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
How to Break Free from Unhealthy Drinking Habits and Find Emotional Sobriety with Colleen Freeland Kachmann
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:
- Why mindful drinking can be more sustainable than strict sobriety
- How nervous system regulation and somatic practices can reduce the urge to drink.
- The link between emotional triggers, stress, and drinking habits
- How alcohol impacts hormonal health, especially during menopause
- The role of cognitive reframing in transforming your mindset around alcohol.
- The importance of understanding the emotional and physiological factors behind your drinking habits.
- Why emotional triggers and stress often lead to your drinking habits.
- What it means to practice emotional sobriety—and why it's more powerful than white-knuckling abstinence.
- Why focusing on emotional regulation and self-compassion can lead to more sustainable, positive changes that last.
- What the Mindful Drinking Experiment is and how it can help you heal without giving up alcohol entirely.
- How the “Delay, Don’t Deny” method supports more intentional choices.
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
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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.