The Sensitivity Doctors: Recent Episodes

Dr. Jeanne Retief, Dr. Amelia Kelley

Welcome to the Sensitivity Doctors Podcast. Here we explore everything from overcoming anxiety to living in a world not always designed for our sensitive wiring. Whether its navigating business, parenthood, overcoming trauma, or getting what you want out of your relationships - we invite you to this empowering journey of self-empowerment and growth.

Hosted by fellow highly sensitive persons Drs. Amelia Kelley & Jeanne Retief.

Dr. Amelia Kelly is a trauma-informed therapist, author, podcaster and researcher. Her specialties include: Art therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and Brainspotting. Her work focuses on women’s issues, empowering survivors of abuse and relationship trauma, Highly Sensitive Persons, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD.

Dr. Jeanne Retief is the CEO & Founder of FIGGI Life & Beauty. She is an anxious overachiever with panic disorder, author of the FIGGI blog, and creator of FIGGI skincare for sensitive souls.

You did everything right. Why don't you feel different?

You've done the reading. You've journaled. You've reframed the thought. You know exactly where the pattern started and why it kicked in. And your body still isn't listening.

That plateau, the one no one warns you about, is where trauma therapist Debbie Missud starts this episode. Because for complex PTSD, especially in women, the wound isn't always what happened. Sometimes it's what didn't. The connection that was missing. The attunement that never came. The consistency that never held. Your body registered every absence, and it's been carrying the response ever since.

If you've ever thought, "nothing that bad happened to me, so why do I feel this way," this conversation is going to name something in you that hasn't been named yet.

Key takeaways:

What complex PTSD actually is, and how it's different from the type of PTSD the DSM defines
Why women are twice as likely to develop complex trauma, and why so much of the clinical literature misses this
The healing plateau in trauma recovery, why doing the "right" cognitive work stops producing change, and what to do next
The difference between freeze and shutdown, and how to recognize which state you're actually in
Practical nervous system tools to come out of a shutdown response, including movement, sensory input, and what not to reach for
Why fawning is a survival response, not a personality trait, and how to tell if the person across from you is actually safe
How to know if you're processing or just looping, and the simple question that tells you which one it is
Parts mapping and self-forgiveness, the two tools Debbie names as most important for long-term complex trauma healing
Why forgiving the people who hurt you is not required to heal from complex trauma

About the guest:

Debbie Missud is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of the Manhattan Psychotherapy Collective, a group practice in New York City specializing in trauma-informed care for women. She's also a mental health content creator, consultant, and the author of Self-Directed Complex PTSD Exercises for Women.

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapydebbie/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therapydebbie

Grab her book: https://a.co/d/09yDvxfn

You've been told your messy counter means you're lazy. Your brain says otherwise.

If a viral reel has ever made you feel behind for not spending "just 20 extra seconds" tidying up, this one is for you. Dr. Amelia Kelley breaks down house mapping, an ADHD-friendly approach to home organization that stops forcing your life to fit your home and starts designing your home around how your brain actually moves.

Born from a reel that lit up with hundreds of listener questions, this episode tackles shoes, mail piles, kitchen counters, laundry hampers, and the family nervous system, with the clinical grounding of a trauma therapist who lives it too.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What house mapping is and why it works for ADHD brains
How your environment silently cues your behavior
Why the viral "just take 20 more seconds" advice is a neuronormative trap
How landing zones reduce executive function load
How to talk to family members who aren't on board
The one-bag-a-day method for overwhelmed spaces

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:

🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/

👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

What if you’re not avoiding the doctor because you don’t care, but because fear, trauma, or overwhelm makes the appointment feel impossible?

In this episode of Wired and Worthy, Dr. Amelia Kelley and Dr. Amna Shabir explore medical anxiety, healthcare avoidance, and why neurodivergent and highly sensitive people may struggle to seek care. They discuss the difference between fearing a diagnosis and fearing the procedure itself, the impact of cognitive overload, and how trauma-informed care can help patients feel safer.

They also share practical ways to reduce anxiety, advocate for yourself, rebuild trust with healthcare providers, and treat preventive care as an important form of self-care.

Key Takeaways:

Medical anxiety may come from fear of the diagnosis, the procedure, past trauma, or an overwhelming healthcare system.
ADHD and cognitive overload can make scheduling and attending appointments much harder.
Understanding each step of a procedure can reduce fear and avoidance.
Trauma-informed care should prioritise trust, communication, choice, and autonomy.
Believing your symptoms and seeking help are acts of self-care—not weakness.

About the guest:

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, is a dual board-certified physician, TEDx speaker, and certified health and wellness coach. With advanced training in integrative well-being, performance, and leadership development, she helps high achievers navigate perfectionism, workplace stress, and burnout. Through speaking, coaching, and consulting, she supports individuals and organisations in creating healthier, more sustainable approaches to success.

Connect with Dr. Amna Shabbir

Website: https://dramnashabbir.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

Listen to her podcast: https://dramnashabbir.com/podcasts/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-exploring-the-crossroads-of-ambition-and-wellness/

Take her quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:

🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/

👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

What if the parts of you that seemed inconsistent, overly intense, distracted, or difficult were actually clues to how your brain works?

In this episode of Wired & Worthy, Dr. Amelia Kelley speaks with Julie Skolnick, author of Gifted and Distractible, about twice exceptionality, also known as 2E. Julie explains why giftedness is about far more than intelligence and how it can coexist with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and other learning differences.

Together, they explore why highly capable children and adults are so often misunderstood, how shame develops when strengths hide real struggles, and what it takes to finally feel seen, supported, and safe enough to unmask.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Why giftedness is about more than being smart.
How ADHD and giftedness can look very similar.
Why highly capable people can still struggle with everyday tasks.
How sensory needs, perfectionism, and anxiety can affect learning.
Why some gifted children and adults are overlooked or misunderstood.
How reframing behavior can reduce shame and build confidence.
Why understanding how your brain works can make self-advocacy easier.

About the guest:

Julie Skolnick is the author of Gifted and Distractible and the founder of With Understanding Comes Calm. Her work focuses on supporting gifted and twice-exceptional children, adults, parents, educators, and clinicians.

Through consultations, training, courses, and her Haystack community for 2E adults, Julie helps people better understand the overlap between giftedness, ADHD, learning differences, sensory needs, perfectionism, anxiety, and emotional intensity. Her approach centers on practical strategies, positive reframing, advocacy, and helping people understand how their brains work so they can feel supported rather than broken.

Connect with Julie Skolnick

Website: https://www.withunderstandingcomescalm.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieskolnick/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-rosenbaum-skolnick-5b582351/

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:

🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/

👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

Have you ever had one vague email, one “we need to talk,” or one small disagreement send your whole nervous system into overdrive? If you have ADHD, are highly sensitive, or feel emotions intensely, this episode will help you understand why your feelings can feel so urgent and convincing.

Dr. Amelia Kelley talks with Dr. Tamara Rosier, author of Your Brain’s Not Broken and founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, about ADHD emotions, relationships, shame, trauma, self-trust, and emotional regulation. Through humor, real-life examples, and powerful metaphors, Tamara explains why emotions are “informants,” but not always reliable ones.

You will walk away with a clearer way to understand your ADHD brain, separate emotion from truth, and see your sensitivity as part of your strength, not proof that you are broken.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Why ADHD emotions can jump from zero to ten so quickly.
How working memory differences can create conflict in ADHD relationships.
Why some arguments are not worth the nervous system crash.
How humor and repair can help couples reconnect.
Why ADHD shame can feel embarrassing, but does not define you.
How to question intense emotions without dismissing yourself.
Why ADHD and trauma are connected, but not the same thing.

About the guest:

Dr. Tamara Rosier is a leading voice in the ADHD and neurodiversity space, known for making complex brain science feel human, relatable, and deeply practical. With her signature mix of warmth, humor, and honesty, she helps people understand ADHD not as a character flaw, but as a different way of moving through the world.

As the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, Dr. Rosier has dedicated her work to helping individuals, families, couples, and organizations better understand the strengths and challenges of ADHD. Her background as a college administrator, professor, leadership consultant, high school teacher, business owner, and ADHD coach gives her a rich, real-world understanding of how ADHD shows up in everyday life, from relationships and emotional regulation to work, shame, and self-trust.

Connect with Dr. Tamara Rosier

Website: https://www.tamararosier.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tamararosier

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:

🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/

👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

If you've ever been told you're too sensitive, too anxious, or too in your head, what if the truth is the opposite? What if the deep feeling you've spent years trying to manage is actually proof of how much you notice, how much you care, and how much you're capable of?

This week, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Alcée, author of The Upside of OCD: Flip the Script to Reclaim Your Life, for a conversation that completely reframes what OCD actually is. Together they trace the overlap between OCD, high sensitivity, autism, and ADHD, and challenge one of the most widely accepted treatments in the field.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand why the people who struggle most with intrusive thoughts may also be the most empathic, perceptive, and emotionally attuned people in the room, and you'll have new language for a part of yourself that's never quite fit the clinical definitions.

In this episode you'll learn:

How OCD, autism, ADHD, and high sensitivity overlap and where they genuinely differ
Why Dr. Alcée believes standard OCD treatment can unintentionally teach sensitive people to suppress their gifts
The difference between reassurance and what Dr. Alcée calls assurance, and why it matters
How childhood environment shapes whether sensitivity turns into obsessive thinking
Why people with OCD are often misdiagnosed, or mistaken for something else entirely
A new way to think about exposure therapy that honors emotional depth instead of overriding it

About the guest:

Dr. Michael Alcée grew up watching therapy and thriving go hand in hand. His mother, a social worker, ran her practice out of an office on the side of their house, and he'd often pass her clients on his way out the door, looking noticeably lighter than when they'd arrived. That early curiosity about the magic happening inside eventually became his career, alongside a lifelong love of music, with his piano practice famously drifting into his mother's sessions and becoming something her clients looked forward to.

Michael holds a bachelor's degree from Williams College and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fordham University, with over a decade in college counseling at Fordham, Vassar, Manhattanville, and Ramapo before moving into private practice. He now also serves as Mental Health Educator at Manhattan School of Music, is a TEDx speaker, and is the author of Therapeutic Improvisation and his newest book, The Upside of OCD: Flip the Script to Reclaim Your Life. Outside of sessions, he's usually playing classical or jazz piano, writing, or spending serious fun time with his family.

Connect with Dr. Michael:

Website: https://michaelalcee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike_drop_/
Grab his book here: https://a.co/d/090zfE0v

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:

🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/

👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

You've spent your life being told you're too forgetful, too emotional, too much. Then you hit your forties, the symptoms pile up, and somewhere along the way you became someone who quietly believes something is wrong with her.

In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with therapist and menopause expert Mandi Dixon to talk about what happens when ADHD and perimenopause collide in midlife. They get into the estrogen and dopamine link that can make your ADHD meds feel like they stop working before your period, the misdiagnosis pipeline that hands women the wrong labels for decades, and why unmasking might be the most healing thing you do in your forties and beyond.

If you've ever wondered why everyone else seemed to get an instruction manual you never received, or why midlife feels familiar in a way you can't explain, this episode is for you.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why ADHD and perimenopause are so often missed in women, and who gets left behind
The estrogen and dopamine connection, and why your ADHD meds can feel weaker right before your period
The most common ADHD misdiagnoses for women, from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder
How to tell ADHD burnout apart from the menopause transition, and why the symptoms feel familiar to women with ADHD and brand new to everyone else
What masking quietly costs you, and the permission so many women have never been given to simply be themselves

About the guest:Mandi Dixon is a licensed therapist and ADHD coach who works with clients across Texas from her practice in the North Dallas area. A member of the Menopause Society, she focuses on the place where ADHD and the menopause transition meet in women, a gap she found under researched and rarely discussed. She blends clinical training with lived experience to help women release the shame they have carried for years and understand what is actually happening in their bodies and brains. She is currently working on her first book about what she calls "ugly perimenopause," the harder, less talked about side of the experience.

Connect with Mandi:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/adhdmenopausetherapist/⁠
TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@Adhdmenopausetherapist⁠

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:

🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/

👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

You were told you're too sensitive. Then you grew up, and somewhere along the way you either became someone who can't say "I'm sorry," or someone who's been managing everyone else's feelings except your own.

In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with men's coach Alex Vigilante, founder of Vigilante Rising, to talk about what happens when boys are taught from a young age to compartmentalize who they are. They get into the viral bathroom story that sparked a national conversation about fathers and daughters, why anger is often the one emotion men are allowed to feel, and what it actually looks like to break a pattern instead of repeating it.

If you've ever wondered what your dad needed to hear but never said, or what your own kids need to hear from you, this episode is for both of you.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why "wait till your father gets home" became a cultural script, and what it actually teaches kids about emotional safety
The difference in how men and women are conditioned to people please, and why that distinction matters
Why anger is often a mask for grief, fear, or shame, and what's actually underneath it
The full story behind Alex's viral video and the conversation it started about fathers, daughters, and public spaces
Two simple, body based practices that help men reconnect with themselves and show up more fully for their families

About the guest:

Alex Vigilante is a men's coach and the founder of Vigilante Rising, where he helps men reconnect with who they are underneath the roles of performer, achiever, and breadwinner. A former college athlete, Alex blends self inquiry, embodiment, and unlearning to help men break generational patterns and become more emotionally available fathers, partners, and friends. He is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and two kids, and is currently working on his first book, As You Are.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vigilante_rising/
Website: https://vigilanterising.org/

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley:

🌍 Website: https://www.ameliakelley.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/

👩🏼‍💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/

What if your body was never the problem?

Too big. Too old. Too much. Not enough. We've all stood in front of a mirror and heard those words. But what if the mirror was lying the whole time? In this episode of Wired & Worthy, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with empowerment photographer and TEDx speaker Teri Hofford, whose viral talk "Five Reasons You Look Bad in Photos" changed how thousands of people see themselves. After photographing over a thousand clients, Teri noticed an undeniable pattern. It didn't matter what size, age, or shape someone was. Nearly everyone walked in hating something about their body. That's when she realized the issue was never the body. It was the story the mind had been told about it.

Together, Teri and Dr. Kelley unpack body image, neurodivergence, identity, masking, and the nervous system's deep hunger to belong.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why body image is rarely actually about the body

• Fear-driven self-care vs. love-driven self-expression

• How neurodivergent identity gets tangled up in performing for others

• What going viral on the "wrong side of the internet" did to Teri's nervous system

• The Ozempic conversation no one is having honestly

• Teri's simple tool for combating shame spirals

• The one-sentence script for reconnecting with someone from your past

• The purple bedroom conversation that changed Teri's life

About Teri Hofford

Teri Hofford is an empowerment photographer, body image educator, and TEDx speaker based in Canada. After over a decade behind the lens, including years of boudoir photography, Teri noticed that virtually every client, regardless of size or shape, struggled to see themselves with kindness. That insight became the foundation of her TEDx talk, “Five Reasons You Look Bad in Photos,” and a body of work dedicated to helping people move from self-loathing to self-acceptance, not by changing how they look, but by changing how they see.

Follow Teri on Instagram and find her work at https://terihofford.com/

Connect with Dr. Kelley:

Visit her website

Follow her on Instagram

Watch the episodes on YouTube

Have you ever felt like you were wired just a little differently?

Like no matter how hard you tried to fit in, something about you was just… more. More sensitive. More emotional. More intense. More you.

If that’s you, you’re not too much. You’re exactly who this show is for.

Welcome to the very first episode of Wired & Worthy. In this premiere, Dr. Amelia Kelley pulls back the curtain on why she walked away from her beloved show The Sensitivity Doctor and started over. Not because something went wrong. Because something needed to go deeper.

Dr. Kelley is a TEDx speaker, trauma-informed therapist, and author who has spent her career helping people heal from trauma, navigate relationships, and finally stop apologizing for who they are. And in this episode, she’s doing the very thing she asks of every single one of her clients: showing up honestly, without the mask.

This new season is a space where almost anything goes. Where your ADHD, your AuDHD, your trauma, your sensitivity, your hormones, and your hard days all have a seat at the table. Where you will hear real stories from real people who are wired uniquely, just like you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Dr. Kelley rebranded the show and what that decision really cost her
What it actually means to unmask, and why she had to do it publicly
The real reason sensitivity is not your weakness but the container for everything that makes you powerful
What “worthiness” means when you’ve spent years being told you’re too much
What to expect from Season 2 and why the guests will change the way you see yourself

This isn’t just a new podcast. It’s a new permission slip.

Because you may be wired differently.

But you are worthy. Always.

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Visit her website

Follow her on Instagram

Watch the episodes on YouTube

We made it to the end of Season 1, and Dr. Amelia Kelley is getting real with you. In this solo finale, she pulls back the curtain on everything: the episodes you never heard, the guest she refused to platform, the physical toll of masking through a brand new medium, and the turning point that changed how she shows up for every conversation.

This isn't just a wrap-up. It's a masterclass in what it actually looks like to unmask, even when the cameras are rolling.

Key takeaways:

Your body keeps score, even on camera.
Masking isn't always conscious, but the cost is real.
Integrity over virality.
Depth of connection changes everything.
Sensitivity isn't something to be sensitive about.
Receiving healing is part of the work too.
Grief is a superpower for sensitive people.

Season 2 drops end-May, subscribe so you don't miss it.

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who's ever been told they're "too sensitive." They need to hear this. 💙

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this powerful and deeply validating episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with transformational leader and highly sensitive person (HSP) Debbie Lynn Grace to explore what it truly means to protect your energy in a world that often feels overwhelming. Debbie shares her journey from feeling “too sensitive” to discovering that sensitivity is actually a profound strength.

Drawing from decades of experience in energy work and intuitive development, Debbie explains why highly sensitive individuals often absorb other people’s emotions and how this impacts their relationships and wellbeing. Together, they unpack what it really looks like to stay grounded, centred, and empowered even in the presence of negativity.

Debbie also shares practical, actionable tools you can begin using right away, including grounding techniques, expanding your energy field, and her powerful “mine, not mine” practice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to reclaim their energy, strengthen their boundaries, and step into their power.

Key Takeaways:

Sensitivity is a gift that offers intuition, empathy, and deep awareness
Absorbing others’ emotions often comes from a contracted energy state
Expanding your energy field reduces emotional overwhelm and reactivity
Grounding your body is essential to staying calm and present
Strong boundaries come from inner power, not control over others
Simple practices can help you release energy that is not yours

About the guest:

Debbie Lynn Grace is a transformational leader, international speaker, and intuitive energy expert who helps highly sensitive people protect their energy and step into their power. With over 30 years of experience, she blends practical strategy with intuitive insight to support personal and professional growth.

As an HSP and empath herself, Debbie has guided tens of thousands through her courses and workshops. She is also the creator of Sensitive Living Magazine, a platform dedicated to empowering highly sensitive individuals.

Connect with Debbie Lynn Grace:

Visit her website: debbielynngrace.com

Learn more about Debbie here: Sensitive Living Magazine

Follow her on Instagram: @debbielynngrace

Connect with her on LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this insightful and refreshingly honest conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by therapist, author, and host of The Dude Therapist Podcast, Eli Weinstein. Together, they explore the realities of navigating marriage during the parenting years, especially for highly sensitive and neurodivergent individuals.

Eli shares powerful, practical tools from his new book From I Do to We Do, offering a roadmap for couples who feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in reactive patterns. From managing overstimulation and emotional reactivity to redefining teamwork in relationships, this episode dives deep into what it actually takes to build a supportive, resilient partnership while raising children.

Through relatable stories, humor, and real-life strategies, this conversation highlights how couples can shift from blame and burnout to connection and collaboration, creating a home environment that supports both partners and their children.

Key Takeaways:

Strong partnerships require shifting from “me vs. you” to “us vs. the problem.”
Overstimulation and reactivity can be managed with intentional communication tools.
Humor can be a powerful regulator during parenting stress and chaos.
Highly sensitive individuals benefit from separating empathy from over-identification.
Small daily check-ins can prevent resentment and strengthen emotional connection.
Creating a shared relationship bubble protects couples from external stressors.

About the guest:

Eli Weinstein is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and the host of The Dude Therapist Podcast. Known for his direct, relatable, and no-nonsense approach, Eli helps individuals and couples navigate relationships, parenting, and emotional wellbeing with practical, real-world tools. He is the author of From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage in the Parenting Years, where he combines his professional expertise and personal experience as a husband and father to support couples in building stronger, more connected partnerships.

Connect with Eli Weinstein

Listen to his Podcast – The Dude Therapist

Visit his Website – https://eliweinsteinlcsw.com

Follow him on Instagram – @eliweinstein_lcsw

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this episode, I sit down with professional organizer Maria Butler, founder of Clearly Organized, to talk about something so many of us quietly struggle with: the overwhelm of our living spaces. If you’ve ever felt like your home is closing in on you, or that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t stay organized, this conversation is for you.

Maria brings a refreshing and compassionate perspective to organization, especially for those navigating ADHD, mental load, and busy family life. We explore why traditional “Pinterest-perfect” systems often fail and how creating personalized, flexible systems can make your home feel supportive instead of stressful. From the “Monica closet effect” to the reality of junk drawers, we normalize what so many people feel ashamed of and offer practical, doable shifts.

We also dive into the emotional side of clutter, including perfectionism, anxiety, and the pressure to do things the “right way.” This episode is a reminder that organization isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating a space that works for your brain, your lifestyle, and your nervous system.

Key takeaways:

Too much stuff creates overwhelm, not safety or control
Organization must match your habits, not fight against them
Visibility matters, but can either help or overwhelm
Perfectionism often blocks progress more than clutter
Systems should support your real life, not an ideal version
Compassion, not shame, is what creates lasting change

Connect with Maria Butler

Website: https://www.clearlyorganizednc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearlyorganizednc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clearlyorganizednc

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clearlyorganizednc

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with consciousness researcher, psychotherapist, and founder of the Baca Institute, Laurie Seymour, for a grounding and deeply thoughtful conversation about how we can learn to trust ourselves. From navigating decision fatigue and analysis paralysis to understanding what your body is really telling you, this episode explores the quiet wisdom that lives inside all of us.

Together they explore what it means to develop true discernment, not judgment, but a heart-centered capacity to know what is true for you. Laurie introduces her concept of the Creative Dreamer archetype, the challenge of being flooded with ideas, and why highly sensitive and neurodivergent individuals may be especially prone to decision overload.

Laurie also opens up about her own journey, losing her father at age six, feeling separate from source for much of her early life, and the profound energetic experience that shifted everything. Through her work, her book, and her Baca Institute meditations, she has spent decades helping people reconnect with their inner guidance system and step into their full potential.

Key takeaways:

Discernment is not judgment it is the body’s ability to sense what is true.
Sensitivity is a superpower, not a flaw, when you learn to work with it.
Ideas that flood you may not all be meant for you some are meant to pass through.
Perfectionism robs others of seeing what is possible through your imperfect attempts.
Disconnection from source creates a scarcity mindset and fear of others.
Just five minutes of quiet each day can begin to develop your inner language.
Your breath has its own intelligence conscious breathing activates that wisdom.

About the guest:

Laurie Seymour is a consciousness researcher, psychotherapist, author, and the founder and CEO of the Baca Institute. She is the host of Wisdom Talk Radio and creator of the Quantum Connection Process, a system for helping individuals reconnect with their inner guidance and live from a place of discernment rather than default. Her book, Unconditional Remembrance: Connection to Source, explores the energetic truth of who we are and how to return to it. Laurie offers monthly meditation subscriptions, group sessions, and personal consultations through the Baca Institute.

Connect with Laurie Seymour LinkedIn: Laurie Seymour * Instagram: @laurie.seymour * Website: thebacainstitute.com * Podcast:* Wisdom Talk Radio

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with CEO, TEDx speaker, and confidence coach Tara Lafon Gooch for a thoughtful conversation about what confidence actually is and why so many of us struggle to feel it. Instead of the usual “just believe in yourself” advice, Tara shares a deeper approach rooted in gratitude, authenticity, and the courage to show up as you truly are.

Together, they explore how sensitivity, trauma, and life experiences can shape our sense of self and our willingness to take risks. Amelia brings in the therapeutic lens, discussing how nervous system patterns, perfectionism, and fear of judgment can hold people back, especially for highly sensitive or neurodivergent individuals.

Throughout the episode, Tara introduces her powerful three-layer gratitude practice: gratitude for who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming. Through stories, metaphors, and practical insights, this conversation invites listeners to rethink failure, embrace growth, and begin building confidence from the inside out.

Key takeaways:

Confidence is authentic courage, not perfection or proficiency.
Your identity should not be tied to what you produce.
Gratitude rewires your brain and builds lasting confidence.
Your environment either grows you or holds you back.
Self-esteem and confidence are not the same thing.
Writing gratitude down makes it real and tangible.
Courage comes first. You don’t have to feel ready.

About the guest:

Tara LaFon Gooch is a CEO, TEDx speaker, author, and confidence coach specializing in helping entrepreneurs, leaders, and high achievers unlock their authentic confidence through gratitude and mindset transformation. Her TEDx talk, Gratitude, the Foundation of Confidence, explores the science and practice behind her signature three-layer gratitude method. Tara also coaches TEDx speakers and works with clients to help them step courageously into the next version of themselves.

Connect with Tara LaFon Gooch

Instagram: @taralafongooch

Website: taralafongooch.com

Business Website: Best Branding Solutions

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with one of her real-life circle-one friends, Dr. Jess Hayden, psychologist, school psychology veteran, fellow HSP, and rugby teammate turned kindred spirit. What unfolds feels less like a podcast and more like one of those kitchen table conversations you think about for days afterward.

Together they dive deep into a topic Dr. Jess has been on a mission to unpack: the patriarchy, what it actually is, what it isn't, and why so many of us, men and women alike, have been swimming in it without even realizing. And before you scroll past thinking this isn't for you, this conversation is not about man-hating or pointing fingers. It's about understanding a system that has quietly shaped all of us, how we love, how we parent, how we feel safe, and how we show up in our relationships.

They explore what shows up in the therapy room, the subtle moments that happen in our own homes, how consent was never modeled for most of us as children, and why emotionally suppressed men are actually one of the greatest casualties of this system. The conversation also ventures into scarcity mindset, community, longevity, and what it means to be a highly sensitive person navigating a world that was never really built for sensitivity, in any gender.

This is an episode worth sharing, not to start a debate, but because awareness is where healing begins.

Key takeaways:

The patriarchy isn't about hating men, it's a system that harms everyone.
Boys are punished for tenderness from a very young age.
We were never taught consent, and that shaped how we understand power.
Scarcity mindset is the engine that keeps control patterns running.
You don't have to start a movement, just stay open.

About the guest:

Dr. Jessica Hayden is a licensed psychologist and the founder of Simply Centered Psychological Services in Raleigh, North Carolina. Specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Jess helps individuals and families find balance between acceptance and change. She’s also the creator and host of Simply Heard: The Space Between, a podcast where psychology meets the heart, exploring the tender, transformative spaces between love and fear, control and surrender, healing and being human.

Connect with Dr. Jess Hayden

Instagram: @dr.jesshayden

Podcast: Simply Heard: The Space Between

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this episode of The Sensitivity Doctor Podcast, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with Emma Giordano, LMHC, to explore how Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, can support neurodivergent and highly sensitive individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation, rumination, and even suicidal ideation.

Originally developed to treat high risk behaviors, DBT has evolved into a powerful framework for building resilience, strengthening communication, and aligning life with personal values. Emma explains how skills like DEAR MAN, Coping Ahead, and the TIP skill can be adapted in neurodivergent friendly ways, including modifying expectations around eye contact and emphasizing somatic regulation.

This conversation bridges empowerment and nervous system science. It offers practical tools for managing overwhelming emotions while reinforcing a core truth of Amelia’s work: sensitivity is not weakness. With the right skills, it becomes strength.

Key Takeaways:

Why emotional dysregulation can feel involuntary and what that means for shame and self compassion.
What Dialectical Behavior Therapy actually teaches and how holding two truths at once reduces suffering.
How the TIP skill can regulate acute distress and interrupt suicidal urges through nervous system reset.
Why adapting DBT for neurodivergent individuals requires flexibility rather than forcing neurotypical standards.
How aligning daily actions with personal values builds a life worth living and protects against hopelessness.

About the guest:

Emma Giordano, LMHC, is a person centered therapist who believes empowerment begins with uncovering the strengths that already exist within you. Her work is grounded in the belief that every individual holds the capacity for meaningful change, and her role is to help clients access and direct that inner power toward a more fulfilling life. Blending unconditional support with a strong Dialectical Behavior Therapy approach, Emma tailors each session to the unique needs of the person in front of her. She focuses on building self awareness, strengthening coping skills, and helping clients find balance between accepting what is outside their control and taking intentional action where they can. Above all, she creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where vulnerability is honored and growth feels possible.

Connect with Emma Giordano, LMHC

Website: https://eymtherapy.com/about/emma-giordano/
Practice: Empower Your Mind Therapy

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Complex trauma is often reduced to repeated exposure to trauma. But that definition misses something essential.

In this powerful and nuanced conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Danna Bodenheimer, therapist and practice owner, to explore what complex PTSD really is and what the mental health field may be misunderstanding about it.

We dive into how early, ongoing trauma can fuse with identity, shaping attachment patterns, self-doubt, shame, and the difficulty of knowing who you are outside of your trauma story. We talk about insecure and avoidant attachment dynamics, repetition in relationships, and why the idea of “healing” from trauma may be more aspirational than realistic.

Instead of focusing on curing or fixing, we explore something far more compassionate. Creating ease.

This episode is for anyone navigating complex PTSD, insecure attachment, relational trauma, or the exhausting pressure to be “healed.”

Key Takeaways

Complex trauma is not just repeated events. It is trauma that infiltrates identity.
Insecure attachment and shame often develop to preserve early caregiver bonds.
Avoidant and anxious attachment styles often regulate each other through projection.
Therapy for C-PTSD is relational and often long-term, not a quick intervention.
Healing may not mean erasing trauma, but building tools to live alongside it with more ease.
Discomfort is part of growth. It is not something to eliminate entirely.
You are not your trauma, even if it has shaped you deeply.

Connect with Dr. Danna Bodenheimer

Instagram – Link in bio for her neurodivergence training and workbook
Website – Visit for additional resources and offerings

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this episode of The Sensitivity Doctor, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with Judith Eve Rosen to explore a hopeful truth about ADHD: it is never too late to understand your brain, change direction, or find your calling. Together, they discuss late diagnosis, career reinvention, and how maturity and life experience can actually make ADHD more manageable over time.

Judith shares how being diagnosed in adulthood reframed her struggles, reduced shame, and helped her build a career that truly fits her nervous system. This conversation challenges the idea that success must happen early and instead offers a powerful reframe: with ADHD, growth often accelerates once self-trust and strategy catch up to experience.

Key Takeaways:

ADHD is not a moral failing — it is a neurological difference that can be understood and supported
Late diagnosis can bring relief, clarity, and self-compassion
ADHD often becomes easier to manage with age due to experience and strategy
Maturity can increase emotional regulation and self-trust
It is never too late to pivot, return to school, change careers, or follow your calling

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned🎓 Veterinary Social Work Programs

University of Tennessee at Knoxville (Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program)
https://vetsocialwork.utk.edu
The Ohio State University (Veterinary Social Work Program)
https://vet.osu.edu
New York University (NYU) – Veterinary Social Work initiatives
https://socialwork.nyu.edu

🐾 Pet Loss Support & Advocacy

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
https://www.aplb.org
(Offers chat rooms, support groups, and resources)
The Link (National Link Coalition) – Animal Abuse & Domestic Violence Advocacy
https://nationallinkcoalition.org

📚 Book by the Guest Life After Pet Loss: Daily Reflections for Working Through Grief*

👩‍⚕️ Connect with Judith* Website: http://juditheverosen.com * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypetlosstherapist * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudithEveRosenLCSW

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this deeply moving episode of The Sensitivity Doctor, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with physician and author Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, to explore the often-unspoken realities of fertility loss, complicated motherhood journeys, and the healing power of shared stories. Rebecca shares the inspiration behind her book Held Together, a collaborative memoir weaving her own experiences with those of 21 women navigating pregnancy loss, molar pregnancy, adoption, infertility, and nontraditional paths to family.

Together, Amelia and Rebecca discuss how expectations around motherhood collide with lived experience, why ambiguous and disenfranchised grief can be so isolating, and how community, curiosity, and emotional expression support both nervous system regulation and long-term resilience. This conversation offers validation, language, and hope for anyone whose family-building journey didn’t follow a linear or socially recognized path.

Key takeaways:

Fertility loss, including molar pregnancy and infertility, often creates ambiguous grief that the nervous system struggles to resolve without shared understanding.
Motherhood and family are not defined by biology alone; chosen family, adoption, teaching, caregiving, and community all carry profound maternal meaning.
Holding grief in isolation can intensify emotional and physical distress, while storytelling helps reduce shame and restore connection.
Persistence, rather than perfection or “resilience,” allows people to move forward even while feeling broken or uncertain.
Healing happens through being witnessed, supported, and held together in community, not through fixing or minimizing pain.

Connect with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD

Website: rebeccanthompson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.n.thompson/
Book: Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Have you ever wondered why punishment and crisis response alone fail to keep children safe?

In this episode of The Sensitivity Doctor, Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by Scarlett Lewis, the mother of six-year-old Jesse Lewis, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Scarlett shares how the message her son left behind, “nurturing, healing, love,” became the foundation of a global trauma-informed movement focused on prevention, nervous system regulation, and relational healing.

Grounded in neuroscience and lived experience, this conversation explores how invisibility, hopelessness, and chronic nervous system threat contribute to violence and distress, and how trauma-informed education can support sensitive and neurodivergent children before crisis occurs.

Key takeaways:

Trauma-informed education helps prevent violence by addressing nervous system dysregulation early.
Feeling unseen or unsafe at school increases risk for emotional distress and aggression.
Nervous system regulation skills reduce bullying, reactivity, and chronic stress in children.
Post-traumatic growth shows healing is possible after profound loss.
School safety improves when prevention focuses on belonging, not punishment.

Links and Resources:

Choose Love Movement: https://chooselovemovement.org
How We Can Finally Stop School Tragedies: A Critical Conversation with Mark Hulsewé

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Have you ever felt disconnected from life, emotionally exhausted, or like you don’t quite belong anywhere? In this episode of The Sensitivity Doctor, Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by Gina Cavalier to explore how trauma, chronic isolation, and prolonged survival mode impact the nervous system, physical health, and emotional regulation, sometimes contributing to suicidal ideation.

Blending neuroscience, lived experience, and embodied healing, this conversation offers grounding and hope for highly sensitive and neurodivergent listeners who feel worn down by life. The episode closes with a gentle colour-based meditation designed to support nervous system regulation, restore energy, and reconnect you to a felt sense of safety and belonging.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation. While some themes are heavy, the focus is on healing, support, and hope.

Key takeaways:

Belonging is a biological nervous system need, and prolonged disconnection signals threat rather than personal failure.
Suicidal ideation often emerges from chronic survival stress and thwarted belonging, not weakness or impulsivity.
Trauma healing requires regulating the nervous system through embodied and relational safety, not insight alone.
High sensitivity and neurodiversity can intensify the effects of relational trauma, especially when emotional needs are repeatedly dismissed.
With safety, connection, and compassionate support, it is possible to move from survival mode into a life that feels meaningful and alive.

Connect with Gina Cavalier

Website: https://ginacavalier.com
Instagram: @gina_cavalier
Book: Planet Walking: A Handbook for the Living

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this powerful episode of The Sensitivity Doctor, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with Terry Tateossian to explore how early trauma, immigration stress, and chronic survival mode can shape women’s hormonal health, emotional regulation, and midlife well-being. Terry shares her deeply personal story of escaping a communist country, navigating puberty in a refugee camp, and later reclaiming her body through mindful movement, nutrition, and self-compassion, offering hope and practical insight for anyone healing from trauma across the lifespan.

Key takeaways:

A trauma therapist’s lens helps explain how early survival stress can disrupt hormonal development and long-term nervous system regulation.
Gaslighting recovery begins when women learn to trust their bodies instead of dismissing emotional or physical symptoms.
Working with an HSP therapist can support sensitive nervous systems overwhelmed by chronic stress and hormonal shifts.
An ADHD therapist for adults can help distinguish natural energy and curiosity from trauma-driven overworking patterns.
Somatic therapy for trauma reconnects the body and emotions, allowing healing beyond willpower or logic.

Connect with Terry Tateossian

Website: thehouseofrose.com
Instagram @how.good.can.it.get
Midlife Bestie: YouTube | TikTok

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by actress, podcaster, and mental health advocate Alessandra Torresani for an honest exploration of motherhood, identity, and healing after birth trauma.

Together, they unpack what it means to parent without disappearing. This includes caring deeply for your child while still staying connected to who you are. Alessandra shares her experience of traumatic postpartum complications, medical gaslighting, and the emotional toll of losing trust in her body. She opens up about how returning to dance, her first love, became a vital part of her healing. This was not as exercise or performance, but as a way to reconnect with her body and nervous system.

This episode also dives into mom guilt, self care, community building, body image, screen time, and the powerful impact parents have when they model self respect, strength, and emotional regulation for their children.

Whether you are a parent feeling stretched thin, someone healing from birth or medical trauma, or simply navigating how to stay connected to yourself while caring for others, this conversation offers validation, insight, and permission to take up space again.

Key Takeaways

You do not have to disappear to be a good parent
Trauma lives in the body and healing often requires movement, not just talking
Listening to your intuition with medical providers matters
Modeling self care helps children feel safer, not abandoned
There is no timeline for reclaiming yourself and readiness is personal
Community can be created, even when it is not inherited

Connect with Alessandra Torresani

Podcast: Emotional Support Pod
Instagram: @alessandratorresani

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

As we step into a new year, I’m joined by Dr. Gina Anderson, learning scientist, TEDx speaker, and founder of Luma Brighter Learning, for a conversation that will help you rethink everything you have ever believed about resolutions, self growth, and connection.

Instead of chasing perfection or pressuring ourselves with rigid goals, Gina invites us into a gentler and scientifically grounded approach to change: one daily connection and one daily moment of learning.

Together, we explore what connection actually looks like (and why it often needs to start with yourself), how to access your “true self” through quiet reflection, and why the brain lights up differently when we learn or feel seen in community. Gina also shares powerful insights on neuroplasticity, internal warmth as a signal of emotional safety, and why your breath is the one thing you can always return to.

If you have ever struggled with resolutions, self esteem, nervous system regulation, or feeling disconnected after trauma, this episode offers a compassionate roadmap for rebuilding your inner world one small moment at a time.

Key Takeaways:

• Resolutions often set us up for self judgment. Replacing them with learning and connection creates sustainable growth.

• Connection does not always require other people. One of the most powerful forms is connecting with your own mind.

• Emotional “warmth” can be a real physiological signal that you are tapping into your true self.

• Neuroplasticity shows that your brain can change, even after trauma, through intentional practice and connection.

• Three simple practices can transform your year: connect with one person, get your body moving, and give yourself a daily “sunshine message.”

Connect with Dr. Gina Anderson:

TEDx Talk: The power of being present

Website: lumabrighterlearning.com

Personal Website: learningwithgina.com

Sunshine Project: ripplesofsunshine.com

Instagram: gina.anderson.ceo

LinkedIn: Dr. Gina Anderson

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this compassionate and eye-opening episode, Amelia sits down with breakup and relationship coach Cole Zesiger, who has helped millions online learn how to navigate heartbreak with clarity, emotional safety, and self-respect. Cole shares the deeply personal story of his early divorce, the patterns of anxious attachment that shaped his relationships, and the unexpected journey that led him to rebuild his life and help thousands do the same.

Together, Amelia and Cole break down why breakups feel neurologically like withdrawal, what “euphoric recall” has to do with your ex, why the holidays intensify loneliness, and how to make the no-contact rule actually work without feeling like you are losing your mind. Cole also explains the biggest mistakes people make right after a breakup, the surprising science behind why your brain becomes obsessed with your ex, and how to rebuild a life that feels bigger, safer, and more meaningful than the one you are grieving.

Whether you are in the early shock, the confusing in-between, or trying to stop the cycle of “one more text,” this episode offers compassionate insight, grounded strategies, and the hope you might not realize you need right now.

Key Takeaways:

Why your brain treats heartbreak like survival mode and how evolutionary wiring makes you want to chase your ex even when you logically know better.
The real reason no-contact is so hard and how to create a plan that protects your emotional and neurological energy.
What euphoric recall is and why your brain only replays the good memories plus how to ground yourself in the full truth of the relationship.
How to rebuild your life after a breakup by focusing on the pillars that shape your sense of identity, connection, and purpose.
Why the holidays intensify heartbreak and practical ways to lean on safe relationships, structure, and self-compassion to get through the season.

Connect with Cole Zesiger:

Website: coachcolezesiger.com

Instagram: @coachcolezesiger

TikTok: @colezesiger

YouTube: Cole Zesiger

Book: Exes & No’s - available for pre-order (bonus course included)

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

This week on The Sensitivity Doctor, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with TEDx speaker and filmmaker Mark Hulsewé for a courageous and necessary conversation about the root causes of school shootings and what must change if we want to protect our children.

Mark’s work focuses on the emotional, social, and systemic breakdowns happening inside our schools, and how our long-standing “kids will be kids” mindset is allowing cycles of humiliation, abuse, and violence to escalate into tragedy. Together, Amelia and Mark dive into the uncomfortable realities of bullying, the unspoken social hierarchy within schools, and why traditional approaches to school safety completely miss the heart of the problem.

This episode offers a rare blend of honesty, hope, and actionable solutions. Amelia challenges Mark’s ideas, Mark challenges the system, and both reveal complementary paths that can truly change the future. Whether you're a parent, educator, mental-health professional, or someone who cares deeply about the wellbeing of children, this conversation will reshape the way you think about school safety and mental health.

Key Takeaways:

Why “child on child abuse” is a more accurate term than bullying.
How the unspoken social hierarchy inside schools fuels violence and despair.
What alternative education models like Montessori, Waldorf, and RULER get right.
How early emotional intelligence education can prevent long-term harm.
Why simple, low-cost wellness screeners can identify struggling students before crisis.

Connect with Mark Hulsewé:

TEDx Talk: “Ending School Shootings”

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this deeply validating and eye-opening episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with psychologist and birth trauma specialist Teela Tomassetti, founder of the Reproductive and Perinatal Trauma Center in Canada. Together, they bring long-overdue attention to an experience far more common than most people realize: birth trauma, which affects up to 45 percent of birthing parents.

Teela shares her personal and professional journey into this work, including her own traumatic childbirth experience and the years-long process that followed. She breaks down what birth trauma really is, how to recognize it, and why so many women dismiss or minimize their own symptoms. Amelia also shares her own powerful birth stories, offering a rare, vulnerable look at how trauma can stay alive in the body long after delivery.

Whether your childbirth was traumatic, complicated, confusing, or simply not what you expected, this episode gives you the language, validation, and tools to begin understanding and healing your story.

This conversation is for mothers, partners, birth workers, medical professionals, and anyone who wants to better support the postpartum experience with compassion and truth.

Key Takeaways:

Birth trauma does not only happen during delivery. It can occur before, during, or long after childbirth.
Trauma is subjective. Only you get to define whether your birth felt traumatic, regardless of medical outcomes or others’ opinions.
Highly sensitive and neurodivergent mothers may experience birth environments more intensely, making compassionate care essential.
The golden hour is a myth that pressures mothers. Bonding is not a moment. It is a relationship that forms over time.
Postpartum is not six weeks. For many mothers, recovery emotional and physical can take one to two years.
Birth debriefing is a powerful way to heal: through understanding, story sharing, and validation from supportive people or professionals.
Birth trauma impacts the nervous system, identity, and attachment. But healing is absolutely possible.

Connect with Teela Tomassetti:

Instagram: @theteaonbirthtrauma

Practice: Reproductive and Perinatal Trauma Center

Instagram Practice: @perinataltraumapractice

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this deeply grounding and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with clinical psychologist, naturopathic physician, and author Dr. Nicole Cain, whose new book Panic Proof is helping thousands reframe anxiety as a source of wisdom rather than a flaw.

Together, they explore the emotional world of highly sensitive people, why anxiety often shows up as a messenger, and the unexpected ways our childhood experiences shape our adult nervous system responses. Dr. Nicole guides Amelia through powerful somatic exercises, including havening and a body awareness practice, giving listeners a real-time experience of calming the mind and reconnecting with the body.

Listeners will learn how to recognize early signs of activation, how to avoid jumping from “I am fine” to “I am in danger,” and how to rewire the brain through practical, accessible tools. This episode is an invitation to rethink panic, reclaim your sensitivity, and finally understand what your nervous system has been trying to tell you.

Key Takeaways:

Anxiety is not a malfunction. It is your body’s attempt to communicate what needs healing.
Highly sensitive people often receive messages early in life that their emotions are “too much,” which shapes lifelong patterns of reactivity.
Simple grounding exercises and havening can help create new pathways between emotional and logical parts of the brain.
Panic proofing requires a four step approach that blends somatic grounding, cognitive engagement, body awareness, and intentional activation.
Noticing subtle cues before they escalate is essential to preventing full blown panic and reconnecting with personal power.

Connect with Dr. Nicole Cain:

Website: https://drnicolecain.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/drnicolecain

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrNicoleCainNDMA

Book: Panic Proof

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

What happens when “being strong” starts to hurt?

In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with Dr. Marline C. Duroseau, resilience expert, author, TEDx speaker, and leadership executive, to explore a powerful and often overlooked concept: resilience fatigue.

Together, they unpack how resilience can sometimes be weaponized when pushing through challenges becomes a mask we wear to survive rather than a tool for growth. Dr. Marline opens up about how to recognize when your strength is no longer serving you, how to take that mask off safely, and why learning to accept help can be the most radical act of resilience.

This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn’t about perfection or constant productivity. It’s about knowing when to rest, receive support, and show up as your authentic self.

Key Takeaways:

Resilience fatigue happens when pushing through becomes a default mode, leading to exhaustion, tension, and emotional shutdown.
You can’t heal behind a mask. True resilience requires authenticity and the courage to take off your “strong” face.
Accepting help is a skill, and it can be one of the most powerful ways to recover from burnout.
Perfectionism and people-pleasing often disguise themselves as strength. Your best is enough.
Building healthy boundaries with yourself, including rest, is essential to sustainable resilience.

Connect with Dr. Marline C. Duroseau

Website: www.mcdbe.com
Instagram: @mcdbe
LinkedIn: Dr. Marline C. Duroseau

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Why is it so hard to have a calm, productive conversation these days? In this insightful episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with communication strategist and TEDx speaker Greg Singleton to unpack why meaningful dialogue has become such a challenge and how we can bridge the growing divide in our relationships, communities, and workplaces.

Greg shares a powerful framework for understanding the three types of conversations we all engage in: emotional, social, and practical, and how confusing them can quickly turn connection into conflict. He and Dr. Kelley explore how ego, emotional reactivity, and lack of self-awareness derail communication, and what it really takes to listen without judgment, speak with empathy, and repair trust even when you disagree.

Whether you’re navigating tense political discussions, family disagreements, or workplace friction, this episode offers grounded tools to help you stay centered, curious, and connected even when things get heated.

Key Takeaways:

“You can’t influence anyone you’re not willing to connect with.”
Emotional awareness helps you recognize whether a conversation is emotional, social, or practical and respond accordingly.
Curiosity disarms defensiveness and opens the door to understanding.
Accountability and empathy are essential for rebuilding communication in relationships and society.
Healthy dialogue doesn’t mean agreement, it means mutual respect.

Resources & Links: Watch Greg's TEDx Talk here: Unlocking Generational Communication * Follow Greg on LinkedIn*

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this heartfelt episode of The Sensitivity Doctor Podcast, Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by physician and author Dr. Amna Shabbir for an honest and empowering conversation about perfectionism, what fuels it, how it shows up, and how to finally release its grip. Drawing from her personal journey through burnout, postpartum depression, and self-criticism, Dr. Amna shares how perfectionism often begins as a survival strategy and becomes a silent driver of stress, shame, and exhaustion.

Together, they explore how cultural expectations, early experiences, and identity all shape our relationship with perfectionism, and how healing starts when we allow ourselves to be fully human, flaws, limits, and all. This conversation is a compassionate reminder that you can still be ambitious, driven, and successful without being perfect.

Key Takeaways

Perfectionism is not a personality trait, it is a survival mechanism that begins with our need to belong.
The body often mirrors emotional pressure, and stress, guilt, and unworthiness can show up physically.
Being excellent and being perfect are not the same; one fuels growth, the other drains it.
We can unlearn perfectionism through self-compassion, awareness, and radical humanity.
Asking for help or setting boundaries does not make you less capable, it makes you more whole.

Resources & Mentions

Learn more about Dr. Amna Shabbir: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/
Listen to her podcast: Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD -
Join the Unmasking Perfectionism community: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/perfectionism
Watch her TEDx talk here: Perfectionism has a solution - It's not what you think - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with author, activist, and artist Jacob Tobia to challenge everything we think we know about masculinity. Jacob, known for their fearless writing and advocacy, dives into the myths that keep men trapped in cycles of silence, loneliness, and pain, and how both feminism and patriarchy have played a part in this misunderstanding.

Together, Amelia and Jacob explore why most men aren’t beneficiaries of patriarchy but co-survivors of it, how cultural conditioning disconnects men from their emotions, and what happens when we start seeing gender as a choice, not a cage. They unpack why the term “toxic masculinity” has lost its power, the loneliness epidemic facing men today, and how healing masculinity could actually heal us all.

This is a powerful and compassionate dialogue that bridges divides, offering a new path toward empathy, dignity, and freedom for all genders.

Key Takeaways:

Masculinity isn’t inherently toxic; it becomes harmful when it’s forced, not chosen.
Most men are co-survivors of patriarchy, shaped by systems that teach them to suppress emotion and vulnerability.
The term “toxic masculinity” may be doing more harm than good, reinforcing shame rather than healing.
There’s a rising loneliness crisis among men, with millions reporting having no close friends or safe spaces for emotional honesty.
True equality requires empathy. We can’t free non-binary or feminine people without freeing boys and men from emotional repression.

Resources & LinksFollow Jacob on Instagram

Visit his website

Grab his book "Before They Were Men: Essays on Manhood, Compassion, and What Went Wrong"

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley welcomes back psychotherapist and author Jessica Baum to discuss her newest book, Safe: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building Secure Relationships.

Jessica, known for her best-selling book Anxiously Attached, dives deeper into attachment theory, exploring how our early experiences shape our nervous systems, relationship patterns, and sense of safety.

Together, Amelia and Jessica unpack the wheel of attachment, discuss how attachment styles can shift in different relationships, and explore why neglect can be more damaging than abuse. They also talk about how empathy, sensitivity, and trauma intertwine, and what it takes to heal and cultivate secure, fulfilling relationships.

Whether you identify as anxiously attached, avoidant, or disorganized, this episode offers compassionate guidance, science-backed insight, and hope for healing.

Key Takeaways:

Your attachment style is not fixed, it’s fluid and can change depending on the relationship and your healing journey.
Neglect can be more damaging than abuse because it creates an internalized fear of nonexistence and disconnect.
Safety in relationships comes from co-regulation and feeling “with” the other person on a nervous-system level.
Healing attachment wounds involves understanding your nervous system, self-compassion, and connecting with safe, attuned people.
Couples can repair anxious-avoidant dynamics through therapy modalities like Imago or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Highly sensitive people often developed heightened attunement as a survival mechanism in inconsistent environments.
Empathy and narcissism both stem from early attachment experiences and whether we were adequately mirrored as children.
Healing requires both boundaries and compassion, empathy without self-protection leads to burnout and codependency.

Resources & LinksLearn more about Jessica’s book and redeem free incentives: https://www.jessicabaumlmhc.com/interview

Follow Jessica:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

What happens when manipulation goes professional?

In this episode of The Sensitivity Doctor, Dr. Amelia Kelley and Dr. Rita Renee explore the subtle and systemic ways gaslighting shows up in the workplace, from leaders denying conversations to colleagues rewriting history. Together, they discuss how women and sensitive professionals can protect their boundaries, document their truth, and lead with authenticity.

Dr. Kelley also shares an important message for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, encouraging listeners to prioritize safety in every space, at work, at home, and within themselves.

Whether you’ve felt dismissed, doubted, or devalued in your professional life, this episode offers practical steps to empower yourself and move toward a healthier environment.

Key Takeaways:

Gaslighting in the workplace can appear as denial, rewriting history, or minimizing your contributions, and can deeply impact confidence and mental health.
Documentation is one of your strongest tools. Keep “receipts”, emails, meeting notes, or project summaries, to protect your narrative and boundaries.
Respond with facts, not emotions. Gaslighters often feed off emotional reactions, so staying grounded protects your power.
Emotional awareness is not a weakness, it’s a superpower when managed intentionally and used to navigate professional dynamics.
Know when to stay and when to go: growth comes from challenges, but no one should remain in an emotionally unsafe workspace.
If your workplace lacks HR or safety structures, seek external support, mentors, coaches, therapists, or regulatory boards.
Awareness is power. Recognizing gaslighting is the first step toward reclaiming your voice, confidence, and self-worth.

Connect with Dr. Rita Renee:

Visit her website

Follow her on Instagram

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley breaks down what ADHD really looks like, how it’s diagnosed, and why it’s often misunderstood, especially in women and girls. She shares how ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety and trauma, why masking makes detection difficult, and what treatment options (both medication and holistic approaches) can help.

Amelia also explores the role of genetics, the impact of trauma, and why lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and structure are key to thriving with ADHD.

Whether you’re exploring a possible diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or curious about ADHD’s connection to mental health, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical tools.

Key Takeaways:* ADHD diagnosis involves interviews, self-report scales, and sometimes brain imaging. there’s no single test. * Women and girls often go undiagnosed due to masking and outdated research. * ADHD and anxiety share symptoms, but their root causes differ. * Trauma does not cause ADHD but can mimic or worsen symptoms. * Treatment is highly individual: medication, exercise, diet, and external supports can all help.

Links and Resources: Powered by ADHD: Strategies and Exercises for Women to Harness Their Untapped Gifts by Dr. Amelia Kelley * The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt * A Hunter in a Farmer’s World: ADHD and the Edison Gene* by Thom Hartmann

Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

What if your anxiety wasn’t something to get rid of, but something you could use as fuel? In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with Dr. David Rosmarin, Harvard Medical School faculty, founder of the Center for Anxiety, and author of Thriving with Anxiety, to explore his groundbreaking 4-step method: Identify, Share, Embrace, and Let Go.

Dr. Rosmarin explains why anxiety is often misunderstood, how vulnerability builds stronger connections, and why learning to release control may be the hardest, but most freeing, step of all. Drawing from over two decades of clinical experience, he offers a practical, compassionate framework for transforming anxiety into resilience, purpose, and growth.

Whether you’re struggling with daily stress, navigating imposter syndrome, or supporting a child with social anxiety, this episode will empower you to stop fighting your anxiety and start thriving with it.

Key takeaways:

The difference between clinical anxiety and everyday anxiety, and why that matters.
The 4 steps to move through anxiety: Identify, Share, Embrace, and Let Go.
Why human connection and vulnerability are essential for healing.
How to help children face anxiety with courage and support.
The surprising role anxiety plays in sharpening focus and driving growth.

Resources & Support Mentioned

Learn more about Dr. David Rosmarin
His book: Thriving with Anxiety

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

None

In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by psychotherapist and author Jason Shiers, who shares his raw and powerful journey from addiction, psychiatric wards, and endless seeking to a profound awakening of self-compassion and inner peace.

Jason opens up about his experiences with escapism, 12-step programs, therapy, and the search for relief that never quite touched the root of his suffering. What ultimately transformed his life was the realization that he was never broken, and that true healing comes from reconnecting with the self, not endlessly trying to fix what isn’t damaged.

Key takeaways:

The hidden reasons behind addiction, self-medication, and escapism.
The difference between white-knuckle sobriety and embodied healing.
Why true recovery means going inward instead of chasing external solutions.
How loved ones can create safety and connection for someone struggling with addiction.
The radical shift from “what’s wrong with me?” to “what’s right with me?”
The role of the body and nervous system in emotional healing.

Jason also shares the essence of his book The Infinite Recovery Project and his mission to guide others toward seeing themselves as whole, even in the midst of struggle. His story offers hope, clarity, and a reminder that seeking is not failure, it’s the soul’s way of guiding us home.

This episode is for anyone who has struggled with addiction, loves someone who has, or has ever felt broken beyond repair. Jason’s story is proof that transformation is possible, and Amelia’s insights ground the conversation in compassion and empowerment.

Resources & Support Mentioned

Get the The Infinite Recovery Project Book here.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this captivating episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley talks with Dr. Brian Sharpless, licensed clinical psychologist, researcher, and author who specializes in rare and unusual psychological disorders. Together, they dive deep into the strange and often frightening world of sleep phenomena—including exploding head syndrome, sleep paralysis, and REM sleep behavior disorder.

Dr. Sharpless explains why these conditions occur, how trauma and neurodiversity can increase vulnerability, and the surprising ways genetics, stress, and lifestyle play a role. He also shares practical strategies to reduce episodes, from regulating sleep hygiene to shifting sleeping positions, and highlights why simply naming and understanding these experiences can often bring relief.

This episode not only demystifies bizarre nighttime experiences but also shines a compassionate light on how our brains process fear, trauma, and memory through sleep.

Key Takeaways

Exploding head syndrome is a real but harmless sleep-related hallucination that feels like hearing a gunshot, explosion, or crashing sound while falling asleep.
Sleep paralysis often brings vivid, terrifying hallucinations—yet no one has ever died from it, and knowing this can reduce its intensity.
Trauma and acute stress disrupt memory consolidation during sleep, making it harder to rest until healing work begins in waking life.
Highly sensitive people and those with ADHD may be more prone to disturbed sleep due to heightened nervous system activation.
Regulating bedtime routines, avoiding back-sleeping, reducing stimulation before bed, and addressing underlying trauma can dramatically improve sleep quality.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Learn more about Dr. Brian A. Sharpless

Get his book: Monsters on the Couch: The Real Psychological Disorders Behind Your Favorite Horror Movies

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this powerful continuation of her conversation with Lindsay Abernathy, Dr. Amelia Kelley dives deeper into the journey of rebuilding trust in yourself after toxic relationships. Lindsay shares raw and relatable insights on how to recognize red and green flags in dating, why "butterflies" aren’t always a good sign, and the importance of boundaries in protecting your well-being. They explore how unhealed wounds make us vulnerable to manipulation, how intuition speaks through the body, and why cultivating self-love and independence is the foundation of healthier relationships. Lindsay also opens up about her personal experiences with abusive relationships, dating apps, and how she ultimately found a supportive, equal partnership by doing the work of healing herself first. Whether you’re healing from heartbreak, navigating the dating world, or wanting to strengthen your self-trust, this conversation is filled with wisdom, humor, and encouragement.

Key Takeaways

Healing past wounds is essential to avoid repeating toxic patterns.
Your gut and nervous system often signal red flags before your mind does.
Butterflies can mean dysregulation, while safety might initially feel “boring” but is actually healthy.
Setting and flexing boundaries early reveals how someone respects (or disrespects) you.
True love doesn’t complete you, it complements who you already are.

Resources & Support Mentioned

Bitch is a Bad Word Podcast: Available on Apple, Spotify, and all major platforms

Follow Lindsay Abernathy:

Instagram: @bitchisabadwordpod
Community Line: Call or text 331-BITCHES to connect or share your story

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Produced by: Camille C.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

In this powerful episode Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by Lindsay Abernathy, host of the Bitch is a Bad Word podcast, actor, survivor, and outspoken advocate for those navigating abusive relationships. Originally planning to discuss life and love after abuse, the conversation naturally shifted to something just as important: recognizing the signs of abuse while you’re still in it. Lindsay vulnerably shares her personal story, how love bombing, gaslighting, isolation, and manipulation became part of her daily life, and how difficult it was to see the cycle clearly while living through it. Together, Amelia and Lindsay unpack the “playbook” abusers follow, why it feels so confusing, and what survivors need to know about intermittent reinforcement, repair cycles, and reclaiming self-worth. If you or someone you love is unsure whether what they’re experiencing is abuse, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and encouragement. You’ll also hear about resources and communities ready to support you, because healing doesn’t have to happen alone.

Key Takeaways

Abusive relationships often follow the same predictable cycle—love bombing, devaluation, isolation, and intermittent reinforcement.
Survivors often stay not because they want the relationship to end, but because they desperately hope the abuse will stop.
Even small “repairs” (like a crumb of kindness) can keep survivors hooked, similar to a slot machine’s intermittent rewards.
Children benefit profoundly when even one parent provides a safe, secure, and loving environment—even if only part-time.
Leaving abuse allows survivors to rebuild their identities, reconnect with their support networks, and show their children what safety looks like.
Abusers often store survivors’ vulnerabilities in a “vault,” later weaponizing them—this is not a reflection of your worth but of their manipulation.

Resources & Support Mentioned

National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.): 800-799-7233
If outside the U.S.: Search for your local domestic violence hotline. If you cannot find one, message Dr. Kelley via her website and she will help research for you.
Bitch is a Bad Word Podcast: Available on Apple, Spotify, and all major platforms
Follow Lindsay Abernathy:
Instagram: @bitchisabadwordpod
Community Line: Call or text 331-BITCHES to connect or share your story

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Why does slowing down feel so uncomfortable for some of us? In this powerful episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley speaks with licensed psychotherapist and relational trauma recovery specialist Annie Wright about rest resistance, the anxiety, guilt, and discomfort that can arise when we try to pause.

Annie explains how early life experiences, relational trauma, and high-achieving personalities can wire us to equate rest with danger and productivity with safety. They explore how to tell the difference between healthy drive and a compulsion to keep going, and how cultural pressures can reinforce burnout. Annie also offers practical, compassionate tools for making rest feel safe again, starting small, reframing guilt, and learning to “go slow to go fast.”

Whether you’re a high achiever, a highly sensitive person, or someone who struggles to stop, this conversation offers the insight and strategies you need to create a sustainable, balanced life.

Key Takeaways:

Rest can feel unsafe when trauma has linked achievement to love or safety.
The key difference between drive and compulsion is having true choice in when to stop.
Burnout often starts with self-doubt, apathy, and resentment toward what you once loved.
High sensitivity and sensation seeking can complicate rest needs.
Small, consistent rest practices help your nervous system adapt to stillness.
Guilt over rest can be reduced by understanding where it began.
Relationships can either support or undermine healthy rest.
“Go slow to go fast” ensures long-term energy and passion.

Connect with Annie Wright:

Visit her website here
Follow her on Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Midlife in pets often starts earlier than owners realise, especially for larger breeds.
Overweight pets are at a much higher risk of arthritis and mobility issues.
Simple strength-building exercises like “dog pushups” and “dog squats” can maintain muscle and prevent frailty.
Animal empaths should trust their instincts when they notice subtle changes—video evidence can be a powerful tool at the vet.
Supplements like probiotics, Omega-3 fatty acids, and muscle-support formulas can extend mobility and quality of life.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Follow Dr. Kelly Fishman on Instagram
Visit her website for supplement recommendations and exercise demos

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways* Van Gogh’s legacy reveals how sensitivity and emotional depth can create timeless beauty even amidst pain and struggle. * The immersive art experience provides a soothing and transformative space for highly sensitive people to connect deeply with creativity and history. * Art can be a powerful trauma response, turning inner chaos into external healing. * Letters to his brother Theo reveal Van Gogh’s introspective, deeply feeling nature and provide rare insight into his mental and emotional world. * The design of immersive experiences takes into account sensory variety, emotional resonance, and the healing power of storytelling.

Connect with John:
🌐 Website for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – www.vangoghexpo.com
💼 LinkedIn – John Zaller

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Sensitivity can be both innate and shaped by trauma; both can coexist.
Highly sensitive people absorb their environment more deeply, making trauma and gaslighting more impactful.
Gaslighting creates a destabilizing feeling; overthinking, while mentally exhausting, feels different and more internalized.
Intermittent rewards and euphoric recall explain why we sometimes miss people who hurt us.
HSPs and neurodivergent individuals may unintentionally attract narcissists due to their deep empathy and adaptability.
Masking your sensitivity over time can lead to disconnection from your authentic self—Dr. Kelley shares how to reconnect.
Healing from gaslighting starts with reconnecting to your voice through rest, play, and safe relationships.
Sensitivity is not fragility—it’s a heightened awareness that can be a superpower when properly understood.
Therapists should learn to differentiate between mental health diagnoses and sensitivity or neurodivergence for better treatment outcomes.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Dopamine traps often mask deeper unmet needs for connection, safety, and belonging.
External validation can offer a temporary high, but often leaves us feeling more depleted in the long run.
Highly sensitive people (HSPs) and neurodivergent individuals may experience micro-rejections more intensely, increasing their reliance on outside reassurance.
Social media can be both a connection tool and a comparison minefield, recognizing the difference is key.
Self-validation and cultivating awareness of your unique needs are essential to break free from harmful validation loops.
Being selective about your environment, who and what you engage withmcan help create a life that supports rather than depletes your nervous system.
Compassionate curiosity can help us notice our habits without shame and shift toward true connection.

Connect with Alyssa Scarano:

Alyssa’s website: https://www.collective-therapy.com

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Why Jeanne stepped away from the podcast—and what she’s gained since
Learning to manage life and business as a highly sensitive entrepreneur
How grief manifests in the body and why it needs space to breathe
The challenge of letting go of perfectionism and redefining failure
The energetic cost of staying misaligned in your career
How intuition and anxiety often go hand-in-hand
Understanding the emotional and physical impact of burnout
The importance of listening to your body when making decisions
Launching a new store in Scotland and finding purpose through alignment
Letting go of hustle culture and choosing healing instead

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways Fear is boring*—it recycles the same script, keeping you stuck with the illusion that perfection will keep you safe. * Perfectionism often hides in plain sight, rebranded as productivity or “being responsible,” but it’s still just fear in disguise. * The achiever mindset can be a mask for deep wounds, often rooted in rejection, abandonment, or a need to prove worth. * Neurodiverse thinkers, especially those with ADHD or HSP traits, often struggle with linear systems and benefit from reclaiming their creative, non-linear minds. * The antidote to burnout isn’t working harder—it’s cultivating kindness, curiosity, and allowing yourself to grow at your own pace.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Grief is not a linear process with tidy stages—it’s messy, lifelong, and uniquely personal.
Our culture often fails to acknowledge non-death grief, such as breakups, divorce, and unfulfilled life paths.
“Grief buckets” offer a helpful framework for grieving: solo time, movement, creativity, nature, and community.
Rituals and community support (like Jewish traditions such as shiva) are essential but often inaccessible in times of crisis—like during COVID.
It’s okay to laugh, cry, feel numb, or be joyful while grieving. Emotions don’t have to make sense to be valid.
Grief support must go beyond therapy—it’s a societal responsibility to normalize and hold space for grief in daily life.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Healing begins with recognizing that all parts are good, even if not all behaviors are.
Britt’s ALIGN acronym (Acknowledge, Listen, Investigate, Gratitude, Negotiate) offers a user-friendly model for navigating emotions and impulses.
Your inner critic isn’t the enemy—it may just need retraining into a high-performance coach.
Micro “yeses” can help you shift habits without overwhelming your nervous system.
People-pleasing and impulsive parts often stem from past protective roles—getting curious about their needs is a first step toward freedom.
Self-parenting is necessary for everyone, but reparenting becomes essential for those healing from trauma or dysfunctional upbringings.
Shadow parts aren’t always negative—sometimes we disconnect from our gifts, joy, and creativity too.

Resources & Connect with Britt Frank:
Website - https://www.brittfrank.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brittfrank/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittfrankmsw/
Book: Align Your Mind by Britt Frank
Book: The Science of Stuck by Britt Frank

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:* What it means to live with both autism and ADHD (AuDHD) * The hidden cost of masking and how it impacts the nervous system * How to begin unmasking safely—in relationships, work, and daily life * The difference between trauma responses and neurodivergent traits * Why self-compassion is essential when navigating a late diagnosis * The healing power of connecting with other neurodivergent individuals

Resources & Connect with Jessica:
Website: www.yourwildawakening.com
Instagram: @jessicaclarkgraham
Book: Good Sex: Getting Off Without Checking Out and Being (Sick) Enough
Book: Being (Sick) Enough

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways* Generational trauma often persists because families avoid talking about pain—but healing begins with honesty. * “Toxic resilience” can look like high-functioning busyness while masking unprocessed trauma. * Self-care is more than bubble baths—it’s about regulation, awareness, and creating space to feel. * Breaking generational cycles doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being real. * Children don’t need protected perfection; they need modeled vulnerability and tools for emotional health.

Resources & Connect with Molly:

Visit her website
Follow her on Facebook
Follow her on Instagram
Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Book: What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Book: Untamed by Glennon Doyle

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Cutting ties isn’t impulsive—it’s often the result of long-term patterns of abuse or dysfunction.
“No contact” can take many forms and doesn’t look the same for everyone.
Guilt, shame, and societal pressure often accompany estrangement and must be consciously unpacked.
Grieving the idealized version of a parent is a necessary step toward healing.
Creating a chosen family and redefining support through intentional relationships can offer a path forward.

Resources Mentioned

Cutting Ties With Your Parents by Dr. Sharon Martin – Available on Amazon
Website: LiveWellWithSharonMartin.com – Free articles, newsletters, and estrangement resources
Support Group: Together Estranged
Podcast mentioned: Adult Child Podcast by Andrea Ashley

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

None

Key takeaways:

The seven spiritual questions that redefine success
Why radical honesty is the foundation of self-trust
Soul mapping: a tool to align with your core values
How somatics and neuroscience support lasting change
Empowering highly sensitive people to live outside the “shoulds”

Links and resources:

Dating with Dignity Podcast
Follow Marni of Instagram
Connect with Marni on LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:* Surviving trauma often involves not just the event itself, but the layers of grief, uncertainty, and secondary trauma that follow. * Healing is not linear and requires patience, self-compassion, and often a willingness to fall apart before rebuilding. * Trauma can change a person at their core, but through acceptance and intentional healing, transformation is possible. * Supporting children through trauma requires honesty, patience, and allowing them to process in their own way. * Healing as a couple involves individual work and a shared commitment to face the pain together, even when unsure of the outcome.

Resources & Connect with Molly:

Visit her website
Follow her on Facebook
Follow her on Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Fertility challenges are often a signal, not a sentence. They can be a gift pointing toward deeper healing and health.
Emotional and ancestral trauma, stress, and lifestyle imbalances all play a role in fertility health.
There’s no "one fix"; it’s about uncovering and tuning multiple levers, nutrition, sleep, environmental toxins, emotional wellness, and nervous system regulation.
The heart, not just the brain, plays a vital role in hormone regulation according to Chinese medicine.
Fertility is not only about conception—it's about cultivating joy, connection, and well-being on every level.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

The four root causes of disease: toxicity, malnutrition, stagnation, and trauma.
Highly sensitive individuals may have heightened reactions to histamine-rich foods and environmental toxins.
Your metabolic type—thyroid, adrenal, ovarian, or pituitary—impacts how your body processes food and stress.
Histamine intolerance may be a hidden factor in mood swings, sleep issues, and allergic reactions.
Detox tools like zeolite may help reduce the body's toxic load, especially for slow detoxifiers.
Eating for your metabolic type can help reduce inflammation, balance mood, and support hormonal health.
Trauma and medical procedures can leave lasting physiological effects, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to healing.

Resources & Connect with Martin
🌐 Website: https://www.life-enthusiast.com/

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways

Narcissism exists on a spectrum—from benign to malicious—and all narcissists are abusive in some way.
One of the most dangerous times in a narcissistic relationship is when you try to leave—safety planning is crucial.
Narcissists often manipulate through subtle gaslighting and by shifting the blame. You are made to feel like you are the problem.
The emotional divorce is often more difficult than the legal one—it's where true healing begins.
Awareness → Acceptance → Action: This is the roadmap to freedom and recovery.
Co-parenting with a narcissist is complex—parallel parenting with strong boundaries is key.
Healing requires being witnessed, mirrored, and supported by a therapist or coach who understands narcissistic abuse.

Connect with Kate Anthony
Website: https://kateanthony.com
Podcast: The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast
Instagram: @thedivorcesurvivalguide

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Boys are often socialized to suppress feelings and disconnect from vulnerability—creating long-term emotional impacts.
Fear of women is often rooted in deeper fears of being controlled, abandoned, or exposed emotionally.
Men are typically taught only two “acceptable” emotions: anger and sexual desire—leading to miscommunication and emotional disconnection.
Casual vulnerability—sharing small truths in real time—can be more effective than waiting for the “right moment.”
Emotional safety allows both partners to show up more fully and authentically in their relationships.
Raising emotionally aware boys requires involvement from both parents—and male role models who normalize sensitivity and self-awareness.
There’s no one “right” way to be a man—emotional literacy is individual, not gendered.

Links Mentioned:
The Mask You Live In

Connect with Gary Katz:
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

Scarcity mindset isn’t just about money—it shows up as fear, urgency, tension, and a lack of trust in yourself and life.
Your body knows before your brain does—watch for breath-holding and tightness as early signs of scarcity thinking.
FOMO can hijack your decision-making. Learn to listen for the “expansive yes” instead of defaulting to “I should.”
Creativity and comparison don’t mix. When you’re stuck in scarcity, your brain literally can’t access creative flow.
Celebrate others' success as evidence of what’s possible, not proof you’re behind.
Boundaries and micro-declines (“not now” instead of “never”) are powerful ways to honour your time and energy.
Scarcity in relationships can lead to staying too long, settling, or losing yourself. Abundance says: “I am enough, even alone.”
Scarcity also drives behaviours like emotional eating, people-pleasing, and burnout—awareness is the first step to change.
Shift your framework from “I have to” to “I get to.” Same action, new energy.

Connect with DPAK:
Instagram: @dpak.world

Check out Part 1 of this series for more on healing through music, unity consciousness, and the power of creative expression.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

Stuckness isn’t a character flaw—it’s a nervous system response designed to protect you.
Asking “Why am I like this?” often reinforces paralysis. Ask instead: “What small yes can I offer myself right now?”
Micro-yeses—tiny, manageable actions—help bypass overwhelm and gently re-engage the brain.
Your brain’s safety system (fight, flight, freeze) will override logic when it perceives a threat—even if that threat is emotional or invisible.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) shows us that even our most sabotaging behaviours come from protective parts with good intentions.
Unprocessed grief is often hidden beneath stuckness—learning to grieve (not just loss, but change) is key to healing.
Letting go of your agenda (especially in relationships or therapy) can create space for authentic change.
Tools like body doubling and pattern disruption are simple, effective, and backed by neuroscience.
Assume your brain is on your side—even if it’s not doing what you want right now.

Connect with Britt Frank:

Website - https://www.brittfrank.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brittfrank/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittfrankmsw/

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

Why the recent study about ADHD and shorter lifespan isn't as scary as it seems
The most common risk factors associated with unmanaged ADHD
How early diagnosis and lifestyle strategies can mitigate long-term health risks
Tips for supporting a loved one with ADHD in a compassionate, empowering way
Why ADHD is often misunderstood—and why we’re still underdiagnosing it, especially in women

Connect with Dr. Jessica Stern
Instagram
LinkedIn
Website
Mayhem to Magic

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:* Feeling drained, over-identifying with achievement, or struggling to disconnect from work. * Symptoms like chronic fatigue, irritability, disconnection from joy, and lack of motivation can signal burnout rather than just stress. * A balanced approach to achievement that aligns with your values and doesn’t deplete you. * A powerful strategy to avoid overwhelm by sorting new projects and opportunities before committing. * Learning to say "no" in small ways to protect your time and energy. * Breaking the mindset that doing nothing is a waste of time and recognizing that downtime fuels creativity and efficiency.

Connect with Dr. Jessica Stern
Instagram
LinkedIn
Website
Mayhem to Magic

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

True intimacy starts when we acknowledge and accept both our polished public selves and the hidden parts we may be reluctant to face.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) provides a framework to explore the various “parts” of our personality, including those that are exiled due to childhood experiences.
While the initial excitement of a new relationship can be exhilarating, sustainable intimacy is built on vulnerability, honesty, and a deep understanding of oneself.
Labels such as “sex addiction” or “narcissist” can oversimplify complex human behaviors; a nuanced approach is needed to understand underlying issues.
Early experiences of rejection and embarrassment help build the resilience needed to navigate deeper relationships and develop a healthy, enduring connection.
Our sexual behaviors and relationship dynamics are heavily influenced by societal norms and personal values, which can complicate how we view our actions and needs.

Connect with Gary Katz:
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

The Drama Triangle highlights common toxic roles in relationships—Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer—that often stem from early life experiences and lead to conflict, blame, and resentment.
Recognizing when you’re playing one of these roles is the first step in breaking free from unhealthy relationship cycles.
Codependency often manifests in the Rescuer role, where individuals overextend themselves to fix others, leading to emotional exhaustion and stunted personal growth.
The Observer Triangle offers a transformative approach:
- Victim → Observer: Fosters self-awareness and mindfulness.
- Persecutor → Asserter: Promotes healthy boundaries and respectful communication.
- Rescuer → Nurturer: Provides support without enabling or sacrificing self-care.
Establishing clear, respectful boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and prioritizing self-care.
Practical tools like the HALT method (checking if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired) help regulate emotions and shift interactions from drama to empowerment

Connect with Kitty Chambliss:
Visit her website
Follow her on Instagram
Article by Lynne Forrest: The Three Faces of Victim – An Overview of the Victim Triangle

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Healing begins by restoring your connection to yourself—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Movement, mindfulness, and reflection are key components.
Monitoring your inner dialogue can create profound shifts. Transform self-criticism into supportive and kind thoughts to foster growth.
While journaling helps process emotions, combining it with action-oriented exercises leads to deeper transformation.
Reflect on past relationship patterns rooted in childhood and how they might be influencing your current dating or relationship behaviors.
Rebuild self-worth by intentionally spending time alone through solo adventures, small self-care activities, or even larger journeys.
Identify core values, essential qualities, and the feelings you want to consistently experience within a healthy relationship.
Move from a mindset of helplessness to one of empowerment by understanding how you can actively influence and shape your life.

Learn more about Emmi Fortin:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emmifortin/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmifortin/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@emmifortin

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:* Learn about the biological and neurological differences that define highly sensitive people, and how this evolutionary trait exists across species. * Understand the overlap between high sensitivity, empathy, and introversion, and why highly sensitive individuals are often more likely to become empaths. * How your surroundings, including noise, lighting, and energy from others, can either overwhelm or support your highly sensitive nervous system. * Why boundaries are essential and how highly sensitive people can set them without guilt. * Explore sound therapy, grounding techniques, and acupuncture as tools to regulate your nervous system and unlock your full potential. * How to channel your sensitivity into creative pursuits, deep connections, and self-compassion. * When empathy turns into exhaustion and what to do about it.

Connect with Michelle Oravitz:
Website: MichelleOravitz.com
Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertility
Podcast: The Wholesome Fertility Podcast

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

Trauma is not about the event itself but the body’s reaction and its inability to recover, which can lock the nervous system into states of dis-ease.
Effective leadership stems from fostering trust and safety, whether in parenting, coaching, or workplace settings.
Small practices, like scanning your environment for safety cues, can regulate your nervous system and bring a sense of grounding.
High achievers thrive when they operate in a safe physiological state, where effort meets ease and challenges become opportunities.
Recognizing how your body feels moment-to-moment helps in understanding triggers and developing resilience.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn
Check Michael's website - The Play Zone
Learn with Polyvagal Institute

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

Music has a unique ability to mimic the effects of meditation, calming the mind, reducing cortisol, and lowering heart rate.
Specific frequencies, like 432 Hz and 528 Hz, have measurable physiological benefits, including stress reduction and emotional regulation.
Chanting, practiced across cultures, creates a connection to gratitude, spirituality, and communal healing, even for non-musicians.
Surrounding yourself with healing frequencies or personal "feel-good" songs can shift your mood, create a peaceful environment, and promote relaxation.
Music can unify communities, transcending cultural and political divides. It is a powerful tool for fostering connection and uplifting collective energy.

Connect with DPAK on Instagram
Listen to Together We Rise

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Karla and Chelsea share how they met online and created a supportive community for moms, fostering connection and collaboration despite never having met in person.
They discuss the importance of giving yourself grace and celebrating small wins, reshaping the narrative around mom guilt to focus on doing your best each day.
They explain how time blocking and intentional scheduling help structure their day for maximum productivity while staying fully present with their families.
They emphasize the value of independent play for children, highlighting how fostering quiet time nurtures imagination and alleviates the pressure on moms to constantly entertain.
They highlight the power of partnership, showing how honest communication and teamwork in both business and parenting can lead to greater success and support.

Connect with Karla and Chelsea:

Abundant Management: Website | Instagram

Abundant Academy Virtual Summit: Join Here

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

Understanding insomnia beyond poor sleep: Insomnia isn’t just about sleeping less—it impacts every aspect of your life, from your mood to your ability to function.
Why more time in bed doesn’t equal better sleep: Trying harder to sleep and spending excessive time in bed can disrupt your body clock and make sleep quality worse.
The power of sleep drive and body clock: Discover how aligning with your body’s natural sleep drive and rhythms can lead to consistent, restful sleep.
Breaking free from obsessive rituals: Sleep supplements, strict routines, and control-based habits often increase anxiety and worsen insomnia.
Rebuilding your relationship with rest: Focus on creating an enjoyable, relaxing wind-down routine instead of forcing yourself into rigid sleep practices.
Compassionate CBTI approach: A softer, more flexible approach to CBTI can be especially beneficial for highly sensitive individuals and those with neurodivergence.
Why good sleep isn’t perfect sleep: Sleep is inherently imperfect—accepting this imperfection can reduce sleep anxiety and improve rest.
Addressing shift work and irregular schedules: Learn effective strategies for adjusting your sleep routine if you work night shifts or irregular hours.

Learn more about Joseph Pannell:

YouTube: Insomnia Talks
Website: SleepZee

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways: Resolutions should reflect your true self. Before committing to a goal, ask: Is this for me, or for someone else?* * The Queen’s Path reframes empowerment. Women’s journey isn’t about being a hero but claiming sovereignty over their lives. * Motivation is fleeting; discipline sustains. Don’t rely on dopamine highs—focus on purposeful discipline for lasting change. * External validation can derail your goals. Be mindful of whose input you seek and ensure it aligns with your values. * Highly sensitive people are prone to external influences. Taking time to reflect helps distinguish your own desires from others’. * Break down large goals into smaller steps. Starting early and easing into resolutions makes sustaining them more achievable. * Sharing isn’t submission. Sharing your goals can invite connection and support without needing external approval. * Your journey, your timeline. Whether it’s writing a book or mastering a skill, find what truly brings you fulfillment.

Connect with Dr. Stacey Simmons
Visit her website here
Follow her on Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:

Trauma is not just what happens to us but what we hold inside in the absence of empathetic support.
Somatic Experiencing provides a gentle and embodied approach to healing, contrasting methods that retraumatize by forcing people to relive their experiences.
The "wounded healer" archetype highlights the importance of therapists addressing their own trauma to support others effectively.
Safe relationships are essential for working through trauma, including the echoes of betrayal that can show up in new interactions.
Healing involves acknowledging trauma, processing it through embodied experiences, and integrating it into the past where it belongs.
Somatic Experiencing has grown into a global movement, taught in over 40 countries, empowering countless practitioners to help others heal.
Vulnerability and shared experiences can deepen understanding and foster greater empathy in the journey of healing

Dr. Peter Levine:

An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey | Other Books | Somatic Experiencing | Facebook | Instragram | LinkedIn | Youtube

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

None

Key takeaways:

Highly sensitive children process overstimulation more intensely, making empathy and understanding essential in helping them navigate overwhelming situations.

Building resilience in highly sensitive kids comes from connection, validation, and understanding—not from forcing them to "toughen up" or dismissing their struggles.

Sensitivity is a strength that brings creativity, empathy, and deep insight. These traits should be celebrated and nurtured rather than seen as weaknesses.

Parents who recognize their own sensitivity can better support their children by modeling self-compassion, emotional regulation, and healthy boundaries.

Balancing empathy with empowerment is key to supporting highly sensitive children. Encouraging problem-solving and independence helps them build confidence while feeling understood.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key takeaways:

Overthinking can be a major barrier for adults with ADHD, but understanding its patterns—like thought loops and spirals—can help break free from inaction.
Creativity thrives when overthinking is managed, allowing ADHDers to leverage their unique strengths without being trapped by perfectionism.
The PAM Method (Pause, Affirm and Allow, Move) offers a simple, effective way to disrupt overthinking and take intentional steps forward.
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is common among ADHDers, but acknowledging and working through these feelings can pave the way for meaningful progress.
Waiting for the "perfect moment" often leads to paralysis; launching imperfectly can be the key to growth and success.
Anxiety often peaks within 90 seconds physiologically—beyond that, it’s our thoughts that perpetuate the distress, making mindset shifts a critical tool.
Body doubling, even in the form of self-compassionate self-talk, can be a powerful way to stay focused and productive.
Practical tools like scheduling tasks as calendar appointments rather than endless lists help ADHDers take actionable steps toward their goals.
Vulnerability, self-acceptance, and affirmations are essential to overcoming procrastination and self-doubt, especially in high-pressure situations.
Empowering ADHDers with actionable, evidence-based tools can transform perceived weaknesses into opportunities for success.

Follow Justin Gillespie

Instagram
Tiktok
Listen to his podcast

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways* Sensitivity in leadership is often masked due to societal expectations, especially for men, but embracing it can foster authentic connections and stronger teams. * Forgiveness is not about excusing past behavior but about releasing yourself and others from the emotional weight of trauma. * Sensitivity, when understood and harnessed, is a strength that can lead to deeper empathy, connection, and effective leadership. * Removing the “mask” of toughness allows individuals to align with their true selves and connect more meaningfully with others. * Coaching and therapy are powerful tools for identifying emotional blind spots and fostering personal and professional growth. * Vulnerability in leadership and personal relationships creates space for genuine understanding and deeper trust. * Generational trauma can shape behavior but can be broken through self-awareness, healing, and intentional actions. * Cognitive behavioral therapy and mental health skills provide practical strategies to manage stress, reframe thoughts, and build resilience. * Simple moments of connection, like acknowledging someone’s emotions or sharing personal truths, can have a profound impact on relationships. * Embracing sensitivity in men challenges outdated stereotypes and encourages a healthier, more balanced view of masculinity. * Forgiving others, even in challenging circumstances, can be a transformative act that leads to inner peace and emotional freedom. * Trauma-informed leadership emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing emotional well-being in professional settings. * Personal healing journeys often begin with self-reflection and are supported by therapy, coaching, and intentional relationships. * Sensitivity and resilience are not opposites; they coexist and complement each other in creating empowered individuals.

Follow Tom Dutta

Instagram
Youtube
Listen to his podcast "The Quiet Warrior Show"

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Sensitivity is not a weakness but a unique strength that can be cultivated and celebrated.
Nearly one-third of the population is considered highly sensitive, making this topic broadly relevant and impactful.
The podcast will feature expert guests discussing practical tools for managing stress, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm.
Listeners will gain insights into navigating relationships, parenting sensitive children, and regulating their nervous systems.
This podcast is a community space designed to empower individuals with knowledge, practical strategies, and self-compassion.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:* Prioritizing Well-being and Boundaries * Embracing Change in the Podcast * The Power of Open Communication * Imposter Syndrome and Moving Forward

Connect with Dr. Jeanne: LinkedIn | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-sensitivity-doctor/exclusive-content

Key Takeaways:Hashimoto's: A Complex Autoimmune Condition
Dr. Wentz describes Hashimoto's as an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, often leading to hypothyroidism over time.

Symptoms May Appear Years Before Diagnosis
Symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, and anxiety often begin years before a formal Hashimoto’s diagnosis, underscoring the importance of early detection.

Three Key Factors Behind Autoimmunity
Dr. Wentz highlights genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and intestinal permeability (leaky gut) as necessary elements for autoimmunity to manifest.

The Thyroid and Sensitivity Connection
People with sensitive systems may experience intensified thyroid symptoms, including heightened reactions to environmental toxins and dietary triggers.

Diet Plays a Major Role in Managing Hashimoto’s
Eliminating gluten, balancing blood sugar, and addressing potential food sensitivities like dairy and soy can reduce symptoms and inflammation.

Environmental Toxins Impact Thyroid Health
Dr. Wentz explains how excess iodine, fluoride, and other environmental toxins can disrupt thyroid function and contribute to autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Hyperthyroidism vs. Hypothyroidism Effects
Hashimoto’s involves phases of thyroid hormone release that can trigger anxiety or panic attacks, especially in the initial years, often misdiagnosed as mental health issues.

The Power of Nutritional Support
Nutrients such as selenium, myo-inositol, and vitamin D can improve thyroid health and reduce anxiety, enhancing quality of life for those with Hashimoto’s.

Trauma and Generational Impact on Thyroid Disorders
Family history of trauma or environmental exposure (such as Chernobyl) may play a role in thyroid dysfunction in later generations.

Comprehensive, Individualized Healing Strategies
Dr. Wentz emphasizes treating the root causes over symptoms, suggesting a multi-pronged approach, including lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and stress management, tailored to each individual.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Izabella Wentz Website | Instagram

Takeaways

Sugar cravings can stem from not eating enough throughout the day.

Eating 'naked carbs' without protein can lead to increased sugar cravings.

Dopamine release from sugar can create a cycle of wanting more.

Gut health plays a crucial role in food cravings and overall well-being.

Highly sensitive people may experience stronger cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Gradual reduction of sugar may be more effective than going cold turkey for some individuals.

Adding nutrient-dense foods can help reduce sugar cravings naturally.

Understanding personal triggers and cravings is key to managing sugar intake.

Epigenetics can influence our relationship with food and cravings.

Mindfulness and self-compassion are important in dietary changes. Childhood food preferences can shape adult eating habits.

Sugar cravings can be managed with mindful eating strategies.

It's important to balance indulgences with nutritious foods during holidays.

Social settings can affect our eating behaviors and choices.

Self-compassion is key to maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

Listening to your body and its cues is essential for mindful eating.

Bringing healthy options to gatherings can help balance out indulgences.

Starting meals with fiber and protein can reduce sugar cravings.

It's okay to enjoy the foods you love in moderation.

Creating a balanced plate can help prevent overeating.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Izabella Wentz Website | Instagram

In this conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley and Michelle discuss the intricate relationship between acupuncture, fertility, and overall women's health. Michelle shares her personal journey from architecture to becoming an acupuncturist, emphasizing the importance of understanding the menstrual cycle and the holistic approach to health. They explore how acupuncture can aid in regulating the nervous system, the significance of emotional well-being, and practical tips for enhancing fertility. The discussion also touches on the integration of acupuncture with Western medicine and the importance of self-care practices.

Key Takeaways:

Introduction to Fertility Journeys
Personal Experiences with Acupuncture and Fertility
Understanding Acupuncture's Role in Women's Health
The Science Behind Acupuncture and Fertility
The Connection Between Nervous System and Reproductive Health
The Importance of Emotional Well-being in Fertility
Integrating Acupuncture with Western Medicine
Practical Tips for Enhancing Fertility
Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

Episode Links Michelle Oravitz:

Website | The Way of Fertility | Book Preview

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Izabella Wentz Website | Instagram

Drs. Amelia Kelley and Jeanne, talk to Malaka Mims about the intricate relationship between ethics and fairness, addressing common misconceptions about ethics, the importance of validation, and the role of personal values in navigating unfair situations. They discuss how past experiences shape perceptions of fairness and the necessity of empowerment in personal and professional contexts.

Key Takeaways

Introduction to Ethics and Fairness
Misconceptions About Ethics
The Complexity of Ethical Decisions
Navigating Fairness in Personal Experiences
The Importance of Validation
Empowerment and Control in Unfair Situations
The Role of Values in Relationships
Personal Experiences with Unfairness
Empowering Yourself in Medical Situations
Finding Ethical Support
Understanding Morality and Projection
The Impact of Past Experiences on Fairness
Conclusion and Resources

Links to Malaka Mims:

Website | TikTok: @dropajewelwithmalaka | Instagram: @dropajewelwithmalaka | YouTube

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Izabella Wentz Website | Instagram

Dr. David Rosmarin joins Drs. Kelley and Jeanne to discuss the complexities of anxiety, the changes in the DSM regarding anxiety disorders, and the implications of overdiagnosis. The dialogue explores the distinction between healthy and clinical anxiety, the role of exposure therapy, and the importance of resilience and vulnerability in managing anxiety.

Key Takeaways:

Introduction to Anxiety and the DSM Changes
The Impact of Overdiagnosis on Society
Understanding Healthy vs. Clinical Anxiety
The Role of Exposure Therapy in Managing Anxiety
The Benefits of Anxiety: Resilience and Connection
Navigating Anxiety in Youth and Society
The Importance of Acceptance and Vulnerability
Resilience: Learning from Adversity
The Role of Medication in Anxiety Management
Preventive Mental Health Care: A New Approach
Recognizing When to Seek Help
Final Thoughts on Anxiety and Mental Health

Dr. David Rosmarin Links

Website | LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Izabella Wentz Website | Instagram

In this conversation, Joseph shares his journey of writing a book that encapsulates his personal struggles with anxiety and the insights he gained through various healing modalities. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between thoughts and thinking, advocating for a non-thinking approach to achieve peace and happiness. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by highly sensitive people, the significance of living in the present, and the power of unconditional love and support in relationships. Joseph introduces the 'Pause Method' as a practical tool for managing overthinking and emotional processing, ultimately highlighting the importance of agency and choice in shaping our experiences.

Key Takeaways:

The Journey to Writing a Book
Overcoming Personal Struggles
The Power of Non-Thinking
Understanding Thoughts vs. Thinking
Experiencing Life Beyond Labels
The Importance of Present Living
Deprivation vs. Inspiration
The Role of Highly Sensitive People
Navigating Relationships as a HSP
The Pause Method for Overthinking
Emotional Processing and Resilience
The Impact of Agency and Choice
Unconditional Love and Support
Finding Balance in Sensitivity
Conclusion and Resources

JOSEPH NGUYEN

Website | Book: Don't Believe Everything You Think | Instagram | YouTube

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Izabella Wentz Website | Instagram

Drs. Amelia Kelley and Jeanne are joined by Melissa Holder. A conversation about a rare medical condition, sarcoidosis, turns into an informative episode on medical gaslighting. Melissa shares her personal experience with sarcoidosis, specifically how it affected her kidneys and her experiences with medical gaslighting.

Key Takeaways

Medical Gaslighting and the Experience of Black Women.
Challenges in Diagnosing Sarcoidosis.
The Importance of Healthcare Advocacy.
Taking Ownership of Your Health.
Setting Boundaries as a Medical Provider.
The Importance of Curiosity and Inquisitiveness.
The Impact of Putting Yourself Last.
Prioritizing Your Physical and Mental Health.
The Importance of Listening to Your Body.
The Journey to End-Stage Renal Disease.
Prioritizing Self-Care and Enjoying Life.
The Impact of Health Challenges on Mental Health.

Links to Melissa Holder

Girl Talk Podcast | Website

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Andrea Ashley, host of the popular podcast The Adult Child, shares her personal story as an adult child of an alcoholic and dysfunctional family. She discusses the common characteristics of adult children, and highlights the importance of recognizing childhood trauma and its impact on adult relationships.

Key Takeaways

Andrea's Personal Story.
Defining Adult Children of Alcoholic and Dysfunctional Families.
The Common Characteristics of Adult Children.
Andrea's Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing.
The Aversion to Boredom and Attraction to Chaos.
The Fear of Abandonment in Adult Children.
The Impact of Being an Adult Child of an Alcoholic.
Challenges of Setting Boundaries with Alcoholic Parents.
Creating a Supportive Community for Adult Children of Alcoholics.

Andrea Ashley Links:

Website | Podcast | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

We are excited to be joined by Jessica Baum, author of the immensely successful book, Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love. She is a Psychotherapist, Thought Leader, Relationship Coach, and Founder of the Self-full® Method and she is here to teach us all about attachment patterns.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Attachment Patterns
Anxious, Avoidant, and Fearful Attachment Patterns
Attachment Patterns and Highly Sensitive People
Avoidance Patterns and the Search for External Validation
Understanding Fantasy Bonds and Disorganized Relationships
The Importance of Healing Attachment Wounds
Building Secure Relationships through Feeling and Processing Emotions
Expanding Your World with Multiple Secure Anchors

Links to Jessica Baum

Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love | Website | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

We explore the concept of mental load in long-term relationships and how it can become imbalanced with our guest, empowered relationship psychologist and host of the Empowered Relationship Podcast, Dr Jessica Higgins.

Key Takeaways

Defining Mental Load.
Defining Mental Load in Long-Term Relationships
The Impact of Imbalanced Mental Load.
The Role of Highly Sensitive People in Carrying Mental Load.
Balancing Narrative Roles to Reduce Mental Load.
Understanding and Balancing Mental Load in Relationships.
Exploring Gender Dynamics and Mental Load.
Strategies for Balancing Mental Load.
Creating Equitable Relationships.
Effective Communication for Addressing Mental Load.

Links to Dr. Jessica Higgins:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

In this conversation, Dr. Jeanne and Dr. Amelia interview Ashley Broadwater, a freelance writer and highly sensitive person. They discuss Ashley's journey as a writer, her focus on mental health and relationships, and the challenges of writing about sensitive topics.

Key Takeaways

Background to creative writing and freelance journalism.
Writing About Sensitive Topics as a highly sensitive person.
Setting Ethical Boundaries as a Writer.
Service Journalism: Informing and Helping Readers
Becoming a Writer: Finding Your Passion and Targeting Publications
Establishing a Reputation: From Pitches to Editor Assignments

Links to Ashley Broadwater:

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Portfolio | Resources for Writers and PR Professionals

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Robert Baric shares his journey into neurofeedback and the impact it can have on various conditions. Neurofeedback can be a complementary treatment to talk therapy and other interventions.

Key Takeaways:

Dr. Robert Baric's Journey into Neurofeedback.
Understanding Neurofeedback and What to Expect in the Initial Session.
Targeted Conditions: ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Trauma, and Anxiety.
The Process and Duration of Neurofeedback Treatment.
Explaining Neurofeedback: Analogies and Reproducibility.
Addressing Tinnitus and Challenging Conditions.
TBI and the Brain's Ability to Adapt.
The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Acute Concussion First Aid Kits.
The Link Between TBIs and Suicide Rates.
Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies and Using Neurofeedback.
Timeline Limitations for Treating TBIs.
Neurofeedback and Brainwave Frequencies.
Neurofeedback for Highly Sensitive People.
Practices for Individuals without Access to Neurofeedback.

Links to Dr. Robert Baric:

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Jessica Stern discusses ADHD and its impact on relationships, particularly in couples where one or both partners have ADHD, or where one partner is a highly sensitive person. Dr. Jessica Stern is the host of Doctor Radio on Sirius XM, advisor for Wondermind and runs her own consultancy.

Key Takeaways:

ADHD in Relationships.
Communication Challenges.
ADHD Traits and Relationship Dynamics.
Coping as a Couple.
Effective Communication Strategies.
Understanding and Supporting Each Other.
Navigating communication and understanding in ADHD relationships.
Mitigating burnout in relationships with ADHD.
Leveraging the strengths of ADHD individuals in relationships.
Managing time blindness in ADHD relationships.
The benefits of ADHD in relationships.

Links for Dr. Jessica Stern:

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Doctor Radio

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Marni Battista is an author, transformational life design specialist, and podcast host. She joins Drs. Jeanne Retief and Amelia Kelley today for a lively conversation on the concept of the 'should life' and how to move away from it.

Key Moments:

The Concept of the 'Should Life'
Questioning Assumptions and Setting Boundaries.
The Importance of Self-Care and Prioritizing.
Delegating Tasks and Seeking Help.
Moments of Transition and Reflection.
Creating a Life Aligned with Your Values.
The Challenges of Delegation for Single Parents.
Self-Compassion and Rest.
Curiosity and Tolerance for Imperfection.
Doing Things for Yourself, Not to Please Others.
Questioning and Rewriting the Rules.
Letting Go of Perfectionism

Episode Links

Marni Battista: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Jeanne and Dr. Kelley discuss the impact of anxiety on the skin and the importance of skincare for mental health. They explore the benefits of using clean skincare products, such as Figgi Beauty, which is designed for sensitive skin.

Key Takeaways

How does anxiety impact the skin?
What is the biological process of how anxiety affects the skin?
What ingredients to use and what to avoid.
What is Rooibos and why is it so great for sensitive skin?
What is double cleansing and why does it help?
What about antioxidants, like vitamin C, and sensitive skin.
Importance of night time replenishment.
Taking care of your skin can be a form of self-care and can contribute to overall mental well-being.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Cherie Burton, host of the Soul Rose podcast and international wellness champion, joins our podcast today as we shed light on suicide, suicide survival and prevention. Cherie, shares her personal experience of losing her sister to suicide and her journey of writing a book on the subject.

Key Takeaways

Normalizing discussions about suicide.
Reducing the stigma around suicide to encourage people to seek help.
Highly sensitive people may have a deeper connection to the collective suffering and can play a significant role in the conversation.
A grassroots approach to suicide prevention is necessary, focusing on understanding the root causes and providing support.
The healing process for survivors.
Fully feeling and processing emotions.
The impact on the loved ones who stay behind.
Supporting someone at risk of suicide..

Cherie Burton: Podcast | Instagram | Facebook

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Bloom Post, Dr. Amelia Kelley's shamanic healer, joins the podcast today to talk about the concept of empaths and highly sensitive people, particularly in relation to narcissistic abuse.

Key Takeaways

The Creation of Empaths through Encounters with Narcissists
Clearing and Transmuting Energy for Healthy Connections
Prioritizing Self-Care and Sovereignty
Navigating Energy as an Empath or Highly Sensitive Person
The Role of Intuition and the Body in Navigating Toxic Relationships
Healing and Setting Healthy Boundaries as an Empath
Responding Instead of Reacting
Asking 'Is This Mine?'
Conclusion and Resources

Bloom Post: Website | Instagram: @bloompostlove | Facebook

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo discusses the impact of menopause on the gut and the importance of diet during this phase. Drs. Jeanne & Kelley cover topics such as protein metabolism, the role of micronutrients, the benefits of soy and cruciferous vegetables, and the impact of diet on bone health with their guest.

Key Takeaways

Setting the Foundation: What is Menopause and How Does it Affect the Gut?
Understanding Perimenopause and its Early Signs
The Importance of Adjusting Diet During Menopause
Alternative Sources of Nutrients for Gut Health
Protein Metabolism and Macronutrients
Micronutrients and the Importance of Soy
Cruciferous Vegetables and Bone Health
Collagen Production and Dietary Considerations
Practical Tips for a Healthy Perimenopause and Menopause Diet

Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo: Website | Instagram

Please Rate our Podcast - it really helps us!

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Jamie Copeland shares her journey of parenting a child with ADHD and offers strategies for parents.

Key Takeaways

Jamie's Journey of Parenting a Child with ADHD.
Strategies for Parents of Children with ADHD.
Supporting Children's Big Emotions.
Alternative Approaches to Discipline.
Reframing ADHD.
Neurodivergence and ADHD.
Medication and Managing Symptoms.
Advocating for Children with ADHD

Jamie Copeland: Website| Instagram| Facebook

Please Rate our Podcast - it really helps us!

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Zach Beach, MA, is committed to building a world based on unconditional love and connection. He does that as an relationship coach, yoga and meditation teacher, poet writer, podcast host, and as the founder of The Heart Center love school.

Key Takeaways

How to cultivate Love and Joy.
The Qualities of Highly Sensitive People.
Navigating Societal Pressure for Men.
The Importance of Self-Love and Setting Boundaries.
Cultivating Self-Love through Yoga.
Expressing the Depth of the Human Experience.
Nurturing Assertiveness in Women.
The Trap of Spiritual Bypassing.
The Foundation of Boundaries: Worthiness and Compassion

EPISODE LINKS: Zach Beach

IG, FB and Twitter: @zachbeachlove

Please Rate our Podcast - it really helps us!

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Judith Smith, discusses her research on how older women experience mothering as they get older and the impact of their adult children's issues on them. Specifically, she focuses on serious mental illness and substance use disorder as the primary issues faced by these mothers.

Key Takeaways:

What do we mean by "Difficult Adult Children"?
Recognizing and Addressing Mental Illness in Adult Children.
Setting Boundaries and Dealing with Guilt and Blame.
Support and Resources for Mothers of Difficult Adult Children.
Introduction to the Challenges Faced by Parents of Difficult Adult Children.
Navigating Boundaries and Emotional Blackmail.
Loneliness and the Importance of Finding Words to Communicate.
Challenges of Managing a Chaotic Household.
Gender Differences in Parenting and Cultural Expectations.
Recognizing the Structural Issues and Seeking Support.

Episode Links:

Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children through Conflict and Change.

Judith Smith

Please Rate our Podcast - it really helps us!

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children through Conflict and Change

Join us as we dive into a profound conversation with Greg Wrenn, author of Mothership: A Memoir of Wonder and Crisis. 🌟 Greg opens up about his journey of healing complex trauma through the transformative power of ayahuasca. 🌿✨ Discover the depths of his story and the insights he's gained along the way.

Key Takeaways:

Complex PTSD vs. PTSD and how Ayahuasca may help.
How Ayahuasca works.
How Ayahuasca can reduce emotional charge in trauma survivors.
Is it addictive?
Thoughts on integrating psychedelic experiences into daily life and developing healthy habits.

Episode Links:

Mothership: A Memoir of Wonder & Crisis

Greg Wrenn: @gregjwrenn (IG) / Twitter: @GregWrenn

Please Rate our Podcast HERE

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

None

David Jacks David is a Psychology graduate and a Transformational Trauma Coach. We delve deep and learn his personal trauma recovery story and healing from an abusive childhood.

Key Takeaways

Background to David's story.
Being misdiagnosed and the effect this can have on recovery.
Learning about alternative methods to trauma recovery.
The Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) and how it helped David.
Finding light at the end of the tunnel.
Embarking on the forgiveness journey.
A message to parents.

Episode Links:
The Heal Project | David Jacks Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

Please Rate our Podcast HERE

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

In this episode, Drs. Amelia Kelly and Jeanne Retief answer questions that people often have about therapists. All collected from our viewers, we dive into all the things you're always wondering about, and wish you could ask them!

Takeaways:

Difference Between Therapist, Psychologist, and Psychiatrist
Types of Therapists and Their Specializations
The Therapist's Experience in Therapy
Challenges of Separating Personal and Professional Life
Therapist's Reactions and Feelings Towards Clients
Curiosity About Therapists' Personal Lives
Therapists' Behavior Outside of Sessions

Please Rate our Podcast HERE

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Devon Pipars discusses her journey into meditation and the benefits the different methods of mediation offer.

Takeaways:

How meditation helps shift the body from a state of stress to a relaxation.
Should you be able to clear your mind and stop all thoughts?
Breath work or mantras to focus the mind during meditation.
Trauma-informed meditation and gratitude practices.
What is Transcendental Meditation (TM)?
Mantras and how to access these.
How long should I meditate?
Active meditation vs passive meditation.

Episode Links:

Devon Pipars: Divine Meditation | WithinMeditation

Please Rate our Podcast HERE

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Amelia Kelly discusses ADHD in women, its challenges, and common misconceptions. She talks to Dr. Jeanne about the higlights, strengths, and abilities that individuals with ADHD possess with a special focus on women with ADHD.

Takeaways:

What is ADHD?.
Unique strenghts and qualities of individuals with ADHD.
Hyperfocus and ADHD.
What is ADHD trauma?
The use of medication for ADHD.
Parenting a child with ADHD.
How ADHD presents differently in women.
How hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can impact symptom presentation.
Societal expectations on women and the effect it has on ADHD.

Episode Links

Get Your Copy of Dr. Amelia Kelley's new book today! | Order Now

Please Rate our Podcast HERE

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Drs. Kelley and Jeanne are joined by Dave Tarnowski who teaches us to explore affirmations in a new way, and embrace mental health with a touch of humor. Join us as we discuss embracing our imperfections, the importance of vulnerability, and the need for self-reflection.

Takeaways:

The need for authenticity in the mental health conversation.
Why vulnerability and self-reflection are key to personal growth.
Finding your resilience in Dave's authentic affirmations.

Episode Links:

Dave Tarnowski | Disappointing Affirmations Book

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | Sensitive Skincare | Anxious Calm Online Courses & Community | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

None

We explore the importance of nutrition and the gut in maintaining overall health. The conversation highlights the hope and empowerment that comes from taking control of one's health and making positive choices.

Takeaways

Why the gut is often referred to as the second brain, its extensive role in the nervous system and its ability to communicate with the central nervous system.
Why the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system, breaking down food, and producing neurotransmitters.
Imbalances in the gut microbiome can lead to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
The low FODMAP diet can help alleviate symptoms of IBS by eliminating certain carbohydrates and gradually reintroducing them.
Why the FODMAP diet can be a beneficial short-term measure for alleviating gut-related symptoms & why this should not be a long term solution.
Importance of movement and exercise in improving gut health and overall well-being.

Cathy Biase:

Cancer Canopy | Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | The Health Hub

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Jeanne openly shares about her panic disorder, what its like to live with an anxiety disorder and how the Anxious Calm can help those in need of support.

Takeaways

What is Panic Disorder and what does it feel like to live with this on a daily basis.
Why Dr. Jeanne refers to panic attacks as relapses.
Why it's important to have a plan in place to cope with them.
Having a medical team is crucial, but practical advice and support from others who understand the experience of panic disorder is also necessary.
Managing triggers and symptoms.
The Anxious Calm is a community for individuals with panic disorder to find support and learn how to live with their condition.
Living a quality life with panic disorder involves celebrating small victories and finding ways to manage triggers and anxiety in daily life.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

In this special episode Drs. Jeanne and Kelley talk to Dr. Levine about his latest, a deeply personal book, An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey. Dr. Peter A. Levine discusses his personal journey of healing from trauma and the importance of somatic experiencing in trauma therapy.

Key Topics

Dr. Levine's childhood experiences with trauma and how it shaped his interest in trauma healing.
The journey to writing the book and the importance of sharing personal woundedness in trauma work.
The Somatic Experiencing approach and the significance of embodied experiences in healing trauma.
The significance of having a present and empathetic other to assist in the healing process.
The difficulties of facing betrayal and the challenges of overcoming it.
The power of reworking traumatic memories and the role of safe relationships in healing.
The impact of Dr. Levine's work, the importance of vulnerability and shared humanity in creating a more compassionate world.

Dr. Peter Levine:

An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey | Other Books | Somatic Experiencing | Facebook | Instragram | LinkedIn | Youtube

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

None

Drs. Kelley and Jeanne explore the idea of self-care and self-improvement, emphasizing the need to know oneself, love oneself and find happiness in who you are.

Takeaways

Dating as an important practice to get to know and love yourself.
Showing up as your best Self in relationships.
Rebuilding Relationships and Self-Care
Understanding Your Likes and Dislikes
Finding Stillness and Being Playful
Establishing Boundaries and Effective Communication
Making Time for Yourself
Engaging in Dialogue with Yourself
The Impact of Self-Care on Relationships

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Drawing from their personal experiences, the hosts navigate the delicate balance between work and family life. They debunk the myth of perfection, emphasizing that just being a mom is more than enough. The conversation delves into the importance of seeking support, dismantling the myth of balance, and setting meaningful boundaries.

Chapters:

The Supermom Identity
Navigating Work-Life Balance
Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing
Being Present and Honest with Children
Managing the Pressure of Being a Supermom
Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
The Mental Load of Motherhood
Communication and Sharing the Mental Load
Celebrating Empathy and Personal Growth

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

In this enlightening discussion, listeners are invited to explore the depths of resilience, healing, and the power of shared experiences. With Gina's unique perspective as a survivor of suicidal ideation this, this episode promises to offer invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of mental health challenges.

Takeaways

Understanding Suicidal Ideation
The Importance of Support and Connection
Breaking the stigma around suicidal ideations and confronting myths
Building a Supportive Tribe
The importance of Self-Love and Inner Dialogue
Personal Practices for Healing & finding life purpose
Shifting to Positive Vibrations
The Power of Forgiveness
Normalizing Therapy and Seeking Help

Pre-Order the Book

FIND HELP : Psychology Today |Dr. Amelia Kelley | Crisis Line

GINA CAVALIER: Website | Podcast | Documentary

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

The conversation unfolds to explore different approaches to socializing, striking a delicate balance between extroversion and introversion.

Key Takeaways:

Defining Socializing as an HSP
Different Approaches to Socializing
Navigating Professional and Personal Socializing
Balancing Extroversion and Introversion
The Need for Decompression Time
Coping Strategies for Socializing
Recognizing Personal Limitations
Finding Common Ground in Social Settings
Deepening Conversations Beyond Small Talk
Managing Overwhelm in Social Settings
Creating Support Structures
Challenging Social Norms and Expectations
Checking in with Yourself in Social Settings
Finding Social Solutions as an HSP
The Importance of Unstructured Alone Time
The Challenges of Socializing as an HSP

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Drs. Jeanne and Kelley welcome Acey Holmes, a dynamic speaker, consultant, and advocate for using play and flow to improve work and life. Acey shares her personal journey of burnout and how she discovered the importance of play in avoiding burnout. She discusses the phases of play and how they impact the brain and body. We look at the historical shift away from play and the cultural factors that discourage play in adulthood.

Key Takeaways

The importance of play and prioritizing activities that bring joy and relaxation.
How cultural factors discourage play in adulthood.
Neurochemical benefits of Play and how it contributes to neuroplasticity.
How highly sensitive brains can benefit from Play.
The effects of integrating Play in work environments.
The different Play identities.
The four phases of flow.
Why rest and recovery is essential in avoiding burnout and maintaining optimal brain function.

Acey Holmes Links

Ted Talk | Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

The conversation delves into the importance of secure attachment, empathy, and the indispensable role of setting boundaries in establishing and maintaining strong connections.

Chapters:

Introduction
The Difficulty of Making Friends as an Adult
The Concept of Super Friends
Secure Attachment and Empathy
Setting Boundaries
Challenges in Setting Boundaries
Rewriting Relationship Contracts
Entering Relationships with the Right Foundation
Red Flags and Open-Mindedness
Different Approaches to Friendship
Number of Friends and Emotional Energy
Nature vs Nurture in Socialization
Parenting and Friendships

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Kate Anthony hosts the New York Times recommended podcast, The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast. She is also the author of The D-Word: Making the ultimate decision about your marriage. She's a divorce coach and has helped many exit their marriage with grace.

In part two of our Kate Anthony series on divorce we delve into:

02:00 Kids and divorce: How to do it right.

03:30 Navigating divorce with older or adult children.

11:00 Navigating divorce with young children.

17:00 Kate's book, what it offers and how the content can help you.

18:00 Kate's three tips for listeners contemplating divorce.

20:00 How to process your decision to divorce before acting on it.

22:00 Kate's website, book, and how to contact her.

KATE ANTHONY

Website | The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast | The D-Word Book

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

None

Kate Anthony hosts the New York Times recommended podcast, The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast. She is also the author of The D-Word: Making the ultimate decision about your marriage. She's a divorce coach and has helped many exit their marriage with grace.

She joins us for a special two part series to talk about divorce, difficult decisions, and how to ensure your children remain healthy and happy.

Key Moments:

02:30 What led to Kate's inspiration to help other women navigate divorce.

05:00 How Kate decided divorce was right for her and what led to the ultimate decision.

08:11 Finding your inner voice reconnecting to the inner Self.

13:40 Divorce and finances: The fear & stress of what to do and how to manage it.

17:00 Financial abuse.

27:00 Finding happiness within yourself, reconnecting to Self, and rebuilding sense of Self.

28:30 The three components of happiness.

35:00 Clarifying questions to ask yourself when contemplating a divorce.

40:00 Healthy partnerships and relationships.

KATE ANTHONY

Website | The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast | The D-Word Book

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

None

In this insightful episode, Drs. Amelia Kelley and Jeanne embark on a deep dive into the realms of sensitivity, focusing on Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and the unique traits that define them. The conversation extends to the distinctions between HSPs and High Sensation Seekers (HSSs), providing checklists to empower listeners in self-identification.

Key Takeaways:

Introduction
Discussion on Sensitivity and Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
Understanding Sensitivity and Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
The Spectrum of Sensitivity and Mental Health
Differentiating Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and High Sensation Seekers (HSSs)
Exploring the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Checklist
Exploring the High Sensation Seeker (HSS) Checklist
Balancing Sensitivity and High Sensation Seeking
Individual Differences in Sensitivity and High Sensation Seeking
ADHD and High Sensation Seeking
Sensitivity Shaming and Masking
Benefits of Being Highly Sensitive
Understanding and Accepting Emotions
Setting Boundaries and Conflict Resolution

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Drs. Amelia Kelley and Jeanne Retief introduce themselves and express their excitement about starting the podcast. They discuss the importance of trying new things and having a growth mindset. They also encourage listeners to celebrate small victories and focus on the positive aspects of their lives.

They discuss their interest in anxiety and sensitivity and the stigma surrounding these topics. They also explain the reasoning behind choosing the name 'The Sensitivity Doctors' for their podcast.

Key Takeaways

Introduction
How Jeanne and Dr. Amelia Kelley Met
Background and Expertise of Dr. Amelia Kelley
Dr. Amelia Kelley's Journey to Becoming a Psychologist
Interest in Anxiety and Sensitivity
The Stigma Around Sensitivity and Anxiety
Choosing the Name 'The Sensitivity Doctors'
Expertise and Personal Experience with being and HSP and anxiety related issues
Topics to be Covered in the Podcast
Celebrating Small Victories

Episode Links

Dr. Amelia Kelley: Books | Website | Instagram

Dr. Jeanne Retief: Shop FIGGI Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Welcome to the Sensitivity Doctors Podcast. Here we explore everything from overcoming anxiety to living in a world not always designed for our sensitive wiring. Whether its navigating business, parenthood, overcoming trauma, or getting what you want out of your relationships - we invite you to this empowering journey of self-empowerment and growth.Hosted by fellow highly sensitive persons Drs. Amelia Kelley & Jeanne Retief.Dr. Amelia Kelly is a trauma-informed therapist, author, podcaster and researcher. Her specialties include: Art therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and Brainspotting. Her work focuses on women’s issues, empowering survivors of abuse and relationship trauma, Highly Sensitive Persons, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD. Dr. Jeanne Retief is the CEO & Founder of FIGGI Life & Beauty. She is an anxious overachiever with panic disorder, author of the FIGGI blog, and creator of FIGGI skincare for sensitive souls.EPISODE LINKSDr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog |Instagram | LinkedInDr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

The FIGGI Life Podcast is joining forces with Dr. Amelia Kelley. You may recognize her as a previous guest on the show? The My FIGGI Life Podcast will soon be:

The Sensitivity Doctors Podcast with Drs. Jeanne & Kelley.

Find out what led to this incredible collaboration and what we have in store for you.

Episode Links:

hello@figgibeauty.com | Shop Figgi Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

Dr. Amelia Kelley: Books | Website | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Amelia Kelley and Jeanne delve into the topic of imposter syndrome in business and how it can affect negotiations and decision-making. They provide practical advice on how to prepare for a business meeting and set boundaries.

Takeaways

Imposter syndrome can affect decision-making in business situations.
Prepare for business meetings by setting clear goals and practicing your message.
No is a complete sentence and does not require justification.
Preparing for a Business Meeting
Setting Boundaries in Business
Coming Down from a Stressful Meeting

Dr. Amelia Kelley Links

Website / Book - Gaslighting Recovery for Women / Instagram

Jeanne Retief

Shop FIGGI Beauty / Blog / Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Abby Waldman discusses various aesthetic treatments for sensitive skin, including V-beam Perfecta, fractional laser, and BBL (broadband light). These treatments target redness, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. In this conversation, Dr. Abby highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to skincare, comparing it to health and fitness. She explains that just as a good diet and exercise can be improved with weight training or cardio, skincare can benefit from additional procedures.

Takeaways

Aesthetic treatments such as V-beam Perfecta, fractional laser, and BBL can effectively target redness, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation in sensitive skin.
Sun protection is crucial before and after these treatments to prevent complications and ensure optimal results.
Pain and downtime vary for each treatment, but they are generally well-tolerated.
It is important to choose a qualified and experienced provider for these treatments to ensure safety and effectiveness.
The necessity of these treatments depends on individual preferences and goals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:58 Importance of Sun Protection

02:17 V-beam Perfecta

06:01 Pain and Downtime of V-beam Perfecta

10:20 Fractional Laser

13:46 Pain and Downtime of Fractional Laser

19:01 Microneedling vs. Laser

22:03 BBL (Broadband Light)

23:30 How BBL Works

25:39 Choosing the Right Treatment Provider

31:08 Considerations for Medications and Health Conditions

32:46 Safety of IPL/BBL

37:46 Do You Need Aesthetic Treatments?

39:06 The Basics of Skincare

40:17 Skincare Requires a Comprehensive Approach

41:12 Where to Find Dr. Abby

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Dr. Abigail Waldman: TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Website

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Amelia Kelley and Jeanne discuss complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and its distinction from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They explore the symptoms and prevalence of CPTSD and discuss the concept of neurodiversity in relation to trauma. Finally, they highlight various treatment options for PTSD and CPTSD, emphasizing the importance of psychoeducation and safe relationships in the healing process. In this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley discusses the importance of finding the right therapist for individuals with PTSD and CPTSD. She emphasizes the need for trust and a trauma-focused approach in therapy. The conversation then shifts to the use of medication in the treatment of PTSD and CPTSD, highlighting that while medication may be used to manage symptoms, it does not directly treat the conditions. The episode explores various treatment options for PTSD and CPTSD, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, and brain spotting. The importance of finding the right treatment that suits an individual's needs is emphasized. Finally, Dr. Kelley emphasizes that while PTSD and CPTSD can be managed, it is important to understand that triggers and symptoms may still arise, and self-compassion and the use of coping tools are essential in navigating these challenges.

Takeaways

CPTSD is a form of trauma that arises from repeated interpersonal trauma.
Recognize the symptoms of CPTSD in yourself and others, such as hypervigilance, avoidance, and mistrust.
Neurodiversity encompasses a range of brain functioning differences, including those related to trauma.
Treatment options for PTSD and CPTSD include EMDR, brain spotting, and trauma-focused CBT.
Psychoeducation and safe relationships are crucial in the treatment of trauma.

Dr. Amelia Kelley Links

Website / Book - Gaslighting Recovery for Women / Instagram

Jeanne Retief

Shop FIGGI Beauty / Blog / Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

In this episode, Jeanne and Laura Mack discuss the impact of limiting beliefs and how they can hold us back in various aspects of our lives. They explore the origins of limiting beliefs and the role of societal and personal experiences in shaping them. The conversation delves into the specific limiting belief about money and the challenges it presents in pursuing financial success. Laura provides insights on how to overcome these beliefs and develop a positive mindset. They also discuss the importance of setting boundaries, identifying the voice of limiting beliefs, and taking small steps towards achieving goals. The episode concludes with information on how to connect with Laura Mack for further guidance and support.

Takeaways

Limiting beliefs can have a significant impact on our personal and professional lives, holding us back from reaching our full potential.
Limiting beliefs are often shaped by our experiences, upbringing, and societal influences.
Overcoming limiting beliefs requires recognizing and challenging the negative self-talk, reframing our mindset, and setting goals to achieve a desired future.
Taking small steps and celebrating past successes can help build confidence and strength in overcoming limiting beliefs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:33 The Impact of Limiting Beliefs

02:17 Understanding Limiting Beliefs

04:22 The Origins of Limiting Beliefs

05:59 The Limiting Belief About Money

07:24 Overcoming the Money Limiting Belief

09:24 The Conflict Between Desire and Limiting Beliefs

10:37 Identifying the Voice of Limiting Beliefs

11:38 Taming the Gremlin

12:30 Visualizing the Desired Future

14:51 Achieving Peace and Security

16:12 Overcoming Fear and Worry

17:30 Giving Back and Setting Boundaries

18:48 Responding to the Gremlin

20:15 Building Confidence and Strength

21:56 Taking Small Steps Towards Goals

26:48 Identifying and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

31:00 Reflecting on Past Successes

32:06 Breaking Goals into Actionable Steps

33:01 The Importance of Small Changes

34:26 Finding Laura Mack

35:29 Closing Remarks

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop | Pinterest

Laura Mack: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

[DISCLAIMER: There may be triggers for some listeners in this episode. Difficult concepts of intimate partner abuse and parental neglect are discussed in this episode. Please listen responsibly.]

Mimi Tallo (author of Raised by Wolves, Trapped by Demons) joins Jeanne to talk about her difficult upbringing filled with loss and abandonment and how this led to her later challenges in life. She talks about her experiences in choosing the wrong relationships, abusive partners and her eventual journey to sobriety and victory over the past.

Episode Key Moments:
00:00 Introduction

02:00 The beginning: Growing up in a difficult house.

08:00 Escaping the parental home through marriage - The pitfalls of "escape."

12:15 Mimi's second marriage and the persisting challenges of her upbringing and how this played into her future decisions.

15:15 A blast from the past.

19:30 The breaking point.

21:00 How Mimi acknowledged her problem with alcohol and started her journey to sobriety.

23:45 The good that comes after the storm - Where is Mimi now and where to reach out to her.

26:00 Conclusion

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Mimi Tallo: Podcast | Book: Raised by Wolves Trapped by Demons | YouTube

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

[DISCLAIMER: This may not be for sensitive listeners and there may be trigger points for certain listeners dealing. Please listen responsibly.]

Katie Godfrey, left school at the age of 13 without any qualifications due to being severely bullied. So much so, she tried to end her life. Today she is the owner of multiple successful business, a franchise and the recipient of over 18 awards in her business category. She is here to tell us her story and how she found strength in the most unlikeliest of ways.

Episode Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction

03:30 Why Katie left school at 13 and the background to her history with severe bullying.

06:24 Katie's relationship with education.

09:12 Katie's attempts on her life and how she rose from the ashes.

11:41 How did modelling serve to build up Katie's confidence and put her on the path to building her career?

14:35 How did Katie get started with her first business at the age of 15?

16:56 Anxieties Katie had to deal with in opening her first business and navigating the business team environment.

18:00 How did Katie teach herself to be more comfortable amongst a group of women despite her bullying history?

19:39 The smartest business decision Katie ever made.

20:41 How did Katie finance her businesses? What financial start-up advice does she have for other prospective business owners?

26:03 Where to find Katie.

27:00 Conclusion

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop
Katie Godfrey: Instagram | Podcast | Website | Katie Goal Planner

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Jeanne takes us deep into the heart of her limiting beliefs. She questions the idea of having wants, needs and desires and how this plays into what we have been taught by society to strive for. She talks about her goals for FIGGI and her struggles in believing she deserves to set high goals and even greater dreams. A short episode about questions we've all asked ourselves, ideas we've all wondered about, and walking through the noise to the other side.

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

[DISCLAIMER: This episode may contain some triggers for certain listeners. Please reach out for help if needed. Follow the guidelines in the episode or reach out to your local help centres.]

Tanya-Mari Dube (show host, motivational speaker, published author, and online educator), joins Jeanne today to talk about the challenges of being raised by a narcissistic mother. She details her experiences in the foster care system, how the narcissistic abuse shaped her romantic relationships and the healing programme she offers to others like her. An episode not to miss!

Episode Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction

03:30 Background to Tanya-Marie's early childhood and journey in the Foster care system.

06:42 How did Tanya-Marie realize that she had been raised by a narcissistic mother and had suffered narcissistic abuse?

10:22 Gaslighting, rewriting history and harsh criticisms from the narcissistic abuser.

13:00 Where did the anger go once Tanya-Marie's mother passed away?

17:26 How did her experiences with a narcissistic mother impact Tanya-Marie's parenting?

20:18 Controlling your anger issues as a survivor of narcissistic abuse.

23:30 The fear of having kids and not being able to be a good mother.

28:04 What is RISE and how does it help survivors of narcissistic abuse?

35:00 How to know if you are dealing with a narcissist or narcissistic abuse?

40:00 Where to find Tanya-Marie.

41:00 Conclusion

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Tanya-Marie Dube: Linktree | Facebook | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

[DISCLAIMER] This is not for sensitive audiences, or those who may experience triggers. Please listen responsibly.

Jeanne finally talks about the prolonged sexual abuse she suffered from her grandfather, who lived on the family property. She takes us inside her journey, what is was like to continue living with her abuser, the impact it still has on her life, how it impacts her parenting, and why she is speaking about this now.

Episode Key Moments

00:00 Intro

03:00 Why this episode is being released now?

04:50 What was the history and background that led to the "perfect predator opportunity"

06:18 Jeanne's relationship with her grandfather explained.

07:28 The day it all changed.

10:00 Why the abuse continued.

11:20 How this impacted Jeanne's childhood and relationships with her peers.

14:08 How it starting impacting Jeanne's extra mural achievements and personality.

18:30 The day Jeanne "told"

22:00 Jeanne's final words and moments with her grandfather

24:00 How her abuse impacted her first romantic encounter.

25:30 Jeanne's difficulties post-partum and in raising her daughter.

27:00 Conclusion

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Episode Links: Dr. Dana Anderson Episode

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

This episode was graciously gifted to us by the Provoking Prosperity Podcast. Jeanne recently appeared on Miranda Mitchell's podcast to learn more about human design. During this episode, Jeanne's personal human design chart was dissected and discussed in detail.

Thank you to the Provoking Prosperity Podcast for sharing this episode with us!

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Miranda Mitchell: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Podcast

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Jeanne talks about the most significant things she's changed in her skincare in the past ten years. She shares new information she's discovered about her skin types, ingredients that work for her, and changes she made in her routine.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction

02:50 What I wish I knew about skincare in my 20s.

04:30 First big change Jeanne made - Makeup removing routine and products.

08:13 Second big change - What Jeanne learned about antiaging products and her sensitive skin.

14:30 Third big change - Essential oils.

18:00 Conclusion

Episode Links

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Episode Resources: Double Cleanse Blog Post | Double Cleanse Podcast Ep

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Dr. Natalia Spierings, UK trained, GMC registered Consultant Dermatologist & fellowship-trained skin cancer surgeon, joins the podcast to talk about the fear mongering behind Petroleum Jelly. Jeanne and Dr. Spierings do a deep dive into the origins of petroleum jelly, the common myths surrounding it and answer the ultimate question: Is it safe to use?

Key Moments

00:00 Is petrolatum, Vaseline, petroleum jelly and mineral oil all the same?

04:30 How does petroleum jelly work? Why is it so good for the skin?

06:00 Scientific evidence supporting the benefits of petroleum jelly as a moisturizer.

07:27 Issues caused with the name, petroleum jelly, and why this scares us.

09:50 Why do we believe that we are actually putting pure crude oil on your skin?

10:37 Are we putting crude oil on our skin if we use petroleum jelly?

13:00 Safety regulations and precautions to ensure the safety of petroleum jelly.

15:15 The high likelihood that we are using petroleum jelly in some form through our skincare.

16:18 Why the replacement options to petroleum jelly are less effective and other issues associated with alternatives.

19:20 What is a carcinogen? Is petroleum jelly a carcinogen?

21:48 Does petroleum jelly cause breakouts and is it comedogenic?

26:00 What is Milia and does petroleum jelly cause it?

28:07 Is it safe to use petroleum jelly?

29:00 Dr. Spierings' book.

29:17 Conclusion

Episode Links

Dr. Natalia Spierings: Website | Book | Instagram

Dr. Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Jeanne, now in her late thirties, takes us on a deep journey through her struggles with self-acceptance, self-love and toxic body image. She gives a raw and honest account of her challenges and how she still walks the path toward self compassion.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction.

01:43 History and background to Jeanne's challenges with Self-Acceptance.

03:23 Using an unhealthy relationship with food as a coping mechanism.

04:10 Having a baby and how this impacted the journey.

05:49 The turning point.

08:07 The biggest obstacles Jeanne faced.

09:00 Jeanne's obsessions with her weight.

10:45 The three core values Jeanne identified and that she TRIES to live by.

11:21 The first core value.

15:33 Value number 2.

18:00 Value number 3.

22:22 Conclusion

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

This is PART 2 of Dr Amelia Kelley's interview. She is an integrative, trauma-informed therapist who talks to Jeanne about Gaslighting recovery for women. They delve into this form of emotional abuse, using Jeanne's history as a foundation, and take the journey toward emotional healing from this trauma.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction.

00:45 The trauma response.

09:15 Difficulties with setting boundaries.

12:58 The thriving techniques and difficulties in the journey of healing.

17:05 What Dr. Kelly recommends we do daily to stay in a good space.

18:30 Where can you find Dr. Kelly

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Amelia Kelly: Website | Book - Gaslighting Recovery for Women | Instagram

Jeanne Retief: Shop FIGGI Beauty | Blog | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

None

Dr Amelia Kelly ( PhD), is an integrative, trauma-informed therapist who talks to Jeanne about Gaslighting recovery for women. They delve into this form of emotional abuse, using Jeanne's history as a foundation, and take the journey toward emotional healing from this trauma.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction

04:30 What is gaslighting and what is it NOT?

07:15 Are gaslighters always motivated by power?

11:12 What is a trauma bond and why do gaslighters create this?

14:00 The 7 types of gaslighting / gaslighters.

22:52 What are the ACE and Trauma Bond question lists features in Dr. Kelly's new book.

27:12 The stages of gaslighting.

34:12 End of PART 1 - Tune in NEXT WEEK

Dr. Amelia Kelly Links

Website / Book - Gaslighting Recovery for Women / Instagram

Jeanne Retief

Shop FIGGI Beauty / Blog / Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

None

Jeanne talks about her recent devastating house fire and how this shifted her view on gratitude. As a proponent of practicing gratitude she was surprised by her new epiphanies that are not within the norm of the usual conversation around it.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction

02:30 What happened on the day of the fire? What caused it?

09:24 The aftermath and assessing the damage.

10:28 On NOT feeling grateful.

11:24 How society has taught us how to offer support and skim over harsh emotions.

12:15 Keeping gratitude in your heart but focus on feeling your feelings.

15:14 Why frustration and feeling anger makes gratitude so much sweeter.

17:30 Conclusion

Dr. Jeanne Retief Links

Shop FIGGI Beauty | Blog | Instagram

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jeanne Retief: About | FIGGI Life & Beauty | Anxiety Blog | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dr. Amelia Kelley: About | Dr. Kelley's Books | Instagram

Danielle Collins, founder of the Danielle Collins Face Yoga Technique, talks to Jeanne about natural anti-aging methods through facial exercises. A scientifically proven method to reduce the signs of aging, without the use of invasive methods.

Key moments in the episode:

00:00 Introduction

02:56 What is Face Yoga?

05:51 Is this going to get rid of my wrinkles? Is there a difference between wrinkles and expression lines?

07:41 Exercises and techniques for forehead wrinkles.

13:23 Can you do Face Yoga if you've had Botox?

14:12 Does Face Yoga have the same effect as Botox?

16:33 Face Yoga exercises for droop eyes, crows feet, and puffy eyes.

19:35 Exercises for lifting the cheeks and reducing wrinkles around the mouth.

22:20 Face Yoga for the neck area: Reducing wrinkles and tightening the skin around the neck and under the chin.

25:02 How is facial massage beneficial for me, and how to do it?

28:55 Acupressure for the face: Why does it work and how to do it?

32:13 Danielle's story and history of illness, why Face Yoga and what led to this?

41:00 Conclusion

Links to Danielle Collins: Website | Book & Skincare | Podcast | Youtube Channel

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Shop | Instagram

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. This is Jeanne's own personal experience. This episode discusses triggers and vulnerable emotional states. Please be aware that this may not be for younger audiences, or sensitive listeners. If you think you are struggling with burnout or other mental and/or emotional difficulties please reach out to your healthcare provide and/or support network.

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Jeanne takes you through her recent journey with burnout. In her own voice she gives a real-time, raw account of what it feels like to be burnt out and suffer from emotional fatigue. This episode is not for sensitive listeners.

Key Moments in the Episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:46 Background to the content in this episode and what led to it.

04:50 Why Jeanne is frustrated with the Self-Help environment in the context of anxiety relapses and/or burnout.

06:22 How the stress of building something new and the entrepreneurial space contributes to this moment.

08:00 A description of how Jeanne feels in this moment and the symptoms thereof.

11:20 What led to this relapse?

12:30 The loss of Jeanne's identity and coming to terms with what her life looked like post her human right career.

21:15 How life happens and how this affects your journey.

30:30 Dealing with feelings of shame, guilt and self-criticism.

30:48 Conclusion

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Jeanne talks about skincare preservatives and addresses the fears created around this by the social conversation. She specifically talks about natural skincare products and the natural preservatives that come with it. Is it safe? Are preservatives in skincare dangerous for your health? Is it really necessary?

Key Moments In Episode:

00:00 Introduction

02:55 Micro-organisms in your skincare: What are they, how do they grow and multiply?

05:00 Microorganisms and water.

06:04 How Ph affects the growth of micro-organisms

08:25 Oxygen and micro-organisms

09:10 Introducing bacteria into our skincare products.

09:57 How temperature humidity, sunlight and oxygen contribute to micro-organisms growth.

11:40 Why do we fear preservatives? Why use these when we can use natural preservatives?

14:40 Skincare packaging and how this determines the type of preservative needed.

19:30 What types of micro-organisms can grow in your skincare?

19:48 So, do you need preservatives in your skincare?

20:45 Conclusion

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Part 2 of our riveting conversation with Chelsey Brooke Cole, licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker, and coach specializing in narcissistic abuse joins Jeanne to talk about recognizing narcissists, setting boundaries and dealing with gas lighting. Jeanne shares her own experiences as guide through the episode.

Key moments in the episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Doubting your reality and how this affects you later in life: How to help yourself out of this situation?

04:43 What if you are indebted to the narcissist i.e. favors they did for you, they supported you through a tough time etc.?

06:47 How to deal with boundary setting and the narcissist pulling you back into their web.

13:07 The after effects of narcissistic abuse: How to heal from your past traumas, deal with triggers, and develop self-love.

17:27 Is it possible to set boundaries with a narcissist?

19:55 When is it acceptable to break off the relationship with a narcissist?

22:22 Chelsey's book. If Only I'd Known: How To Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries & Create Unshakable Self-Worth.

24:45 Where to but the book and how to book and appointment with Chesley.

25:50 What Chelsey does on the daily to live her best life.

26:33 Conslusion

Links for the Episode

Chelsey Brooke Cole: Website | Book Appointment | Instagram | Facebook | Book

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Chelsey Brooke Cole, licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker, and coach specializing in narcissistic abuse joins Jeanne to talk about recognizing narcissists, setting boundaries and dealing with gas lighting. Jeanne shares her own experiences as guide through the episode.

Key moments in the episode:

00:00 Introduction

02:14 What is a narcissist?

05:11 Is narcissism a diagnosable personality trait?

08:20 Types of narcissists and scales of narcissism.

12:30 Are the words "narcissist" and "gas lighting" overused in our society?

14:40 Emotional manipulation and gas lighting perpetrated by a narcissist.

18:50 What can we do to not doubt your reality, recognizing your being gas lit and that you are dealing with a narcissist?

21:30 The dangers of defending yourself against a narcissist

21:45 End of Part 1

Links for the Episode

Chelsey Brooke Cole: Website | Book Appointment | Instagram | Facebook | Book

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jeanne explores the world of skincare for kids 12 years and under. Acknowledging that this was a difficult space for her to navigate as a mom and that there isn't a ton of advice for parents out there. Her advice may surprise you as she walks us through her 5 year-old's facial skincare routine, bath time and sun safety tips.

Key Moments in Episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:49 Why children need a skincare routine? Do they need a facial skincare routine?

03:07 Environmental elements that affect our kids' skincare.

04:30 Jeanne's opinion on skincare for kids available on the market.

05:45 The evening routine: Bath time, facial care, and body care.

14:16 Special rituals during the week: Extra TLC for the problem areas.

15:15 How to look after your children's skin on pool days.

16:50 Jeanne's ultimate suncare tips for beach, pool and Summer days.

20:44 Conclusion

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Eileen March,a CAN certified life coach, energy coach, healer, and cyclical living guide talks to Jeanne about more than just setting boundaries. Using Jeanne's own experience as reference to the episode they explore the difficulty in re-enforcing boundaries and making hard decisions about who deserves space in your life.

Key Moments in the Episode:

00:00 Introduction.

02:00 The over-use of advice toward "setting boundaries."

03:30 How did Eileen decide to dedicate her life to helping others with boundaries?

07:40 Do we really still lack boundaries?

09:40 What are the different types of boundaries?

12:30 Emotional boundaries and narcissistic people.

14:21 How to set a boundary, why you use a preface and how to use a preface?

16:14 Other boundaries: Material, financial, conversational, mental, and physical boundaries.

18:40 How do you keep re-enforcing boundaries if the initial setting of the boundary was so difficult and emotionally taxing?

25:05 Experiencing verbal abuse when setting boundaries.

28:30 Experiencing gas-lighting while stating the preface to your boundary.

35:05 Setting boundaries when you cannot set physical boundaries or when you live with the person?

37:20 Eileen's daily wellness tip and where to find Eileen.

39:15 Conclusion

Links

Eileen March: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Work With Eileen

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jeanne responds to all your frequently asked questions about FIGGI, FIGGI Beauty Skincare and her life!

Key moments in the episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:33 Are the FIGGI skincare products cruelty-free?

04:14 Why is it important that the FIGGI skincare line is essential-oil free?

06:33 Why is it important the FIGGI skincare does not contain fruit or exotic plant extracts?

08:42 Why is there Rooibos in all the FIGGI skincare products and what is it?

11:14 Are FIGGI beauty products vegan?

11:26 Are the FIGGI beauty products free of artificial colourtants?

12:10 Why does the FIGGI Antioxidant Enriched Day Cream not contain SPF?

16:14 Why did Jeanne go from human rights to skincare - how did this happen?

17:08 Are there more FIGGI products in the works?

17:48 Conclusion

Links to episodes mentioned:

Rooibos Skin And Health Superstar with Dr. Mariska Lilly

The Birth of FIGGI - How Jeanne went from human rights to skincare.

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Gina Cavalier, the Liberated Healer, joins Jeanne and explains everything you need to know about your chakras. How these energy centers work and how we can use it to balance our interaction with the world around us.

Key moments in the episode:

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Who is Gina Cavalier, the Liberated Healer?

04:45 What is a chakra?

08:35 What are the different types of chakras and what energy is each on related to?

08:45 The root chakra.

11:30 The sacral chakra.

13:45 Solar plexus chakra.

19:40 Heart chakra.

24:12 Throat chakra.

26:48 Third eye chakra.

31:52 Crown chakra.

32:47 How do we know we need to balance our chakras and how often should we be doing it?

34:55 What is "running your energy" and how do we do it?

37:40 How to reach Gina?

38:00 Conclusion

Links mentioned in the episode

Gina Cavlier: Website | The Liberated Healer Podcast | 20 minute energy meditation | Chakra Chart | YouTube

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jeanne speaks about all the symptoms and additional struggles brought about by an anxiety disorder. She explains that Panic Disorder is not just "someone who has panic attacks", and anxiety is much more than "someone who cannot handle stress well" or is "easily stressed." This is what an anxiety disorder REALLY looks like.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Personal journey with the Panic Disorder diagnosis

01:56 Misconceptions related to the diagnosis of the anxiety disorder

06:00 Difference between stress and anxiety disorders - Good vs bad stress

08:40 What an anxiety disorder feels like

10:15 Differences between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder

10:45 My panic attack triggers / what happens to me when I am having a panic attack

12:55 Other sensations that come with a panic attack

14:20 How my panic disorder affects my daily life - What happens after the panic attack or on a daily basis?

16:20 Migraines

18:32 Hypochondria

21:08 Digestive issues

22:50 Skin reactions and sensitivity

24:40 Insomnia

27:53 Fears that you start to develop

31:06 Anti-social behavior or seclusion

33:20 Relapses

33:55 The change that made the biggest impact on my healing journey

34:24 Conclusion

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Dr. Bindiya Gandhi, a double board certified Integrative Medicine / Functional Medicine Physician and Forbes Health Advisory Board Member, joins Jeanne today. They talk about the confusing world of vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Dr. Ghandi clears up the confusion around taking supplements and talks to us about calcium, vitamin D, evening primrose oil and tumeric.

00:00 Introduction.

02:00 The overcrowded supplement space and why its so confusing to understand if you should or should not take a supplement.

02:30 Is it true that vitamins are just expensive urine? Do we really need supplements?

04:25 How do I know what my body needs, or does not need? Do I even have a deficiency?

08:17 What is the difference between food supplements, vitamins and minerals?

10:45 Are there certain vitamins and minerals that you cannot get enough of in your diet?

12:25 Interactions between your supplements and other medications you take.

12:53 What is evening primrose oil and how can it help you? Are there precautions to taking it?

15:05 What is endometriosis?

18:00 Should we be taking calcium after a certain age, when we breastfeed or after having kids?

21:20 What are the different forms of calcium and do the different forms have different side-effects, like constipation?

22:50 Do you have to take calcium with Vitamin D? Is Vitamin D really a hormone?

27:00 Why is tumeric/curcumin a good supplement to take? Is it for everyone?

30:15 What are good and reliable vitamin brands?

33:24 One thing Dr. Gandhi does on the daily to live her best life.

34:09 Where to find Dr. Gandhi and how to make an appointment with her.

35:45 Conclusion

Dr. Bindiya Gandhi: Website | Instagram | Reset Renew Revive with Dr. Bindiya Gandhi

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jeanne answers your most pressing questions about common skincare myths. She also explains the reasoning behind her answers and offers some great additional tips and suggestions.

00:00 - Introduction.

00:58 - Myth 1: Are natural skincare ingredients better than synthetic? Jeanne explains what occurs in natural ingredients and how these can influence our skin routine.

07:29 - Myth 2: Is hyaluronic acid the holy grail for hydration? The answer may surprise you!

09:43 - Myth 3: We have to be extremely gentle with our skin and only was with our fingertips.

10:37 - Myth 4: Sunscreen blocks vitamin D.

12:24 - Myth 5: You have to remove dead surface skin.

14:14 - Myth 6: The body can handle different and/or harsher skincare practices than the face, neck and chest.

16:06 - Myth 7: We cleanse our skin to free or clear it from bacteria.

18:27 - Myth 8: Sleep does not affect your skin.

19:08 - Conclusion

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Dr. Mitzi Krockover, board certified internist and host of Beyond the Paper Gown Podcast, joins Jeanne today. They talk about 3 women's health risks that we do not talk about enough: Cardio vascular disease, bone health, and internal medicine for women. Dr. Krockover explains that we are more than just our reproductive health or "bikini medicine", there are other health factors we need to be aware of, and know how to navigate.

Episode Key Moments:

[00:20] Introduction

[03:02] Why don't we talk about bone health enough and why is it important?

[05:40] Bone health, pregnancy, breastfeeding and post-breastfeeding.

[06:59] Must you take vitamin D with calcium? What does vitamin D do?

[08:23] Tests for bone health: When to do them, how to intervene with osteoporosis.

[09:53] Cardio vascular disease in women: Why is it important? Why do we need to talk about it more?

[14:15] What specific episodes or diseases are we talking about when we talk about cardiovascular disease in women?

[16:33] Signs of cardio vascular problem: What symptoms and signs should we be aware of?

[21:18] Internal medicine issues for women and why we don't talk about it enough?

[25:14] What an internist does and what diseases they are focused on.

[26:57] What Dr. Krockover does on the daily to live her best life.

[27:23] Beyond the Paper Gown Podcast, and where to find Dr. Krocover.

Guest Details:

Dr. Mitzi Krockover: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Beyond the Paper Gown Podcast

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Avery Thatcher, registered nurse and burnout specialist, takes us on a journey of finding yourself again after burnout. She openly shares her own story and how she grieved the loss of Heather in favour or becoming Avery. We learn about the body's stress responses, the warning signs of burnout, how to seek help, and how to find middle ground.

Episode Key Moments:

[00:00] Introduction

[03:55] What is burnout? What are the different stages of burnout?

[07:18] How our environments and lives contribute to burnout.

[08:36] The four types of burnout.

[09:38] Avery's story and how she bid farewell to Heather.

[16:54] The moment that helped Avery accept her diagnosis.

[20:00] What are the symptoms of burnout?

[23:54] Burnout and a short fuse - Noticing a shorter temper.

[25:44] Can you heal from burnout and what does help look like?

[30:00] Who are the right people to help you and how to find them?

[32:00] The difference between an anxiety disorder and burnout.

[33:20] What about people that are not normally stressed - can they experience burnout?

[35:26] What Avery does on the daily to live her best life.

[36:26] Where to find Avery.

Guest Details:

Avery Thatcher: Website | The Flow State App | Instagram

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jeanne talks explains what double cleansing is, how it works, what it does, and why it is a skincare game changer. She explains the uniqueness of the FIGGI Beauty Double Cleanse Duo and how double cleansing has changed her skin. Get ready for some chemistry lessons.

Episode Key Moments:

[00:00] Introduction

[00:45] Why you need a beautifully clean skin and Jeanne's golden skincare rule.

[03:27] Why is there so much confusing advice on cleansing? How do we navigate this with sensitive skin?

[05:40] What is double cleansing? How does it work?

[07:53] Why do I need two separate cleansers? Why can't I use the same cleanser twice?

[09:37] How do we double cleanse?

[13:06] Why is the FIGGI Beauty Double Cleanse Duo unique?

[15:03] What has double cleansing done for Jeanne's dry and sensitive skin?

[16:07] Conclusion.

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jennifer Abbatiello is the founder of Your Transformed Family and a Certified Parent Coach. She is a mom, wife, cancer survivor, recovering perfectionist, and dominant parent. She is dedicated to helping parents feel calm, confident, and connected to their kids. Her methods come from real-life, hands on experience and today she shares this wisdom with the FIGGI community.

Episode Key Moments:

[00:20] Introduction

[02:50] Extra stressors in modern parenting and the overwhelming how-to advice that adds to the pressure.

[03:47] The anxiety and stressors placed on our children and how this affects their emotional wellbeing.

[05:28] Why Jenn chose this path and what was her breaking point that led her on this path of coaching parents.

[11:43] Parenting within our unique situations like mental illnesses and high-stress jobs.

[17:35] Should we be honest with our kids about how we are feeling?

[19:52] How to discipline our kids without making them anxious about what they did wrong.

[25:28] How to see discipline through when you're ready to give up.

[26:37] How to raise healthily balanced children when we can't always lead by example.

[31:00] Get in touch with Jenn.

Guest Details:

Jennifer Abbatiello: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Book A Call with Jenn

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jeanne makes it clear in this episode that there are lessons to be learnt from both good and bad bosses. She speaks against the notion that there is nothing to be learnt from bad bosses. Jeanne acknowledges that we’ve all had the horrible boss that broke our souls and traumatized us emotionally. Not all leaders are made equal. However, we do learn from them all. Whether this experience was positive or negative, they did, in fact, shape us in some way.

Jeanne has been in the entrepreneurial space for over a decade, and she still holds true to these valuable lessons she learned from the leaders that shaped her into the businesswoman she is today. Not all of these experiences were positive fairy tales, and she had many days when she came home crying and dreading the fact that she needed to go back to “that place” tomorrow. However, she's learned from this. Some of these lessons were extremely hard, but this did not make them any less effective.

Here are the 5 most significant lessons she's learned from previous bosses and other leaders, good and bad, who she worked for and with in her career.

Links and Information

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Blog | My FIGGI Life Podcast | Instagram

Blog post: 5 Leadership Lessons I Learned From Previous Bosses

Jeanne is joined by Angie Gallagher, registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist and certified Functional Medicine Wellness Coach. They explore the dogma around dieting, the influence of social media on our eating habits and the confusing messages about what we should be eating and what we should be avoiding.

Angie explains that intuitive eating is the most important concept we can incorporate into our diets. She also stresses the importance of consuming all our food groups and maintaining a healthy moderation in all things. Angie shares her takes on the Keto diet and cutting out food groups from our diets.

She explains what we should be avoiding in our diets and why, while still stressing that a balanced diets with different food sources remains key.

Links and Follows

Angie Gallagher: Coaching Programme | Website | Instagram | TikTok

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Podcast | My FIGGI Life Blog | Instagram | Facebook

Jeanne takes us on a journey to understand the labels on your skincare products. She breaks down what antioxidants are and why we need them. She talks about the key sentences and words often associated with antioxidants and that usually appear on your skincare packaging.

This entails an explanation of free radicals (what they are and why they are harmful to our skin), environmental stressors, and what on earth it means when skincare products are dubbed free radical scavengers.

She also explains why the FIGGI Nurture the Goddess Antioxidant Enriched Day Cream contains unique antioxidants and how this can help increase or boost the efficacy of your SPF.

Jeanne shares her favourite antioxidant ingredients.

Links to use:

Dr. Mariska Lilly Podcast Episode: Rooibos Skin & Health Superstar

Blog Post on Rooibos Benefits

FIGGI Nurture the Goddess Antioxidant Enriched Day Cream

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Skincare Shop | Instagram

Jeanne is joined by Hilke Oskam, a certified yoga teacher and coach. They explore the benefits of yoga and talk about the common misconceptions we have about practicing yoga. Hilke explains that yoga is for everyone and that there are different styles with different benefits.

Hilke goes into detail about Hatha, Nidra and Yin styles of yoga and talks about the benefits this can have on stress and anxiety. Jeanne also explains how she integrates yoga into her routine.

Links and Follows:

Hilke Oskam: Instagram

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Blog | My FIGGI Life Podcast | Instagram | Facebook

Blog Post: Meditation For Overthinkers Like Me

Jeanne is not religious. This is not a fad statement she shares to illicit attention, and it’s not an admonishment with a caveat that will lead to her to confessing that she is “secretly religious.” It is just plain facts. In this episode she asks the question: Does that change your opinion of her, and if it does, why?

She explores key questions, asking whether her spiritual beliefs makes her lesser than others, a bad mother, a lousy wife, or a bad friend? Does it take away from her life’s journey, her highs and lows, her joys and sorrows?

Join Jeanne as she gives a view into her spiritual life, not in an effort to explain how she indulges in her spirituality, to defend it, or to convince you to see things her way. It’s more of an ode to others like her who may feel the same and are all too familiar with being the lonely oasis in the desert, surrounded by perfect believers. Those who know what it feels like to be secretly (and sometimes not-so-secretly) judged for their lack of religion.

Links and Information:

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Blog | My FIGGI Life Podcast | Instagram

Cheryl Hazen (RN), a certified aesthetic nurse with 12 years experience in aesthetic lasers, injectables, and skin care joins Jeanne to talk about sensitive skincare. Cheryl explains sensitive vs sensitized skin, how to identify sensitive skin, and how to look after your sensitive host.

Cheryl gives tips on a good sensitive skincare routine, do's and don'ts, and the importance of a healthy skin barrier. She explains how to identify a damaged skin barrier and steps to take to heal it. She delves further into other skincare favorites like exfoliation, skincare influencers, and lifestyle. She gives a unique and insightful view into sensitive skincare.

Links and Information:

Cheryl Hazen RN: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Renu Med Spa

Jeanne Retief: FIGGI Beauty Shop | My FIGGI Life Blog | My FIGGI Life Podcast | Instagram

Podcast Episode: Did my skincare stop working?

FIGGI Sensi-Soul Regimen for dry, sensitive skin

Jeanne has dry, sensitive skin which makes choosing the right skincare products difficult. But when her skin throws a temper tantrum, is it necessarily time for a change in skincare products? Jeanne reveals the five things that have put her skin in a better space. These daily changes also gave her better results from her skincare.

Jeanne explains step-by-step what she does when her skin is going through a sensitivity flare up. These are not the usual tips and pointers. Tune in!

Links and Information:

Benefits of Rooibos

FIGGI Sensi-Soul Regimen for dry, sensitive skin

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Instagram | FIGGI Beauty Shop

Dr. Debra Muth is a certified naturopathic doctor with more than 20 years' experience in functional medicine and specialises in women's health and hormones. Dr. Deb talks to Jeanne about her unique journey how embracing her feminine energy enriched her life.

Jeanne asks Dr. Deb your burning questions on turning 40. Together the explore hormonal changes that occur during this time, changes in our bodies, emotions and sleeping patterns. Dr. Deb also explains perimenopause and what the signs are that can indicate a start to this.

Jeanne, as many women in their late thirties have burning questions about what they can expect from their bodies in the next decade and Dr. Deb empathically and expertly explains all we need to know.

For more information:

Dr. Debra Muth: Podcast | Instagram | Serenity Health Centre | Facebook

Jeanne Retief: Blog | Podcast | Shop FIGGI Skincare

Jeanne recently posted an open letter to Narcissists on her blog. If you've ever dealt with a Narcissist in your life, then you know the absolute emotional devastation that this can bring to you. This is intensified when you are perhaps already a person that is afraid of conflict, that prefers to avoid it, and also when you come from a background where you weren't equipped to deal with your emotions properly and you weren't equipped to understand the power of your own strength. So you probably have really bad boundaries.

And like Jeanne, you probably keep finding yourself in situations where you're making friends with the wrong people, you're entering the wrong types of relationships, you're attracting the wrong types of relationships. Each time of course you think it's completely different. And then when it eventually implodes, it's so clear. All of the similarities become so clear. It has been a really difficult thing for Jeanne to deal with the Narcissists in her life, because it usually starts from a young age, and it's usually somebody close to you that acts this way.

Jeanne explores the emotional impact narcissists have had on her life, the consequences of gaslighting, and the power of finding her silent strength.

Follow Jeanne on Instagram

Subscribe to the FIGGI Life.

Shop the FIGGI Sensi-Soul Skincare Regimen for dry and sensitive skin.

Ashley Kumar, physical therapist and breathing specialist, joins Jeanne for this interesting conversation. We often think breathing is the most natural thing in the world so it must be impossible to do it wrong, right? Ashely enlightens us on how ill-equipped we are to breathe correctly and the serious consequences this has on our long-term health.

She also speaks to Jeanne about her panic disorder and how breathing techniques can help with panic attacks. One of the most significant steps in Jeanne's recovery journey was "belly-breathing." Ashley explains why this concept has been miscommunicated to patients and why we should really be practicing diaphragmatic breathing. She explains what this is, how to do it, and what the benefits are of doing it.

Ashley shares various breathing techniques and concepts in this episode with a step-by-step explanation.

EPISODE LINKS:

Ashley Kumar: Instagram

Follow FIGGI on Instagram.

Shop now! The FIGGI Beauty Sensi-Soul Skincare Regimen for dry and sensitive skin is on sale now.

Subscribe to the FIGGI newsletter for the latest blog posts, podcast episodes and FIGGI Beauty News.

Jeanne speaks to Melissa Trumble, from Zero F*cks Given Living. Melissa had a severely difficult upbringing that shaped her life and her decisions in many ways. She candidly speaks about her history of bad ideas with her signature humour and straight-talking approach.

We learn how to deal with the curve balls live gives us, that we all make sometimes gruesome mistakes, and how this can lead to a fulfilling and emotionally liberated life.

EPISODE LINKS:

Melissa Trumble: Website | The Big Book of Bad Ideas | Instagram

Follow FIGGI on Instagram.

Shop now! The FIGGI Beauty Sensi-Soul Skincare Regimen for dry and sensitive skin is on sale now.

Subscribe to the FIGGI newsletter for the latest blog posts, podcast episodes and FIGGI Beauty News.

Jeanne breaks open the definition of success, as we tend to see it, and explores if there are other ways of defining it. She is joined by Adi Mazor Kario, a tech power woman, to talk about what we as women define success to be. Adi gives us a few pointers on how she sees success and what has shaped her ideas of it.

Adi presents an honest picture of what it means to be a high-achieving woman in the tech industry, how that coincides with her duties as a mom, and how her view of success has changed.

EPISODE LINKS:

Adi Mazor Kario: Website | LinkedIn | Podcast

Shop the FIGGI Beauty Sensi-Soul Regimen now.

Subscribe to the FIGGI newsletter for the latest blog posts, podcast episodes and FIGGI Beauty news.

Follow us on Instagram.

Dr, Dana Anderson joins Jeanne on the podcast today. For the first time, Jeanne shares some of the childhood sexual abuse history and how this has affected her life. and her parenting style.

They discuss the reasons why children are so vulnerable to this type of abuse and Dr. Anderson educates us on the warning signs we can look out for. Importantly, Dr. Anderson shares that we need to change our mindset about who the perpetrators of these crimes are, since it is most often trusted relatives, or loved ones.

Dr. Anderson shares support and parenting tips to helps victims, survivors, and parents.

EPISODE LINKS:

Dr. Dana Anderson: Website | Instagram | TikTok

My FIGGI Life Episode Referrals: What Is Panic Disorder? How To Support A Loved One With Panic Disorder.

Shop FIGGI Beauty now. FIGGI Sensi-Soul Regimen for dry and sensitive skin is on sale in the US now.

Subscribe to the FIGGI newsletter to receive the latest blog posts, podcast episodes and FIGGI Beauty news.

Follow us on Instagram

Jeanne introduces us to the FIGGI Beauty Skincare line that is online in the USA now. Shop here.

Jeanne explains how the Sensi-Soul Range is made to pamper sensitive skin without upsetting its delicate balance. She talks about the difficulty in finding a skincare routine for dry and sensitive skin and the limited options that are available. FIGGI aims to bring back the luxury experience for those like Jeanne, with dry and sensitive skin.

The FIGGI Sensi-Soul range is discussed with an in-depth breakdown of each of the products in the Sensi-Soul Regimen. From the Double Cleanse to the day and night creams that are changing the sensitive skincare game. All the products are fragrance free, essential oils free, and vegan.

SHOP NOW.

The FIGGI

FIGGI Skincare is a few weeks away from finally launching. Although so much has gone into this launch, and there is a lot of excitement around it, there is also fear. Fear of failure, fear of not achieving the aimed goals, fear that no one will like the skincare or buy the skincare.

Jeanne gets candid about what it really takes to launch a skincare line. She talks openly about the fear we all feel in launching a new business venture and lays to rest the pressure that we feel to be forever confident in these situations. She shares what it has taken to get here, her fear of failure, and her inner doubts.

She talks about the snowball thoughts that overtake the mind when you are on the precipice of finding out if your hard work is worth it or not. Will it pay off or crash and burn? These are feelings that are normal to go through when you have invested so much but that we are often not told about by business coaches and self-help mentors. Instead we are conditioned to be confident, to not doubt and only cling to blind belief that it will, in fact, be a success.

Jeanne mentioned the first My FIGGI Life Podcast episode: The Birth of FIGGI.

Follow Jeanne: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Facebook Pinterest Website

Hof Retief, Jeanne's husband, joins the podcast in this episode. Jeanne is open about her struggles with panic disorder but it is not only the sufferer that is going through this journey. Often, the support network and loved ones also struggle and also need help. Hof takes us through his journey, viewing Jeanne's panic journey through the eyes of a loved one who constantly observes the struggle.

Hof gets candid about the difficulties, how he dealt with the diagnosis, and how he supports Jeanne while still taking care of his own health and happiness.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode in no way prescribes any medical advice, intervention or medication advice. You must speak to your mental healthcare provider and be properly diagnosed. Follow their guidance and instructions. Listen to this episode only as a guide and view into Jeanne's personal journey with an anxiety disorder.

Follow Jeanne on Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | LinkedIn | Pinterest

Subscribe to FIGGI to be notified of all the latest blog posts, podcast episodes, and FIGGI Beauty news.

For more information on Hof Retief and BioRugged: Website | LinkedIn

Jeanne is joined by Sonia Teles Fernandes who shares her inspiring views on Failure. They discuss the how Failure is defined by society, and how these societal expectations affect our view of what Failure is and looks like to us. They take a deep dive into the fear that comes with failure and explore, in detail, why its the monster hiding in the closet. Sonia tells us about her own personal failure stories, how she founded and event on failure (which failed), and what came from that.

The episode explores how we see and interact with Failure in our lives. Sonia draws on the important differences between winning and losing, failure and achievement, and how these confusing views we have of the latter impact our journey with Failure.

Find Sonia Teles Fernandes on Twitter, LinkedIn, and online.

Follow Jeanne on Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | TikTok | LinkedIn

Jeanne shares her personal Panic Disorder diagnosis and discusses what it with her previous psychologist Hennie van der Walt. She sheds light on her personal journey and what led to her diagnosis. Hennie assists with the conversation by explaining what Panic Disorder is, what an anxiety disorder is, and how these are different from normal stress.

Hennie takes us through the symptoms of Panic Disorder, the behavioral traits of those suffering from it, and parts of Jeanne's therapy journey. He also sheds light on how this is perceived by society, how to cope with this Disorder, and how to ultimately live a quality life.

Jeanne also explores the questions of psychotropic medications with Hennie, how these can help those suffering from a Panic Disorder live a quality life, and why there should not be a stigma about using these medications if prescribed.

You can email Hennie at hennie@hennievanderwalt.co.za and also find him on LinkedIn.

Follow Jeanne on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Find Jeanne on the FIGGI Website.

Remember to subscribe to the FIGGI newsletter to be notified of the latest blog posts, podcast episodes and FIGGI Beauty news.

If you like the conversation please consider sharing this episode and following this podcast channel.

Jeanne has struggled with the concept of meditation for 14 years. She explains how her idea of meditation and what meditation was, held her back from enjoying the full benefits of mindfulness and quiet space. Through the years she had to adapt her meditation practice to something that worked for her and fit into her lifestyle. She explores the top 3 things that helped her achieve better results with meditation and how these affected her anxiety levels.

She first looks at guided meditations and explains how these have helped her to relax more easily, and to meditate more successfully. Check out the channels she recommends: Great Meditation, Declutter the Mind and Mini Meds.

Secondly, she looks at the power of noise canceling headphones and how these help her to get to a calmer space while meditating, but also while doing other daily chores. Check out the Sony headphones Jeanne uses here.

Lastly, she looks at what meditation means to her and that this does not necessarily have to ten minutes of zen pose and deep breathing.

Follow Jeanne on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn. Find her on the FIGGI website.

Subscribe to the FIGGI newsletter to receive notifications of the latest blog posts, podcast episodes and FIGGI Beauty news.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Industry Leading Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones with Mic for Phone-Call and Alexa Voice Control, Black

Jeanne's spiritual mentor, Amera Rose, joins the podcast again to talk about Manifestation or the Law of Attraction. Amera formerly joined the podcast to speak about Spiritual Coaching and how to know if this is for you.

This time Amera takes us through the fundamentals of the Law of Attraction, otherwise known as Manifestation. She explains what it is, how it works, and how it can benefit us. Jeanne shares her personal journey and sessions with Amera to give a deeper meaning to the conversation and to explore how the concept of Manifestation has helped her, and what she has learned from it.

The episode also looks at limiting beliefs that we tend to enslave ourselves to and how this affects future outcomes in our lives. It also journeys through how we can better identify what exactly we want and why we want to achieve it. This is key in co-creating our own space and becoming co-creators of our own lives.

Amera Rose can be reached through her website, Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin.

Follow Jeanne on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

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If you enjoy the conversation please consider sharing this episode and following the podcast.

Jeanne talks about Balance and how our attempts at achieving home/life balance often ends up stressing us out even more. She talks about her own experiences with this and shares her personal journey with what she calls "the myth" of balance. She shares what works for her and how she prefers to see life through the unavoidable ebbs and flows that we all experience. In the end, life will always happen, and balance may not always be a part of that picture. She takes us through the journey of life's phases, calling upon examples from her own life, and shares why she thinks it works better for her to just hop on to life's rollercoaster.

If you like this episode, please consider sharing it or following the podcast on your audio streaming service.

Remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and now TikTok.

You can subscribe to our FIGGI newsletter to receive notifications of new Podcast episode releases and and new blog posts.

Jeanne talks about her first love: Rooibos! Regularly featured in the FIGGI social media feed, blog posts, and enriching all FIGGI skincare products - it was time to learn more about it. Dr. Mariska Lilly, the Rooibos expert, features in this episode and explains the unique composition of Rooibos and how science has proven its health benefits. Originally considered a tea we learn this is actually a herb. Dr. Lilly explains the cancer prevention properties of Rooibos, the positive effects its been proven to have on gut health, and most importantly, the proven effects on skincare. Its amazing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties makes it a powerful antioxidant and a superhero in any skincare routine.

Dr. Mariska Lilly can be researched via the Cape Peninsula University Website, where you can also learn more about the ongoing Rooibos studies.

The South African Rooibos Council https://sarooibos.co.za/also deserves a huge shout out! Check out all the cool ways you can incorporate Rooibos into your daily routine.

Please consider following this Podcast and share the episode, it really helps us!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to the FIGGI Newsletter so you get notified of all new My FIGGI Life Podcast episodes, blog posts, and other news.

Jeanne

Jeanne talks about her personal journey with spiritual coaching and how this is different from conventional therapy. She explores what led her to seek something different and how she came to meet Amera Rose, her spiritual mentor.

After years of therapy for her panic disorder, and to make peace with her past, Jeanne needed something more. A different approach and help on a different level. Enter, spiritual mentorship and more specifically her mentor, Amera Rose.

This episode explores Jeanne's challenges with self-love, self-acceptance, and how she sought inner peace from her childhood demons. It takes a look at alternative assistance for those dealing with anxiety and inner issues of self worth. Amera and Jeanne explore, in depth, what spiritual coaching is and what it is not, whether its for you and how to to go about finding a spiritual mentor that meets your needs and is able to guide you in the best way.

You can reach out to Amera on her Website, Facebook, or Instagram.

Kindly consider subscribing to the podcast, following us on social media, and sharing this episodes with other Goddesses.

Our drinks of choice:

Amera: LaVazza Maestro

Jeanne: Melitta Mein Cafe Medium Roast

Jeanne talks openly and honestly about her first panic attack when she was on a business trip. She shares some of her panic disorder journey and her previous life as a human rights consultant. She takes you through the highs and lows that led to her difficult decision to leave her consultancy behind and start something new in her late thirties.

This episodes explains how and why FIGGI came to be, what the name means, and what you can expect as a FIGGI Goddess.

If you liked this episode consider subscribing, following and liking it on your audio streaming platform. If you feel called to, share it with other Goddesses.

Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to the FIGGI blog.

There is no secret to happiness. Life always happens. FIGGI Life is an honest foray into life's successes, failures, wins and losses. Life as I live it, self-care as I discover it, anecdotes from my experience in business, and my take on mistakes as I inevitably make them. Welcome to the FIGGI Life. Subscribe to the FIGGI Blog. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.