Thriving As An Empath In A Loud World: The Cost of Absorbing Everyone’s Emotions with Psychiatrist Dr. Judith Orloff
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In this powerful episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, Dr. Meenal and Dr. Orloff explore how empaths are reshaping conversations around healthcare, mental health, physical health, and wellness. Watch the video episode on YouTube and listen to the audio episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying the show!
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- Show Notes
- Learn more about Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- Learn more about Dr. Meenal Agarwal
Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal Episode #79: Thriving As An Empath In A Loud World: The Cost of Absorbing Everyone’s Emotions with Psychiatrist Dr. Judith Orloff
On this episode of the Uncover Your Eyes podcast, host Dr. Meenal Agarwal dives deep into the fascinating world of empaths with world-renowned psychiatrist and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Judith Orloff.
✨ Did you know? 🔹 15–20% of people are highly sensitive, but only 1–2% are true empaths.
🔹 An empath has the remarkable ability to read the room. 🔹 Empaths literally absorb emotions, changing how they experience relationships, health, and even the workplace.
Together, Dr. Meenal and Dr. Orloff explore how empaths are reshaping conversations around healthcare, mental health, physical health, and wellness. From raising highly sensitive children to protecting your own energy as a healthcare provider, this episode blends healthcare education, self-advocacy, and healthcare innovations with actionable strategies you can use today.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I an empath?”, are raising a sensitive child, or work in healthcare and want to understand patients (and yourself) more deeply, this is a must-listen.
At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal shines a light on the hidden struggles of healthcare—bringing powerful conversations around self-advocacy, healthcare education, mental health, wellness, and healthcare innovations that help us live longer, fuller lives.
Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:
- The difference between empaths and highly sensitive people
- Why sensitive children are often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and criticized
- Parenting tips for raising and supporting empath kids
- Why empaths are prey to narcissists
- Practical ways to protect your energy & set boundaries as an empath
Learn more about Dr. Judith Orloff on Instagram @Judith.Orloff.MD, at DrJudithOrloff.com, and check out her books.
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal.
Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.
Show Notes
- Thriving As An Empath In A Loud World: The Cost of Absorbing Everyone’s Emotions with Psychiatrist Dr. Judith Orloff
- [0:54] Welcome to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
- [1:03] Welcome, Dr. Judith Orloff, to the show!
- [1:53] What inspired you to write about empaths and highly sensitive people?
- [4:16] What is an empath and how do they differ from highly sensitive people?
- [5:40] The key distinction: emotional sponges who absorb other’s stress
- [6:32] Addressing misconceptions about sensitivity
- [7:29] Why are empaths often seen negatively or shut down?
- [9:25] Advice for parents raising empath children
- [10:23] Teaching boundaries and self-care from an early age
- [11:50] The importance of supportive friendships
- [12:45] How to teach children to set boundaries
- [14:38] Helping without fixing: the empath's challenge
- [15:05] Why highly sensitive children will save the world
- [16:01] How to handle reading the room as an empath
- [17:27] Navigating difficult family gatherings
- [18:25] Strategies for entering overwhelming spaces
- [20:18] Keep conversations light and avoid trying to fix everyone
- [21:16] Sending heart energy into a room
- [23:13] Being an empath in healthcare: dismissed or seen as weak
- [24:38] Dealing with criticism and limitations in others
- [27:14] Are empaths surrounded by narcissists or just misunderstood?
- [28:07] The role of shame in the highly sensitive child's experience
- [29:04] What does "too much stimulation" mean for sensitive children?
- [30:39] Should parents show their weaknesses to sensitive children?
- [32:35] The sacred role of parenting and appropriate boundaries
- [33:04] Are more women empaths than men?
- [34:18] Why empaths internalize everything without help
- [35:14] Misdiagnosis in healthcare: anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- [36:38] The 20-question empath assessment test
- [38:03] How empaths recognize when they're being taken advantage of
- [38:31] The toxic attraction between empaths and narcissists
- [40:26] The one most important step for empaths after this episode
- [41:25] Learn more about Dr. Judith Orloff at drjudithorloff.com, on Instagram, and check out her books: The Empath's Survival Guide, Thriving as an Empath, and The Highly Sensitive Rabbit
- Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal
- Theme Song: “Upbeat Motivational Pop Rock” by Alexey Anisimov
What is Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal?
Thanks for listening to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal. Being an eye doctor makes life easy, right? Not so fast. Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals. In each episode, you will face reality and vulnerability. You’ll hear how to manage your wellbeing, culture, and physical and mental health. You’ll also navigate self-improvement and professional development, all while uncovering innovation in patient care from experts in our healthcare system. Let’s do this while keeping it “real” and authentic. Hosted by Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Expert Optometrist, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Mom of 3.
Who is Dr. Meenal Agarwal?
With three clinics in Toronto and sought-after experience, Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an expert in vision and eyecare innovation. She is a leading voice on patient care, technology, professional development, and wellness in the healthcare industry.