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 What happens when the body begins to release what it has carried for decades? 

This episode is Part 2 of our series, Listening Beneath the Symptoms: A Nervous System Series—where we explore how healing lives in the body through regulation, release, and deeper awareness. 

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, sexual assault, and a brief mention of suicidal thoughts as part of a survivor’s healing journey. Please listen with care and pause if needed. 

If you or someone you know is struggling or needs support, help is available in the United States by calling or texting 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for confidential support. 

In this deeply moving conversation, we speak with Eileen Hartenstein, who shares her journey of healing childhood trauma and sexual assault through practices that reconnect the mind and body. After years of talk therapy, Eileen discovered that many of the experiences she had buried were still living in her nervous system.

Through yoga and TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises), she began to experience something powerful: the body’s natural ability to release stored stress through tremoring, breath, and awareness. 

Together, we explore:
 • How trauma and chronic stress can live in the nervous system
 • The connection between body awareness and emotional release
 • How TRE exercises help the body release stored stress
 • The role of yoga and breath in restoring safety in the body
 • Why healing is rarely linear—and why that’s okay
 • How reconnecting with the body can lead to self-trust and self-compassion 

✨ You can reach Eileen at her website here or find her on FB ~ Remember Who You Are Yoga.

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In this first conversation of our 3-part series Listening Beneath the Symptoms, we sit down with Courtney Somma to explore what becomes possible when women begin looking beyond a diagnosis — and toward the nervous system.

Courtney shares her personal journey through chronic illness, migraines, and persistent symptoms — and how shifting her relationship with nourishment, stress, and lifestyle became a turning point in her healing.

We explore:

• Why only a small percentage of chronic illness is purely genetic
• How chronic stress impacts the nervous system and inflammation
• The connection between plant-based nutrition and nervous system regulation
• Why symptoms are often signals — not random events
• Small, sustainable changes that can reduce the body’s overall load

This conversation is not about restriction or perfection.

It’s about understanding how the body adapts under stress — and how nourishment can become a supportive tool in helping the nervous system feel safer, steadier, and more regulated.

Because you are not your diagnosis.

And your story is not finished.

If this episode resonates, you can learn more about Courtney’s work on IG and YouTube @VitalityHolisticHW and via her website here.

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💛 Resources mentioned:

Regulate Your Nervous System in Everyday Life, A Guided Reflection

Our Nervous System Reset

You might think your healing is about your marriage, your trauma, your habits, or your body.

But what if it’s actually about your nervous system?

In this episode, Jessie and Maureen explore the profound connection between regulation and lasting change. Through personal examples — from reclaiming your voice to being unexpectedly jolted by a familiar sound — they unpack how the body stores protection long after circumstances shift.

This isn’t about never reacting again.
 It’s about understanding the difference between living in chronic stress and experiencing conditioned responses that briefly surface.

They discuss:

– Why the nervous system updates slower than identity
– How old adaptations can appear in new seasons of life
– The hidden cost of staying functional while overwhelmed
– Three pathways women use to begin regulating: body, voice, and environment

Healing doesn’t erase history.
It teaches the body it’s safe now.

This episode sets the foundation for the powerful healing stories coming in the weeks ahead; powerful discussions about the gateway to healing ~ the nervous system. 

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Ready to begin your own journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call:
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 ✨ Free Resource: Where You Are Right Now
A quiet companion for the in-between seasons. This free reflection invites you to pause, listen inward, and honor where you are — before rushing toward what’s next. 

https://growth-catalysts-llc.kit.com/03385c1a4e

In this final episode of Reflections from the Middle, Jessie B and Maureen Mansi explore the theme of Radiate — a deeper, more honest expression of self-honor rooted in nervous system awareness, authenticity, and emotional truth.

They discuss how personal values shift over time, the importance of recognizing when something no longer feels aligned, and the emotional cost of staying “functional” in situations that quietly disconnect us from ourselves. The conversation also highlights the healing power of solitude, the role of self-love in growth, and how radiance can coexist with grief, change, and uncertainty.

This episode is an invitation to trust yourself, release what no longer serves you, and allow your true self to emerge — even in the midst of life’s challenges.

Key themes include:

• Nervous system awareness and emotional health
• Letting go of relationships that no longer serve
• Self-love as a foundation for healing
• The wisdom of solitude
• Trusting yourself through change
• Redefining radiance in midlife

Join us as we wrap up this series and discuss radiating through all midlife has to offer us!

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Ready to begin your own journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call:
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Begin your journey with the Awakened Woman Workbook—full of tools, prompts, and practices we use in our coaching program.
👉 Grab the eBook here:
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Single motherhood, exhaustion, and responsibility can make it feel impossible to move forward with your dreams. In this episode of Reflections from the Middle, we talk about what it really means to rise when life isn’t ideal.

This is Week 3 of our Reflections from the Middle series, where we explore the theme Rise — choosing movement even when your life is full, resources feel limited, and the weight of responsibility is real.

Jessie B and Maureen Mansi share honest reflections from their journeys as single mothers navigating different realities — full custody, shared custody, financial pressure, self-doubt, and the quiet fear of wanting more when life already asks so much.

In this episode, we talk about:
 • Rising without hustle or burnout
 • Why sustainability matters more than speed
 • The hidden cost of staying still for too long
 • How support and community change everything
 • Taking small, intentional steps when you don’t feel ready

Jessie also shares how discovering the concept of single parent stress syndrome helped her release self-blame and understand that exhaustion isn’t a personal failure — it’s often the result of carrying too much alone.

✨ Free Resource
We created a free guided reflection called Where You Are Right Now. It’s a gentle experience that helps you slow down, listen inward, and gain clarity about what this season of life is asking of you. 

👉https://growth-catalysts-llc.kit.com/03385c1a4e 

✨ Ready for Support?
If you’d like grounded, compassionate support as you navigate what’s next, you can also book a private coaching conversation with us.
👉 That link is below as well.

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Ready to begin your own journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call:
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Begin your journey with the Awakened Woman Workbook—full of tools, prompts, and practices we use in our coaching program.
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🌿 Free Guided Reflection
If this episode resonates, we created a free guided reflection to help you gently listen to what your inner world may be asking for — no fixing, no forcing, just space to reconnect. 👉 https://growth-catalysts-llc.kit.com/03385c1a4e

 Episode 6 Reflections from the Middle | Week 2: Renew
 Life isn’t falling apart — it’s asking something new of you.

In this episode of Reflections from the Middle, Jessie B and Maureen Mansi explore the emotional, physical, and identity shifts many women experience during midlife — especially around perimenopause and hormonal change.

Even when life looks “fine” on the outside, something inside may feel unfamiliar. Your body feels different. Your emotions fluctuate. Your sense of self begins to shift. And it can leave you wondering: What is happening to me?

In Week 2: Renew, we talk about:

• Why midlife changes can feel disorienting and emotional
• How perimenopause and hormonal shifts impact mood, body image, and identity
• The hidden cost of resisting change instead of listening to it
• Why renewal isn’t about becoming someone new — but honoring who you’re becoming
• How awareness and self-acceptance can help you feel more at home in yourself again

This conversation is for women over 40 who feel disconnected, tender, or quietly questioning who they are becoming — and want reassurance that they are not alone.

✨ Renewal doesn’t mean starting over. It means returning to yourself — with compassion.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Midlife Changes
 01:13 Personal Experiences with Body Changes
 05:22 Emotional Fluctuations and Mood Changes
 10:42 The Importance of Awareness and Acceptance
 14:00 Hidden Costs of Not Renewing
 17:40 Seeking Support and Community
 19:30 Finding Beauty in Becoming

🌿 Continue the conversation (see below) 

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Episode Description ✨ 🌿 💛

What happens when a woman finally stops believing the voice that told her she wasn’t enough?

In this episode, we sit down with Rae of Sunshine Art, who shares her courageous journey of reclaiming her identity through creativity after years of self-doubt rooted in childhood trauma. For most of her life, Rae believed she wasn’t meant to be an artist — until midlife became the moment she chose to listen to a different voice.

Rae opens up about how art became a powerful form of therapy during some of her darkest seasons and why midlife can be a profound time for healing, empowerment, and self-discovery. Through blending color on canvas, Rae began breaking generational cycles, challenging negative self-talk, and giving voice to parts of herself that had been silenced for years.

This conversation is a reminder that confidence isn’t required to begin — courage is.

If you’re a woman over 40 navigating healing, personal growth, or a desire to reconnect with who you truly are, this episode will meet you right where you are and remind you: it’s never too late to become who you were always meant to be.

Episode Timestamps

🎨00:00 — The Courage to Create
 Rae shares how her art journey with a brave decision to quiet the inner critic.

🎨07:17 — Art as Therapy and Healing
 How creativity became a safe outlet for processing trauma and supporting mental health.

✨13:48 — Breaking Generational Cycles
 Rae reflects on releasing inherited narratives and choosing a new path forward.

💛16:39 — Empowerment Through Expression
 Finding strength, voice, and self-trust through artistic expression in midlife.

If you’re a woman over 40 navigating healing, self-discovery, or a desire to reconnect with who you truly are, our e-book https://catalystcoach2.gumroad.com/l/lksdsv is a gentle guide to support you on that journey. 

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Ready to begin your own journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call:
https://calendar.app.google/KdaZWs9gmMBXciet9

Begin your journey with the Awakened Woman Workbook—full of tools, prompts, and practices we use in our coaching program.
👉 Grab the eBook here:
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In this conversation, Jessie B and Maureen Mansi explore three significant mindset shifts for women over 40 as they prepare for 2026. They discuss the importance of self-trust, the need to take back one's identity from societal expectations, and the redefinition of productivity to include presence and mindfulness. The dialogue emphasizes the value of listening to one's intuition, embracing doubt, and allowing oneself the space to be present in life.

Key Takeaways

• Intentional mindset shifts create greater self-awareness and emotional peace.
• Chronic self-doubt can quietly erode trust in your inner authority.
• Learning to trust yourself is foundational for confident decision-making.
• Your identity is not meant to be defined by roles, outcomes, or productivity.
• Presence and mindfulness are just as valuable as “doing more.”
• Intuition offers guidance when logic and expectations feel overwhelming.
• Slowing down is not failure—it’s a form of wisdom.
• Awareness is the first step toward meaningful personal change.
• Inner peace grows when your actions align with your values.
• Small, intentional shifts practiced daily can lead to lasting personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 – Mindset Shifts for Women Over 40
13:14 – Embracing Self-Trust and Intuition
18:52 – Redefining Happiness Beyond Outcomes
19:22 – The Importance of Slowing Down

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Ready to explore your next chapter and reconnect with yourself? Learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call:
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Support the show

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Ready to begin your own journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call:
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Begin your journey with the Awakened Woman Workbook—full of tools, prompts, and practices we use in our coaching program.
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In this heartfelt testimonial episode, Maureen opens up about her journey through sobriety, the challenges she faced, and the moment she realized she was ready for true inner peace.

Inside this episode, she shares:

🌿 What led her to seek support

🌿 How our Awakened Woman Framework helped her reconnect with her identity

🌿 The mindset shifts that allowed her to heal from the inside out

🌿 The emotional + spiritual transformation she never expected

🌿 What “inner peace” looks like for her today

Maureen’s story is raw, real, and deeply inspiring — a reminder that it’s never too late to reclaim your life, redefine your identity, and step into the woman you’re becoming.

If her journey resonates with you and you’re ready to rediscover yourself in this season, you can learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call using the link https://calendar.app.google/KdaZWs9gmMBXciet9

Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Transformation 
01:42 – The Struggles of Addiction 
04:42 – The Turning Point 
09:36 – The Journey to Sobriety 
14:57 – Realizations and Results of Sobriety 
20:20 – Empowerment Through Sobriety 
25:33 – The Spiritual Journey 
30:43 – Embracing Solitude 
35:29 – Creating Boundaries and Positive Relationships 
38:13 – Conclusion and Call to Action

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Work With Us

Ready to begin your own journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Learn more about our coaching or book a clarity call:
https://calendar.app.google/KdaZWs9gmMBXciet9

Begin your journey with the Awakened Woman Workbook—full of tools, prompts, and practices we use in our coaching program.
👉 Grab the eBook here:
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If you’re an empty nest mom navigating the transition from hands-on parenting to rediscovering your personal identity, this episode is for you. Jessie B and Maureen Mansi dive into the emotional challenges of leaving the “mom identity” behind and embracing change as a path to empowerment and self-discovery.

In this episode, we cover:
 🌿 The top three mistakes empty nest moms make
 🌿 Why clinging to the mom identity can keep you stuck
 🌿 How new hobbies are not a substitute for true identity
 🌿 The pressure to reinvent yourself too quickly
 🌿 The power of solitude in reconnecting with your authentic self
 🌿 Emotional and spiritual tools for personal growth

This conversation is honest, insightful, and deeply relatable for any woman navigating the journey from motherhood to rediscovering who she is beyond her role as a mom.

Key Takeaways

☮️ Clinging to the mom identity can keep you stuck in the past
☮️ Embracing change is essential for personal growth
☮️ New hobbies do not replace true identity
☮️ Solitude can lead to self-discovery and empowerment
☮️ Reinventing oneself is a gradual process
☮️ Emotional challenges are normal during this transition
☮️ Self-worth is crucial to embrace a new chapter
☮️ Mindful practices like meditation aid in self-discovery
☮️ Walking and connecting with nature can be therapeutic
☮️ Each journey to self-discovery is unique and personal

Timestamps

00:01 – Introduction and Overview  

00:59 – Mistake 1: Clinging to Mom Identity  

13:53 – Mistake 2: New Hobbies Aren’t Identity  

20:27 – Mistake 3: Pressure to Reinvent  

25:21 – Embracing Solitude and Self-Discovery  

29:49 – Conclusion and Empowerment

Watch this episode on YouTube here https://youtu.be/NTGucrj9d6c 

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Work With Us

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Begin your journey with the Awakened Woman Workbook—full of tools, prompts, and practices we use in our coaching program.
👉 Grab the eBook here:
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