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S7E24 - How Highly Sensitive People Can Handle Conflict with Confidence with Todd Smith

Lead Your Life with Debbie Heiser

Release Date: 12/02/2025

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S7E24 - How Highly Sensitive People Can Handle Conflict with Confidence with Todd Smith show art S7E24 - How Highly Sensitive People Can Handle Conflict with Confidence with Todd Smith

Lead Your Life with Debbie Heiser

Do you ever feel like conflict hits you harder than it hits other people? If you’re a highly sensitive person, there’s a good chance your nervous system processes stress, emotion and tension more intensely. In this episode, I’m joined by Todd Smith, a stress management expert for highly sensitive people, to explore why conflict feels overwhelming and how to approach it with confidence instead of avoidance. Todd shares what it really means to be a highly sensitive person and why traits like empathy, depth of processing and emotional awareness can make everyday interactions feel heavier....

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More Episodes

Do you ever feel like conflict hits you harder than it hits other people?

If you’re a highly sensitive person, there’s a good chance your nervous system processes stress, emotion and tension more intensely. In this episode, I’m joined by Todd Smith, a stress management expert for highly sensitive people, to explore why conflict feels overwhelming and how to approach it with confidence instead of avoidance.

Todd shares what it really means to be a highly sensitive person and why traits like empathy, depth of processing and emotional awareness can make everyday interactions feel heavier. We talk about the inner work required to stay grounded, how to strengthen your sense of self, and why building harmony within lets you step into conflict without losing your center.

☑️ Learn what defines a highly sensitive person and why it matters

☑️ Explore why conflict feels bigger for HSPs and how to stay steady

☑️ Hear Todd’s process for shifting from avoidance to confident communication


Your sensitivity is not a weakness. It is a powerful source of clarity and intuition when you understand how to work with it. If this episode resonates, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a conversation inside Lead Your Life.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Todd Smith

01:00 What It Means to Be a Highly Sensitive Person

03:00 Stress, Overwhelm and Emotional Processing in HSPs

05:00 Todd’s Inner Work Journey, Meditation and The Work

08:00 Morning Routines and Grounding Practices for HSPs

10:00 Why Conflict Feels Intense for Highly Sensitive People

12:00 From Avoiding Conflict to Confident Communication

15:00 Self Esteem, Inner Stability and Navigating Relationships

Meet Todd Smith

Todd Smith is the creator of one of the most popular podcasts for Highly Sensitive People. He’s helped hundreds of HSPs break free from chronic stress and emotional overload using a powerful inquiry-based process that brings lasting peace—without needing the world around you to change.

Connect with Todd

https://trueinnerfreedom.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@hspcoachtodd

https://www.instagram.com/hspcoachtodd/

https://www.facebook.com/HSPStressManagement/

https://x.com/smithtodd

https://www.tiktok.com/@hspcoachtodd

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hspcoachtodd/

 

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