Ever been told you're too sensitive, too emotional, or just too much? Good. You're exactly who this podcast is for. On The Sensitivity Doctor Podcast, Dr. Amelia Kelley—trauma-informed therapist, author, and fellow Highly Sensitive Person—dives into what it really means to live, love, and lead with sensitivity in a world that often gets it wrong. From trauma healing and navigating ADHD to setting boundaries, decoding relationships, and reclaiming your voice—no question is too deep, and no pa ...
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Amelia Abernathy Podcasts
Hosted by Amelia and Lilly, two licensed therapists based in Chicago, Illinois, Dating in Your 20s dives into the chaos, comedy, and complexity of modern dating — all through a therapeutic lens. As two women in their 20s, Amelia and Lilly are in the trenches themselves, navigating everything from bad Hinge dates and ghosting to social media comparison and the pressure of modern relationships. With a mix of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, each episode blends real-life dating experiences ...
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Waking Up to Abuse: How to Recognize It and Begin Healing with Lindsay Abernathy (Part 1)
55:09
55:09
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55:09Key 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, simila…
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What to Do When You're the Last Single One
37:19
37:19
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37:19In this episode of Dating in Your 20s, Amelia and Lilly dive into the intersections of dating, friendships, and the ever-present influence of social media. They unpack how podcasts shape modern perspectives on dating, the shifting dynamics of friendships across different life stages, and the challenges of people-pleasing in maintaining authentic co…
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When Calm Feels Dangerous: Understanding Rest Resistance with Annie Wright
39:15
39:15
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39:15Why 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 traum…
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More Than a Crisis: Transforming Your Pet’s Midlife into a Season of Connection with Dr. Kelly Fishman
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50:07
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50:07Key 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 notic…
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The Honeymoon Phase: Butterflies or Just Anxiety?
25:49
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25:49In this episode, Amelia and Lilly dive into the infatuation-filled fog of new relationships—also known as the honeymoon phase… or, as they lovingly call it, boyfriend sickness. They explore what happens when all your time, energy, and identity start orbiting a new partner—and what that shift means for your friendships, your autonomy, and your group…
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Is 'The One' Even Real? Unpacking Soulmate Myths and Dating with Intention
30:59
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30:59In this episode of Dating in Your 20s, Amelia and Lilly explore the myth of "The One" — the idea that there is just one person we're destined to be with. They break down where this belief comes from, how it shapes expectations in dating, and the emotional toll it can take on those trying to navigate modern relationships. Rooted in therapeutic insig…
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Why You Ghost, Cling, or Chase: Attachment Styles with Hilary Rosenberg
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33:28In this episode, Amelia and Lilly are joined by therapist Hilary Rosenberg for the conversation your TikTok algorithm hinted at but never fully explained: attachment styles—and how they quietly (or loudly) shape your dating life in your 20s. Together, they unpack the four main styles (anxious, avoidant, fearful-avoidant, and secure) and explore how…
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Hot Enough to Date Him? Unpacking Beauty Standards and Who You Think You Should Be With
33:52
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33:52In this episode of Dating In Your 20s, hosts Amelia and Lilly unpack how internalized beauty standards influence not only who people find attractive—but who they believe they're allowed to date. Drawing from both personal experience and a therapeutic lens, the hosts explore how messages from media, family, and culture shape unconscious dating rules…
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Van Gogh and the HSP Mind: Sensitivity, Struggle, and the Art of Feeling Deeply with John Zaller
42:28
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42:28Key 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 ext…
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Why Do I Always Start Fights? A 20s Guide to Conflict Styles
33:11
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33:11Let’s be honest: conflict in your 20s can feel like emotional quicksand. In this episode, Amelia and Lilly are digging into what really happens when things get tense in romantic relationships—and why your instinct to shut down, fix everything immediately, or launch into defense mode actually makes a lot of sense (but might not be helping). Amelia a…
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Dating on the Rocks: The Influence of Alcohol on Modern Dating
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33:54In this episode, Lilly and Amelia unpack the complicated relationship between alcohol and dating in your 20s. From social drinking norms to the deeper psychological patterns behind why we reach for a drink on first dates, this conversation explores what happens when alcohol becomes a default part of how we connect—and what it might be covering up. …
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Putting Yourself Out There (Ugh) The brave act of dating with anxiety
36:41
36:41
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36:41Dating in your 20s can feel like one long experiment in emotional exposure. In this episode, Amelia and Lilly dive into the vulnerable (and sometimes deeply uncomfortable) act of putting yourself out there—whether that’s through dating apps, awkward singles events, or blind dates arranged by your parents (yes, really). We talk about: The shame spir…
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Breaking the Cycle: Dr. Amelia Kelley Answers Your Questions on Gaslighting & Healing
43:52
43:52
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43:52Key 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 euphor…
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Modern Love & Materialism: A Deep Dive into Celine Song’s Materialists
56:55
56:55
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56:55This week, Lilly and Amelia break down Materialists, the buzzy new film from Celine Song, through a therapeutic and cultural lens. From transactional love to the myth of the “perfect partner,” they explore how the movie reflects real dating struggles in your 20s—especially when ambition, wealth, and emotional intimacy collide. In this episode, we d…
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The Validation Trap: Neurodivergence, Social Media, and the Path to Real Connection with Alyssa Scarano
49:21
49:21
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49:21Key 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 outsi…
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Breadcrumbing, Benching, and Other Bullsh*t: Modern dating behaviors that mess with your head.
23:08
23:08
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23:08It’s not just ghosting anymore. From breadcrumbing and benching to orbiting and love bombing, today’s dating landscape has a whole new vocabulary—and it’s not just about decoding the terms. In this episode, Lilly and Amelia go beyond definitions to unpack the why: Why are these behaviors so common? What psychological needs are they meeting? And mos…
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When Quitting Is the Bravest Thing: Listening to Your True Self with Jeanne-Mari Retief
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41:34Key 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 …
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Perfection Is a Liar: And We’re Done Falling for It with Mary Marantz
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52:37
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52:37Key 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…
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Stop “Being Fine”: Honoring Real Grief (and the Buckets That Help) with Rebecca Feinglos
57:00
57:00
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57:00Key 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 communit…
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Align Your Mind: Embracing Your Inner Parts for Healing and Growth with Britt Frank
49:40
49:40
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49:40Key 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 “y…
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The Mental and Physical Toll of Hiding Who You Are with Jessica Graham
54:22
54:22
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54:22Key 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 p…
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From Near Death to Generational Healing with Molly Duncan Part 2
48:12
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48:12Key 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’…
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Cutting Ties with Toxic Family: How to Do It, and Why You Might Need To with Dr. Sharon Martin
53:08
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53:08Key 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 to…
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Radical Living: 7 Spiritual Questions for a Meaningful Life with Marni Battista
43:51
43:51
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43:51Key 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…
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Surviving the Unthinkable: Healing from Near Death Trauma with Molly Duncan
40:43
40:43
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40:43Key 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 heal…
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Finding Hope After Infertility Trauma with Dr. Hillary and Dr. Kara
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54:07
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54:07Key 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, em…
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Healing the Sensitive Body: The 4 Root Causes of Disease with Martin Pytela
44:31
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44:31Key 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 hidde…
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Ending a Narcissistic Relationship Once and For All with Kate Anthony
45:43
45:43
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45:43Key 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 t…
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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 e…
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From Scarcity to Abundance: Shifting from Fear to Freedom with DPAK
52:53
52:53
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52:53Key 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…
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The Science of Being Stuck: When It Helps and When It Hurts with Britt Frank
46:45
46:45
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46:45Key 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, fli…
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ADHD & Life Expectancy: Unpacking the Truth and Finding Hope with Dr. Jessica Stern
35:49
35:49
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35:49Key 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 w…
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Beyond Hustle: Non-Toxic Productivity for High Achievers & Highly Sensitive People with Dr. Jessica Stern
41:40
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41:40Key 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…
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Unmasking Sex Addiction: The Real Truth About Intimacy with Gary Katz
41:14
41:14
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41:14Key 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…
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Healing Codependency: Finding Safety Beyond the Drama Triangle with Kitty Chambliss
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47:15
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47:15Key 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 manifes…
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Healing After Heartbreak: How to Date Yourself to Get Over Your Ex with Emmi Fortin
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53:08
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53:08Key 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, combi…
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Understanding Highly Sensitive People and Harnessing Their Unique Strengths with Michelle Oravitz
47:04
47:04
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47:04Key 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 …
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How to Soothe Your Nervous System the Polyvagal Way with Michael Allison
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52:06
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52:06Key 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 r…
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Music as Medicine: Healing Anxiety, Trauma, and Empowering Yourself Through Sound with DPAK
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57:07
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57:07Key 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,…
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From Overwhelm to Empowerment: Navigating Mom Guilt and Mental Wellness with Karla Bradley and Chelsea Rizzo
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50:04Key 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 explai…
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Put Insomnia to Bed and Finally Get the Sleep You Need with Joseph Pannell
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54:16
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54:16Key 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 po…
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New Year, True You: Crafting Resolutions for Yourself and No one else with Stacey Simmons
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41:45Key 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 disc…
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Breaking Free from Trauma's Grip: The Power of Somatic Therapy with Peter Levine
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26:23Key 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 addres…
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Supporting Highly Sensitive Children in Times of Stress with Amanda Robinson
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39:43
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39:43Key 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. Sensitivi…
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Calming the Chaos: Taming the Overthinking ADHD Adult Brain with Justin Gillespie
34:25
34:25
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34:25Key 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…
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Shattered Childhood: Healing from PTSD After Parental Abuse with Tom Dutta
59:29
59:29
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59:29Key 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 …
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Exploring Sensitivity: The New Journey Begins with Dr. Amelia Kelley
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5:30Sensitivity 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 g…
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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 | InstagramBy Dr. Amelia Kelley
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The Effect of High Sensitivity on Hashimotos and Autoimmue Disorders with Dr. Izabella Wentz
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41:55
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41:55Key Takeaways: Hashimoto's: A Complex Autoimmune Condition Symptoms May Appear Years Before Diagnosis Three Key Factors Behind Autoimmunity The Thyroid and Sensitivity Connection. Diet Plays a Major Role in Managing Hashimoto’s Environmental Toxins Impact Thyroid Health Hyperthyroidism vs. Hypothyroidism Effects The Power of Nutritional Support Tra…
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How to Kick a Sugar Habit Using Self-Compassion with Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo
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35:41Takeaways 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 …
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