Podcasts about HSP

Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "Kaelyn's Cookbook" and get 40% off your first order plus a free item in every box for life at https://hungryroot.com/HSP Go to https://kachava.com and use code HSP for 15% off your first orderToday, we're revisiting the details of the Lizzie Borden trial. In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were hacked to death in their locked Fall River home while their 32-year-old daughter Lizzie was the only other person inside. Over 130 years later, the case is still officially unsolved and now serves as the inspiration for Ryan Murphy's latest installment of the "Monster" series. Let's dive into mounting family resentment, the evidence the jury never heard, and Lizzie's lavish lifestyle after the murders. Love true crime, horror, folklore, and the unexplained? Join us in the Rogue Detecting Society on Patreon.Start for free to stay up to date on all things HSP with our newsletter, bonus content, and more. If you want to dive deeper into a community of fellow darkly curious listeners, upgrade for ad-free listening, monthly bonus episodes with topics voted on by members, merch perks, and Patreon-only group chats. High Council members also get Footnotes, our weekly after-show where Kaelyn dives deeper into the episode, recent true crime news, theories, and other scary stories from around the internet.Join free or go paid: https://www.patreon.com/heartstartspounding

Chino Rheem opens up about the highs and lows of his poker career, from reckless gambling and debt to sobriety, fatherhood, and finding a healthier way to live and compete. We also talk about the old-school poker era, his biggest wins, High Stakes Poker, and why he still loves the game today.Follow Remko on Twitter: @RemkoRinkemaFollow PokerGO on Twitter: @PokerGO Subscribe to PokerGO today to receive 24/7 access to the world's largest poker content library, including High Stakes Poker, No Gamble, No Future, and more. Use the promo code PODCAST to receive $20 off your first year of a new annual subscription. Join today at PokerGO.com.Play free poker against real players anytime, anywhere on PlayPokerGO. Build your path to poker mastery for free with Octopi Poker. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pokergo-podcast--5877082/support.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Have you been using your HSP trait to explain yourself... when what you really need is to trust yourself? Learning you're a highly sensitive person can be incredibly validating, but many HSPs unknowingly turn that understanding into a way of seeking permission from others before honoring their own needs. This episode explores why that happens—and how breaking that pattern leads to greater confidence, healthier boundaries, and more peaceful relationships. Discover why constantly explaining your sensitivity can quietly undermine your confidence and self-respect. Learn how the need for others to understand your HSP trait can become a hidden search for approval. Find a simple shift that helps you honor your needs with confidence—without overexplaining, defending, or apologizing.   Press play to learn how trusting your own experience instead of seeking permission can become one of the most freeing shifts you'll make as a highly sensitive person.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this episode, Alissa revists the topic of good girl conditioning and why so many highly sensitive women build an entire identity around being the responsible one, the kind one, the person who never rocks the boat. She looks at what happens when agreeableness stops being a natural expression of your sensitivity and starts becoming a way of abandoning yourself to keep everyone else comfortable.The traits themselves are often innate, but the problem is when they are expressed at the cost of self-abandonment. Alissa names the fear sitting underneath it all: the fear of shining too brightly and being disliked for it.Through her own story of a work friendship that went cold the moment she got promoted, and the clients she has watched give themselves permission to take up space, she walks through what it looks like to expand your tolerance for discomfort and stop managing everyone else's reaction to you. In this episode, you'll learn:Why being the responsible, easygoing one can quietly turn into abandoning your own needsHow the fear of shining too brightly keeps so many highly sensitive women playing smallWhat it means that other people benefit from you never setting a boundary or speaking upWhy stepping out of the good girl identity almost always brings pushback, and how to be okay with thatHow to hold the guilt of someone being upset and still trust that you did the right thingWhy giving people the dignity of their own reactions frees you from carrying everyoneSign up for Unshakable Interactions during presale for just $17!: https://www.sensitiveandsoulful.com/offers/DfoKpzEo/checkout?coupon_code=UIPRESALEUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Have you ever felt guilty for taking care of yourself because you're too worried about how someone else will feel? As a highly sensitive person, you may already understand the importance of boundaries, yet guilt still shows up whenever you try to honor your own needs. This episode explores why that happens and reveals the deeper pattern that keeps you feeling responsible for other people's emotional reactions. Understand why empathy can quietly turn into taking responsibility for emotions that aren't yours. Discover what your mind is doing when someone else's disappointment begins to feel like your burden. Learn how guilt starts to loosen when you stop confusing caring about others with carrying their emotional experience. Press play to discover how you can honor your own needs with greater confidence while still caring deeply for the people you love.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Do you ever feel like no matter how much money you make, it never feels like enough? If you're a highly sensitive person, financial stress often goes beyond your bank balance. You may feel like you're behind, not earning enough, or that you'll finally be able to relax once you reach the next financial milestone. In this episode, you'll discover why that pressure persists—and how to experience more peace without waiting for your finances to change. Understand why so many highly sensitive people feel they should be making more money, even when they're living according to their values. Discover what really creates financial stress beyond the numbers and why the finish line keeps moving. Learn one simple question that can help loosen financial pressure and bring greater clarity and inner freedom. Listen now to discover how shifting one belief about money can help you feel calmer, think more clearly, and experience greater peace—starting today.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Go to https://kachava.com and use code HSP for 15% off your first orderIn Canada's Northwest Territories, Nahanni Valley stretches across eleven thousand square miles of pristine wilderness, and it's been swallowing people whole for over a century. From the headless remains of prospectors Willie and Frank McLeod in 1908 to filmmaker Angus MacKenzie, who survived a plane crash and then vanished without his supplies, the valley's death toll has never stopped growing. The Dene people have always known to stay away but, the question is what keeps claiming the men who don't.Love true crime, horror, folklore, and the unexplained? Join us in the Rogue Detecting Society on Patreon.Start for free to stay up to date on all things HSP with our newsletter, bonus content, and more. If you want to dive deeper into a community of fellow darkly curious listeners, upgrade for ad-free listening, monthly bonus episodes with topics voted on by members, merch perks, and Patreon-only group chats. High Council members also get Footnotes, our weekly after-show where Kaelyn dives deeper into the episode, recent true crime news, theories, and other scary stories from around the internet.Join free or go paid: https://www.patreon.com/heartstartspounding

Find your quiet truth. Download the Purpose Clarity Filter: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/purpose-clarity-filter/ Why is it so hard for highly sensitive people to know what they really want—even when everyone else seems so sure? If you've ever felt stuck between endless possibilities, struggled to make decisions, or found yourself chasing goals that never quite felt like your own, this episode reveals why. Discover how your sensitive nature can quietly absorb other people's expectations, values, and dreams, making it difficult to hear your own inner voice—and why clarity comes from creating space, not thinking harder. In this episode, you'll discover: Why knowing what you don't want is often much easier than knowing what you truly do want. How highly sensitive people naturally absorb other people's priorities, expectations, and definitions of success without realizing it. A gentler way to uncover your authentic direction by learning to recognize what quietly fits instead of waiting for perfect certainty.   Press play to discover how to quiet the noise, reconnect with your authentic voice, and take your next step with greater clarity and confidence.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

572. If you were ever told you were too sensitive, too intense, or that you feel things too much — this episode is for you. The Highly Sensitive Person trait affects 15–30% of the population, shows up in over 100 animal species, and has measurable differences on brain scans. It is not a flaw. This week Dr. Judy Ho breaks down what HSP actually is, what makes the HSP brain genuinely different, the strengths that almost never get named, and three tools for thriving as an HSP rather than just surviving.Have a mental health question? Email Dr. Judy's team at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.comFind Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SavvyPsychologistMore from Dr. Ho on her other channels:Dr. Ho's website, Substack, LinkedIn.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Find a transcript at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Alissa tackles a question she hears constantly. "How do you know if you're actually allowed to be upset, or if you're just being too sensitive?" If you've ever replayed a conversation for days, questioned your own reaction, or wondered if you made something out of nothing, this one's for you. Alissa traces that self-doubt back to where it actually started, and what it takes to fully trust yourself even when someone else insists you're overreacting.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the question "am I overreacting or do I have a right to be upset" usually points to a deeper lack of self-trustWhy the people who dismissed your reactions were often responding from their own depletionWhat writing out your personal values and boundaries does for you in the middle of a triggering momentHow to recognize when a reaction is bigger than the situation because it's hitting an old woundWhy "cleaning up your side of the street" comes before deciding whether a boundary conversation is necessarySign up for Unshakable Interactions during presale for just $17!: https://www.sensitiveandsoulful.com/offers/DfoKpzEo/checkout?coupon_code=UIPRESALEUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Have you felt disconnected from your emotions? In this episode, I talk with Marie O'Neill about coming back to yourself and:Reconnecting to all parts of your being after periods of chronic stress or self-doubtCaring for your nervous system to support self-explorationFinding meaning through connections with nature, community, or spiritualityMarie is a holistic psychotherapist and spiritual coach specialising in working with HSPs. She offers programmes, services and community for highly sensitive people who want to heal their relationship with themselves on all levels, body, nervous system, mind and soul, based on her Sensitive Soul framework.Keep in touch with Marie:Website: https://www.spaceforthesoul.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/space_for_the_soul_therapyResources Mentioned:Sensitive Soul Sanctuary: https://www.spaceforthesoul.co.uk/join-sensitive-soul-santuary-membershipSensitive Soul Group: https://www.spaceforthesoul.co.uk/group-programmeFree Workbook: https://www.spaceforthesoul.co.uk/calm-connected-workbookFree Masterclass: https://www.spaceforthesoul.co.uk/sensitivity-masterclass#downloadmasterclassGet your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book 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/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd 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.  

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Why do even the smallest decisions feel so overwhelming when you're a highly sensitive person? If you often overthink decisions, second-guess yourself, or feel paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice, you're not alone. This episode explores why decision-making feels so intense for highly sensitive people and reveals how much of that stress comes from the unnecessary pressure we quietly place on ourselves. Discover why it's often the pressure around a decision—not the decision itself—that creates overwhelm. Learn the hidden forms of pressure that make decision-making so difficult, including time pressure, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Find a simple way to release those pressures so you can make decisions with greater clarity, confidence, and inner freedom.   Press play now to discover how taking the pressure off your decisions can help you think more clearly, trust yourself more deeply, and experience greater peace with every choice you make.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Are you always preparing for tomorrow—but never able to fully relax today? If you're a highly sensitive person, staying organized can feel like the key to reducing stress. But when your mind constantly searches for the next task, the next plan, or the next way to stay ahead, preparation can quietly become an attempt to create emotional safety instead of simply managing your schedule. By the end of this episode, you'll discover: Why your nervous system keeps pushing you to prepare—even when you're already organized. How the need to stay one step ahead of stress can become an endless cycle that leaves you emotionally exhausted. A powerful shift in perspective that helps you soften the pressure to always be prepared and experience more peace in the present.   Press play to discover why preparing more isn't creating the safety you're looking for—and how to finally break free from the cycle.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In the 1,005th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by WPT Global, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz are back to talk the latest and greatest from the poker world. That includes a week full of High Stakes Poker live stream action, and some record-breaking pots played by the likes of Eric Wasserson, Texas Mike Moncek, and Andrew Robl. See two hands that set records for largest pots in the 20-year history of High Stakes Poker! Speaking of live streams, Daniel Negreanu ventured into the cash game streets by making his Hustler Casino Live (HCL) debut, where he played a fascinating hand against Sam "Señor Tilt" Kiki. From there, Mike and Chad discuss cheating in LA poker rooms and how a ban on phones has been suggested as a possible solution. But is that a good idea? Other stories include a look ahead to the WPT Seoul, recapping Talking Stick's 20th Annual Arizona State Poker Championship, winners from the EPT Barcelona, and remembering poker greats Pierre Neuville and Brent Carter. Check out those stories and more in the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast! A new PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time    Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 01:04 | High Stakes Poker live streams 03:00 | Biggest Pot in HSP history Part 1 07:04 | Biggest Pot in HSP history Part 2 16:37 | Negreanu's Hustler Casino Live debut 18:30 | Big hand played by DNegs 24:35 | Cheating in LA poker rooms 25:03 | Is a phone ban the answer? 29:45 | Sponsor – WPT Global 31:00 | Arizona State Poker Championship 34:17 | EPT Barcelona winners 36:20 | Remembering Pierre Neuville 37:15 | Brent Carter passes away

Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  What if the very thing you've been criticizing about yourself is actually one of your greatest strengths? If you've ever felt like you notice more than everyone else, need extra downtime, or have been told you're "too sensitive," this episode will help you understand why. Discover the science behind high sensitivity and learn how understanding your nervous system can replace years of self-doubt with self-compassion. Discover the four research-backed traits that define a Highly Sensitive Person and why sensitivity is much more than simply feeling emotions deeply. Learn why overwhelm, deep thinking, and heightened awareness are natural parts of the HSP temperament—not personal flaws. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion by understanding how your sensitivity is designed to help you thrive. Press play to discover how understanding your unique sensitivity can help you stop questioning yourself and start embracing the strengths you were designed to bring to the world.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this episode, Alissa gets into why the instinct to smooth things over the second someone reacts to your boundary is actually a form of people pleasing, and why building your tolerance for that discomfort is the first step toward feeling unbotherable.Alissa traces this back to the fear of abandonment underneath it, whether that shows up as a partner flipping the story back on you or a family member waving off a hurtful comment as a joke. She shows how the pattern gets reinforced every time it's smoothed over instead of named, and why noticing what's actually driving the rush to resolution is what starts to shift the pattern.Alissa shares what it actually looks like to sit in the discomfort of a boundary instead of collapsing it, so you can source your safety and self-respect from within instead of from someone else's reaction.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the urge to smooth things over the moment your boundary lands is people pleasingHow to recognize when you're rushing to resolution out of a fear of abandonment rather than genuine repairWhy letting someone avoid the consequences of their own behavior quietly teaches them how to treat youHow trusting what your body is telling you becomes more reliable than the story someone else is offering in the momentWhy pushback from someone who's benefited from your smallness is a sign you're doing this right, not a sign you did something wrongUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

An intuitive poem, flowing by itself on an August morning, whilst sitting in a maize field.Visiting this field and sketching, over the course of a few weeks as a daily project for my Creativity and Wonder sessions.So much to learn from plants x and the crickets, grasshoppers, gnats and midges.............................................................** - please see the donate button on 'Buy me a coffee' as so happy to find out about this! Any contributions towards coffees, poetry books and bird seed :)... (& of course the podcast/audio recording/editing costs!) gratefully received x...........................................................................................................................................Please see more artwork, articles and info at www.rowenascotney.com Artwork by Rowena ScotneyMusic by Chad Crouch 'Marsh Wrens' Episode cover - Photo of the maize plants next to mePodcast cover - 'Garden Robin' - feltingSupport the show

Struggling to say no without feeling guilty? Get the "Saying No with Grace" guide. https://trueinnerfreedom.com/saying-no-with-grace/ Why does saying "no" feel so hard—even when you know it's the right answer? If you're a highly sensitive person, you've probably experienced the exhausting cycle of knowing what you need, then talking yourself out of it because you're worried about disappointing someone else. This episode explores why that happens, what your nervous system is trying to protect, and how understanding this hidden pattern can help you stop sacrificing yourself to keep others comfortable. By listening, you'll discover: Why knowing you want to say no doesn't automatically make it easier to do. What your mind is really trying to accomplish when someone reacts with disappointment. How to set honest, compassionate boundaries without feeling responsible for other people's emotions.   Press play to discover how saying no can become an act of clarity instead of guilt—and experience the freedom that comes from carrying only the responsibilities that truly belong to you.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

221  You already know that a good marriage takes work.But what if constantly working on your marriage can sometimes get in the way of it being good?For many highly sensitive women, taking their relationship seriously can easily turn into taking every problem, disappointment, unresolved issue, and imperfection seriously—more often than we need to.We think about what needs to change. We revisit the hard conversations. We notice what still isn't fixed. We keep working on it, because of course we want our marriages to be good.But what often happens is that working on your relationship starts to become the main way you experience your relationship.And so you end up missing out on so much that could be enjoyable, loving, and simply good between you..Making a generally good relationship…not so good…In this episode, you'll hear about the surprising problem that always working on your marriage leads to—and why another kind of work is just as essential to creating a deeply loving, connected relationship. (Hint: it is MUCH more fun work.)I also share why doing this other kind of work – this all too often forgotten work – has made such a difference in my own marriage, and what many highly sensitive women need to learn in order to stop letting the hardest parts of their relationship take up so much space.And be able to truly feel loved, loving, and deeply connected in marriage.So listen in to this story and metaphor filled episode, and learn the starting point of the incredibly important and usually overlooked work.Because your marriage is about so much more than solving its problems.And sometimes, the work you aren't doing may be exactly what your marriage needs more of.SHOW NOTES: Learn more about  Sanctuary 1:1 (where Foundations of Emotional Well-Being is included as the first layer).ENJOYING THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Leave  a review in Apple Podcasts--we are SO grateful!Check out the Start Here Podcast Pathway for a suggested route through the most important episodes to start with or review — the ones that will help you feel calmer, more secure, and more hopeful in your relationship.FREE QUIZ: How Much is High Sensitivity Impacting Your Relationship (and are you even highly sensitive)? You want to know. Because, high sensitivity has a major impact on intimate relationships – for better or worse. Take this 3 minute quiz to discover if you're highly sensitive and how deeply it's affecting you, and your happiness in your relationship. You will also get your next steps to making sure sensitivity works for your relationship, instead of against it.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Can you burn out doing the work you love—or is something deeper quietly draining your energy? If you're a highly sensitive person, meaningful work often feels like a calling. But when passion turns into pressure, it's easy to lose your boundaries, carry work everywhere you go, and mistake emotional exhaustion for being in the wrong career. Understand why loving your work doesn't make you immune to burnout. Discover the hidden mental habits that turn meaningful work into an endless responsibility. Learn practical ways to restore healthy boundaries so you can enjoy your work without sacrificing your well-being. Listen now to discover how to keep doing the work you love while protecting your energy, reclaiming your joy, and creating a more sustainable way to thrive.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "Kaelyn's Cookbook" and get 40% off your first order plus a free item in every box for life at https://hungryroot.com/HSPA creepy neighbor ruins cousin sleepovers forever when he takes it too far. A blind date turns into a fertility ritual!? An online stranger messages a private photo to an OP that was never posted previously, and a boyfriend discovers that his partner is hoarding every single thing he disposes of…yes, everything…it gets gross. Today we're getting into some of the craziest stories from the internet with Angela from Smosh and Morgan from Two Hot Takes. TW: Stalking Find Angela here! https://www.instagram.com/angelagiovanagiarratana/?hl=en Find Morgan here! https://www.instagram.com/twohottakes/?hl=en Listen to mentioned episodes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01d0Km1IHcghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS_6HxCb0kQhttps://youtu.be/9To4Mxnam7A?si=lkSbhMfwHq9rIm09&Love true crime, horror, folklore, and the unexplained? Join us in the Rogue Detecting Society on Patreon.Start for free to stay up to date on all things HSP with our newsletter, bonus content, and more. If you want to dive deeper into a community of fellow darkly curious listeners, upgrade for ad-free listening, monthly bonus episodes with topics voted on by members, merch perks, and Patreon-only group chats. High Council members also get Footnotes, our weekly after-show where Kaelyn dives deeper into the episode, recent true crime news, theories, and other scary stories from around the internet.Join free or go paid: https://www.patreon.com/heartstartspounding ❥๑━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━๑❥ About Heart Starts PoundingHosted by Kaelyn Moore, Heart Starts Pounding explores the terrifying, the mysterious, and the downright spooky. Kaelyn brings you chilling true crime, unexplained phenomena, and haunting stories from across the globe and submitted by listeners like you.Have a heart-pounding story to tell or a case request? Submit your story at https://www.heartstartspounding.com/storiesFollow Heart Starts Pounding:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartstartspounding Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartstartspounding/

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Why do you keep hiding parts of yourself—even when you desperately want to be authentic? If you're a highly sensitive person, you've probably promised yourself you'd stop people-pleasing or holding back. Yet in the moments that matter, you still say, "I'm fine," stay quiet, or shrink yourself. This episode reveals why that happens and how your nervous system—not a lack of courage—is often driving the pattern. By listening, you'll discover: Why HSPs instinctively hide parts of themselves to feel emotionally safe. How your nervous system learns to self-edit and why authenticity can feel risky. A compassionate path toward feeling safer, more genuine, and more at home being yourself. Press play to discover why you've been hiding—and how understanding the fear beneath the pattern can help you finally feel safe enough to be yourself.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

If you're an introvert, Projector in Human Design, or subscribe to the "if they wanted to, they would" line of thinking, this episode is for you.Agata Serocka comes on the show today as a spokesperson for Projectors, who think reaching out, pitching, and asking for what they want isn't part of their strategy. We get into how to build a signal, BECOME the invitation, and not miss out on life's biggest opportunities by sitting in the passenger seat. We talk about:Reframing "waiting for the invitation" and how to move beyond the LITERAL interpretation to actively create conditions (podcasting, writing, showing up) that invite opportunities.Making outreach and pitching feel warm and not annoying AF. Building genuine rapport, finding connections, and doing research before reaching out vs. cold-pitching someone "hey girl haven't talked since we were 16 but would love for you to join my course! Link in bio!"Reframing labels (Projector, HSP, ADHD, rejection-sensitive) as data points to design a personalized, sustainable approach to visibility and business.Discernment over volume. How to say no to opportunities that don't fit, and trusting what's meant to work out, will! Making pitching fun and creative again. Gamify audacity by using playful approaches  like quests, small asks, and outlandish ideas to build confidence and make outreach sustainable vs. another "ugh, I have to do that?" choreConnect with Agata:The Culture of Unrushing Podcast on Spotify and AppleSubstackWaitlist to Agata's mastermindExperience Audit FreebieConnect with Chelsea:Join the SHOOT YOUR SHOT CHALLENGE Aug 25-27th!Enroll in Audacity for $900 off til Aug 27th!Get on the Ultimate Pitch Kit waitlist

In this episode, Alissa gets into why triggers land the way they do and why finding the root cause is the first step toward feeling steady, unshakable, and less at the mercy of what everyone around you is doing.Most triggers trace back to one of two places, an old wound from the past or an unmet need in the present. Alissa shows how naming that root pulls the charge out of it, so emotional memory stops determining your responses.Alissa walks through what it actually looks like to clean up your side of the street so you can confidently source your safety from within.In this episode, you'll learn:Why a reaction that feels disproportionate to the moment is a clue you've been triggeredThe two roots of most triggers, an old wound or an unmet need, and how to tell which one is showing upHow pulling the charge out of a past experience lets a familiar situation lose its gripWhat "cleaning up your side of the street" looks like before you decide whether a conversation is even neededWhy working through a trigger once makes it quieter every single time it comes backHow sourcing your safety from within frees you from living at the mercy of other people's choicesUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

How often do you take care of yourself? In this episode, I talk with Angelique Foye-Fletcher, LMFT, RPT about breaking the cycle of self-sacrifice and:How your cultural upbringing shapes your identity as an HSPLearning to take care of yourself when you grew up in an environment or culture that didn't have room for your sensitivityWhy simple acts of mindfulness are deeply healing and can change the way you parentAngelique Foye-Fletcher (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist who helps sensitive, neurodivergent adults and caregivers heal through her four pillars of Books, Nature, Play, and Connection. An INFJ, HSP, and Enneagram 4, Angelique brings curiosity, ritual, and deep empathy into her work—often lighting incense or walking in nature as part of her own healing practice.Keep in touch with Angelique:Website: https://foyefletchertherapy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foyefletchertherapyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foyefletcherllcResources Mentioned:Parent/Caregiver Support: https://foyefletchertherapy.com/parentcaregiver-support-coachingReconnect + Rejuvenate Support: https://foyefletchertherapy.com/coachingtherapy-packagesFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.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/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd 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.  

The State Of Aussie Pitches, Manly's Mathematical Chances & We're Premier League Guys Now!4 Pines, a brewery born in Manly and enjoyed everywhere. Get their Japanese Lager available here: https://4pinesbeer.com.au/Neds: Smash out a same game multi in seconds and track it live as the action plays out. Use the Punter's Toolbox for extra value & protection. Get amongst it on the neds app. T&Cs apply see website for details https://www.neds.com.au/. You Win Some You Lose More.Good Day Multivitamin & Day Lyte Electrolytes, it's the least you can do. Use code 'dribblers' for 10% off your order here: https://gooddayaus.com.au/Join The Good Day Goers Facebook Group here.Stan Sport is the only place to watch every Premier League & Wallabies match Live and On Demand here: https://www.stan.com.au/sportBackyard BirmsPitch Standards Have DroppedEnglish Cricket At It AgainAre The Wahs In The Box SeatManly's Dominance The Joey Manu AnnouncementWho Is The Next James Bond?HSP x The Premier LeagueDribbler Premier League Team Submissions First Teams In The BinBreaking NewsWallabies On This WeekendMichael Cheika Back At The TahsKody Totes Misses The GFKody's Tigers Journal Entry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  What if your stress management routine is actually making you more stressed? As a highly sensitive person, it's natural to want more peace and less overwhelm. But the constant search for the perfect routine, meditation practice, or self-help strategy can quietly become another exhausting project. In this episode, you'll discover why this happens and how to step out of the cycle without giving up on caring for yourself. Discover why highly sensitive people often turn stress management into an endless pursuit of perfection. Learn how well-intentioned habits like meditation, sleep optimization, and personal growth can unintentionally create more pressure. Explore a more peaceful approach that allows you to care for yourself without making stress elimination your next full-time job.   Press play to discover how letting go of perfect stress management can help you experience the peace you've been searching for.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

در این گفتگوی صمیمانه و جالب وارد جهان یک آدم خیلی حساس میشیم، آدمی که نگاهش و تجربه هاش متفاوت از بیشتر آدمهای اطرافش بوده و او از چالشهایی که بعنوان یه آدم خیلی حساس تجربه کرده حرف میزنه. مریم مارو ازتفاوت دیدگاهش بعد از آگاهیش درباره حساس بودن بیشتر میگه و همچنین از همسر و کارش بعنوان یه معلم فرانسه در ایران. در این گفتگوی جالب ما هر دو از چیزهایی که بعنوان آدمهای خیلی حساس(HSP) تجربه میکنیم بیشتر حرف میزنیم.

Leave work at work. Get the Work-Life Boundary Reset. https://trueinnerfreedom.com/work-life-boundary-reset/ Why does work keep running through your mind long after you've already left for the day? If you're a highly sensitive person, the problem may not be that you're bad at relaxing. Your nervous system may be holding onto unfinished mental loops, making it difficult to fully disconnect from work, be present with the people you love, and enjoy the downtime you've earned. Understand why unfinished work keeps pulling your attention back, even after the workday ends. Discover what your nervous system is really trying to accomplish when it refuses to "clock out." Learn the simple perspective shift that can help you leave work at work and reclaim your evenings. Listen now to discover how understanding your nervous system can help you finally let go of work and make your evenings feel like your own again.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Are you really an introvert—or has an overwhelmed nervous system convinced you that you are? If you're a highly sensitive person, you've probably noticed that crowds drain you, social events leave you exhausted, and quiet feels like the only way to recover. It's easy to assume that means you're an introvert. But what if your need for solitude is actually a response to chronic overstimulation rather than your true personality? In this episode, you'll discover why high sensitivity and introversion are separate traits, and how understanding the difference can help you make choices based on what truly restores and energizes you. By listening, you'll discover: Why being highly sensitive doesn't automatically mean you're an introvert. How chronic stress and nervous system overwhelm can make you feel more introverted than you naturally are. How to tell the difference between needing recovery and genuinely preferring solitude so you can better understand your own needs.   Listen now to uncover what's really driving your need for alone time and learn how understanding your nervous system can help you create a life that's both more balanced and more authentic.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

In this week's episode, Alissa shares a quick hack that quietly rewrites how you see yourself: "I'm the type of person who..." So often you pin your happiness on the outcome, the finished book, the dream partner, the number of followers. Alissa offers an alternative, letting the process itself become the proof and validation of who you're becoming. Every time you act like the person you want to be, you teach yourself to expect that version of you to show up (even when you don't feel like it).In this episode, you'll learn:How the phrase "I'm the type of person who" shifts your self-concept in real timeWhy tying your happiness to the outcome makes the whole journey feel worseHow to turn everyday hard moments into evidence of who you're becomingWhat showing up to an almost empty room taught Alissa about building real confidenceHow to use this practice with people pleasing, exercise, dating, and creative workWhy falling off track is its own chance to prove the kind of person you areUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

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 sensitivityThe challenges faced by HSP men such as lack of community and models of sensitive masculinityPracticing portable self-care such as meditation, breathing, and connection with nature to recover from overwhelm more quicklyFinding more resilience as an HSP with the 3Es: Educate, Embrace, EvangelizeWilliam 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. He feels that HSP males need to take their keen insights and intuition and make them public. He would like to shed more light on highly sensitive males and the much-needed role they need to take in our society.Keep in touch with William:Website: http://www.thesensitiveman.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zallenwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesensitivemanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wrallenResources Mentioned:Online HSP Men's Group: https://www.thesensitiveman.com/hsp-mens-group.htmlConfessions of a Sensitive Man by William Allen: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781098325169On Being a Sensitive Man: Success Strategies for Harnessing Your Highly Sensing Nature by William Allen: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781667817439The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182Research on High Sensitivity: https://sensitivityresearch.comSensitive: The Untold Story documentary: https://sensitivethemovie.comSensitive Men Rising documentary: https://sensitivemenrising.orgFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.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/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd 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.  

Ready for deeper support? Work with me 1:1 https://trueinnerfreedom.com/working-together/  Why does someone needing your help sometimes make you want to run away? As a highly sensitive person, you naturally care deeply about the people in your life. But when someone begins relying on you, that care can quietly turn into anxiety, guilt, and the fear of losing yourself. If you've ever wondered why relationships can start to feel heavy—even when you genuinely love the people involved—this episode uncovers the hidden pattern behind it. By listening to this episode, you'll discover: Why highly sensitive people often mistake someone else's needs for their own responsibility. The hidden beliefs that lead to overgiving, resentment, and emotional exhaustion. How to separate love from responsibility so you can support others without sacrificing your own peace and freedom. Press play now to discover how you can care deeply, set healthier emotional boundaries, and experience relationships that feel lighter instead of overwhelming.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

With it being back to school season, this topic feels especially timely. In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with family advocate Tracy Spiaggia, founder of Slingshot Health Coaching, about recognizing high sensitivity in children and how to support sensitive children and their parents.We discuss the core traits of the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) trait, Tracy's great “power strip” analogy for sensory overload, and why the tripping of the power strip (the stress response) can look different in different children (fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown). We talk about challenges that may point to high sensitivity — school behavior problems, breakfast refusal, perfectionism, somatic complaints — and the practical framework Tracy uses with families to sort the “immovables” in their lives from what can actually be changed.We each share our own experience growing up as highly sensitive children, and how we each began our parenting journey largely unaware of this trait. We address the importance of awareness and self-compassion for parents. And, we close with commenting on the value of identifying and addressing pyrrole disorder- a fairly common biochemical imbalance in those with highly sensitive who are struggling with brain and physical symptoms.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction to high sensitivity and its importance2:04 Recognizing high sensitivity in children and adults3:58 Parental support strategies for sensitive children5:52 Stress response styles and their impact7:56 The physiology of high sensitivity and overstimulation9:59 Creating modifiable environments for thriving12:06 The evolutionary purpose of high sensitivity14:04 Practical tips for supporting sensitive children in school and home15:58 The importance of self-awareness and compassion in parenting18:04 The role of nutrition and physical activity in sensitivity management20:02 Supporting adult highly sensitive persons22:11 The power of community and shared experiences24:04 Overcoming shame and embracing sensitivity as a strength25:59 Practical steps for creating supportive environments28:00 The importance of ongoing learning and adaptation29:53 Closing thoughts and resources for further supportIntroductions (0:00)Dr. Courtney SnyderWelcome to the Holistic Psychiatry Podcast. I'm Dr. Courtney Snyder, a physician and holistic child and adult psychiatrist. In this episode, I have the pleasure of having a conversation with Tracy Spiaggia, who is an experienced health coach who works with families. Using Elaine Aron's term of the highly sensitive person, HSP, Tracy and I will discuss high sensitivity in children. This trait, as Tracy will mention, occurs in about 20% of the population. Tracy and I both consider ourselves to be highly sensitive, so in addition to sharing our professional experience, we'll also share insights from our own childhoods, as well as insights from parenting highly sensitive children. Tracy is currently a candidate for a PhD in what will be Whole Health Leadership. She's a Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner, Certified Integrative Attachment Theory Coach, Brain Health Specialist, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and the author of the book From “Chained to Changed. Break Mental Strongholds and Transform Your Life Through Faith.”CourtneyWe have so many intersections in terms of what we care about and are interested in — nutrition, functional medicine, attachment, families.TracyWhy I hang on every word you put out.CourtneyThank you. Thank you.CourtneyOne of the things that I was thinking about is how much people do to support children that have all these different issues, but there's not a lot of recognition of high sensitivity in children, nor what their unique needs are. They're living in a world that's not designed for high sensitivity. As we talk, we can help raise awareness about what that looks like — how to recognize when a child is highly sensitive, and not in a symptomatic, pathologic frame, but really, that's who they uniquely are. And then we'll move into how to help people make choices to support these children so that they can thrive, and also recognize the situations where they're probably not going to thrive as easily.TracyCorrect. And then how, as a mom and dad, can I modify my expectations on the child and give them a lived experience that best aligns with their sensitive nature — so that they can become who they're supposed to be, not vicariously living through the child, especially if you're a non-sensitive parent.CourtneyWe should talk about both — when the parent is also sensitive, and then when they're not necessarily, ‘cause there's different dynamics that would come up.TracyYes, yes, yes, absolutely. Especially if the sensitive parent never knew — hello, never knew anything about HSP. And so you're raising your children, and then when you come to find out, like, your whole brain just explodes in. And then I just kind of really became a completely different parent, almost on a dime, finding this work. And I felt the most free I've ever felt in my life when I came across the work. So yeah, we'll talk about that too.Growing Up Without an Awareness of the HSP Trait(3:21)CourtneyI know — I think like you, I look back and there's things I would have done differently. Now having a daughter who's twenty-one, certainly learning when I did has helped her, and this information helps her even make her own choices at this point. When I thought about parenting, it also made me think about being a highly sensitive person, and my own experience as a child, because there certainly wasn't language back in the sixties and seventies.TracyHere's a great example. I'm going to make it personal instead of hypothetical. My parents — we came from a household where my dad was a police officer, my mom stayed home, four kids, money was super tight. And so the summer would come, and I now, as a seasoned mother, I can only imagine how she'd be like, almost dreading it — like, “oh my gosh, they're all here.” So we would have to go to swim team ‘cause it was free from the town. We'd have to go to the town pool. We'd have a choice — we weren't asked, “you're going to swim team.” And if my memory serves, it started super early, maybe seven, eight o'clock in the morning. Back then I was just a bag of bones, I was so thin, and that water was freezing. I had no idea why I was so terrified to perform in front of others, but that's part of the HSP. Like I shared earlier — when I came across this work and all of the questions that were asked to see if you fall on the spectrum of HSP, I'm like, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep.But when it was my turn to compete, I would nine out of ten times not show up on my block. I would hide in the bathroom. I'd even get good at climbing up on top of the toilet with the door closed, so if my mom came in — you know, you can't see feet. So I would hear my name being called, like, “McMurray, block three,” and I wouldn't show up the vast majority of the time, because I'd rather the punishment on the back end than have to endure a public display of competing in swim team.So I give that as an example — if a parent were skilled, the first time I don't show up for my competition, there should be some really safe but powerful questions being asked, like, “hey, what's going on for you? I noticed you weren't there, you didn't show up.” Obviously you're not doing that to — the parent should be able to say, “obviously you're not doing that just to irritate me,” but we take it all so personally as exhausted parents. But if they were skilled, they could ask questions, and I'd be able to say to them, “this is really scary for me, I don't want to do this, I don't like getting into the pool at seven in the morning, I'm freezing, I'd be blue, I don't like this, I don't want to do this.” And then they'd say, “my goodness, okay, you don't have to do this anymore, you can come and stay home and we can figure out what you enjoy.” I didn't grow up like that.So that's an example of a rule I made up to the game of life — if something is bringing you to the brink of sheer terror, just don't show up for it, go hide somewhere. That's one example of how I started to cobble together rules of the game of life so that I could survive it.CourtneyAnd that's so interesting, because in my own early life, I think I cobbled the rule of “you just do it no matter what.” That has its own problems, because you don't even become aware — you just persist through what's quite uncomfortable. Whether that's sporting events, public speaking, which for me was a complete nightmare — anticipating, many months in advance, a book report or something like that. And I think, even looking back, I could say, “I had anxiety as a child.” But when you think about high sensitivity, and you think about the context with which one is trying to navigate — which is highly stressful, chronic, and in some cases severe stress — that doesn't have to even be anxiety. It could just be a severely, chronically stressful situation, trying to be in a world of extroverts. In my family I was the youngest of four, and I was the only one that was highly sensitive.It's Not Anxiety. It's Physiology. (7:53)TracyAs you describe that, I don't hear an anxious child. I hear a physiology. I hear the brilliant design of the physical body, that your alert system was working perfectly well — trying to say you're living a life that's antithetical to who you are, but you're kind of being forced along for the ride. If there's a lot of children, those at the tail end just kind of get bolted on, as opposed to being seen — not all the time, but most of the time — because parents are just human beings with finite resources and probably very little skill, and are just trying to seriously survive the day.CourtneyYeah, exactly.TracyTrying to survive the day. So the kids just get bolted on, but it's the meaning that we make out of just being bolted on, or being told what you're doing. And so I don't hear anxiety — I hear a physiology that's working beautifully, because your body continuously alerted you to the reality of having to show up in a world where you're not asked, you're told what you're going to be doing, but it goes against the nature you were given.And this is why — I really do have a moral conundrum with just jumping straight into pharmaceutical prescription, because the body's brilliant. It's not broken. So if we have chronic depressive episodes, if we have peaking anxiety, there's something to hear. There is something to be listened to before we go trying to dull and mute all of those sensory, dashboard-like signals. There's something there. And so I feel like those states have been kind of villainized — “get rid of it at all costs” — where it's like, if we can stay in the uncomfortability while we remain super curious and highly supported, you're going to be able to have that body communicate to you where you're living out of order. Could even be a diet that's out of order. If your relationships are okay, and you scratch your head like, “hmm, I feel great with my family, my parents hear me, they see me, I feel heard and seen, I don't feel judged, I'm doing the things I like, I'm not being forced to do things I don't like” — then it's time to say, okay, maybe there's certain foods that I am or am not eating that the body is trying to alert you to, to give you your best life.CourtneyRight — and it can be an alignment of all of those factors.TracyOf course. And it's like a snowball at the top of a mountain that builds to this ginormous thing by the end, because it just collects and builds momentum as it goes down. That's what I try to help parents see — either for themselves, beginning in childhood, or what's going on for their own child, especially the non-sensitive parent coming in with the sensitive child, saying “I don't know what's wrong with him or her, fix—” And it's like, no, no, no, no. You're the most important person on planet Earth. It's me helping you relate to your child in a way that will turn those signals down, because they finally feel seen, heard, understood, unconditionally accepted. And then you will move to create an environment that lets the body relax.The Traits I Look For — and the Power Strip (11:08)CourtneyYeah. So let's talk about HSP first in adults, and then how that translates to children — because the reality too is that chronic stress in childhood has different implications. The pillars that I think about — and a lot of this is abilities as well as potential liabilities — ability to process a lot of information, being a deep thinker, feeling things deeply, problems with stress tolerance, and then sensory sensitivity, whether that's picking up on the emotions in a room or sensitivity to bright light, loud noises, textures. People don't have to have all of these to fall on the spectrum. Being empathic, tuned into other people's feelings, maybe even being more emotionally reactive.TracyI wonder how you'll feel about the way I try to explain it to the clients I work with, because it is — when you're not interested, you and I could geek out on this for a whole week straight with no naps. But you have to really capture the essence of what we're trying to share with people so it can change the way they live and operate and relate to other people.So the way I offer it in a layperson's framework: I point to a particular outlet on the wall, with one lamp plugged into it. An electrician, when they wire a house, the same number of volts is going to come out of each outlet — the lamp is the only device plugged into that one outlet, drawing its 120 volts, and it lights the lamp, and the lamp is fine. But over here by my desk, there's still only one outlet, but I need many, many things to operate off that 120 volts. So I have a power strip, and in that same 120-volt outlet, I have the power strip with five things plugged in. And it has a mechanism — this is the whole purpose of the power strip — to shut down when I'm trying to draw too much energy out of that same outlet.We have the same thing built into our nervous system. When the world is tugging and pulling at a highly sensitive nervous system — through forced clothing that has seams, a rough turtleneck — I'll talk from personal experience, like being in a wet, sandy bathing suit on a hot beach. I just wanted to be dead. It was so overstimulating for me. I am the power strip, and life is plugging in without my permission — stealing bandwidth, stealing nervous system resiliency from me. So then when I'm left with the last thing to be plugged in, which is like, “hey, come for dinner,” and it's something I don't like — that could trip my whole nervous system. And the uninformed family members: “you're always the problem, it's always you.” And it's like, no, you don't understand all the things that were plugged in before that, stealing all of that nervous system bandwidth from me. This last thing is what you observe, but that was what tripped the nervous system.My stress response style, by nature, is fighter — so that trip will manifest in your preferred stress response style. For me it's combative. For other people it could be complete shutdown, or “I'm getting out of here” and they flee. Other people, they dissociate — they just kind of freeze, they're there but they're not there, nobody's home. That's where that innate preferred stress response style shows up when the power strip trips. And then what we do is we assign — “that's their personality.” And it's not their personality, this is their stress response style. You have to get curious about each person — how much bandwidth do you have before you trip, how much is stealing from you? Some people could wear a wet bathing suit and just lay there, nothing plugged into their strip. Me — “when do we get to go back and take a shower? Please, can I leave?”So that's the analogy I use: examine yourself, then consider your child. Do you believe they're a one-outlet person, where life is good and nothing else is going to get into that outlet? Or are they a power-strip person, where there's all kinds of opportunity to plug into that same voltage, causing that person to go into a sympathetic-dominant state.CourtneyRight, right, right, that's great. Really helpful — you and I are good examples from our own experience, because I was more the shutdown-and-comply kid. So less obvious — I think both are struggling in different ways. Some children it might be more externalized, and others it might not be at all.TracyYeah, and then not at all — unfortunately, parents can easily miss that and say, “you're such a good girl, you're such a good boy.” They're actually in shutdown. They have no voice.CourtneyExactly. Right — or having headaches and stomachaches, somatic-type symptoms.TracyAbsolutely, absolutely. See that all the time — I'm sure you do too.What Families May Notice First (17:16)CourtneySo we should talk about what types of problems people might notice before they actually notice the sensitivity itself — whether that's meltdowns, withdrawing from activities. What would you say are common things families come to you with that relate to this?TracyThe most common would be problematic behaviors in school. Being woken out of a dead sleep, refusing breakfast because you're so high-stress, under-rested — it's almost like a nauseous feeling. So unknowingly, they send their child into an incredibly stressful environment, undernourished, without any nutrition on board to blunt the effects of all that myriad stress — all those plugs going into that power strip. A lot of parents will bring their child in — mothers, let's just say it's almost always moms — “help me, they're not allowing my child to come into the mainstream class.” And I'm like, has anybody, including the school counselor, gotten curious around energy reserves, the status of stress, the nutrition that's on board? If the child is refusing to eat, we need to really look at that, because there is stress that has got to be pruned from this child's life, so their biochemistry normalizes to the degree where they can tolerate a small breakfast to start.That's not normal human behavior, to break your fast upon waking and have a nauseous reaction to food. You have to understand that body is communicating, once again, brilliantly — it's deprioritizing nourishment and digestion and prioritizing stress response. People don't understand that. So I'd say one of the most common is just combativeness or non-compliance in these domains of life, in school, or when I tell them to do such and such at home. And listen — there's going to be some non-pathological defiance. That's normal, progressive development for a child. They test the boundaries, depending on their temperament, because they're always on a trajectory to individuate. Once they get to around eight, nine years old, and that nervous system's cement has kind of cured a little bit, now they're looking out into the world to figure out, “who am I, I want to separate a little bit from this family of origin and figure myself out.” That may look like being difficult or combative, but they're trying to individuate.Sometimes when I hear myself talk, Courtney, I feel badly for the child, but I also feel badly for us parents, because we're calling parents higher and higher to awareness and education when they're so exhausted trying to pay the bills, keeping the lights on, food in the fridge — who lost their job, who's getting a divorce, who has an incurable disease. And at the same time I'm trying to call you higher with your parental skills so you can better attune to your child. I know how that lands on a tired parent, because I was hurt too. But we have to understand that the reason we'd have that type of response to this information is because nobody supported us when we were little. So we just learned “this is life, buck up and deal with it,” and we live from those rules we cobbled together as a kid — “I guess I just have to figure it out on my own.” And a parent, unknowingly, is doing the same thing — telling this struggling little child, “figure it out, man, I'm spent, I'm tired, I can't.”CourtneyI mean, ultimately this should make parents' lives easier if they can understand what the needs are of the child, so there's not meltdowns at school in the cafeteria where it's so loud, or on the school bus — there would be just peace overall for everybody.TracyYou're a hundred percent right, and that is the critical message. If there's any takeaway from this conversation for your listeners, it's — it will get a little worse before it gets better. And that's true with any healing journey. You broke a bone, okay, it's gonna hurt, I have to reset the bone. It gets worse before it gets better. But when you come alongside professionals like you and I, we have a path, a strategy to bring you along — we'll hold you really well during the worse part, but then you will be liberated into not just a future, but potentially a legacy that you can completely change. You can leave this mark as a patient person, a considerate person, a forgiving person, a compassionate person — all of the beautiful traits of the highly sensitive get to just flourish unabated if we create an environment for it.Self-Compassion and the Family Timeline (24:27)CourtneySo it can be meltdowns, or children withdrawing from activities. It could be perfectionism almost, or self-consciousness — being so in tune and observant that they might assume everyone else is as observant, and be highly self-conscious or perfectionistic about themselves or even others. Is that something you see in the families you work with?TracyJust as much. The perfectionism, the overachievement, the over-giving. These kids need to be able to look to us when they're in crisis — “I'm freaking out, but you're steady, you're the rock I can cling to.” So if we freak out when they freak out — and listen, a lot of what I'm sharing are insights after I've made the mistakes. I would give anything to know then what I know now, but I can't go back. So I did a lot of things right, but I did some things not so great. And now I repackage and repurpose the mistakes into something we can offer to the world — “moms, dads, you don't have to make the same mistakes I did, you can learn from me.” And I believe God will honor that, and even allow forgiveness and grace and mercy to flow in my children towards me for the things I didn't do well.CourtneyI think those are really valuable conversations to have — one, for parents to be able to apologize and teach their children the value in that, but also just this own self-compassion, that we're all doing the best we can. And it leads into this idea of — if you're a highly sensitive parent with a highly sensitive child, which would have been my experience — there are a lot of both gifts in terms of recognizing their needs, and also a lot of challenges in terms of not wanting to project too much onto them what their needs might be. I think there were times when my own concern about how the world operates in relation to sensitive people was almost problematic, and other times where I was sort of going along with the culture. I think it can go both ways, and the main thing is just to be conscious of it if you're a sensitive parent.Sort the Immovable From the Modifiable (30:36)CourtneyWhich actually leads us to this idea of what types of choices might parents make that would help support a child who is highly sensitive — whether that's in the home, at school (there's not always a lot of choice in terms of school options), or activities. I think that's worth grappling with — the real practicalities of, within a home, how might things be different if someone's going with the flow versus recognizing, “I have a child that's highly sensitive.”TracyYeah, I think it's important — I don't think we stated it — if there are listeners new to the concept, only about twenty percent of the population is thought to have this trait, and that trait lives on a spectrum. So if you're in the twenty percent, we have to explore how full you are on that spectrum. This journey is very unique and individualized — you have to study each individual child and each parent separately to know exactly what you're working with. I think the next step would be to make a two-column list: these are the immovable, unmodifiable realities in our lives. “This is where we live, we're a two-income household, I'm a single-parent house, I have to go to work, you have to go to public school, I don't have resources otherwise” — okay, that's an immovable reality, put it in that column, because it is what it is, and that doesn't set you up for a worse outcome. We have to start appreciating that none of us are a victim, we're all victors — if we just do the work of taking inventory of the reality of our lives and create a schematic of sorts, we all will be given the same opportunity for thriving and flourishing. Nobody's at some gross disadvantage — I know some people might think I'm talking financially, but I'm really talking about inner resources.CourtneyI was just going to say — even if a child is in a public-school setting, there are still ways to create some downtime in their life, versus going from school to activity to activity to lots of stimulation.TracyA hundred percent. Even within the school experience, you can ask for certain accommodations — and we do this all the time. If you have a profoundly highly sensitive child who's being flooded with fluorescent lights, sitting in hard chairs amongst peers who are loud — if it turns out the mom and dad say, “you know what, I think it'd be really helpful if they could just get a 10-minute snack break, high protein, moderate fat, not sugar,” and maybe 10 minutes with the school counselor to recharge that battery — exactly. So you might have public school as an immovable, but that doesn't mean it's not modifiable. You can still branch it over to the modifiable and figure out what aspects of that day are draining the nervous system resilience and causing chronic stress, and what's modifiable there. Schools have really embraced their role in improving mental health outcomes, by and large. So as long as you advocate for your child in a respectful and reasonable way, there are aspects of this immovable reality that can be modified to give some resilience back to the child. But the most influence is obviously going to come from their home environment and experiences.CourtneyJust thinking through this lens can impact what choices are available to people.TracyPeople by and large have no understanding — again, because they're not interested in this sphere of learning and knowing. They have very little understanding and appreciation of all of the modifiable factors of their daily lives. It's like removing one plug from a really burdened power strip — that's what we try to do, remove some of the plugs we can, proactively, to give some of that bandwidth back to the child. That's what makes this work very customized, very individualized. I do groups — I don't know if you do groups — so it's more affordable and accessible, and I'm saying the same thing to larger groups of people, and they can begin to process the information and create their own customized strategy.CourtneyYeah — and in the groups, they can hear each other, and there's some degree of support, because that's the other huge part — however people can find like-minded people and families, and it sounds like your group is a way to do that.TracyYeah, it normalizes your experience — and don't we all, frankly, want that as adults and parents, but even more so a child wants to be normalized. There's nothing wrong with you that you get really overstimulated on the beach, in the sun, in a wet sandy bathing suit for eight hours straight with very little food. There's nothing wrong with you — there's something profoundly wrong with that experience. So it takes the shame off, and if we can throw off the shame, the body feels liberated to start to migrate its way back to parasympathetic — maybe we can actually take a deep breath, because we're not in imminent danger.It's Not a Flaw — It's a Design (36:34)CourtneyRight. So things like being mindful of downtime, opportunities to be in less stimulating environments. Routine can be important too, as far as anticipating and knowing something's not going to come out of left field and derail things.TracyCritically important, I think.CourtneyAnd I think about it even with this idea of “they're going to have to live in the real world” — many adults wouldn't choose for themselves to be in situations with a lot of people and a lot of loud noise. Working adults are better able to recognize a preference for certain types of work, depending on what's practical for them. But we expect children to do what every other child is doing, and expect them to thrive in that way. Most adults aren't living in “the real world” like that.TracyEspecially today, with remote working, where you could be a grown adult making a wonderful salary right from the comfort of your own living room — at least for my generation, there was obviously no such thing.CourtneyAnd we haven't talked about how many strengths come with this, and how many strengths and abilities can be lost trying to navigate or fit into a world that's largely not built around high sensitivity. As the research shows, this is evolutionarily here for a reason — everyone should want people with high sensitivity to be thriving, and want the children to have the opportunity to thrive.TracyAbsolutely. Another really helpful point for your listeners: when Dr. Aron discovered the trait, researchers have continued to discover it in over 100 species of animals and insects, and that work continues. This is something innate in all creatures, and it's brilliant — not too many of us, but just enough of us to sound the alarm for dangers that the non-sensitive can't see coming. We can see the headlights of the train where these people are oblivious, standing on the tracks. So to live in a world without people with these fine, highly tuned senses to alert the masses — it's kind of like the carbon monoxide detector in a home. You probably don't pay much mind, but let me tell you, when it goes off, it's saving your life. We are the carbon monoxide detectors. We are the ones alerting you long before you're aware there's danger afoot. It's a gorgeous trait — I wouldn't trade it for anything.CourtneyYeah.TracyI really wouldn't. It fills me with so much purpose and passion, and I'm able to move through this world and feel so deeply — really high highs, yes, really low lows, but I feel alive. I don't feel kind of in that middle of “meh.” I'm never meh, that's never me. I think it's a beautiful thing if people can get over the stigma the world would probably want to attach to it.Pyrrole DisorderCourtneyRight, right, right. And I'll just mention too, for people who are highly sensitive and struggling maybe with mental health or physical health issues, in part because of chronic stress — the issue around pyrrole disorder, which is more common in those of us who are highly sensitive, results in specific nutrient imbalances that are not difficult to treat. That doesn't apply to everyone we're talking about, but some people dipping into more severe issues could really benefit from that kind of information.Where to Find Tracy (41:04)TracyMy goodness — to me that's almost the lowest-hanging fruit. That's why I love functional nutrition — trying to repair a familial relationship is hard work, but elevating your zinc and B6 levels, that's pretty low-hanging fruit.CourtneyI know, right, right. Tell everyone how they can find you, the work that you do — do you have an active group right now that you're working with?TracyNo, we'll kick off the next group — I run them in the fall and in the spring, so the next group will kick off, I believe, mid-September. They can find me — my practice is called Slingshot Health Coaching, after the David and Goliath story in scripture. Slingshot Health Coaching on Facebook and Instagram — I'm not a huge social media person, but there's a presence there. Website is just slingshothc.com. Anybody can book a complimentary call to explore — you have to meet the person, make sure the chemistry is good, that I'm actually the right practitioner for you. That's available to anybody, and you can certainly subscribe — I send out a fair amount of content by email, and I run a lot of complimentary studies and things people can do for free, to build community.CourtneyGreat. Thank you so much.I hope you enjoyed our conversation. As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions. Until next time,CourtneyCourtney Snyder MDResources:* Tracy Spiaggia at Slingshot Health Coaching* High Sensitivity Through 3 Lenses (HSP, Pyrrole Disorder & RCCX Theory)→* Elaine Aaron - The Highly Sensitive Person (website)Dr. Courtney Snyder MD is a holistic, functional, and environmental psychiatrist for children and adults. Find her at courtneysnydermd.com and on the Holistic Psychiatry Podcast on all major platforms.Medical Disclaimer: This newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your own physician for any medical issues you may be having. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit courtneysnydermd.substack.com/subscribe

Find out your unique sensitivity profile and your current stress levels. Take the HSP Stress Test here: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/  Are you really a perfectionist—or has fear been masquerading as your sensitivity all along? Many highly sensitive people believe stress and perfectionism simply come with the territory. But what if your natural sensitivity isn't the source of the pressure? In this episode, you'll learn why sensitivity is one of your greatest strengths, how fear quietly turns healthy caring into exhausting perfectionism, and what changes when you separate the two. Discover the crucial difference between healthy sensitivity and fear-driven perfectionism. Learn how to recognize the moment caring shifts into pressure, overthinking, and self-criticism. Find out how to keep your empathy, conscientiousness, and high standards—without carrying the stress that perfectionism creates. Press play to discover how letting go of fear—not your sensitivity—can help you accomplish more with greater confidence, peace, and ease.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Go to https://kachava.com and use code HSP for 15% off your first order.In the summer of 1987, sixteen-year-old Theresa Bier rode into the Sierra Nevada mountains with a 43-year-old man who promised to show her Bigfoot, and only one of them came back. Twenty-four years later and a thousand miles north, twenty-year-old Madison Scott vanished from a crowded campfire party at Hogsback Lake in Vanderhoof, British Columbia, leaving behind her truck, her tent, and a mystery it would take twelve years to crack open. Two campsites, two missing girls, and the question of what… or who… was really waiting in the dark.TW: Kidnapping/abduction of a minor, Grooming and alleged sexual abuse of minors, Child abuse and neglectSubscribe on⁠ Patreon⁠ to become a member of our Rogue Detecting Society and enjoy ad-free listening, monthly bonus content, merch discounts and more. Members of our High Council on Patreon also have access to our weekly after-show, Footnotes, where I share my case file with our producer, Matt.You can also enjoy many of these same perks, including ad-free listening and bonus content when you subscribe on Apple Podcasts.Follow on⁠ Tik Tok⁠ and⁠ Instagram⁠ for a daily dose of horror.

Have you ever wondered if you are an empath, a highly sensitive person, or both? I'm breaking down the difference between an empath and an HSP, which stands for highly sensitive person. I explain what empathy is, what makes someone an empath, and how empaths often absorb the emotions and energy of people, groups, and places. When we do not understand this about ourselves, it can lead to overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and the feeling that something is wrong with us when really, we are picking up on energy that may not even belong to us. I also share common traits of empaths, including sensitivity to light, sound, crowds, other people's emotions, nature, animals, and authenticity. Then, I explain how highly sensitive people are similar to empaths, but with one key difference: HSPs may sense and feel deeply, but they do not absorb other people's emotions in the same way an empath does. Key Takeaways Empathy is the ability to feel with another person, but being an empath takes this sensitivity to another level Empaths are deeply attuned to the energy and emotions of people, groups, and places Many empaths do not realize they are absorbing emotions that are not their own Unaware empaths may experience overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, or mood instability Empaths often feel deeply connected to nature and animals Crowds, noise, bright lights, television, news, and chaotic environments can feel overwhelming to an empath's nervous system People are often naturally drawn to empaths and may share deeply personal things with them Empaths can often sense when someone is being inauthentic or hiding behind a mask Alone time, or "cave time," helps empaths recharge Self-care, nature, grounding, boundaries, and micro moments of peace are essential for empaths Highly sensitive people and empaths share many traits, but HSPs do not absorb other people's emotions in the same way You can be both an empath and a highly sensitive person MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com Membership: The Adult Chair® Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

One of the most powerful ways to change your marriage begins with understanding how emotions spread in intimate relationships – and learning to use this on purpose to create an upward healing cycle between you and your spouse.Because just as fear, reactivity, and self-protection are contagious in relationships– bouncing back and forth between partners...So is safety.There is a way to tap into this, and doing so intentionally changes everything inside you, and then everything between you and your partner for the better.As you build safety intentionally you become a different kind of presence inside your marriage: someone who communicates to your spouse naturally through your actions and words: “Who you are is safe with me”.This naturally fosters deep safety – which breeds more love, joy, and lightness – between you and your partner.It also (thank goodness!) creates the best conditions for your spouse to grow and do his own work on himself. So in this episode, we'll explore what it really means to become this Safe Heart Partner, and how, when you learn how, you have far more influence over the atmosphere between you—and the kind of relationship you create together—than you've ever realized.Listen in.SHOW NOTES: Learn more about the full Safe Heart Pathway through Sanctuary 1:1 (where Foundations of Emotional Well-Being is included as the first layer)Or begin with Foundations of Emotional Well-Being for HSPs (FEW) on its own first.FREE QUIZ: How Much is High Sensitivity Impacting Your Relationship (and are you even highly sensitive)? You want to know. Because, high sensitivity has a major impact on intimate relationships – for better or worse. Take this 3 minute quiz to discover if you're highly sensitive and how deeply it's affecting you, and your happiness in your relationship. You will also get your next steps to making sure sensitivity works for your relationship, instead of against it.ENJOYING THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Leave  a review in Apple Podcasts--we are SO grateful!Check out the Start Here Podcast Pathway for a suggested route through the most important episodes to start with or review — the ones that will help you feel calmer, more secure, and more hopeful in your relationship.

Stop spiraling after criticism. Get The Emotional Buffer Builder: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/emotional-buffer/ Why does even small criticism feel so painful—like something is deeply wrong or the relationship itself is at risk? If you're a highly sensitive person, criticism often feels like much more than simple feedback. What may seem like a small comment from a partner, client, boss, or friend can quickly trigger fear, self-doubt, and an overwhelming urge to explain, fix, or shut down. The real struggle isn't just the criticism—it's what your nervous system believes it means. In this episode, you'll discover: Why criticism can feel so deeply triggering as a highly sensitive person What's actually happening in your nervous system when disapproval feels like rejection How to stay grounded and connected to yourself instead of losing yourself in people-pleasing, over-explaining, or emotional collapse   Listen now to learn how to stop spiraling after criticism and build the emotional steadiness to stay calm, clear, and connected to yourself—even when someone is unhappy with you.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

For most highly sensitive people, advocating for a physical need feels like being a burden. Jen Fitzpatrick, a celiac advocate and founder of the Confident Celiac Community, joins Alissa to talk about the years she spent staying quiet about her own needs and the shift that finally changed it.The tension is one a lot of HSPs with a chronic condition know well. Speaking up is what keeps you safe, but every people pleasing instinct says stay quiet instead. Alissa and Jen unpack why that instinct runs so deep and how to move through it anyway.Pulling from Jen's diagnosis story, a study abroad trip where she watched everyone else eat what she couldn't, and Alissa's own experience navigating her daughter's recent diagnosis, the conversation moves through shame, community and self worth.In this episode, you'll learn:Why highly sensitive people are especially likely to stay quiet about a chronic health needJen's own story of cross contamination scares and learning to advocate for herself after years of people pleasingThe simple swap that changed everything for Jen, saying thank you instead of sorryWhy choosing ten seconds of social discomfort is almost always worth it over days of physical painHow finding community turned a hard diagnosis into something less isolating for both Jen and AlissaFollow Jen:Website: https://www.thenomadicfitzpatricks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenomadicfitz Self-Love Toolkit: https://the-nomadic-fitzpatricks-gluten-free.teachable.com/p/celiac-self-love-toolkit-1059254 Uncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

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 differentSetting firm, but kind boundaries and how to manage pushbackFinding fulfilling ways to socialize without the overwhelm or social pressure to show up like everyone elseRewriting the messages that say HSPs are weird, too sensitive, shy, or weakIt's possible for highly sensitive people to be ambitious, resilient, and strongIbinye 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezinniapracticeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thezinniapracticeResources Mentioned:Individual Coaching for Highly Sensitive Women: https://calendly.com/ibi-k7ob/consultHSP Self-Test: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-testFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.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/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd 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 feeling pressure to know more, prepare more, and get everything right before you speak, teach, or share? For highly sensitive people, criticism can feel deeply personal. Even small feedback can trigger overthinking, self-doubt, and the exhausting need to prepare for every possible mistake. This episode uncovers why that pressure feels so intense—and what's really driving it. Understand why criticism often feels more threatening for highly sensitive people Learn how fear of being wrong fuels perfectionism, overpreparation, and constant pressure Discover how letting go of false identities creates more peace, confidence, and freedom Press play to learn how releasing the need to be perfect can help you show up with more peace, authenticity, and confidence.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit https://trueinnerfreedom.com/ and take the HSP Stress Test. Gain clarity on your sensitivity and stress triggers, and book a free 30-minute introductory conversation to explore what's going on for you and see if working together 1:1 might be a fit. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Go to https://kachava.com and use code HSP for 15% off your first order.On the morning of July 2nd, 1937, Amelia Earhart lifted off from Lae, Papua New Guinea, and flew into the most famous disappearance of the 20th century. The official story says she crashed into the Pacific and sank. And yet, evidence now shows the distress calls kept coming for days, the castaway campsite was discovered on a remote atoll, and a strange shape was spotted on Apple Maps in 2020. Now, with an expedition setting out to finally identify the object buried off Nikumaroro, the mystery of what really happened to Amelia may be about to break wide open.Subscribe on⁠ Patreon⁠ to become a member of our Rogue Detecting Society and enjoy ad-free listening, monthly bonus content, merch discounts and more. Members of our High Council on Patreon also have access to our weekly after-show, Footnotes, where I share my case file with our producer, Matt.You can also enjoy many of these same perks, including ad-free listening and bonus content when you subscribe on Apple Podcasts.Follow on⁠ Tik Tok⁠ and⁠ Instagram⁠ for a daily dose of horror.

In this episode, Alissa breaks down why every hard season is building something in you that easy seasons never could, tracing the idea back to astrology, her own birth chart, and a realization that caught her off guard through her daughter Blaine's health diagnoses. She walks you through how to see every uncomfortable, triggering situation as character development and opportunities for growth.In this episode, you'll learn:What your North Node and South Node reveal about your natural strengths versus the traits you're still growing intoHow raising her daughter through celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes diagnoses is developing the structured, disciplined side of Alissa that used to feel completely foreignWhy a demanding boss, an unexplained health symptom, or another uncomfortable dynamic might be pointing to a part of your character that's ready to developThe difference between staying in a toxic environment and choosing a challenge that's actually building youWhat the growth gap is and why the space between your old identity and your new one feels so uncomfortableWhy letting fear of judgment, like worrying what old classmates will think, keep you from starting something is really just self-sabotage in disguiseUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

There is something strange in the space between languages. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it's fun to explore. It poses a question and presents a challenge…what am I actually trying to say here? When I started work on a video about the relationship between sensitivity and creativity for this year's HSP Gathering in Oulu, Finland, which happened a few days ago as I’m recording this, I didn't really think about the process of translating it from English into Finnish for the subtitles. I assumed it would be a straightforward part of the process, which it could have been on one level, given the technology we have at our fingertips these days, where language translation can happen more or less instantly. But it doesn’t take much for meaning to go adrift in the basic translation these tools provide. I was grateful for human assistance, as my friend Tuula was on hand to translate. My gratitude was not only because of her bilingual skills, but because I know she understands what I'm trying to say beneath and beyond the words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m3wHlXyQ6E Good Translation is About More Than The Right Words It seems obvious that translation requires far more than vocabulary, grammar, and syntax across multiple languages. An idiom or joke in one language might be complete gobbledegook when translated directly into another. But when the translator understands the two cultures, including the soul of their humour and their general relationship with tone and subtext, they can find appropriate options to bridge intent so it makes sense across the linguistic surface. Even with its sophisticated capabilities, there were a bunch of times when an initial chatbot translation missed the heart of my words. It made several incorrect assumptions and predictions about my intended meaning without any basis or clarification. Fortunately, Tuula felt this too, and we were able to hone our way to better ways of expressing what I meant. This was extra challenging when some of the original ideas and wording were intentionally poetic and infused with ambiguity. Machines are often eager to sand down nuance and replace it with familiar clichés and well-worn turns of phrase. The whole process showed me the importance of having someone who knows me and understands my ‘thinking’ for a task like this. This principle might apply to a range of contexts and situations in life. Who we are can get lost in a bad translation and found in a good one. Translating The Highly Sensitive Experience I believe this is one reason so much of the creative coaching I do is with highly sensitive and more introverted people. It’s a translation issue. In a world that makes many assumptions about what ‘normal’ looks like and assumes the goal is to fit the mould to get on in life, I tend to work from the premise that it’s not us that doesn’t fit society; it’s usually society that doesn’t fit us. I don’t do this to cultivate an ‘us versus them’ mentality. Quite the opposite, in fact. We are attempting to translate across a bridge, which so often leaves us misunderstanding one another. Likewise, I am very aware of the language used to describe the trait of high sensitivity. In the introduction to the HSP Gathering film I shared on Saturday, I talked about how adopting language around sensitivity has helped us better understand ourselves and our experiences alongside others. But while we have the trait of sensitivity in common, it also takes unique forms for each of us. That shared language can only take us so far, and we don’t want to overdo it. High sensitivity isn’t an identity or a personality type, nor does it dictate what we should like, value, or create. Over the years, I’ve noticed how easily one person’s experience of sensitivity can become the dominant narrative, leaving others wondering whether they’re a “proper HSP”. The Balancing Act in Translating Our Experiences The translator plays an important role in bringing their cultural understanding and experience, without letting it outrun the intention behind the person’s words. And as highly sensitive people, I think we’ve got to be aware of this in the way we listen to and interpret HSPs. To put the person first. That’s why I’m drawn to stories and anecdotes individuals share about their experiences of sensitivity. Not to universalise the experience or assume it’s the same for everyone, but to open the door so that each of us can feel at home with our differences. Which is what I wanted to do with the film I shared at the gathering. “It Just Sort of Happens” is a series of stories about the relationship I’ve noticed between my sensitivity and creativity, and how they have helped me make sense of the world, my personal experiences, and myself throughout my life. I wanted to use the stories as examples to help others map their own experiences and notice what they hear beneath the surface of my words. If you’d like to watch it, I’ll be sharing it in The Courtyard on Sunday, when we’ll also chat about any comments and questions afterwards. Learn more about it and register for your free Courtyard Membership (there will be a replay for those who can’t make it live). If you have any questions or comments in the meantime, please drop me a message and let me know.

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 healthThe importance of digital boundaries and creating a sanctuary in your homeLetting go of what doesn't bring you joy and finding gratitude for your belongingsIntentionally going through the six stages of the KonMari method of tidying upRebecca 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkjoyandflowInsight Timer: http://www.insightttimer.com/sparkjoyandflowResources Mentioned:Circle of Joy Community: https://circleofjoy.mn.co/plans/1444189Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781607747307For more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.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/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd 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 if one of the most powerful forces shaping your marriage is something you've never even thought about?Every relationship has an atmosphere. You can't see it, but you can feel it.It's the difference between walking into a home that feels light, warm, and easy to breathe in... and one where everyone seems to be quietly protecting themselves.The surprising part? The atmosphere is not just the way a relationship is.It's actually something that's being created…And it isn't created by one big conversation, one conflict, or one breakthrough.It's created by one ordinary interactions at a time repeated over and over—most of which you barely notice. In this episode, I'll help you recognize the invisible emotional climate inside your own marriage, why it matters far more than you may realize, and why understanding this one idea could completely change the way you think about creating the relationship your heart has been longing for…...and your ability to influence the relationship.Because once you can see the atmosphere...you can begin changing it. Dive in.SHOW NOTES: Learn more about the full Safe Heart Pathway through Sanctuary 1:1 (where Foundations of Emotional Well-Being is included as the first layer)Or begin with Foundations of Emotional Well-Being for HSPs (FEW) on its own first.FREE QUIZ: How Much is High Sensitivity Impacting Your Relationship (and are you even highly sensitive)? You want to know. Because, high sensitivity has a major impact on intimate relationships – for better or worse. Take this 3 minute quiz to discover if you're highly sensitive and how deeply it's affecting you, and your happiness in your relationship. You will also get your next steps to making sure sensitivity works for your relationship, instead of against it.ENJOYING THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Leave  a review in Apple Podcasts--we are SO grateful!Check out the Start Here Podcast Pathway for a suggested route through the most important episodes to start with or review — the ones that will help you feel calmer, more secure, and more hopeful in your relationship.

When someone's energy feels a little different than usual, quieter, colder, more reserved, your mind starts filling in the silence with a story about what you did wrong.This week Alissa breaks down where that hypervigilance actually comes from and why your mind rushing to assume the worst rarely has anything to do with what's actually happening.Pulling from her own patterns and stories from women in the Not Too Sensitive Club, Alissa walks through how to catch the spiral before it takes over. In this episode, you'll learn:Why your mind rushes to fill in the silence when someone seems distant or short with youThe childhood origin of hypervigilance and why it gets mistaken for high sensitivityHow to create space between a triggering moment and the story you decide to believe about itThe exercise for completing the anxiety loop and realizing you could survive the worst case scenarioWhy overcompensating to win over a cold or quiet person is really about your own comfort, not the connectionHow choosing a new response in triggering moments builds a steadier, more confident identity over timeUncover your sneaky internal belief that's stopping you from being your most confident self TAKE The FREE Shadow Archetype Quiz NOWLearn my 6-step process for managing & neutralizing your triggers as an HSP in our FREE UN-Botherable Workshop!Join the Not Too Sensitive Club

Do you ever walk out of a room feeling completely drained or heavier than when you walked in? If you are an empath or a highly sensitive person (HSP), you aren't just hearing people—you are absorbing their emotional weather. In this episode of Calming Anxiety, clinical hypnotherapist and former frontline paramedic Martin Hewlett shows you how to stop bracing for other people's storms and start generating your own climate of peace. Using a powerful 4-2-6 breathing technique and an immersive aura visualization, you will learn how to build a protective shield of calm that reflects negativity, leaving you centered, grounded, and in complete control. Cold Intro"Do you ever leave a room feeling heavier than when you walked in? Like you've just absorbed someone else's negative energy without even realising it? If you're an empath or simply a highly sensitive person, today we're doing something different. We're not building a wall to keep people out. We're learning how to protect your energy by building a calm aura around you."  Time Chapters00:00 – Intro: The Empath's Dilemma & Protecting Your Energy 00:38 – Welcome from Martin Hewlett & Settling In 01:21 – Paramedic Insights: Reading the Room vs. Changing the Climate 01:57 – The 4-2-6 Breathing Practice for Panic & Anxiety Relief 03:05 – Guided Aura Visualization: Creating Your Shield of Light 05:37 – Silent Hypnotherapy Affirmations for Grounding 08:25 – 3 Daily Caring Tips for Maintaining Your Emotional Boundaries 09:44 – Grounding Outro, Social Share & Closing Words AffirmationsRepeat these powerful phrases internally or whisper them to lock in your sense of peace and control: I am calm within this storm. Other people's storms move around me, not through me. I do not absorb what was never mine to carry. My calm is steady, even when the forecast around me changes. I am the climate I choose to create. 3 Daily Caring TipsTake these practical tools with you into the weeks and months ahead to protect your peace: Breathe Before You Enter: Before walking into a meeting, a room, or a tough conversation, take three mindful breaths and visualize your protective aura growing stronger. Let Storms Pass Through: Remember that you are human, not a weather system. If someone else's mood touches you, give it gentle permission to pass right on by. Audit Your Environments: Notice who in your life is consistently stormy. Be honest about how long you stand in the rain—you have full permission to shorten visits, take calls later, and protect your space. Share the CalmIf today's visualization helped you find your footing, please take a quick moment to share this episode on your social media feed. You never know which of your friends or loved ones might desperately need a 10-minute sanctuary of peace today. Smile often, my friend, and to your soul be kind.

Go to https://kachava.com and use code HSP for 15% off your first order!Dark Summer Merch Is Here! Get your Tour Tee, Scrapbook Tee or Bandana at ⁠https://shop.heartstartspounding.com/Today we're exploring the term that has been circulating online for the last few months, Alpine Divorce, and two cases where these “divorces” of sorts were life-threatening. In 2012, Toni Henthorn fell from an off-trail ledge in Rocky Mountain National Park. Her husband Harold said she slipped, but a ranger found a map that indicated otherwise. Thirteen years later, Arielle Konig was attacked by her husband, Gerhardt, on a cliffside trail in Hawaii on her birthday, but against all odds, she made it out alive.TW: Domestic abuse, mention of sexual assault on a minor, description of head injuryThe National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.Subscribe on⁠ Patreon⁠ to become a member of our Rogue Detecting Society and enjoy ad-free listening, monthly bonus content, merch discounts and more. Members of our High Council on Patreon also have access to our weekly after-show, Footnotes, where I share my case file with our producer, Matt.You can also enjoy many of these same perks, including ad-free listening and bonus content when you subscribe on Apple Podcasts.Follow on⁠ Tik Tok⁠ and⁠ Instagram⁠ for a daily dose of horror.