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Have you ever reached for a drink—not because you genuinely wanted it—but because you were trying to soothe stress, numb emotions, or simply make it through the day?
This week’s episode features Colleen Freeland Kachmann, an intuitive drinking coach and host of It’s Not About the Alcohol podcast. Colleen shares her powerful personal transformation and offers a radically different approach to navigating alcohol use disorder through emotional regulation, somatic healing, and self-awareness.
What makes Colleen’s work different? She doesn’t teach you to just quit drinking—she teaches you how to change your relationship with it.
In this eye-opening conversation, we explore:
If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of drinking for relief or unsure how to create a healthier relationship with alcohol, this episode is your invitation to begin again—with compassion, curiosity, and clarity.
You don’t have to go all-or-nothing. And change is absolutely possible.
Much love,
Laurie
Click here for a video on how to leave a review to receive a free somatic stabilization/grounding exercise. The podcast graphic is different from the current one. Once you complete it and send me a picture I will send you the video. My email is [email protected]
Thank you in advance.
Click here to learn about my NEW “Nervous System Regulation Starter Kit”
Free Resources
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
Do you want to make sure you’re not just alive… but truly living? My guest this week suggests, starting by contemplating your own death.
In this transformative episode, I’m joined by Karen Salmansohn, bestselling author and behavioral change expert known for blending humor, heart, and science to make life’s most meaningful lessons accessible. We dive into her latest book, Your To Die For Life, and explore how embracing mortality awareness can be the catalyst for deep, lasting transformation. Her gentle but powerful tools will help you shift from a near-life experience into an intentionally well-lived one.
Karen shares a fresh perspective on how contemplating death isn’t morbid—it’s motivating. Through research-backed tools and creative exercises, she shows us how to shift from a “near-life experience” to a purpose-filled, fully engaged existence.
In this episode you’ll learn:
This is your invitation to pause and reflect—not with pressure, but with compassion. Whether you're navigating midlife or simply craving a deeper sense of purpose, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating a more purpose-driven life.
Much love,
Laurie
Click here for a video on how to leave a review to receive a free somatic stabilization/grounding exercise. The podcast graphic is different from the current one. Once you complete it and send me a picture I will send you the video. My email is [email protected]
Thank you in advance.
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here to learn about my NEW “Nervous System Regulation Starter Kit”
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email
***********************
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
Have you ever felt as though the ground has suddenly dropped out from under you after someone you trusted deeply betrayed you?
Betrayal can manifest physically and emotionally, preventing you from achieving what you truly desire.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Debi Silber, PhD, the founder of The Post Betrayal Transformation Institute and an international bestselling author. She shares three key insights from her personal experiences with betrayal trauma, as well as her research findings.
Debi explains why betrayal trauma is uniquely different and requires a different healing approach. She also describes what relationship recovery entails and walks you through the five stages of healing from betrayal.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
If you’re still holding on to a past betrayal and are ready to rebuild your self-trust, this conversation is for you! Remember, you don’t have to go through this process alone.
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here to learn about my NEW “Nervous System Regulation Starter Kit”
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Connect with Dr. Debi Silber
Website: https://thepbtinstitute.com/
TEDtalk
Certificates
PBT Institute
Transformational Programs
Betrayal Trauma At Work Masterclass
Reclaim Program
Rebuild Program
Trust Again 2.0
Forgiveness Journey
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
Is your body changing in ways that feel unfamiliar or unexpected?
Perhaps your midlife body has gained a few pounds without any changes to your eating habits. Or maybe you’ve always struggled with body image and are searching for ways to accept yourself with more ease.
This week, I’m joined by Elizabeth Dall, a certified women’s wellness coach who focuses on nutrition for women, behavior change, and body acceptance. Elizabeth brings a grounded and thoughtful approach to midlife wellness, shaped by both her expertise and personal experiences.
We explore how food freedom, self-compassion, and nervous system regulation work together to support lasting change. And what does it really mean to develop health habits that are sustainable through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond?
This conversation isn’t about rigid plans or strict routines that often lead to disappointment. Instead, it’s about listening to your body, acknowledging your needs, and redefining what lifestyle changes can look like as you age. Aging gracefully doesn’t mean shrinking yourself; it means coming home to who you truly are.
You’ll learn:
Your body is changing, and it deserves support that meets you where you are and encourages you to move forward with compassion.
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Connect with Elizabeth Dall
Instagram: @awomanofwellness
Website: www.awomanofwellness.com
Podcast: The Woman of Wellness Podcast
Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email
***********************
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
When we are healing, do we only focus on the emotional aspect, or do we look at healing our lives holistically?
Addressing different aspects of our lives is essential for feeling our best and ultimately creating space for what many desire the most—a secure and healthy intimate relationship.
In this conversation, I reconnect with Kate Anthony, a coach, author, and host of The Divorce Survival Guide podcast, who is a listener favorite. Kate shares her difficult, raw, and unfiltered truth about how her past trauma resurfaced and what steps she took on her healing journey.
After facing years of environmental challenges, a broken ankle, burnout recovery, menopause, and mental health shifts, Kate was determined to reclaim her physical and mental health. Then something wonderful happened: she decided to give dating another chance and found her “needle in the haystack.” Now, she is in a securely attached relationship that feels profoundly different, and she’s here to share what it took to get there.
Takeaways:
If you’re walking your own healing journey, this episode serves as a reminder that it’s never too late and you are not broken. You’re exactly where you need to be.
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Connect with Kate Anthony
https://kateanthony.com
Jenny Young - Burned Haystack Dating Method
The Meadows Treatment Center
Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email
***********************
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
Are you feeling uncertain about what’s happening to your body during perimenopause and menopause? Are you unsure of whom to trust regarding hormone therapy?
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Maria Sophocles, a nationally recognized menopause specialist, OBGYN, and founder of Women’s Healthcare of Princeton. With nearly 30 years of experience and a deep passion for women's health in midlife, Dr. Sophocles helps clarify the confusion surrounding the latest in menopause research.
We discuss why many women miss out on the powerful benefits of hormone replacement therapy due to outdated information. You’ll learn about the latest science and treatments for menopause and perimenopause, along with the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
You’ll learn:
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, this conversation is essential for providing the support, insight, and clarity you need.
Grab your earbuds and tune in to make your second act more intimate and pleasurable!
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here to fill out my questionnaire
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Dr. Maria Sophocles
TED Talk: What happens to sex in midlife? A look at the "bedroom gap"
Instagram: @mariasophoclesmd
Website: mariasophoclesmd.com
Other menopause resources: Midi
Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email
***********************
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
Have you ever experienced a loss so deep it changed everything?
What if healing isn’t about moving on, but about learning to live differently with your grief?
In this episode, I talk with Melissa Saleh, a trauma advocate, storyteller, and mother who shares her powerful journey through stillbirth grief and how she found her way back to life after everything crumbled beneath her. Following the loss of her daughter during labor, Melissa's world fell apart. What followed was a raw, authentic, and deeply human path through grief and loss, identity, and eventual emotional healing.
We explore how she used alternative healing methods, somatic practices, and nervous system regulation to begin rebuilding her life. We also discuss why PTSD recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, and how true emotional resilience often begins in the quiet moments of surrender and self-care.
You’ll learn:
If you’ve experienced deep loss or love someone who has, this episode offers comfort, insight, and hope.
You’re not alone in your healing.
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here to fill out my questionnaire
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Melissa Saleh
Watch out for her upcoming book: A Story of Transcendence Over Unspeakable Trauma
Website
Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email
***********************
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
Is the story you’ve been telling yourself keeping you stuck?
Maybe it’s not the circumstances that need to shift, but your perspective on them and how you feel inside.
In this episode, I talk with Karen Fabian, a yoga teacher, podcast host, and founder of Bare Bones Yoga. She left her high-level corporate job to pursue a more meaningful path. We discuss what it looks like to make a midlife career change, especially when self-doubt arises and old narratives resurface.
Karen shares how healing with yoga and somatic healing helped her release grief, rebuild her life, and create a business that supports other women. We also discuss the importance of mindset shifts and how practices such as movement, meditation, and visualization can foster personal growth for women.
You’ll learn:
If you’re navigating change, questioning what comes next, or working through old beliefs that no longer serve you, this conversation is for you.
Listen now and share this with a friend who could use some support on their journey.
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here to fill out my questionnaire
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Karen Fabian
5-Day Confidence Challenge
Bare Bones Yoga
Conversations for Yoga Teachers
YouTube
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
Many people say that your life begins at birth, but what if your emotional imprint starts to take shape long before that? What if your emotions, behavioral patterns, and adaptability are formed in the womb?
This is the conversation Cynthia Marks, host of the And Now, Love Podcast, and I explore. We delve into the transformative work of her late husband, Dr. Bernard Bail, who developed the “Love, Dreams, Imprint” paradigm. This groundbreaking approach helps uncover and understand the unconscious emotional imprints formed early in life. We also discuss the importance of emotional healing and how our earliest life experiences, yes, in utero trauma, can shape how we engage with the world.
In this episode, you will learn:
It's a unique conversation you won't want to miss! So grab your AirPods and join us as we discuss this innovative healing modality.
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here to fill out my questionnaire
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Cynthia Marks
And Now, Love Podcast
And Now, Love The Movie
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
What does it mean to be ‘the good daughter’?
Being ‘the good daughter’ is a role many people step into without even realizing it. If you find yourself constantly maintaining peace, prioritizing others’ feelings over your own, and seeking your mother’s approval, you may be experiencing ‘the good daughter syndrome.’ Over time, this role can quietly wear you down, erode your mental well-being, sense of self, and energy to the point where you no longer recognize yourself.
In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, author, daughter, and mother, Katherine Fabrizio, who coined the term "The Good Daughter Syndrome" and wrote an insightful book on the topic. In our conversation, she shares her experiences with her narcissistic mother and reflects on the moment she realized it was time to leave home and spread her wings. She also recounts stories of patients who have dealt with similar mothers with some exhibiting borderline personality disorder or an emotional immature parent.
Together, we delve into the profound emotional impact of toxic mother-daughter relationships and explore what it means to be a daughter who feels compelled to "appease her mother," even at the cost of her own happiness.
What you’ll learn:
This rich and compassionate conversation about mother-daughter dynamics, self-awareness, and finding freedom is a must-listen!!
So, grab your AirPods and take some time to listen to this important episode.
Much love,
Laurie
Free Guides
Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.
Click here to fill out my questionnaire
Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”
Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise
Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go
Website
Katherine Fabrizio
Website
Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email
***********************
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.
From the publisher's feed
Are you somewhere in the middle of your life wondering — is this all there is?
Maybe you've spent decades putting everyone else first. Maybe you're navigating divorce,…
This is "the" podcast for "that".
Confessions of a Freebird is a space for people in midlife who are done surviving and ready to live again. Three times a month, host Laurie James — author of Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go, certified somatic practitioner, coach, mother of four, divorcée, and recovering caregiver — brings you honest conversations and embodied tools for the journey back to yourself.
Expect raw personal reflections, expert conversations, and somatic coaching strategies covering everything from divorce strategies, grief, trauma healing, and anger to sex, dating again, finances, caregiving, and reinvention. Because the people who need this podcast aren't looking for toxic positivity — they're looking for someone who gets it.
Every episode is an invitation to stop managing and start feeling. To stop performing fine and start living freely. To come home to yourself through attuning to the body — and design a life that fits who you actually are now, not who you were twenty years ago or who someone else told you to be.
Whether you're in the thick of the sandwich generation, starting over after loss or divorce, or quietly dreaming of your next chapter — you're in the right place.
Confessions of a Freebird. Your midlife permission slip to evolve, heal, and fall in love with your life all over again.
Because the most important relationship you'll ever have is the one you have with yourself.
XO,
Laurie
Connect with me:
www.laurieejames.com
My Free "Beginner's Guide to Somatic Healing"
https://laurieejames.myflodesk.com/bgtsh
Purchase my book, Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go, https://www.laurieejames.com/book
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.james/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.james.79219754

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