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A raw and authentic podcast for those who work or volunteer in animal care, welfare, or activism, who are struggling with compassion fatigue, burnout, grief and loss, secondary traumatic stress, and other mental health concerns. Through both solo and guest episodes, I blend science, psychology, spirituality, and even a touch of "woo woo" to help you manage compassion fatigue, build resilience, and make your passion for helping animals sustainable. If you're involved in animal caregiving, rescue, trap-neuter return (TNR), sheltering, animal control, cruelty investigations, veterinary medicine, fostering, wildlife or marine rehabilitation and conservation, animal law or lobbying, ethical veganism, or any other role in animal care, welfare, or activism, and struggling with the consequences of caring so much that it hurts, this podcast is for you!
The host, Jen Blough, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, compassion fatigue coach and speaker, and author with more than 35 years of experience in animal welfare and activism. She is the author of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior and the upcoming book, Beyond Compassion Fatigue.
Episodes
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Are you someone who feels everything—sometimes too much? Do you absorb the emotions of others, often without realizing it? In this solo episode, I explore what it really means to be an empath. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re an empath (or know someone who is), this episode is for you.
We’ll dive into the defining traits of empaths, how empathy differs from being an empath, and why so many empaths are drawn to helping professions like animal rescue, veterinary medicine, and activism. But with that superpower of sensitivity often comes a cost—especially when it comes to compassion fatigue, burnout, and trauma.
I also share practical strategies for managing your energy, staying grounded, and embracing your sensitivity as a strength—not a weakness.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What it means to be an empath and how to tell if you are one.
- The difference between empathy and being an empath.
- Why empaths often show up in helping professions like animal care and advocacy.
- How being an empath makes you more vulnerable to compassion fatigue and burnout.
- The pros and cons of being an empath.
- How trauma can intensify empathic sensitivity.
- The importance of grounding techniques and energetic boundaries.
- How to own your sensitivity and use it as a source of strength and purpose.
Grab your free resources at https://www.beyondcompassionfatigue.com/
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