#261 | The Real Reason You Feel So Much Shame For Being a Highly Sensitive Person & How To Break Free From The Stereotype
Release Date: 07/25/2025
#282 | Uncovering the Real Cause of Burnout for Highly Sensitive People — It's Not What You Think
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
What if burnout isn’t caused by overwork—but by something much deeper within? As a highly sensitive person (HSP), you may have tried resting, unplugging, even meditating—yet the exhaustion lingers. This episode dives beneath the surface to explore the hidden cause of burnout that no amount of vacation or exercise can touch, and why conventional fixes often fail HSPs. You'll discover: The surprising truth about what actually drains your energy as a highly sensitive person How misalignment between your values and daily actions silently fuels burnout A powerful, restorative approach...
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#281 | Why HSP Overwhelm Provides a Hidden Advantage for Those of Us Who Want to Tackle Stress Management at Its Root
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Why Are Highly Sensitive People Actually More Resilient Than Others? Have you ever felt like your sensitivity was a weakness—especially when it comes to stress? What if it’s actually your greatest asset? In this episode of Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People, Todd Smith reframes what it means to be resilient as a highly sensitive person (HSP). If you've ever struggled with feeling overwhelmed by stress or wished you had a thicker skin, this episode offers a liberating perspective: your sensitivity might be the very thing that makes lasting resilience possible. You'll gain insight...
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#280 | How Saying No Can Be the Start of True Inner Independence—The Real Solution to Emotional Overwhelm
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Do you find yourself constantly saying “yes” to others—only to feel emotionally drained and overwhelmed afterward? As a highly sensitive person, your deep empathy can become a double-edged sword—especially when it keeps you from saying "no" and prioritizing your own well-being. This episode dives into the hidden emotional cost of people-pleasing and the approval trap, showing you how this silent habit fuels inner turmoil and burnout. Learn why your inability to say no is directly linked to emotional overwhelm and burnout. Discover the two hidden beliefs that keep you trapped in...
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#279 | How To Improve Your Self Worth & Accept Yourself As An HSP for Less Overwhelm in Your Life
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Are You “Too Sensitive”—Or Just Misunderstood? What if the emotional overwhelm and self-criticism you experience aren’t signs of weakness—but powerful signals from a part of you that’s been misunderstood? If you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP), this episode will feel like home. You’ll discover how to stop seeing your sensitivity as a flaw and begin understanding it as the foundation for deep emotional intelligence, intuition, and healing. Todd Smith, a facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie and an HSP himself, gently unpacks how societal standards, internalized beliefs, and...
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#278 | The Secret To Healing Trauma & Stress as a Highly Sensitive Person and How To Finally Implement It
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Are you trying to "fix" your stress—only to end up feeling worse? Many Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) struggle with the pressure to treat emotional pain like a mechanical problem: find it, fix it, and move on. But what if that very mindset is blocking your healing? In this episode of Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People, Todd Smith reveals why traditional, fix-it approaches often fall flat when it comes to stress and trauma—and how adopting a more respectful, HSP-informed perspective can open the door to true inner healing. Here’s what you’ll take away: Why stress and trauma...
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#277 | Why Work-Life Balance Is Essential for HSPs, and How to Find Your Unique Sweet Spot to Reduce Overwhelm
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Are You Chasing Balance or Just Burning Out Trying? If you're a highly sensitive person constantly striving for the perfect work-life balance, you might be chasing a mirage—and adding to your stress without realizing it. This episode unpacks why the traditional idea of balance doesn’t work for HSPs and what to do instead. Discover the real reason balance feels so elusive and how redefining it on your own terms can change everything. You’ll explore practical ways to align your schedule with your sensitive nature, uncover the hidden trap of idealized routines, and learn how questioning...
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#276 | How Long Should You Stay in a Challenging, Stressful, or Overwhelming Situation as an HSP?
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Ever find yourself stuck in the painful limbo of not knowing whether to stay in a tough situation or finally walk away? For highly sensitive people, this decision is especially overwhelming—your empathy, conscientiousness, and fear of conflict often cloud what your heart truly wants. If you're caught in this internal tug-of-war, this episode offers a grounded way forward that honors both your nervous system and your emotional truth. Discover the exact questions to ask yourself to gain clarity and reduce decision-making stress. Understand why HSPs are more prone to self-sacrificing...
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#275 | How to Better Understand the HSP in Your Life (And Make the Relationship Easier for You Both)
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Are You Accidentally Stressing Out the Highly Sensitive Person in Your Life? If someone you love often seems overwhelmed or withdrawn, you might be missing crucial insights into what it really means to be highly sensitive—and how your everyday habits could be making it worse without you knowing. In this episode of Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People, Todd Smith breaks down the most common misconceptions about high sensitivity and why it’s not simply about being emotional. You'll uncover how HSPs experience the world differently, how seemingly small interactions can trigger hidden...
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#274 | Unpacking a Moment of HSP Overwhelm and Finding Perfectionism at Its Root
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Are you pushing through exhaustion just to "get everything done"—even when your soul is screaming for rest? If you're a highly sensitive person constantly caught between doing what needs to be done and honoring your own energy, this episode is your wake-up call. You’ll hear the real-life story of a client swept into literal and emotional chaos—and how questioning just one “positive-sounding” thought gave her the clarity to reclaim balance. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why seemingly harmless thoughts like “I shouldn’t complain” can sabotage your well-being. How...
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#273 | Why Taking Care of Yourself Last Doesn't Work as a Highly Sensitive Person
Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions
Are you constantly putting yourself last — and wondering why you're so drained? If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), your empathy and deep sense of responsibility can drive you to care for everyone else first. But what if this “selfless” habit is actually sabotaging your wellbeing — and your ability to serve others? In this episode of Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People, Todd Smith explores why taking care of yourself last is not only unsustainable, but harmful — and what a smarter, more balanced approach looks like. This Strategy Friday session is filled with...
info_outlineAre your beliefs about being "too sensitive" truly your own—or did culture hand them to you?
In a world that often misunderstands sensitivity, this episode dives deep into the cultural roots of shame experienced by Highly Sensitive People (HSPs). Discover how your upbringing, environment, and societal messages might be silently shaping your self-perception and emotional habits—often without your awareness.
You'll learn:
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How Western, Asian, Latin American, and Indigenous cultures influence the HSP experience
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Why early messages around emotional expression can lead to lifelong shame—and how to recognize them
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A mindset shift and inner work approach that reclaims sensitivity as a strength, not a flaw
Start listening now to untangle cultural myths from your true HSP identity—and step into a more empowered, shame-free relationship with yourself.
Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom
Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit trueinnerfreedom.com and complete the HSP Stress Survey. Gain clarity on your stress triggers and enjoy a free 15-minute Inner Freedom Call designed to guide you toward lasting inner peace and fulfillment.
Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom.
We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure.
Whether you’re interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life.
Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.