The Healthy Sensitive's Podcast

I'm back after almost a year! In this episode I discuss: - Why it is that the question "who are you?" is so important for HSP's - Strategies for how to sneak up to the answer to this question - Why it may be the case that the answer is not static (perhaps I am not so much a particular kind of person so much as I am a process) - Why it is that highly sensitive people tend to struggle in this area (hint: we are so good at adapting that we sometimes don't know who we are when we aren't busy trying to achieve something or please someone) - Where you can go if you want a deeper discussion with fellow sensitive people and/or more engagement with additional content   Join Our Meetup Group! https://www.meetup.com/the-healthy-sensitives/   Join Our Substack Group (VERY new) https://leahburkhart.substack.com/ 

In this episode, we cover five activities HSP's can use to befriend their sensitivity (all inspired by Elaine Aron's Highly Sensitive Person Workbook).  Identify negative labels you have either told yourself or heard others say to you. Create a rebuttal to each one. Leverage your sensitivity as a strength by leaning into a sensory exercise. Identify ways in which you are a "priestly advisor" and the ways in which that serves as an asset in your work and/or in your relationships. Challenge your internal critic by getting curious about it.  Lean into growth mindset and the power of "yet"  Follow me on Instagram @thehealthysensitive (https://www.instagram.com/thehealthysensitive/)  Join our Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/  Join our Online Community: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/   

In this episode of The Healthy Sensitive, Leah navigates the poignant journey of grief and loss, drawing from her personal experiences. Following the loss of her cherished cat Sasha, Leah offers an exploration into the process of grieving, examining the varied forms and stages of grief as described by experts like Brené Brown and David Kessler. Delving into the profound words of Thomas More's Dark Night of the Soul, she draws a parallel between her personal growth and the transformative power of profound grief. Leah also touches on the concept of post-traumatic growth, demonstrating how sensitive individuals can positively channel their emotional reactivity during times of loss. Emphasizing the importance of deriving meaning and purpose in the wake of a loss, Leah integrates wisdom from thinkers such as David Kessler, Cheryl Sandberg, and Thomas More. She weaves scientific findings on resilience and personal-stories into a comprehensive narrative that sheds light on our emotional response to loss. This episode also presents an in-depth analysis of various practices aimed at easing the pain of loss, from spiritual engagement and fostering connections to creative pursuits. Leah underscores the significance of shared grief and social connections in facilitating healing. Whether you are grappling with a personal loss or guiding someone else through theirs, this episode sparks hope, offering comfort and perspective. It illuminates the path from grief to growth, transforming the loss into a catalyst for personal evolution. To join the Healthy Sensitive Community, Join Us Here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/ 

In this episode of The Healthy Sensitive, Leah Burkhart delves deep into the intriguing relationship between high sensitivity and workaholism. Primarily focusing on highly sensitive people, she sheds light on their profound depth of processing, which often leads to extended work hours, perfectionism, and excessive preparation for tasks. This life-altering conversation illuminates the positive and negative effects of this overwhelming drive on their lives. Highlighting the innate empathy and responsiveness of highly sensitive individuals, Leah elucidates how these traits can spiral into workaholism. Such individuals tend to absorb the emotional needs of others around them, inevitably adding to their workload. This episode candidly addresses the challenges highly sensitive individuals encounter when setting boundaries at the workplace, largely due to their intense passion and enthusiasm for their work. This discussion further underscores how highly sensitive people often link their self-esteem to professional achievements. Such validation from work accomplishments, although gratifying, can make them vulnerable to conflating their career success with personal worth. The talk concludes by deftly tackling the fine balance between the pursuit of career satisfaction and the reality of overstimulation commonly encountered by highly sensitive individuals. We dig into personal examples, delving onto the real impact of this phenomenon on personal lives. The value of understanding this dynamic is stressed as a stepping stone towards positive changes. Leah shares insightful tips about time management, boundary setting, task delegation and cultivating empathy while preserving one's personal space and identity. We also delve into the benefits of seeking internal validation, diversifying interests, effective feedback acquisition and embracing imperfections. The topics extend to include methods to prevent overstimulation like creating serene workspaces, incorporating physical activity in routines and stress management. Furthermore, addressing fear of failure paves the way to setting attainable goals, nurturing a growth mindset and fostering self-compassion. Ultimately, this episode champions self-awareness to improve work habits and achieve a healthier work-life balance while prioritizing wellbeing. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to an online community and free meetup events for continued learning and support. Dive into this enlightening discussion on high sensitivity and strategies for combating workaholism today.   To join our community and share your experiences with these subjects, you can find our online community here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/    To Join our Meetup Group, click Here: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/ 

In this episode of the Healthy Sensitive, Leah explores the profound impact of purpose on motivation and resilience. The discussion offers an extensive study on how appreciating your unique purpose can elevate your motivation, direct your life towards your goals, and enhance your stress tolerance. Leah elucidates the intriguing relationship between 'purpose', 'meaning', and our resilience, edging on the realm of neuroscience to portray how 'the seeking system' and dopamine pathways of our brain govern motivation. She enlightens listeners with a variety of unconventional strategies known to stimulate dopamine production aiming to boost motivation. Insights from Joshua Freedman's article on misconceptions around life purpose are intricately debunked, and guidance is given to those searching for their life purpose. Backed by research and practical advice, this episode seeks to inspire listeners to discover their true purpose and heighten their motivation levels. The episode also encompasses a discussion on the significance of emotional intelligence, human connections, and personal talents in identifying our true purpose. Additionally, it delves into aspects like long-term goals and spotlights the vitality of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in fueling productivity, as illustrated by Daniel Pink's book, Drive. Utilizing resources from luminaries such as Daniel Pink, Andrew Huberman, and Joshua Freedman can be an essential tool in comprehending and leading a purposeful life. If you're seeking to uncover your purpose, or elevate your motivation, this is the episode for you! Whether you are driven by passion or curiosity, everyone has a unique purpose to unravel. Join us for insightful workshops or in our online community, and let us assist you in reaching your maximum potential. Stay tuned for more!   Citations: Andrew Huberman from Huberman Labs: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/tools-to-manage-dopamine-and-improve-motivation-and-drive  Daniel H. Pink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p4esMj2EC8 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vSymiIrKP8 ; Drive: https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805  Joshua Freedman: https://www.6seconds.org/2021/01/13/coaching-purpose/  Purpose Checkup: https://www.bluezones.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Purpose-Checkup.pdf  Why Finding Purpose “Feels Right” https://www.kornferry.com/insights/this-week-in-leadership/purpose-neuroscience#:~:text=We%20humans%20are%20wired%20to,purpose%20that%20comes%20with%20it.    Stay Connected! Healthy Sensitive Resources:  Healthy Sensitive Community: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/  Healthy Sensitive Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/  Book a Coaching Session: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/ 

Our latest episode of The Healthy Sensitive takes you on a journey to discover your purpose. We help you comprehend the legacy you wish to leave behind by identifying problems you enjoy solving and people you love helping. Through an 'expansion and experimentation' mindset, we explore realms you are eager to delve into and learn from. Join us in this self-discovery journey as we navigate through curiosity, risk, trust, pleasure, and spirituality to identify the purpose that makes you come alive.   Resources and Links: If you are interested in diving more deeply into this material as well as other on-demand content and want to connect with others and share your experiences... please join our online network: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/  To attend live presentations and workshops, join the Healthy Sensitive Meetup Group https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/  If you are interested in publishing an online course in the community and getting paid for it and/or want to lead a workshop in our meetup, please email me at leah@thehealthysensitive.com  If you want to schedule a complimentary coaching session with me, you can go to my calendar at: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/   

Welcome back to the Healthy Sensitive podcast where we navigate high sensitivity and everything that comes along with it. This episode explores the host's journey with her own high sensitivity, her bouts with creative seasons, her struggles with consistency, and her passion for sharing informative content. She reflects on her many roles, from a clinical health educator to an entrepreneur, and relates to listeners who also thrive on a portfolio model of work. This episode gives a sneak peek into exciting new elements being introduced to the podcast and the broader Healthy Sensitive community. The host shares her recent endeavor of creating structured content and an online community to enhance the sharing and access of valuable content. Courses, workshops, coaching programs, and even opportunities for others to create and be rewarded for their content will be featured in this revamped online community. The host dives deeper into the target audience of the Healthy Sensitive – highly sensitive entrepreneurs. She acknowledges the unique challenges faced by this group especially in terms of self-promotion and provides solutions through the revamped online community. The focus is on promoting each other's work instead of self-promotion. In this way, the online community can become a nurturing space for celebrating success and building networks. As for future podcast episodes, expect regular content exploring wellness practices for highly sensitive entrepreneurs. Additionally, there will be premium content providing intimate details about the host's personal life for those seeking a deeper connection and understanding. The ultimate goal is to offer content that is engaging, educational, and entirely ad-free. To join our online community, click here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/  To schedule a complimentary coaching session with me, click here: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/  To Join our Meetup Group, Click Here: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/  If you have any questions or feedback about the online community meetup groups, or anything else about the Healthy Sensitive platform, feel free to email the host at Leah@thehealthysensitive.com.  

In today's episode, I'll talk about: The Types of Imposter Syndrome: The Perfectionist: This person sets extremely high standards for themselves and feels like any mistake is a sign of failure. The Expert: This individual believes they need to know everything before taking on a task and fears being exposed for not knowing something. The Soloist: This type prefers to work alone, as they believe seeking help would reveal their lack of ability. The Natural Genius: This person believes that their success should come naturally, and any struggle or need for effort indicates incompetence. The Superhero: This type feels the need to excel in every aspect of their life, often at the expense of their own well-being. Why HSP's are Prone to It: Heightened Self-Awareness: Highly sensitive individuals tend to be more introspective and self-aware. While this can be a valuable quality, it can also lead to overthinking and analyzing their actions, which might contribute to feelings of inadequacy and doubt. Intense Emotions: HSIs often experience emotions more intensely than others. This heightened emotional state can lead to a stronger response to perceived failures or mistakes, magnifying the fear of being exposed as a fraud. Perfectionism: Many highly sensitive people have a strong desire for things to be perfect due to their attention to detail and sensitivity to their environment. This perfectionism can set unrealistically high standards for themselves, making it difficult to accept anything less than flawless performance. Comparison and Sensitivity to Feedback: HSIs may be more attuned to how they compare to others and may take feedback, especially constructive criticism, to heart. A negative comment or even a small mistake could trigger feelings of not measuring up. Empathy and Empathetic Distress: Empathy is a common trait in highly sensitive individuals. They may easily pick up on others' emotions and might internalize negative feedback or perceive criticism more intensely, leading to self-doubt. Fear of Rejection: Highly sensitive people often seek harmony and avoid conflict. The fear of disappointing others or not meeting expectations could contribute to impostor syndrome as they fear being rejected for not living up to their perceived roles or responsibilities. External Validation: HSIs may rely more on external validation to feel secure in their abilities. If they don't receive the praise or recognition they seek, they might doubt their competence and feel like impostors. Deep Reflection: Highly sensitive individuals tend to deeply reflect on their experiences and actions. While this introspection can be insightful, it can also lead to ruminating over perceived mistakes and inadequacies.

In this episode, we talk about: What boundaries are Types of boundaries Why boundaries are important to highly sensitive people in particular Why they are important to our health How to build boundaries How to communicate our boundaries with others (without being a jerk)

Jules De Vitto, MAEd, MSc is a Certified Transpersonal Coach and Educator based in London. She helps those who identify with the traits of high sensitivity  to navigate emotional overwhelm, step into their authentic power and align with their true purpose in life. In our conversation, we talk about:  - Jules' journey  to becoming a transpersonal coach - Whether HSP's are born (nature) or made by way of challenging experiences (nurture) - The strengths inherent in HSP's - Why it is particularly important for HSP's to engage in an inquiry that engages the spirit (in other words - to develop an inquiry  about meaning and purpose)   

In today's episode, I discuss:  The current risks I am taking on How we define risk Intuition vs. Impulse Highly Sensitive People and Risk HSP's and an inverted pyramid of needs Culture and risk What is worth doing even if we fail? Being creative with how we build our lives Trickster vs. Martyr  How to create an ecosystem that supports a healthy response to risk/failure If ever you want support, you can reach Leah at www.thehealthysensitive.com or you can email her at leah@thehealthysensitive.com 

Perfectionism. It seems like something we should strive for. Right? No. Perfectionism is toxic. It decreases our creative potential. It demolishes our ability to connect with other people. It also (unfortunately) is really common amongst highly  sensitive people. In today's episode, we will discuss:  - Definition of perfectionism  - How perfectionism is different from health striving - Tools for curbing and managing perfectionism which includes: Cultivating authenticity Identifying your "something larger"  Prioritizing pleasure Leveraging our relationships Creativity  Nourishment Growth Exercise Rest

Lisa is a pharmacist as well as a certified mindfulness teacher. She has authored two books: “Grounded in Chaos - Leaning into adversity and learning joy” and 7 Mindful Questions: Stop wasting time. Redirect your mind. Focus on what matters.”  In our conversation, we touch on a number of things.  We talk about her personal and professional journey.  We discuss the value of integrating tools from western modern medicine along with traditional modalities and mindfulness practices.  We talk about the importance of living in alignment with our values.  We, of course, spend a good deal of time covering her newest book: Seven mindful questions.    And more... Lisa has GENEROUSLY offered some complimentary resources for listeners of the Healthy Sensitive Podcast. You can find the link for that, below. https://www.lisanezneski.com/bonus-meditations-for-the-healthy-sensitive-podcast Bonus Meditations for the Healthy Sensitive Podcast   You can also find Lisa at her main website: www.lisanezneski.com   

in today's episode, I had the privilege of speaking with a long-time podcaster, musician, and coach who also works with highly sensitive people. His name is Andy Mort. He has been a host of the podcast “The Gentle Rebel” for a number of years. He has a plethora of resources dedicated to highly sensitive people…and in particular…highly sensitive creatives. You can download his podcast (again…the Gentle Rebel) anywhere you access your podcasts. You can also find him at his website www.andymort.com . In our conversation, we covered a number of topics. We talked about the challenges and celebrations of entrepreneurship (especially for HSP entrepreneurs). We talked about the difference of work-life balance vs. work-life integration (or disintegration…more on that in the show). We talk about the delicate balance that comes with marketing in a way that produces results…but ALSO is in alignment with our values. Creating sustainable workflows when we are our own boss. Self-care for highly sensitive entrepreneurs And a number of other topics.

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

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

Plenty of people have heard about post traumatic stress disorder. But did you know that stress is not the only possible side-effect of adversity and trauma? It turns out that some (roughly 50 - 70 percent of people, in fact) go through trauma and walk away from it stronger than before.  There are a couple of questions I had. First...do we have to experience trauma to gleam these benefits? Could we, for example, create a deliberate exercise to help us grow and increase our capacity even if we haven't endured a horrific event? Second - let's say I have endured a traumatic event...are there TOOLS I can use to optimize my chance of growing (rather than forever being a victim of the whims of my stress)? What are those tools?  These are the elements I cover in today's podcast. 

Highly sensitive people are often more deeply affected by adversity. They feel all the feels...so it's natural they would feel pain more acutely. BUT - highly sensitive people tend to also be more creative and more resilient than the average person. They are able to take difficult circumstances and create something beautiful from the ashes. In this episode, I'm not going to talk about stress management. Instead, I'm going to talk about how to reframe adversity so that you have an entirely different relationship with it. In honor of April Fool's Day, I am centering the conversation on how to cultivate your inner trickster. Your inner fool. Your inner beginner. 

With the aftermath of the D.C. riots, many of us are left scared, angry and eager for someone to take some accountability. In today's episode, I wanted to do a deep dive into a few areas so as to provide some context for what is currently happening and what it means for us all.  I do a brief overview of the U.S. government and how it is structured. I talk about the concept of patriotism and how that differs from nationalism. I talk about the options those in our legislative branch of government are mulling over (and why the so-called "mulling" and pondering of next steps is as murky as it is). I also cover the concept of bias. When talking about bias, I talk about how social media plays a part, and how our own psychology plays a part. Why is it that we can spot bias in everyone else...except for ourselves? Where does that whole double-standard approach come from? Finally, I talk about the importance of looking hard at our own selves before pointing fingers at others. 

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

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

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

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

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

Hope is the sense that we are moving toward something better. It is the belief or expectation that things will get better if only we can hang on.... But when the world feels like it's falling apart...it can be challenging to stay hopeful. It might even feel like a superfluous luxury for children.  In this podcast, I talk about the importance of having hope. I talk about the tangible benefits of hope and how believing in a better future can even improve our present. And for those who are struggling to amass hope, I talk about strategies you can use to refuel it and stay afloat when the world seems to want to engulf you.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did you know that the trait "sensory processing sensitivity" is found in both women AND men? Not just that...it's found in equal numbers. Sensitivity is not linked with our sex. I talk a lot about the challenge of being a highly sensitive person, but I thought it might be useful to highlight this fact (that it's not correlated with either sex). I thought it especially important given the climate we all live in right now...where it is easy to assume that men have all the power. It turns out, men are struggling, too. Just in different ways. In this podcast, I will first talk about the challenges men face in general. I talk about the fact that they are imprisoned in higher numbers, and they account for a greater number of suicides. Then I go into the specific challenge that highly sensitive men face in a world that seems to celebrate rough and tumble boxed-in versions of masculinity. 

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

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

When I say I work with "highly sensitive people" I often get one of two responses. I either get "oooohhh...that's super cool! You mean those super special people that are unique and awesome?" OR I get "Eewwwwwe. That sounds gross. Is it contagious?"  My aim with this podcast is to simply create a conversation about what it is to have a more vigilant nervous system...one that NEUTRALIZES the trait. It comes with some perks as well as some pitfalls.  In this episode, I try and demystify what it is to have "sensory processing sensitivity" and I talk about our strengths...and our weaknesses. In particular, I talk about the importance of WORKING on our challenges to become more robust, well-rounded people.

Highly sensitive people, contrary to what others might think, tend to be extremely productive. They are creative, intuitive, and capable homo-sapiens, I can assure you. The catch is that they really need to find systems for organizing themselves and their time that honors their specific needs and temperament. In this episode, I'll cover a wide variety of examples that highly productive people have used in order to get a lot done, without feeling overwhelmed. I'll also talk about how HSP's can hack their system and get a lot done while keeping their health intact.    Link to Show Notes:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pAHB7hC5UOWurZVC7ETeSPQML4N3luvp-2G2v1aH650/edit 

What makes a country...GREAT.  In looking at this pandemic meets economic question mark, I've definitely been preoccupied with that idea. It's easy for some of us to look to countries like China and say "daaaang. They really know how to pandemic. Why can't we do that?!?" But does that mean China is the best country in general? I would argue not...but I'm also biased.  But shifting gears, is America the greatest? We certainly have the strongest military. We have a pretty strong economy (well...for now). We celebrate the individual and I would argue that's a good thing. But when it comes to situations that require social cohesion...we often flounder.  How can we integrate both individualism alongside social cohesion? The answer, so far as I can tell, is with good leadership.  In this episode, I talk about social determination theory, motivation, and research surrounding what makes a good leader and what kinds of leaders are able to both hold the space for each person's autonomy while also facilitating collaboration. 

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

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

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

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

If you want to run a marathon, you can't do it by sprinting all 26.2 miles of it. You need to know how to pace yourself. You need to know when you can push, and when you need to dial back. You need to know when you have to stop at the rest table and get a sip of water, and when you can push past them and get to the next rest stop.  It turns out the same applies to our work. Even (perhaps especially) our capital "W" work. Our passion project. Our practice. Our dharma.  Highly sensitive people are a creative lot. They are tremendously productive. The trouble is that we sometimes allow our enthusiasm to override our need to recharge. We take on more than we should because we WANT so badly to do it all. Be it all. Help all the people. Write all the books.  In this episode, I'll discuss the importance of learning how to pace ourselves - even in the things we love most. Or, rather, I'll share my challenges with it and invite you to propose solutions should you have them.

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

I'm all about supporting my fellow HSP's and Introverts who want to live BIG...live their BEST lives (the trick being finding a way to do it that doesn't drive your health to the pavement). But there is one complication that needs discussion: failure. As in...what if I put myself out there and fail?  Avoiding failure doesn't really seem like a viable option. Any time you take a risk, you're going to experience failure AT SOME POINT. Most people understand this. But HSP's tend to have a particularly hard time with failure and criticism.  So what is to be done about it? How can we take risks without getting pummeled?  In this podcast I won't talk about avoiding failure...instead, I'll talk about how to fail better. This is a conversation about changing our relationship with failure so that we stop being afraid to fail, and instead embrace it as a necessary step toward success.

Resolutions. Goals. Achievements. Dreams.  It's lovely to talk about them and imagine what it might be like to bring them to life. But what does it really take to make it happen? And what if you work and toil only to discover that the goals you put in motion don't manifest the way you thought they would? Or what if they don't provide the joy you thought they would?  In this episode I'll talk about how discipline can lead, counter-intuitively to freedom; and how the best way to achieve a dream may be to completely detach from it. 

It's not only a new year, but a whole new decade...not to mention an election year. It seems like a great opportunity to try new challenges. There is just one problem...did you know that 80 percent of people who have New Years fail to maintain them by February of that same year?  Sooo...what is that other 20 percent doing differently? How might you learn from their success?  Come and find out!

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

Everywhere you turn, now, people are talking about "loneliness." Not only is it a problem...apparently it's a full blown epidemic!  In this episode I'll talk in more detail about what loneliness actually is. I'll discuss how it relates to our health and longevity. I'll talk about how this relates to HSP's in particular. Finally, I'll talk about some of the things I have tried, personally, to reduce the sensation of loneliness when it arises (as well as the research that backs up its efficacy). 

You've probably heard it at least once: "You're too sensitive."  Can one actually be too sensitive?  In this episode, I discuss some of the shadow traits of many people with sensory processing sensitivity. I talk about why those traits are so common with HSP's and what we can do to offset some of those less desirable characteristics and make improvements on how we navigate the world. 

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

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