Sensitive Stories

Latest Episodes:

30: Express Your Big Emotions Out Loud Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Did you learn to repress your emotions as a kid or are you figuring out how to support the big emotions of your HSP kiddo? In this episode, I talk with Sarita Fichtner about the importance of expressing your emotions from an early age and:
• Long-term effects of being labeled “too sensitive” or “lazy” as a young HSP
• The profound impact of discovering your sensitivity on your mental health
• What’s possible when you set boundaries and support your sensitivity
• Dancing between bliss and survival mode as an HSP parent
Sarita is the children's book author of "Pop Out Loud". She struggled deeply with poor mental health from a young age, until her late twenties when she discovered the term "highly sensitive person". Sarita was then able to shift her circumstances from feeling defeated to feeling empowered, and build a life that thrives on a highly sensitive nervous system. "Pop Out Loud, First Day of School" is her debut book of the series which embraces emotions and honors sensitivity.
Keep in touch with Sarita:
• Website: http://www.saritaimagined.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saritaimagined
Resources Mentioned:
• Pop Out Loud children’s book: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781738195404
• The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780553062182
• Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781401938093
• The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781401946555

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at:
https://www.sensitivestories.com
You can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs!
This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.
Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.

29: Gently Building a Relationship with Yourself as an HSP Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

Do you feel disconnected from yourself and your needs? In this episode, I talk with Elizabeth Cush, LCPC about being more gentle with yourself and:
• Finding your way to acceptance of your sensitivity through self-compassion
• Practicing simple acts of mindfulness to understand what you need moment to moment
• Slowing down to nurture all parts of yourself and your life
• Living a balanced life with less overwhelm
Elizabeth is a life coach for highly sensitive women, a licensed clinical professional counselor, and business owner. She’s also the host of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast. She incorporates the body, mind, and spirit into her work. As a life coach, she helps sensitive women who feel stressed and overwhelmed find balance, flow, and ease to fully enjoy the beautiful life they’ve created. When she’s not working she’s traveling, and hanging outdoors with her husband and dachshund Elvis.
Keep in touch with Elizabeth:
• Website: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenyourwisewoman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethcushlcpc3220
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethcushlcpc
• Podcast: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com/awaken-your-wise-woman-podcast
Resources Mentioned:
• Sacred Support Circles for Sensitive Women: https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com/hsp-group-coaching-for-women
• A Guide to navigating friendships in Midlife: https://freeguide.elizabethcush.com
• The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781462526789

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

28: Caring For Your Needs as a Highly Sensitive Parent Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

Are you overwhelmed and exhausted trying to be the perfect parent? In this episode, I talk with Amy Lajiness, LCSW, PMH-C about highly sensitive parenthood and:
• What to do when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and touched out
• How pregnancy and parenting multiple children can increase overstimulation, leading to panic attacks, rage, or somatic symptoms
• Creating a sensory toolkit and finding micro pockets of time to take the edge off the anxiety and reconnect with yourself as a human
• Ways to get support when you’re the sole parent or don’t have others to help
• The importance of disconnecting from the parenting advice noise to reconnect with your own values as a parent
• Modeling and reinforcing your needs to kids who are not developmentally able to understand boundaries or self-care
• Remembering that you don’t have to be perfect to be good enough as a parent
Amy is a Licensed Therapist and Coach who has spent countless hours supporting Highly Sensitive (HSP) parents in reclaiming their peace and confidence. Amy is a Highly Sensitive Person herself as well as a mother of two highly energetic young children. Amy holds certifications in Perinatal Mental Health and HSP, and is passionate about providing resources for HSP parents, teaching them how to harness their strengths and manage challenges with grace and confidence, in order to thrive in parenthood.
Keep in touch with Amy:
• Website: https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highlysensitiveparenthood
Resources Mentioned:
• Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help
• Highly Sensitive Parenthood + Supporting Your Highly Sensitive Child Courses: https://www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com/courses - use the coupon code SENSITIVESTORIES at checkout for 25% off!
• Coaching with Amy: https://highlysensitiveparenthood.mykajabi.com/coaching - use the coupon code SENSITIVESTORIES at checkout for 25% off!
Thank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode.
Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

27: Soothing Anxiety + Getting Unstuck with Tapping Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Do you often get stuck in anxiety and overthinking? In this episode, I talk with Kate Hennessey about using tapping to self-soothe your sensitive nervous system and:
• The importance of setting up routines and of carving out time for self-care throughout every day
• Learning EFT tapping, breathwork, and other somatic resources for calming anxiety, fear, and grief
• Meeting yourself where you are and accepting your sensitivity
Kate is a highly sensitive person on a mission to help other HSP cultivate more self-love and strengthen their strong self-worth using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping and other somatic modalities. She's been a licensed massage therapist since 2017 and an EFT practitioner since 2021. Kate uses a somatic framework and takes a trauma-informed approach to guide others to transform shame, anxiety, and grief into power, freedom, and compassion.
Keep in touch with Kate:
• Website: https://katehennhealing.podia.com/efttapping
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katehenn.healing
Resources Mentioned:
To learn more about tapping and other somatic techniques to combat anxiety, anger, grief, download Kate’s free somatic sensitivity guide: https://katehennhealing.ck.page/332eb1f38c
Thank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode.
Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

26: Embracing Your Sensitivity + Socializing On Your Own Terms Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Have you gotten stuck in the belief that HSPs are fragile? In this episode, I talk with Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali, LMFT about celebrating your sensitivity and:
• Teaching people how to treat you and communicating that your needs are different
• Setting firm, but kind boundaries and how to manage pushback
• Finding fulfilling ways to socialize without the overwhelm or social pressure to show up like everyone else
• Rewriting the messages that say HSPs are weird, too sensitive, shy, or weak
• It’s possible for highly sensitive people to be ambitious, resilient, and strong
Ibinye is a licensed marriage and family therapist for couples and women with anxiety and insomnia. As a coach, she helps highly sensitive women set clear, kind boundaries, so they can put their needs at the forefront of their lives, stand up for themselves and rock social situations. When she's not working with HSPs she loves trying out new foods and taking naps.
Keep in touch with Ibinye:
• Website: http://www.thezinniapractice.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezinniapractice
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thezinniapractice
Resources Mentioned:
• Individual Coaching for Highly Sensitive Women: https://calendly.com/ibi-k7ob/consult
• HSP Self-Test: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test
Thank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode.
Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

25: Using Nature to Recharge and Reconnect with Your Sensitive Self Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

Is it difficult to find quiet spaces to think and reflect? In this episode, I talk with Jenna Mitchell, BSW, MSW, RSW about using nature as a resource to recharge and:
• How highly sensitive people are more connected and positively impacted by nature
• Taking your problems to nature when you’re stuck in overthinking or overwhelm
• Reconnecting with your creativity and intuition through nature
• The many ways to connect with nature inside and outside, using your five senses
• Intentionally engaging with nature to restore your mind and emotions
• Why it’s important to advocate for more accessible outdoor spaces
Jenna is a Registered Social Worker and Therapist in Ontario, and works in her private practice- Therapy for Sensitive Souls. She is also a highly sensitive person herself who feels this world deeply. Jenna works to help other highly sensitive humans rewrite their stories about sensitivity to shift from sensitivity as shame to sensitivity as strength. Jenna helps clients move towards building a loving and self-compassionate relationship to all parts of themselves.
Keep in touch with Jenna:
• Website: http://therapyforsensitivesouls.ca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapyforsensitivesouls
Resources Mentioned:
• Jenna works virtually with highly sensitive adults who are Ontario residents. Set up a consult: http://therapyforsensitivesouls.ca
Thank you to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode.
Cozy Earth offers super soft and sustainably sourced bedding and loungewear. Use discount code SENSITIVE at checkout for up to 40% off. https://cozyearth.com

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

24: Honoring Your Energetic + Emotional Ebbs and Flows Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

Do you worry you’re moving too slowly or not keeping up? In this solo episode I answer two listener questions:
• Any suggestions on how to cope when my deep processing translates to working much slower than everyone else?
• How do we find balance and a sustainable routine when feeling deeply and overwhelmed by the daily hustle?
April Snow, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist and author in California. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people to help calm the storm of overwhelm, anxiety, and self-doubt to allow their innate sensitive strengths to shine through. Deeply committed to changing the narrative of what it means to be highly sensitive, April has created and led HSP workshops all over the country as well as online through her Sensitive School. In addition to Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person, she has written Mindfulness Workbook for Stress Relief and The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person's Self-Care Journal.
Submit a Question: https://www.sensitivestories.com/ask
Additional Resources:
• High Sensation Seeking Self-Test: https://hsperson.com/test/high-sensation-seeking-test
• Watch the Sensitive Session on Softening Perfectionism: https://www.sensitivesessions.com
• The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism by Dr. Sharon Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781684031535
• Find Your Strength: A Workbook for the Highly Sensitive Person by April Snow: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781577153009

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

23: The Grief + Hope in Being a Late Bloomer as an HSP Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

Have you taken longer in life to meet certain milestones or discover yourself? In this episode, I talk with Melissa Giberson about being a late bloomer and:
• The healing power of language and being able to connect with others around your sensitivity
• How difficult, yet essential it is to have enough solitude and quiet for yourself
• Discovering your sensitivity, sexuality, and other parts of yourself at midlife
• Moving through the grief and finding hope when you need to follow a different path than what you originally set out on
• What’s possible when you listen to your inner voice and move through the mess of making a big life change
Melissa is an author, occupational therapist, and a proud mama bear to two children. Her essays have appeared in multiple online and in-print publications and her first book is Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self At Midlife. A native New Yorker, she, her partner, and their two cats split their time between New Jersey and Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Keep in touch with Melissa:
• Website: https://www.melissagiberson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagiberson031
Resources Mentioned:
• Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self at Midlife by Melissa Giberson: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781647425197
• Kripalu Retreat Center: https://kripalu.org/

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

22: Coming Home to Your True Self with Somatic Healing Work Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

Are you feeling disconnected with your body and constantly pushing yourself to do more? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Danica Harris about coming home to yourself and:
• Carving out space and time to reconnect with your true self as an HSP
• Finding ways to resource and care for your sensitive nervous system
• The importance of somatic work for healing chronic overwhelm and trauma
• Listening to your body’s basic needs as the first step to healing
• Leaning into what’s available and making small changes to resource yourself
• Slowing down to focus on what’s important and essential for your healing
Danica is a trained Psychologist turned Somatic Coach who co-owns a group therapy practice in Dallas, TX. Danica is a highly sensitive person and specializes in working with HSPs with a complex trauma history. Danica loves sharing free trauma-informed resources on her popular Instagram page @theempoweredtherapist and she has turned this resource into a company that supports folx who want to dive deeper into their healing work through courses, retreats, virtual somatic groups, and trainings for therapists.
Keep in touch with Danica:
• Website: www.theempoweredtherapist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theempoweredtherapist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredhealingdallas
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@empoweredhealingdallas
Resources Mentioned:
• Somatic Movement + Meditation Virtual Group: https://theempoweredtherapist.com/group
• Therapy Services: www.empoweredhealingdallas.com
• Healing Focused Self-Care Strategies Course: https://the-empowered-therapist-s-learning-lounge.teachable.com/p/healing-focused-self-care-strategies
• Healing Your Way Home Retreat is an all-inclusive somatic-focused retreat, designed for those who want or need an immersive healing experience. Sign up for the waitlist here: https://theempoweredtherapist.com/offerings

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

21: Detaching from Obligation and Guilt as a Sensitive Person Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

Are you overgiving in your relationships? In this episode, I talk with Melissa Guttman, MT-BC, LCAT about setting boundaries with emotionally immature people and:
• Why highly sensitive people often struggle with boundaries and codependency in their relationships
• Reframing guilt as a marker of taking better care of yourself instead of thinking that you’ve done something wrong
• Letting go of overfunctioning and over-empathizing to honor the other ways you bring value as a sensitive person
• Recognizing anger and intuition as signs it’s time to set a boundary
• The cost of enabling and rescuing the people in your life
• Knowing when to distance yourself from the emotionally immature people in your life
Melissa is a licensed IFS therapist in private practice based in New York City, helping highly sensitive adult children of narcissists recover from gaslighting and trust their intuition, to make decisions from a place of personal sovereignty and wisdom. Melissa also runs the Witches Protection Program, a self-defense training for highly sensitive people to learn how to protect themselves from narcissists.
Keep in touch with Melissa:
• Website: https://www.ifswitch.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifs_witch
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ifs_witch
Resources Mentioned:
• Melissa’s Witches Protection Program: https://www.ifswitch.com/witchesprotectionprogram
• Discovering the Inner Mother: A Guide to Healing the Mother Wound by Bethany Webster: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9780062884442
• You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For by Richard Schwartz: https://bookshop.org/a/63892/9781683643623

Get your copy of my new book, Big Feelings, Big Joy anywhere you get your books or at https://www.bigfeelingsbigjoy.com/book

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengths
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengths

And for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off.

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