Have you ever been told you're "too sensitive" or that you feel things more deeply than everyone else around you? It's not a character flaw. It can be an advantage, and you'll learn why in this episode.

Kayla sits down with Jesie Steffes, a licensed professional counselor, grief therapist, and certified intuitive eating counselor, to unpack what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

Jesie breaks down how to tell if you might be an HSP, and practical tools for navigating life with this trait—from setting boundaries (vs. rules) to knowing the difference between “caring” and “carrying,” especially if you work in a helping profession.

She also digs into how HSPs relate to food, body image, and emotional eating, and why living in rhythm with the seasons can be a game-changer for your nervous system.

If you've ever wondered why you feel frazzled or overstimulated compared to others, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
04:34 Understanding the HSP Identity
09:54 Boundaries as a Love Language
20:01 Body Image and Emotional Eating Among HSPs
22:33 Practical Strategies for HSPs in Therapy
28:13 Caring vs. Carrying in Helping Professions
34:08 Establishing Boundaries and Intentional Schedules
38:29 Living with the Seasons: Embracing Natural Rhythms
45:48 The Power of Writing and Connection
51:59 Introducing 'The Way of the Tender' Course

Keywords:
highly sensitive person, HSP, Elaine Aron, boundaries, people pleasing, burnout, helping professions, therapy, seasonal living, introvert, self care for empaths

🔗Links Mentioned:
Visit Jesie’s website

The Way of the Tender—8-week course for HSPs

Seasonal Self Workshops

Follow Jesie on Instagram

Sated Soul on Substack

The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron PhD

HSP Self-Test

More from Kayla:

Follow Kayla on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Kayla's Website

Get Kayla’s Free Weekly Newsletter

In this conversation, Kayla connects with one of her dearest colleagues and friends, Elizabeth McLaughlin, a registered dietitian and creator behind The High-Functioning Hot Mess.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Why so many dietitians get into the field (spoiler: to manipulate their own bodies)
• Functional nutrition vs. conventional nutrition
• Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)—what this test reveals and common trends seen in high-performing women
• The stress-mineral-depletion cycle and why supplements alone won't fix a (stress) bucket with a hole in it
• GI Map testing—what a stool test can uncover about gut bacteria, low stomach acid, motility, and more
• Practical tips to naturally support digestion and stomach acid production
• The role of nervous system regulation, hobbies, and faith in healing the whole person

Whether you're brand new to functional nutrition or just starting to question why the conventional approach hasn't worked, you’ll get a real framework for understanding what your body might actually be asking for.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Origins
02:48 Elizabeth's Journey to Dietetics
06:47 Navigating Personal Challenges and Health Issues
17:22 Unlearning Diet Culture
18:42 The High-Functioning Hot Mess Concept
20:15 Understanding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
23:50 Emotional Awareness and Processing
27:47 Understanding Functional Nutrition
31:19 Comparing HTMA and Blood Tests
32:47 Identifying Patterns in High-Performing Women
36:17 Interpreting HTMA Results
42:05 Stress Less, Play More
49:24 Exploring the GI Map Test
53:12 Stimulating Digestion in a Low-Acid Environment
58:30 Faith and Mental Health
01:06:51 Upcoming Projects & Closing Thoughts

Keywords:
functional nutrition, highly sensitive person, HSP, hair tissue mineral analysis, HTMA, GI map, stool test, gut health, nervous system regulation, mineral depletion, low stomach acid, stress and weight gain, burnout recovery, panic attacks, women's health

🔗Links Mentioned In This Episode
Elizabeth’s website

Follow Elizabeth on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth on TikTok

Listen to the High Functioning Hot Mess podcast

How We Feel app

Abiding Together podcast

More from Kayla:

Apply to Work with Kayla

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Kayla's Website

Kayla’s 🏆Win The Week Newsletter