Woman Worriers

Elizabeth Cush

Women are twice as likely as men to have anxiety. In each episode of Woman Worriers, host Elizabeth Cush, an Annapolis, Md. based therapist and blogger, explores what causes anxiety, what triggers it, how it affects us and why women are more prone to it. Elizabeth is a fellow Woman Worrier and she shares her personal experience and chats with her guests for insights, strategies and resources to help women (and men) learn how to call a truce with their anxiety.

  • 46 minutes 8 seconds
    Somatic Experiencing for Sensitive Women

    Is your nervous system on overdrive? If you have physical symptoms that don’t seem to have an explanation, listen in on this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast. as host Elizabeth Cush and Laurie James, a coach, author and podcaster, talk about high sensitivity, healing and somatic experiencing.

    “Every nervous system is different based off of who you are, your lineage, your culture, how you were raised, the trauma that you experienced.” 
     — Laurie James

    Do you ever feel like the little pink toy bunny in the commercial—you just keep going, and going and going? Life keeps coming at you, and you keep reacting. Maybe you’re racing to stay a step ahead. Then one day your body stops. Your brain says, “No more!” Maybe it hasn’t happened yet, but if you’re on that path, you can take steps to give your nervous system a much-needed break. In this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, host Elizabeth “Biz” Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and soul support for highly sensitive women, welcomes Laurie James, an author, podcaster and somatic relationship coach, for a talk about somatic experiencing. Learn about how this mind/body approach can help highly sensitive women heal from past trauma, regulate their nervous system, better manage sensory overload, and live a more balanced life.


    You can fund the full show notes and resources here.

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    9 March 2026, 4:00 am
  • 22 minutes 30 seconds
    Awareness Is Necessary for Change

    If you’re trying to make progress but don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere, don’t be discouraged. Listen to this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast as host Elizabeth Cush talks about the role of awareness in changing our behavior and our lives. 

    “Building awareness is like building muscle. As your awareness muscle grows, you'll be able to handle more, you'll be able to make different choices, and you'll begin to grow those new neural pathways.” — Biz Cush

    Where are you in your journey? Do you get discouraged when you find yourself falling into the same old traps over and over? Do you beat yourself up for what seems like a lack of progress? Do you get frustrated by living in your own personal Groundhog Day? Don’t give up. You might be better off than you realize. In this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast, host Biz Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and soul support for highly sensitive women, talks about awareness as the first step in any healing journey. She explains how awareness opens the door for change and provides some tools to help you enhance your awareness. She also offers a simple breath awareness exercise to help you be more present and in touch with the way your feelings show up in your body. 

    You can find the full show notes and resources here.


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    23 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 39 minutes 57 seconds
    ADHD, Sensitivity and Shame

    You’ve accomplished a lot in your life, but you still feel like you’re not keeping up. If that sounds familiar, listen in on this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast. as host Elizabeth Cush and Kristen Carder, host of the I Have ADHD podcast, talk about high-achieving women, sensitivity, ADHD and shame.

    “Those messages we start receiving at a really young age can be really debilitating by the time that we're adults.” 
     — Kristen Carder

    You’re bright. You’re educated. You’re good at what you do, but despite all that, what you’ve achieved doesn’t seem to reflect your effort. Maybe it’s always been that way. As a kid, you heard, “You’re smart. Why can’t you do this? All you had to do was turn in your homework.” And you’ve carried the shame of that blame with you. Today, you beat yourself up for forgetting friends’ birthdays or manage life the way others seem to. Chances are, it’s not your fault. In this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, host Elizabeth “Biz” Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and soul-support for highly sensitive women, welcomes multi-certified coach and educator Kristen Carder for a discussion about how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can show up in high-achieving women in subtle and surprising ways that are often overlooked or dismissed. They’ll talk about the emotional impact of living with ADHD, its impact on our self-esteem and our relationships, tips for managing ADHD, and the importance of community in healing. 

    You can find the full show notes and resources mentioned here.

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    9 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 38 minutes 8 seconds
    ADHD and High Sensitivity

    If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, or you suspect you might have it, listen in on this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast as host Elizabeth Cush and Dr. Jennifer Dall talk about unmasking neurodivergence and managing it holistically.

    Are you often forgetful? Do you pile lots on your plate, but have a tough time following through with all of it? Do you have a hard time getting organized? Do you beat yourself up about all of it or do you put your nose to the grindstone and work twice as diligently to be who you think you’re supposed to be? If any of that sounds familiar, go easy on yourself. In this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, host Elizabeth “Biz” Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and a soul guide for highly sensitive women, welcomes Jennifer Dall, EdD, a grief-informed neurodivergence specialist and founder of ADHD Holistically, for a discussion of women and ADHD (attention deficient hyperactivity disorder). They’ll talk about myths and misconceptions, diagnosing ADHD later in life, management strategies and more. 


    “A lot of people think ADHD is the 8-year-old boy who is impulsive and hyperactive and not the good girl who is focusing and smart and working really, really hard.” 
     — Jennifer Dall


    Find all full show notes and resources for every episode here.

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    26 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 15 minutes 46 seconds
    Slow Down and Savor Your Sensitivity

    Last year was a lot, especially if you have a sensitive soul. As we enter 2026, listen to this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast as host Elizabeth Cush shares tips for slowing down and savoring the good in this new year. 

    "I want to make 2026 the year of savoring, of really enjoying what is. And as sensitive beings, those of you who are highly sensitive, savoring often comes naturally. But you might need to be more intentionally mindful about your everyday experiences to truly savor the present moment."

    —Biz Cush

    For so many of us, the year we’ve just left behind was filled with intense energy, conflict, bullying and complicity. If you’re tired of feeling exhausted by your news feed and the stress of living in the world today, you’re not alone. The good news is that you don’t have to feel that way. In this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast, host Biz Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and a life coach for highly sensitive women, talks about the importance of balancing sensory input with quiet time and mindfulness, and the benefits of finding appreciation and gratitude in daily life. Listen in as she shares some tips that you can use to slow down and enjoy what each day of this new year brings.

    You can find the full show notes and resources mentioned for this and every episode here.

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    12 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 35 minutes 52 seconds
    A Somatic Solution for Managing Overwhelm

    The negative emotions that can accompany motherhood take many women by surprise. In this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast, host Elizabeth Cush and Jess Althoff talk about how highly sensitive women can manage the overwhelm. 

    “We are breathing all the time, but most of us aren't breathing correctly, and most of us aren't using our breath in ways that are beneficial to us.” 
     — Jess Althoff

    Exhaustion. Frustration. Overwhelm. Self-doubt. Anxiety. Guilt. Irritability. Even rage. No matter how much you wanted to be a mother, you may have been blindsided by the negative emotions that nobody warned you about. In this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, host Biz Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and soul guide for highly sensitive women, welcomes Jess Althoff, author of the blog “Raising Slow,” for a talk about postpartum anxiety and rage, and the importance of self-care techniques like meditation and breathwork in managing mental health. They also share their own experiences, as well as practical tips and techniques that can help mothers and other highly sensitive women get in touch with their bodies, reduce irritability, 

    You can find the full show notes and resources here.

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    29 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 37 minutes 4 seconds
    Supporting the Highly Sensitive Child

    Highly sensitive persons—adults and children alike—care deeply about people, about nature, about the world. Host Elizabeth Cush and Judith Orloff, MD, talk about the extraordinary gift of empathy in this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast.

    “So many of us were shamed for being who we were and being highly sensitive or empathic and not given education about it.” 
     — Judith Orloff, M.D.

    What can a bunny teach us about empathy? A lot, it turns out, when the highly sensitive rabbit is modeled after a highly sensitive person who was called a crybaby, left alone by her brothers and sisters, and felt like she didn’t belong in the world. That is, until she begins to make like-minded friends who taught her how to embrace her sensitivity and care deeply for others without being swallowed up by her caring. In this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, host Elizabeth “Biz” Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and soul support for highly sensitive women, welcomes Judith Orloff, MD, a psychiatrist, an empath, and author of the children’s book The Highly Sensitive Rabbit as well as The Genius of Empathy, The Empath’s Survival Guide and other titles. They talk about finding your place and your people, achieving balance, celebrating the gifts of sensitivity, end encouraging empathy in the next generation.

    You can find the full show notes and resources for all the episodes here.

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    15 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 27 minutes 10 seconds
    Finding Safety Within

    If you often feel anxious, overwhelmed or alone, if you frequently find yourself in relationships that cause you pain, listen to this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast as host Elizabeth Cush shares her experiences with finding safety within. 

    “I can be the person who meets me where I need to be met, and I can do that with kindness and care.” — Biz Cush

    Have childhood neglect, trauma, chronic illness affected your internal sense of well-being? Does the state of the world leave you feeling overwhelmed? If you’re a highly sensitive woman, chances are you have felt an outsized impact—and it’s equally likely that you’ve been told “you’re over-reacting” so often that you no longer trust yourself. That’s a hard place to be. The good news is, no matter where you are on your journey, you can heal, and keep healing. In this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast, host Biz Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and a life coach for highly sensitive women, talks about safety and community, shares some of her own journey, and offers insight into the tools she used to settle the noise inside , reconnect with her inner wisdom and intuition, and really learn to trust herself. 

    You can find the show notes and resources for all episode here.

    Join the Circle of Sacred Sensitivity here.

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    1 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 45 minutes 44 seconds
    Female Friendships In Midlife

    Navigating female friendships at midlife can be challenging, especially for highly sensitive women. Host Elizabeth Cush and author Susan Shapiro Barash tackle the topic in this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast.

    “Seventy-five percent of the women with whom I spoke said that it's harder to leave a best or closest female friend than it is to leave a romantic relationship or a marriage.” 
     — Susan Shapiro Barash

    Are you close with your sister, or do you have friends who feel like sisters to you? Do you have a female friendship that feels like it’s not working any more, but you’re not sure how to heal it or end it? As a highly sensitive woman, you may feel these friendships—and any conflicts—more deeply than others do. And have you ever stopped to wonder how our culture affects it all? In this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, host Elizabeth “Biz” Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and a mid-life women’s coach, welcomes Susan Shapiro Barash, author of Estranged: How strained female friendships can be mended or ended, 13 other non-fiction titles, and four novels. Listen in on their conversation about friendships, the importance of community for women and how the patriarchy and capitalism have impacted our sense of how our relationships should be and how we interact with other women. 

    You can find the full show notes and resources mentioned here.

    Join the Circle of Sacred Sensitivity here.

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    17 November 2025, 5:00 am
  • 35 minutes 20 seconds
    Sensitivity and Creativity

    If you’re the kind of person who walks into a room and picks up the subtle vibes immediately, and that energy sometimes drains you, listen in on this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, as host Elizabeth Cush welcomes Lauren Sapala, an author, teacher and creative guide, on honoring your intuition.  


    “The basic strategy I teach is that most writing methods are achievement oriented. They really hold a lot of masculine energy.” 
     — Lauren Sapala

    If you’re highly sensitive, chances are you experience the world differently. You might see and feel things that others just don’t. You’ve probably always seen that as a detriment, but it doesn’t have to be. Your perceptions are actually a gift that can help you better understand yourself and others. In this episode of Awaken Your Wise Woman, host Elizabeth “Biz” Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and a mid-life women’s coach, welcomes Lauren Sapala, author of several non-fiction books for intuitive creatives, including The INFJ Writer, The INFJ Revolution and Writing on the Intuitive Side of the Brain. In their discussion on living a more creative, empowered life as a sensitive intuitive, they’ll talk about boundaries, overcoming overwhelm, and finding a community where your creative process can unfold safely and help move you toward healing. 

    You can find the full show notes and resources mentioned here- https://www.elizabethcushcoaching.com/awaken-your-wise-woman-podcast

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    3 November 2025, 5:00 am
  • 35 minutes 40 seconds
    Compassion and Community

    If it seems like discussions about the state of the world seem to turn ugly lately, listen to this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast! Host Elizabeth Cush talks about what’s behind the divisiveness and how to start healing.


    “I don't have to be friends with someone who I disagree with, but I can see them as a person with their own struggles, with their own fears, with their own beliefs.” — Biz Cush

    What happened to the “good old days” when we could just agree to disagree? Instead, it seems, people today divide the world into “us” versus “them”—whether it’s by race, religion, political party or even lifestyle choices. So many of us tend to lump anyone who experiences the world in a way that we don’t into the category of “other.” It’s easy to dismiss “others as less moral, less informed, less than…. In this episode of the Awaken Your Wise Woman podcast, host Biz Cush, LCPC, a licensed professional therapist, founder of Progression Counseling in Maryland and Delaware, and a life coach for highly sensitive women, talks about some of the roots of conflict in today’s world, how sensitive women can navigate a fraught political climate with integrity, and how to take steps toward finding the peace and compassion that can help heal community. 


    Circle of Sacred Sensitivity Membership

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    20 October 2025, 4:00 am
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