Confessions of a Freebird - Midlife, Divorce, Heal, and Date Differently with Somatic Experiencing, Empty Nest, Well-Being, Happiness

Dating in midlife isn’t for the faint of heart. Maybe your marriage or a long-term relationship ended, you’ve healed, and now you’re ready to date again—only to ride a rollercoaster of hope, disappointment, or those “fetal position on your bed” moments we don’t always admit.  But what if dating wasn’t about forcing it or giving up—what if it was about trusting yourself, slowing down, and staying r...

Have you ever sent a text to your teen or college-aged kid and immediately wondered if they rolled their eyes when they read it? Maybe you’re trying to stay connected as they move across the country—or even just across the house.  If you’ve ever longed for a deeper bond with your child, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Tammy Cohen—speaker, author, founder of Women Beyond the Table, and mom o...

Ever feel like you’re drawn to the wrong people—repeatedly? That pull isn’t random. It’s often old patterns and unhealed wounds running the show, not true safety or connection. If dating has left you feeling confused, overwhelmed, or ready to give up, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Bernardo Mendez, relationship coach and creator of one of YouTube’s t...

When a relationship ends, how do you really move through the grief—body, mind, and heart? In this solo episode, I share my own recent breakup story and how I used somatic practices to walk through the grief process. Because here’s the thing: heartbreak isn’t just emotional—it’s physical too. Our bodies feel the loss, and somatic healing tools can help us soften, ground, and gently move through it....

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 navig...

Do you want to make sure you’re not just alive… but truly living? My guest this week suggests, starting by contemplating your own death. In this transformative episode, I’m joined by Karen Salmansohn, bestselling author and behavioral change expert known for blending humor, heart, and science to make life’s most meaningful lessons accessible. We dive into her latest book, Your To Die For Life , an...

Have you ever felt as though the ground has suddenly dropped out from under you after someone you trusted deeply betrayed you? Betrayal can manifest physically and emotionally, preventing you from achieving what you truly desire. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Debi Silber, PhD, the founder of The Post Betrayal Transformation Institute and an international bestselling author. She shares three k...

Is your body changing in ways that feel unfamiliar or unexpected?  Perhaps your midlife body has gained a few pounds without any changes to your eating habits. Or maybe you’ve always struggled with body image and are searching for ways to accept yourself with more ease. This week, I’m joined by Elizabeth Dall, a certified women’s wellness coach who focuses on nutrition for women, behavior change,...

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 Gui...

Are you feeling uncertain about what’s happening to your body during perimenopause and menopause? Are you unsure of whom to trust regarding hormone therapy? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Maria Sophocles, a nationally recognized menopause specialist, OBGYN, and founder of Women’s Healthcare of Princeton. With nearly 30 years of experience and a deep passion for women's health in midlife, Dr...

Have you ever experienced a loss so deep it changed everything? What if healing isn’t about moving on, but about learning to live differently with your grief? In this episode, I talk with Melissa Saleh, a trauma advocate, storyteller, and mother who shares her powerful journey through stillbirth grief and how she found her way back to life after everything crumbled beneath her. Following the loss...

Is the story you’ve been telling yourself keeping you stuck? Maybe it’s not the circumstances that need to shift, but your perspective on them and how you feel inside.  In this episode, I talk with Karen Fabian, a yoga teacher, podcast host, and founder of Bare Bones Yoga. She left her high-level corporate job to pursue a more meaningful path. We discuss what it looks like to make a midlife career...

Many people say that your life begins at birth, but what if your emotional imprint starts to take shape long before that? What if your emotions, behavioral patterns, and adaptability are formed in the womb? This is the conversation Cynthia Marks, host of the And Now, Love Podcast, and I explore. We delve into the transformative work of her late husband, Dr. Bernard Bail, who developed the “Love, D...

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, and seeking your mother’s approval, you may be experiencing ‘the good daughter syndrome.’ Over time, this role can quietly wear you down, erode your mental well-being, sense...

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?  Assume someone smarter and more experienced is already solving the problem. Or maybe your fear steps in and says, “Who am I to solve this problem?” But what if you...

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 energy work, coaching, therapy and somatic healing, overwhelm can still creep in.  The good news is that I've developed a strong rel...

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 divorce coach and strategist who shares her personal and raw divorce story, along with the powerful mindset shifts she has learned over the past 15 years. We discuss how to...

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 way.  So, how do you learn to go with the flow of life when it feels uncertain and scary? In this episode, I’m joined by a beloved-guide Heather As...

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 again after my marriage ended. And then you take one small step forward, then another. Sometimes you take two steps backward before you can take another step forward.  This episo...

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 dive deep into what it means to thrive during perimenopause and the menopause transition. Our candid conversation is a game-changer, designed to educate and empower you as you navigate this important...

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 we take on the roles of planning, shopping, hosting, and managing everyone’s emotions, it’s so easy to put yourself last. I’ve experienced this many times,...

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. My 50s were filled with raising four teenagers, caring for my elderly parents, navigating a divorce, writing a book, becoming a certified coach...

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. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Julie Reisler, master coach, intuitive guide, and founder of the Intuitive Life Designer Coach Academy. Julie is one...

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 your perspective and bring more joy to your holidays.  Additionally, I’m sharing updates on recent episodes you won’t want to miss and I’m eager to hear your...

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 experienced grief, you know it is much more complex than that. In this episode, I have a conversation with Krista St-Germain, a grief expert, life coach, and fell...