All Episodes

November 15, 2025 38 mins

Some people feel the world in a deeper way.

You might walk into a room and notice tension right away.

You might catch a shift in someone's voice before they even admit something is wrong.

You might replay moments for days because your mind doesn't let them go.

 

If this sounds familiar, this episode will help you make sense of it.

 

I sat down with Todd Smith, host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Todd has spent years helping people understand why sensitivity isn't weakness. It's a real trait that shows up in about 15 to 20 percent of the population.

 

 

What We Talked About

 

 

What it really means to be a compassionate person.

Todd explains the DOES model, which breaks sensitivity into four parts: depth of processing, overwhelm, emotion, and sensitivity to subtle cues.

 

Why stress hits deeper for some people.

We explore how stress can turn small problems into significant reactions and how sensitivity increases when life gets loud.

 

How Byron Katie's Work Can Calm Your Mind.

Todd walks through a simple method that helps you question stressful thoughts and see situations with more clarity.

 

Parenting and sensitivity.

We talk about what it's like raising a child when you already feel a lot, and how to stay steady when your kid isn't giving you much to work with.

 

Caregiving and family stress.

Todd shares his experience caring for a family member with dementia and how sensitivity plays a role in the pressure, the frustration, and the emotional weight.

 

Why boundaries matter.

We discuss why it's so hard for sensitive people to say no, and how to protect your energy without guilt.

 

 

Who Does This Episode Help

 

 

This episode is for you if you:

 

  • Feel drained by crowds or noise

  • Pick up on other people's moods fast

  • Replay conversations for days

  • Struggle with conflict

  • Need more quiet than the people around you

  • Want tools to lower stress and shift your reactions

 

 

 

About Todd Smith

 

 

Todd Smith is a coach who helps highly sensitive people manage stress and understand their wiring.

He is the creator of True Inner Freedom and the host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People.

 

Learn more about Todd Smith:

Website: trueinnerfreedom.com

Podcast: Search "Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People" on your favorite podcast app

 

 

Show Notes and Links

You can find everything mentioned in this episode at: nosittingonthesideline.com/170

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.