Sensitive Stories

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 to increase resilience and begin heali...

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 messages that block your intuition and t...

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 being in the spotlight 

On the surface,...

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 from linear models of sex

Caitlin Weber...

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 Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist wit...

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 six stages of the KonMari method of tidyi...

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 Sensitive Person, certified EMDR therapist...

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 to uplift and include all members of ou...

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 favorite forms of self-care like reading...

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 personalities and interdependent communities   

Do...

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 lo...

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 role in...

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 right ...

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 of ove...

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 truly are...

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 h...

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

• Giving you...

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, and co...