Unhooked: Women, Wellness & Finding Wild Joy!

In this episode, Laura sits down with performer, choreographer, teacher, and newly published author Julie O'Connell for a candid conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Julie has performed around the world, taught some of Hollywood's most recognizable stars, choreographed countless productions, and raised a Broadway performer of her own. But behind the applause and glamorous credits were seasons of uncertainty, difficult relationships, financial setbacks, and the challenge of rebuilding her life more than once.

Julie shares lessons learned from navigating major life pivots, recovering from a toxic relationship, rediscovering her independence, writing her memoir Winging It Every Step of the Way, and embracing a simpler, more intentional chapter of life.

This conversation is a reminder that no matter your age or stage, there is always another dance waiting for you.

• Reinvention is not a one-time event. It happens throughout life.
• Financial freedom and emotional freedom are deeply connected.
• Sometimes the bravest move is walking away from a life that looks successful from the outside.
• Simplicity can create more happiness than status or appearances.
• Trying new things is often the fastest path to clarity.
• The word "could" creates possibility while "should" creates pressure.
• Creativity and purpose do not have an expiration date.
• Writing can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.

00:00 - Welcome and Meet Julie O'Connell

• Laura introduces dancer, choreographer, teacher, and author Julie O'Connell.
• Julie's remarkable career journey and Broadway connections.

06:20 - Born to Dance

• Julie reflects on a lifetime in dance.
• Why dance has always been part of her identity.

10:45 - When Relationships Change Your Direction

• Julie discusses a difficult relationship that slowly altered the course of her life.
• Recognizing manipulation and emotional dependency.

16:00 - Breaking Free and Starting Over

• How distance, reflection, and writing helped Julie reclaim her life.
• Learning to trust herself again.

18:40 - Choosing Happiness Over Appearances

• Letting go of the country club lifestyle.
• Why freedom became more important than status.

21:30 - From Big Houses to Small Spaces

• Downsizing, simplifying, and redefining success.
• Discovering what really matters.

28:30 - Dancing for Gene Kelly

• Julie shares one of her favorite career memories.
• Performing directly in front of Gene Kelly and receiving encouragement from a legend.

31:00 - Raising a Broadway Star

• The story of how Julie's daughter Kelly landed an opportunity with Donald O'Connor at just five years old.
• Life as a performer and parent.

36:00 - What's Next?

• Navigating life transitions in midlife and beyond.
• Staying open to new opportunities while remaining true to yourself.

40:00 - Writing 'Winging It Every Step of the Way'

• How a simple library writing class sparked Julie's memoir.
• Lessons learned from the publishing process.

46:30 - From Should to Could

• Julie shares one of her most powerful mindset shifts.
• Replacing obligation with possibility.

49:00 - Why Trying New Things Matters

• Bartending, Weight Watchers coaching, golf, teaching, and discovering what truly fits.
• The importance of experimentation.

53:30 - Final Advice for Women in Reinvention

• Authenticity, resilience, health, purpose, and continuing to grow at every age.

Julie's Book

Julie on Facebook

Connect with Laura:

Connect with Laura

[email protected]

www.unhookedwomen.com

https://www.facebook.com/UnhookedWomenPodcast

https://www.instagram.com/unhooked_women_podcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@unhookedwomen

https://www.youtube.com/@Unhooked_Women_Podcast

Join me in this enlightening episode where Leslie Sann, a seasoned teacher and pearl cultivator of human joy, shares insights from over four decades of guiding people through life's grit toward gleaming pearls of joy. Discover how to turn adversity into blessings, the importance of acceptance, and practical tools for cultivating happiness, regardless of circumstances.

She talks about midlife, her divorces and what she was thinking when she found herself alone on a snowy, winter night.

Key Topics:

The metaphor of pearl cultivation to transform adversity into joy

Defining grit as unexpected circumstances and how to dance with life's change

The role of acceptance and response in awakening and joy

The significance of mindset reframing versus drastic external changes

Practical strategies to embrace aloneness, loss, and life's unpredictable shifts

How to identify and expand your personal joy portfolio

The importance of self-honoring, forgiveness, and gratitude in the journey to joy

Living intentionally and authentic joy beyond societal expectations

Leslie’s personal stories of resilience, including her snowblower story and solo journey

Practical tools to move beyond pity parties and cultivate a joyful attitude

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Leslie Sann, joy teacher and pearl cultivator
00:28 - Grounding meditation to receive joy and blessings
03:32 - What does it mean to be a pearl cultivator? Turning grit into blessings
04:40 - The metaphor of irritation and growth in oysters as a life lesson
07:24 - How Leslie defines grit: life's unexpected changes and our dance with them
09:16 - How awakening sparks through responding, not reacting, to life's circumstances
12:14 - The role of reframing mindset around joy, success, and life purpose
14:52 - Joy as authenticity versus societal standards and external achievements
18:06 - Personal stories of divorce and resilience as catalysts for growth
23:04 - The snowblower story: reframing challenges with humor and acceptance
27:01 - Moving from victim stories to gratitude and empowerment in hardship
32:38 - Recognizing our true identity beyond thoughts and circumstances
37:03 - Tools for letting go of judgment, practicing kindness to oneself
42:14 - The process of evolving joy with age and authenticity
46:24 - Nourishing joy through living aligned with our passions and essence
50:05 - Identifying feelings associated with joy to deepen awareness
54:28 - The importance of joy as a choice, not a circumstance
55:34 - Leslie’s role as an educator in cultivating consciousness and skills for joy
59:10 - Embracing change as a friend and a catalyst for new possibilities
60:51 - Connecting with Leslie and exploring her upcoming programs

Resources& Links:

Connect with Leslie:

LeslieSann - Official Website

Workshop:Go Pearl Yourself

Meditation & Grounding Techniques

Newsletter Signup

Connect with Laura

[email protected]

www.unhookedwomen.com

https://www.facebook.com/UnhookedWomenPodcast

https://www.instagram.com/unhooked_women_podcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@unhookedwomen

https://www.youtube.com/@Unhooked_Women_Podcast

In this honest and deeply personal episode, Laura explores what it really means to “show up anyway” when life doesn’t unfold as planned. Speaking from her own lived experience, Laura reflects on a nonlinear career filled with unexpected pivots, creative risks, and reinvention.

From launching a spray tan business to building a podcast that turned into a keynote platform, Laura shares how every chapter—no matter how messy or uncertain—served as a stepping stone rather than a setback. She introduces the idea of the “spaghetti phase,” a season of trying, experimenting, and discovering what truly sticks.

This episode is a powerful call to women navigating transitions, especially in midlife, to stop performing at “fine,” get radically honest about what they want, and trust that their path is still unfolding. With warmth, humor, and real talk, Laura offers five actionable ways to reclaim your energy, redefine your timeline, and build a life that feels aligned—no matter when you start.

Connect with Laura

[email protected]

www.unhookedwomen.com

https://www.facebook.com/UnhookedWomenPodcast

https://www.instagram.com/unhooked_women_podcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@unhookedwomen

https://www.youtube.com/@Unhooked_Women_Podcast

Hey girlfriend… welcome to Unhooked.

If you’ve been asking yourself:
What’s next? Why doesn’t this feel right anymore? What am I missing?

You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

This first episode is your invitation to step into something different. Not a complete life overhaul… but a reset. A reframe. A recalibration.

Because here’s the truth:
You don’t need fixing. You need freedom.

In this kickoff episode, Laura introduces the Unhooked movement and what it means to start living life on your own terms.

This isn’t just a podcast.
It’s a space for women over 40 to unhook from:

• Expectations
• Roles that no longer fit
• The pressure to “have it all together”
• And yes… even the bra and the BS

You’ll also hear how Unhooked evolved from The Braless Lush—and why that bold, playful, slightly rebellious energy isn’t going anywhere… it’s just growing up with you.

You did everything right. So why doesn’t it feel right?

If something feels off, it doesn’t mean you’re behind or broken. It means you’re ready for a shift.

This episode helps you recognize that quiet nudge and start listening to it instead of pushing it down.

Connect with Laura

[email protected]

www.unhookedwomen.com

https://www.facebook.com/UnhookedWomenPodcast

https://www.instagram.com/unhooked_women_podcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@unhookedwomen

https://www.youtube.com/@Unhooked_Women_Podcast

The Braless Lush podcast is evolving!

The new "Unhooked" is a podcast for women unhooking from what no longer fits — roles, expectations, identities and patterns that once made sense but quietly stopped working.

Hosted by Laura Nozicka, Unhooked creates space for thoughtful conversation, reflection and clarity at moments of change.

These episodes explore women’s wellness, identity shifts and pivots, reinvention, being unheard and the experience of reaching a point in life where you realize you don’t need to be fixed — you need freedom!

Your life! Your rules! Let's get unhooked!!

Connect with Laura

Website: www.unhookedwomen.com

Email: [email protected]

Follow on Facebook, TikTok and IG

In this insightful conversation, Maria Dastur shares her journey and the impactful work she is doing to empower women during a time when pivoting can be stressful, confusing yet exciting! She emphasizes the importance of identifying non-negotiables and needs, and how many people often skip this crucial step. Maria also discusses the significance of networking, stating that 85% of jobs are landed through connections, and advises spending a similar percentage of time building one's network. The discussion is filled with practical advice and personal anecdotes, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to advance in their career.

(My apologies but my sound is a little wonky due to mic issues. This episode is still a great listen!)Takeaways- Identify your non-negotiables and needs.- Networking is crucial for career advancement.- Spend 85% of your time building connections.- Many people skip identifying their needs.- Maria's journey is inspiring and impactful.- Practical advice for career growth.- Personal anecdotes enrich the discussion.- Empowerment through self-awareness.- The importance of personal growth.- Maria's work is empowering women.Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariadastur/

Link to your FREE playbook: ⁠⁠2026Screw It Strategy Playbook | The Braless Lush Podcast⁠

Resources & Links:

Want to connect?

Website: www.thebralesslush.com

Email: [email protected]

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EpisodeDrink Recipes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this energizing New Year’s mashup episode, The BralessLush Podcast returns with your braless bestie and unhooked host, Laura Nozicka, laser-focused on helping women redefine reinvention in 2026 over 50.

Broadcasting from her 1950s tiki bar studio in Chicago (really my family room...so cheesy, but fun), Laura spotlights powerful insights from her 2025 guest lineup, each woman navigating bold pivots, unexpected identity shifts anda refusal to age quietly over 50.

Listeners hear wisdom from:

• Dr. Traci Hill, a retired firefighter turned PhD inintegrative medicine, proving it’s never too late to pursue the next credential, calling, or chapter.
• Michelle L’amour, international burlesque artist, whoreframed her alopecia diagnosis into a liberation journey and now teaches women to “redline” what no longer serves them.
• Tricia Brouk, award-winning speaker coach and former balletdancer, who encourages women to curate their lives with intention and trust their instincts.
• Colleen Winters, entrepreneur and dog-bakery franchiseowner, demonstrating that courage plus preparation is the winning formula for a midlife pivot.
• Ms. Mélusine, kink educator, who found her confidence andjoy through exploring identity beyond convention.
• And Laura herself, who dismantles the “shoulds” women carryinto adulthood and invites listeners to pursue what they crave whether that’s adventure, pleasure, creativity, or peace.

Together, these women deliver a manifesto reinvention andcelebration!

Laura closes the episode with an invitation to join her 2026“Screw It Strategy Playbook,” an unapologetic roadmap to designing the life women over 50 deserve, no bra required.

Link to your FREE playbook: ⁠2026Screw It Strategy Playbook | The Braless Lush Podcast⁠

Guest Episodes

• Dr. Traci Hill — How to Heal, Reinvent and Live on Your Own Terms After 50: Tools and Inspiration From a Boss Babe Firefighter — August 12, 2025 Apple Podcasts
• Michelle L’amour — Alopecia, Authenticity and Dancing Your Way to Finding Your “No” — November 13, 2025 Apple Podcasts
• Tricia Brouk — Ditch the Bra and the Bullsh*t!: Finding Your “Hell-Yeah!” Voice After 50 — July 30, 2025 Apple Podcasts
• Colleen Winter — Ditch the Bra and the Bullsh*t!:Divorce, Dogs, and a New Direction After 50 — September 29, 2025 ApplePodcasts
• Laura Nozicka — No Bra, No Rules, No Apologies:Welcome to The Braless Lush Podcast! — July 30, 2025 Apple Podcasts
• Ms. Mélusine — Bottoms Up PJ Party! Feathers and Flogging — How Kink Builds Confidence Over 50 (Hell, Yeah!) — October 21, 2025 Apple Podcasts

Resources & Links:

Want to connect?

Website: www.thebralesslush.com

Email: [email protected]

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EpisodeDrink Recipes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this captivating episode, I sit down with the radiant and fearless Michelle L'amour — an international burlesque dancer, creative visionary, and living embodiment of reinvention. Her story is one of bold transformation: from burnout to sequins and spotlights, from self-doubt to total self-acceptance, and from hair loss to owning her power in every sense.

Michelle opens up about her deeply personal journey with alopecia, sharing how losing her hair forced her to redefine beauty, identity, and femininity on her own terms. Instead of retreating, she stepped forward choosing to shine brighter than ever. Through burlesque, she found freedom, sensuality, and a creative outlet that became both rebellion and reclamation.

This episode is a glittering manifesto for women everywhere who have ever felt invisible, “too old,” or “not enough.” Michelle reminds listeners that confidence isn’t about perfection but it’s about showing up as you are and celebrating every inch of your story. Because real beauty is what happens when you stop hiding and start dancing anyway.

Connect Michelle:

www.michellelamour.com and on Instagram

Michelle's Butt-Toven performance: https://youtu.be/NSdk92pvDu8?si=gSHMmEB9hy1fkEXZ

Resources & Links:

• Want to connect?

  Website: www.thebralesslush.com

  Email: [email protected]

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Drink Recipes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Hiya, toots! Tonight we fluff your feathers and your confidence straight from the boudoir of the Lush Lounge. Your braless bestie and unhooked host, Laura invites Ms. Mélusine —aka “the Kink Fairy Godmother” to demystify the kink community: what it is (enthusiastic consent, safety, negotiation) and what it definitely isn’t (50 Shades cosplay or anything nonconsensual).

From “munches” and masks to St. Andrew’s crosses and the art of flogging, we explore how power exchange can translate into everyday power, body positivity, and clearer communication especially for lushes over 50. Grab a Cosmo and get unhooked.

• Kink 101 without the cringe: Consent, safety, and protocols

• How to start safely: “Munches,” vetting, and building trust before you ever play

• Tools & toys: From feather-sensation to rope, paddles, floggers, and suspension with negotiation at every step

• Confidence booster: Learning to articulate desires in the bedroom builds your voice everywhere else

• Body positive AF: Every size, every age, every scar desired, seen, and celebrated

• Spice it up respectfully: How to bring up kink with a partner (without triggering the “who taught you that?” spiral)

• Myth-busting: Not swinging, not porn, not 50 Shades and absolutely not anything involving minors or coercion

  
  

  The world famous burlesque dancer, Michelle L'amour was mentioned in the episode as a guest I'd like to invite on the show. She will be a guest on the next episode, so stay tuned!

Key takeaways (sass included)

• Consent is sexy. If it’s not an enthusiastic “yes,” it’s a hard no.

• Talk first, tie later. Negotiation makes the fun safer and hotter.

• Your voice grows muscles. Asking for what you want in bed strengthens your voice at work, with friends, and with yourself.

• Age is an asset. Over 50 ≠ over anything. Desire evolves—and so do you.

• Bodies are beautiful. Voluptuous, athletic, scarred, soft—bring the whole you.

Starter script (to introduce kink to a partner)“Babe, I heard a podcast that made me curious. I’m not cheating; I’m learning. I’d love to try one small, safe thing with you—maybe a new toy or some sensation play—and talk about what would feel good for both of us.”

Mentions & inspo

Dita Von Teese, Michelle L’amour (burlesque), FetLife (to find events), “Art of Kink”

Resources & Links:

• Want to connect?

  Website: www.thebralesslush.com

  Email: [email protected]

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Drink Recipes⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Hiya, Dollface!

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Colleen for a no-holds-barred conversation about the messy, magical, and marvelous chapters of life. From rebuilding after divorce to rediscovering yourself in motherhood and daring to launch new ventures, this one’s as real as it gets.

• 💔 Divorce & Reinvention
  Colleen and I open up about what it’s like to start over after divorce — the grief, the grit, and the unexpected freedom it can bring. We talk about reclaiming identity and shaking off old expectations to step into the next lush chapter.

• 👩‍👧 Motherhood, Unmasked
  From sleepless nights to the sacred bond, we explore the raw truth of motherhood. We reflect on how being moms has shaped our resilience, our priorities, and even our humor (because if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry).

• 🚀 New Business Ventures
  Midlife isn’t about slowing down — it’s about stepping up. We swap stories on building businesses from scratch, taking risks when the world expects you to play it safe, and why saying “screw it” might be the smartest business strategy of all.

• 🍷 Friendship That Holds It All Together
  At the heart of it, this episode is about the power of having someone who’s walked through the fire with you — and still laughs with you until your cheeks hurt.

This isn’t a sugarcoated chat. It’s two women talking about the things we often whisper about — divorce, motherhood, money, business, identity — and reclaiming them with sass, honesty, and a whole lot of laughter.

Sip along with us and raise a glass to reinvention, resilience, and the lushness of life after 50.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Want to connect?

  Website: www.thebralesslush.com

  Email: [email protected]

  ⁠⁠⁠Episode Drink Recipes⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

  
  

💋 Until next time, remember: You don’t need permission to rewrite your story. Don’t think, just do — and always stay a little lush.