Are you a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) struggling to find a career where you truly belong? Discover the ultimate job list for highly sensitive people — calm, meaningful roles that transform your HSP traits into your greatest professional superpower.If you've ever felt drained, overstimulated, or out of place in a fast-paced workplace, you are not alone. 

Around 15–20% of the population are Highly Sensitive People — and the modern office was simply not built with your nervous system in mind.In this episode, Esther Kane, MSW (psychotherapist with nearly 30 years of experience) walks you through:

✅ Why most workplaces are a sensory minefield for HSPs
✅ The 4 HSP superpowers from the DOES model — and how to leverage them at work
✅ Three career categories where highly sensitive people thrive:

🌿 Nurturing Niches — Occupational Therapist, Counselor, HSP Coach, Acupuncturist
🔬 Analytical Havens — Data Analyst, Technical Writer, Research Scientist, Paralegal
🎨 Creative Sanctuaries — Graphic Designer, Librarian, Photographer, Landscape Designer

✅ Why self-employment and freelancing may be the ultimate HSP career move
✅ Practical steps to start moving toward your own career sanctuary — starting today

Chapters:

00:00 The Modern Workplace Feels Like a Battlefield
01:08 What It Means to Be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
03:05 Why Most Jobs Drain HSPs (It’s Not You)
05:08 The HSP “DOES” Model Explained (Your Superpowers)
08:48 What Makes a Job an HSP Sanctuary?
11:12 Category 1: Nurturing Careers for Empaths
11:45 Occupational Therapist (OT)
13:32 Therapist, Counselor, or Coach
15:36 Acupuncturist or Massage Therapist
17:28 Category 2: Analytical Careers for Deep Thinkers
17:55 Data Analyst
19:49 Technical Writer
21:36 Research Scientist / Academic Researcher
23:30 Paralegal or Legal Researcher
25:20 Category 3: Creative Careers for Sensitive Minds
25:48 Graphic Designer or UX Designer
27:34 Librarian
29:18 Photographer or Videographer (Specialized)
31:16 Landscape Designer, Gardener, or Florist
33:20 Why the Job Title Matters Less Than the Environment
34:30 The Ultimate Path: Freelancing & Self-Employment
36:12 How to Find Your Ideal Career (Practical Steps)
39:10 Final Message: Your Sensitivity Is Your Strength

Your sensitivity is not a liability. It is your greatest professional asset. This video will help you stop trying to "toughen up" — and start building a work life where your depth is your advantage and your thoughtfulness is celebrated.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

If you’ve ever tried to be kinder to yourself and found that it just doesn’t stick, you’re not alone.

Many Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) struggle with intense self-criticism, emotional overwhelm, and an inner voice that feels impossible to silence. In this video, we explore why that happens—not from a place of judgment, but from deep nervous system understanding and compassion.

You’ll learn why self-kindness can feel unsafe or unfamiliar, how deep emotional processing shapes your inner world, and why your inner critic isn’t “the enemy”—but a protective adaptation.

We’ll also gently move into a guided self-compassion meditation inspired by Buddhist teachings (metta and karuna) to help you begin softening your relationship with yourself in a safe, grounded way.

This is a supportive space for healing, reflection, and nervous system regulation—especially for sensitive, empathic, and deeply feeling people.

🌿 In this video, you’ll explore:

Why Highly Sensitive People are so hard on themselves
How deep processing shapes emotional overwhelm
Why emotions linger longer in HSP nervous systems
How self-criticism develops as a protective mechanism
Why self-kindness can feel unsafe or “fake”
The role of trauma, overwhelm, and control patterns
A gentle nervous system regulation practice
A guided Buddhist-inspired self-compassion meditation
How to begin building inner safety and softness

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Why Highly Sensitive People Are So Hard on Themselves (Intro)
01:55 There Is Nothing Wrong With You
02:10 The Reality of High Sensitivity: Deep Processing
03:40 Why HSPs Don’t “Let Things Go” (Client Example)
05:20 Why Emotions Feel So Intense (Nervous System Example)
07:00 How Self-Blame Develops in Highly Sensitive People
08:30 The Inner Critic as Protection (Childhood Conditioning)
10:00 Why Self-Kindness Feels Unsafe for HSPs
11:30 Trauma, Overwhelm, and Control Patterns
13:00 Gentle Nervous System Regulation Practice
13:40 Guided Self-Compassion Meditation (Buddhist-Inspired)
14:40 Self-Compassion Meditation for HSP Nervous Systems
19:40 Integration + Grounding
20:40 Closing Reflection: You Are Not Broken

💙 About this practice

This meditation draws inspiration from Buddhist teachings of metta (loving-kindness) and karuna (compassion), practices that have supported emotional healing for over 2,500 years.

For Highly Sensitive People, the goal is not to “feel less,” but to learn how to relate to what you feel with more safety, softness, and understanding.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

If you struggle with setting boundaries in relationships, feel guilty saying no, or constantly put others first at the expense of your own emotional health, this video is for you.

In this in-depth Boundaries 101 guide, we explore what really happens when you finally start putting yourself first — especially if you’re a people pleaser, empath, highly sensitive person (HSP), or someone healing from childhood trauma or codependency.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Boundaries
00:42 Understanding Healthy Boundaries
02:46 The Challenge of Putting Yourself First
05:01 The Emotional Dynamics of Boundary Setting
07:01 The Complexity of Compassion and Boundaries
07:52 The Positive Outcomes of Setting Boundaries
08:44 Practical Steps to Set Boundaries
14:04 Conclusion: Embracing Your Needs

🧠 Why Boundary-Setting Is So Emotional

If you grew up managing a parent’s mood, walking on eggshells, or feeling like your needs didn’t matter, putting yourself first can trigger:
• Fear of rejection
• Fear of abandonment
• Guilt and anxiety
• Feeling “mean” or selfish
• A deep nervous system stress response

This is why boundary setting is not just a communication skill — it’s trauma healing work.

Healthy boundaries can feel like betrayal to a system that relied on your self-abandonment.

But when practiced consistently, boundaries create:

• Less resentment
• More authenticity
• Stronger self-respect
• Better communication
• Healthier, more sustainable relationships
 
🛠️ BONUS: Practical Boundary-Setting Exercise

At the end of this episode, I guide you through a gentle, step-by-step process to:

1. Identify where you feel emotionally drained
2. Name your real need (not what you “should” need)
3. Turn that need into a simple boundary statement
4. Practice saying it out loud
5. Visualize following through

This is how you begin healing people-pleasing and codependent patterns — one boundary at a time.

If this resonates with you, you are not alone. You are allowed to have needs. You are allowed to say no. You are allowed to protect your energy.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Male loneliness is now considered as dangerous to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But for Highly Sensitive Men (or HSP), the struggle to make friends goes deeper than just "getting out more."

In this special episode, psychotherapist Esther Kane, MSW hands the mic to her HSP husband, Nathaniel who, along with his HSP friend Michel, break down the "Friendship Problem" nobody talks about. If you’ve ever felt "frozen out" of male groups, or feel like your friendships are only surface-level, this conversation is for you or the man in your life.

Nathaniel and Michel discuss why men isolate, the "busy trap," and—most importantly—what you can actually do about it.

🔥 THE SOLUTION: Stick around until the end for our "Magic Text" Script—a simple, non-awkward message you can copy-paste to reconnect with an old friend today.

This video addresses the following:   

 - Why highly sensitive men often struggle to maintain male friendships.
 - The difference between "Activity Friends" and "Emotional Connection."
 - How to overcome the fear of reaching out first.
 - The Reconnect Script: Exactly what to say to break the ice.

Chapters

0:00 Loneliness Epidemic & Why This Matters
0:28 Why Highly Sensitive Men Struggle to Make Friends
1:36 How Boys Are Socialized Away From Emotional Connection
2:32 The “Survival Mode” Dynamic Among Boys
4:06 The Vulnerability Test
5:07 Why Male Friendships Stay Surface-Level
6:34 Emotional Intelligence vs Traditional Masculinity
8:03 The Turning Point: Maturity Changes Friendship Needs
10:10 Why Men Suddenly Want Deeper Friendships Later in Life
11:54 The Hidden Grief of Disconnected Men
14:30 The "Busyness" Myth
16:15 Finding Emotionally Safe Male Friends
18:17 Why Reaching Out Feels Awkward (But Isn’t)
20:56 The Psychology of Reconnection
23:02 The Simple Text Message to Reconnect With a Friend
24:39 Final Takeaway — You’re Not Broken

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a highly sensitive person who feels overwhelmed by noise, travel, or shared living spaces? You’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone.

In this Compassionate Conversations episode, Esther Kane, MSW is joined by writer (and HSP) Maryanne Pope, for a powerful follow-up conversation on noise sensitivity, sensory overload, and what it’s really like to live and travel as a highly sensitive person.

From tiny home living and constant background noise, to budget travel, shared rooms, and sensory burnout, this episode explores how HSPs experience sound, smell, and stimulation differently — and why quiet is not a luxury, but a biological need.

You’ll also hear:

✨ Why noise hits HSPs harder than most people
✨ Tools that actually help with noise sensitivity (earplugs, headphones, white noise)
✨ The hidden link between deep work, creativity, and sensory overwhelm
✨ A hilarious (and horrifying) real-life story about smell sensitivity while traveling
✨ How to advocate for yourself without guilt
✨ Why protecting your health must come before being “easygoing”

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive,” this conversation will help you reframe your sensitivity as wisdom — not weakness.

👉 Chapters

00:00 – Are You Overstimulated by Noise? (HSPs & Sensory Overload)
01:58 – Tiny Home Living: When “Quiet” Becomes Constant Noise
03:15 – Trains, Dogs, Construction: Daily Noise Triggers for HSPs
04:34 – Traveling as a Highly Sensitive Person
05:59 – Shared Spaces, Budget Travel & Sensory Burnout
06:28 – Finding Real Quiet as an HSP (Florida Retreat Story)
07:37 – Noise Sensitivity Survival Tools (Headphones, Earplugs, White Noise)
09:00 – Why HSPs Need Deep Quiet to Think & Heal
11:38 – How Highly Sensitive People Process Experiences Differently
12:23 – Introvert vs Extrovert Energy in HSPs
13:15 – Social Overstimulation & the Need for Alone Time
15:23 – BONUS: Smell Sensitivity in Highly Sensitive People
15:59 – When Chemical Smells Become a Health Issue
17:04 – Choosing Between Noise vs Smell Sensitivity
19:52 – Learning to Advocate for Yourself as an HSP
21:15 – Boundaries, Health & Using Your Voice
22:15 – Final Reflections for Highly Sensitive Viewers

📌 Mentioned in this episode:

*Previous video Esther and Maryanne did on Sound Sensitivity & HSPs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VskvI9W05VQ

*Maryanne Pope’s blog post on smell sensitivity:
https://www.pinkgazelle.com/2025/11/19/toxic-air-freshener/

👍 If this resonates, please like, comment, and share — it helps more highly sensitive people find this conversation.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Have you ever been told you’re too quiet, too sensitive, or too emotional?
Do you freeze, go blank, or people-please when you try to speak up?

In this episode, psychotherapist Esther Kane, MSW shares a compassionate, body-aware approach to finding your voice as a highly sensitive person (HSP)—without forcing yourself to be louder, more assertive, or more extroverted.

With nearly 30 years of experience working with highly sensitive people, Esther explains why many quiet, sensitive, and introverted individuals struggle to speak up—and why there is nothing wrong with you. Your silence is not a flaw; it is often a protective nervous system response shaped by early family conditioning, trauma, and socialization.

You’ll learn:

✨ Why having a voice is not a personality trait
✨ How trauma and the nervous system impact your ability to speak
✨ Why quiet does not mean weak or powerless
✨ A 4-step process to safely find and use your voice
✨ A gentle, trauma-informed voice reclamation exercise for HSPs who freeze, go blank, or people-please

This video is especially supportive for:

• Highly sensitive people (HSPs)
• Introverts and quiet individuals
• Women navigating menopause and increased emotional sensitivity
• People healing from relational trauma
• Anyone who wants to speak their truth without abandoning themselves

⏱️ Chapters 

00:00 – Finding Your Voice as a Highly Sensitive Person
Why quiet, sensitive people struggle to speak and why nothing is wrong with you

01:30 – You Are Not Broken (Your Voice Adapted for Safety)
Trauma, nervous system protection, and silence as survival

03:10 – Why Confidence Is Not a Personality Trait
The truth about assertiveness, introversion, and self-trust

04:50 – Trauma, the Nervous System & Going Quiet
Why your throat tightens, your mind goes blank, or you freeze when speaking

06:45 – Quiet Does NOT Mean Weak
Gender socialization, people-pleasing, and quiet leadership

08:45 – How to Find Your Voice: A 4-Step Process
Building confidence, self-esteem, and emotional safety

10:45 – Bonus Exercise: Gently Reclaim Your Voice
A trauma-informed practice for highly sensitive people

12:20 – Your Quiet Voice Matters
Why the world needs you truer, not louder

Your voice doesn’t need to be louder.
It needs to feel safe, trusted, and honored.

💛 Stay until the end for a simple nervous-system-friendly exercise you can use right away to begin reclaiming your voice.

If this video resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need this message today.

#highlysensitiveperson #hsp #empaths

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro helping—or harming—people with food addiction and emotional eating?

In this powerful and deeply nuanced conversation, psychotherapist Esther Kane, MSW sits down with Dr. Vera Tarman, world-renowned food addiction expert and author of Food Junkies, to explore the real impact of GLP-1 medications on the body, brain, emotions, and long-term recovery.

We go far beyond weight loss and ask the hard questions:

• What happens to food addiction when appetite is chemically suppressed?
• Why do cravings often return stronger when the medication stops?
• Are GLP-1 drugs creating emotional blunting, depression, or anhedonia?
• Who truly benefits from these medications—and who is being left behind?
• Are there ethical, limited situations where GLP-1s can be helpful?

This episode is especially important for anyone who:

• Struggles with food addiction or emotional eating
• Has a history of trauma, anxiety, or depression
• Feels conflicted about taking weight loss medications
• Wants root-cause healing, not just symptom management

💛 This is a compassionate, trauma-informed conversation about choice, awareness, and true recovery—not shame or quick fixes.

⏱️ Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 – Introduction: Why this conversation matters now
01:00 – Who is Dr. Vera Tarman & her work in food addiction
02:10 – Why GLP-1 drugs are being prescribed “like candy”
03:30 – The antidepressant parallel: are we repeating history?
05:00 – Who profits from weight loss drugs? (Let’s get political)
08:10 – Side effects doctors aren’t talking about
09:25 – Polypharmacy & medication stacking concerns
11:40 – How the food industry benefits from GLP-1s
12:45 – Are addictive foods still the real problem?
14:20 – When GLP-1s might be life-saving
16:05 – Why food addiction doesn’t disappear on medication
18:30 – Emotional blunting, anhedonia & loss of joy
20:15 – Mental health risks for people already struggling
22:05 – What to focus on instead of weight loss drugs
23:50 – Food addiction recovery vs. quick fixes
25:40 – Muscle loss, bone density & long-term health risks
28:10 – Why discomfort is part of healing
31:45 – Trauma, the body, and the capacity to heal
34:35 – Emotional eating as communication, not failure
36:45 – What cravings are really asking for
38:55 – Root-cause healing vs. symptom suppression
41:25 – Resilience, recovery, and real freedom from food addiction
42:30 – Final thoughts & resources

📚 Resources Mentioned

📘 Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction – Dr. Vera Tarman
🎧 Food Junkies Podcast
👥 Facebook Group: I’m Sweet Enough: Sugar-Free for Life

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) who feels overwhelmed, exhausted, or misunderstood? In this therapeutic deep dive, seasoned psychotherapist, Esther Kane, shares the top secrets to thriving as a Highly Sensitive Person—based on more almost three decades of specializing in HSPs.

You’ll learn:

✨ What it really means to be highly sensitive
✨ How your nervous system works
✨ Why you get overstimulated
✨ How to regulate big emotions
✨ Tools to protect your energy
✨ How to set boundaries without guilt
✨ How to build a sensitivity-friendly lifestyle
✨ The hidden gifts of being an HSP
✨ Real client-style examples that show what thriving truly looks like

Chapters

00:01:39 Understanding the Highly Sensitive Trait
00:04:05 Overstimulation and Energy Management
00:07:34 Emotional Regulation for HSPs
00:10:26 Boundaries and Relationships
00:12:22 Thriving, Not Just Surviving
00:14:31 The Secret Gifts of High Sensitivity

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you feeling angrier, more irritable, or more emotionally overwhelmed during perimenopause or menopause? You’re not alone — and you’re not “losing it.”

In this episode, we explore why menopausal rage can feel so intense, especially for highly sensitive women and women with a history of trauma.

This is a deeply compassionate, trauma-informed conversation about what’s really happening in your brain, body, and nervous system during the menopausal transition.

In This Video, You’ll Learn:

•    Why sudden anger and irritability are common in perimenopause & menopause
•    How hormonal changes impact your nervous system and emotional regulation
•.   Why highly sensitive women (HSPs) feel menopausal rage more intensely
•    How past trauma can resurface during the midlife transition
•.   The hidden wisdom behind midlife anger — and what it’s trying to tell you
•    Calming, trauma-informed tools to navigate emotional overwhelm

This Episode is for you if:

• You’re in perimenopause or menopause
• You’re feeling more irritable, reactive, or overstimulated
• You identify as a highly sensitive woman
• You’ve experienced trauma or long-term stress
• You’re seeking understanding instead of shame
• You want to feel grounded, empowered, and supported during this transition

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Menopausal Rage
02:50 Understanding Menopausal Anger
05:27 The Role of Trauma in Anger
08:10 Healing Through Anger
11:15 The Impact of Ancestral Trauma
13:44 Transforming Anger into Advocacy
16:30 Navigating Relationships and Anger
19:13 The Gift of Menopause
22:08 Empowerment Through Anger
25:08 The Shift from Personal to Collective Anger
27:46 Finding Purpose in Anger
30:59 The Importance of Boundaries
33:46 Community and Connection
36:26 Conclusion and Reflection

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) wondering why some jobs drain you while others make you come alive?  In this deep dive, psychotherapist Esther Kane, MSW, RSW shares the best careers for highly sensitive people—plus practical tools to help you build a work life that supports your sensitivity instead of overwhelming it. 

You’ll learn:

✨ What it really means to be an HSP in the workplace
✨ The top careers where HSPs thrive—creative, healing, research, and nature-based roles
✨ Which careers may cause burnout for sensitive people
✨ Real client stories and inspiring examples
✨ How to create a sensory-friendly workspace, set boundaries, and trust your intuition

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too sensitive,” this episode will help you understand that your sensitivity isn’t a weakness—it’s your superpower. 

🕊️ Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) at Work
09:46 Career Categories for HSPs
11:07 Careers HSPs May Want to Avoid
13:04 Practical Tips for Career Success as an HSP
20:34 Guided Meditation for Career Alignment

👉 Learn more at https://www.estherkane.com

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

In this enlightening interview, Dr. Judith Orloff—psychiatrist, New York Times bestselling author, and leading expert on empathy—shares powerful insights on how to embrace your sensitivity as a strength rather than a weakness.

Dr. Orloff explains the key differences between empaths and highly sensitive people, how to recognize emotional overload, and what practical tools can help you stay balanced and empowered. She also discusses her new children’s book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, inspired by her own childhood experiences as an intuitive, empathic child.

✨ In this conversation, you’ll learn:

·       The difference between an empath and a highly sensitive person (HSP)

·       How to protect yourself from “energy vampires”

·       Why sensitive children need understanding, not “toughening up”

·       Tools for emotional boundaries and self-care

·       How to teach kids empathy, self-love, and confidence

·       Why sensitivity is a superpower in today’s world

Whether you identify as an empath, HSP, or simply want to understand sensitivity better, this interview offers gentle wisdom and practical strategies for thriving in an overwhelming world.

🎧 About Dr. Judith Orloff:

Dr. Orloff is the author of The Empath’s Survival Guide, Thriving as an Empath, The Genius of Empathy, and The Highly Sensitive Rabbit. Her work bridges traditional psychiatry with intuitive understanding, helping empaths and sensitive people live more peaceful, empowered lives.

📚 Learn more at: https://drjudithorloff.com

📘 Books mentioned:

·       The Highly Sensitive Rabbit

·       The Empath’s Survival Guide

·       Thriving as an Empath

·       The Genius of Empathy

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews about psychology, emotional health, and thriving as a highly sensitive person.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Have you ever been told you’re “too emotional” or “too sensitive” when you felt angry? In this video, psychotherapist Esther Kane, MSW, RSW explores why women’s anger is not something to be ashamed of — it’s something to listen to.

You’ll learn how anger can be a powerful messenger, helping you recognize when your boundaries have been crossed and guiding you toward greater self-respect, healing, and empowerment. Esther explains what really happens when women suppress anger, how that energy can turn inward as depression or anxiety, and how somatic therapy can help you safely release and transform stored anger in the body.

Stay until the end for practical tools you can use right away — including journaling prompts, breathwork techniques, and body-based exercises to express anger in healthy, healing ways.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Women's Anger
01:52 The Consequences of Suppressing Anger
04:16 Somatic Therapy: A Healing Approach
06:21 Healthy Expressions of Anger

To watch this episode on Esther's YouTube Channel which if full of powerful visuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdDwfkJIPds

🎧 Coming soon: Part 2 — a lively and honest conversation about how women can navigate anger through different life stages.

#womensempowerment #healthyboundaries #healthyrelationships

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro really the answer — or are they another quick fix that keeps you disconnected from your body?

In this episode, psychotherapist Esther Kane, MSW, who specializes in food addiction, emotional eating, and trauma recovery, shares why relying on weight loss medication can actually keep you stuck in the same painful cycle — and what to do instead for real, lasting healing.

You’ll learn:

🌿 Why emotional eating isn’t about willpower
💔 The hidden emotional cost of appetite-suppressing drugs
🧠 How trauma and early coping patterns influence your relationship with food

💫 What real healing looks like — and how to find freedom without medication

If you’ve ever felt broken because diets or medications didn’t “work,” this episode will help you understand that your body has always been trying to protect you.

✨ Subscribe for more episodes on emotional eating recovery, trauma healing, and body acceptance.

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Instagram: @estherkanemsw
Facebook: Esther Kane, MSW, RCC

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a highly sensitive person in love? Do you ever wonder if your sensitivity is “too much” for relationships—or if it could actually be your greatest strength? 💜

In this interview, I sit down with Lisa Chen, LMFT, a psychotherapist and highly sensitive person herself, to explore the unique gifts and struggles HSPs bring to love. Together we discuss:

✨ What it really means to be a highly sensitive person in relationships
✨ The hidden strengths HSPs bring to intimacy and connection
✨ Common struggles HSPs face in love (and how to overcome them)
✨ What happens when one partner is highly sensitive and the other is not
✨ Practical tools for conflict, communication, and boundaries
✨ How HSPs can express needs without guilt or fear of being “too much”

Discover how to nurture stronger interpersonal relationships and build emotional intelligence as an HSP. Learn how understanding hsp traits can deepen empathy and improve communication in your relationships. Enhance your connection with these valuable relationship tips.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction: Sensitivity in Relationships
01:21 – Meet Lisa Chen, Psychotherapist & HSP
01:32 – Is Sensitivity a Weakness or a Strength?
02:18 – The Highs & Lows of HSP Relationships
03:26 – What Does It Mean to Be a Highly Sensitive Person?
05:51 – Unique Strengths HSPs Bring to Love
07:41 – Common Struggles: Boundaries & Overwhelm
08:25 – The Saviour Complex & Codependency
10:39 – Dysregulation & Shutdown in HSP Couples
12:22 – When One Partner is HSP and the Other Isn’t
13:02 – Regulating the Nervous System & Taking Breaks
14:58 – Window of Tolerance: Staying Grounded
17:16 – HSPs and Attachment Styles in Conflict
18:03 – Signs of “Going Offline” & Relationship Lessons
20:05 – Strategies for Handling Conflict as an HSP
22:26 – Tools for Regulation: Nature, Pets, & Rituals
23:39 – Staying Connected as a Couple After Conflict
24:53 – Daily Rituals & Joy Practices for HSPs
26:26 – Bookending the Day: Joy & Gratitude Practices
27:27 – Balancing Joys & Sorrows in Life & Love
27:54 – Closing Thoughts & Reflections

📌 More episodes on Highly Sensitive People in Love:

▶️ Listen to my conversation with my husband Nathaniel about two HSPs in a long-term relationship

https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2022477/episodes/11403778-the-pros-cons-of-two-highly-sensitive-people-in-a-relationship

▶️ The Secret to Relationships for Highly Sensitive People

https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2022477/episodes/17746299-how-can-highly-sensitive-people-thrive-in-relationships


To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy":

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Instagram: @estherkanemsw
Facebook: Esther Kane, MSW, RCC

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) who feels like you love too deeply, care too much, or notice things in your relationship that others don’t? You’re not “too sensitive” — you’re wired for deep, soulful love. 💜

In this video, psychotherapist Esther Kane, MSW explores:

✔️ The gifts HSPs bring to love (empathy, intuition, loyalty, creativity)
✔️ The challenges HSPs face (criticism, overstimulation, emotional overwhelm)
✔️ Real-life stories of HSPs in relationships
✔️ Practical tools to set boundaries, communicate needs, and thrive in love
Whether you’re an HSP or love someone who is, this video will help you understand the unique world of highly sensitive people in relationships.

✨ Topics covered:

• Why HSPs feel love so intensely
• Common HSP relationship triggers
• How to explain your sensitivity to a partner
• Rituals and practices that help HSP couples stay connected

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) in Love
02:38 The Beautiful Gifts of HSPs in Relationships
05:22 Challenges Faced by HSPs in Love
06:15 Tools for Thriving as an HSP in Love

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you having a hard time navigating your social life as a young adult? Then you might be an introvert &/or a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Whether you feel drained after parties, crave deep conversations over small talk, or struggle with overstimulation in social settings, this video is for you.

Esther Kane, MSW shares her best HSP social life tips for building meaningful friendships, avoiding burnout, and embracing your highly sensitive traits—without sacrificing your well-being. You’ll learn:

✅ How to set boundaries as an HSP
✅ Why quality over quantity is key in friendships
✅ Recovery strategies after social events
✅ How to find like-minded friends who value depth and authenticity

If you’ve ever wrestled with FOMO, social anxiety, or wondered how to thrive as an introvert and highly sensitive person, this episode will give you the tools and confidence you need.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding High Sensitivity
02:10 Navigating Social Life as a Highly Sensitive Person
04:51 Strategies for Thriving in Social Situations

💬 Comment below with your experiences as an HSP—what social situations energize you, and which ones leave you drained? Let’s build a supportive HSP community together.

🔔 Follow this show for more episodes on thriving as an introvert and/or highly sensitive person, emotional self-care, and creating a social life that works for YOU.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Do you find it challenging to live in this world as a highly sensitive man (HSM)? Do you want to learn how to connect with other HSMs, accept who you exactly as you are & learn how to thrive? Then you need to listen to this episode!

Esther Kane interviews William Allen who hosts the podcast for highly sensitive men and runs online groups for HSMs.

In this episode, Esther and Bill discuss the importance of community, the impact of Elaine Aron's work, and the dynamics of Allen's new podcast, 'Men with STYLE.' The conversation delves into the challenges faced by HSMs, the significance of creating safe spaces for emotional expression, and the future aspirations for outreach and support for sensitive men. Allen shares insights on the unique experiences of HSMs and the transformative power of connection and understanding within this community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Highly Sensitive Men
02:51 The Birth of the Podcast
06:02 Understanding the STYLE Acronym
08:46 The Impact of Elaine Aron
12:09 Podcast Dynamics and Topic Selection
14:51 Future Topics and Growth
17:55 The Importance of Community for HSPs
21:03 Challenges in Creating Safe Spaces
23:47 Advice for Creating HSP Meetups
27:04 The Role of Virtual Groups
29:54 The Experience of HSM Virtual Meetups
32:56 The Uniqueness of HSPs
36:02 Future Projects and Aspirations

Resources mentioned in podcast:

First interview I did with Bill: 

Thriving as a Highly Sensitive Man with William Allenhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/12401187

My interview with Randy Grasser and Annet van Duinen:

Adventurous Highly Sensitive People
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/17250452

Men with STYLE episode Bill mentioned:

Elaine Aron on the Strength of Highly Sensitive Men: A New Vision of Masculinity
https://menwithstyle.buzzsprout.com/2460657/episodes/16806772-elaine-aron-on-the-strength-of-highly-sensitive-men-a-new-vision-of-masculinity?t=0

Another video you may enjoy on this topic: 

Esther interviews her HSM husband:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/11307086
 
Where to find Bill and his work:

https://www.thesensitiveman.com

For Esther’s blog posts, videos and podcasts: 

https://www.estherkane.com/blog-and-podcasts/

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy": 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Instagram: @estherkanemsw
Facebook: Esther Kane, MSW, RCC

#highlysensitivepeople #hsp #highlysensitive

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

If you're a deeply feeling, intuitive, and empathetic person who often puts others first, this episode is for you. Esther Kane, MSW explores the real reasons why HSPs are more prone to self-abandoning behaviours—like people-pleasing, over-apologizing, or saying “yes” when you want to say “no.” This isn’t about weakness—it’s about your sensitive nervous system, emotional depth, and how you’ve learned to survive in a world that can feel too much.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:54 The reasons why HSPs are wired for self-abandonment
02:12 Why HSPs abandon themselves
03:46 Signs of HSP self-abandonment
04:11 Tools to help you stop abandoning yourself as an HSP
04:53 Gentle reminder for HSPs

FREE resources: 

For a primer on self-abandonment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMjH_JE8wpg&t=7s

To learn more about how to set and maintain healthy boundaries:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqmJmRLqNIM&t=1s

For Esther’s blog posts, videos and podcasts: 

https://www.estherkane.com/blog-and-podcasts/

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy": 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

#SelfAbandonment #HighlySensitivePerson #PeoplePleasingRecovery

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Do you find yourself putting everyone else first, even when it hurts you? Self-abandonment is when we ignore our needs to please others. ⁨Esther shares her top tips on how to recognize it and to heal.  

This podcast episode outlines the concept of self-abandonment, its signs, consequences, and how to heal from it. Practical exercises are provided to reconnect with oneself and practise self-compassion. 

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Self-Abandonment
01:48 Signs and Consequences of Self-Abandonment
05:27 Healing from Self-Abandonment
06:51 Embodiment Exercise for Self-Compassion

FREE resources: 

To learn more about how to set and maintain healthy boundaries:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqmJmRLqNIM

For Esther’s blog posts, videos and podcasts: 

https://www.estherkane.com/blog-and-podcasts/

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy": 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a highly sensitive person who likes adventure? Then you may be a high sensation seeker as well as an HSP. Esther interviews a couple who teach HSP/HSS people how to thrive.

In this enlightening conversation, Esther Kane, along with guests Randy Grasser and Annet van Duinen, delves into the unique intersection of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and a High Sensation Seeker (HSS). They explore personal experiences, the challenges faced by individuals with these traits, and the benefits of embracing both sides. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and the power of community for HSPs and HSSs. The guests share valuable insights and practical tips for flourishing in life while navigating the complexities of these intertwined identities.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding HSPs and HSSs

00:24 The Journey of Self-Discovery

00:24 The Intersection of Sensitivity and Sensation Seeking

00:24 Empowerment and Agency for HSPs

01:26 Relationships and Connection

03:46 Conclusion and Future Directions

08:05 Authenticity in Relationships

12:28 The Journey of Connection

13:16 Understanding HSPs and HSS

16:12 The Adventure Triskelion Model

20:57 Navigating Life as HSPs and HSS

23:11 Empowerment Through Adventure

Where to find Randy and Annet:

https://thelivingadventurers.com/

To get granular about Highly Sensitive and High Sensation Seeking, listen to this:

Highly Sensitive and High Sensation Seeking as a man: Men with S.T.Y.L.E. Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/men-with-s-t-y-l-e/id1805892202?i=1000705377091

Elaine Aron’s article on the HSP/HSS Combo: 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-highly-sensitive-person/202307/highly-sensitive-and-high-sensation-seeking-individuals

Elaine Aron’s self-test for Highly Sensitive and High Sensation Seeking:

https://hsperson.com/test/high-sensation-seeking-test/

FREE Resources: 

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

For my blog posts and podcast episodes on Highly Sensitive People: 

https://www.estherkane.com/blog-and-podcasts/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy": 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

As a highly sensitive woman, is your experience of menopause different from other women you know? Do you feel misunderstood by helping professionals & aren’t getting what you need from them?
Esther shares her top tips to make this season of change easier to manage as a highly sensitive woman.

In this episode, Esther discusses the unique experiences of highly sensitive women during menopause. She outlines five characteristics that differentiate their experiences and offers effective coping strategies to empower them through this transition. The conversation also includes a self-compassion meditation exercise to help listeners cultivate kindness towards themselves during this challenging time.

Chapters
00:00
Understanding Menopause for Highly Sensitive Women
03:02
Unique Challenges Faced by Highly Sensitive Women
05:55
Coping Strategies for Menopause
08:57
BONUS! Self-Compassion and Meditation Practices

FREE resources: 

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:  

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

For Esther’s blog posts, videos and podcasts on Highly Sensitive People: 

https://www.estherkane.com/blog-and-podcasts/

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy": 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

#menopausehealth #perimenopausehealth #highlysensitiveperson

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) in need of some tools to build & maintain healthy relationships?  Esther Kane, ‪@compassionateconversations441‬ discusses the importance of self-reflection in building healthy relationships & emphasizes the need to go slowly & to check in with emotions & physical sensations.

Chapters

00:00 Building Healthy Relationships Through Self-Reflection
04:03 Understanding Energy Dynamics in Relationships
05:17 The Importance of Being Heard and Valued

FREE HSP resources:

Esther’s other videos and podcasts on Highly Sensitive People:

https://www.estherkane.com/podcast/hi...

Esther’s blog posts on Highly Sensitive People:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/h...

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sen..

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy":

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

#highlysensitiveperson #highlysensitivepeople #hsp

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a highly sensitive person who struggles with relationships? Do you feel that the relationships in your life mostly drain you? It doesn't have to be this way. Listen to this episode to learn how to set boundaries & create healthy relationships which nourish & uplift.

In this conversation, Esther Kane discusses the unique challenges and strengths of highly sensitive people (HSPs) in relationships. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and being discerning in choosing relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding HSPs and Relationships
02:25 Boundaries and Self-Care for HSPs
05:37 The Power of Intuition in Relationships
08:43 Choosing the Right People in Your Life
11:46 Friendship Tiers and Relationship Dynamics

Show Notes

Episodes mentioned in this video:

Dealing with people who Emotionally Drain you:

https://www.estherkane.com/podcasts/how-to-handle-emotional-vampires/

Highly Sensitive People in Relationships: Two HSPs Dating:

https://www.estherkane.com/podcasts/highly-sensitive-people-in-relationships-what-a-long-term-hsphsp-marriage-looks-like/

FREE HSP resources:

Esther’s other videos and podcasts on Highly Sensitive People:

https://www.estherkane.com/podcast/hi...

Esther’s blog posts on Highly Sensitive People:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/h...

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sen..

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy":

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a highly sensitive woman going through perimenopause? In this episode, two HSP psychotherapists, (who are themselves navigating the menopausal transition), discuss the shortcomings of the medical system, the importance of healing past traumas and losses, developing agency, and the journey towards self-discovery and joy.

In this conversation, Esther Kane, MSW and Michele Jenkins, MSW, discuss the emotional and psychological challenges women face during perimenopause. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging grief, embracing transformation, and developing agency over one's health.

Michele shares the TIDES framework she developed, which encourages women to tune into themselves, identify their needs, develop self-compassion, engage in self-advocacy, and slow down for self-discovery.

Esther and Michele also highlight the significance of community support and the need for women to prioritize their well-being during this transitional phase of life.

Episode Contents

00:00:00  Navigating Perimenopause: A Shared Journey
00:03:14  The Impact of Sensitivity on Mental Health
00:06:08  The Medical System's Shortcomings
00:09:03  The Role of Trauma in Perimenopause
00:11:54  Finding Agency and Healing
00:14:57  The Emotional Toll of Loss
00:17:53  Somatic Healing and Self-Discovery
00:21:12  Transformative Nature of Perimenopause
00:24:04  Embracing Joy and Relaxation
00:26:57  Personal Stories of Struggle and Resilience
00:34:57  Navigating Grief and Loss
00:37:40  Understanding Perimenopause and Its Impact
00:39:33  Embracing Transformation and Grieving the Past
00:41:23  The Importance of Agency in Women's Health
00:44:43  TIDES: A Framework for Self-Care
00:55:02  Developing Self-Compassion and Care
01:01:43  Engaging in Self-Advocacy and Creating a Plan
01:07:47  Slowing Down for Self-Discovery

Show notes:

Other Menopause episode mentioned:

Menopause Myths Debunked: Susan Willson on Trauma, Healing, and Empowerment

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/15750303

Where to find Michele:

Michele Jenkins, LCSW
https://www.michelejhsptherapy.com
Instagram: @hspperimenopausetherapy

FREE resources: 

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality: 

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/ 

For Esther’s blog posts, videos and podcasts on Highly Sensitive People: 

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/ 

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy": 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you afraid of menopause because you've heard horror stories from older women? In this episode, Esther Kane,  women's psychotherapist (25+yrs), interviews Susan Willson,  Nurse Midwife & author of Making Sense of Menopause. They discuss how this stage of a woman's life can be a higher calling to heal unfinished business & explore our innate wisdom & creativity.

00:00:00 Compassionate Conversations Introduction
00:00:24 Introducing Susan Willson
00:01:52 Esther explains why "Making Sense of Menopause" is one of her favourite books
00:02:37 Reframing menopause as a transformational journey
00:03:50 Spirituality and the aging process
00:06:19 Why menopause is so hard & why do we fear it?
00:07:37 The 'deification of youth' in western culture
00:08:25 Facing loss of our younger selves is essential
00:08:42 Most books about menopause focus on diet/exercise
00:11:35 How women are creating healthy narratives re: aging/menopause
00:12:00 Importance of working through unresolved trauma
00:12:44 How the medical model has led women to not trusting their bodies
00:15:14 Three kinds of estrogen in women's bodies
00:15:25 Estridiol- makes us want to take care of others
00:16:30 Estriol- triggers creative centres in the brain
00:18:08 Easy fix for vaginal atrophy
00:19:27 Menopause as a "crossroads"
00:20:51 Why it's important for women to tell their stories
00:24:16 What Esther wishes she had known while going through perimenopause
00:26:42 Create a community of women in this transition
00:28:29 Empowering rituals to mark this rite of passage
00:45:11 Esther's healing- finding & using her voice

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

In this episode, Esther Kane interviews Dr. Georgia Ede of Diagnosis Diet, a nutritional psychiatrist, about her new book, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind. Dr. Ede explains the link between metabolism and the state of our mental health.  She also discusses the exciting finding in the growing field of metabolic psychiatry that many people are able to greatly reduce or eliminate psychiatric medications when they eat a biologically appropriate diet.

Episode Contents

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Introducing Dr. Georgia Ede
2:35 Why mental health practitioners aren't educated on the relationship between nutrition and mental health
4:58 How much food choices impact our mental health and what a powerful intervention foods can be in improving our mental health
5:30 The "me-search" that led Dr. Ede to explore the effects that nutrition can have on physical and mental health
9:23 How mainstream psychiatry fails most people and why we need new approaches
13:33 Why depression and anxiety have reached epidemic proportions in recent years
15:02 Why the Standard American Diet or SAD, is contributing to poor mental health
18:02 Why food is one of the most powerful pillars of better mental health
18:50 Why we are so confused about what to eat
19:34 Debunking popular nutrition headlines which are based on ideology, not biology
23:00 Why plant-based and mediterranean diets outperform the Standard American Diet (SAD)
28:21 Why meat is the original “superfood” for brain health
32:54 The three ways of eating (WOEs) that Dr. Ede recommends to improve mental health
43:20 How ridding one's diet of ultra-processed foods alleviates food addiction 
50:25 How people can reduce or eliminate the need for psychiatric medications using dietary strategies
55:42 Why the ketogenic diet is so good for people struggling with mental health issues
57:02 The importance of emphasizing HOPE and exciting developments in the area of metabolic health
1:04:07 Wind-up and what Dr. Ede is looking forward to

Show notes:

Where to find Dr. Ede, buy her book, find a clinician or check out her clinical training course:
https://www.diagnosisdiet.com

Resource mentioned in interview:

Baszucki Foundation:  links the ketogenic diet with resolution of mental health challenges:
https://www.metabolicmind.org/

FREE resources:

For more on ultra-processed foods and food addiction:

Dr. Vera Tarman, Author of “Food Junkies” – Food Addiction 101
https://www.estherkane.com/podcasts/vera-tarman/

How to Break Free of Food Addiction: Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab of Sweet Sobriety
https://www.estherkane.com/podcasts/how-to-bre

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Esther Kane is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping  Highly Sensitive People (or HSPs) become all that they dream of being. In this short talk, she points towards the fact that as HSPs, we are highly skilled at extending compassion towards others, but often fail to extend it towards ourselves. She ends with guiding you through a short meditation, which will help you develop the beginnings of self-compassion.

Blog post and self-compassion practises mentioned:
https://www.estherkane.com/mothering-yourself/

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:
https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel,  give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Esther Kane is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping highly sensitive people (or HSPs) become all that they dream of being. In this short talk, she discusses why and how our anger can be harmful to ourselves. She explains how high sensitivity and introversion contribute to the internalization of emotions and how shoving our feelings down can cause many health problems such as  depression and anxiety

Book Mentioned:

The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate

For resources on self-compassion:

https://www.estherkane.com/mothering-yourself/

Green Thera-Band in video:

https://www.amazon.ca/Thera-Band-FlexBar-Green-Medium-Non-Returnable/dp/B000KGOMBC

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:
https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast,  give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Esther Kane is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping  highly sensitive people (or HSPs) become all that they dream of being. In this short talk, she shares her reflections on why HSPs do so well in psychotherapy and are every therapist's dream to work with.

FREE resources:

Self-compassion resources mentioned:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWDla...

https://www.estherkane.com/self-compa...

https://www.estherkane.com/how-to-do-...

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:
https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sen...

To read a whole lot of articles by Esther on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/h...

To receive Esther's FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel,  give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Esther Kane is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping Highly Sensitive People (or HSPs) discusses the concept called 'being inwardly outrageous' by SARK and encourages HSPs everywhere to try it out for themselves.

Where to find SARK and her fabulous books:
https://www.planetsark.com

To check out Esther's outrageous shoe collection and to find some fun shoes for yourself:
https://www.fluevog.com

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:
https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel,  give it a great review if you enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Esther Kane, a psychotherapist who specializes in  helping highly sensitive people (or HSPs)  shares tips for how we can lessen anxiety around being physically sick. She talks about how she has made peace with having seasonal allergies through exposure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy and gives some affirmations which lower anxiety.

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

As a highly sensitive person, do you feel like the odd one out for being different than other people? What if you could learn to reframe your sensitivity as a superpower instead of being mean to yourself? Listen to this short talk  to learn some easy and incredibly effective tools which will help you transform how you view yourself and empower you to step out as the amazing super-person you are.

FREE resources:

How to Increase Your Self-Compassion:

https://www.estherkane.com/mothering-yourself/

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel,  and give it a great review if you really enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them. Thanks!

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

As a highly sensitive person, do you feel like the odd one out for being different than other people? What if you could learn to reframe your sensitivity as a superpower instead of being mean to yourself? Listen to this short talk to learn some easy and incredibly effective tools which will help you transform how you view yourself and empower you to step out as the amazing super-person you are.

FREE resources: 

How to Increase Your Self-Compassion:

https://www.estherkane.com/mothering-yourself/

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, click the 'like' button, give it a great review if you really enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them. Thanks!

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

As a  highly sensitive person, do you feel like you are less in charge of your life than you'd like to be?   What if there was a way to learn to be the 'driver of the bus' that is your one precious life? Listen to this short talk to learn more about how to take your power back.

Author of book mentioned, The Body Keeps the Score is Bessel van ver Kolk:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Body_Keeps_the_Score

Creator of Somatic Experiencing is Peter Levine:

https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/about-peter

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

As a  highly sensitive person, do you feel like the odd one out for being different than other people? What if you could learn to reframe your sensitivity as a superpower instead of being mean to yourself?  Listen to this short musing  by Esther to learn some easy and incredibly effective tools which will help you transform how you view yourself and empower you to step out as the amazing super-person you are.

FREE resources:

How to Increase Your Self-Compassion:

https://www.estherkane.com/mothering-yourself/

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality-introversion/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel,  give it a great review if you really enjoyed it and pass episodes on to others who could also benefit from them. Thanks!

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a fan of Ketogenic Woman (Anita Breeze)? I sure am! Here she shares her personal story which contributed to a significant weight gain before she found the ketogenic way of eating. I was touched by her story and deeply moved by the emotional healing she has done in order to heal her relationship with food and her body. I think you will be too. Enjoy!

Episode Contents

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Body Image Series Intro
2:56 Introducing Anita Breeze
8:14 Going beyond the typical weight loss story
9:51 What Anita learned about women's roles from her family-of-origin
21:03 What messages Anita got about food and weight from a young age
24:38 Identifying the link between multigenerational trauma and her struggles with food and weight
36:00 Using food for emotional reasons- food as comfort
38:12 Healing the relationship with her mother
46:10 How her relationship to food and her body has changed over time
47:47 Anita and Esther discuss one of the most important areas to address in order to heal our relationship to food and our bodies: unfinished emotional business and past traumas
52:15 Anita's 'before and after': resolving unfinished emotional business and past traumas
53:28 Wrap-up

Show Notes

Where to find Anita:

Her website:

https://ketogenicwoman.com

YouTube Channel:

Ketogenic Woman

To watch my interview with Dr. Joan Ifland on Highly Processed Food Addiction, go here:

https://www.estherkane.com/podcasts/highly-processed-food-addiction-with-dr-joan-ifland/

Dr. Georgia Ede and her book, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind, can be found here:

https://www.diagnosisdiet.com

FREE resources:

To check out Esther's writing and podcasts/videos on women, eating disorders and body image, go to this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/eating-disorders/

To receive Esther's  6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, click the 'like' button, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Canadian Psychotherapist Esther Kane interviews Dawn Hertz, a grief and loss therapist, to provide  some tools for those of you who are grieving a recent loss.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Introduction of Dawn Hertz
1:30 How Dawn has been touched personally by grief and loss
9:39 How she became interested in specializing in grief and loss as a therapist
12:52 What grief and loss looks like for most people in the short term, after a year, and in the long run
15:28 How western culture helps or harms those who are grieving
19:46 Mistakes people make when trying to help someone who is grieving
23:48 How to best support someone who is grieving
25:00 Pitfalls grieving people fall into and how they can these be avoided
29:27 How grieving people can recognize what they need and then ask for it
35:50 Do we ever truly ‘get over' a significant loss?
40:20 Dawn shares stories of hope from those who have moved through significant loss in their lives

Show notes:

Where to find Dawn:

https://dawnhertztherapy.com

Grief author mentioned in interview:

Dr. Alan Wolfelt

Blog post about losing my dear friend to brain cancer:

https://www.estherkane.com/a-tribute-to-my-dear-friend-ingrid-watermann-1974-2024/

Read articles I've written on grief and loss:.

https://www.estherkane.com/category/grief-and-loss/

To receive my FREE report called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", go to:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, click the 'like' button, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Dr. Ifland is considered to be the world's leading expert in processed food addiction.

She is the author of the textbook, Processed Food Addiction.

Dr. Ifland educates health practitioners on using food addiction recovery to put diet-related diseases into remission.

She was selected by the Oprah Winfrey Network as food addiction specialist, is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and an innovator in food addiction recovery programs.

In this episode, we discuss: 
 - the Standard American Diet (SAD) being filled with highly-processed, low nutrient, cheap foods, which Dr. Ifland calls "addictive food-like substances”
 - the food industry and what happened in the 1980s
 - how the brain learns to crave
 - the impact on the brain and body when processed foods are consumed
 - how many people who eat The Standard American Diet have a food addiction and how you can identify if you have one
 - if you have a food addiction, what steps you should take
 - obsession and cravings
 - how to avoid relapse
 - how to overcome an addiction to processed food

Where to find Joan:
https://www.drjoanifland.com

Food Addiction Reset Program:
https://www.foodaddictionreset.com/arc-membership-details

Dr. Vera Tarman, Author of "Food Junkies": Food Addiction 101
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0W3V_4cMW4

How to Break Free of Food Addiction: Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab of Sweet Sobriety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_sGEubvmcg&t=264s

FREE resources: 

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on women, eating disorders and body image, click on this page: https://www.estherkane.com/category/eating-disorders/ 

To receive my 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a Jewish woman who struggles with food and body image? You are not alone! One study found that the rate of eating disorders amongst Jewish women was 50 percent higher than the general U.S. population. Enjoy this fascinating discussion between two experienced Jewish female eating disorder therapists, Esther Kane and Nina Manolson,  to understand the reasons behind this. Most importantly, you will learn some invaluable tools to help you recover from your distorted body image and food issues for good.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Body Image Series Intro
2:44 Introducing Nina Manolson
4:20 The four major themes from Esther's research on Jewish women and eating disorders
8:50 Nina's take on these findings 
15:53 Nina's advice for Jewish women who struggle with food and body image
30:10 Shifting focus from food as 'the problem' to 'this is about survival/coping'
35:55 How women from minority groups can adopt these strategies
41:27 A poem from Nina

Show Notes:

To learn more about Esther’s research study:

Exploring the Role that Ethnicity and Culture Play in Disordered Eating (on page 10 in the following link)
https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/visions_disorderedeating-no16.pdf

Video on Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Food:

https://youtu.be/BKEGfNHHCrU

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holocaust-survivors-cookbook/

Where to find Nina:
https://ninamanolson.com/

FREE resources:

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on women, eating disorders and body image, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/eating-disorders/

To receive my 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Psychotherapist Esther Kane and Megan Snedden, founder of a of kindness movement called the Kind Effect, discuss how Megan found healing, meaning and purpose after suffering two losses of close family members. 

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Introduction of Megan Snedden
1:37 Megan's personal story of loss
10:52 How Megan coped with mental health issues after these losses
16:39 Inspiration for the kindness movement 
27:10 How she transformed the perils of grief into the gifts of kindness
33:25 Megan's advice for those suffering a major loss
40:45 How to support a loved one who is going through a major loss

Show Notes:

Previous Episode of Compassionate Conversations on Grief and Loss:

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm9EPEjPxDU

Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/12254659

Where to find Megan:

TheKindEffect.com

FREE resources:

To read articles I've written on grief and loss:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/grief-and-loss/

To receive my FREE report called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Canadian Psychotherapist Esther Kane and her friend Maryanne Pope discuss how they have both grieved the losses in their lives, as well as how to help someone who is grieving and how to find meaning and purpose after a big loss.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Introduction of Maryanne Pope
1:50 Story of how Esther and Maryanne met
8:18 Maryanne's writing and public speaking
10:53 Story of John's death
14:48 Why Maryanne wrote a Widow's Awakening
17:36 How we handle death in western cultures
18:54 Post Traumatic Growth
22:58 The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people
26:35 The worst thing someone said to Maryanne after the loss of her husband
28:55 How to best help a grieving person
32:28 Esther's experiences with grief and loss
42:00 Why grieving and healing from loss can take so long
46:30 Maryanne's advice for others dealing with grief and loss

Show Notes:

Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and Noise Sensitivity

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VskvI9W05VQ

Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/11313890

Where to find Maryanne:
https://www.pinkgazelle.com/

To buy A Widow’s Awakening:
https://www.bhcpress.com/Books_Pope_A_Widows_Awakening.html

FREE resources:

To read articles I've written on grief and loss:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/grief-and-loss/

To receive my FREE report called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

If you prefer video, check out Esther's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

In this episode, Esther Kane interviews Jenn Granneman, founder of the world’s largest online community for introverts, IntrovertDear.com, and the co-founder of HighlySensitiveRefuge.com. We discuss her new book, SENSITIVE which she co-wrote with Andre Solo.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 HSP Series Intro
2:13 Introduction of Jenn Granneman
3:10 Jenn's personal experience of being a highly sensitive person 
7:58 How she manages being in the public eye as an introvert and HSP
10:00 The evolution in writing about introversion and now sensitivity 
16:06  Differences between introversion and high sensitivity 
19:00 Strengths of sensitive people 
22:12 Language to use when talking about sensitivity 
28:38 Practical tools to manage overstimulation
32:23 Difference between empathy and self-compassion
36:06  How to thrive as an introvert/HSP
40:00 What Jenn would tell her young self now as a 'wise elder'

You can find Jenn’s wonderful work here:

Her on-line communities:
introvertdear.com
sensitiverefuge.com

Books:

Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World, to be published by Harmony in March 2023

The Secret Lives of Introverts, published by Skyhorse in 2017

My review of Jenn’s first book:
https://www.estherkane.com/esther-recommends-the-secret-life-of-introverts/

Esther’s “What is the difference between a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) & an Introvert?” 

Blog post:
https://www.estherkane.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-highly-sensitive-person-hsp-and-an-introvert/

YouTube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOMdpUn15Ug

Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/11327301

More FREE Resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:
https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

In this episode, Esther Kane  speaks with author William Allen who has written two books about highly sensitive men and is an HSM himself.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 HSP Series Intro
2:13 Introduction of William Allen
3:29 William's story of being a highly sensitive man 
12:01 Why he decided to focus on men and high sensitivity
18:52 Problems HSP men struggle with the most
30:54 How HSP men challenge traditional masculine stereotypes
40:57 Tools for HSP men to relieve stress, anxiety and overwhelm 
47:52 What we can do to help HSP boys

To find William:

https://www.thesensitiveman.com

His books:

Confessions of a Sensitive Man, An Unconventional Defense of Sensitive Men 
On Being a Sensitive Man, Success Strategies for Harnessing Your Highly Sensitive Nature

FREE Resources:

My interview with Nathaniel, my HSM husband:

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF5xnfOWyxo&t=0s

Audio:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2022477/episodes/11307086

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:
https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you a food addict? Do you need some simple and practical tools to break free?  Watch this video where Eating Disorders Therapist, Esther Kane interviews Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab of Sweet Sobriety. They take a deep dive into how to break free of food addiction for good. 

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Body Image Series Intro
2:44 Introducing Clarissa and Molly
4:20 Molly's personal story with food addiction 
14:28 Clarissa's personal story with food addiction 
29:00 Their focus on highly processed foods as addictive
38:14 Using a harm reduction approach to FA
39:00 Why food addiction recovery is so tricky
41:36 Sugar addiction
48:20 Assessing food addiction and practical steps to begin recovery

Research Study mentioned:

“Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction”

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1005523/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field&journalName=Frontiers_in_Psychiatry&id=1005523&fbclid=IwAR0y-Dei1QFMPoIs_WjYvQqcOGxMwYJehDRQNmfkcGeVRDDC0BJmQL6tb9o

How to connect with Molly and Clarissa
https://www.sweetsobriety.ca

Food Junkies Podcast:
https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com

FREE resources:

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on women, eating disorders and body image, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/e...

To receive my 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

YouTube version of this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_sGEubvmcg

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Do you find yourself eating when you're not physically hungry? Do you turn to food when you feel mad, sad, or glad? Watch this short video to learn some tips and tricks to stop the emotional eating habit for good.

To buy a copy of my book, It's Not About the Food: A Woman's Guide to Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-About-Food-Womans/dp/0978070623/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236270846&sr=8-2

FREE resources:

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on women, eating disorders and body image, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/e...

To receive my free 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Esther interviews Tamara about how she used the book, “Dump That Chump: A 10- step plan for ending bad relationships and attracting the fabulous partner you deserve"  to end toxic relationship patterns in her own life for good.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Introduction of Tamara Wensley
2:40 Why Esther wrote Dump That Chump
3:55 Esther outlines the ten steps in the book and Tamara describes how she worked through each one of them:
4:19 Step One: Make a commitment to yourself
8:43 Step Two: Do some family-of-origin work
11:44 Step Three: Re-examine your beliefs and value systems
13:56 Step Four: Change your “self-talk”
17:00 Step Five: Figure out who you are and what your needs are
21:38 Step Six: Start becoming the kind of person you want to attract
25:53 Step Seven: Create a strong image of your ideal partner
28:07 Step Eight: Study people who meet the criteria of your ideal partner
31:17 Step Nine: Become friends with people who meet your criteria
34:15 Step Ten: Date until you find your ideal partner

Show notes:
 
You can find Tamara here:
https://www.primalsisters.com

Where to Find Dump That Chump:
https://www.estherkane.com/resources/dump-that-chump/

Book mentioned:
Succulent Wild Woman By SARK

Exact quote: “Marry yourself first -- promise never to leave you!”

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Succulent-Wild-Woman-(25th-Anniversary-Edition)/SARK/9781668001219

FREE Resources:

To read articles I've written about healthy relationships, click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/healthy-relationships/

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you sick and tired of being in dead-end relationships? Do you end up in ones where the another person treats you badly? Are you ready to attract your ideal partner once and for all?

Esther Kane can help you do just that. In fact, she wrote an entire book dedicated to making this a reality in your life. It's called,  “Dump That Chump: A 10- step plan for Ending bad Relationships and Attracting the Fabulous Partner you Deserve".

This short video is an introduction to the book and explains how we get into toxic relationships, and gives hope on finding a way out.

Where to Find Dump That Chump: 
https://www.dumpthatchump.com

To read Esther's articles about healthy relationships, click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/healthy-relationships/

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Resources mentioned in video:

Dr. Ramani Durvasula- psychologist and author of "Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving a Relationship With a Narcissist"
https://posthillpress.com/book/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-surviving-a-relationship-with-a-narcissist

Excerpt from an American Psychological Association interview with Dr. Durvasula entitled, "Speaking of Psychology: Recognizing a Narcissist" 
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/narcissism

How to write the unsent letter:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/therapeutic-letter-writing/

FREE Resources:

To read other articles I've written on how to handle people with personality disorders, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/dealing-with-personality-disorders/

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive articles full of tips to help you become the best version of you possible. As a bonus, you'll get 10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy for FREE!

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

The book reviewed:

The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive in an Extrovert World by Martin Olsen Laney
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/49322.The_Introvert_Advantage

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People (and Introverts), click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you the victim of adult bullying? Listen to this short podcast to learn tips and tricks from Esther Kane to handle bullies and prevent being a target in future.

FREE resources:

Read these articles I've written about how to handle bullies:

https://www.estherkane.com/esthers-recommended-reading-the-no-asshole-rule/

https://www.estherkane.com/ask-esther-workplace-bullying/

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive articles full of tips to help you become the best version of you possible. As a bonus, you'll get 10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy for FREE!

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

In this episode, Esther Kane, MSW, RSW, RCC speaks with Amy Pinnell, MSW, RSW, about the link between Highly Sensitive People and burnout. There are some great tips on how HSPs can prevent burnout in the long run by taking care of themselves in the present.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 HSP Series Intro
2:13 Introduction of Amy Pinnell, MSW, RSW
3:22 Amy's personal story of being an HSP
10:48 How Amy found her place in the world
11:55 The link between HSPs and burnout
18:46 Tools and advice to HSPs to prevent burnout

To find Amy:

https://www.sensitivesocialworker.com

https://www.bravespirit.ca

FREE Resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sen...

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/h...

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and  give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Do you think you may be addicted to food? How do you know for sure? Watch this mind-expanding interview where Eating Disorders Therapist, Esther Kane and Dr. Vera Tarman, author of Food Junkies, discuss the how's and why's of food addiction.  They discuss in detail the main differences between food addiction and eating disorders.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Body Image Series Intro
2:44 Introducing Vera Tarman
4:15 Vera's personal struggle with food addiction
20:20 Differences between “food addiction” and “eating disorders”
16:45 How do I know if I’m addicted to food?
24:31 The four stages of food addiction
41:30 Differences between food addiction and addictions to other substances
49:55 What foods people tend to be addicted to and why
54:00 The huge increase of highly processed foods on the market today and the politics behind this
57:48 Do people with food addiction need to follow a particular way of eating to achieve success and to maintain their recovery?
1:00:08 Why  “intuitive eating” doesn’t work for everyone
1:01:43 The role spirituality plays in recovery from food addiction
1:04:35 Practical steps to becoming free of food addiction

Where to find Vera:
https://addictionsunplugged.com

Food Junkies Book:
https://addictionsunplugged.com/product/food-junkies-recovery-from-food-addiction/

Food Junkies Podcast:
https://addictionsunplugged.com/category/podcast/food-junkies-podcast/

FREE resources:

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on women, eating disorders and body image, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/eating-disorders/

To receive my 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Join Esther Kane for a primer on how to be more compassionate towards yourself. She will outline the pioneering work of Dr. Kristin Neff,  whom she dubs the "Queen of Self-Compassion", ending with a  practical hands-on exercise called "The Self-Compassion Break" which takes less than five minutes and is positively transformational and life-changing if practised consistently.

Where to find Kristen Neff:

https://self-compassion.org

FREE resources:

To read more articles I've written on self-compassion, click on this page: https://www.esherkane.com/category/e...

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive articles full of tips to help you become the best version of you possible. As a bonus, you'll get 10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy for FREE!
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Do you struggle with overeating? Listen to this enlightening interview where Eating Disorders Therapist, Esther Kane and Joy Kiddie, The Low Carb Healthy Fat Dietician, discuss how eating a low carb diet with healthy fats often helps people overcome the tendency to overeat. Joy gives us the science behind this and how she uses this approach to work with her clients who struggle with overeating.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Body Image Series Intro
2:44 Introducing Joy Kiddie
6:39 Joy's personal story with food/weight/health struggles
13:30 Is ‘low carb/keto’ just another fad diet?
16:48 Esther's health results from being low carb/keto for over a decade
17:58 How a low carb/keto can help resolve eating disorders and food addiction

Where to find Joy:
www.lchf-rd.com

her articles:
https://www.lchf-rd.com/food-for-thought/

Resources mentioned:

Dr. Jason Fung
https://www.thefastingmethod.com

Dr. Vera Tarman, author of Food Junkies
https://addictionsunplugged.com

Dr. Christopher Palmer, author of Brain Energy
https://www.chrispalmermd.com

Dr. Georgia Ede
https://www.diagnosisdiet.com

Dr. Ted Naiman, author of the P:E Diet
https://www.lowenergydiet.com

FREE resources:

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on women, eating disorders and body image, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/e...

To receive my 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you feeling helpless in the face of a loved ones addiction? Esther Kane gives her top tips to help you successfully navigate the tricky territory between being there for someone else, while also taking care of yourself and setting healthy boundaries.

To receive a FREE report designed to help you create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

To access lots of articles I've written on addictions, click here:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/addictions/

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Are you dreading the upcoming holidays and obligatory family obligations that come along with it?Esther Kane, family systems therapist for over 25 years, gives her top three tips to help you successfully navigate family holiday gatherings this season. You may even grow from the experience in a positive way!

To receive a FREE report designed to help you create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

To access lots of articles I've written on family-of-origin, click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/family-of-origin/

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and  give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

RAIN Meditation Explained
Benefits of Practising RAIN Meditation
How to do RAIN Meditation

If you want to go much deeper into learning and practising self-compassion get yourself a copy of Radical Compassion by Tara Brach. 

Need more?

Check out these articles I’ve written about meditation:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/meditation/

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive articles full of tips to help you become the best version of you possible. As a bonus, you'll get 10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy for FREE!

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

FREE resources:

How to write therapeutic letters:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/therapeutic-letter-writing/

To read more articles I've written on this topic, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/family-cut-offs/

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive articles full of tips to help you become the best version of you possible. As a bonus, you'll get 10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies for FREE:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

FREE Resources:

"More Captive Than Client"
https://www.pinkgazelle.com/2021/06/01/more-captive-than-client/

Esther's video on how to set boundaries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_IAgS6BY_E&t=2s

Esther's articles on how to set boundaries:

https://www.estherkane.com/how-to-set-healthy-boundaries-in-relationships/
https://www.estherkane.com/ask-esther-setting-boundaries/
https://www.estherkane.com/the-power-of-no/
https://www.estherkane.com/brilliant-boundaries-creating-and-instituting-personal-policies/

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive articles full of tips to help you become the best version of you possible. As a bonus, you'll get 10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy for FREE!

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

FREE resources:

To read other articles I've written on boundaries, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/boundary-setting/

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive articles full of tips to help you become the best version of you possible. As a bonus, you'll get 10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy for FREE!

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Have you ever wondered what it would like for 2 highly sensitive people to be in a long-term romantic relationship? Esther Kane, an HSP psychotherapist who helps HSPs thrive, & her husband Nathaniel discuss their own personal HSP-HSP marriage combo. They share the pros and cons of such a union in a humorous & thought-provoking discussion.

00:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
00:24 HSP Series Intro
02:13 Introduction of Nathaniel Richman, Esther's husband and HSP
03:29 Esther and Nathaniel discuss what its like for two HSPs to be in a long-term relationship (they have enjoyed over 23 years in theirs!)
03:48 What the research says
05:40 What Esther and Nathaniel feel are the pros of being two HSPs in a couple
14:00 Pro #1: Being able to be quiet together and giving each other space
16:30 Pro #2: Understanding each others' needs
17:30 How Esther and Nathaniel are different types of HSPs
27:00 What Esther and Nathaniel feel are the cons of being two HSPs in a couple
27:35 Con #1: Putting others before ourselves as a couple
28:30 Con #2: Boredom and feeling stuck in our routines/Wanting the other person to take charge
31:29 Con #3: Being too serious and not having enough fun
35:23 Why we chose not to have children
35:48 How we socialize with others in an HSP way that works for us


To find Elaine Aron's work:

https://hsperson.com


To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Book #1: The Introvert Entrepreneur by Beth L. Buelow
Book #2: Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World by Jenn Granneman

Where to find these books:

The Introvert Entrepreneur by Beth L. Buelow
https://www.amazon.ca/Introvert-Entrepreneur-Amplify-Strengths-Success/dp/0399174834

Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World by Jenn Granneman
https://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Lives-Introverts-Inside-Hidden/dp/1510721029

FREE resources:

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People (and Introverts), click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 HSP Series Intro
2:13 Differences Between High Sensitivity and Introversion
5:42 How do I Know if I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
12:39 How do I Know if I am an Introvert?

Resources mentioned:

The Highly Sensitive Person: How To Thrive When The World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.
https://hsperson.com/books/the-highly-sensitive-person/

The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive in an Extrovert World by Martin Olsen Laney
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/49322.The_Introvert_Advantage

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sensitive-people/

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People (and Introverts), click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter 

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Nathaniel Richman is the Founder and Creative Director of Nrichmedia, a Website Design company which helps individuals and organizations market themselves and grow while also making a positive impact on the world. Check them out at: www.nrichmedia.com

He also happens to be my husband of nearly 22 years and we are near to celebrating 24 years together! Why am I dragging him here to be a YouTube video and a podcast guest? Because he happens to be highly sensitive person who is also a male and I needed one to interview.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 HSP Series Intro
2:13 Introducing Esther's HSP husband, Nathaniel Richman
4:08 What Nathaniel sees as the differences between HSP men and non-HSP men
5:36 Elaine Aron's Acronym “STYLE” for Highly Sensitive Males (HSMs) and Nathaniel's take on it
21:20  Growing up as an HSM in a non-HSP family and non-HSM peers
31:20 Advice Nathaniel has for younger HSMs facing these challenges
36:10 Nathaniel's  message of hope for HSMs

Article mentioned in this episode:

How Are Highly Sensitive Men Different? article by Elaine Aron:
https://hsperson.com/how-are-highly-sensitive-men-different/

FREE Resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sen...

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Esther Kane and her friend Maryanne take you on a deep dive into the world of Highly Sensitive People and how they are affected by noise,  along with their top tips to managing noise sensitivity.

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 HSP Series Intro
2:13 Introduction of Maryanne Pope
4:12 Maryanne being an extroverted HSP and Esther being an introverted HSP
7:25 How we are both affected deeply by sound as HSPs
8:45 How different we are as HSPs being an extrovert vs. an introvert
11:00 HSP 101
13:35 What are "Soundaries" and why are they so vital to HSPs?
16:20 Maryanne's specific noise sensitivities and her "soundaries"
22:45 Esther's specific noise sensitivities and her "soundaries"
28:45 Maryanne and Esther's tips for navigating noise sensitivities
36:00 Dealing with other people's insensitivity re: the noise they make in a productive way

Where to find Maryanne:

https://www.pinkgazelle.com/

FREE resources:

To learn more about the Highly Sensitive Personality:

https://www.estherkane.com/highly-sen...

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on Highly Sensitive People, click on this page:

https://www.estherkane.com/category/highly-sensitive-personality/

To receive my FREE report designed to help HSPs create better boundaries called, "10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy", click here:

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel and give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com

Join Esther Kane in this wonderful episode where she interviews Louise Green of “Big Fit Girl”.

Louise Green is an award-winning plus-size trainer, athlete, and activist working to change the narrative around body size and the idealistic standards often found in our fitness culture. She is the author of Big Fit Girl and Fitness for Everyone, and the creator of the fitness app and online coaching community Big Fit Girl. Louise is also the founder of the Size Inclusive Training Academy, where she educates health and fitness professionals on how to be more size-inclusive. 

Episode Contents:

0:00 Compassionate Conversations Intro
0:24 Body Image Series Intro
2:44 Introducing Louise Green, Big Fit Girl
3:32 Louise's personal story
7:00 Why Louise advocates representation of larger size bodies
9:25 Opening a plus-size boot camp
11:35 How Louise adapted a boot camp to plus-size people
15:00 Dealing with societal weight biases
19:00 Changes needed in the worldwide fitness community to make it more inclusive
24:23 Louise's advice for larger bodied people wanting to improve fitness
32:14 Benefits of fitness programs designed specifically for people living in larger bodies
33:50 How we can learn to love the ’skin we’re in’ and come to a place of body acceptance through fitness activities
37:38 Louise's own journey to love/accept/appreciate the body she has
40:48  Stories and feedback from Louise's clients and students

To find Louise Green:

www.louisegreen.ca
louisegreen_bigfitgirl
@sizeinclusivetraining
https://www.sizeinclusivetraining.com


FREE resources:

To read a whole lot of articles I've written on women, eating disorders and body image, click on this page:
https://www.estherkane.com/category/eating-disorders/

To receive my 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies:
https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

To order my book: It's Not About the Food: A Woman's Guide to Making Peace with Food and Our Bodies
https://www.estherkane.com/resources/its-not-about-the-food/

Watch my YouTube Channel videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DU4xM_co9zSxOWZvd08oA

Please don’t forget to subscribe to this channel, click the 'like' button, give it a great review if you really enjoy it and pass episodes onto others who could also benefit from them.

Support the show

Links

To watch episodes on Esther's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@compassionateconversations441

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive either of these for FREE:10 Tips for Getting Rid of Relationships That Drain Your Energy or the 6-part audio program, Making Peace With Food and Our Bodies: 

https://www.estherkane.com/#newsletter

If you want to do therapy with me (only residents of British Columbia, Canada):

www.estherkane.com