasts, Substacks, social media reels—and I’ve had moments where I’ve wondered if I should even add to the pile.

At first, I thought: maybe if I sound smart enough, I’ll be adding value. Maybe I should teach more. Prove I’m useful.
But when I really sat with it, I asked a deeper question:

What has helped me most when I felt low?

Sometimes, sure—I wanted information.
What vitamin could help?
How do I sleep better?
What’s the research say?

But more often…
What I needed most was just to not feel so alone.
To hear someone say, “Me too.”
Not with advice. Just with presence.

That’s part of why I’ve funneled so much energy into the Meetup groups I run. I want to create a place where sensitive people can gather and just be real with each other.
But I also know not everyone can join a live group.
Some folks need asynchronous connection.
They need the content to come to them—when they’re ready, and in a form they can take in.

So I’m building something.

It’s not done yet—it’s still in the messy, creative, patchwork phase—but I’m building a full ecosystem for sensitive people.
One that includes:

Free content (like this podcast and my Substack)
A $5/month membership that gives you access to all the live Meetup groups and coaching circles
And, eventually, a space where you can take courses, engage in community discussions, and find tools tailored to how your system works

Right now, that $5/month just covers the cost of the Meetup account itself. But here's the bonus:
If you join now, you’re grandfathered in at that price for life, even after the full system is live and has more features.

It’s my way of saying thank you—to the early believers.
And for those of you who just want to keep listening or reading quietly in the background—that’s okay too. The podcast and Substack posts stay free.
Always.

🌱 Today’s Story: “It’s Good to Be the King”

Now let me take you to the story that’s been living in my chest all week.

I’ve been thinking about my grandmother.
She was a woman with sharp wit, a minimalist’s soul, and a strong pour of scotch in the evening.

She had three kids, including my dad. And she went through something that—at the time—was quietly devastating.
Her husband left her… for a man.
And this was not a time when that was talked about or supported. It was brave. And hard. And real.

But they navigated it with grace.

He said, “If you get a child support check, it’s because I have money. If you don’t, it’s because I don’t.”
He let her keep the house. He stayed honorable.

She didn’t crumble. She figured it out.

And what I remember most is not the hardship—but the way she sat in her chair at the end of the day, a beret perched on her head, a glass of scotch in hand, and this sly, self-satisfied smile as she’d say:

“It’s good to be the king.”

It was as if, in that moment, she wasn’t waiting for anything else to fall into place.
She wasn’t chasing peace. She was choosing it.

💬 What Came Up in Our Meetup

That image of her came to me during this week’s Mindfulness Monday.
I led a group where we explored this prompt:

If money, time, and energy weren’t an issue—what would you choose to experience?
And once we imagined it, I asked:

What is the feeling you’d be chasing in that scenario?
And then:
What’s one small way you might access that feeling today—without needing the whole setup?

Because sometimes, we can skip the middleman.

We don’t need the mansion to feel cozy.
We don’t need the month off to feel rested.
We don’t need a new identity to feel whole.

What we’re really longing for is often a sensation. A felt experience.
And sometimes, we can create it with a candle. A breath. A decision. A pause.

We ended that session by writing our own permission slips:

“I hereby give myself permission to feel free.”
“To feel joyful.”
“To feel held.”

📚 Viktor Frankl and the Power of Meaning

It reminds me of Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning.
He survived Auschwitz. Lost his family. And still wrote:

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

He wasn’t being naïve.
He wasn’t saying suffering doesn’t matter.
He was saying meaning matters more.

And when we can frame even a hard moment in purpose—or tenderness—or beauty—that’s where real power lives.

🧡 Wrap-Up

So maybe today’s question is:
What would it look like to stop waiting for the storm to pass—and dance anyway?
To sip your metaphorical scotch, wear your metaphorical beret, and say:
“It’s good to be the king.”

And to know that you’re not alone.

Because you’re not just listening to a coach or a health educator—you’re tapping into a community of sensitive, deeply human people who are asking the same questions and sharing the same kinds of reflections.

If that’s a community you want to join, the link’s in the show notes.
And if you’re just here to listen quietly for now, welcome. You belong, too.

Until next time—be well, be curious, and give yourself the feeling… before the fix.

Want to join our meetup group?

Click Here: The Healthy Sensitive Meetup Group

The REAL Reason HSP's Are Scared to Ask For What They Want

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 19:05:10 -0300

Summary:

Why is it that so many highly sensitive people struggle to ask for what they want? Is it fear of rejection—or something deeper?

In this gentle, reflective episode, we explore the quieter truth: that many HSPs aren’t afraid of being told no... they’re afraid of being told yes. We walk through the hidden fears beneath desire, the right-brain wisdom that often goes unheard, and the cultural noise that drowns out intuitive knowing. Along the way, we draw from the research of Bianca Acevedo, the teachings of Martha Beck, and the soul-deep ache for both authenticity and belonging.

This episode is an invitation to return to the power of sensitivity—not as weakness, but as precision. And to remember that what you want may already be unfolding... if you’re quiet enough to notice.

We Will Walk Through:

The counterintuitive reason HSPs hold back from desire
Why asking for what you want can feel like a risk to your nervous system
Insights on right-brain processing and language barriers for intuitive people
The tension between personal power and the longing to belong
A gentle reminder that you may already be living someone's dream (it might just not be yours)
How to start (by inches) creating the life of your dreams

Who Are You? Why HSP's Are So Hungry to Answer This Question

Fri, 30 May 2025 16:32:31 -0300

I'm back after almost a year!

In this episode I discuss:

- Why it is that the question "who are you?" is so important for HSP's

- Strategies for how to sneak up to the answer to this question

- Why it may be the case that the answer is not static (perhaps I am not so much a particular kind of person so much as I am a process)

- Why it is that highly sensitive people tend to struggle in this area (hint: we are so good at adapting that we sometimes don't know who we are when we aren't busy trying to achieve something or please someone)

- Where you can go if you want a deeper discussion with fellow sensitive people and/or more engagement with additional content

Join Our Meetup Group!

https://www.meetup.com/the-healthy-sensitives/

Join Our Substack Group (VERY new)

https://leahburkhart.substack.com/

Five Activities to Help You Befriend Your Sensitivity

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 23:39:37 -0300

In this episode, we cover five activities HSP's can use to befriend their sensitivity (all inspired by Elaine Aron's Highly Sensitive Person Workbook).

Identify negative labels you have either told yourself or heard others say to you. Create a rebuttal to each one.
Leverage your sensitivity as a strength by leaning into a sensory exercise.
Identify ways in which you are a "priestly advisor" and the ways in which that serves as an asset in your work and/or in your relationships.
Challenge your internal critic by getting curious about it.
Lean into growth mindset and the power of "yet"

Follow me on Instagram @thehealthysensitive (https://www.instagram.com/thehealthysensitive/)

Join our Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/

Join our Online Community: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/

Embracing Grief and Finding Meaning in Loss

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:57:37 -0300

In this episode of The Healthy Sensitive, Leah navigates the poignant journey of grief and loss, drawing from her personal experiences. Following the loss of her cherished cat Sasha, Leah offers an exploration into the process of grieving, examining the varied forms and stages of grief as described by experts like Brené Brown and David Kessler.

Delving into the profound words of Thomas More's Dark Night of the Soul, she draws a parallel between her personal growth and the transformative power of profound grief. Leah also touches on the concept of post-traumatic growth, demonstrating how sensitive individuals can positively channel their emotional reactivity during times of loss.

Emphasizing the importance of deriving meaning and purpose in the wake of a loss, Leah integrates wisdom from thinkers such as David Kessler, Cheryl Sandberg, and Thomas More. She weaves scientific findings on resilience and personal-stories into a comprehensive narrative that sheds light on our emotional response to loss.

This episode also presents an in-depth analysis of various practices aimed at easing the pain of loss, from spiritual engagement and fostering connections to creative pursuits. Leah underscores the significance of shared grief and social connections in facilitating healing.

Whether you are grappling with a personal loss or guiding someone else through theirs, this episode sparks hope, offering comfort and perspective. It illuminates the path from grief to growth, transforming the loss into a catalyst for personal evolution.

To join the Healthy Sensitive Community, Join Us Here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/

The Dark Side of Purposeful Living: High Sensitivity and Workaholism

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:01:43 -0300

In this episode of The Healthy Sensitive, Leah Burkhart delves deep into the intriguing relationship between high sensitivity and workaholism. Primarily focusing on highly sensitive people, she sheds light on their profound depth of processing, which often leads to extended work hours, perfectionism, and excessive preparation for tasks. This life-altering conversation illuminates the positive and negative effects of this overwhelming drive on their lives.

Highlighting the innate empathy and responsiveness of highly sensitive individuals, Leah elucidates how these traits can spiral into workaholism. Such individuals tend to absorb the emotional needs of others around them, inevitably adding to their workload. This episode candidly addresses the challenges highly sensitive individuals encounter when setting boundaries at the workplace, largely due to their intense passion and enthusiasm for their work.

This discussion further underscores how highly sensitive people often link their self-esteem to professional achievements. Such validation from work accomplishments, although gratifying, can make them vulnerable to conflating their career success with personal worth. The talk concludes by deftly tackling the fine balance between the pursuit of career satisfaction and the reality of overstimulation commonly encountered by highly sensitive individuals.

We dig into personal examples, delving onto the real impact of this phenomenon on personal lives. The value of understanding this dynamic is stressed as a stepping stone towards positive changes. Leah shares insightful tips about time management, boundary setting, task delegation and cultivating empathy while preserving one's personal space and identity.

We also delve into the benefits of seeking internal validation, diversifying interests, effective feedback acquisition and embracing imperfections. The topics extend to include methods to prevent overstimulation like creating serene workspaces, incorporating physical activity in routines and stress management. Furthermore, addressing fear of failure paves the way to setting attainable goals, nurturing a growth mindset and fostering self-compassion.

Ultimately, this episode champions self-awareness to improve work habits and achieve a healthier work-life balance while prioritizing wellbeing. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to an online community and free meetup events for continued learning and support. Dive into this enlightening discussion on high sensitivity and strategies for combating workaholism today.

To join our community and share your experiences with these subjects, you can find our online community here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/

To Join our Meetup Group, click Here: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/

How Having Purpose Affects Motivation and Resilience

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:21:24 -0400

In this episode of the Healthy Sensitive, Leah explores the profound impact of purpose on motivation and resilience. The discussion offers an extensive study on how appreciating your unique purpose can elevate your motivation, direct your life towards your goals, and enhance your stress tolerance. Leah elucidates the intriguing relationship between 'purpose', 'meaning', and our resilience, edging on the realm of neuroscience to portray how 'the seeking system' and dopamine pathways of our brain govern motivation.

She enlightens listeners with a variety of unconventional strategies known to stimulate dopamine production aiming to boost motivation. Insights from Joshua Freedman's article on misconceptions around life purpose are intricately debunked, and guidance is given to those searching for their life purpose. Backed by research and practical advice, this episode seeks to inspire listeners to discover their true purpose and heighten their motivation levels.

The episode also encompasses a discussion on the significance of emotional intelligence, human connections, and personal talents in identifying our true purpose. Additionally, it delves into aspects like long-term goals and spotlights the vitality of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in fueling productivity, as illustrated by Daniel Pink's book, Drive. Utilizing resources from luminaries such as Daniel Pink, Andrew Huberman, and Joshua Freedman can be an essential tool in comprehending and leading a purposeful life.

If you're seeking to uncover your purpose, or elevate your motivation, this is the episode for you! Whether you are driven by passion or curiosity, everyone has a unique purpose to unravel. Join us for insightful workshops or in our online community, and let us assist you in reaching your maximum potential. Stay tuned for more!

Citations:

Andrew Huberman from Huberman Labs: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/tools-to-manage-dopamine-and-improve-motivation-and-drive

Daniel H. Pink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p4esMj2EC8 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vSymiIrKP8 ; Drive: https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805

Joshua Freedman: https://www.6seconds.org/2021/01/13/coaching-purpose/

Purpose Checkup: https://www.bluezones.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Purpose-Checkup.pdf

Why Finding Purpose “Feels Right” https://www.kornferry.com/insights/this-week-in-leadership/purpose-neuroscience#:~:text=We%20humans%20are%20wired%20to,purpose%20that%20comes%20with%20it.

Stay Connected! Healthy Sensitive Resources:

Healthy Sensitive Community: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/

Healthy Sensitive Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/

Book a Coaching Session: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/

How to Clarify Our Purpose (and Why It Matters)

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 15:06:45 -0400

Our latest episode of The Healthy Sensitive takes you on a journey to discover your purpose. We help you comprehend the legacy you wish to leave behind by identifying problems you enjoy solving and people you love helping. Through an 'expansion and experimentation' mindset, we explore realms you are eager to delve into and learn from. Join us in this self-discovery journey as we navigate through curiosity, risk, trust, pleasure, and spirituality to identify the purpose that makes you come alive.

Resources and Links:

If you are interested in diving more deeply into this material as well as other on-demand content and want to connect with others and share your experiences... please join our online network: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/

To attend live presentations and workshops, join the Healthy Sensitive Meetup Group https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/

If you are interested in publishing an online course in the community and getting paid for it and/or want to lead a workshop in our meetup, please email me at leah@thehealthysensitive.com

If you want to schedule a complimentary coaching session with me, you can go to my calendar at: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/

A New Era: A Season Intro

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 15:06:05 -0400

Welcome back to the Healthy Sensitive podcast where we navigate high sensitivity and everything that comes along with it. This episode explores the host's journey with her own high sensitivity, her bouts with creative seasons, her struggles with consistency, and her passion for sharing informative content. She reflects on her many roles, from a clinical health educator to an entrepreneur, and relates to listeners who also thrive on a portfolio model of work.

This episode gives a sneak peek into exciting new elements being introduced to the podcast and the broader Healthy Sensitive community. The host shares her recent endeavor of creating structured content and an online community to enhance the sharing and access of valuable content. Courses, workshops, coaching programs, and even opportunities for others to create and be rewarded for their content will be featured in this revamped online community.

The host dives deeper into the target audience of the Healthy Sensitive – highly sensitive entrepreneurs. She acknowledges the unique challenges faced by this group especially in terms of self-promotion and provides solutions through the revamped online community. The focus is on promoting each other’s work instead of self-promotion. In this way, the online community can become a nurturing space for celebrating success and building networks.

As for future podcast episodes, expect regular content exploring wellness practices for highly sensitive entrepreneurs. Additionally, there will be premium content providing intimate details about the host's personal life for those seeking a deeper connection and understanding. The ultimate goal is to offer content that is engaging, educational, and entirely ad-free.

To join our online community, click here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/

To schedule a complimentary coaching session with me, click here: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/

To Join our Meetup Group, Click Here: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/

If you have any questions or feedback about the online community meetup groups, or anything else about the Healthy Sensitive platform, feel free to email the host at Leah@thehealthysensitive.com.

Imposter Syndrome: Why Are So Many of Us HSP’s Prone To It?

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 16:49:45 -0300

In today's episode, I'll talk about:

The Types of Imposter Syndrome:

The Perfectionist: This person sets extremely high standards for themselves and feels like any mistake is a sign of failure.
The Expert: This individual believes they need to know everything before taking on a task and fears being exposed for not knowing something.
The Soloist: This type prefers to work alone, as they believe seeking help would reveal their lack of ability.
The Natural Genius: This person believes that their success should come naturally, and any struggle or need for effort indicates incompetence.
The Superhero: This type feels the need to excel in every aspect of their life, often at the expense of their own well-being.

Why HSP's are Prone to It:

Heightened Self-Awareness: Highly sensitive individuals tend to be more introspective and self-aware. While this can be a valuable quality, it can also lead to overthinking and analyzing their actions, which might contribute to feelings of inadequacy and doubt.
Intense Emotions: HSIs often experience emotions more intensely than others. This heightened emotional state can lead to a stronger response to perceived failures or mistakes, magnifying the fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Perfectionism: Many highly sensitive people have a strong desire for things to be perfect due to their attention to detail and sensitivity to their environment. This perfectionism can set unrealistically high standards for themselves, making it difficult to accept anything less than flawless performance.
Comparison and Sensitivity to Feedback: HSIs may be more attuned to how they compare to others and may take feedback, especially constructive criticism, to heart. A negative comment or even a small mistake could trigger feelings of not measuring up.
Empathy and Empathetic Distress: Empathy is a common trait in highly sensitive individuals. They may easily pick up on others' emotions and might internalize negative feedback or perceive criticism more intensely, leading to self-doubt.
Fear of Rejection: Highly sensitive people often seek harmony and avoid conflict. The fear of disappointing others or not meeting expectations could contribute to impostor syndrome as they fear being rejected for not living up to their perceived roles or responsibilities.
External Validation: HSIs may rely more on external validation to feel secure in their abilities. If they don't receive the praise or recognition they seek, they might doubt their competence and feel like impostors.
Deep Reflection: Highly sensitive individuals tend to deeply reflect on their experiences and actions. While this introspection can be insightful, it can also lead to ruminating over perceived mistakes and inadequacies.

Boundaries - What Are They REALLY And How Do We Set Them?

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 17:18:00 -0300

In this episode, we talk about:

What boundaries are
Types of boundaries
Why boundaries are important to highly sensitive people in particular
Why they are important to our health
How to build boundaries
How to communicate our boundaries with others (without being a jerk)

Jules De Vitto - Transpersonal Coach for HSP

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 19:07:37 -0300

Jules De Vitto, MAEd, MSc is a Certified Transpersonal Coach and Educator based in London. She helps those who identify with the traits of high sensitivity to navigate emotional overwhelm, step into their authentic power and align with their true purpose in life. In our conversation, we talk about:

- Jules' journey to becoming a transpersonal coach

- Whether HSP's are born (nature) or made by way of challenging experiences (nurture)

- The strengths inherent in HSP's

- Why it is particularly important for HSP's to engage in an inquiry that engages the spirit (in other words - to develop an inquiry about meaning and purpose)

The Right Amount of Risk

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 18:45:44 -0300

In today's episode, I discuss:

The current risks I am taking on
How we define risk
Intuition vs. Impulse
Highly Sensitive People and Risk
HSP's and an inverted pyramid of needs
Culture and risk
What is worth doing even if we fail?
Being creative with how we build our lives
Trickster vs. Martyr
How to create an ecosystem that supports a healthy response to risk/failure

If ever you want support, you can reach Leah at www.thehealthysensitive.com or you can email her at leah@thehealthysensitive.com

HSP’s and Perfectionism (Breaking the Perfectionism-Adrenal Fatigue- Depression Triangle)

Sun, 15 May 2022 21:23:47 -0300

Perfectionism. It seems like something we should strive for. Right? No. Perfectionism is toxic. It decreases our creative potential. It demolishes our ability to connect with other people. It also (unfortunately) is really common amongst highly sensitive people. In today's episode, we will discuss:

- Definition of perfectionism

- How perfectionism is different from health striving

- Tools for curbing and managing perfectionism which includes:

Cultivating authenticity
Identifying your "something larger"
Prioritizing pleasure
Leveraging our relationships
Creativity
Nourishment
Growth
Exercise
Rest

Seven Mindful Questions - Interview with Lisa Nezneski

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 20:19:52 -0300

Lisa is a pharmacist as well as a certified mindfulness teacher. She has authored two books: “Grounded in Chaos - Leaning into adversity and learning joy” and 7 Mindful Questions: Stop wasting time. Redirect your mind. Focus on what matters.”

In our conversation, we touch on a number of things.

We talk about her personal and professional journey.

We discuss the value of integrating tools from western modern medicine along with traditional modalities and mindfulness practices.

We talk about the importance of living in alignment with our values.

We, of course, spend a good deal of time covering her newest book: Seven mindful questions.

And more...

Lisa has GENEROUSLY offered some complimentary resources for listeners of the Healthy Sensitive Podcast. You can find the link for that, below.

https://www.lisanezneski.com/bonus-meditations-for-the-healthy-sensitive-podcast Bonus Meditations for the Healthy Sensitive Podcast You can also find Lisa at her main website: www.lisanezneski.com

Interview with Andy Mort on The Gentle Rebel

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:17:26 -0300

in today’s episode, I had the privilege of speaking with a long-time podcaster, musician, and coach who also works with highly sensitive people.

His name is Andy Mort. He has been a host of the podcast “The Gentle Rebel” for a number of years. He has a plethora of resources dedicated to highly sensitive people…and in particular…highly sensitive creatives.

You can download his podcast (again…the Gentle Rebel) anywhere you access your podcasts. You can also find him at his website www.andymort.com .

In our conversation, we covered a number of topics.

We talked about the challenges and celebrations of entrepreneurship (especially for HSP entrepreneurs).
We talked about the difference of work-life balance vs. work-life integration (or disintegration…more on that in the show).
We talk about the delicate balance that comes with marketing in a way that produces results…but ALSO is in alignment with our values.
Creating sustainable workflows when we are our own boss.
Self-care for highly sensitive entrepreneurs
And a number of other topics.

Interview with Megan Murk (A Leader in the Health Coaching Space)

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:13:49 -0300

Megan Murk is one of those individuals who is irritatingly good at just about whatever she tries. The worst part is that she is also incredibly likable. She is both knowledgeable and wise. She's confident and humble. It's part of why she continues to be an effective leader. She has taken that energy and applied it to helping mold the field of health and wellness coaching. Her hope is to help provide more legitimacy in the coaching space and help others who are interested in becoming coaches to have a reliable standard we can all follow. Where she excels, in particular, is in the emotional health and wellness space. In our discussion, we cover:

What coaching is
How coaching has evolved over time
What the difference between coaching and therapy is
How health coaches can effectively move in the emotional health space
How coaches can go about getting certified by bodies that differentiate them.

Taking the Leap and Building Purposeful Work as an HSP

Wed, 05 May 2021 19:25:16 -0300

In this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Andrea Shoun. Andrea is a health educator, author, and network marketing team leader. She is also...quite simply...a phenomenal person. Anyone who meets her walks away feeling better than when they arrived. Anyone who has the privilege of working with her (as I do in multiple capacities) finds themselves feeling like they aren't at work, but are in the sandbox building sand castles. But like...really pretty sand castles. Andrea will share with us how she has built a professional life that allows her to balance her creative cravings, her entrepreneurial side, and the part of her that appreciates stability and routine. She shows us that you can be a sensitive person AND have rewarding work (and that we actually NEED to in order to thrive). She walks her talks, and is willing to take risks (hence the title...taking the Leap). Enjoy!

Post Traumatic Growth

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 20:28:43 -0300

Plenty of people have heard about post traumatic stress disorder. But did you know that stress is not the only possible side-effect of adversity and trauma? It turns out that some (roughly 50 - 70 percent of people, in fact) go through trauma and walk away from it stronger than before.

There are a couple of questions I had. First...do we have to experience trauma to gleam these benefits? Could we, for example, create a deliberate exercise to help us grow and increase our capacity even if we haven't endured a horrific event? Second - let's say I have endured a traumatic event...are there TOOLS I can use to optimize my chance of growing (rather than forever being a victim of the whims of my stress)? What are those tools?

These are the elements I cover in today's podcast.

Embracing Your Inner Trickster: Reframing Adversity

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:18:04 -0300

Highly sensitive people are often more deeply affected by adversity. They feel all the feels...so it's natural they would feel pain more acutely. BUT - highly sensitive people tend to also be more creative and more resilient than the average person. They are able to take difficult circumstances and create something beautiful from the ashes.

In this episode, I'm not going to talk about stress management. Instead, I'm going to talk about how to reframe adversity so that you have an entirely different relationship with it. In honor of April Fool's Day, I am centering the conversation on how to cultivate your inner trickster. Your inner fool. Your inner beginner.

Patriotism, Nationalism and Bias

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:35:04 -0400

With the aftermath of the D.C. riots, many of us are left scared, angry and eager for someone to take some accountability. In today's episode, I wanted to do a deep dive into a few areas so as to provide some context for what is currently happening and what it means for us all.

I do a brief overview of the U.S. government and how it is structured. I talk about the concept of patriotism and how that differs from nationalism. I talk about the options those in our legislative branch of government are mulling over (and why the so-called "mulling" and pondering of next steps is as murky as it is). I also cover the concept of bias. When talking about bias, I talk about how social media plays a part, and how our own psychology plays a part. Why is it that we can spot bias in everyone else...except for ourselves? Where does that whole double-standard approach come from? Finally, I talk about the importance of looking hard at our own selves before pointing fingers at others.

Finding Your Purpose in Dark Times

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 21:32:44 -0400

In my last episode, I talked about the importance of having a "something larger" to appeal to during difficult times. After my podcast, my boyfriend asked "but how does one go about finding their "something larger?" I promised I would think on it. A few days later, I facilitated a workshop on "navigating burnout" for HSP's. After the workshop, someone asked..."yeah...but what if I have been DOING all those things you said are good for me, and I'm STILL burned out?" I realized that while each question was asked in a separate context (and were seemingly unrelated) they were really two sides of the same coin. When we are burned out and cannot go further, that is when we need our something larger. But that same burnout will make finding our "something larger" all the more challenging (if we don't already have an idea in mind). In this episode, I cover what burnout is, and the common tools used to help ease our suffering around it. I talk about the importance of having, in particular, a "something larger"...and then I discuss the kinds of questions that might help us to find what our "something larger" is when we don't currently have on in place (or at least don't think that we do).

Something Larger

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 22:10:50 -0400

These are strange times (understatement of the century). And many of us are feeling the strain not just of isolation or fatigue....but also the strain of feeling empty. Of feeling like the wells we are used to drawing water from are dry or blocked off. During times like these, one thing that keeps popping up in the research as being important for our wellbeing is a sense that we are connected to something larger than ourselves. In this episode I talk about faith (and the lack of it). I talk about the challenge of discerning what our "something larger" is in a world of so much cynicism. And I ask the question to each of you...what is YOUR something larger that keeps you sane during times that feel overwhelming?

What Denmark Has to Teach Us

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 23:49:50 -0300

Denmark is, apparently, one of the happiest countries in the world. What are they getting right that we could learn from? What are some of the criticisms that come up as a rebuttal? And regardless of where you live or your policy preferences or lifestyle preferences...what do YOU think a meaningful looks like? Is it more important to strive for happiness? or Meaning?

Burnout

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 23:42:23 -0300

Everyone I know is saying basically the same thing: I'm tired. Not just that...but everyone I know is telling me that everyone they know is running on fumes. From loneliness. From not enough time alone. From too much stimulation. From boredom. We are all losing it (and all secretly wondering what it is, exactly, that we lost). In this episode, I'll talk about what burnout is, both its definition as well as the biophysical elements at play. I'll also talk about practical actions we can all take to navigate it and assuage the impact of burnout.

What Are You FOR?

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 23:33:03 -0300

We are living in really contentious times right now. There is a pandemic, an election, ecological disruptions, and civil unrest. It's tempting to spend the bulk of our time to talking about what we are against. But in this episode, I want to move away from that. I talk about why only speaking to what we are against isn't effective, and I talk about what it might look like to, instead, center our conversations on what we stand FOR.

Having Hope

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 22:32:54 -0300

Hope is the sense that we are moving toward something better. It is the belief or expectation that things will get better if only we can hang on....

But when the world feels like it's falling apart...it can be challenging to stay hopeful. It might even feel like a superfluous luxury for children.

In this podcast, I talk about the importance of having hope. I talk about the tangible benefits of hope and how believing in a better future can even improve our present. And for those who are struggling to amass hope, I talk about strategies you can use to refuel it and stay afloat when the world seems to want to engulf you.

Personal Response Ability

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 23:16:11 -0300

We often talk about the idea of responsibility. We need to take "personal responsibility" for our lives and improve them on our own. The thing is, though...that sort of assumes we have free will. Research on how our systems work indicates we might not actually have free will. If that is the case...can we really be held responsible for our actions? In this podcast, rather than talk about "personal responsibility" in the sense that we have "control" over our actions, I go into a bit more nuance and talk about "personal response ability" ...as in...our ability to respond to situations. And instead of talking about free will and control, I talk about ways in which we may at least influence our lives in positive ways.

Non-Negotiable

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 21:31:38 -0300

Highly sensitive people have a tendency to be adaptable. Copacetic. Harmonious. Why? Because we hate conflict. Duh. But sometimes, in life, we really need to be able to stand firm and be clear about what our needs are. This podcast is about identifying what our non-negotiable are and finding ways to articulate them effectively.

Friction

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 19:18:49 -0300

Highly sensitive people and introverts tend to like harmony. Calm. Pleasant and low-stimulus environments. Friction and conflict? No thanks. But might there be value in being willing to stand firm and endure the discomfort of friction? Is it possible that friction is a necessary ingredient for a meaningful life? For meaningful relationships? In this episode I'll talk about how friction benefits our environment, our political landscapes, our relationships...and even can lead to personal growth within ourselves.

The Power of Honesty

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 01:10:59 -0300

Honesty is the best policy. That's what we are told. Except...is it? People who are honest appear to have better relationships and better health outcomes. But are there occasions when honesty is not the best policy? Should we all just be saying what we think at all times? Unfiltered? In this episode, we'll cover the benefits of being honest...with ourselves and with others. We'll also talk about the key ingredients you need to be both honest and effective.

Why Anger is Helpful for HSP

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 22:00:30 -0300

Many highly sensitive people I have met have said they are extremely uncomfortable with angry (uncomfortable when others express it and even more uncomfortable expressing it themselves). I find that intriguing. So when I recently experienced an episode of anger, I thought it a perfect opportunity to explore it. Anger, it turns out, is extremely useful and healthy...so long as it is expressed appropriately. In this episode, I'll discuss what an emotion is...and discuss how anger is defined more specifically. I'll talk about the benefits of anger and how to go about integrating it in our lives optimally.

What is the Right Amount of News?

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 00:32:56 -0300

With a world trying to acclimate to a new normal with Covid, economic concerns, and in the case of the United States...an election...it's tempting to keep hitting the "refresh" button on our news feed. But to what degree is that helpful? Is it better to just avoid the news altogether? Or is there a sweet spot we can reach where we are informed enough to do what we need to do...but not so inundated with information that we feel paralyzed by it?

The Challenges of Being a Highly Sensitive Man

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 13:45:54 -0300

Did you know that the trait "sensory processing sensitivity" is found in both women AND men? Not just that...it's found in equal numbers. Sensitivity is not linked with our sex. I talk a lot about the challenge of being a highly sensitive person, but I thought it might be useful to highlight this fact (that it's not correlated with either sex). I thought it especially important given the climate we all live in right now...where it is easy to assume that men have all the power. It turns out, men are struggling, too. Just in different ways.

In this podcast, I will first talk about the challenges men face in general. I talk about the fact that they are imprisoned in higher numbers, and they account for a greater number of suicides. Then I go into the specific challenge that highly sensitive men face in a world that seems to celebrate rough and tumble boxed-in versions of masculinity.

Hard Conversations

Sat, 11 Jul 2020 23:03:00 -0300

We all seem to be in agreement in this country that what we need is to stop pointing fingers and start being willing to have hard conversations and compromise. But...are we willing to walk our talk? Highly sensitive people often struggle with this very thing - the willingness to be assertive and have difficult conversations. In this episode, I'll divulge some of my personal challenges in this area. I'll describe some of the events I've been exposed to more recently that have forced ME to be willing to be more assertive and honest and engage in conversations that are uncomfortable. I'll also talk about why this is such an important skill for all of us...but ESPECIALLY highly sensitive people (as we tend to shy away from it...and often are the people who NEED to do this work the most).

Tangible Strategies for Building Contentment

Sun, 31 May 2020 17:27:55 -0300

As we close the month of May (Mental Health Awareness Month) It feels fitting to do a summary of strategies (evidence based, of course) that are known to help foster contentment (irrespective of what may be going on around us). In this episode, I cover specific, actionable steps we can all take to cultivate our best selves.

S is for Sensitive (Not for "Special")

Sat, 23 May 2020 22:57:21 -0300

When I say I work with "highly sensitive people" I often get one of two responses. I either get "oooohhh...that's super cool! You mean those super special people that are unique and awesome?" OR I get "Eewwwwwe. That sounds gross. Is it contagious?"

My aim with this podcast is to simply create a conversation about what it is to have a more vigilant nervous system...one that NEUTRALIZES the trait. It comes with some perks as well as some pitfalls.

In this episode, I try and demystify what it is to have "sensory processing sensitivity" and I talk about our strengths...and our weaknesses. In particular, I talk about the importance of WORKING on our challenges to become more robust, well-rounded people.

On Being a Healthy and PRODUCTIVE Sensitive

Sat, 16 May 2020 20:41:31 -0300

Highly sensitive people, contrary to what others might think, tend to be extremely productive. They are creative, intuitive, and capable homo-sapiens, I can assure you. The catch is that they really need to find systems for organizing themselves and their time that honors their specific needs and temperament. In this episode, I'll cover a wide variety of examples that highly productive people have used in order to get a lot done, without feeling overwhelmed. I'll also talk about how HSP's can hack their system and get a lot done while keeping their health intact.

Link to Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pAHB7hC5UOWurZVC7ETeSPQML4N3luvp-2G2v1aH650/edit

Collaboration and Leadership

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 23:54:12 -0300

What makes a country...GREAT.

In looking at this pandemic meets economic question mark, I've definitely been preoccupied with that idea. It's easy for some of us to look to countries like China and say "daaaang. They really know how to pandemic. Why can't we do that?!?" But does that mean China is the best country in general? I would argue not...but I'm also biased.

But shifting gears, is America the greatest? We certainly have the strongest military. We have a pretty strong economy (well...for now). We celebrate the individual and I would argue that's a good thing. But when it comes to situations that require social cohesion...we often flounder.

How can we integrate both individualism alongside social cohesion? The answer, so far as I can tell, is with good leadership.

In this episode, I talk about social determination theory, motivation, and research surrounding what makes a good leader and what kinds of leaders are able to both hold the space for each person's autonomy while also facilitating collaboration.

Being a Part of the Solution

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 19:00:25 -0300

There is no doubt that we are in uncertain times right now...but the thing is - WE ALWAYS WERE. It's just that now it is being presented to us directly. So how can we navigate these times effectively (not just surviving it, but being a part of the solution). And beyond that, how can we carry the lessons we learn from this experience into the future so that we can navigate uncertainty in ANY situation? In this episode I'll talk about practical tips and tools you can employ to not just protect yourself, but ARM yourself. You will walk away with a sense that you can not just use this time to stay safe, you can use this time to flourish.

Navigating Coronavirus Overload

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 14:56:30 -0300

I'm sure everyone is feeling saturated with information about the coronavirus. But is anyone talking about the impact all this is having on us in our everyday lives? In this episode, I'll discuss a bit of information regarding the virus, and why everyone is so worried about it (but also trying not to incite any panic around it). I'll spend an even GREATER amount of time talking about how navigating decisions around the virus alongside decisions regarding the economy is leaving most of us feeling a low-grade level of tapped out and overwhelmed. I'll talk about the challenge of coping with a situation that basically feels like a three-way chess game. Finally, I'll talk about some strategies you can employ to stay level-headed during a really tough - so that you get through it feeling like a hero.

Work with a Capital "W"

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 22:40:46 -0400

David Whyte, in his book The Three Marriages, talks about how there are three commitments we hold as central in our lives: our work, a relationship to a significant other, and the relationship we foster within ourselves. In this episode, we will talk about that first one - our work. I invite you to consider what it is you love doing enough that you're willing to put up with all the crap that comes with it. I discuss my own work marriage (my marriage with my writing) and share some of my work to give as an example. Ultimately, what I hope is that this is an invitation to consider doing the thing that brings you joy in the midst of celebration...and brings you comfort even in the darkest of times in your life.

Mindfulness

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 00:39:49 -0400

When we think about being "mindful" we often think about being calm. Kind. Compassionate. All that might be a byproduct of mindfulness but that isn't mindfulness, itself. In fact, sometimes being mindful might require being assertive. Sharp. Even cruel on the surface of things. Come as I turn some of our most beloved assumptions about mindfulness on their head.

Pacing Our Creativity

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 01:46:46 -0400

If you want to run a marathon, you can't do it by sprinting all 26.2 miles of it. You need to know how to pace yourself. You need to know when you can push, and when you need to dial back. You need to know when you have to stop at the rest table and get a sip of water, and when you can push past them and get to the next rest stop.

It turns out the same applies to our work. Even (perhaps especially) our capital "W" work. Our passion project. Our practice. Our dharma. Highly sensitive people are a creative lot. They are tremendously productive. The trouble is that we sometimes allow our enthusiasm to override our need to recharge. We take on more than we should because we WANT so badly to do it all. Be it all. Help all the people. Write all the books.

In this episode, I'll discuss the importance of learning how to pace ourselves - even in the things we love most. Or, rather, I'll share my challenges with it and invite you to propose solutions should you have them.

Walk That Talk - Conversation with Katie Hodges

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 00:30:47 -0400

So often when we see people going off and daring greatly...we only see the fruits of their labor LOOOONG after they are a big success. We don't see the long process it took to get there. We don't see the trials and errors. In this episode, Katie Hodges (an entrepreneur, coach, mother, and bold leader in her community) jumps on the podcast with me to talk about living a creative life, being brave, and most importantly...being willing to be vulnerable and messy in the service of building something new. She's my she-ro and I feel tremendously grateful to have had her on the show. I hope you enjoy our goofy, messy and very real conversation.

Making Failure a Practice

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:37:42 -0400

I'm all about supporting my fellow HSP's and Introverts who want to live BIG...live their BEST lives (the trick being finding a way to do it that doesn't drive your health to the pavement). But there is one complication that needs discussion: failure. As in...what if I put myself out there and fail?

Avoiding failure doesn't really seem like a viable option. Any time you take a risk, you're going to experience failure AT SOME POINT. Most people understand this. But HSP's tend to have a particularly hard time with failure and criticism.

So what is to be done about it? How can we take risks without getting pummeled?

In this podcast I won't talk about avoiding failure...instead, I'll talk about how to fail better. This is a conversation about changing our relationship with failure so that we stop being afraid to fail, and instead embrace it as a necessary step toward success.

Discipline, Independence and Detachment

Sun, 05 Jan 2020 23:49:28 -0400

Resolutions. Goals. Achievements. Dreams.

It's lovely to talk about them and imagine what it might be like to bring them to life. But what does it really take to make it happen? And what if you work and toil only to discover that the goals you put in motion don't manifest the way you thought they would? Or what if they don't provide the joy you thought they would?

In this episode I'll talk about how discipline can lead, counter-intuitively to freedom; and how the best way to achieve a dream may be to completely detach from it.

Goals

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 02:05:23 -0400

It's not only a new year, but a whole new decade...not to mention an election year. It seems like a great opportunity to try new challenges. There is just one problem...did you know that 80 percent of people who have New Years fail to maintain them by February of that same year?

Sooo...what is that other 20 percent doing differently? How might you learn from their success?

Come and find out!

Christmas

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 23:51:46 -0400

Many highly sensitive people report feeling ambivalent during the Christmas holiday. This is true regardless of whether one actually celebrates it. It makes sense. It's an awful lot of sensory overload. Music and lights and traffic and shopping extravaganzas. It can feel a bit much. In this episode, I fess up to my personal ambivalence about Christmas. I also speak to the history of Christmas. You might be interested to know that celebrating in over-the-top ways has been a things for years. As in...hundreds of years. Long before we were celebrating as "Christmas." If you are looking to find a way to possibly strike a truce with this famous (infamous?) holiday, join me!

Loneliness

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 22:55:35 -0400

Everywhere you turn, now, people are talking about "loneliness." Not only is it a problem...apparently it's a full blown epidemic!

In this episode I'll talk in more detail about what loneliness actually is. I'll discuss how it relates to our health and longevity. I'll talk about how this relates to HSP's in particular. Finally, I'll talk about some of the things I have tried, personally, to reduce the sensation of loneliness when it arises (as well as the research that backs up its efficacy).

The Shadow Side of Sensitivity

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 23:33:52 -0400

You've probably heard it at least once: "You're too sensitive."

Can one actually be too sensitive?

In this episode, I discuss some of the shadow traits of many people with sensory processing sensitivity. I talk about why those traits are so common with HSP's and what we can do to offset some of those less desirable characteristics and make improvements on how we navigate the world.

Emotions

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 23:59:06 -0400

We all know the story. In our brains, we are constantly fighting between our emotions and our rationality. It's why we find instant gratification so alluring (our emotional brain is trying to win out). It's why we are enamored with characters like Spock (he's beaten out his emotions). But what if we are wrong? What if everything we thought was true about emotions and the way we express them are ...false? What would this mean for research on highly sensitive people? In this episode, we'll talk about Lisa Feldman Barrett's research and her book "How Emotions are Made." We'll talk about what that means for highly sensitive people (both with respect to how we interpret our own emotions as well as how we interpret the emotions of others.)

Labels

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:43:42 -0400

Who are you?

That's a question that has been plaguing philosophers for years (and one that still pulls at us even now). In this episode, I talk about the kinds of labels we use to describe ourselves (gender, race, class). I invite listeners to gently challenge the idea that any label can fully encapsulate what it means to be you. This is even true for the label of "highly sensitive person." Use labels only so long as they are useful...and be willing to hold them very lightly.

How to Network as an HSP

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 22:35:57 -0400

Okay...you're an HSP. You're an introvert. Or maybe you're both. You've decided that you've got the stamina (emotional...intellectual...physical) to be an entrepreneur. Or to go after your big D "Dream" job. You've amassed all the education you need. Now if you could just find a way to get the word out...

Or maybe you've simply decided that your life is lovely and mellow enough that you'd really like to invite some new people into it. Maybe you want a new partner. Or you just want to create a more robust tribe.

My friend...you will have to network. To meet your people you will, in fact, have to meet them.

But how can an HSP do that successfully (without being miserable)? Come and find out.

Building Community as an HSP/Introvert

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 23:02:00 -0400

Many people (even some of us HSP's) mistakenly think that community is not as important for highly sensitive people and introverts as it might be for extroverted types. But that just isn't true. We might relish quiet time and solitude, but that doesn't mean we don't also need connection. So how do we satisfy both of these needs? How do we embrace what it means to be an introvert while also engaging in social events? How do we gently push the boundaries of our solitude bubble without feeling inauthentic when we do? In this episode we'll discuss the challenges we face in this area as HSP and strategies that might help marry self acceptance alongside social connection.

Weight Management for HSP's

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 01:52:35 -0400

What does it really take to lose weight and keep it off? Is it really as simple as "eat less and move more?" Is anyone ever successful at weight loss? What are the specific challenges that introverts and HSP's face with weight loss? What assets do they bring to the table? These are the questions we cover in this week's episode.

I'm Just Curious...

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 01:14:04 -0300

Many self help books talk about how to get "happy," but ironically...sometimes chasing happiness leads to more of its opposite. Instead, it can be more affective to look at how to develop a meaningful life. One that is rich with purpose. One that is interesting. In this episode, I'll discuss how and why curiosity may just be the secret ingredient to having a truly rich life (and specifically why that might be important for HSP).

How to Travel Like an HSP Pro

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 23:52:07 -0300

Do you ever find yourself in that weird conundrum where you WANT to travel...but you just cringe at the thought of what it will require of you? Well I have good news. You don't actually have to get completely wiped out in exchange for a few days in a new place. You can even end up feeling relaxed at the end of the journey rather than merely exhausted. Come find out how (I'll also share some of the tidbits I learned on my most recent conference trip in Boston!)

Setting Boundaries

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 00:12:32 -0300

It's great to be open...vulnerable...available. But sometimes being too open can be a serious liability. It can lead us to feel overwhelmed. Overcommitted. Resentful. It leaves others around us feeling confused. What did they do? Why are you so upset? You never complained about doing this before...

This episode is about setting healthy boundaries so that you feel more productive, less stressed and so that you can have much more fulfilling relationships with other people.

Hustle: HSP Style

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:43:36 -0300

We hear all the time that if you work hard, you will become successful. If you are successful, you will be happy. Well...sort of. Except that it's kinda backwards. In this episode, I cover what assets HSP bring to the workforce (and what liabilities). I also talk about why they tend to be a good fit for entrepreneurship. These are topics I've covered before (particularly in my episode on "work") BUT - in this episode I go into a bit more detail about what it means to "hustle" and how to go about doing that like an HSP (which is to say - how to hustle without going into complete exhaustion).

HSP's as Leaders

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 23:02:04 -0300

Highly sensitive people can do just fine in the workplace. They are fun to have as friends. But what about leadership? Are they any good at that? Could they be? Or is it something highly sensitive people would do best to steer away from? In this episode we'll talk about how highly sensitive people who want to be leaders can do it in a way that is supportive to those they are aiming to lead as well as sustainable for themselves.

Highly Sensitive People at Work

Sat, 31 Aug 2019 00:43:11 -0300

Highly sensitive people have some special challenges when it comes to the workforce. It's not that they aren't productive or valuable. It's just that finding a balance where one can be both emotionally satisfied with the work they do, financially stable, and sane...can be tricky. In this episode I'll talk about the unique struggles HSP contend with at work and some strategies that might help create a workflow that lets you upgrade your life.

Episode 37: Resilience

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 15:47:17 -0300

You hear this buzzword all the time. RESILIENCE. But what is it? How is it linked with success? And why is it important for highly sensitive people? In this podcast, I argue that HSP's and introverts are desperately needed in this world...but they just need to find a way to serve that doesn't zap all their vitality and energy. This podcast shares tools aimed at helping HSP's develop resilience so they can keep their health while sharing their gifts with the world.

Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YfqSwt7Q6mO8_bsobvAQesKLdsyc30ycMTKymMGaNOE/edit

10 Common HSP Myths

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 02:26:48 -0300

There are a lot of assumptions people have about what it means to be a "highly sensitive person." Even highly sensitive people, themselves, cary some of these mistaken assumptions. This episode is intended to debunk some of the common misconceptions people have about HSP and provide a bit of a reality check.

Intuition: When Should We Trust It?

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 00:56:00 -0400

We often hear that we should "trust our instincts" or "follow our intuition." But is that always true? Are there times we should challenge our instincts? As highly sensitive people, we tend to get pretty potent "intuitive" messages from our bodies. But we are a conscientious and neurotic lot. So we also have a tendency to challenge our assumptions. How might we move in a way that both honors our intuition...but also use our natural inclination to challenge our thoughts in a way that is effective?

When Should You "Push Through" And When Should You "Pull Back?"

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 01:32:58 -0400

We are often encouraged by high-performing motivational speakers to want success as badly as we want to breathe. If we are willing to sacrifice even our sleep only THEN will we be as successful as we claim to want to be. But then...maybe not. Arriana Huffington, for example, claims she did just that only to discover the importance of rest (and sleep in particular).

This is a hard equation to solve even for non-HSP's. But add in a sensitive nervous system and a sprinkling of introversion and you've REALLY got a complicated puzzle.

So how can we highly sensitive people hope to grow beyond our perceived barriers WITHOUT driving ourselves into the ground (literally). In this episode, I share some of the wisdom others have compiled and even talk a bit about strategies you might put in place to grow your capacity...and keep your sanity in the process.

Building Emotional Fitness

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 19:26:07 -0400

There are some people out there who seem to have an endless capacity for bravery in their lives. How do they do it? Are they just born with it? Or can we build it? I make the argument in this episode that just as we can engage in behaviors that build our physical strength...so too can we engage in behaviors that build on our emotional resilience and capacity. And when we do that, we are able to make massive shifts in our lives. We really can do anything.

Romance

Sat, 29 Dec 2018 17:08:19 -0400

No matter how confident we may feel about ourselves...when it comes to romance, we can all be a little bit dumb. Something about undressing (literally and metaphorically) for a partner unstitches us. This is only MORE true for highly sensitive people and introverts. So what can we do? How do develop a healthy relationship with another person...how do we go about developing a relationship with love itself?

Can We Talk About Sex?

Sat, 22 Dec 2018 16:17:48 -0400

We have some assumptions about sex and sexuality - especially as it relates to how men and women are supposed to feel about their sexuality AND how they are supposed to behave. This is particularly true for heterosexual men and women. But are those assumptions true? Is it true, for example, that women aren't actually that interested in sex? For those women who ARE interested...are all those women hyper-extrovert sexual butterflies? I'd argue that the answer is no. And I want to break apart some of these assumptions and start a larger conversation about why women (and introverted women in particular) might have a more challenging time advocating for their sexual preferences.

The Value of Thickening our Highly Sensitive Skin

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:02:48 -0400

Highly sensitive people are often dubbed "thin-skinned" by those with a slightly rougher hide. We are told we need to toughen up. For a long time, I have resisted (and many of those I know who are highly sensitive tend to resist this idea as well). But are we maybe missing an opportunity? Is there, perhaps, something to be gained by getting a thicker skin?

The Right Kind of Problems

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:37:11 -0300

We often lament about the challenges in our lives. But it might be worth stopping to consider the possibility that a good life doesn't come without problems. Rather, a good life simply means having the right kind of problems

Can You Be TOO Adaptable?

Sat, 09 Jun 2018 23:20:11 -0300

An instructor I was observing while leading a class gave the group a quote: "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." It made me think about how I, myself, tend to be really adaptable. I find that most highly sensitive people are. It's probably something we picked up while trying to blend into a not-so-sensitive world. It's a muscle I'm proud to have developed. BUT - when is "adaptable" simply "weak-minded" Is that even a thing?

10 Powerful Take-Aways from Susan Cain's Book "Quiet"

Sat, 02 Jun 2018 21:54:24 -0300

A few years ago, Susan Cain wrote a book "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking." She researched not only what it means to be an introvert, but also what it means to be a highly sensitive person, and a sensation seeker. She covers how all these things speak to each other, and how we might better create systems to honor the gifts that each has to offer. In this podcast, we'll review some of the biggest take-aways from her book and how these ideas might inform the way we live if we want to thrive.

How HSP Can Alleviate Anxiety and Depression

Sat, 26 May 2018 22:31:02 -0300

Highly sensitive people are capable of being extremely productive. The downside? They are also more prone to both anxiety and depression. The good news is that there are tools available to help reduce the frequency (and intensity) of these experiences and live a more fulfilled life.

How Highly Sensitive People Can Successfully Lose (and Keep Off) Weight

Sun, 20 May 2018 02:41:14 -0300

After publishing a recent survey for highly sensitive people, I tried to sift out what health concerns they seem to be most interested in geting information about. Weight loss consistently came up at the top of the list. So today's episode is about how highly sensitive people can capitalize on some of their greatest strengths and lose weight...without feeling deprived.

Top Ten Health Challenges of Highly Sensitive People

Sun, 13 May 2018 02:28:37 -0300

Oddly enough, there isn't a great deal of research that specifically speaks to physical health challenges that highly sensitive people are proned to. As a health coach who works primarily with this group, that is something I'm working to correct. In the meantime, this episode covers the top ten health concerns that I have seen in my private practice working with highly sensitive people.

Becoming Your BEST Self (Stage 7: Self Actualization)

Sun, 18 Feb 2018 01:20:22 -0400

Moslow designed a framework to explore what a pathway to self-actualization might look like (for anyone interested in cultivating that in themselves). Great! But what does self actualization look like? In this episode, we explore the common characteristics of a person who has reached this stage of development.

Becoming your BEST Self (Stage 6: the Need for Beauty and Balance)

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 21:52:28 -0400

In today's podcast, we'll talk about how beauty contributes to self actualiation. In particular, we'll be talking about the power of creativity and beauty that we can create for ourselves and the impact that observing other people's designs and forms of art can have on us. We'll talk a bit about the health benefits of art and beauty as well.

Becoming Your BEST Self (Stage 5: Cognitive Needs)

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 01:09:25 -0400

In today's episode, we will talk about Moslow's fifth level of needs one must meet in order to reach one's full potential.

We start by doing a review of the four levels we talked about leading up to this point.

Next, we talk a bit about what has been happening in my life (and why there has been a long pause between my last episode and today's episode AND how it's relevant to this whole topic overall).

Finally, we talk about today's topic...the fifth level of Moslow's hierarchy of needs...Cognitive Needs.

Becoming Your BEST Self (Step 4: Esteem)

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 17:57:11 -0300

Moslow's fourth need (esteem) was originally focusing on the esteem we crave from our piers. The idea was that once we have a sense of belonging (step 3) we kinda want to know where we fit in within the group. We will take this in a slightly different angle. HSP, after all, don't often struggle with getting esteem from others. We are pretty good at figuring out what other people need and producing it. Where we struggle is with self esteem. Come and listen in as we explore how we figure out what self esteem really is, how we can cultivate it as HSP, and why it's worth doing (both for ourselves and for others)

HSP, Love and Relationships

Sun, 24 Sep 2017 22:50:37 -0300

Moving up the ladder of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, in today's episode, we talk about how HSP handle love and relationships. Like anyone else, we need connection. In fact, we seem to thrive on it. But we also have a bit of ambivalence around it. What's that about? Listen in and find out why we are equal parts drawn to and challenged by relationships with others.

Becoming Your BEST Self (Step 2: Speak Up!)

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 23:18:45 -0300

It's no secret that Highly Sensitive People don't like conflict. But being able to self-advocate and stay safe is essential. In today's episode, Constance Bravos - licensed therapist and martial arts practitioner - walks us through how we can stay safe in challenging situations and engage in healthy conflict calmly and effectively. Being clear about what you want and what you need to feel secure and safe isn't just a right - it's our obligation.

Becoming Your BEST Self (Step 1: Take Care of Your Body)

Sun, 10 Sep 2017 15:08:29 -0300

It's natural for anyone (highly sensitive or no) to want to develop into their BEST self. You want to feel energized. Alive. You want to feel like you have purpose. And you want to feel like you're giving back to the world in meaningful ways. In the upcoming series, we will talk about how to do that step-by-step. In this episode, we will start with the body, and talk about simple tips to optimize your capacity and lay the foundation for more energy, vitality and resilience.

Staying Safe as an HSP

Sun, 03 Sep 2017 15:02:21 -0300

Highly sensitive people are often drawn to work which allows them to help others. They tend to be very good at noticing someone who is in pain and knowing how best to help. But it can set us up to be taken advantage of. How do we balance between staying open enough to connect in meaningful ways...but while also staying vigilant enough to know when we might be in danger (either physically or emotionall?) Listen in to find out!

Health Tips for the Highly Sensitive Millennial

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:38:43 -0300

Highly sensitive people of all ages are having to develop some survival strategies/techniques to thrive in our modern-day highly stimulating world...but millennials have some unique challenges. It is the first generation to have unlimited access to Google (it's the first generation for whom "google" is a regularly used verb). We are a generation who has needed to be particularly adaptable to massive changes in an economy that has just now started to get back on its feet. How do we create a life that is meaningful and flexible? How can we thrive at work and in our relationships? How do we answer the question "what is enough?" Find out on today's episode!

The Upside to Getting Sick as an HSP

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:56:17 -0300

Most people hate getting sick. It feels lousy. BUT - as an HSP, there are benefits of illness. Often, being highly sensitive means that our system is more likely to fall prey to a cold or flu when we are living a life that is too stimulating. Why might that be good? Because we can use illness as information. We can correct our behaviors faster and move back to a healthy state more efficiently. AND - in allowing illness to come and having gratitude for the signals its sending, we can use illness as an opportunity to slow down.

Rolling with the Punches (How to Cope When Things Don't Go to Plan)

Thu, 18 May 2017 16:29:05 -0300

Highly Sensitive People prefer to plan before they act. They don't wanna just "wing it." Often that is a good thing, as it increases the likelihood that we produce good quality work. BUT - the one downside is that it can stimmy progress and growth. We can spend all our time planning and doing little actual ACTION. This podcast is about how to respond to situations when they don't go to plan. Can we be okay with being done instead of being perfect?

Wellness Tips for HSP Who are ALSO High Sensation Seeking

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 00:18:02 -0300

It's challenging enough to be a highly sensitive person. Try having that quality while ALSO being a high sensation seeker. Not only is your ceiling of optimal stimulation low...but you ALSO have a floor that is higher off the ground. In this episode - learn how to stay healthy when you are balancing between these two extremes

The Importance of Rest for HSP

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 15:08:27 -0300

We live in a culture that is constantly telling us to speed up. Crush it. Move faster. Get it DONE. But the reality is that when we rest, we often are more efficient. When we rest, we are also more effective. Today's podcast is about ways you can incorporate rest into your life.

Could Less Really Be More?

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:55:01 -0300

We are constantly encouraged (dare I say...pushed?) to do more...consume MORE. But has that added more value to our lives? I am not so sure. Join me as I talk about how we might actually find ourselves physically healthier, mentally happier, and finacially more secure if we simply learned how to embrace "less" in favor of a tyrannical "more."

Stop Being So NICE

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 13:18:21 -0300

The word "Nice" is defined using words like "pleasant, satisfactory, and agreeable. Maybe you knew that. But did you know that it is ROOTED in the words "stupid and ignorant?" In today's episode, I talk about why being too "nice" might actually be a detriment to your personal health as well as the health of your relationships.

Perfectly Imperfect - How and Why HSP Should Let Go of Perfectionism

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 17:23:48 -0300

Highly sensitive people tend to be disproportionately perfectionistic. What's that about? In today's podcast I'll talk about why we tend toward perfectionism. I'll also talk about why it's a problem (and in what contexts). Finally I'll go over some possible strategies for moving forward and keeping perfectionism at bay.

Overcoming Overwhelm

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 17:03:37 -0300

Adulting is hard for everyone, but we HSP have a tendancy to get overwhelmed pretty easily. When we HSP are overwhelmed, it can be all-consuming. We often tend to berate ourselves for not doing the tasks we need to get done. Or we are frustrated because we can't hear our own inner voice. This episode talks about strategies that can help you move through periods that feel overwhelming.

Recruiting Support

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 16:04:58 -0400

Highly Sensitive People tend to be great at self-care and self-sufficiency. But sometimes, we are better served reaching out for help. This podcast is about why and how to do that in a way that serves you and those who love you and want provide some assistance.

Coping With the Unexpected - How to Stay Healthy When Things Go Off Track

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 16:00:26 -0400

Happiness = Reality - Expectations.

In other words, if you want to stay happy and healthy, one of the best things you can do is work on removing your expectations about how things should go. But how do we do that? And what about when things go REALLY unexpectedly. How do we move through challenging times and stay healthy?

Nutrition Tips for Highly Sensitive People

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 16:36:12 -0400

In this episode, we'll explore strategies that will help you to keep your blood sugar (and by extension, your overall state) balanced and grounded through simple nutrition upgrades. Highly sensitive peeople are not necessarily in need of special diets...they just do ESPECIALLY well when they follow a healthy approach.

How Highly Sensitive People Can Learn to Regulate Their Emotions

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 16:30:19 -0400

Despite the fact that Highly Sensitive People tend to be highly self aware...that doesn't always translate into effective emotional regulation. When we are high...the highs are great! But when we are low...we are challenged with how to move through it well. This episode will explore some practical strategies that HSP can use in hard emotional times.

The Healthy Sensitive - Introduction

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 13:21:33 -0400

In this introductory episode, I talk about what it means to be a highly sensitive person. I briefly cover some of the advantages of being highly sensitive (especially as it pertains to overall health and wellness) as well as the challenges that come with being highly sensitive.