The holidays are here—or at least it feels like they arrive earlier every year. And if you’re anything like me—or the high-capacity, gifted women I often work with—you may find this season both beautiful and overwhelming. The joy and nostalgia mingle with exhaustion, and somehow, even the most peaceful moments can feel like one more thing to manage. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I learned to live and work from a place of rest, not just during the holidays but in every season of li...

This episode feels tender for me to share. It’s the kind of story I usually only tell in small, trusted spaces—but I sensed it was time. In this deeply personal conversation, I open up about my own path to healing—the one that unfolded beyond the walls of traditional therapy. Despite earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and spending decades studying the science of mental health, the transformation that truly changed me came through an entirely different (and very unexpected) doorway. I talk...

Have you ever thought, “I know better… so why can’t I feel better?” You’ve read the books. You’ve done the mindset work. You’re self-aware and reflective. And yet—your body still feels like it’s buzzing, bracing, or about to shut down. In this episode, I share one of the most important truths I’ve learned (and lived): You can’t think your way to safety. Emotional sovereignty doesn’t begin in your journal—it begins in your body. We’ll explore nervous system dysregulation in gifted, high-functi...

What if the traits you’ve been pathologized for… are actually markers of your brilliance? In this episode, I’m diving deep into a quiet epidemic I’ve seen again and again in my work with gifted, emotionally intense women: misdiagnosis. So many women come to me having been labeled with ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality, or other clinical diagnoses—when what’s really going on is giftedness that was never seen, named, or supported. These women aren’t broken. They’re brilliant—and mi...

Here’s a thought: what if your burnout isn’t a weakness, but a sign that your brilliance has been misused—or simply unsupported? If you look fine on the outside, maybe even thriving, but inside you feel exhausted, numb, or hollow… this episode is for you. Because what most people call burnout doesn’t even scratch the surface of what high-capacity, emotionally intense, gifted women are really going through. This isn’t about time management—it’s about soul-level depletion. In today’s conversati...

Have you ever felt like you see the world differently—more intensely, more deeply—than the people around you? Like your brain is always on and your heart feels everything on high volume? Maybe you’ve been called “too much” or secretly wondered why life feels so overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. If so, you might be a gifted woman… even if no one ever told you. In this episode, I’m unpacking the hidden side of giftedness in women—especially those of us who were never identified,...

If you've ever felt like you're too much and not enough all at once—this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m peeling back the layers on why so many gifted, deep-feeling women silently struggle beneath the surface… even when life looks “successful” on the outside. We’ll explore what it really means to be gifted, how perfectionism often masks pain, and why traditional therapy sometimes misses the mark for women like us. I’ll also introduce you to Internal Family Systems (IFS)—a pow...

What does it really mean to flourish? In this episode, I open up about my own backstory — both the personal and professional challenges that shaped me — and how they led me to the work I do today. Alongside my story, I share the science of positive psychology and how flourishing is different from traditional “success.” I talk about why so many gifted women feel they’re made for more, why sensitivity is actually a strength, and how emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-discovery s...

Have you ever been told you’re “too much” or “too sensitive”? In this episode, I explore the hidden side of giftedness in women — and why so many brilliant, deep-feeling women never realize these traits are actually gifts. I share how giftedness can show up in adulthood, from emotional depth and intensity to a relentless craving for meaning. You’ll hear how these qualities, while sometimes misunderstood, can become powerful sources of self-acceptance, resilience, and empowerment. My hop...

Welcome to The Power to Flourish Podcast! In this heartfelt introduction, Dr. Andrea Lein shares her motivation for creating a space dedicated to gifted women who crave more than surface-level advice on emotional health, personal growth, and mental wellness. After 25+ years of experience in psychology and coaching, Andrea reflects on the gaps in traditional mental health approaches and the unique challenges gifted, sensitive, and creative women face — from feeling misunderstood to carr...

Every journey has a beginning. This is yours. Welcome to The Power to Flourish, a podcast for gifted, deep-feeling women ready to reconnect with their gifts, reclaim their sovereignty, and rise into a life of peace, purpose, and beauty. I’m your host, Dr. Andrea Lein—a positive psychologist, coach, and giftedness expert. In this short introduction, I’ll share who this podcast is for, why I created it, and what you can expect in upcoming episodes. Here, you’ll find insight, encouragement, and ...