The Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast with Julie Bjelland , LMFT

We are all too often bombarded by disturbing and distressing media and this can be extremely overwhelming for sensitive people. We can find it extremely challenging to manage the intensity of emotions that are often felt from over-witnessing suffering and violence in our media. As a result, we can spend a great deal of energy intentionally avoiding being exposed. Some things are, however, simply c...

Episode Highlights: Feeling Misunderstood: Julie and Willow explore the emotional impact of being misunderstood as sensitive and neurodivergent individuals, and how these experiences shape self-image and relationships. From Misunderstanding to Belonging: Julie shares contrasting experiences of recently feeling misunderstood in one situation and deeply connected in another. The Power of Belonging:...

In this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent podcast, host Julie Bjelland and Willow McIntosh explore how to find light in the darkness, even during grief and difficult times. They discuss the importance of intentionally seeking joy, even in small moments, and how this practice helps manage overwhelming emotions and build resilience. Julie shares her personal experiences with grief after losing h...

Welcome to this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent Podcast with Julie Bjelland, LMFT, and guest Willow McIntosh. This episode celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Sensitive Empowerment Community. We discuss milestones, including reaching listeners in 183 countries and ranking in the top 1.5% of podcasts globally. Season Two Kickoff: Julie shares exciting news about starting Season Two after co...

In this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent podcast, I share insights on managing the tough days that sensitive individuals often face. After recently losing my mom, I’ve realized how crucial it is to have a "Sensitive Person's Toolkit" to help navigate overwhelming emotions, sensory overload, and other unique challenges. I discuss common struggles like emotional burnout, strained...

In this episode, Sensitive Empowerment Community members Carol Huckle and Carolina Mariposa co-host quarterly Intuitive Parenting events, in which members discuss the joys and challenges of parenting as HSP's, while supporting one another in our parenting and caregiving journeys. While these events are not normally recorded to maintain privacy of participants, Carol and Carolina hosted this pu...

In this heartfelt interview, Rebecca introduces us to the practice of KonMari for sorting through belongings at such a difficult time in our lives. The method is particularly beneficial for highly sensitive people as it gently encourages mindfully letting go while regulating our nervous system with what is manageable and with what resonates with our emotional readiness. The method has a focus on t...

In this conversation, Julie Bjelland and Willow McIntosh share personal stories and insights about their experiences as highly sensitive people (HSPs). Julie talks about her rescue mission to save a baby seagull and how her sensitivity allowed her to notice and help the bird. Willow discusses his journey of self-discovery and the process of letting go of old patterns to embrace his true self. Both...

In this conversation, Misa Hopkins discusses the topics of fear, doubt, self-worth, and perfectionism. She explains that fear and doubt stem from the separation of consciousness and the belief in unworthiness, abandonment, and rejection. Misa emphasizes the importance of understanding that these experiences do not indicate anything is wrong with us, but rather are a result of consciousness becomin...

Welcome to our latest episode, "Feeling Flawed," in which Julie Bjelland and Willow McIntosh share their personal experiences of sensitivity and neurodivergence. They explore the impact of feeling flawed, the importance of self-compassion, and how embracing our unique traits can lead to empowerment and well-being. Join us as we discuss creating supportive environments that celebrate indi...

Summary In this episode, Julie Bjelland discusses the challenges of sensitivity and how they can impact highly sensitive and neurodivergent individuals. She shares her own experiences and highlights the importance of validation, understanding, and self-care. Some of the challenges discussed include sound sensitivity, feeling misunderstood, managing energy levels, sensory overwhelm, travel challeng...

Show Notes Julie and Willow discuss the challenges of planning and traveling, the importance of trust and presence, and their love for animals and nature. In this conversation, Julie and Willow discuss the joy of observing sea creatures and the importance of deep connections. They share personal stories of friendship and the freedom of being authentic. They also emphasize the significance of embra...

The conversation between Julie Bjelland and Willow McIntosh covers self-acceptance, neurodiversity, sensory experiences, and the impact of personal discovery on mental and physical health. The discussion also delves into the importance of connection, shared experiences, and the significance of rest and self-care for highly sensitive individuals. The conversation covers sleep, neurodiversity in the...

In this episode, Krista discusses the topic of grieving the loss of a parent. She covers the messiness of grief, the factors that influence grief experiences, and the four tasks of mourning: accepting the loss, processing grief, adjusting to a new reality, and finding a lasting connection. She also shares the six needs of a grieving person, including having pain witnessed, expressing feelings, rel...

Episode Summary: In this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent podcast, psychotherapist Julie Bjelland delves deep into the hidden world of autistic women, aiming to illuminate the unique challenges and strengths that have not been well understood until now. A significant focus is placed on the reality that many autistic women remain undiagnosed, often due to the subtle and internalized nature of...

In this episode, I discuss the differences that set autism apart from high sensitivity, particularly in women. I highlight the outdated diagnostic criteria for autism and the misdiagnosis or lack of diagnosis in many women. We'll explore the unique characteristics of autistic women, such as the challenges of masking, the need for solitude, and the intense sensitivity across multiple senses. I...

Eli is known for her vibrant use of colour with multiple mediums including acrylic, gouache, ink, pastel, colour pencil, and collage, and as a highly sensitive artist with autism, Eli's work often reflects in-depth emotional themes.  Her work has been featured in public exhibitions and private collections all around the world and she has also mastered the art of showcasing her studio, drawing,...

In this episode, I take you on a deeply personal journey through some of the most challenging phases of my life. I open up about the experience of facing an empty nest, the physical and emotional upheaval brought on by menopause, and the profound insights I gained from understanding how autism impacts me and others who are sensitive. These challenges led me through some dark times, prompting a piv...

In this insightful presentation, Val discusses how highly sensitive people are making self-employment a viable option. Val addresses the 3 main concerns for people considering self-employment: Money  Marketing Energy Practical strategies are given to break things down into manageable steps, including letting go of all the ‘outside noise’, tuning in to what feels good, and creating that heart-to-he...

Being an HSP is a blessing, but it can also be exhausting, so a decluttering approach centered around energy management, self-compassion, and gratitude is exactly what we need, and we can create space and opportunities for growth by clearing physical and emotional clutter.   Learn how decluttering as a family can cultivate mindfulness and confidence in kids and be a tool to deepen relationships an...

An important area for the well-being of HSPs is self-acceptance. Yet what does this really mean and how do we know when we have a good bearing on it? Self acceptance is one of the greatest foundations of feeling joyful. Conversely, self rejection can be sneaky in how it operates, and a very painful place to operate from, especially as a deep feeling HSP. Join us as we look at what self-acceptance...

I am thrilled to share a special concert with you from Rachelle Jeanty, an international singer-songwriter, keynote speaker, and proud HSP. She toured with Celine Dion, has 4 albums, a Ted Talk, and sold-out concerts worldwide. I love that She’s a listener on The HSP Podcast, and that’s how we connected. We were so honored that She recorded a special concert for us in the Sensitive Empowerment Com...

Have you always wondered something about Willow or me? Join us for a fun conversation where you have a chance to get to know us better! Here are some of the questions we answered...  What is your most unusual sensitivity? When did you both realize you had High Sensory gifts, and what were/are they? Have more gifts opened up since you first recognized you had the trait?  How have your sensitivity a...

High sensitivity is an essential trait that has evolved for the survival of the species, and understanding this leads us to a more compassionate understanding of ourselves. The challenges experienced by us as HSPs are not from any inherent flaw within us but rather from a disparity between our sensitivity levels and the demands of the external environment. By intentionally nurturing our sensitive...

We will all grieve at some point - not only because grief comes in many forms (not only from the death of a loved one) but also because death is a natural part of being human. Yet we live in a grief and trauma illiterate society which often isolates and harms those doing their best to keep their head above water and find their way forward through and beyond painful life experiences.  All trauma in...