You're Too Sensitive

In “Permission to be Creative Granted,” writer HJ Hennen discusses a memorable Ted Talk from 90’s Icon Ethan Hawke called “Give Yourself Permission to Be Creative,” why we should envy the creativity of eight year-old sandcastle architects, how creative storytelling helps us share our humanity in a world that desperately needs it, and how being creative is one of the bravest things a person can do.

In “The End of Reading Is As Scary As It Sounds,” writer HJ Hennen discusses the article of the same name by Atlantic staff writer Rose Horowitch why the best writers are avid readers notes how people actually say things like “Rosa Parks was a fraud because her husband owned a car” out loud anti-intellectualism in America is nothing new but stilldeeply tied into fascism and obedience all the aweso...

In “The Reader Versus the Writer,” HJ Hennen tests out a practice to approach the arduous, widely hated task among all writers of first-pass self-editing, the value of Stephen King’s writing advice to people who are too scared to read his horror books, and why “kill your darlings” is the most relevant advice a writer will ever follow.

In“The Cat Becomes a Lion” Writer HJ Hennen provides a TL:DR answer to the question “Why do I write” that has vexed many a writer, discusses the African proverb that answers that question much more efficiently, and why calling upon brave artists and writers to create is more difficult now – and more necessary as a result - than perhaps at any other time in history.

Season TWO of “You’re Too Sensitive” begins tonight with episode number one. In “The Artist's Superpower of Sensitivity” Writer HJ Hennen catches up on the last year’s worth of literary successes and failures which are now officially termed "learning lessons," the everyday hidden struggles of creative artists that go unnoticed, and how sensitivity isn’t the thing standing between artists and their...

Episode 43 - the final episode from the inaugural season of “You’re Too Sensitive” is live in your podcast feed. In “Not My Story to Tell,” Writer HJ Hennen discusses the gift of writing trauma with empathy, why celebrating your client’s journey during the biographical process is vital to keeping them engaged, and always keeping in mind that in the process of creating a biography, the writer is me...

You’re Too Sensitive is back in your feed with– Episode 42,“I Woke Up Like This” Writer HJ Hennen discusses the creative spark that hits at the most inopportune times, the Australian Indie-Folk band that helped to name this routine-busting process, and why, not surprisingly, taking care of a writer’s physical and mental health makes the writer better. By “writer” here, I mean me. I’m the writer.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 41, “They’re Killing theHelpers” is out now. After another extrajudicial, state-sanctioned murder ofan American citizen and a resident of Minneapolis at the hands of federal law enforcement, the creative community is needed now more than ever; to articulate the shared pain, to envision the hope for a better future, and to speak truthto unjust, undemocratic, and un-Am...

In this week's episode, writer, poet and creative HJ Hennen updates on life in the bowels of occupied South Minneapolis and dealing with 3000 uninvited visitors, how the greatest writers have a well-honed and practiced knack of the talent of observation, and borrowing from Toni Morrison’s toolbox to write the – a – any story you could conjure.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 39, “Just Leave Us Alone”is out now. Didn't intend for the first podcast back after a break to be a venting session about living in an occupied city in the United States during the year 2026....(in dramatic voiceover) but here we are. In an episode with no script, no bullet points, and no real plan other than to try and put words to devastation and disbelief, HJ Henn...

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 38, “I Wish I’d Written That” is out now. I discuss the go-to phrase showing admiration for a creation that leaves me speechless, why storytelling is the most important survival skill humans can possess, and why arguing with Maya Angelou isn’t it.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 37, “Banned Books Week 2025” is out now. After a brief sidebar to express disappointment about the cringe that is “The Life of a Showgirl,” we tackle Banned Books Week 2025. Up for discussion; some of the banned books by great American authors, how those book bans steal a child’s right to think, feel, and seek self-actualization, and what we can all do this week to f...

After a break, You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 36, “Jimmy Kimmel” is out now. Writer HJ Hennen discusses an unplanned break, the original poem that resulted and names depression to tame it, and why creative voices are needed now more than ever to fight authoritarian censorship of First Amendment rights.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 35, “Why Do I Do This?” is out now. (Ignore what I about this being Episode 34. Numbers have never been my thing.) The key to answering the important question “Why do I write?”  is to know that, despite layered intentions and manifestations, the most honest answer is the first one that comes to mind, and is the always the easiest to explain.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 34, “It's Not a Career, It's a Terminal Hobby" makes its triumphant return after a week away. Writer and creative H.J. Hennen discusses why preparing a manuscript for publishing should feel like the most terrifying amusement park ride ever, why having writer friends makes writers even better at their craft, and how working with an agent feels like such a grown-up thi...

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 33, “The ‘Wet Banana Method’ of Drafting” is out now and takes the dry practice of draft writing and makes it wildly titillating. Writer and creative H.J. Hennen discusses why the practice of drafting is vital to creating, especially for those of us flight of thought, how every good artist gets better using the revision process, and my red flag/bull chase into a subm...

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 32, “Random, Useless, Beautiful and Irreverent” features a writer who self-identifies as a comedic genius yet has never written anything specifically in a comedy format or genre. Writer and creative H.J. Hennen discusses a conversation with an actual comedic writing genius, how understanding British humour (and how using the extra “U” liberally can go a long way to w...

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 31, “Toughest Damn Chicken inthe World” is available and yes, a literary chicken is referenced. Writer and creative H.J. Hennen discusses how to use Fall Out Boy song titles as compliments, how every good writer must first be a great reader, and two books that created a better writer, and more importantly, made the writer an even better human being.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 30 “Longing Last Lines ThatLinger” is out now and has nothing to do with alliteration. Writer and creative HJ Hennen discusses how last lines of poetry should wound or awaken and a new original’s attempt to do the same, how poets' love of words sometimes lead to overdoing their final salvo, and famous poets that excel in writing the parting shot.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 29 “Risk It for the Biscuit” is fresh out the oven. Writer and creative HJ Hennen discusses the value of risk as a writer, different methods writers can use to take risks in their writing, and how Kraft Macaroni and Cheese can be the great risk equalizer. CW: unwanted sexual touch, drug use

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 28 “Shatter Your Own Rules” is the first-ever 100% smartphone-produced episode of this series. Writer and creative HJ Hennen discusses the conviction behind socks with sandals, why poetry must be both seen and heard with a reading of a brand new piece, and why breaking all the rules, especially your own rules, is the best possible way to extend your lifespan.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 27 “Flying Too Close to the Sun” where I address my absence (my bad), differentiating accountability from motivation, and flying back and forth between my Sun of leisure and my North Star of purpose. As a prologue, I also get really pissed off about the Big Bullshit Bill – fyi, please call your electeds, either way they fall, and stand up for humanity.

CW: death You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 26 “’ OH NO YOU DON’TCOCK-CHEEK’” tackles everyone’s companion that no one wants to talk about; death, grief and loss. I discuss growing up with anxiety dreams, the challenges of writing about and through death, and trying to make the deeply uncomfortable a little less lonely.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 25 “What Will Your Verse Be?” is inspired by a wretched internal body clock and Uncle Walt Whitman. I discuss how my love of poetry was borne of The Bard himself, Shakespeare’s close relation in the form of slam poetry competitions, and the foolishness of one J. Evans Pritchard in trying to "understand" poetry.

You’re Too Sensitive – Episode 24 “Not Perfect Enough to be a Perfectionist” is ready for your deeply-researched critiques. I discuss how to survive if the coffee is a couple hours late, my professional and personal struggles with perfectionism, and how fixing my mindset around perfectionism was the key to jump-starting my writing career and just plain being a happier human.