Sensitive & Self-Assured | Confidence | Set Boundaries | Self-acceptance | Find Your Purpose | Self-esteem

Have you ever felt like your sensitivity was something to apologize for? Like you owed the world an explanation every time you needed to leave early, skip the late night out, or take fewer clients than your colleagues? If so, this episode is for you.

In Part 1, I sit down with Trisha Veldman, confidence coach, spoken word poet, TEDx speaker, and founder of Powerful and Poised, for an honest and deeply relatable conversation about w...

What if the most radical thing you could do for yourself was simply allow yourself to be seen?

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, I sit down with boudoir photographer Vanessa Isenbarger, a woman whose lens has transformed the way countless women see themselves. With over 15 years behind the camera, Vanessa has built more than a photography business. She has created a sacred space where women walk in carrying their fears...

Last week we talked about the discomfort of speaking up for what you want and need. This week, we're continuing that conversation because speaking up is a hard thing. And hard things? Sometimes we avoid them because we think it’s easier, but the truth is the easy route costs us more than we realize.

On May 2, 2026, I crossed the finish line of a half-marathon that has lived on my goal list for nearly 30 years. And when my fri...

In this short but intentional episode, I'm walking you through the thought process behind changing the name of this podcast from The Highly Sensitive Woman to Sensitive & Self-Assured, and why this shift feels more honest about where we've always been headed.

The original name served its season. But over time, I found myself wanting to lead with a destination rather than a label. So many of us have spent our whole lives being d...

Have you ever stayed quiet about something small only to watch it snowball into something much bigger in your mind? You're not alone, and this episode is for you.

I'm revisiting one of my favorite episodes from last May, but first I'm getting real about something that happened to me recently, because even after years of doing this work, I still fall into old patterns sometimes.

I stayed silent about some small things, let my brain ...

What if the thing you spent years trying to hide is actually your greatest gift? In this episode, Allyssya sits down with award-winning business coach, speaker, and Forbes Coaches Council member Sara Gilbert to talk about what it really means to be a highly sensitive woman and why it might just be the most powerful thing about you.

Sara opens up about growing up feeling like her sensitivity was a flaw, spending years trying to fit ...

Have you done everything "right"? The journaling, the retreats, the personality tests, the conversations with mentors, and still feel like your purpose is just out of reach? You are not alone, and it is absolutely not a failure of effort.

In this episode, we explore why the traditional tools for finding purpose often fall short, and what might be getting in the way. The truth is, purpose isn't something you think your way to, it's ...

You know her. The woman who seems calm in hard conversations. The one who doesn’t spiral, doesn’t overthink, doesn’t fall apart.

And somewhere inside, a quiet question rises: Why can’t I be more like that?

In this episode, we move beyond the usual advice to “just stop comparing yourself” and take a deeper, more honest look at what comparison is doing beneath the surface.

Because it’s not re...

In this episode, I’m joined by someone who has shaped my personal journey, especially during a pivotal time in my life.

Diane McDowell is a therapist of 25+ years turned relationship coach, and she’s also the person who first introduced me to the concept of being a highly sensitive person. That moment gave me language for something I had felt my entire life, but never fully understood.

Together, we explore what it rea...

If you’ve ever told yourself “I’m just not creative”, this episode is going to gently challenge that belief.

In this conversation, I’m joined by creative wellness coach Lexi Reid, who works with high-achieving women in STEM to ease stress and burnout through simple, accessible creative practices.

With a background in science and regulatory work, Lexi shares how she rediscovered creativity not as someth...

Have you ever made a decision… and then immediately started questioning it?

You send the text, set the boundary, make the choice, then your mind jumps in: “Did I say the wrong thing?” “Was that the right decision?” “Should I have done something differently?”

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m continuing the conversation from last week on decision-mak...

For many highly sensitive women, decision-making can feel overwhelming. We want to be responsible. We don’t want to waste time. We don’t want to make the wrong choice or disappoint someone else. So we think…and think…and think some more.

But what if the idea that there is a single “right” decision is actually the thing keeping you stuck?

In this episode, I challenge the belief that decisions ...

This week’s episode is a special one. 🎉 The Highly Sensitive Woman is celebrating its one-year anniversary, and I’m reflecting on what this past year of podcasting has taught me about growth, courage, and the power of taking action.

When I launched this show on March 13, 2025, I had no idea what would come from it. But I knew one thing for sure: the process of creating it had already begun to change me.

Over the last y...

What if calming your nervous system could be simple… and nearly invisible?

In part two of this rich conversation, I’m back with certified life and weight loss coach Nan Saysana to move from awareness into action. Nan shares the gentle sensory regulation techniques she teaches her clients - practical tools you can use anywhere to quiet the stress response and feel more steady in your body in real time.

We also explore N...

What if your struggle with food isn’t actually about food at all?

In part one of this powerful conversation, I’m joined by certified life and weight loss coach Nan Saysana. She helps women who lift weights stop binge eating and feel proud of their bodies without deprivation, shame, or obsession. Together, we explore the emotional roots of overeating, what it really means to “people please with food,” and why...

In this reflective post–Valentine’s Day episode, I explore how getting clear on your needs, preferences, and emotional desires can transform every relationship in your life - romantic, familial, and friendships alike.

Through personal stories and gentle self-inquiry, this conversation highlights the difference between vague traits and lived experiences, the power of identifying non-negotiable needs, and how clarity stre...