Confessions of a Freebird - Midlife, Divorce, Heal, and Date Differently with Somatic Experiencing, Empty Nest, Well-Being, Happiness
I'm the author of “Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go” and a somatic relationship coach. I love helping women divorce, heal, and date differently in midlife or any stage—women looking for more happiness, joy, freedom, and purpose.
If you are ready to find more authenticity within so you can reclaim the life you left behind somewhere between diaper changes and kids graduating from school, tune in!
Have you ever asked yourself, “Is this all there is?” What’s life like as an empty nester? What's after divorce? How do I grieve the loss of a spouse who passed away? How do I date after a long relationship? How do I navigate being part of the sandwich generation? What is longevity and how do I take better care of myself as I age? How do I heal my trauma with somatic experiencing? How do I simply find more happiness and joy in my daily life? Then this podcast is for you!
I'm a mother of four adult daughters, a divorcée, and a recovering caregiver. My podcast, Confessions of a Freebird, is your midlife best friend. On this podcast, I'll offer actionable steps, coaching tips, soulful thoughts, somatic tools, and feature experts to help you with all things midlife and beyond. We will talk about sex, dating, divorce, loss, grief, midlife reinvention and empowerment, finances and so much more.
I also share my confessions and successes that have helped me intentionally redesign my life so you can skip the suffering I experienced and start making the most of your second or third act, one confession at a time.
Because every relationship begins with ourselves!
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
Episodes
88 episodes
The Good Daughter Syndrome: How to Set Boundaries with a Narcissistic Mother
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, a...
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Episode 185
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52:47
Afraid to Start From Scratch? Learn How To Make an Impact Now with Marie Newman
Have you ever wondered, “Why isn’t anyone fixing this problem?” Maybe it’s something in your community, your workplace, your government, or in your own life. You see a problem, but there’s no solution. When that happens what do you do?
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Episode 184
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54:23
How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed Even When Life Feels Out of Control
If you've been feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed lately, you're not alone. I don’t know about you, but it feels like I've lived through three years' worth of challenges in just the first two months of this year. Even with ten years of e...
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Episode 183
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27:11
How to Thrive After Divorce: A Midlife Survival Guide with Karen McMahon
Navigating the complexities of divorce can take a toll on our well-being, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.In this episode, Karen McMahon and I delve into these themes. Karen is a high-conflict...
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Episode 182
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48:44
How to Reconnect with Your True Self and Embrace Joyful Living with Heather Ash
Floating down a river serves as a beautiful metaphor for life. There are times when you need to be 'wild' and playful, willing to paddle when necessary, and wise when the river is calm, taking the time to listen to the messages that come your w...
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Episode 181
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36:13
Healing from Trauma: How to Reclaim Yourself After Life’s Challenges with Julie Brumley
Can I be real with you for a second? Healing isn’t always pretty. It’s messy, confusing, and sometimes it feels like you’re completely lost. I’ve been there, sobbing on my guest bed, wondering if I would ever find myself ...
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Episode 180
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55:22
The Truth About Menopause: Expert Tips on How to Improve Your Health and Thrive with Ali Brady
Welcome to the first episode of 2025, Freebirds! This episode is a MUST-listen for every woman! I’m joined by Ali Brady, a Functional Nutritionist and the founder of Project Menopause. Together, we ...
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Episode 179
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58:30
Why Taking Care of Yourself IS Taking Care of Others During the Holidays
This time of year, the media feeds us the message that we should be relaxed, feel connected to others, and experience joy, but our relationships are complex. Trying to “do it all,” that can leave us feeling exhausted, angry, and resentful. When...
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Episode 178
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19:25
Top 3 Life Lessons Every Woman Needs to Hear Before Turning 60
I recently celebrated my big 60th and have been reflecting on the past decade. I've experienced significant growth in the last ten years, made a few big life transitions and I've learned a few life lessons along the way that I’ll share with you...
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Episode 177
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35:41
How to Reconnect with Your Inner Guidance When Fear Holds You Back with Julie Reisler
Navigating life’s twists and turns can be challenging, but one constant remains: our internal guidance or intuition. That inner voice nudges us during quiet moments and has the power to transform our lives if we are willing to listen.
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Episode 176
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56:06
A Simple Twist on Gratitude and Growth
This week, I want to take a moment to share a little holiday gratitude, life reflection, and yes—a touch of bad humor to brighten your day. As we dive into the season of giving, I’ve got a simple yet powerful challenge for you that will shift y...
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Episode 175
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5:39
How Grief Works and Why It’s Different for Everyone with Krista St-Germain
Grief. It can be big and it can be small, yet many of us yearn for a roadmap to help us navigate through it.Society often provides us with steps, timelines, and catchy phrases like "time heals all wounds." However, if you have exper...
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42:11
9 Powerful Tips to Help You Make the Holidays Suck Just a Little Less
Is it November already? Are you prepared for the upcoming holidays, or do you find yourself wanting to hide under the covers until they're over?This time of year can bring unwanted gifts, even though we are expected to be grat...
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Episode 173
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27:51
How to Build Confidence and Intimacy in Midlife Relationships with Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus
Are you seeking more intimacy in your relationship? Perhaps you're considering dipping your toe in the dating pool life and feeling overwhelmed by the vulnerability it entails.Instead of shutting down and withdrawing from the ...
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Episode 172
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49:02
How to Overcome Fear and Build Emotional Resilience in Your Daily Life
Hey Freebirds, wishing you all a spooky and spirited Halloween! In this special episode, I will talk about something we all feel but don’t talk about enough—fear. Fear is something everyone deals wi...
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Episode 171
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30:30
Why Slow Down? 5 Key Benefits of Reducing Your Pace for Better Health
We live in a fast-paced society and world that rewards us for being busy. But what if I told you that slowing down your pace could improve your mental health? Today, in this solo-sode, I'll explore the art of slowing down...
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Episode 170
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35:17
Understand Divorce Finances and How to Prepare for a Strong Financial Future with Jennifer Lee
Divorcing in midlife can feel like your life has been turned upside down. The next step is unraveling a lifetime of savings and assets you’ve built together.Navigating through the emotional and financial ups and downs of managing and und...
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Episode 169
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39:56
How Journaling and Poetry Can Help You Heal: Writing Tips to Move Toward Wholeness with Dr. Liz DeBetta
Healing is not a linear path even though we want it to be. It can be messy, unpredictable, and sometimes takes us through emotional states we aren’t prepared to experience. For many of us, finding ways to connect with our emotions,...
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Episode 168
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40:59
7 Ways to Nurture Stronger Relationships With Your Children at Any Age
In this solo episode, I get a little personal and share my parenting journey—specifically, what I’ve learned from raising my four daughters. Parenting has been one of my biggest teachers and today I’m sharing my insights,...
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Episode 167
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30:23
How to Navigate Life Transitions with Confidence and Clarity with Kathy Batista
Life is full of transitions, both big and small, especially as we step into midlife. Our kids leave the nest and we hopefully become free birds, not empty nesters. Sometimes, they come back and need a soft landing spot. W...
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Episode 166
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40:24
Is Your Diet Making You Sick? And How to Turn It Around with Functional Nutritionist Risa Groux
Are you unsure about which foods are healthy and which are not?Maybe you’re dealing with fatigue, weight gain, or mysterious symptoms like joint pain, digestive issues, or autoimmune diseases. Understanding how the food you e...
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Season 1
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Episode 165
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40:59
How to Stop Being a People Pleaser (and Start Setting Healthy Boundaries)
I must confess, I’m a recovering people pleaser. For years, I bent over backward to keep the peace in my marriage. I avoided conflict like the plague and ensured everyone else was happy even at the expense of my happiness...
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Season 1
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Episode 164
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22:39
How Collaborative Divorce Helps Families Navigate Separation with Less Stress with Ann Grant
Going through a divorce is one of the most challenging life experiences. I know this firsthand, having navigated my divorce after 26 years of marriage and raising four children. It's a process that can leave you feeling vulnerable and unsure ab...
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Season 1
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Episode 163
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44:52
7 Tips to Let Go of Divorce Shame and Embrace Emotional Healing
Divorce doesn’t have to be stigmatized! When I was contemplating my divorce, I grappled with the societal shame tied to it. I felt like a failure and worried about how others would judge me, my social life, and more…<...
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Episode 162
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20:21
Financial Empowerment: How to Spot and Escape Financial Abuse in Relationships with Lisa Zeiderman
Do you know what financial abuse is and how to recognize it in a relationship? It can creep up on you without you even realizing it and next to physical abuse, it’s one of the worst types of abuse one can experience.It's abou...
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Episode 161
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30:52