The Healthy Sensitive's Podcast

What's Your Burnout Type?

In this episode, I spend a few minutes updating folks on my latest passion project (The Energy Generator). It's for women who run a business and who want more energy. In our program, we talk about how there are multiple types of burnout (they come in more flavors than one). I adapted the content to speak directly to highly sensitive people. 

 

If you like the content and want to find out more, please join us for our webinar! I would love to see you. Even if you can't make it for the live presentation, you'll still get a recording of it afterward if you're interested. It's free! 

 

Join us for the webinar! (Link below) 

https://dani-dupuis.mykajabi.com/microcast-registration

 

If you would like to join the Healthy Sensitive Meetup group and get access to unlimited live events, and to our private discord channel, click here: 

"The Healthy Sensitives": https://www.meetup.com/the-healthy-sensitives/ 

It's Good to be the King: Reclaiming small joys, emotional freedom, and the power of choosing your own internal weather.

🎧 Intro – Why I’m Still Talking

Hi everyone. I’m Leah Burkhart, and welcome back to The Healthy Sensitive—a podcast for sensitive souls trying to live awake in a world that’s still half-asleep.

This is a space for those of us who don’t just want to get through life—we want to feel it.

We’re the kind of people who tend to live like everything is a miracle, to borrow the quote often attributed to Einstein.
We notice the way light changes in a room. The shift in someone’s tone. The way our own hearts thud when something matters.
And we’re not here to tune that out—we’re here to make space for it.

There’s a quote I’ve always loved by Vivian Greene:

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”

And for sensitive people, I think we’re not just dancing in the rain. We’re memorizing the smell of it, writing poetry about it, and wondering if we’re supposed to be doing it better.

That brings me to what I really wanted to share today.

---

🛠️ What I’m Building (and Why)

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of content I want to create.
There’s just so much noise out there—podcasts, Substacks, social media reels—and I’ve had moments where I’ve wondered if I should even add to the pile.

At first, I thought: maybe if I sound smart enough, I’ll be adding value. Maybe I should teach more. Prove I’m useful.
But when I really sat with it, I asked a deeper question:

What has helped me most when I felt low?

Sometimes, sure—I wanted information.
What vitamin could help?
How do I sleep better?
What’s the research say?

But more often…
What I needed most was just to not feel so alone.
To hear someone say, “Me too.”
Not with advice. Just with presence.

That’s part of why I’ve funneled so much energy into the Meetup groups I run. I want to create a place where sensitive people can gather and just be real with each other.
But I also know not everyone can join a live group.
Some folks need asynchronous connection.
They need the content to come to them—when they’re ready, and in a form they can take in.

So I’m building something.

It’s not done yet—it’s still in the messy, creative, patchwork phase—but I’m building a full ecosystem for sensitive people.
One that includes:

• Free content (like this podcast and my Substack)

• A $5/month membership that gives you access to all the live Meetup groups and coaching circles

• And, eventually, a space where you can take courses, engage in community discussions, and find tools tailored to how your system works

Right now, that $5/month just covers the cost of the Meetup account itself. But here's the bonus:
If you join now, you’re grandfathered in at that price for life, even after the full system is live and has more features.

It’s my way of saying thank you—to the early believers.
And for those of you who just want to keep listening or reading quietly in the background—that’s okay too. The podcast and Substack posts stay free.
Always.

---

🌱 Today’s Story: “It’s Good to Be the King”

Now let me take you to the story that’s been living in my chest all week.

I’ve been thinking about my grandmother.
She was a woman with sharp wit, a minimalist’s soul, and a strong pour of scotch in the evening.

She had three kids, including my dad. And she went through something that—at the time—was quietly devastating.
Her husband left her… for a man.
And this was not a time when that was talked about or supported. It was brave. And hard. And real.

But they navigated it with grace.

He said, “If you get a child support check, it’s because I have money. If you don’t, it’s because I don’t.”
He let her keep the house. He stayed honorable.

She didn’t crumble. She figured it out.

And what I remember most is not the hardship—but the way she sat in her chair at the end of the day, a beret perched on her head, a glass of scotch in hand, and this sly, self-satisfied smile as she’d say:

“It’s good to be the king.”

It was as if, in that moment, she wasn’t waiting for anything else to fall into place.
She wasn’t chasing peace. She was choosing it.

---

💬 What Came Up in Our Meetup

That image of her came to me during this week’s Mindfulness Monday.
I led a group where we explored this prompt:

If money, time, and energy weren’t an issue—what would you choose to experience?
And once we imagined it, I asked:

What is the feeling you’d be chasing in that scenario?
And then:
What’s one small way you might access that feeling today—without needing the whole setup?

Because sometimes, we can skip the middleman.

We don’t need the mansion to feel cozy.
We don’t need the month off to feel rested.
We don’t need a new identity to feel whole.

What we’re really longing for is often a sensation. A felt experience.
And sometimes, we can create it with a candle. A breath. A decision. A pause.

We ended that session by writing our own permission slips:

“I hereby give myself permission to feel free.”
“To feel joyful.”
“To feel held.”

---

📚 Viktor Frankl and the Power of Meaning

It reminds me of Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning.
He survived Auschwitz. Lost his family. And still wrote:

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

He wasn’t being naïve.
He wasn’t saying suffering doesn’t matter.
He was saying meaning matters more.

And when we can frame even a hard moment in purpose—or tenderness—or beauty—that’s where real power lives.

---

🧡 Wrap-Up

So maybe today’s question is:
What would it look like to stop waiting for the storm to pass—and dance anyway?
To sip your metaphorical scotch, wear your metaphorical beret, and say:
“It’s good to be the king.”

And to know that you’re not alone.

Because you’re not just listening to a coach or a health educator—you’re tapping into a community of sensitive, deeply human people who are asking the same questions and sharing the same kinds of reflections.

If that’s a community you want to join, the link’s in the show notes.
And if you’re just here to listen quietly for now, welcome. You belong, too.

Until next time—be well, be curious, and give yourself the feeling… before the fix.

 

 

Want to join our meetup group?

Click Here: The Healthy Sensitive Meetup Group

The REAL Reason HSP's Are Scared to Ask For What They Want

Summary:

Why is it that so many highly sensitive people struggle to ask for what they want? Is it fear of rejection—or something deeper?

In this gentle, reflective episode, we explore the quieter truth: that many HSPs aren’t afraid of being told no... they’re afraid of being told yes. We walk through the hidden fears beneath desire, the right-brain wisdom that often goes unheard, and the cultural noise that drowns out intuitive knowing. Along the way, we draw from the research of Bianca Acevedo, the teachings of Martha Beck, and the soul-deep ache for both authenticity and belonging.

This episode is an invitation to return to the power of sensitivity—not as weakness, but as precision. And to remember that what you want may already be unfolding... if you’re quiet enough to notice.

---

We Will Walk Through:

• The counterintuitive reason HSPs hold back from desire

• Why asking for what you want can feel like a risk to your nervous system

• Insights on right-brain processing and language barriers for intuitive people

• The tension between personal power and the longing to belong

• A gentle reminder that you may already be living someone's dream (it might just not be yours)

• How to start (by inches) creating the life of your dreams

Who Are You? Why HSP's Are So Hungry to Answer This Question

I'm back after almost a year!

In this episode I discuss:

- Why it is that the question "who are you?" is so important for HSP's

- Strategies for how to sneak up to the answer to this question

- Why it may be the case that the answer is not static (perhaps I am not so much a particular kind of person so much as I am a process)

- Why it is that highly sensitive people tend to struggle in this area (hint: we are so good at adapting that we sometimes don't know who we are when we aren't busy trying to achieve something or please someone)

- Where you can go if you want a deeper discussion with fellow sensitive people and/or more engagement with additional content

 

Join Our Meetup Group!

https://www.meetup.com/the-healthy-sensitives/

 

Join Our Substack Group (VERY new)

https://leahburkhart.substack.com/ 

Five Activities to Help You Befriend Your Sensitivity

In this episode, we cover five activities HSP's can use to befriend their sensitivity (all inspired by Elaine Aron's Highly Sensitive Person Workbook). 

• Identify negative labels you have either told yourself or heard others say to you. Create a rebuttal to each one.
• Leverage your sensitivity as a strength by leaning into a sensory exercise.
• Identify ways in which you are a "priestly advisor" and the ways in which that serves as an asset in your work and/or in your relationships.
• Challenge your internal critic by getting curious about it. 
• Lean into growth mindset and the power of "yet" 

Follow me on Instagram @thehealthysensitive (https://www.instagram.com/thehealthysensitive/) 

Join our Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/ 

Join our Online Community: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/ 

 

Embracing Grief and Finding Meaning in Loss

In this episode of The Healthy Sensitive, Leah navigates the poignant journey of grief and loss, drawing from her personal experiences. Following the loss of her cherished cat Sasha, Leah offers an exploration into the process of grieving, examining the varied forms and stages of grief as described by experts like Brené Brown and David Kessler.

Delving into the profound words of Thomas More's Dark Night of the Soul, she draws a parallel between her personal growth and the transformative power of profound grief. Leah also touches on the concept of post-traumatic growth, demonstrating how sensitive individuals can positively channel their emotional reactivity during times of loss.

Emphasizing the importance of deriving meaning and purpose in the wake of a loss, Leah integrates wisdom from thinkers such as David Kessler, Cheryl Sandberg, and Thomas More. She weaves scientific findings on resilience and personal-stories into a comprehensive narrative that sheds light on our emotional response to loss.

This episode also presents an in-depth analysis of various practices aimed at easing the pain of loss, from spiritual engagement and fostering connections to creative pursuits. Leah underscores the significance of shared grief and social connections in facilitating healing.

Whether you are grappling with a personal loss or guiding someone else through theirs, this episode sparks hope, offering comfort and perspective. It illuminates the path from grief to growth, transforming the loss into a catalyst for personal evolution.

To join the Healthy Sensitive Community, Join Us Here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/ 

The Dark Side of Purposeful Living: High Sensitivity and Workaholism

In this episode of The Healthy Sensitive, Leah Burkhart delves deep into the intriguing relationship between high sensitivity and workaholism. Primarily focusing on highly sensitive people, she sheds light on their profound depth of processing, which often leads to extended work hours, perfectionism, and excessive preparation for tasks. This life-altering conversation illuminates the positive and negative effects of this overwhelming drive on their lives.

Highlighting the innate empathy and responsiveness of highly sensitive individuals, Leah elucidates how these traits can spiral into workaholism. Such individuals tend to absorb the emotional needs of others around them, inevitably adding to their workload. This episode candidly addresses the challenges highly sensitive individuals encounter when setting boundaries at the workplace, largely due to their intense passion and enthusiasm for their work.

This discussion further underscores how highly sensitive people often link their self-esteem to professional achievements. Such validation from work accomplishments, although gratifying, can make them vulnerable to conflating their career success with personal worth. The talk concludes by deftly tackling the fine balance between the pursuit of career satisfaction and the reality of overstimulation commonly encountered by highly sensitive individuals.

We dig into personal examples, delving onto the real impact of this phenomenon on personal lives. The value of understanding this dynamic is stressed as a stepping stone towards positive changes. Leah shares insightful tips about time management, boundary setting, task delegation and cultivating empathy while preserving one's personal space and identity.

We also delve into the benefits of seeking internal validation, diversifying interests, effective feedback acquisition and embracing imperfections. The topics extend to include methods to prevent overstimulation like creating serene workspaces, incorporating physical activity in routines and stress management. Furthermore, addressing fear of failure paves the way to setting attainable goals, nurturing a growth mindset and fostering self-compassion.

Ultimately, this episode champions self-awareness to improve work habits and achieve a healthier work-life balance while prioritizing wellbeing. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to an online community and free meetup events for continued learning and support. Dive into this enlightening discussion on high sensitivity and strategies for combating workaholism today.

 

To join our community and share your experiences with these subjects, you can find our online community here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/ 

 

To Join our Meetup Group, click Here: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/ 

How Having Purpose Affects Motivation and Resilience

In this episode of the Healthy Sensitive, Leah explores the profound impact of purpose on motivation and resilience. The discussion offers an extensive study on how appreciating your unique purpose can elevate your motivation, direct your life towards your goals, and enhance your stress tolerance. Leah elucidates the intriguing relationship between 'purpose', 'meaning', and our resilience, edging on the realm of neuroscience to portray how 'the seeking system' and dopamine pathways of our brain govern motivation.

She enlightens listeners with a variety of unconventional strategies known to stimulate dopamine production aiming to boost motivation. Insights from Joshua Freedman's article on misconceptions around life purpose are intricately debunked, and guidance is given to those searching for their life purpose. Backed by research and practical advice, this episode seeks to inspire listeners to discover their true purpose and heighten their motivation levels.

The episode also encompasses a discussion on the significance of emotional intelligence, human connections, and personal talents in identifying our true purpose. Additionally, it delves into aspects like long-term goals and spotlights the vitality of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in fueling productivity, as illustrated by Daniel Pink's book, Drive. Utilizing resources from luminaries such as Daniel Pink, Andrew Huberman, and Joshua Freedman can be an essential tool in comprehending and leading a purposeful life.

If you're seeking to uncover your purpose, or elevate your motivation, this is the episode for you! Whether you are driven by passion or curiosity, everyone has a unique purpose to unravel. Join us for insightful workshops or in our online community, and let us assist you in reaching your maximum potential. Stay tuned for more!

 

Citations:

Andrew Huberman from Huberman Labs: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/tools-to-manage-dopamine-and-improve-motivation-and-drive 

Daniel H. Pink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p4esMj2EC8 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vSymiIrKP8 ; Drive: https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805 

Joshua Freedman: https://www.6seconds.org/2021/01/13/coaching-purpose/ 

Purpose Checkup: https://www.bluezones.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Purpose-Checkup.pdf 

Why Finding Purpose “Feels Right” https://www.kornferry.com/insights/this-week-in-leadership/purpose-neuroscience#:~:text=We%20humans%20are%20wired%20to,purpose%20that%20comes%20with%20it. 

 

Stay Connected! Healthy Sensitive Resources: 

Healthy Sensitive Community: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/ 

Healthy Sensitive Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/ 

Book a Coaching Session: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/ 

How to Clarify Our Purpose (and Why It Matters)

Our latest episode of The Healthy Sensitive takes you on a journey to discover your purpose. We help you comprehend the legacy you wish to leave behind by identifying problems you enjoy solving and people you love helping. Through an 'expansion and experimentation' mindset, we explore realms you are eager to delve into and learn from. Join us in this self-discovery journey as we navigate through curiosity, risk, trust, pleasure, and spirituality to identify the purpose that makes you come alive.

 

Resources and Links:

If you are interested in diving more deeply into this material as well as other on-demand content and want to connect with others and share your experiences... please join our online network: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/ 

To attend live presentations and workshops, join the Healthy Sensitive Meetup Group https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/ 

If you are interested in publishing an online course in the community and getting paid for it and/or want to lead a workshop in our meetup, please email me at leah@thehealthysensitive.com 

If you want to schedule a complimentary coaching session with me, you can go to my calendar at: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/ 

 

A New Era: A Season Intro

Welcome back to the Healthy Sensitive podcast where we navigate high sensitivity and everything that comes along with it. This episode explores the host's journey with her own high sensitivity, her bouts with creative seasons, her struggles with consistency, and her passion for sharing informative content. She reflects on her many roles, from a clinical health educator to an entrepreneur, and relates to listeners who also thrive on a portfolio model of work.

This episode gives a sneak peek into exciting new elements being introduced to the podcast and the broader Healthy Sensitive community. The host shares her recent endeavor of creating structured content and an online community to enhance the sharing and access of valuable content. Courses, workshops, coaching programs, and even opportunities for others to create and be rewarded for their content will be featured in this revamped online community.

The host dives deeper into the target audience of the Healthy Sensitive – highly sensitive entrepreneurs. She acknowledges the unique challenges faced by this group especially in terms of self-promotion and provides solutions through the revamped online community. The focus is on promoting each other’s work instead of self-promotion. In this way, the online community can become a nurturing space for celebrating success and building networks.

As for future podcast episodes, expect regular content exploring wellness practices for highly sensitive entrepreneurs. Additionally, there will be premium content providing intimate details about the host's personal life for those seeking a deeper connection and understanding. The ultimate goal is to offer content that is engaging, educational, and entirely ad-free.

To join our online community, click here: https://the-healthy-sensitive.mn.co/ 

To schedule a complimentary coaching session with me, click here: https://TheHealthySensitiveScheduling.as.me/ 

To Join our Meetup Group, Click Here: https://www.meetup.com/The-Healthy-Sensitives/ 

If you have any questions or feedback about the online community meetup groups, or anything else about the Healthy Sensitive platform, feel free to email the host at Leah@thehealthysensitive.com.