Being highly sensitive or autistic has often been misunderstood, dismissed, or labeled as “too much.” Many of us grew up hearing painful messages that we were too emotional, too anxious, too quiet, too intense, or too sensitive for the world around us. In this special episode, therapist and author Julie Bjelland, LMFT, offers a powerful message of validation and belonging: there is nothing wrong with you. This episode celebrates the global reach of the Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast, listened to in 193 countries, shared more than 98 percent of other podcasts, and with listeners staying longer than 96 percent of shows worldwide. These statistics tell a meaningful story. Sensitive and autistic people exist in every culture. Millions of us share similar experiences with sensory overload, emotional depth, empathy, exhaustion, masking, and nervous system sensitivity. We are not alone. We are a worldwide community. Julie explains why so many highly sensitive adults are discovering they are autistic, especially women and those who were socialized to mask and overachieve. She explores the overlap between high sensitivity and autism, how outdated diagnostic criteria missed autistic women for decades, and why learning the truth about your neurotype often brings profound relief instead of fear. Understanding yourself replaces shame with clarity and self-compassion. This episode also highlights why sensory sensitivity and sensory overload are among the most common struggles for sensitive and autistic adults, and why this topic became the most listened-to episode of 2025. Julie shares how sensory overwhelm impacts emotional health, physical health, relationships, and identity, and offers insight into how to care for your nervous system in ways that honor your neurodivergent wiring. Listeners will find hope, science-informed validation, and a compassionate reminder that your brain and body make sense. Julie also shares her personal journey as a deeply sensitive person, her passion for neuroscience and brain training, and her mission to support sensitive and autistic people worldwide through education, assessments, courses, and community resources. Whether you are highly sensitive, autistic, exploring your identity, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a healing message: ✨ You are not flawed. You are wired differently. And your sensitivity is real, valid, and valuable. Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is a psychotherapist, author, and global educator specializing in sensitivity, autism in women, and nervous system science. She is the founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community and host of the Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast, listened to in more than 193 countries. Julie develops neurodiversity-affirming tools, assessments, and brain-training resources to help highly sensitive and autistic adults reduce overwhelm, increase self-understanding, and live with greater compassion for their neurotype. https://www.juliebjelland.com/
