Emotional safety is more than just a buzzword. It’s the foundation for healing and thriving in every area of your life. But for many women, creating emotional safety can feel like an abstract idea. And honestly, it wasn’t until I really started to dig into it as a coach that I understood what it truly meant. In this episode, I break down why emotional safety isn’t about being calm or waiting for others to “make” you feel safe, but rather starts when you go first . That means acknowledging your e...
Aug 14, 2025•35 min•Ep. 274
If you’ve ever felt emotionally overwhelmed, mislabeled, or unsupported by traditional systems, this space is for you. I’m Amanda Hess, a trauma-informed life coach, and I’m here to help you reclaim your true identity beyond clinical labels and build radical self-trust. In each episode, I share honest conversations, practical tools, and stories that will help you create emotional safety within yourself, set boundaries that honor your unique experience, and stop trying to fix yourself. If you’re ...
Aug 14, 2025•2 min
Do you always think that you're the problem? Are you constantly trying to be more perfect? Are you angry at others and don't quite know why? In this episode, I'm exploring how internalized shame shows up in our everyday thoughts and behaviors, often disguised as perfectionism, resentment, or self-criticism. You'll discover practical ways to recognize shame when it arises, understand why it can't be white-knuckled away, and learn how to grow your capacity to feel difficult emotions through nervou...
Aug 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 273
Self-trust starts to erode when you’re constantly beating yourself up over past mistakes. But lack of self-trust isn’t a character flaw . It’s conditioning . And the key to building radical self-trust isn't about eliminating negative thoughts or becoming perfect. It’s about learning to hold two truths at once: yes, those conditioned thoughts are loud and familiar, and yes, you can still build trust in yourself . In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to process fear and doubt without letting...
Jul 31, 2025•28 min•Ep. 272
You’ve tried it all - podcasts, self-help books, courses. And yet, somehow, you always end up back where you started. The strategies that work for everyone else leave you feeling more broken, more stuck, and wondering what’s wrong with you. But here’s the thing: the problem isn’t your willpower , and it definitely isn’t your motivation. The real issue is that traditional methods don’t address what’s going on beneath the surface. In this episode, I’m sharing the four steps you need to go from fee...
Jul 24, 2025•32 min•Ep. 271
You don’t need a rigid routine — you need a framework that supports your sensitivity, your energy, and your capacity. Let’s design a summer that works for you. On today's Take Back Your Summer free, live coaching call , you’ll learn: Why typical planning advice doesn’t work for your brain How to build flexibility without spiraling A simple strategy to enjoy your summer — on your terms Join the call happening TODAY at 2pm Pacific here: https://how-to-love-yourself-no-matter-what.captivate.fm/summ...
Jul 18, 2025•5 min
In this week's episode, I'm addressing something that so many women struggle with quietly: feeling responsible for everyone else's emotions. Whether you grew up as the peacemaker in a volatile home or you've just always been the one who fixes things for everyone, this pattern of emotional enmeshment keeps you stuck in survival mode. You'll discover why trying to regulate everyone else leaves no one regulating you, how to build emotional boundaries without pushing people away, and practical tools...
Jul 17, 2025•29 min•Ep. 270
The expectations are relentless — to plan the vacations, hold the emotions, run the household, keep it all “fun.” Let’s burn that list and make a different one. On today's Take Back Your Summer free, live coaching call, you’ll learn: The truth about sensory and emotional burnout How masking shows up in your daily to-do list How to build a summer rhythm that actually supports your energy Join the call happening TODAY at 2pm Pacific here: https://how-to-love-yourself-no-matter-what.captivate.fm/su...
Jul 16, 2025•7 min
You’re not lazy. You’re dysregulated. If you find yourself zoning out, doom scrolling, or avoiding everything — you’re not alone. On today's Take Back Your Summer free, live coaching call , you’ll learn: Why “doing nothing” doesn’t recharge you the way you hoped How your stress response is hijacking your plans A shame-free way to interrupt the shutdown spiral Join the call happening TODAY at 2pm Pacific here: https://how-to-love-yourself-no-matter-what.captivate.fm/summer Mentioned in this episo...
Jul 15, 2025•5 min
Everyone else seems fine. So why does this season feel so heavy for you? Let’s talk about why your emotional experience of summer is valid — and why it’s not your fault. On today's Take Back Your Summer free, live coaching call , you’ll learn: How your nervous system experiences “freedom” as chaos Why you feel like you’re failing at something everyone else enjoys What’s actually going on when your body wants to tap out before noon Join the call happening TODAY at 2pm Pacific here: https://how-to...
Jul 14, 2025•5 min
Summer can be a lot when you're sensitive, neurodivergent, or simply wired to experience the world deeply. The lack of routine , constant sensory input , and the pressure to “be fun” can quickly turn what should be a carefree season into a full-blown performance . But here’s the truth: having a burnout-free summer isn't about changing your mindset or pushing through. What you really need is a softer structure —one that works with your nervous system, not against it. In this episode, I’m sharing ...
Jul 10, 2025•26 min•Ep. 269
When you find yourself scrolling through your phone instead of spending time with family, or lying in bed when it's beautiful outside, your body has figured out something you haven't yet. You are stressed out, checked out, and shut down. In this episode, I explore why so many women feel stuck in shutdown mode, especially during summer when expectations are high and routines are out the window. I break down how even positive experiences like beach days and family barbecues can dysregulate sensiti...
Jul 03, 2025•20 min•Ep. 268
Summer arrives with the promise of freedom and relaxation, yet for many of us, it delivers the exact opposite - a whirlwind of overstimulation, unpredictable schedules, and mounting pressure to create perfect memories . If your experience of summer is never as relaxing as you wish it would be, listen in this week. I share three essential insights for creating a summer that actually works for your life . You'll discover practical strategies for regulating your nervous system, setting boundaries t...
Jun 26, 2025•27 min•Ep. 267
Setting boundaries can feel like a radical and scary act, especially if you've spent years people-pleasing. The discomfort that comes with saying no often feels worse than the exhaustion of constantly saying yes. For those who feel deeply and strongly, this challenge becomes even more complex because you've likely learned to take responsibility for other people's comfort, feelings, and reactions. In this episode, I explore why boundary-setting feels like disconnection for deep feelers and highly...
Jun 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 266
Have you ever been told you’re “too much,” “too sensitive,” or simply “not normal”? Those labels can feel like a life sentence - but they’re nothing more than stories you’ve been handed. Today, I dismantle the idea that you must hunt down and “fix” what’s wrong with you; instead, I re-frame intense emotions and unique wiring as invitations to understand yourself on a deeper level. I also unpack how pathologizing everyday human experiences keeps women tangled in self-doubt. By shifting from judgm...
Jun 12, 2025•21 min•Ep. 265
Emotional overwhelm can feel like a full-body shutdown - racing thoughts, physical tension, and an overwhelming urge to escape. When these intense feelings take over, it's not because we're broken or dramatic. Our nervous system is simply doing its job , without proper context for the modern world. As a coach, I see clients trapped in stress responses they can't seem to escape from. Whether it manifests as panic attacks , procrastination , or people-pleasing , these automatic reactions stem from...
Jun 05, 2025•22 min•Ep. 264
One extremely common experience among sensitive women is the exhausting push-pull of feeling simultaneously being "too much" and "not enough." Through my own journey and experiences coaching others, I've witnessed how this internal conflict affects our relationships, self-worth, and ability to show up authentically. In this episode, I share my perspective on why intensity and emotional depth shouldn't be viewed as flaws that need fixing, but rather as unique gifts that make us who we are. This m...
May 29, 2025•17 min•Ep. 263
Are you an emotionally intense woman who’s ever felt like you’re just too much—or maybe not enough? On this podcast, I help you break free from shame, overwhelm, and the pressure to fit into someone else’s boxes. I’m Amanda Hess, trauma-informed life coach, and each week we dive into building self-trust, setting authentic boundaries, and embracing who you truly are beyond labels. It’s time to create emotional safety and reclaim your identity—without trying to fix yourself. Follow now, and learn ...
May 22, 2025•3 min
"I feel guilty after speaking up for myself." "They probably think I'm a b*tch." "I should have said that nicer." Do these thoughts sound familiar to you? The guilt you feel after stating what you want isn't random or your fault - it's systematic conditioning. In this episode, I'm breaking down why we feel this pressure to be "easygoing," where the guilt comes from when we advocate for ourselves, and how to build emotional resilience. I'll show you why feeling bad about having needs doesn't mean...
May 22, 2025•21 min•Ep. 262
Are you constantly smiling and nodding when you really want to scream "No!"? I've been there, too. That feeling of saying yes when your body and mind are begging you to decline is a symptom of something deeper – the good girl narrative that's been ingrained in us since childhood. The cost of living as a good girl is enormous. We chase external validation, overfunction in every area of life, and end up burnt out, resentful, and disconnected from our authentic selves. But there is a way out, and i...
May 15, 2025•32 min•Ep. 261
Welcome to the How to Love Yourself No Matter What podcast with Amanda Hess. In this episode, Amanda dives deep into a topic so many of us struggle with: feeling responsible for everyone around us. If you’re the person everyone relies on, the peacekeeper holding it all together, or someone who’s secretly exhausted but scared to stop, this episode is for you. Drawing from her personal experiences and work as a certified life coach, Amanda unpacks why so many women feel trapped by the belief that ...
May 08, 2025•33 min•Ep. 260
If you’ve ever felt like you just can’t handle rejection, this episode is for you. Amanda Hess dives deep into rejection sensitivity—what it is, where it comes from, and how it affects the way we think and feel, especially for those who are neurodivergent or have experienced trauma. Key Takeaways: What is rejection sensitivity? Amanda discusses how rejection sensitivity is the tendency to feel real or perceived rejection more intensely than others, leading to heightened emotions, misreading soci...
May 02, 2025•19 min•Ep. 259
We say we want peace, but what we really need is emotional safety —the ability to be with ourselves, feel any emotion, and know we can handle it. This 18-minute episode dives into a truth that’s often overlooked in the self-help world. Peace isn’t about having a quiet life—it’s about having a strong inner world. 🧠 Timestamps & Key Takeaways: 00:00 – 01:45 📍 Why “peace” isn’t what you think it is Amanda shares how this episode—originally recorded for private clients—turns into a universal m...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min•Ep. 258
Burnout isn’t just being tired or overwhelmed—it’s what happens when your nervous system is totally tapped out. This episode is a wake-up call and a reframe. I break down what burnout really is, what it’s not, and how to start healing without adding more pressure to your already packed plate. [00:00–01:25] 📍 Let's reframe burnout I kick things off by calling out the biggest misunderstanding about burnout: we think it’s situational, but the truth is deeper. Burnout is when your nervous system sa...
Apr 17, 2025•17 min•Ep. 257
This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a reclamation. LT Dixon joins me to share a deeply personal, powerful journey of healing, self-discovery, and radical self-love. From surviving abuse to raising five kids as a single mom, LT didn't just rebuild her life—she reinvented her identity. Together, we explore what it actually means to put yourself first without guilt, why so many women feel resistance to loving themselves, and how to start operating from a completely new paradigm—where self...
Apr 11, 2025•45 min•Ep. 256
Ever feel like nobody truly sees you or hears you—like you’re speaking, but it’s not landing? In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story that cracked this experience wide open for me. If you’re neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or just someone who’s been labeled as “too much,” this is going to resonate deeply. We’ll explore what it actually means to feel unseen and unheard, why this is such a common experience (especially for women like us), and how to begin rewriting that story from the insi...
Apr 10, 2025•25 min•Ep. 255
Episode Summary: Do you ever find yourself holding back from feeling hope—because deep down, you're afraid of being disappointed, let down, or even embarrassed? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore how learning to build emotional capacity for hope is essential to living a life that feels meaningful, connected, and aligned with who you really are. You'll learn why hope isn't just a feel-good emotion—it’s a vital ingredient for mental and emotional wellbeing. If you're sensitive, neurodiv...
Apr 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 254
In this episode, I thoughtfully explore the importance of making peace with our past selves as a key element of self-love and personal growth. Through my own personal experiences and insights, I share how embracing compassion toward past versions of ourselves, rather than judging or rejecting them, allows for genuine healing and deeper self-understanding. Recognizing our past selves as doing their best with the knowledge and resources they had at the time helps free us from lingering regret or s...
Mar 28, 2025•10 min•Ep. 253
Even in paradise, self-judgment can follow us. In this short and honest episode, I share insights I’m having while in Hawaii—about why being somewhere beautiful doesn’t automatically make self love easier, and how we often carry our inner critic with us no matter where we go. I talk about what real self love looks like, how to practice it in everyday moments, and why your circumstances are never the key to your happiness. 🕒 Episode Breakdown: [00:00] – Welcome from Hawaii + the surprising truth...
Mar 21, 2025•9 min•Ep. 252
In this episode, I dive into the challenges of meeting your emotional needs as a sensitive or neurodivergent woman. If you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or emotionally drained from constantly giving without receiving, this conversation is for you. I share my own journey with masking, people-pleasing, and emotional exhaustion—and why so many of us struggle to get our needs met. You’ll learn how to recognize, advocate for, and meet your own emotional needs in a way that fosters emotional emp...
Mar 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 251
