Sensitive Stories

Do you constantly feel exhausted? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Karen Lamb about the connection between sensitivity and burnout as well as:  • The emotional and physical signs of burnout  • What nutrients are essential for deep processing   • Why sleep, hydration, and digestion are essential areas of physiological self-care   Karen is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor and Licensed Counselor special...

Have you ignored your needs for too long? In this episode, I talk with Jess Beagan about going at your own pace and:   • The benefits of making a career change and weaving more flexibility into your schedule  • Asking for help especially when you’re supporting others in some capacity  • The transition to working from home for an HSP  • Prepping for time off without getting overwhelmed   Jess is a...

Do you hide your sensitivity and push yourself beyond your limits? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Huong Diep about breaking old patterns of masking and:  • The process of unmasking and making room for your sensitivity  • Navigating the push-pull of simultaneously craving rest and stimulation as a High Sensation Seeker (HSS)  • The challenges of being a BIPOC HSP growing up in an immigrant family...

Do you have mysterious fatigue or physical symptoms? In this episode, I talk with Audrey Burke, LMBT, SEP about the somatic impact of stress and trauma as well as:   • Connections between early life trauma, emotional dysregulation, and high sensitivity  • The different types of trauma present from birth through adulthood  • The long-term impact of adverse babyhood and childhood experiences   • How...

Are you holding up everyone else at your own expense? In this episode, I talk with Noni Vaughn-Pollard, NDTR, MHC-LP about unlearning perfectionism and:  • Finding those safe spaces to receive support   • The unique challenges of sensitive black girls   • Giving yourself permission to be soft and sensitive when you need to   • The impact of superwoman syndrome  • Navigating internal and external m...

Do you struggle with big emotions? In this episode, I talk with Tori Deal about what to keep in your emotional regulation toolkit and:   • Building emotional resilience through poetry, meditation, and movement   • The importance of creating safe spaces for yourself when facing challenges  • Three types of meditation and their benefits   • Balancing your needs to be creative and introspective while...

Does sex feel uncomfortable or overstimulating? In this episode, I talk with Caitlin Weber, LMFT, CST about the barriers to enjoyable sex as a highly sensitive person and:   • How to carve out the time and mental space for sex as an HSP  • Managing the physical discomfort, boredom, and emotional overwhelm that may happen during sex   • What to do when you have a low sex drive   • How to break free...

Are you getting enough time for what you love? In this episode, I talk with Brian Zirngible, LMFT about balancing your career and creative passions as an HSP and:   • Regulating overwhelm and burnout with music, breathwork, and movement   • Finding time for what nourishes you through boundaries and communication  • How improv can support HSPs in being more flexible and resilient   Brian is a Licen...

Are you overwhelmed by clutter? In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Jo-Rushdy about the impacts of tidying up and:   • How clutter and tidying up impacts our emotional, mental, and physical health   • The importance of digital boundaries and creating a sanctuary in your home • Letting go of what doesn’t bring you joy and finding gratitude for your belongings   • Intentionally going through the si...

Are you struggling with infertility? In this episode, I talk with Liz Gray, LCSW, RPT about her IVF journey through an HSP lens and:   • The physical, emotional, and mental impact of infertility treatment  • Why you should ask questions and trust your instincts when interviewing providers   • Transitioning into parenthood and navigating postpartum as a highly sensitive person   Liz is a Highly Sen...

Have you been misunderstood and put into a box? In this episode, I talk with Lana Holmes, Psy. D., LCP about the complexities of being highly sensitive and black as well as:   • Honoring your thresholds even if others misinterpret resting as laziness   • Embracing all parts of who you are and loving your sensitivity   • Untangling stereotypes to recognize other people for who they truly are  • How...

Are you constantly putting your needs last? In this episode, I talk with Dorothy Meyer about finding the courage to care for yourself and: • Breaking free from perfectionism with small snippets of self-care   • Resetting from burnout by leaning on your support system and resources   • Closing the gap between your passions and your career to find more meaningful work  • Carving out time for your fa...

Are you burning out trying to make change and fight injustice? In this episode, I talk with Dorcas Cheng-Tozun about sustainable social advocacy and:   • The six roles of social justice work  • Why the extroverted activist ideal isn’t accurate or sustainable   • Pacing yourself and taking time for rest to make more impact in your volunteer or nonprofit work  • Benefits of having diverse personalit...

Are you carving out space to grieve? In this episode, I talk with Nichola Day about grieving through the seasons:  • Intentionally practicing rituals and finding community to honor grief throughout the year • Prioritizing self-care and rest during times of grief  • Finding your personal and seasonal rhythms to reconnect with your values • Unfolding the complexities of grief, from the acute loss to...

Do you constantly push your needs or ideas aside? In this episode, I talk with Tara Jackson about caring for yourself as a form of sensitive leadership and: • How prioritizing self-care and your own sensitive rhythm is helpful for everyone • Trusting your intuition to rest or to follow a creative idea in your work  • Why HSPs make excellent leaders and the various ways you can take a leadership ro...

Do you have a difficult relationship with a parent? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sharon Martin about cutting family ties and:  • The most common reasons most people cut ties with parents or close family members   • The difference between going low and no contact   • How common it is to second guess your decision to cut ties and what to do if that happens   • What to say to people who attempt t...

Do you struggle to care for yourself when overwhelmed? In this episode, I talk with Arianna Smith, LPC about allowing card pulls to guide your self-care practice and:  • The importance of starting with slow mornings and introspective practices as an HSP • Using tarot either inside or outside of a spiritual/religious practice • Understanding the different types of card decks and how to choose the r...

Have you used food to cope with your sensitivity? In this episode, I talk with Josie Munroe, LMFT about the connection between sensitivity and eating disorders and:  • What factors predispose highly sensitive people to developing an eating disorder • Alternative ways to cope and find companionship other than food • The difference between feeling calm and feeling numb as we try to soothe feelings o...

Are you nurturing and advocating for yourself? In this episode, I talk with Nadine Pinede about dimming your inner critic to a whisper and:  • Learning to advocate for yourself when you have an invisible illness and/or are a person of color  • Soothing pain and discomfort through MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) and Self-Compassion practices  • Seeing yourself and others for who they trul...

Do you feel selfish for slowing down? In this episode, I talk with Lisa-Marie Vecchio about making big life changes to find more peace and:  • Trusting your gut when making decisions for your life and work • Moving from corporate to freelance work as a creative person • The importance of having schedule freedom as a highly sensitive person • Creating moments of art and visual beauty in your home ...

What is possible when you feel deeply seen in your relationships? In this episode, I talk with Laura Deneen, LPC-MHSP and Lauren Jackson, LPC-MHSP about the benefits of supportive friendships and:  • The different roles friendships play in your life as an adult and identifying who is safe to bring into your inner world  • How to nurture friendships when you have limited bandwidth as an HSP • Givin...

Have you felt embarrassed by your sensitivity? In this episode, I talk with William Allen about the journey of learning to understand and embrace being an HSP as well as:  • Moving from living inauthentically to accepting your sensitivity • The challenges faced by HSP men such as lack of community and models of sensitive masculinity  • Practicing portable self-care such as meditation, breathing, a...

Do you feel overwhelmed by your emotions or struggle to communicate your experience as an HSP? In this episode, I talk with Lucy Sherman, LPC about expressing yourself through creativity and:  • How to use card decks and creative prompts as part of your reflection and self-care practice  • Understanding and nurturing your rich inner life through images and metaphor from nature, photographs, and ca...

Are you feeling burned out by the dating process or struggling to show up in your relationships? In this episode, I talk with Rebecca Marcus, LCSW about going at your own pace and: • Caring for yourself when starting new relationships just as you would in every other part of your life  • Not comparing yourself to others when dating and choosing the right pace for you • Slowing down to process and...

Are you constantly feeling disconnected from yourself? In this episode, I talk with Nichola Day about allowing seasonal changes to be a reminder to look within and: • The pivotal moment when you realize you’re highly sensitive and the need to advocate for your unique needs • The overlap between different forms of neurodivergence such as high sensitivity, ADHD, and autism • Giving yourself grace to...