Sensitive Stories

Do you hide your sensitivity and push yourself beyond your limits? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Huong Diep about breaking old patterns of masking and:  • The process of unmasking and making room for your sensitivity • Navigating the push-pull of simultaneously craving rest and stimulation as a High Sensation Seeker (HSS) • The challenges of being a BIPOC HSP growing up in an immigrant family Huong is a board-certified psychologist and HSP/HSS who specializes in helping sensitive and neurodivergent individuals navigate life transitions, emotional overwhelm, and identity shifts. With a global perspective gained from living, working, and traveling to over 50 countries, she blends cultural awareness with clinical expertise to create a safe, empathetic space for her clients. Huong is passionate about helping people embrace their unique strengths, set boundaries, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Keep in touch with Huong: • Website: http://www.drhdiep.com  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drhdiep  Resources Mentioned: • High Sensation Seeking self-test: https://hsperson.com/test/high-sensation-seeking-test  • Differential Susceptibility research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19883141 • Big Five Personality Traits: https://positivepsychology.com/big-five-personality-theory/#what-are-the-big-five-personality-traits   Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you have mysterious fatigue or physical symptoms? In this episode, I talk with Audrey Burke, LMBT, SEP about the somatic impact of stress and trauma as well as:  • Connections between early life trauma, emotional dysregulation, and high sensitivity • The different types of trauma present from birth through adulthood • The long-term impact of adverse babyhood and childhood experiences  • How to increase resilience and begin healing through safe relationships   Audrey is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, massage therapist and Transforming Touch practitioner based in Durham, North Carolina. As a highly sensitive person herself, she discovered somatic work through her own healing journey and found that somatic support was the missing piece in her path to mysterious health symptoms and feeling at home in her body. Now, she helps other highly sensitive people heal from shock trauma, developmental trauma, chronic stress, and nervous system dysregulation, supporting them in feeling safer in themselves and the world.  Keep in touch with Audrey:• Website: http://www.restorativepresence.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somaticswithaudrey  • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@somaticswithaudrey  Resources Mentioned: • Somatic Healing Guide: https://www.restorativepresence.com  • Book a Session with Audrey: https://calendly.com/restorativepresence-1/  • Find a Local Touch Practitioner: https://coregulatingtouch.com  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you holding up everyone else at your own expense? In this episode, I talk with Noni Vaughn-Pollard, NDTR, MHC-LP about unlearning perfectionism and:  • Finding those safe spaces to receive support  • The unique challenges of sensitive black girls  • Giving yourself permission to be soft and sensitive when you need to  • The impact of superwoman syndrome • Navigating internal and external messages that block your intuition and true calling Noni is a mental health counselor and nutritionist in New York who focuses on empowering Black adolescent girls by boosting their self-esteem. She also supports sensitive adolescents & young adults of color dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, and relationship challenges.  Keep in touch with Noni: • Website: https://www.rootsarttherapy.nyc/noni  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afroandappetite  • Email: noni@rootsarttherapy.nyc  Resources Mentioned: • Nap Ministry: https://thenapministry.wordpress.comThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you struggle with big emotions? In this episode, I talk with Tori Deal about what to keep in your emotional regulation toolkit and:  • Building emotional resilience through poetry, meditation, and movement  • The importance of creating safe spaces for yourself when facing challenges • Three types of meditation and their benefits  • Balancing your needs to be creative and introspective while being in the spotlight On the surface, you'll see Tori competing in wild stunts on MTV's The Challenge and showing up on social media with confidence. But beneath it all, she's a deeply sensitive soul, fully aware of how wild it is to be alive, always striving to connect with others on the deepest level possible. As the author of two books—currently working on a third—Tori embraces both my individual creative space and the spotlight in equal measure. Keep in touch with Tori: • Website: http://www.thesoulspill.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tori_deal  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoulspill  Resources Mentioned: • The Soul Spill by Tori Deal: https://shop.torideal.com/products/the-soul-spill• The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780393353976 Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Does sex feel uncomfortable or overstimulating? In this episode, I talk with Caitlin Weber, LMFT, CST about the barriers to enjoyable sex as a highly sensitive person and:  • How to carve out the time and mental space for sex as an HSP • Managing the physical discomfort, boredom, and emotional overwhelm that may happen during sex  • What to do when you have a low sex drive  • How to break free from linear models of sexCaitlin Weber is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. As a cis white queer therapist, Caitlin has a private practice in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and online, and she helps individuals and couples meet their mental health, relational and sexual goals. Passion areas for Caitlin include helping clients navigate sexual pain and trauma, sexual orientation and gender identity discovery, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, infertility trauma, kink, polyamory, and grief. She helps people externalize all of the damaging systems we inherit such as racism, ableism, fat phobia, patriarchy, religious trauma, capitalism, and colonialism so that they can truly thrive and live authentically while accessing pleasure. Keep in touch with Caitlin: • Website: http://webertherapy.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlinwebertherapy  Resources Mentioned: • Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski, PhD: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781982165314  • Find a Sex Therapist: https://www.aasect.org/referral-directory  • Wicked Sensual Care: https://wickedsensualcare.com • Good Clean Love Lubricants: https://goodcleanlove.com/collections/personal-lubricants-collectionThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you getting enough time for what you love? In this episode, I talk with Brian Zirngible, LMFT about balancing your career and creative passions as an HSP and:  • Regulating overwhelm and burnout with music, breathwork, and movement  • Finding time for what nourishes you through boundaries and communication • How improv can support HSPs in being more flexible and resilient  Brian is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with a solo private practice in St. Paul, Minnesota. Brian specializes in supporting highly sensitive men, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and athletes by turning pain into possibility. As an actively working musician and artist himself, Brian understands the unique challenges of the entertainment industry and the pressures of many unrealistic expectations and soul-crushing deadlines. Brian offers hope, healing and support for highly sensitive and creative men who are stuck, lost and who are searching for renewed purpose and more balance in their lives.  Keep in touch with Brian: • Website: http://brianzirngible.com  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianzirngiblelmft  Resources Mentioned: • Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you overwhelmed by clutter? In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Jo-Rushdy about the impacts of tidying up and:  • How clutter and tidying up impacts our emotional, mental, and physical health  • The importance of digital boundaries and creating a sanctuary in your home• Letting go of what doesn't bring you joy and finding gratitude for your belongings  • Intentionally going through the six stages of the KonMari method of tidying up Rebecca guides sensitive souls on transformational journeys by decluttering their homes, hearts and minds into sanctuaries that spark joy and flow. As a recovered shopaholic & drawing on her lived experiences she's dedicated to helping other highly sensitive people turn their wounds into wisdom and their exhaustion into energy. Rebecca also facilitates wellness workshops and speaks for corporates, government agencies and NGOs on the power of decluttering our personal and professional lives so that we can be more focused, effective and happy in whatever we do. Rebecca has lived and worked all over the world. She was the first platinum KonMari® consultant in Malaysia, and in Edinburgh, Scotland where she is currently based with her husband and two wonderfully sensitive daughters. Keep in touch with Rebecca: • Website: http://www.sparkjoyandflow.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkjoyandflow  • Insight Timer: http://www.insightttimer.com/sparkjoyandflow  Resources Mentioned: • Circle of Joy Community: https://circleofjoy.mn.co/plans/1444189 • Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781607747307  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you struggling with infertility? In this episode, I talk with Liz Gray, LCSW, RPT about her IVF journey through an HSP lens and:  • The physical, emotional, and mental impact of infertility treatment • Why you should ask questions and trust your instincts when interviewing providers  • Transitioning into parenthood and navigating postpartum as a highly sensitive person  Liz is a Highly Sensitive Person, certified EMDR therapist and clinical supervisor, wife, human & goldendoodle momma, organizer, forever learner, quiet leader, social introvert, think-outside-the-box creator, trauma survivor, and infertility warrior. She is the proud co-founder of the Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Directory, which connects women to safe, highly qualified trauma-informed providers while they navigate infertility, pregnancy, and new parenthood. Liz lives outside of Chicago, IL with her husband, mini goldendoodle, and 8-month old son. Keep in touch with Liz: • Website: https://www.maternaltraumasupport.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maternaltraumasupport  Resources Mentioned: • The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Network: https://www.maternaltraumasupport.com/provider. At checkout, click on the annual listing option and enter PODCAST for 20% off an annual membership!  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you been misunderstood and put into a box? In this episode, I talk with Lana Holmes, Psy.D., LCP about the complexities of being highly sensitive and black as well as:  • Honoring your thresholds even if others misinterpret resting as laziness  • Embracing all parts of who you are and loving your sensitivity  • Untangling stereotypes to recognize other people for who they truly are • How to uplift and include all members of our HSP community Dr. Lana is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at the Center for Inclusive Therapy + Wellness. She's passionate about providing therapy that welcomes and celebrates marginalized, oppressed, and stigmatized communities. Her areas of clinical interest and expertise include: the intersection between mental health and spirituality, issues pertaining to BDSM, kink, and ethical non-monogamy; issues pertaining to BIPOC individuals, issues pertaining to LGBTQIA2S+ folx, trauma across the lifespan, life transitions, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders. She currently has openings for online individual and couples therapy.   Keep in touch with Dr. Lana: • Website: https://www.inclusivetherapywellness.com/lana  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-holmes-psy-d-348972186  • Email: inclusivetherapywellness@gmail.com  Resources Mentioned: • Kink and Clinical Practice 101 Training: https://www.touchstoneinstitute.org/trainings/kink-and-clinical-practice-101-(self-paced) • Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781478921684 • Nap Ministry: https://thenapministry.wordpress.com  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you constantly putting your needs last? In this episode, I talk with Dorothy Meyer about finding the courage to care for yourself and: • Breaking free from perfectionism with small snippets of self-care  • Resetting from burnout by leaning on your support system and resources  • Closing the gap between your passions and your career to find more meaningful work • Carving out time for your favorite forms of self-care like reading   Dorothy is a bookseller and small business owner in the Southern New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia with a career background in corporate Human Resources.  She is navigating her way through midlife as a highly sensitive person with an endless curiosity for expanding knowledge about the world and herself.  Through the years Dorothy has struggled with perfectionism, overachieving, anxiety and susceptibility to burnout. Understanding herself as an HSP has been an integral component of her overall wellness.  She enjoys reading, running, yoga, and spending time in nature.  Keep in touch with Dorothy: • Website: http://www.renscoffeeandbooks.com  • Ren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renscoffeenj  • Dorothy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyellowbrickreader  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renscoffeehouseandbooks • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renscoffeehousenj   Resources Mentioned: • Ren's Mailing List: https://www.renscoffeeandbooks.com • Dorothy's HSP Reading List: https://bookshop.org/lists/dorothy-s-hsp-reading-list • Fierce Self-Compass by Kristin Neff, PhD: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780062991065  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you burning out trying to make change and fight injustice? In this episode, I talk with Dorcas Cheng-Tozun about sustainable social advocacy and:  • The six roles of social justice work • Why the extroverted activist ideal isn't accurate or sustainable  • Pacing yourself and taking time for rest to make more impact in your volunteer or nonprofit work • Benefits of having diverse personalities and interdependent communities   Dorcas is a writer, editor, communications consultant, and longtime nonprofit professional. She is the author of three books and currently teaches design thinking and social innovation to high school students. A Silicon Valley native, Dorcas has also lived in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Kenya. Keep in touch with Dorcas: • Website: http://www.chengtozun.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chengtozun  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chengtozun  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chengtozun  Resources Mentioned: • Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781506483436   Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you carving out space to grieve? In this episode, I talk with Nichola Day about grieving through the seasons:  • Intentionally practicing rituals and finding community to honor grief throughout the year • Prioritizing self-care and rest during times of grief  • Finding your personal and seasonal rhythms to reconnect with your values • Unfolding the complexities of grief, from the acute loss to finding the lessons Nichola is a Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher, and Yoga Therapist with her own business, 'Sensitive Yoga Therapy', based in the UK. She is HSP herself, as well as identifying as neurodivergent. She works to support other sensitives experiencing anxiety, overwhelm and burnout to reconnect back with their bodies, the natural world around them and their true authentic selves. She offers a route back to this through Yoga, Mindfulness, Seasonal Living & Inner Inquiry. When she is not working, Nichola loves to read, walk amongst trees and gaze at the moon! Keep in touch with Nichola: • Website: http://www.nicholaday.co.uk • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitiveyogatherapy • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitiveyogatherapy  Resources Mentioned: • Sensitive Soul Space monthly membership: https://www.nicholaday.co.uk/sensitivesoulspace  • Yoga Therapy: https://www.nicholaday.co.uk/one-to-one-yoga-therapy Use code SensitiveStories for 20% off. Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you constantly push your needs or ideas aside? In this episode, I talk with Tara Jackson about caring for yourself as a form of sensitive leadership and: • How prioritizing self-care and your own sensitive rhythm is helpful for everyone • Trusting your intuition to rest or to follow a creative idea in your work  • Why HSPs make excellent leaders and the various ways you can take a leadership role in your personal or professional life  • Allowing spiritual and somatic practices to guide you in creative ideas  Tara is an embodied leadership and creativity coach. She supports her clients to create in alignment with the seasons and rhythms of nature. She supports them to step into and embody their true authentic power so they show up from a place of wholeness and alignment. She invites her clients into deeper connection with their bodies, trusting themselves, as a basis for everything they do. She is also the author of four books, and creator of an oracle card deck. Keep in touch with Tara: • Website: https://empathpreneurs.org  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empathpreneurs  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatarajackson  Resources Mentioned: • Tara's Books and Oracle Cards: https://empathpreneurs.org/books • 1:1 Consulting with Tara: https://empathpreneurs.org/offerings/embodied-power  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you have a difficult relationship with a parent? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sharon Martin about cutting family ties and:  • The most common reasons most people cut ties with parents or close family members • The difference between going low and no contact  • How common it is to second guess your decision to cut ties and what to do if that happens • What to say to people who attempt to guilt you into making amends with a dysfunctional family member • Navigating special occasions and finding healing after estrangement   Sharon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, and author specializing in helping adult children recover from difficult childhoods. She identifies as a Highly Sensitive Person and a recovering perfectionist. Sharon is the author of four books: The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism, The Better Boundaries Workbook, The Better Boundaries Guided Journal, and Cutting Ties with Your Parents. Keep in touch with Sharon: • Website: https://www.livewellwithsharonmartin.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_sharon_martin  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonmartinlcsw  Resources Mentioned:• Cutting Ties with Your Parents by Dr. Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781648483905  • The Better Boundaries Guided Journal by Dr. Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781648482755  • The Better Boundaries Workbook by Dr. Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781684037582  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you struggle to care for yourself when overwhelmed? In this episode, I talk with Arianna Smith, LPC about allowing card pulls to guide your self-care practice and:  • The importance of starting with slow mornings and introspective practices as an HSP • Using tarot either inside or outside of a spiritual/religious practice • Understanding the different types of card decks and how to choose the right one  Arianna is a licensed therapist, professional copywriter, and a queer, witchy soul who dances daily between the clinical and creative. She empowers heart-centered individuals to tap into their intuition and reclaim their power through a trauma-informed, expansive approach that combines EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and intuitive practices like tarot, human design, and astrology. As a writer, Arianna merges clinical insight with feel-good content strategy to help therapists elevate their practices through authentic copy and email marketing. As a seasoned tarot reader, she blends deep reflection, spiritual exploration, and a dash of playfulness to guide clients through life's complex questions and milestones. Keep in touch with Arianna: • Website: https://tarotwitharianna.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writewitharianna  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianna-j-smith  Resources Mentioned: • Intuitive Tarot Reading & Mentorship: https://tarotwitharianna.com • How To Pick Your First Tarot Deck: A Beginner's Guide (includes recommended decks): https://www.ariannasmith.com/blog/how-to-pick-your-first-tarot-deck  Questions for Single Card Pulls: Morning Ritual Questions • Where can I focus my energy?  • How can I best care for myself today? • How can I protect my energy today?  • What HSP strength can I lean upon today? Evening Reflection Questions • What did I learn about myself today? • What energy from today should I release? • How can I show gratitude for today's experiences? • What part of my day needs deeper reflection? Mindful Break Questions When Overwhelmed • What can support me right now?  • What is overwhelming me rThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you used food to cope with your sensitivity? In this episode, I talk with Josie Munroe, LMFT about the connection between sensitivity and eating disorders and:  • What factors predispose highly sensitive people to developing an eating disorder • Alternative ways to cope and find companionship other than food • The difference between feeling calm and feeling numb as we try to soothe feelings of overwhelm and anxiety  • What changes are needed to make recovery resources more sensory friendly for HSPs • Finding hope in the possibility of full recovery from eating disorders   Josie Munroe is an LMFT specializing in eating disorders and trauma recovery for Highly Sensitive People. She serves adults in California and Vermont through individual therapy and also has self-paced, online recovery courses available for anyone, anywhere. Josie is, herself, an HSP and an eating disorder survivor and is passionate about sharing the knowledge and tools that have transformed her work and her life. Keep in touch with Josie: • Website: https://www.yoursensitiverecovery.com • Website: https://www.josiemunroe.com   • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoursensitiverecovery  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josieMFT Resources Mentioned: • Unlocking Recovery: The SensitiviKEY (How Sensitivity Shapes Eating Disorders and Guides Healing): https://www.yoursensitiverecovery.com/courses/unlocking-recovery • Highly Sensitive Person book by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you nurturing and advocating for yourself? In this episode, I talk with Nadine Pinede about dimming your inner critic to a whisper and:  • Learning to advocate for yourself when you have an invisible illness and/or are a person of color  • Soothing pain and discomfort through MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) and Self-Compassion practices  • Seeing yourself and others for who they truly are, not the groups they belong to  • Channeling grief and pain into creativity and writing  • Slowing down to see how everything is connected  Nadine is the daughter of Haitian exiles who were forced to leave their homeland because of a dictatorship. Her mother was no doubt sharing enthralling tales of Haitian history and family lore when Nadine was in the womb. Nadine is an author, poet, editor, educator, and translator who created her own interdisciplinary major at Harvard and then continued on to Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship. She also has an MFA in fiction and poetry and holds a PhD from Indiana University. Nadine's upcoming debut novel from Candlewick Press, When the Mapou Sings, is dedicated to her first storyteller, her mother, who encouraged her to write her own stories.  Keep in touch with Nadine: • Website: https://nadinepinede.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadinepinede  Resources Mentioned: • When the Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781536235661  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Pain: https://www.ummhealth.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/mindfulness-managing-pain-introduction  • Fierce Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, Ph.D.: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780062991065 • Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780060838676Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you feel selfish for slowing down? In this episode, I talk with Lisa-Marie Vecchio about making big life changes to find more peace and:  • Trusting your gut when making decisions for your life and work • Moving from corporate to freelance work as a creative person • The importance of having schedule freedom as a highly sensitive person • Creating moments of art and visual beauty in your home  Lisa-Marie is a Brisbane-based graphic designer and muralist, illustrating art that encourages and uplifts. Her designs are recognised as colourfully eye-catching, created with the intention of communicating hope, joy and empowerment. After ten years working as a designer in the business and corporate sectors, Lisa-Marie started to explore the more creative side of design, seeing a shift in her art style. She then looked for opportunities to recreate her digital artwork as murals, refreshing public spaces with a burst of vibrance and colour. Keep in touch with Lisa: • Website: http://www.lisadotdesign.com • Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lisadotdesign  Resources Mentioned: • Free digital downloads + recipes from Lisa: https://www.lisadotdesign.com/newsletter • Work with Lisa: https://www.lisadotdesign.com/services  • Lisa's planners, prints, homewares, and more: https://www.lisadotdesign.com/store  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

What is possible when you feel deeply seen in your relationships? In this episode, I talk with Laura Deneen, LPC-MHSP and Lauren Jackson, LPC-MHSP about the benefits of supportive friendships and:  • The different roles friendships play in your life as an adult and identifying who is safe to bring into your inner world  • How to nurture friendships when you have limited bandwidth as an HSP • Giving yourself permission to allow friendships, your needs, and your boundaries to change  • Checking in with yourself before, during and after socializing to ensure your relationships are supportive  Laura is the owner of Anchored Counseling Company in Brentwood, TN and Becoming Anchored Co. She loves being a therapist and supporting other therapists. Outside of the office, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and baby girl, gardening, and playing with her dog Louie.  Lauren is a licensed mental health therapist in Tennessee specializing in treating eating disorders at the outpatient level and the clinical director of Anchored Counseling Company supervising their staff and intern therapists. She loves working with life transitions, grief, developmental trauma and anxiety/OCD. When not working, Lauren loves spending time with her husband and almost 3 year old son, reading a good book and walking around Downtown Franklin on the weekends.  Keep in touch with Laura + Lauren: • Website: https://becominganchoredco.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becominganchoredco and https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounselingco  Resources Mentioned: • Anchored Counseling in Tennessee: https://anchoredcounselingco.com • Becoming Anchored Podcast: https://becominganchoredco.com/pages/podcast • Free Safe + Connected Masterclass: https://becominganchoredco.com/pages/connected  • Navigating Friendships Course: https://becominganchoredco.com/pages/friendship   • Highly Sensitive Person book by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182 HSP Self-Test: Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you felt embarrassed by your sensitivity? In this episode, I talk with William Allen about the journey of learning to understand and embrace being an HSP as well as:  • Moving from living inauthentically to accepting your sensitivity • The challenges faced by HSP men such as lack of community and models of sensitive masculinity  • Practicing portable self-care such as meditation, breathing, and connection with nature to recover from overwhelm more quickly  • Finding more resilience as an HSP with the 3Es William is an author with a writer's heart and researcher's mind. After getting a degree in Psychology with an eye on doing psychology research, he recalibrated for a career in Information Technology. He retired early from his corporate job to start his Hypno-coaching and neurofeedback brain training business, BrainPilots, in Bend, Oregon. In late 2016, he began his blog, The Sensitive Man, about his experiences, as a highly sensitive man. The blog became the genesis of his first book, Confessions of a Sensitive Man. His new book, On Being a Sensitive Man, is the follow up book, which focuses on how to live in the world as a sensitive man.  Keep in touch with William: • Website: http://www.thesensitiveman.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zallenw  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesensitiveman • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wrallen  Resources Mentioned: • Online HSP Men's Group: https://www.thesensitiveman.com/hsp-mens-group.html • Confessions of a Sensitive Man by William Allen: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781098325169 • On Being a Sensitive Man: Success Strategies for Harnessing Your Highly Sensing Nature by William Allen: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781667817439 • The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182 • Research on High Sensitivity: https://sensitivityresearch.com • Sensitive: The Untold Story documentary: https://sensitivethemovie.com • Sensitive Men Rising documentary: https://sensitivemenrising.org Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you feel overwhelmed by your emotions or struggle to communicate your experience as an HSP? In this episode, I talk with Lucy Sherman, LPC about expressing yourself through creativity and:  • How to use card decks and creative prompts as part of your reflection and self-care practice  • Understanding and nurturing your rich inner life through images and metaphor from nature, photographs, and cards • Soothing your nervous system and finding safety by connecting inward  Lucy is a Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR Certified Therapist and a Highly Sensitive Person herself in Portland, OR. Lucy has always felt deeply with others and has brought creativity into every part of her life both as a tool to explore her experience and in connecting with others. Lucy feels honored to do this therapeutic work helping Highly Sensitive Folks reflect and process trauma while also tapping into their intuition, imagination, creativity, humor and hope. Through Therapy Intensives there is space to explore outside of talking and weave in creative expression, oracle cards with EMDR while getting to the root of what is stuck and finding relief, lightness and a new compassion for all versions of self. Outside of sessions, you can find Lucy in the forest with her Basset mix Penny, creating with loved ones or gushing over a favorite deck. Keep in touch with Lucy: • Website: https://www.perceptivecounselingpdx.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceptive_counseling  Resources Mentioned: • Therapy Magic Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therapy-magic/id1676794458 • Therapy Intensives: https://www.perceptivecounselingpdx.com/emdr-intensives  • Creative Consultation for Therapists: https://www.perceptivecounselingpdx.com/method-page-1-1  • Light Seer's Tarot Deck: https://lightseerstarot.com  • Amy Maricle Slow Drawing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM2KmGwTNhI • Draw Yourself Calm by Amy Maricle: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780593541012   Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you feeling burned out by the dating process or struggling to show up in your relationships? In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Marcus, LCSW about going at your own pace and: • Caring for yourself when starting new relationships just as you would in every other part of your life  • Not comparing yourself to others when dating and choosing the right pace for you • Slowing down to process and reflect throughout the dating process to understand how you feel about the other person  • The importance of honoring and speaking your needs with the other people in your life, even if they're also highly sensitive  Rebecca is a social worker in NYC who helps Millennial women chill out, get confident, and trust themselves and their dating process, so they can find and keep the love they want. Growing up on Disney movies, rom coms, and fairy tales about Prince Charming that showed unrealistic expectations of relationships, dating, and love only led to chaos and confusion when she started dating. So for a decade, she's helped millennial women navigate the confusing NYC dating scene, break toxic patterns, and create relationships and a life filled with meaning and joy. Keep in touch with Rebecca: • Website: https://rmpsychotherapy.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rm.psychotherapy  Resources Mentioned: • Free Meditation: https://rmpsychotherapy.com/subscribe  • Dating Groups: https://rmpsychotherapy.com/group  • Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781954118157   • Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182  • The Empath's Survival Guide by Dr. Judith Orloff: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781683642114  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you constantly feeling disconnected from yourself? In this episode, I talk with Nichola Day about allowing seasonal changes to be a reminder to look within and: • The pivotal moment when you realize you're highly sensitive and the need to advocate for your unique needs• The overlap between different forms of neurodivergence such as high sensitivity, ADHD, and autism • Giving yourself grace to move slowly through seasonal transitions and come back to your self-care practice again and again  Nichola is a Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher, and Yoga Therapist with her own business, 'Sensitive Yoga Therapy', based in the UK. She is HSP herself, as well as identifying as neurodivergent. She works to support other sensitives experiencing anxiety, overwhelm and burnout to reconnect back with their bodies, the natural world around them and their true authentic selves. She offers a route back to this through Yoga, Mindfulness, Seasonal Living & Inner Inquiry. When she is not working, Nichola loves to read, walk amongst trees and gaze at the moon! Keep in touch with Nichola: • Website: http://www.nicholaday.co.uk • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitiveyogatherapy • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitiveyogatherapy  Resources Mentioned: • Autumnal Self-Care Pack: https://www.nicholaday.co.uk  • Sensitive Soul Space monthly membership: https://www.nicholaday.co.uk/sensitivesoulspace  • Yoga Therapy: https://www.nicholaday.co.uk/one-to-one-yoga-therapy Use code SensitiveStories for 20% off.  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you leaning into the positive experiences of being highly sensitive? In this episode, I talk with Tom Falkenstein about the beauty of connecting deeply as an HSP and:  • The correlation between sensitivity and mental health • Unique struggles and opportunities of being a highly sensitive man  • Understanding that sensitivity is not a burden or a deficit, but a neutral trait that you're born with • How highly sensitive people benefit more from therapy and other positive supports due to differential susceptibility  Tom is a psychologist (M.A.), cognitive behavioural psychotherapist, and author of the book "The Highly Sensitive Man" (Kensington Books, 2019), which has been translated into several languages. He has been working as a psychotherapist since 2006, both in Germany and the UK, and developed an interest in sensitivity during his psychotherapeutic work in London in the early 2010s. He was trained and supervised by Dr Elaine Aron for several years. His work has been featured in numerous podcasts, on television and in international publications, including The Telegraph, Psychology Today and Men's Health. He has also appeared in the documentary "Sensitive Men Rising" (2024) by Will Harper. Singer-songwriter-activist Alanis Morissette described Tom's book "The Highly Sensitive Man" as "a breath of fresh air in the midst of a cultural determination to reduce toxic masculinity. This book is a balm, a movement, and a revelation." Tom runs a private practice in London and is completing a PhD on sensitivity and mental health at Queen Mary University of London with Prof Michael Pluess. Keep in touch with Tom: • Website: http://www.tomfalkenstein.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom.falkenstein  Resources Mentioned: • The Highly Sensitive Man by Tom Falkenstein: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780806539331 Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you pushing yourself beyond your limits? In this episode, I talk with Maya Benattar, LCAT about ways to soften into rest and connection with yourself and: • Using music and other sensory experiences to understand your emotions more clearly • Leaning into softness and being gentle with yourself more often • Unhooking from the pressure to always overextend yourself  • Finding the balance between doing and being, action and rest • The importance of having your emotions and experiences be seen and held by another Maya is a licensed music psychotherapist in private practice in NYC, helping highly sensitive women live with less anxiety, access true confidence and finally detach from "I'm not good enough". She relishes explorations around sensitivity, big feelings, family baggage, and creativity. In addition to her private practice, Maya provides wellness workshops and professional development trainings. Keep in touch with Maya: • Website: https://www.mayabenattar.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayabenattar  Resources Mentioned: • Exhale + Soften Guided Humming Exercise: https://insighttimer.com/mayabenattar/guided-meditations/exhale-and-soften-guided-hummingThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Did you learn to repress your emotions as a kid or are you figuring out how to support the big emotions of your HSP kiddo? In this episode, I talk with Sarita Fichtner about the importance of expressing your emotions from an early age and:  • Long-term effects of being labeled “too sensitive” or “lazy” as a young HSP • The profound impact of discovering your sensitivity on your mental health • What's possible when you set boundaries and support your sensitivity • Dancing between bliss and survival mode as an HSP parent Sarita is the children's book author of "Pop Out Loud".  She struggled deeply with poor mental health from a young age, until her late twenties when she discovered the term "highly sensitive person".  Sarita was then able to shift her circumstances from feeling defeated to feeling empowered, and build a life that thrives on a highly sensitive nervous system.  "Pop Out Loud, First Day of School" is her debut book of the series which embraces emotions and honors sensitivity. Keep in touch with Sarita: • Website: http://www.saritaimagined.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saritaimagined  Resources Mentioned: • Pop Out Loud children's book: http://www.saritaimagined.com   • The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182  • Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781401938093  • The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781401946555  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you feel disconnected from yourself and your needs? In this episode, I talk with Elizabeth Cush, LCPC about being more gentle with yourself and: • Finding your way to acceptance of your sensitivity through self-compassion  • Practicing simple acts of mindfulness to understand what you need moment to moment • Slowing down to nurture all parts of yourself and your life • Living a balanced life with less overwhelm  Elizabeth is a life coach for highly sensitive women, a licensed clinical professional counselor, and business owner. She's also the host of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast.  She incorporates the body, mind, and spirit into her work. As a life coach, she helps sensitive women who feel stressed and overwhelmed find balance, flow, and ease to fully enjoy the beautiful life they've created. When she's not working she's traveling, and hanging outdoors with her husband and dachshund Elvis.Keep in touch with Elizabeth: • Website: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenyourwisewoman • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethcushlcpc3220 • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethcushlcpc  • Podcast: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com/awaken-your-wise-woman-podcast  Resources Mentioned: • Sacred Support Circles for Sensitive Women: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com/hsp-group-coaching-for-women  • A Guide to navigating friendships in Midlife: https://freeguide.elizabethcush.com • The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781462526789  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you overwhelmed and exhausted trying to be the perfect parent? In this episode, I talk with Amy Lajiness, LCSW, PMH-C about highly sensitive parenthood and:  • What to do when you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and touched out  • How pregnancy and parenting multiple children can increase overstimulation, leading to panic attacks, rage, or somatic symptoms  • Creating a sensory toolkit and finding micro pockets of time to take the edge off the anxiety and reconnect with yourself as a human  • Ways to get support when you're the sole parent or don't have others to help • The importance of disconnecting from the parenting advice noise to reconnect with your own values as a parent • Modeling and reinforcing your needs to kids who are not developmentally able to understand boundaries or self-care  • Remembering that you don't have to be perfect to be good enough as a parent  Amy is a Licensed Therapist and Coach who has spent countless hours supporting Highly Sensitive (HSP) parents in reclaiming their peace and confidence. Amy is a Highly Sensitive Person herself as well as a mother of two highly energetic young children. Amy holds certifications in Perinatal Mental Health and HSP, and is passionate about providing resources for HSP parents, teaching them how to harness their strengths and manage challenges with grace and confidence, in order to thrive in parenthood. Keep in touch with Amy: • Website: https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highlysensitiveparenthood  Resources Mentioned: • Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help  • Highly Sensitive Parenthood + Supporting Your Highly Sensitive Child Courses: https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com/courses - use the coupon code SENSITIVESTORIES at checkout for 25% off! • Coaching with Amy: https://highlysensitiveparenthood.mykajabi.com/coaching - use the coupon code SENSITIVESTORIES at checkout for 25% off! Thank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode. Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you often get stuck in anxiety and overthinking? In this episode, I talk with Kate Hennessey about using tapping to self-soothe your sensitive nervous system and:  • The importance of setting up routines and of carving out time for self-care throughout every day • Learning EFT tapping, breathwork, and other somatic resources for calming anxiety, fear, and grief  • Meeting yourself where you are and accepting your sensitivity  Kate is a highly sensitive person on a mission to help other HSP cultivate more self-love and strengthen their strong self-worth using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping and other somatic modalities. She's been a licensed massage therapist since 2017 and an EFT practitioner since 2021. Kate uses a somatic framework and takes a trauma-informed approach to guide others to transform shame, anxiety, and grief into power, freedom, and compassion.  Keep in touch with Kate:  • Website: https://katehennhealing.podia.com/efttapping  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katehenn.healing  Resources Mentioned: To learn more about tapping and other somatic techniques to combat anxiety, anger, grief, download Kate's free somatic sensitivity guide: https://katehennhealing.ck.page/332eb1f38cThank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode. Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you gotten stuck in the belief that HSPs are fragile? In this episode, I talk with Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali, LMFT about celebrating your sensitivity and:  • Teaching people how to treat you and communicating that your needs are different • Setting firm, but kind boundaries and how to manage pushback  • Finding fulfilling ways to socialize without the overwhelm or social pressure to show up like everyone else  • Rewriting the messages that say HSPs are weird, too sensitive, shy, or weak • It's possible for highly sensitive people to be ambitious, resilient, and strong  Ibinye is a licensed marriage and family therapist for couples and women with anxiety and insomnia. As a coach, she helps highly sensitive women set clear, kind boundaries, so they can put their needs at the forefront of their lives, stand up for themselves and rock social situations. When she's not working with HSPs she loves trying out new foods and taking naps.  Keep in touch with Ibinye: • Website: http://www.thezinniapractice.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezinniapractice   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thezinniapractice  Resources Mentioned: • Individual Coaching for Highly Sensitive Women: https://calendly.com/ibi-k7ob/consult   • HSP Self-Test: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-testThank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode.  Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Is it difficult to find quiet spaces to think and reflect? In this episode, I talk with Jenna Mitchell, BSW, MSW, RSW about using nature as a resource to recharge and:  • How highly sensitive people are more connected and positively impacted by nature  • Taking your problems to nature when you're stuck in overthinking or overwhelm  • Reconnecting with your creativity and intuition through nature  • The many ways to connect with nature inside and outside, using your five senses  • Intentionally engaging with nature to restore your mind and emotions  • Why it's important to advocate for more accessible outdoor spaces  Jenna is a Registered Social Worker and Therapist in Ontario, and works in her private practice- Therapy for Sensitive Souls. She is also a highly sensitive person herself who feels this world deeply. Jenna works to help other highly sensitive humans rewrite their stories about sensitivity to shift from sensitivity as shame to sensitivity as strength. Jenna helps clients move towards building a loving and self-compassionate relationship to all parts of themselves.  Keep in touch with Jenna: • Website: http://therapyforsensitivesouls.ca  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapyforsensitivesouls  Resources Mentioned: • Jenna works virtually with highly sensitive adults who are Ontario residents. Set up a consult: http://therapyforsensitivesouls.ca  Thank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode. Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you worry you're moving too slowly or not keeping up? In this solo episode I answer two listener questions:  • Any suggestions on how to cope when my deep processing translates to working much slower than everyone else? • How do we find balance and a sustainable routine when feeling deeply and overwhelmed by the daily hustle?  April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist and author in California. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal. Submit a Question: https://www.sensitivestories.com/ask  Additional Resources: • High Sensation Seeking Self-Test:  https://hsperson.com/test/high-sensation-seeking-test  • Watch the Sensitive Session on Softening Perfectionism: https://www.sensitivesessions.com  • The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism by Dr. Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781684031535 • Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person by April Snow: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781577153009Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you taken longer in life to meet certain milestones or discover yourself?  In this episode, I talk with Melissa Giberson about being a late bloomer and: • The healing power of language and being able to connect with others around your sensitivity • How difficult, yet essential it is to have enough solitude and quiet for yourself  • Discovering your sensitivity, sexuality, and other parts of yourself at midlife • Moving through the grief and finding hope when you need to follow a different path than what you originally set out on • What's possible when you listen to your inner voice and move through the mess of making a big life change Melissa is an author, occupational therapist, and a proud mama bear to two children. Her essays have appeared in multiple online and in-print publications and her first book is Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self At Midlife. A native New Yorker, she, her partner, and their two cats split their time between New Jersey and Provincetown, Massachusetts. Keep in touch with Melissa: • Website: https://www.melissagiberson.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagiberson031  Resources Mentioned: • Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self at Midlife by Melissa Giberson: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781647425197  • Kripalu Retreat Center: https://kripalu.org/Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you feeling disconnected with your body and constantly pushing yourself to do more? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Danica Harris about coming home to yourself and:  • Carving out space and time to reconnect with your true self as an HSP • Finding ways to resource and care for your sensitive nervous system • The importance of somatic work for healing chronic overwhelm and trauma • Listening to your body's basic needs as the first step to healing  • Leaning into what's available and making small changes to resource yourself  • Slowing down to focus on what's important and essential for your healing   Danica is a trained Psychologist turned Somatic Coach who co-owns a group therapy practice in Dallas, TX. Danica is a highly sensitive person and specializes in working with HSPs with a complex trauma history. Danica loves sharing free trauma-informed resources on her popular Instagram page @theempoweredtherapist and she has turned this resource into a company that supports folx who want to dive deeper into their healing work through courses, retreats, virtual somatic groups, and trainings for therapists. Keep in touch with Danica: • Website: www.theempoweredtherapist.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theempoweredtherapist  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredhealingdallas  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@empoweredhealingdallas  Resources Mentioned: • Somatic Movement + Meditation Virtual Group: https://theempoweredtherapist.com/group • Therapy Services: www.empoweredhealingdallas.com • Healing Focused Self-Care Strategies Course: https://the-empowered-therapist-s-learning-lounge.teachable.com/p/healing-focused-self-care-strategies • Healing Your Way Home Retreat is an all-inclusive somatic-focused retreat, designed for those who want or need an immersive healing experience. Sign up for the waitlist here: https://theempoweredtherapist.com/offerings Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you overgiving in your relationships?  In this episode, I talk with Melissa Guttman, MT-BC, LCAT about setting boundaries with emotionally immature people and:  • Why highly sensitive people often struggle with boundaries and codependency in their relationships  • Reframing guilt as a marker of taking better care of yourself instead of thinking that you've done something wrong  • Letting go of overfunctioning and over-empathizing to honor the other ways you bring value as a sensitive person • Recognizing anger and intuition as signs it's time to set a boundary • The cost of enabling and rescuing the people in your life  • Knowing when to distance yourself from the emotionally immature people in your life  Melissa is a licensed IFS therapist in private practice based in New York City, helping highly sensitive adult children of narcissists recover from gaslighting and trust their intuition, to make decisions from a place of personal sovereignty and wisdom. Melissa also runs the Witches Protection Program, a self-defense training for highly sensitive people to learn how to protect themselves from narcissists. Keep in touch with Melissa: • Website: https://www.ifswitch.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifs_witch • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ifs_witch  Resources Mentioned: • Melissa's Witches Protection Program: https://www.ifswitch.com/witchesprotectionprogram  • Discovering the Inner Mother: A Guide to Healing the Mother Wound by Bethany Webster: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780062884442  • You Are the One You've Been Waiting For by Richard Schwartz: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781683643623  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you able to fully relax and decompress at home?  In this solo episode I answer two listener questions:  • What can you do to make moving to a new space less stressful?  • How can I manage living with other people? April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist and author in California. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal. Submit a Question: https://www.sensitivestories.com/ask  Additional Resources: • The Highs and Lows of Moving as an HSP: https://www.sensitivestrengths.com/blog/moving  • Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop series to slow down, reflect, and understand yourself as a highly sensitive person: https://www.sensitivesessions.com  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you hidden away your sensitivity because others said you needed to be strong?  In this episode, I talk with Noni Vaughn-Pollard, about the cost of perfectionism and…  • Setting down the pressure to be like everyone else and embracing the soft, quiet life  • Stepping back from the pressure to be exceptional as a highly sensitive person of color  • Honoring family and cultural values without disregarding your sensitivity  • Seeing perfectionism as a form of self-betrayal and understanding the value of accepting yourself as you are instead  • Using tarot cards as a resource to connect back to yourself and access intuitive messages  • Unhooking from perfectionism through breathwork and vulnerability practices   Noni is a Mental Health Counselor & Registered Nutritionist in New York. She has experience working with adolescents and young adults of color who live with intense anxiety and struggle with releasing perfectionism. She practices with a person-centered, creative and spiritual approach to guide clients. Keep in touch with Noni: • Website: https://www.rootsarttherapy.nyc/noni  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afroandappetite  Resources Mentioned: Open Mindfulness App: https://o-p-e-n.com   Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you want to accomplish more, but quickly burn out your energy?  In this solo episode I answer two listener questions:  • How can you be consistently productive as a highly sensitive person?  • Is it possible to be an ambitious, sensitive person?  April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist and author in California. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal. Submit a Question: https://www.sensitivestories.com/ask Additional Resources: • Gentle Sleep Support Course to Feel More Rested: https://www.sensitiveschool.com/p/sleep  • Trust Yourself by Melody Wilding: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781797201962  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you exhausted or resentful from constantly putting your needs aside?  In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sharon Martin about setting boundaries and:  • Accepting your sensitivity and your basic human needs for rest as a precursor to setting boundaries more effectively • Distinguishing between direct and indirect boundaries • Benefits of communicating your needs, setting limits, and compromising in relationships  • Keeping boundaries straight-forward instead of overexplaining  • Empowering yourself to make changes when others aren't able to honor your limits • Overcoming boundary violations and strategies to get your needs met when you receive pushback Dr. Sharon Martin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, and author specializing in helping adult children recover from difficult childhoods. She identifies as a Highly Sensitive Person and a recovering perfectionist. Sharon is the author of three books: The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism, The Better Boundaries Workbook, and The Better Boundaries Guided Journal. Keep in touch with Sharon: • Website: https://www.livewellwithsharonmartin.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_sharon_martin  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonmartinlcsw  Resources Mentioned: • The Better Boundaries Guided Journal by Dr. Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781648482755  • The Better Boundaries Workbook by Dr. Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781684037582  Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you feel overwhelmed and underappreciated at work?  In this episode, I talk with Melody Wilding, LMSW about trusting yourself at work and: • Balancing the strengths and liabilities of being what Melody calls a “Sensitive Striver”  • Trusting your intuition as a valuable source of information  • The key to speaking up in meetings starts by building relationships and taking care of your nervous system before the meeting  • Living with an honor roll hangover from your school days and how that could be contributing to burnout as an adult in the workplace  • Why overperforming and perfectionism often harm your chances of advancement at work • Strategies for setting boundaries at work and what to say when you've overcommitted  • Creating a “me manual” to help you communicate how you work best while establishing reciprocal relationships with your supervisors Melody is the best-selling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work. Named one of Business Insider's Most Innovative Coaches for her groundbreaking work on “Sensitive Strivers,” her clients include CEOs, C-level executives, and managers at top Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Amazon, and JP Morgan, among others. Melody has been featured in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal and is a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and Forbes. Melody is a licensed social worker with a masters from Columbia University and a professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College.  Keep in touch with Melody: • Website: https://melodywilding.com/  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodywilding/  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding/  • Facebook Community: https://melodywilding.com/community  Resources Mentioned: • Get a free chapter from Melody's book, Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work, here: https://melodywilding.com/chapter  • Trust Yourself Book by Melody Wilding: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781797201962Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you constantly putting the needs of others before yourself and struggling to show up as your full self in relationships?  In this solo episode I answer two listener questions:  • Why do I feel so much resentment in my relationships?  • How do you tell people you are an HSP?  April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist and author in California. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal. Submit a Question: https://www.sensitivestories.com/ask  Additional Resources: • The Better Boundaries Journal by Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781648482755  • Sensitive Sessions Monthly Support: https://www.sensitivesessions.com  • The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you in relationships where you feel lonely, exhausted, or used?  In this episode, I talk with Julie Wrocklage, LPC about the emotional toll of being in one-sided relationships and:  • The differences between a supportive, reciprocal relationship and a one-sided relationship where there's no or little reciprocity • What makes highly sensitive people more vulnerable to being in relationships with emotionally immature or narcissistic people • How you can advocate for your needs if a relationship is feeling one-sided • Long-term impacts of gaslighting on the mental and physical health of HSPs • Starting the healing process whether you're currently in a non-reciprocal relationship or have been in one in the past  • The importance of education, therapy, grief work, and self-compassion to make space for your experience and receive validation  Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Columbia, Missouri. She takes a gentle and non-pathologizing approach to mental health, offering mindfulness-based therapy for sensitive, empathetic, and very-attuned-to-the-needs-of-others folks. As a therapist (and human), Julie is committed to inclusiveness, anti-racism, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care.  Keep in touch with Julie: • Website: http://www.quietstrengthcounseling.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quietstrengthcounseling/  Resources Mentioned: • Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson, PsyD: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781626251700  • It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People by Dr. Ramani Durvasula: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780593492628  • Self-Compassion Practices by Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/#guided-practices  • Let Go of the People Who Aren't Ready to Love You: https://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2024/04/this-year-let-go-of-the-people-who-arent-ready-to-love-you/Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you constantly doing more than you have the bandwidth for as an HSP?  In this solo episode I answer two listener questions:  • How do you NOT feel influenced by the pressure from the non-HSPs in your life to do more?  • How do you manage social pressure/guilt that comes up when you need to recharge but feel you can't say no?  April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist and author in California. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal. Submit a Question: https://www.sensitivestories.com/ask  Additional Resources: • Free Sensitive Self-Care Workshop: https://sensitiveschool.lpages.co/self-care-workshop   • Sensitive Sessions Monthly Support: https://www.sensitivesessions.com  • 5 Stages of HSP Grief and Acceptance: https://www.sensitivestrengths.com/blog/hsp-grief-stages • 4 Steps to Prioritize Your Needs Without Guilt: https://www.sensitivestrengths.com/blog/guilt-free  • The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you felt overwhelmed by grief or been pressured to get over it quickly? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Elizabeth Butler about finding your way through grief as a sensitive person and: • The unexpected ways grief can show up such as irritability, anxiety, and anger • How community support and rituals can support you in your processing of grief • Grief shows up when you lose someone, but also when you go through other types of loss or life changes • Remembering to come back to yourself as you take care of others in shared grief experiences  • Listening to your emotions and carving out time to be with your sadness via nature, movement, crying, or other practices  Dr. Butler (they/them) is a psychologist and therapist who loves deep conversation, hiking, and crocheting tiny animals. They hold intense professional interests in breaking generational trauma, healing from eating disorders while learning to nourish oneself along the way, and fighting the stigma so many of us face in a society that often doesn't understand anyone who diverges from "the norm." After experiencing many sudden losses beginning at a young age, Dr. Butler is passionate about meeting the need for holding space for and validating grief - at work and far beyond. They are currently enrolled in IPI's intensive psychedelic-assisted therapy certification program, which fits perfectly with their practical yet spiritual approach to recovery.   Keep in touch with Elizabeth: • Website: https://prismapsychology.com/  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prismapsychology   Resources Mentioned: • Elizabeth offers psychedelic integration services virtually for California residents.  Find more details at: https://prismapsychology.com • Beth Buelow's Podcast: https://bethbuelow.com/how-can-i-say-this-podcast/ • Dear Grief Guide Podcast by Shelby Forsythia: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/dear-grief-guide-podcast  • The Mindfulness & Grief Podcast by Heather Stang: https://heatherstang.com/grief-podcast/  • Terrible, Thanks for Asking Podcast: https://ttfa.org/  • It's Okay You're Not Okay by Megan Devine: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781622039074 • Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore PhD: Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Have you put yourself aside for years? In this episode, I talk with Jen Berlingo, LPC, ATR about tuning back into your inner calling and… • Emerging in midlife and unmasking to be your full self again • Looking inward to identify what needs to change • Navigating big life changes and taking one small step forward at a time • Turning your ear back inward to listen to your inner yearnings and reclaiming your true nature • Assessing whether your lifestyle supports your sensitive nervous system • Learning to assert your preferences in a world that's not built for HSPs • Stop abandoning yourself and people pleasing to make others comfortable  Jen (she/her) is a midlife coach, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Registered Art Therapist, and a master-level Reiki practitioner. After two decades of midwifing hundreds of women through life's major transitions and experiencing her own passage through a fiery midlife portal where she more fully stepped into her queer identity, she was inspired to write Midlife Emergence to accompany other women in traversing their midlife journeys. Upon its publication, Midlife Emergence reached #1 in several Amazon categories, including midlife management, divorce, LGBTQ+ memoirs, LGBTQ+ parenting and families, adulthood and aging, and self-help. Jen is also a visual artist who not only created the painting on the cover of her book, but also makes custom pieces for collectors worldwide and exhibits her fluid, abstract art locally in her beloved town of Boulder, Colorado.  Keep in touch with Jen: • Website: https://jenberlingo.com • Substack: https://jenberlingo.substack.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenberlingo   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenberlingotherapy  • Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/artsorceress  Additional Resources: • Get support when undergoing profound transitions like midlife, divorce, or coming out later in life. Learn more + sign up for a free discovery call with Jen at https://jenberlingo.com/coaching  • Midlife Emergence Book: https://jenberlingo.com/book  • 100 Day Project: https://www.the100dayproject.org/  • Weighted Blankets: httpsThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Are you burning out trying to do all the things you're supposed to? In this episode, I talked with Maegan Megginson, LMFT, LPC about unhooking from expectations and finding new ways to be of service to yourself.  We also explored:  • Grieving the life you imagined you would have before discovering that you're highly sensitive  • Experimenting with changes to feel more comfortable with yourself, in your relationships, and at work  • Setting boundaries around giving and receiving empathy • Tending to yourself first by asking the questions, “have I been invited?” and “do I have the energy to offer support?” • Finding new ways of being of service to yourself and unhooking from overgiving and overfunctioning  • Shifting the rules of how you work at the first sign of burnout  • Integrating the personal and professional parts of yourself to find more balance and healing  Maegan Megginson is a Licensed Therapist and Business Mentor on a mission to help business owners recover from burnout and reignite their vision for their work and their lives by blending the emotional, psychological, and spiritual elements we need to become deeply rested and wildly successful.  Keep in touch with Maegan: • Website: https://maeganmegginson.com  Resources Mentioned: Recover From Burnout is a free 10-day email series that will help you feel better without adding tasks to your to-do list or buying another helpful tool you'll never use. Sign up here: https://maeganmegginson.com/recover-from-burnoutThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you feel others emotions as deeply as your own?  In this episode, I talk with Mishka Clavijo Kimball, LMFT about how to care for yourself as an empath and: • Growing up sensitive as the eldest in a latino family and how family roles impact your experience as an HSP • Learning to provide support in a balanced way and not automatically jumping in to rescue others  • How to care for yourself more and not love others too much at your own expense  • Differences, myths, and strengths of HSPs and empaths  • Self-care practices that allow you to reconnect to yourself and soothe overwhelm  • Practices for setting physical and energetic boundaries, restoring energy through connection with nature and water, ancestral healing, salsa dancing, mindfulness, yoga, and journaling Mishka is a Latina Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Transformational Coach with over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health. She specializes in helping Empaths and HSPs live a life of balance and peace. Mishka is the author of The Empath's Self-Care Journal and has worked with hundreds of clients helping them heal and transform their lives. Mishka has a private practice based in Los Angeles, where she offers virtual therapy services for clients on a 1:1 basis.  Keep in touch with Mishka: • Website: https://www.sensibilidadcounseling.com  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensibilidadcounseling  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensibilidadcounseling  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishka-clavijo-kimball-m-s-lmft-45601649  Resources Mentioned: • Finding Peace and Balance:  A 6-week course for Empaths who want to heal from emotional overwhelm and learn to protect their energy. https://www.sensibilidadcounseling.com/online-course-for-sensitives • The Empath's Self-Care Journal: https://www.sensibilidadcounseling.com/empathselfcareshop/p/style-01-ej5na-7klle  • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780143127741   • Highly Sensitive Therapist List: https://hsperson.com/therapists/seeking-aThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

What has been your experience finding connection and community as a highly sensitive person?  In this episode, I talk with Brian Torres, LMFT about the stigma of high sensitivity, the essential need for more inclusive HSP community spaces, and: • The vulnerability of sharing your sensitivity and opening up to criticism and misperceptions about the trait • The stigma of high sensitivity and the essential need for more inclusive HSP community spaces • Feeling different as a sensitive kid and learning why as an adult • What it means to be highly sensitive and LGBTQIA+ plus the parallels between the two  • Sensitivity doesn't always look the same for HSPs from marginalized groups and why representation is important to represent the many ways sensitivity shows up  • The role privilege plays in honoring your sensitive needs  • Recognizing the resilience in sensitivity and the essential nature in HSPs using their gifts for equality and inclusiveness  Brian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Los Angeles, California. He has previously served as a mental health and crisis counselor with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and The Trevor Project. In his clinical practice, Brian specializes in working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as highly sensitive persons. With a passion for research on high sensitivity, he has presented at conferences and offers insightful training on high sensitivity within the LGBTQ+ community. Keep in touch with Brian: Website: http://www.briantorrestherapy.comResources Mentioned: • Alanis Morissette's Podcast: https://alanis.com/podcasts• The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

Do you struggle with feeling good enough as a highly sensitive person? In this episode, I talk with Lori Cangilla, PhD about imposter syndrome and taking tiny steps out of your comfort zone to feel more fulfilled as well as:  • Overcoming the ambivalence of being highly sensitive to find more meaning • Balancing commitments to others to get the right amount of quiet time for your sensitive nervous system  • The importance of solitude to calm overstimulation  • Needing variety to feel fully fulfilled as a more high sensation seeking HSP • The difference between performance anxiety and imposter syndrome • Difficulties of not feeling good enough • Importance of taking tiny steps out of your comfort zone  Lori is a licensed psychologist specializing in helping creative, gifted, and highly sensitive people. Her Singularly Sensitive approach combines journaling, mindfulness, and behavioral experiments to help people create lives of meaning and purpose. Lori is the author of the guided journal Wander and Delve.  Keep in touch with Lori: • Website: http://www.singularlysensitive.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SingularlySensitive  Resources Mentioned:  • Lori's Self-Study Course for Performance Anxiety + Imposter Syndrome designed to get you taking small, sustainable actions toward your creative and performance dreams. It includes a 40+ page workbook, videos, and 30+ multi-part journal prompts to help you reach your goals. https://www.singularlysensitive.com/performance-anxiety-imposter-syndrome-course  • Lori's Wander and Delve Journal: https://www.singularlysensitive.com/wander-and-delveThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

When you're overwhelmed, are you able to tell others what you need? In this episode, I talk with Lauren Selfridge, LMFT about creating emotionally safe, deep connections and navigating conflict and: • Translating and communicating our sensitive needs to others  • Creating emotionally safe, deep connections with HSPs and non-HSPs alike  • The value of taking breaks during conflicts to soothe your nervous system and create stronger connections in the process  • Reclaiming sensitivity as resiliency, not a sign of fragility  Lauren is an extroverted HSP and a licensed psychotherapist living with multiple sclerosis. Through her video therapy practice, she supports clients with chronic illness as well as individuals and couples wanting to build extraordinary relationships - using Imago Dialogue Developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt. Lauren also hosts This Is Not What I Ordered: a podcast on finding our way with chronic illness, loss, and change. She loves helping people create meaningful, deep, and joyful connections with themselves and the people they care about. Keep in touch with Lauren: • Website: https://laurenselfridge.com  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helloselfridge    Resources Mentioned: • Lauren's Free Guide: 3 Practices for Full Hearted Living with Chronic Illness: https://laurenselfridge.com/listen• Lauren's This Is Not What I Ordered Podcast: https://laurenselfridge.com/listen• Imago Relationship Therapy: https://imagorelationships.orgThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

When is it best to stay home to honor your social anxiety and when do you get slightly uncomfortable to show up for what's important to you?  In this episode, Louisa Lombard, LCPC opens up about her own experiences as an HSP with anxiety and:    • Taking a gentle approach when navigating social anxiety• The continuum of feeling nervous to socially anxious and how to tell the difference• Throwing away unsupportive feedback and what to do with critical comments • Raising sensitive children and discovering your own sensitive needs along the way  • Being more impacted by less nurturing childhood experiences compared to your siblings  • Being labeled the bad or difficult child for being more sensitive and intuitive   • Sensitive people are strong and unexpectedly resilient because they feel so much and do it anyway!  Louisa is a therapist who specializes in supporting HSPs and HSP parents with anxiety, social anxiety, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, depression and overwhelm. Louisa sees clients virtually across California and Maryland. She helps people to feel more confident, calm, and self-compassionate, so that they can live life more in alignment with their goals and dreams. Keep in touch with Louisa: • Website: http://www.strongandsensitive.com Additional Resources:  • Attachment Style Quiz: https://traumasolutions.com/attachment-styles-quiz • HSP Self-Test by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://hsperson.com/test• Facing Codependence by Pia Melody: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780062505897• Mindfulness Exercises: https://insighttimer.com• Self-Compassion Practices: https://self-compassion.orgThanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional. Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.