No sitting on the sideline Dad

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 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.

This episode is for you if you:

• Feel drained by crowds or noise

• Pick up on other people's moods fast

• Replay conversations for days

• Struggle with conflict

• Need more quiet than the people around you

• Want tools to lower stress and shift your reactions

Todd Smith is a coach who helps highly sensitive people manage stress and understand their wiring.

He is the creator of True Inner Freedom and the host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People.

Learn more about Todd Smith:

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting health advice? You're not alone. Only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy, and the wellness industry is designed to keep you confused.

In this episode, health coach and author Jen Trepeck breaks down why the "eat less, move more" approach fails, what your body is actually trying to tell you, and how to cut through the noise to reclaim your health.

You'll discover why willpower isn't the problem, what GLP-1 medications really do, and the six fundamentals that matter more than any supplement or biohack.

If you're tired of feeling like you're failing at health, this conversation will change how you think about wellness.

• Why willpower is a finite resource (and not the problem you think it is)
• The truth about GLP-1 medications.
• How genetics and epigenetics really work (your genes aren't your destiny)
• The Bio Stack: 6 fundamentals that matter more than any supplement
• Why sleep is the ultimate biohack for weight loss and stress management
• What your body's signals (cravings, fatigue, hunger) are really telling you
• The connection between stress, cortisol, and metabolic health
• How the food system is designed to keep you confused
• Why "four hugs a day" might save your life

[00:00] Intro: Welcome to the show [02:00] Defining wellness: WTF is wellness anyway? [03:00] The business of health and wellness [05:00] Jen's personal health journey and weight struggles [06:00] Becoming a health coach [07:00] The role of genetics and epigenetics [11:00] Is the wellness system broken? [13:00] The food system: Why healthy food costs more [17:00] The truth about supplements [20:00] GLP-1 medications: What you need to know [27:00] The willpower myth explained [30:00] Sleep and blue light exposure [34:00] Biohacking vs. Bio Stacking [37:00] Why sleep is the ultimate biohack [42:00] The importance of connection and community [47:00] Supplements, sex, and poop: What your body is telling you [52:00] Stress and cortisol: Living in fight-or-flight mode [55:00] Final thoughts and where to find Jen

Jen Trepeck is a health coach, speaker, and the author of Uncomplicating Wellness: Ditch the Rules, Quiet the Noise, Reclaim Your Life. She's also the host of the podcast Salad with a Side of Fries, where she helps people make sense of health and nutrition without the overwhelm.

Jen specializes in metabolic health, cardiovascular health, and helping overwhelmed people understand what their bodies are actually trying to tell them. She's been coaching clients since 2007 and has worked with thousands of people to improve their health through nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Connect with Jen:

What can we learn about presence, gratitude, and courage from our dogs? In this heartfelt episode, Joe sits down with Barbara Stone, a leadership coach, author, and TEDx speaker, to discuss her book, So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large.

Barbara shares how her Great Danes taught her to slow down, live with curiosity, and embrace life with full presence. Together, they explore topics like:

• How dogs model authenticity and emotional awareness

• The importance of play and curiosity as adults

• Why gratitude changes how we experience the world

• Leadership lessons from both corporate life and canine companionship

• The power of time, relationships, and learning to "live large"

Barbara also opens up about her journey from corporate executive to coach, the courage it took to deliver her TEDx Talk Perfection Is Overrated, and how she helps others rediscover joy and purpose through self-compassion and curiosity.

If you've ever looked at your dog and thought, "They seem to have it all figured out," this conversation will hit home.

Guest Links:

At 94 years old, Dr. Kenneth Cooper is still proving that health isn't about adding years—it's about adding good years. Known worldwide as the "Father of Aerobics," Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper changed how people think about exercise, prevention, and longevity. In this episode, he shares how decades of research show that regular movement can add a full decade of quality life—and why no drug can match the power of an active lifestyle.

• The groundbreaking story behind Dr. Cooper's 1968 book Aerobics and how it launched a global fitness revolution

• How his research with NASA astronauts and world-class athletes revealed that exercise is true preventive medicine

• Practical steps for growing healthier as you grow older, including his eight key lifestyle habits

• The surprising link between fitness and preventing dementia, heart disease, and even certain cancers

• Why your health is ultimately your responsibility—and how small daily choices can transform your future

Dr. Cooper's life is living proof that it's never too late to build strength, protect your brain, and enjoy more vibrant years. His advice is simple, science-backed, and immediately actionable.

Listen now and discover how to take charge of your health and rewrite the way you age.

📚 Resources & Links