Sensitive Change Makers: Coaching for HSPs, Introverts & Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs and Leaders

In this episode of Sensitive Change Makers, I’m joined by Mark Wigginton – licensed professional counsellor, board-certified coach, endurance athlete and someone with a deeply rich life story around sensitivity, resilience and growth.

Mark shares his journey with incredible honesty, reflecting on how a lifetime of intensity, overstimulation and deep thinking eventually led him to a powerful understanding of himself as a highly sensitive person. Together, we explore what it really means to live, work and lead with sensitivity – especially as a man navigating pressure, responsibility and change.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What it’s like to discover you’re highly sensitive later in life
• Growing up in chaos and how that shapes coping mechanisms
• The link between overstimulation, burnout and emotional overwhelm
• Why many HSPs turn to perfectionism, overworking or adrenaline
• How sensitivity can become a strength rather than something to “fix”
• The role of movement, endurance and routine in finding emotional balance
• High sensation seeking and how it shows up in subtle ways
• Why so many men struggle to ask for support – and the cost of staying silent
• The importance of self-reflection, journalling and slowing down
• Learning to stop fighting who you are and start working with your nature

Mark brings a grounded, compassionate perspective to topics like masculinity, mental health, identity and growth, and shares powerful insights from his work with leaders, entrepreneurs and people navigating major life transitions.

This episode is an honest, thoughtful exploration of what it means to embrace sensitivity, create stability from chaos, and learn to live in a way that truly supports who you are.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, misunderstood, or like you’ve had to push yourself to fit into a world that feels too loud — this conversation is for you.

Please do connect with Mark using the following links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/focusingonresults/    

Website: https://www.focusingonresults.com

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

In this episode of Sensitive Change Makers, I sit down with Marcas O’Dea – the first male guest I’ve ever had on the podcast – and what unfolds is one of the most powerful, honest and expansive conversations we’ve had on the show so far.

I invited Marcas on because of the work he’s doing with highly sensitive creative men, but what he shares goes so much deeper than that. Our conversation opens doors into intuition, trauma, creativity, identity, and what it really means to take ownership of sensitivity instead of feeling burdened by it.

Here’s a glimpse of what we explore:

• How Marcas discovered, at a young age, that his sensitivity wasn’t a flaw but an “early warning system” that helped him survive a dangerous childhood.
• The moment of clarity that pulled him out of addiction and into a life of purpose, service and creativity.
• Why intuition became his greatest ally, and the small, consistent steps he took to strengthen that inner voice.
• His unique “Committee of 12” approach to deep processing and decision-making.
• How creativity became not just an outlet but a way of channelling sensitivity into meaning, storytelling and healing.
• The surprising link between sensitivity, isolation, and clarity – and why he intentionally built a life in a quieter landscape.
• His mission to give sensitive men a voice through coaching, community, a new podcast, and the upcoming Hearts of Thunder magazine.

This isn’t just a conversation about being a highly sensitive man. It’s a conversation about reclaiming the parts of ourselves we were told to hide, and letting them become the very things that set us free.

If you’ve ever felt “too much” or “not enough,” this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Please do connect with him via the following links:

WEB: https://marcaspodea.com

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marcas_p_odea/

BLUESKY: https://www.bsky.app/profile/marcaspodea.bsky.social

SUBSTACK: https://www.substack.com/@marcaspodea

MEDIUM: https://www.medium.com/@marcas.p.odea_55316

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcas-p-odea

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

In this episode of Sensitive Change Makers, I sit down with former chemical engineer turned mind-body mentor, Alisha Kapani, for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about emotional healing, depression, and the connection between the mind and body. Alisha shares her five-year journey through severe depression, what traditional approaches could not give her, and the unexpected moment that finally led to real healing.

We explore:

• How emotional suppression and sensitivity can manifest as depression and physical illness
 • The turning point that led Alisha from conventional treatment to mind-body medicine
 • What mind-body healing really is and how tuning into the body can dissolve emotional pain
 • Why trying to “stay positive” can block true healing
 • The ABC Tool Alisha uses with clients to create lasting emotional shifts
 • How she works with highly sensitive clients to move beyond managing symptoms into full transformation
 • The life changes Alisha experienced once she stopped overriding her body and began listening to it
 • Practical ways to start reconnecting with your body in minutes each day

This is a grounded and inspiring conversation about surrender, inner wisdom, and reclaiming your emotional power. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve tried everything and still haven’t found relief, this episode may be the missing piece.

You can connect with Alisha through the following links:

Website: https://alishakapani.com/
Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/ajkapani
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/c/alishakapani?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisha_kapani/?hl=en
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alishakapani

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

This week on Sensitive Change Makers, I’m joined by the brilliant Katherine Robinette - a strategist, speaker, and President of Keystone & Raven. Katherine has spent three decades watching smart people turn change into a battle - and she’s done being diplomatic about it. She’s known for cutting through corporate red tape with clarity, trust, connection, and agency, helping companies believe in what they’re building again, and that’s when the real transformation begins.

Our conversation goes deep fast, exploring what really happens when sensitivity meets strategy, and why being clear might just be the kindest form of leadership there is. 

We talk about:

• What it really means to be highly sensitive — and how Katherine first recognised her own sensitivity
• Reconnecting to intuition after years of leaning on intellect and analysis
• The art of clear and kind communication (and why “nice” isn’t the same as kind)
• How to have difficult conversations with empathy and integrity
• Katherine’s “Conviction Transformation” framework — and why the next evolution of business must be people-focused
• The six dynamics of conviction
• Why treating people like they’re amazing is the most effective leadership strategy there is

If you’ve ever felt caught between intellect and intuition - or wondered how to bring more authenticity into the way you lead and communicate -this episode is for you.

To connect with Katherine, use the following links:

 Website: www.KeystoneAndRaven.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-robinette-speaker/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jefferson Fisher – The Next Conversation: jeffersonfisher.com
  
  
• Brené Brown – “Clear is Kind. Unclear is Unkind.”: brenebrown.com
  
  
• Simon Sinek – F.B.I. (Feelings, Behavior, Impact): Watch on YouTube
  
  
• Jim Collins – From Good to Great

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Meg Trucano — developmental psychologist, former federal researcher, and founder of a psychology-based coaching practice helping ambitious women navigate major life, career and identity changes. After experiencing burnout in a high-pressure research career, Meg built her Real Change framework to help women ditch their “shoulds”, reclaim their energy and make unapologetically self-directed choices.

We explore:

• What it really means to live as a highly sensitive person — especially when you’re also a parent, partner or business owner.
• How sensitivity can shape your experience of overwhelm, creativity and connection.
• The tension between control and intuition — and what happens when you finally loosen the reins.
• Why doing less, being more, and honouring your natural rhythms can be the ultimate act of courage.
• Meg’s personal story of redefining success and creating work that’s truly soul matched.

It’s a rich, open-hearted conversation about embracing who we are beneath the noise of expectation. If you’ve ever felt “too much” or “not enough” for the world around you, this episode is a gentle reminder that your sensitivity is not a weakness — it’s your greatest strength.

Listen in, take what you need, and allow yourself to breathe a little deeper.

Please do reach out and connect with Meg through the following links:

Website: https://www.megtrucano.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-trucano/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg_trucano

Kate x

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

In this episode, I explore why patience is one of the most underrated skills for long-term success, especially for highly sensitive and introverted entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by slow progress or distracted by “instant success” stories, this episode is for you.

What you’ll discover:

• Why chasing instant results might actually be holding you back.
• How to shift from chasing outcomes to creating a sustainable rhythm that works for you.
• Simple yet powerful ways to track your progress and celebrate small wins.
• Why staying true to your values and pace can unlock opportunities you didn’t even see coming.
• How to build trust, connection, and momentum without burning out.

Tune in to learn how slowing down can actually help you go further—and why patience might be the secret ingredient you’ve been overlooking.

Kate 

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

In this week’s episode, I’m opening up about one of the sneakiest stories that can hold us back as sensitive leaders and entrepreneurs. It’s that quiet little voice that says: “They’re too successful, too confident, too much for me to measure up.”

Here’s what I share inside:

• Why this hidden identity gap can keep us from stepping into our next role or opportunity
• How we often make things about other people when the real story is about us
• Practical steps to shift your perspective and stop putting others on a pedestal
• Journaling prompts and reflections to help you rewrite the stories that are keeping you small
• A powerful reminder that you don’t need to be “fully healed” or “perfect” to grow

This conversation is all about finding the courage to see yourself as capable, ready, and worthy of the opportunities that are waiting for you.

Kate

Here are 10 powerful journal prompts your attendees can use to deepen this work:

1. What stories do I currently tell myself about who my “ideal” clients are and who I am in relation to them?
   
   
   
2. Where do I notice myself shrinking back, holding back, or making assumptions about what others think?
   
   
   
3. When was the last time I doubted my offer, not because of its quality, but because of who I imagined would see it?
   
   
   
4. If I fully believed I was “good enough,” how would I show up differently in my business today?
   
   
   
5. What evidence do I already have that proves I am skilled, capable, and ready for bigger opportunities?
   
   
   
6. Imagine a dream client approaches you — describe in detail how you confidently respond, using all five senses.
   
   
   
7. What identity shift do I need to make to step into the next level of my business?
   
   
   
8. Where am I waiting to be “fully healed” or “fully ready” before taking action — and how can I move forward now, as I am?
   
   
   
9. What assumptions have I been making about others that might actually be holding me back?
   
   
   

   10. Why NOT me? Write a full page answering this question as if you’re proving to yourself that you are the person for the job.

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

The online business space loves to throw around the word authority — but what does it really mean, especially for highly sensitive people and introverted service providers like us?

When I first started my business, I thought being seen as an authority meant I had to show up everywhere online, speak the loudest, and push myself into that bold “boss energy.” It left me feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely out of alignment with who I am.

In this episode of Sensitive Change Makers, I’m breaking down what authority really means and how you can embody it in a way that feels safe, calm, and deeply authentic.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

• Why traditional ideas of authority often feel overwhelming for HSPs and introverts — and what to focus on instead
• How to build trust with your audience without overextending your energy or forcing yourself to be louder than everyone else
• A simple way to create clarity in your offers and messaging so you can reduce overwhelm and feel grounded
• How consistency can help you grow — even if showing up every single day isn’t sustainable for you
• Why sharing parts of yourself and your unique process builds deeper connections and attracts the right clients naturally
• A powerful reframe to help you see authority not as control or dominance, but as guidance and trust-building

If you’ve ever felt pressured to “perform” online or worried that you have to be someone you’re not to grow your business, this episode will help you shift your perspective. You’ll walk away with a gentler, more sustainable approach to being seen and trusted — one that works with your sensitive nature, not against it.

Listen now and learn how to step into your role as a calm, confident leader without the burnout or overwhelm.

Kate x

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

Are you secretly holding yourself back from signing clients — without even realising it?

In this episode of Sensitive Change Makers, I share the subtle yet powerful mindset shift that took me from zero clients to 6 clients — all while navigating the challenges of being highly sensitive and introverted.

I open up about the quiet, sneaky belief that held me back for far too long, and how learning to feel truly grounded in my work transformed the way I showed up, connected with my audience, and created content that gently drew in aligned clients.

If you’ve ever found yourself doubting whether you’re “good enough”, this episode offers both understanding and practical steps to help you feel more confident, supported, and ready to embrace your unique way of building a thriving, sustainable business.

Come and join our masterclass where we dig into this further:

subscribepage.io/Get-Clients-from-Your-Content

Kate x 

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay

In this episode of Sensitive Change Makers, I dive into one simple but powerful shift you can make to strengthen your messaging. As highly sensitive people and introverts, it’s easy to feel that marketing isn’t for us — that it’s draining, overwhelming, or just not aligned. But the truth is, content marketing can feel authentic and easeful when we approach it in the right way.

I explore three key areas to help you bring more clarity into your messaging so that you’ll not only make your content more compelling, but also build trust with your audience and create space for them to see themselves in your work.

If you're looking for 1:1 support, book a discovery call HERE 

Kate x

Connect with Kate:

Learn more about Kate https://www.katecarter.co.uk/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katecartercoaching

Download your copy of The Start-up Guide to being a HSP: https://subscribepage.io/HSP-guide

Book in a consultation call to see if we're a good fit to work together:
https://katecartercoaching.satoriapp.com/offers/292115-consultation-call

Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay