In this heartfelt and honest conversation, I am joined by integrative psychotherapist and HSP coach Simone De Costa, breathwork facilitator and coach Alan Friday, and Clinical Psychologist and conscious parenting coach Dr Genevieve Von Lob. We are the co-facilitation team behind the annual HSP Retreat in Devon.

Together, they explore what it means to "unmask" - the process of shedding the adaptive personas we build to fit in, survive, and belong, and returning to our authentic selves. The conversation covers how masking often begins in childhood (especially for highly sensitive people), the roles we unconsciously take on, such as the people-pleaser, peacekeeper, or achiever, and the personal toll of living behind these masks over time.

We each share our journey of unmasking - from burnout and crisis moments that became catalysts for deeper self-inquiry, to the gradual, courageous process of learning to trust our inner voice and body. We discuss how "coming home to yourself" is less about reaching a fixed destination and more about cultivating a safe, compassionate inner refuge - one built through embodied practices, self-acceptance, and genuine community.

The episode closes with three practical tools for embodiment: breathwork and diaphragmatic breathing (Alan), the mindful body scan (Simone), and the three-sync check-in — tuning into thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations simultaneously (Genevieve).

We also give a glimpse into our upcoming four-day HSP Retreat in Devon - a deeply nourishing, spacious, and welcoming container for sensitive people who are ready to finally exhale, belong, and be themselves.

Join our HSP Retreat June 11-14th, in Devon, UK

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About the Host: Jules De Vitto is a transpersonal coach, trainer and experienced educator for Highly Sensitive People. She helps those who identify with the traits of high sensitivity to navigate emotional overwhelm, step into their authentic power and align with their true purpose in life. She is a published author and wrote one of a series of books on Resilience, Navigating Loss in a time of Crisis. Her research has also been published in the Transpersonal Coaching Psychology Journal and Journal of Consciousness, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology.

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In this episode of the Highly Sensitive Human Podcast, I’m joined by researcher, educator and author Kaaryn Cater for a deeply insightful conversation on what it truly means to be a Highly Sensitive Person - particularly within the context of education. Together, we explore how high sensitivity shows up in learning environments, and why so many Highly Sensitive children and adults struggle within traditional education systems. From sensory overwhelm and emotional intensity to overthinking, perfectionism, and difficulty with boundaries, this episode highlights the often unseen challenges that sensitive individuals face in classrooms and beyond.

Kaaryn also shares insights from her upcoming book, Understanding the Highly Sensitive Learner, offering guidance for parents, educators, and Highly Sensitive individuals across all stages of life.

Dr Kaaryn Cater is an educator, coach, speaker and researcher with over 30 years of experience in education, coaching and professional development settings – and is the founder of The Mindwise Connection. Kaaryn specialises in supporting highly sensitive children, adolescents, adults, and the people who live, learn and work alongside them. She is passionate about sensitivity education and promoting wellbeing through focusing on maintaining nervous system balance and harnessing personal strengths to help highly sensitive people thrive in education, careers, work and life.

You can learn more about her work, resources, and services at https://www.mindwiseconnection.com/

Support the show

About the Host: Jules De Vitto is a transpersonal coach, trainer and experienced educator for Highly Sensitive People. She helps those who identify with the traits of high sensitivity to navigate emotional overwhelm, step into their authentic power and align with their true purpose in life. She is a published author and wrote one of a series of books on Resilience, Navigating Loss in a time of Crisis. Her research has also been published in the Transpersonal Coaching Psychology Journal and Journal of Consciousness, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology.

You can stay connected with Jules through...
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The Highly Sensitive Human Academy™ - join our 3-month professional training: coaching Highly Sensitive People

Join out HSP Retreat
Become a supporter
Disclaimer

In this episode of the Highly Sensitive Human Podcast, I sit down with Ixté Owul - a certified Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) coach, spiritual mentor, and intuitive guide. Together, we explore what it means to reclaim sensitivity as a gift rather than a burden.

Ixté shares her personal story of navigating psychic experiences from a young age, and later experiencing a profound spiritual awakening. She speaks about the importance of presence, safety, and being witnessed and how highly sensitive people can transform their experiences of overwhelm into sources of empowerment.

The conversation touches on ancestral healing, dreamwork, shadow work, and the role of grief and transformation in the HSP journey. Ixté also offers insights into her unique mentorship and healing practices, as well as resources that have supported her along the way.

Resources Mentioned:

• Conscious Dreaming by Robert Moss
• The Anatomy of a Calling by Lissa Rankin, MD
• Quote from Charles Eisenstein, The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible

More about Ixté Owul

Ixté Owul is a certified Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) coach, spiritual mentor, and intuitive guide. She supports psychically sensitive and empathic individuals in reclaiming their sensitivity as a source of power, not overwhelm. Through ancestral healing, intuitive development, and trauma-informed energy work, she helps clients navigate spiritual gifts that often emerge without context — especially for those who feel like they walk between worlds.

Ixté’s work is deeply shaped by her own lived experience as a highly sensitive and psychically attuned child who spent years overwhelmed by the unseen. After years of inner work, initiatory experiences, and training, she now guides others with deep care and reverence.

Her offerings include HSP coaching, spiritual mentorship, intuitive guidance sessions, and ceremonial healing work. She is passionate about building a world where sensitivity is honoured, and where those with spiritual perception feel supported - not silenced. In addition to one-on-one support, Ixté offers classes and workshops that walk highly sensitive individuals through transformational journeys.

Learn more at www.ixteowul.com or on Instagram @ixte_owul

Support the show

About the Host: Jules De Vitto is a transpersonal coach, trainer and experienced educator for Highly Sensitive People. She helps those who identify with the traits of high sensitivity to navigate emotional overwhelm, step into their authentic power and align with their true purpose in life. She is a published author and wrote one of a series of books on Resilience, Navigating Loss in a time of Crisis. Her research has also been published in the Transpersonal Coaching Psychology Journal and Journal of Consciousness, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology.

You can stay connected with Jules through...
Instagram
Linkedin
The Highly Sensitive Human Academy™ - join our 3-month professional training: coaching Highly Sensitive People

Join out HSP Retreat
Become a supporter
Disclaimer