Why You Feel Everything: Understanding Highly Sensitive People with Todd Smith

2025-11-16

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Some people feel the world in a deeper way. You might walk into a room and notice tension right away. You might catch a shift in someone's voice before they even admit something is wrong. You might replay moments for days because your mind doesn't let them go. If this sounds familiar, this episode will help you make sense of it. I sat down with Todd Smith, host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Todd has spent years helping people understand why sensitivity isn't weakness. It's a real trait that shows up in about 15 to 20...

Some people feel the world in a deeper way.

You might walk into a room and notice tension right away.

You might catch a shift in someone's voice before they even admit something is wrong.

You might replay moments for days because your mind doesn't let them go.

If this sounds familiar, this episode will help you make sense of it.

I sat down with Todd Smith, host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Todd has spent years helping people understand why sensitivity isn't weakness. It's a real trait that shows up in about 15 to 20 percent of the population.

What We Talked About

What it really means to be a compassionate person.

Todd explains the DOES model, which breaks sensitivity into four parts: depth of processing, overwhelm, emotion, and sensitivity to subtle cues.

Why stress hits deeper for some people.

We explore how stress can turn small problems into significant reactions and how sensitivity increases when life gets loud.

How Byron Katie's Work Can Calm Your Mind.

Todd walks through a simple method that helps you question stressful thoughts and see situations with more clarity.

Parenting and sensitivity.

We talk about what it's like raising a child when you already feel a lot, and how to stay steady when your kid isn't giving you much to work with.

Caregiving and family stress.

Todd shares his experience caring for a family member with dementia and how sensitivity plays a role in the pressure, the frustration, and the emotional weight.

Why boundaries matter.

We discuss why it's so hard for sensitive people to say no, and how to protect your energy without guilt.

Who Does This Episode Help

This episode is for you if you: