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

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 grateful and cheerful. You might be dealing with the recent loss of a loved one, navigating the complexities of a divorce, or facing shifting dynamics with your children as...

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 experience, what if you chose to explore your inner feelings? By looking within, you can discover greater confidence, safety, and connection with others. In today’s con...

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 with, not just during Halloween but all year long. It can sneak up on us in big moments or small decisions. We’ll dig into why we get scared and how fear can affect your life.  Here's what you’ll l...

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 in life and why it’s more important than ever to prioritize your mental health and find balance. I’ll also explore why busyness is glorified and how to change your narrativ...

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 understanding your divorce finances can be overwhelming, but with the right team, the process can be less painful and even save you money in the long run.  In this e...

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, experience and expel them can be a lifeline—and writing is one powerful tool to help you with the process. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Liz DeBetta, a fellow a...

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, stories, and a few hard-earned lessons about the deep bond we create with our kids. Here’s what you’ll takeaway: The science behind why a parent’s love for their children is so...

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. We might move to a smaller home, or we might be going through a larger life transition such as a divorce or the loss of a spouse. No matter what phase we are going through, it alw...

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 eat affects chronic inflammation, gut issues, or brain fog is crucial for managing your mood, energy levels, and overall health, regardless of your stage of life. In this epi...

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. Where did it all start? In my childhood. Does this sound familiar? If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly putting others first, afraid to say no, or sacrificing your needs...

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 about your future. Educating yourself about the process is key to making the right decision for you! In this episode, I sit down with Ann Grant, a divorc...

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… Over time, I realized it didn’t have to be that way.  Divorce is undeniably stressful, but with the right mindset and tools, it can be an opportunity to embrace a more compassionate...

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 about control—keeping one cut off from accounts, passwords, and financial resources so you capitulate into doing what your partner wants you to do.   This episode is a must...

Do you have fear of being single or dare I say it alone? Maybe you are single and feeling the societal pressures from friends to partner up or you feel a NEED to do so for financial reasons. Well…this week my guest and I will flip the stigma around living life as a solo life. And if you haven’t noticed, more and more people are choosing this path! Tune into my lively chat with Dr. Peter McGraw, a...

When I saw signs that my marriage was crumbling, I began to build a stronger female tribe. Putting myself out there was scary and it took time, but the feeling of loneliness was greater and I was ready to create my female tribe.  Since then, I’ve created a great tribe of friends and have developed strong relationships. I’ve learned some valuable lessons along the way that I share with you like wha...

Are you into yoga? Maybe you’ve considered adding it to your exercise routine, but have been reluctant.  I fell in love with yoga, but it wasn’t instantaneous.  It didn’t love my monkey mind, the poses, and the lack of flexibility I had…but I was drawn to it because I loved how it made me feel, the messages my teachers offered, and the community it provided. I know yoga isn’t for everybody, but if...

Does your doctor look at you as a whole person or just the ailment you came in with? When you look at your health holistically, things can change for you.  Holistic health is an approach to health care that looks at the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. Treating someone holistically is an approach that isn’t about treating your symptoms, it’s about getting to the root cause of why you don’t f...

Have you ever felt stuck in talk therapy? Maybe you are looking for safe alternative modalities to heal on a deeper level so you don’t repeat the same pattern in your next relationship.  Today I dive deep into healing and empowerment after divorce with the incredible Dawn Wiggins, a licensed marriage and family therapist and divorce recovery coach. We get real about how different somatic modalitie...

How can non-verbal communication with a horse help you develop self-awareness on your path to personal growth? In today's episode, Sue Willoughby, founder of Willoughby Coaching, and I dive deep into how our relationship with horses can help us become more aware of the non-verbal communication between two beings. Sue specializes in Equus coaching, a method that involves working with horses to...

Happy July 4th Freebirds!  Today's episode is short and sweet, perfect for this holiday week.  A friend shared a beautiful poem with me and it spoke to my heart. The poem is about embracing all parts of ourselves—the good, the bad, and not-so-favorite parts. I felt so inspired by it and wanted to share it with you. This poem reminds us that we are like the ocean, vast, powerful, and made up o...

Manifesting your desires isn't just about wishing or praying your way to what you want, it involves a transformative process that can help you create a life with intention.  Whether you're navigating the challenges of a divorce, career change, or dating, understanding how to manifest what you’d like to bring in intentionally can lead to profound personal growth and more joy and freedom. ...

If you aren't careful, the dating scene can lead to self-doubt, neglect of emotional needs, and a depletion of self-worth if you feed into your negative thoughts. But it doesn't have to be that way and you DON'T HAVE TO BE DATING TO LISTEN! This episode can apply to anyone who needs more self-love in their life. Today, I'm diving into why self-love and setting boundaries, are e...

Do you cringe at the idea of putting yourself on a dating app?  The online dating scene can be daunting and scary, especially if you've been out of the dating pool for a while or if you're dipping your toe back in for the first time post-divorce. In this episode, I will guide you through 8 tried-and-tested online dating tips that will help you navigate it with more ease and boost your co...

Being an adoptee has its unique challenges and navigating the ups and downs of uncovering the truth about our adoption can be a wild ride. Adoptees often struggle with unanswered questions, conflicting emotions, and a sense of not quite fitting in. We can also feel unsure about how to move forward on our discovery journey.  In this episode, I have an in-depth conversation with Patti Eddington, aut...

I don't know about you, but my mental, physical, and emotional health changes based on my alcohol consumption. As summer arrives, I am reevaluating my relationship with alcohol and this conversation will hopefully help you do the same.  As we age, our bodies change and menopause sets in, affecting the social drink or two we have at the summer BBQ!  Today, I invite Brandi Babb, a life and soma...