The Sensitive & Soulful Show

It's the holiday season and it can feel like there's a million and one things to do, parties to attend, and friends & family to visit with. Sometimes we can make ourselves sick with dread thinking about it.

But your to-do list doesn't have to be filled with dread!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About my top tips for getting through situations you're dreading
• A simple phrase I use to calm my nerves and anxiety
• How you can make it through this holiday season cool and collected

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In this Sensitive & Empowered series, Matt and I talk about how we can navigate life's challenges through an empowering and expansive lens, instead of feeling like a victim to our circumstances.

We discuss our personal experiences with breaking old habits, going through hard times, and how all of this is part of a divine plan that brings us closer to the highest version of ourselves.

This is an inspiring and empowering conversation that will shift the way you view your current circumstances.

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Navigating the holidays as a Highly Sensitive Person should be an Olympic sport. Between numerous parties, outings, and big family gatherings, it can feel like a recipe for overwhelm.

Join me in this episode as I share my feelings on life's challenging and triggering moments. I recently had a very real and raw moment where my high self-worth allowed me to see past the comments of someone and not let it ruin my whole day.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About healing your self-worth to take on life's challenges
• Why it's important to know that you are worthy and valuable as you are.
• How to not take things so personally.

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It can be common for HSPs to not want to be in limelight. We shy away from compliments and tone down our achievements.

We could do this because of how we were raised or because we just don't want to make other people feel bad.

Well I'm here to tell you to SHINE!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About my experience with being judged while chasing my dreams
• Why we tend to hide away from the spotlight
• About getting over the discomfort of being seen and moving into your best life

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Tell me if these thoughts sound familiar:

"I just need to learn a little bit more..."

"Once I read this book, then everything will fall into place..."

"I've read all the things but it's still not working!"

I know, cause I've been there. It can be so frustrating when things aren't working out like you'd hope. Maybe your business hasn't taken off or your scared to take time off and rest.

Join me in this episode where I share some tough love and real life examples of how to get unstuck!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to get unstuck
• Why it may be time to put the books down
• About my top tip for implementing new things

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I recorded this from my bed today because sometimes you just need to be as cozy and comfy as possible and I'm giving you permission to do the same.

We are always capable of doing all the things but that doesn't mean we have the capacity, and that's okay!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to know when you're approaching burn out
• About some solid steps to avoid this
• Why it's important to have things that energize you

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In this episode, Matt and I unpack the hot topic of vulnerability.

We share our relationship with vulnerability and how transformative it's been for us.

Vulnerability is not easy. Actually, it's terrifying and it takes a lot of courage to overcome the fear of revealing our most authentic selves -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Come spend 30 minutes with us and learn how we've learned to overcome some of the fears we have around vulnerability, and how it has transformed our lives and businesses for the better.

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This is such a good episode and reminder from March 2022.

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Our heart starts racing, our stomach drops to the floor, and we feel under attack. Even if you're not an HSP, criticism is painful to receive and in all honesty, it can bring out our Hyper Sensitivity.

Sometimes the feedback and criticism is there to genuinely help up and sometimes it's just a mean troll on the internet. Either way, our bodies tend to react in the same way and so we need healthy ways to cope with these feelings.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why criticism affects up so much.
• How to discern hurtful criticism versus helpful criticism.
• How to deal with feedback from loved ones.

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Growing up as an HSP, we would tend to notice the emotions of everyone around us and at such a young age it could be hard to discern if they were mad at us or something else. Sadly, we've internalized that as adults and can often feel guilty if people are upset.

The good news? You can free yourself from these feelings.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About my struggles with low self-worth
• Why it's important to feel safe in your self
• About the power of setting yourself free

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Join me for this quick tip on how to immediately reduce overwhelm!

Look, I get it. We are busy with jobs and family and friends that when we get a free moment we are overwhelmed and don't know what to do. We get so worried with making the "right choice" instead of just making a choice.

The quickest way to get over indecision is by making a decision!

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Life by Alissa started as a blog with hardly any readers or followers on social media. But I was still so fired up to get up at 5am to write before my corporate job or write on the weekends or whenever I could find free time.

It wasn't easy but it was worth it. This journey has been so fulfilling and empowering. So, I want to invite you to explore the things the light you up!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why HSPs tend to be entrepreneurs.
• About my journey being a business owner.
• Why it's so important to follow your dreams!

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This was one of my very first episodes and also a favorite because I still talk about and believe in the importance of triggers and how they can help us grow.

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Triggers can show up in all sorts of ways - from an immediate emotional reaction like anger or sadness to a physical gut reaction like shaking, feeling sick, or nauseous. It can be overwhelming and happen so suddenly that we aren't aware until we're deep in the feels.

It can be easy to blame others when we're triggered but instead we should empower ourselves to find the root cause of the issue and why what that person did triggered us in the first place. Turn the focus inward and respect yourself enough to work through the problems.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to know when you're being triggered
• What triggers actually mean
• How to find the root cause of these emotions

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Manifestation might feel a little too "woo-woo" for some people but it's always been part and honestly feels second nature at this point.

If you've been struggling to manifest your desires and what you want in life, listen to this episode for some inspiration because I am bursting at the seams with this manifestation story!

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We tend to hold things so tightly and stress about the details when really we come make it so much more fun!

I try to stop and ask myself regularly, "How can I make this more fun?" and it's such a mind shifter!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About the art of letting go and taking the first step.
• How to trust yourself more.
• About adding more fun to your life!

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This one's too good not to re-share! Originally published December 28th, 2021.

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When every weird look, snide remark, or unfriendly punctuation in a text can cause us to go into a tailspin - it's easy to see that we may take things a little too personally.

Because we are constantly taking in more information than others, we tend to notice every mood change or every slight difference in a person's communication which causes us to feel as if things are our fault or direct at us.

But ready for some ground breaking news?!

9 times out of 10, another person's behavior or mood is not your fault or even your responsibility (this is just my own opinion).

I know you don't want to take things personally but it's just the way our brains are wired. But it's time to break free of this self-imposed prison and find joy and happiness in not taking things personally.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The number one secret to stop taking things personal.
• Tools to use in daily life when you notice you're taking things personally.
• About how I broke free of this cycle.

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How do you balance being Highly Sensitive and being an over achiever? Because we want to do all things and take advantage of all our life has to offer but we can easily get overwhelmed and dysregulated if we aren't careful.

Yes, you should push yourself outside your comfort zone but do it in a safe way where you can practice embracing expansion and ensuring you have space for self-care.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About the importance of grounding yourself amidst chaos.
• How I've managed my jam-packed summer schedule (with a 14-month old)!
• Why you should push yourself out of your comfort zone more often.

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My spiritual practice changed my life. It gave me a sense of freedom and expansion that I didn't know was possible. It helped me enjoy my life so much more and surrender with grace and ease.

We are just one small part of a larger whole and realizing that has been so freeing and supportive.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About how I found my spiritual practice
• How meditation and yoga can be so powerful for HSPs
• About the fun and magic of asking for and seeing signs in your life

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Happy 100 Episodes!! Thank you so much for being here!

Join me on this very special episode with someone who had a HUGE impact on my HSP journey, Dr. Ray Gin.

Dr. Ray Gin is a graduate of the Southern California University of Health Sciences. He is a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and has been in private practice for 22 years. He maintains a practice in Laguna Hills, CA. He is a published author, media personality, and lectures nationwide. Previously, he was a radio host for a prime time talk radio show on health.

Gin discovered the connection between food intolerances/sensitivities and significant emotional traumas over 14 years ago and has helped many people regain their ability to enjoy foods and previously triggering environmental things again. His search for methods to help bring this liberating process to more people who suffer has brought him to develop the groundbreaking Emotional Allergy Technique™.

Being Highly Sensitive comes with so many unique and wonderful gifts. Sometimes we view these as bad things but I'm here to tell you how amazing they are!

I knew having a daughter was going to change my entire life and that your children are your greatest teachers...and whew, it's the truth!

Through parenting my daughter, I'm able to parent myself too and heal parts of my inner child that I didn't know needed healing and it's been such a beautiful experience.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About some of my struggles as a parent.
• How I'm able to heal parts of my inner child.
• That there is such beauty in your intense sensitivity.

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Burnout is real and can be tricky to navigate especially if you're like me who is a chronic overachiever and highly self-motivated!

We can feel ourselves on the edge of burnout but we don't want to stop and pause, we don't want to lose all the ground we've worked so hard to cover.

But I'm learning to give myself space when burnout starts to pop up and I encourage you to do the same.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About my experiences with burnout
• How I'm currently tackling burnout symptoms
• Why it's so important to choose yourself first

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(Trigger warning: miscarriage)

The past few weeks have been such a rollercoaster ride...full of happy, light-me-up moments and moments of complete struggle, hurt, and confusion.

I had to take time off to give myself space and time to feel these feelings and move through them. I hope this episode gives you permission to do the same when needed.

Join me in this episode as I share about triggering moments, happy moments, and deep sorrowful moments.

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An oldie but a goodie! (Originally published September 27th, 2021)

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Maybe you grew up being told your emotions were "too much" or you were in a household where it was literally unsafe to express how you were feeling...now as an adult you find it difficult to handle these emotions and feelings. As I currently work through feelings of grief in my own life, philosophies on Emotional Regulation have been coming up a lot. It can be so much easier to numb out or blow up instead of just feeling the feelings and moving on.  

Growth, expansion, and a stronger version of yourself is on the other side of your emotions. You must be willing to move through them in order to live your healthiest life. 

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• How to deal with your emotions in a healthy way.
• Knowing the difference between over-regulation and under-regulation. 
• Some tools to move through your emotions instead of shoving them down.

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Today's episode is such a treat and I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved recording it I felt so nourished after this conversation with Graciela and I hope you will too!

Graciela Rasor is a healer, intuitive and multidimensional creative. She uses her many tools including breathwork, Human Design, Reiki, art therapy, Gateless writing and behavioral psychology to help her clients and community recognize the magic, gifts and wholeness within.

The other week I hosted an amazing virtual retreat for HSPs and it gave me so much life. I had tons of positive feedback on this meditation and I wanted to share it with my podcast listeners too!

Like I mention in the recording, take some time to journal about your highest self and how she moves through the world and then come back to this meditation any time you need to reconnect with her. She's always there.

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Join me and my first official podcast guest as we talk all about the trauma of not feeling seen as a Highly Sensitive Person. Marina is the perfect person to bring on for this topic!

Marina Yanay-Triner is the compassionate somatic coach, published author, trauma suvivor and expert on top summits and podcasts on the topics of trauma, the nervous system and emotional healing. She has supported thousands with big visions who felt stuck through her 1-1 coaching, group programs and online courses.

Sometimes it can be really hard to tell the difference between being nice and self-sacrificing. It's hard to say no to people we care about and it can feel very dysregulating.

Life gets better when you learn to take care of yourself first, set those boundaries, and show yourself that it's safe.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About people-pleasing tendencies
• The difference between self-sacrificing and being nice
• How boundaries can help you

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We all just want to be seen and accepted for who we truly are. In the age of social media it can often feel like we're yelling into the void and no one is answering. I've felt like this so often while running my business and I want to tell you that it gets easier. It all starts with your inner child.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to tell if your inner child is in charge of your emotions
• About the importance of seeing yourself first
• That you are amazing and perfect just the way you are

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I remember feeling like I was along on this journey. I was feeling so misunderstood and trying to fit into a box so people wouldn't think I was weird or "too much". I didn't feel accepted because I wasn't accepting myself.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why it's so important to accept yourself first.
• About the things you can do to feel like you belong.
• How to build confidence in who you truly are.

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As a non-HSP, it can be hard to understand what HSPs go through. While it's not good or bad to be an HSP or not, there are some major differences between the two and it's important that both sides understand each other.

We can learn to support and encourage each other but it first starts with empathy. So here I am to cast some light on what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• That being an HSP is a genetic trait (not something that is learned).
• About some tell tale signs someone is Highly Sensitive.
• How we can balance each other instead of making life hard for the other.

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As an HSP, it can be so tough to keep putting yourself out there when people judge you or say mean things. I've dealt with this as an HSP business owner and I'm here to tell you that it does get easier.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About my confidence journey as an HSP business owner
• How important it is to trust yourself and have your own back
• Why you should keep showing up for yourself even when it's hard

"I should be doing more." A thought that pops into my head A LOT. Especially as a new mom. We can often be consumed by what others are doing and compare ourselves but there is so much freedom in just trusting yourself and letting go of what others are doing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About my struggles with comparison as a new mom.
• Why it's so important to let go of guilt and trust yourself.
• How being in alignment is better for everyone!

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You know what's so amazing? We get to make our life as special as we want! We get to have our fizzy little drinks in the afternoon and light a candle when we want and take a deep breath of fresh air. We can make our lives magical.

I know it can be all too easy to get caught up in life and the endless to-do list and get overwhelmed by all we have to and want to accomplish but we can also enjoy our lives right now exactly how they are!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why it's important to slow down and enjoy the little moments
• The small things you can do today to enjoy your life a little bit more
• Why HSPs have an easier time finding the joy in everyday moments

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I had someone unsubscribe from my email list and I wasn't triggered by it! My stomach didn't drop when I read it. I didn't go into a negative shame spiral thinking no one wanted to hear what I had to say. I just thought, "Okay, no worries!"

It felt so freeing. The hard work I've put into releasing people-pleasing has really started to pay off and I want all HSPs to be able to experience this feeling.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About my people-pleasing past and how I overcame it
• How to manage triggers
• That small steps are always the best path forward

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Motherhood is hard. Running a business is hard. Being an HSP on top of that definitely adds a whole other dimension. I really try to always be positive about being an HSP but at the end of the day, I'm only human and things tend to wear us down much harder if we aren't careful.

HSPs tend to get stuck in overthinking and overanalyzing and needing breaks before we burn out - and that's OK! It's all about learning how to take care of ourselves and nourish ourselves or ask for help.

I recently had an experience as a mother and business owner that was new to me and I wanted to share about it. Because I always want to be real with you guys and share what I'm going through.

Get cozy and join me in this episode as I get a little vulnerable - hopefully it will help you through your struggles too.

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Join me in this conversation with my dear friend with Patrick Murphy. It was originally an episode recorded in October 2022 for Patricks podcast and it was too good of a chat to not share with you all! 

We cover so many amazing topics from setting boundaries, to meditation and EFT tapping, to even how I'm feeling as a new mom. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About how HSPs tend to gaslight themselves
• Why it's so important to sit with and grow through discomfort
• How to tell when it's time to get out of the self-help books and just live your life!

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The greatest experiences in my life, came on the other side of surrender. When I was hitting walls and feeling so beyond frustrated by life, I surrendered and the most magical things happened.

If you’ve been doing all the things and exhausting every possible resource (and exhausting yourself), I invite you to surrender.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why we have road blocks in our lives
• The importance of surrender
• Why surrender is a spiritual and courageous act

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In this episode, Matt and I explore the process of creating renewal and realignment in our lives. We share candidly the ways we've been uncovering what is no longer working for us and the steps we're taking to align with what does feel good for us. In this raw conversation, we chat about facing our fears as recovering people-pleasers, becoming fierce with our boundaries, bringing playfulness into our lives, and the magic of messy action.

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When reaching for new levels, I've found that my energetic boundaries need to be reinforced. I'm always learning and that's ok! We aren't always going to be perfect and there's always room to grow. 

If you feel like your once solid boundaries are starting to slide, it might be time for a little reset and a little more intention.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About the signs that you need to strengthen your boundaries.
• How easily HSPs carry others energy
• About the power of mindful cord-cutting practices.

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I can't be the only one who constantly feels like I'm going 100 miles per hour with no breaks and no time to breath and no time to even eat away from my desk...

Being a high-achiever and an HSP has always had it's challenges and I'm learning everyday how to achieve the things I want while also being present in my life and giving myself rest.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How I've started to incorporate rest into every day.
• Why it's so important to slow down and choose yourself.
• About my journey to healing my relationship with time.

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Happy Valentines Day! I thought it was the perfect time to re-share this Sensitive & Soulful Podcast episode from October 2021 talking all about relationships as an HSP.

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HSPs make up only about 15-20% of the population which means most people you meet and have relationships with are not HSPs. This is why it's so important to learn about your trait and understand the HSP characteristics fully in order to communicate them to your partner. Our partners can't read our minds, we must be willing to have those conversations with them. In most cases, the people we have strong relationships with will be open (and eager) to learn more about you and what makes you, YOU!

But sadly, it is all too common for HSPs and empaths to find themselves wrapped up with a narcissistic person who doesn't care about their good-natured traits but instead uses your empathy, love, and kindness to their advantage.

Either way, it may be time for some tough conversations with yourself and others. Tune in to this episode to get the lowdown on relationships as an HSP and empath.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to feel more understood by your partner.
• How to set energetic boundaries in close relationships.
• Narcissists with HSPs and Empaths.

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I was feeling a little dramatic the other day when I canceled my HSP Business Mastermind Zoom call and IG Live because I was overwhelmed and not feeling my best. I made the decision to cancel these things because I needed to give myself space to breath and reset. And something very interesting happened when I did this that I was so proud of (listen to find out)!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why it's important to trust yourself and your needs.
• That you are not dramatic, you just have different needs than non-HSPs.
• About my recent experience with letting my needs take priority.

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I will always, always, always believe that HSPs make the best business owners. Between our empathy, our need for flexibility, and our life experiences, we can truly be great leaders and find so much purpose in running our own businesses.

I know for me, becoming a business owner just kind of happened but I’m so grateful it did and I wouldn’t change anything.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why I think HSPs make the best business owners
• About how I went from writing a blog to writing a book proposal
• How empathy can be our greatest strength

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I had another episode planned for today but felt I needed to be super real with you all. I've been experiencing a lot of transitions in my life (corporate to full-time business owner, becoming a mother) and it has been A LOT, to say the least.

I wanted to share what's been going on behind the scenes with me and my business. I've started following my passions and some people don't like it and that has been hard for me. But I'm learning and trusting that I will find my people.

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Look, when it comes to overachieving and pushing boundaries, I was the queen of it. BUT it lead to major burnout, exhaustion, and chronic illness. I don't recommend this path.

We, as Highly Sensitive People, have to take better care of ourselves in order to thrive. We have to set healthy boundaries and stick to them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• About how my first corporate job drove me to burnout
• Why it's essential to take good care of ourselves
• Why we need to stop ignoring the signs

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I remember struggling as a kid to feel like I belonged. I always felt that the other girls were prettier, smarter, and more fun. And then there I was, tall and awkward and never saying the right things.

Sadly, this carried with me into adulthood and I've had to consciously do the deep inner work to heal these past wounds.

You're not alone in feeling like you're not enough but I'm here to tell you that you are so much more than enough! You are perfect and loved just the way you are.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How I struggled with insecurity and lack of confidence while growing up
• The tools I use in my everyday life for moments of not feeling good enough
• About where these feelings of not enough-ness are actually coming from

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Whatever trials or hardships you're currently going through, and even though it feels like it will never end...you will get through it. 

I'm sending love and grace to anyone in a tough season and I hope you'll give yourself the same love and grace.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• That every season and cycle will eventually come to an end
• About an extremely difficult time in my life
• How you can get through anything

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