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

Have you ever wondered what sparks a person to turn their passion of helping others into a movement? Are you curious about what a giving circle is and how collaborative giving can make a larger impact on marginalized communities? Well, wait no longer. Today’s episode might change the way you think about giving back to your community and there’s no better time to think about this topic than during...

Is there a part of you that is dreading this holiday season? Or do you already feel exhausted just thinking about all that needs to get done? That used to be me, but I’ve shifted the way I approach the holidays and now find them more joyful, and do I dare I say…relaxing? As we approach the shimmering lights of this holiday season, I want to offer a different approach for your upcoming holiday seas...

How do you move on after the most difficult loss one can experience?  How do you get up every day and move forward?  And how do you make meaning of what happened and find purpose again?   None of us get to midlife without experiencing some type of loss, but today’s guest has some inspiring words for us all!  Andrea Sonnenburg is a lawyer, mental health advocate, and mother with a powerful tale of...

Did you know that between 1945 and 1973, four (4) million US mothers put their children up for adoption? As an adoptee and in honor of National Adoption Month, I wanted to bring light to the false narrative around adoption. Adoption is more than just a legal process; it's a life-altering journey that can deeply, influence our sense of identity, the way we perceive belonging, and how we connec...

Have you ever felt guilty for doing something that brings you pure happiness just because?  Or do you feel guilty because you feel like you should be doing something productive instead? Permitting myself to do what I desire has been a personal challenge, but I know the benefits outweigh the consequences. There are many reasons why we don’t permit ourselves, but this is your opportunity to reexamin...

Have you ever caught yourself wondering why your mind and body are out of sync? Or do you let your thoughts control your decisions instead of tuning into your body and listening to what it’s communicating to you?  Our society has taught us to think our way through life instead of tuning into our body's senses. My episode on “Your Body’s Wisdom and How You Can Improve Your Well-Being Today” is...

Do you find yourself in the challenging position of caring for aging parents or loved ones? Maybe you have siblings that do see eye to eye with how to manage all that needs to be done and you feel alone.  The emotional rollercoaster and overwhelming responsibilities can take its toll on your well-being.  I know because I’ve been there. I oversaw my parents care for 14 ½ years, raised my four girls...

This is a bonus exercise to accompany episode 116 so you can improve your well-being. XO, Laurie Click here to receive “8 Things You Should Stop Doing In Midlife to Find More Freedom” Click here to receive “8 Top Tips for Talking to Men in Midlife” Sign up for my newsletter here to stay up to date on my upcoming offerings and podcast interviews! Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir...

Have you ever paused to listen to the wisdom of your body? If not, you should because it’s sending you messages constantly. I have to confess, I haven’t always been attuned to the wisdom of my body and I had to learn the hard way. I was stressed and I knew it, but I didn’t know how to back out of all my commitments, but my body did. It shut down and I ended up in the hospital, not once, but twice....

Have you ever questioned your creativity? Maybe you lost it somewhere diaper changes and your kids leaving the nest. Or maybe you never thought you were creative and now you’re in midlife and looking to bring it back. We all have access to our creativity and today's podcast will help you rediscover it so you can let that side of you come out and play! Tell me more… Today's guest Stephani...

Do you give too much attention to your flaws in midlife? Maybe they are weighing you down or keeping you stuck. Learning to embrace them is one of the steps to finding more confidence and growing into your fabulous.  Today, we journey beyond the ordinary with the phenomenal Grace Redman – best-selling author of “Can I Live?! Dare to Go From F*Cked up to Fabulous”. Grace is an entrepreneur and succ...

Last week, I returned from a tropical paradise and something happened on my trip that I wasn’t expecting… Vacation Guilt!  It hit me not once, but twice.  I have experienced vacation guilt in the past when my mother fell ill and I was torn between staying home or spending time with my family. This vacation guilt felt different and was different. Vacations allow us to refresh and rejuvenate, but wh...

We have all experienced change in our lives. It doesn’t matter if you are in the vast corporate world or in your personal life, change isn’t easy for most. It hasn’t always been easy for me, but I’ve changed my perspective and understand how to embrace it so much more. After you listen to this podcast, you will receive actionable tips from my guest who knows a thing or two about change. In fact, s...

Navigating the dating world in midlife can be scary. It can be filled with uncertainty, doubt, and baggage. It doesn’t matter if you have had a recent breakup, divorce, or loss of a partner, starting over can be a huge hurdle, especially if it's been some time since you last dated, but don’t worry. I’m here to support you on your journey! Having found love in my mid-50s after a 26-year marria...

Have you ever thought about the impact divorce has on your health? It's a topic that’s often overlooked, but today we're in for a treat. We're joined by Susan Guthrie, a nationally recognized top family law attorney, mediator, and one of the founders of Mosten Guthrie Academy. She hosts two award-winning podcasts: 'The Divorce and Beyond Podcast' and 'Make Money Media...

This is a bonus visualization meditation to accompany the attachment theory and the attachment style I discussed in episode 109. Cheers to more love! Laurie Click here to receive 8 Things You Should Stop Doing In Midlife to Find More Freedom. Sign up for my newsletter here to stay up to date on my upcoming offerings and podcast interviews! Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Ho...

Have you ever felt like you struggle in certain relationships more than others? Maybe you've been searching for answers, trying to figure out why other people seem to have it figured out, better than you.   In this week's episode, you are going to learn about the 4 attachment styles and how they could be keeping you from letting more love in. I’ll also give you insights into attachment t...

Ever found yourself wondering what the real difference between coaching and therapy is? You're not alone, I didn’t know how a coach could help until I looked into becoming one. And I certainly didn’t know the difference between the two. In this episode, I bring clarity to this very topic.  This week's episode I discuss the power that coaching and therapy can have in our lives.  I’ll cove...

Have you ever pondered the societal pressures placed on women to have children? It's time to break the silence and reflect on the expectations society places on women's reproductive choices. In my conversation with guest Leslie Rasmussen, we talk about women's reproductive rights, midlife empowerment, the courage to pursue our true passions and her latest book, The Stories We Cannot...

Have you ever found yourself sandwiched between raising your children while juggling the responsibilities of caring for your aging parents?  It can be overwhelming, emotionally draining, and physically taxing. I know firsthand because I cared for my aging parents for over 14 years. In this podcast, I open up about my personal journey as a member of the sandwich generation and share proactive thing...

Have you ever wondered what therapy is really like? Or maybe you've heard some misconceptions about it that have made you hesitant to try it. Well, get ready because in this week's episode, I sit down with the incredible licensed marriage and family therapist and dear friend, Tina Hartney and we dig into these topics and more. Tina and I are going to: Share our personal experiences with...

Have you ever found yourself uttering the words 'I'm sorry' more than necessary? In this podcast episode, Laurie makes a confession about being a recovering over-apologizer. She also delves into the habit of over-apologizing which many women, including herself, often fall victim to. She share's how this trend can be traced back generations,  is also linked to societal condition...

Have you ever wondered how intuition and spirituality can help you create a more joyful, purpose-driven life? If so, join Laurie this week as she chats with Julie Riesler, a master life and wellness coach, interior designer for the soul, and founder of the Life Designer Coach Academy. In this episode, we discuss: How Julie's inspiring journey from a 9 to 5 job as a single mom to becoming a me...

Do you ever find yourself struggling with self-doubt and lacking confidence, especially when it comes to voicing your opinions? This episode features communication expert and confidence cultivator Karen Laos, who's on a mission to help 10 million women overcome these barriers.  Join us as we uncover the origins of self-doubt, often stemming from childhood, and discuss how focusing on one big...

If you've ever felt a sense of loneliness or struggled to find a sense of belonging in your life, listen in! Struggling with loneliness and searching for belonging has shaped my life, and in this heartfelt episode, I open up about my journey to finding belonging and happiness. From a difficult childhood that included abuse on many levels to the shocking financial betrayal in my marriage, it w...