Confessions of a Freebird - Midlife, Divorce, Heal, and Date Differently with Somatic Experiencing, Empty Nest, Well-Being, Happiness
Hi, I’m Laurie James—author of Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go, somatic relationship coach, mother of four adult daughters, divorcée, and recovering caregiver.
I created Confessions of a Freebird as a heartfelt space for women navigating midlife transitions—divorce, empty nesting, loss, dating again, or simply wondering:
“Is this all there is?”
If you're longing for more authenticity, joy, freedom, and purpose, especially after years of putting everyone else first, you're in the right place.
Each episode, I’ll share:
- Practical tools and somatic coaching strategies
- Raw reflections and confessions from my own journey
- Expert conversations on everything from sex, grief, trauma healing, and finances to dating, caregiving, and reinvention
We'll explore what it means to come home to yourself through somatic practices—and how to design a life that feels aligned with who you are now, not who you were 20 years ago or who someone or society has told you to be.
Whether you’re in the sandwich generation, starting over after loss, or dreaming of your next chapter—Confessions of a Freebird is your midlife best friend. Think of it as a 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:
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
Confessions of a Freebird - Midlife, Divorce, Heal, and Date Differently with Somatic Experiencing, Empty Nest, Well-Being, Happiness
Feel Safe Again in Love: How Somatic Healing Supports Secure Relationships with Kate Anthony
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:
- How somatic healing creates the foundation for secure relationships.
- Why nervous system regulation is a crucial part of trauma recovery and dating readiness.
- How to seek the help you need when you become retraumatized by something from your past.
- What emotional safety feels like in your body and how to recognize it.
- The link between menopause, mental health, and your capacity for connection.
- How to identify healthy dating boundaries when reentering the dating world after divorce
- Why mind-body connection is central to real personal transformation and growth.
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
Connect with Kate Anthony
Jenny Young - Burned Haystack Dating Method
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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.