Unapologetically Sensitive
In this podcast, we explore how sensitivity weaves itself into our lives. We talk about the richness that it adds, and the strengths we have BECAUSE of our sensitivity and some of the challenges it poses as well. If you are a Creative, a deep thinker, a deep feeler, a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), an introvert, or identify as INFJ or ENFJ, you may enjoy the in-depth conversations where we talk openly and honestly about how we experience life. This is a podcast where you can learn, relate, laugh and maybe even live a bolder, brighter life. Have you been told you’re “too” (fill in the blank)? You’re too sensitive; you think/worry too much; you take things too personally; you’re too emotional, too finicky, too fragile, too intense, too uptight, too slow. Have you been told you can’t take a joke; you can’t go with the flow? You can’t let go of things? Making decisions can be very difficult. You might have an acute sense of smell, and strong odors, crowded noisy environments and bright lights are just too much! You notice things that no one else does. You have a strong sense of justice and you may be a peace-keeper. Conflict feels uncomfortable. You’re the one that everyone tells their problems to because you’re a good listener who cares deeply. You’re in the right place! You may have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, ADHD or something else. Sometimes Highly Sensitive People are misdiagnosed. Our brains are wired differently. We are born with the trait of High Sensitivity. There’s nothing wrong with you! You will learn that your perceived weaknesses are really are your superpowers! Dr. Elaine Aron coined the term Highly Sensitive Person (also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity).
Episodes
Naming What’s Challenging as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
I suck at lying! I’m planning a surprise party for my husband, and I’ve been like a deer in the headlights a few times. I also talk about feeling disappointed that I had expectations about my puppy being affectionate, and she’s not. I talk about how you work with naming what’s hard and challenging in order to honor your feelings, while consciously creating a narrative tha...
Focusing on Your Needs, Emotions and Happiness
Jen Perry talks about attachment patterns and how the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is often focused on what everyone else is feeling, wanting and needing. We talk about tools to identify what YOU are wanting. Jen talks about self-care and self-centering. We talk about self-talk, as well as the burden of the mental load that many of us carry. We also talk about perfectionism, gentle ...
Setting Boundaries with Emotionally Immature People
Dr. Lindsay Gibson, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, and Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents provides a 5-part process outlining how to set boundaries with an Emotionally Immature Person (EIP). She also talks about how to reinforce and reset those boundaries when they aren’t honored. Dr. Gibson talks about how to determine the optimal physical and...
Death by a Thousand Papercuts
My computer was hacked and they downloaded files from my computer. In the midst of this awful experience, there were a number of gifts and amazing connections with people. I feel some shame and embarrassment. How can you thrive while going through something terrible? I talk about the fears that came up, as well as all the grace that was given to me. The multitude of challenges that came up felt lik...
Softening, Surrendering, Accepting & Allowing
This episode focuses on being with whatever is going on to ease suffering when you want things to be different than they are. How can you accept things when it sucks? Jen and I talk about how we practice softening when things are hard. Jen talks about how she drops into her body to get information. How can you use noticing to ease tension and control? Jen also talks about how she h...
Practicing Self-Compassion when Perfection, Competing Needs and Burnout are Present
It can be hard having needs; not getting your needs met; having to compromise around your needs. This can activate attachment injuries, that can cause or exacerbate depression, anxiety, burnout and self-doubt. How do you take care of yourself? How do you bring in self-compassion and self-trust? Do you believe that if you do things a certain way, yo...
Stoicism During Hard Times for the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
When there is a crisis, do you reach out and share what’s going on and ask for support? Do you tell yourself that you will worry when there is something to worry about? I share some recent experiences. My son asked me to let him know next time if his Grams is sick because he wants to know. I thought I was protecting him from worrying. There is also a gift in allowi...
We (HSPs) are Not Too Much, with Susan Kraker - Best of the Podcast
Susan is a therapist who specializes in relationships, and she works with the Highly Sensitive Person. She decided to take the Online HSP Course because she didn’t have many friends who were also Highly Sensitive. We had a rupture during one of the groups, and we talk about this. Susan has some astute observations. We both talk about some common wounds we both hav...
Getting Grounded in Yourself & Honoring Your Needs
Jen and I talk about how wounding can create over-functioning, over-responsibility, and rigidity at the expense of the human. We talk about stress responses and how to be more mindful and present for yourself while also bringing self-compassion. We literally take a break and do a short grounding exercise to get present. When you feel like you’re not doing enough, we talk about ...
Do you tend to over function when there is a crisis? Do you push through even though it’s not the best for you? Do you allow yourself to ask for help and get support? I was in the middle of a crisis when I recorded this, and I wanted to share my observations; what was helpful, and what things were challenging. You don’t have to do things alone. What do you say or do when you are ...
Welcoming Your Own Humanness with Self-Compassion
Guest host Jen Perry shares her gremlins about recording for me this week and being unapologetic about it. She talks about valuing self-compassion over self-esteem. Jen talks about how to slow the process down and create peace in the moment to help you soften. She talks about why curiosity and kindness support self-compassion. Jen talks about the perils of perfectionism as well a...
How do you manage prioritizing your own self-care when life is hectic and busy? Are you able to be flexible when things change, and can you ask to have your needs met? If not, what gets in the way? When plans change, are you able to have self-compassion for yourself and others, or do you get angry and upset that things haven’t gone as planned? I got a puppy, so you’ll hear audio when St...
Vulnerability and Intimacy in Relationships
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) often don’t reach out when they need support because they are afraid that they will overwhelm others with their intense feelings, or that the other person won’t be there for them, or will disappoint them. Jen and I talk about what it’s like to show up for each other when we’re having an emotionally intense time. We talk about the need for connection; the ...
Dr. Lindsay Gibson, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, and Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents talks about self-care in regards to self-confidence, security, self-connection, self-awareness and emotional self-protection. She talks about how being an adult child impacts a person’s choices and behaviors in relationships. She also talks about...
Sitting with Intense Feelings, AND Noticing What’s Right.
GUEST
Solo episode
EPISODE OVERVIEW
I got my feelings hurt a few times this past week, and it’s been hard. I spent 3 days crying, and it triggered some trauma from my past. This was NOT my baseline, but I was incredibly sensitive and kept getting my feelings hurt. I was also able to feel the connection and support I had at the same time. Intensity can be confused w...
Listener Question: Being New in a Group that doesn’t Understand the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
GUEST
Jen Perry, MSEd, MA, LPC
EPISODE OVERVIEW
A listener wrote in and asked how to be mindful when being new to a group that doesn’t understand High Sensitivity. Jen and I talk about common barriers & fears that can come up when joining a group. We talk about confirmation bias and how that has shown up for both of us. We ta...
Practicing Self Trust as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
GUEST
Solo episode
EPISODE OVERVIEW
Learning to listen to yourself as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) can be challenging. When do you push and when do you rest? Your perception of yourself may be different than how others see you. I talk about feeling stuck, needing support, asking for help, and having someone remind me that I do better than I think I do when my husban...
Social Anxiety and the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
GUEST
Jen Perry, MSEd, MA, LPC
EPISODE OVERVIEW
A listener wrote in and said she has social anxiety and finds it hard to talk to people. She gets anxious that she won’t be able to communicate her thoughts clearly, or that she’ll be misunderstood, or she’ll lose her train of thought. She also finds it difficult to talk about her own experiences and feelings, even when she’...
Navigating Social Situations as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
GUEST
Solo episode
EPISODE OVERVIEW
I recently attended a holiday party, and I observed the different stages I went through: feeling engaged and comfortable. Then I had to set a boundary. Then all of a sudden, something snapped, and I was done talking, and I wanted to go outside. I found myself sitting alone, and I wondered what was wrong with me. Once I notic...
TITLE
Social Anxiety and Confidence in the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
GUEST
Jen Perry, MSEd, MA, LPC
EPISODE OVERVIEW
A listener wrote in and said she doesn’t feel like she’s good at talking, and how can she manage her anxiety and gain confidence. We talk about how the wound of too much & not enough come into play, as well as teasing out if the listener knows what she wants to share, but gets too anxious, or if she can’t id...
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