High Sensitivity, Childhood, and the Path to Resilience with Dr. Michael Pluess

High Sensitivity, Childhood, and the Path to Resilience with Dr. Michael Pluess

In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Pluess, PhD. He’s a Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Surrey and one of the leading researchers on environmental sensitivity. Dr. Pluess has spent decades studying why some people are more deeply affected by their experiences — for better and for worse — and how genetics, childhood environments, and life experiences interact to shape highly sensitive individuals. We explore the science behind high sensitivity, including the concepts of differential susceptibility and vantage sensitivity, and discuss the powerful role that childhood experiences play in shaping resilience, mental health, and wellbeing throughout our lives. Dr. Pluess shares: * What environmental sensitivity is, and why some people are more affected by their experiences than others. * The relationship between genetics and environmental influences. * Why sensitivity is not fixed solely by genetics. * How childhood experiences influence resilience later in life. * Why some highly sensitive people develop greater vulnerability to stress while others develop resilience. * The link between high sensitivity, anxiety, and depression * Why highly sensitive people often respond exceptionally well to therapy and interventions. * Parenting styles that best support sensitive children. Topics covered: * The science of environmental sensitivity and what it means to be highly sensitive. * How genetics and environment work together to shape sensitivity. * Differential susceptibility and why some people are more affected by life experiences than others. * The impact of childhood experiences on resilience, wellbeing, and mental health. * Why some highly sensitive people thrive while others struggle. * The parenting styles that best support highly sensitive children. * The strengths of high sensitivity, including creativity, empathy, depth, and purpose. * Practical ways highly sensitive people can create environments that help them flourish. About Dr. Michael Pluess: Michael Pluess, PhD, is a chartered psychologist and Professor in Developmental Psychology at the School of Psychology, University of Surrey. Prof Pluess’ research focuses on the investigation of individual differences in the capacity for Environmental Sensitivity, the notion that some people are more affected by negative as well as positive experiences than other people. His research on Differential Susceptibility and Vantage Sensitivity has been published in the leading journals of the field. Follow along on Dr. Pluess’ journey: Website: sensitivityresearch.com [http://sensitivityresearch.com/] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pluess-90674752/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pluess-90674752/] Let’s Connect: 🤍 Share your biggest takeaway or follow us on Instagram @happyhsppodcast [https://instagram.com/happyhsppodcast] — we’d love to hear from you!  🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to help more HSPs find this space: thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com/] 📩 Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Kimberly at: kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com [kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com] 📖 Learn about Kimberly’s work: happyhspcoaching.com [https://happyhspcoaching.com/] About Kimberly: Kimberly Marshall is an ICF-certified Energy and Intuition coach for highly sensitive people (HSPs) and host of The Happy HSP Podcast. After 20 years in the publishing industry working for companies like Time Inc., Monster.com, and W. W. Norton, she left her corporate career to pursue work that better suited her HSP needs. She now help HSPs reconnect with their intuition, energy, and purpose so they can live gentle, soul-aligned lives.  Through her work, Kimberly hopes to shed more light on the reality of living with high sensitivity and inspire more HSPs to embrace their empathetic, loving, and gentle natures.  * Hosted/produced by Kimberly Marshall * Edited by Fonzie Try Media * Artwork by Tara Corola

The Highly Sensitive Man’s Journey to Self-Acceptance with Mark Wigginton

In this episode, I’m joined by licensed professional counselor, certified professional coach, and writer Mark Wigginton for a conversation about high sensitivity, men’s mental health, and self-acceptance. Together, we explore the realities of growing up highly sensitive in chaotic environments, navigating overstimulation and emotional reactivity, and trying to fit into careers and identities that don’t truly align. We also dive into masculinity and emotional expression, discussing how many men are taught to suppress vulnerability and disconnect from their emotions to appear “strong.” Mark shares his thoughts on addiction, grief, and learning to let down the walls that kept us emotionally isolated. Mark shares: * The connection between overstimulation, emotional reactivity, and shame. * How alcohol became a coping mechanism for managing sensitivity and anxiety. * His experience working in counseling, addiction recovery, and men’s mental health. * The emotional isolation many highly sensitive men experience. * Why vulnerability is often the true definition of strength. * Career instability, job-hopping, and searching for the “right fit.” * The importance of identifying hidden strengths in career journeys and life. * The role grief and loss can play in helping HSPs feel more emotionally connected. Topics covered: * Men’s mental health and emotional sensitivity. * Addiction recovery, career struggles, and job changes. * Overstimulation and emotional reactivity. * Vulnerability and masculinity. * Radical self-love and -acceptance. * Midlife growth and healing. About Mark Wigginton: Mark Wigginton is a licensed professional counselor, certified professional coach, and writer who discovered only later in life that he’s a Highly Sensitive Person — specifically a High Sensation Seeking HSP — a realization that helped him make sense of a lifetime of overstimulation, restlessness, deep processing, and adaptation.  His story includes recovery, reinvention, grief, and endurance, all of which shaped his belief that life’s next chapters often begin with understanding ourselves differently. Through his coaching, writing, and conversations with others, Mark explores what it means to navigate change with greater self-awareness, curiosity, and compassion. Follow along on Mark’s journey: Website: focusingonresults.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/focusingonresults/ Let’s Connect: 🤍 Share your biggest takeaway or follow us on Instagram @happyhsppodcast [https://instagram.com/happyhsppodcast] — we’d love to hear from you!  🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to help more HSPs find this space: thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com/] 📩 Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Kimberly at: kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com [kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com] 📖 Learn about Kimberly’s work: happyhspcoaching.com [https://happyhspcoaching.com/] About Kimberly: Kimberly Marshall is an ICF-certified Energy and Intuition coach for highly sensitive people (HSPs) and host of The Happy HSP Podcast. After 20 years in the publishing industry working for companies like Time Inc., Monster.com, and W. W. Norton, she left her corporate career to pursue work that better suited her HSP needs. She now help HSPs reconnect with their intuition, energy, and purpose so they can live gentle, soul-aligned lives.  Through her work, Kimberly hopes to shed more light on the reality of living with high sensitivity and inspire more HSPs to embrace their empathetic, loving, and gentle natures.  * Hosted/produced by Kimberly Marshall * Edited by Fonzie Try Media * Artwork by Tara Corola

Leading with Sensitivity, Purpose, and Psychological Safety with Anna Moretti

In this episode, I’m joined by Anna Moretti, a highly sensitive coach and former pharmaceutical leader, for a powerful conversation about authenticity, psychological safety, and redefining success as a highly sensitive person. Anna shares how discovering the highly sensitive trait through her son’s struggles led her into a transformative healing journey of reconnecting with herself after years of masking, perfectionism, and overachieving in the corporate world. Together, we explore what it means to lead from sensitivity — and why highly sensitive leaders bring incredible value to workplaces when they feel safe, supported, and empowered to be themselves. We also talk about rejection sensitivity, nervous system regulation, emotional overload, self-compassion, coaching, and the deep shift from seeing sensitivity as a burden to embracing it as part of who you are. If you’ve ever felt like you were “too much” and never enough at the same time, but you still feel driven to lead and step into your purpose, then this episode is for you. Anna shares: * Why many highly sensitive people grow up feeling defective or “wrong.” * The connection between masking, perfectionism, and overachieving. * Why highly sensitive people can make exceptional leaders. * The importance of psychological safety in workplaces. * How HSPs are impacted more deeply by their environments. * Why self-awareness and self-compassion are essential for HSP healing. * How embracing sensitivity can lead to more purpose, fulfillment, and alignment. Topics covered: * Highly sensitive leadership. * Corporate culture and psychological safety. * Rejection sensitivity, perfectionism, and people pleasing * HSP women in leadership. About Anna Moretti Anna Moretti is a Highly Sensitive Person and the founder of The Highly Sensitive Coach, empowering sensitive women leaders to turn overwhelm into clarity and lead with confidence.  Combining science, corporate leadership experience, and transformational coaching, she helps clients transform their sensitivity into a superpower. Follow along on Anna’s journey: Website: www.thehighlysensitivecoach.com [http://www.thehighlysensitivecoach.com/] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/annamoretti-coach [http://www.linkedin.com/in/annamoretti-coach] Let’s Connect: 🤍 Share your biggest takeaway or follow us on Instagram @happyhsppodcast [https://instagram.com/happyhsppodcast] — we’d love to hear from you!  🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to help more HSPs find this space: thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com/] 📩 Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Kimberly at: kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com [kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com] 📖 Learn about Kimberly’s work: happyhspcoaching.com [https://happyhspcoaching.com/] About Kimberly: Kimberly Marshall is an ICF-certified Energy and Intuition coach for highly sensitive people (HSPs) and host of The Happy HSP Podcast. After 20 years in the publishing industry working for companies like Time Inc., Monster.com, and W. W. Norton, she left her corporate career to pursue work that better suited her HSP needs. She now help HSPs reconnect with their intuition, energy, and purpose so they can live gentle, soul-aligned lives.  Through her work, Kimberly hopes to shed more light on the reality of living with high sensitivity and inspire more HSPs to embrace their empathetic, loving, and gentle natures.  * Hosted/produced by Kimberly Marshall * Edited by Fonzie Try Media * Artwork by Tara Corola

Highly Sensitive People, Burnout, and the Power of Boundaries with Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali

In this episode, I’m joined by licensed marriage and family therapist and coach Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali for a deeply validating conversation about what it really means to live as a highly sensitive person in a world that often rewards overworking, overgiving, and emotional suppression. Ibinye shares the moment she first discovered high sensitivity and how that realization shifted the way she viewed her exhaustion, relationships, and work as a therapist. Together, we explore the hidden burnout many HSPs experience, especially those who are high-achieving, deeply empathetic, and constantly carrying responsibility for others. We also talk about boundaries, perfectionism, emotional depth, and how highly sensitive people can create lives that truly support their nervous systems instead of fighting against them. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from trying to be everything for everyone, this conversation is for you. Ibinye shares: * Why discovering high sensitivity completely changed the way she understood herself. * The exhaustion she experienced growing up as a highly sensitive child. * How HSPs often spend years masking, camouflaging, and trying to fit in. * Why burnout is so common for high-performing highly sensitive people. * The importance of creating an HSP-friendly life and environment. * Why HSPs often become the “helper” or “resource person” in families and friend groups. * Why perfectionism and over-responsibility lead to nervous system burnout. * The importance of slowing down and honoring different seasons of life. * Her experience navigating emotional depth as an HSP. Topics covered: * HSP burnout, exhaustion, and boundary setting. * Perfectionism and high-performing HSPs. * Effective therapy and coaching practices for HSPs. * The importance of emotional depth and empathy. About Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali is a licensed marriage and family therapist, practicing virtually in Texas and California. She helps high performing, highly sensitive women heal trauma and quiet overwhelm, so they can feel confident setting set clear, kind boundaries and show up powerfully in their relationships and work. She loves utilizing brainspotting for women who have tried talk therapy without success. As a HSP coach, she helps women better understand the HSP trait, create a life that aligns with who they are, so they do not lose themselves in the shuffle of life. You can connect with her on www.thezinniapractice.com [http://www.thezinniapractice.com/] Follow along on Ibinye’s journey: Website: thezinniapractice.com Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @thezinniapractice Let’s Connect: 🤍 Share your biggest takeaway or follow us on Instagram @happyhsppodcast [https://instagram.com/happyhsppodcast] — we’d love to hear from you!  🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to help more HSPs find this space: thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com/] 📩 Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Kimberly at: kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com [kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com] 📖 Learn about Kimberly’s work: happyhspcoaching.com [https://happyhspcoaching.com/] About Kimberly: Kimberly Marshall is an ICF-certified Energy and Intuition coach for highly sensitive people (HSPs) and host of The Happy HSP Podcast. After 20 years in the publishing industry working for companies like Time Inc., Monster.com, and W. W. Norton, she left her corporate career to pursue work that better suited her HSP needs. She now help HSPs reconnect with their intuition, energy, and purpose so they can live gentle, soul-aligned lives.  Through her work, Kimberly hopes to shed more light on the reality of living with high sensitivity and inspire more HSPs to embrace their empathetic, loving, and gentle natures.  * Hosted/produced by Kimberly Marshall * Edited by Fonzie Try Media * Artwork by Tara Corola

Supporting Neurodivergence and the HSP Nervous System at Work with Sira Laurel

In this conversation, I’m joined by organizational development strategist and executive coach Sira Laurel to explore what it really means to support the highly sensitive nervous system at work. We talk about how neurodivergence shows up in professional environments, why so many HSPs struggle in traditional workplaces, and how to begin creating more aligned, supportive ways of supporting your staff. Sira shares: * Her experience of being labeled with sensory processing disorder and how that shaped her identity. * How she managed the shift from a calm environment to the intensity of a big city. * How meditation became a powerful tool for regulating her nervous system. * Her transition from quantitative corporate work into human-centered, systems-based work. * What it means to be a systems strategist and how her work supports individuals and organizations. * The importance of understanding your own nervous system and recognizing your personal signals of overwhelm. Topics covered: * Nervous system regulation for HSPs. * Neurodivergence in the workplace. * Neuropsychological safety and why it matters. * How work environments affect HSP well-being and performance. * Meditation as a tool for grounding and awareness. * Systems thinking and human-centered workplaces. * The future of work and why HSP traits are becoming more valuable. * Creativity, empathy, and intuition in the age of AI. About Sira Laurel: Sira Laurel is an organizational development strategist, executive coach, and certified Highly Sensitive Person coach who helps thoughtful professionals design work lives that actually fit how their brains and nervous systems function. With more than 15 years of leadership and HR experience, she specializes in helping highly sensitive and cognitively intense people understand their sensitivity as a strength rather than a limitation. Through her work in organizational development and neuro-affirming coaching, Sira helps people reduce hidden cognitive load, navigate leadership and career transitions, and build work environments where they can contribute their best thinking without burning out. Follow along on Sira’s journey: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/siralaurel Website: leadnorthofnormal.com Let’s Connect: 🤍 Share your biggest takeaway or follow us on Instagram @happyhsppodcast [https://instagram.com/happyhsppodcast] — we’d love to hear from you!  🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to help more HSPs find this space: thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com [https://thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com/] 📩 Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Kimberly at: kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com [kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com] 📖 Learn about Kimberly’s work: happyhspcoaching.com [https://happyhspcoaching.com/] About Kimberly: Kimberly Marshall is an ICF-certified Energy and Intuition coach for highly sensitive people (HSPs) and host of The Happy HSP Podcast. After 20 years in the publishing industry working for companies like Time Inc., Monster.com, and W. W. Norton, she left her corporate career to pursue work that better suited her HSP needs. She now help HSPs reconnect with their intuition, energy, and purpose so they can live gentle, soul-aligned lives.  Through her work, Kimberly hopes to shed more light on the reality of living with high sensitivity and inspire more HSPs to embrace their empathetic, loving, and gentle natures.  * Hosted/produced by Kimberly Marshall * Edited by Fonzie Try Media * Artwork by Tara Corola