Compassionate Conversations with Esther Kane, MSW

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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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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