The Happy HSP Podcast

Wisdom, Self-Discovery, and Adventure for High-Sensation Seeking HSPs

Kimberly Marshall Episode 18

In this episode of The Happy HSP Podcast, we explore the world of the “Wild Sensitive” — those HSPs who identify as both highly sensitive and high-sensation seeking. Guests Annet van Duinen and Randy Grasser share their insights on what it means to live freely as a sensitive soul in a world that often asks us to mask who we truly are for the sake of safety and fitting in. We discuss the balance between sensitivity and stimulation, the role of exploration in building wisdom and awareness, and how to find that “goldilocks zone” between safety and growth.

Whether you’re learning how to manage overstimulation, redefine strength, or reconnect with your inner wisdom, this episode offers the tools and encouragement to live as your most authentic self.

What Randy and Annet share:

  • How the “wild sensitive” concept came about and what it means for HSPs.
  • How high-sensation seeking can coexist with deep sensitivity.
  • The impact of rejection, conformity, and suppression on the sensitive nervous system.
  • Finding the “Goldilocks zone” of just-right stimulation.
  • Practical ways to regulate, grow, and live freely as a high-sensation seeking HSP.

Topics covered:

  • Being both highly sensitive and high-sensation seeking.
  • Breaking free from societal conformity.
  • Healing the effects of emotional suppression.
  • Managing sensory stimulation with awareness.
  • Growing in wisdom, freedom, and self-trust.

About Randy and Annet:

We’re Annet van Duinen and Randy Grasser, partners in life, adventure, and growth. As Highly Sensitive People who are also High Sensation Seekers, we live what many see as a paradox, deeply empathetic and reflective, yet drawn to challenge, freedom, and adventure.

Through The Living Adventurers and our book, The Wild Sensitive, we help others like us embrace both sensitivity and boldness, where feeling deeply and dreaming wildly go hand in hand. Together, as coaches, educators, authors, and speakers, we guide Highly Sensitive Sensation Seekers to see their nervous system not as a burden, but as a finely tuned compass to a fuller, freer, and more meaningful life. 

Follow along on Annet’s and Randy’s journey:

Website: wildsensitive.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelivingadventurers

Let’s Connect:

🤍 Share your biggest takeaway or follow us on Instagram @happyhsppodcast — we’d love to hear from you!

🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to help more HSPs find this space: thehappyhsppodcast.buzzsprout.com

📩 Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Kimberly at: kmarshall@happyhspcoaching.com

📖 Learn about Kimberly’s work: happyhspcoaching.com

About Kimberly:

Kimberly Marshall is a career coach for highly sensitive people (HSPs) and host of The Happy HSP Podcast. After 20 years in the publishing industry working for companies like Time Inc., Monster.com, and W. W. Norton, she left her corporate career to pursue work that better suited her HSP needs. She now helps HSPs overcome burnout and low confidence in the workplace and create gentle and nurturing careers that bring them lots of purpose, meaning, and joy.

Through her work and creative ventures, Kimberly hopes to shed more light on the reality of living with high sensitivity and inspire more HSPs to embrace their empathetic, loving, and gentle natures.

  • Hosted/produced by Kimberly Marshall
  • Edited by Fonzie Try Media
  • Artwork by Tara Corola
  • ...

People on this episode