The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair

453: How to Thrive as an Empath with Dr. Judith Orloff

Apr 10, 2025

Join Dr. Judith Orloff, a psychiatrist and bestselling author, as she unpacks the fascinating world of empaths. She discusses how being an empath is both a gift and a challenge, offering tools for energy protection and setting healthy boundaries. Judith introduces 'loving detachment' to help empaths stay grounded, and shares personal stories about balancing empathy with self-care. Learn to embrace your empathic abilities without feeling drained, while fostering stronger, healthier relationships.

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ANECDOTE

Hairstylist's Empath Awakening

Michelle Chalfant shares a conversation with her hairstylist who realized she is an empath after feeling drained from clients' energy.
People tend to open up to empaths, which can be overwhelming if energy management is not practiced.

ANECDOTE

Dr. Orloff's Empath Journey

Judith Orloff describes growing up as an empath with no guidance and being told to get a thicker skin.
Her journey led her to become a psychiatrist who integrates intuition and empathy in medicine.

INSIGHT

Empath Traits and Signals

Empaths possess deep intuition, sensitivity, and spiritual connection but tend to overgive and get exhausted.
Feeling tired and overstimulated signals the empath needs to rest and center themselves.

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Get ready for a transformative conversation as I welcome Dr. Judith Orloff—psychiatrist, empath, and bestselling author—onto the show to dive deep into the world of empathy and energy management. Judith shares her incredible wisdom on how being an empath can be both a profound gift and a real challenge, and she offers powerful, practical tools to protect your energy and set healthy boundaries.

We talk about how empaths can feel deeply without taking on other people’s pain, and how to embrace empathy as a strength—not something that drains you. Judith also introduces the concept of "loving detachment," a powerful practice that helps us stay grounded, centered, and energized even in intense situations.

Whether you identify as an empath or are close to someone who is, this episode is packed with guidance and insight to help you cultivate emotional resilience and build stronger, healthier relationships.

In this episode, you will hear:

What it really means to be an empath and how to manage overwhelming emotions
Tools for protecting your energy and creating strong, clear boundaries
The power of loving detachment and how to stay grounded in challenging situations
How to use your empathic gifts without feeling drained or overstimulated
Judith’s personal stories and advice on balancing empathy with self-care
Ways to build more connected relationships while honoring your own emotional needs

Resources from this Episode:

Get The Genius of Empathy by Dr. Judith Orloff

Dr. Judith Orloff’s Website: drjudithorloff.com

Follow Dr. Orloff on Instagram: @judith.orloff.md

Take Judith’s Empath Quiz: Are You an Empath?

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Academy of Awakening https://www.theacademyofawakening.com

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The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant