Insights from the Couch - Real Talk for Women at Midlife

<p>Insights from the Couch is your go-to podcast for smart, self-aware women in midlife navigating perimenopause, burnout, marriage shifts, identity changes, and the emotional chaos of “What now?” Hosted by best friends and seasoned therapists Colette Fehr and Laura Bowman, this is where therapy meets real life — bold conversations, hard truths, and powerful tools to help you get unstuck and come alive.<br /><br />Whether you're questioning your relationship, struggling with empty nest, battling people-pleasing or perfectionism, or just feeling flat and disconnected from yourself — this show is for you.<br /><br />Colette and Laura bring decades of clinical experience (and lived midlife wisdom) to every episode. Expect real talk on the things no one prepares you for: midlife reinvention, perimenopause and hormone shifts, marriage and divorce, boundaries, friendships, confidence, identity loss, and what it actually takes to build a life you want at this stage — not just one you tolerate.<br />This is where smart women get unstuck and come alive.<br /><br />🎧 New episodes every week<br />🌟 Join the Midlife Masterclass: insightsfromthecouch.org/group-coaching-program<br />🩷 Grab your free guide: The Midlife Roadmap — 7 Skills to Get Unstuck and Come Alive<br />👉 Follow us on Instagram: @insightsfromthecouch</p>

Ep.66: Discovering Your Sexual Self: Sensuality, Pleasure, and Desire at Midlife

Hey there, friends! In this episode, we sit down with our fabulous returning guest, Dr. Juliana Hauser, to talk about her powerful new book, A New Position on Sex. Trust us when we say, this conversation is one you do not want to miss. Whether you're feeling disconnected from your sexual self, stuck in old beliefs, or just plain exhausted, Dr. Juliana offers an entirely new—and deeply empowering—way to approach sexuality in midlife. We dig into everything from sensuality and sexual agency to ...

09-24
49:03

Ep.65: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome at Midlife

In this episode of Insights from the Couch, we're diving into one of the most talked-about but least understood challenges many women face at midlife: imposter syndrome. We're Colette and Laura, two therapists and best friends, and we're getting real about the self-doubt that shows up right when we're trying to level up in life, work, and relationships. We unpack why imposter syndrome hits so hard in midlife, how it keeps you stuck in comparison and perfectionism, and why it's time to ditch t...

09-17
36:01

Ep.64: Everything You Need to Know About GLP-1 Medications at Midlife with Amy Wrenn, NP

If you’ve been hearing all the buzz about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound, and you’re wondering if they could be the right fit for you at midlife, this is the episode to press play on. We brought on nurse practitioner and health optimization expert Amy Wrenn to demystify what GLP-1s actually are, how they work, who they’re for, and what you really need to know about taking them during perimenopause and menopause. Amy is passionate, informed, and totally relatable—she cuts ...

09-10
44:19

Ep.63: Women Waking Up: How to Create a Midlife Transformation With Passion, Purpose, and Play

In this episode, we sit down with the vibrant and inspiring Wendy Valentine, host of The Midlife Makeover Show and author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play. Join us as we talk about how midlife doesn't have to mean crisis—it can mean awakening. Wendy shares her deeply personal story of rebuilding her life from the ground up, and the radical self-love and resilience that fueled her transformation. We dive into the emotional truths of midlife, from grief a...

09-03
45:39

Ep.62: Perimenopause and Menopause: What You Need to Know with Dr. Kelly Casperson

We're thrilled to bring you this powerful and myth-busting conversation with Dr. Kelly Casperson, a board-certified urologist, author of You Are Not Broken, and host of the top-rated podcast of the same name. If you’ve ever felt confused, dismissed, or flat-out frustrated by the information (or lack thereof) around perimenopause and menopause, this episode is for you. Dr. Casperson breaks down the science with clarity and humor, helping us all better understand what’s really going on with our...

08-27
52:45

Ep.61: 7 Skills You Need to Master Midlife

In this episode, we’re discussing the real, raw, and essential skills that every woman needs to navigate midlife with grace, grit, and a whole lot of self-compassion. We’ve been through the highs, the lows, the chutes and ladders of this season, and today we’re pulling back the curtain to share the seven foundational skills we believe every woman should know to not just survive, but thrive. These are the skills we teach in our Midlife Master Class, and the ones that have held us up through th...

08-20
50:06

Ep.60: Undoing the “Not Enough” Story: Hypnosis and the Subconscious Mind with Christina Woods

Hey friends! In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome the incredible Christina Woods—a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Rapid Transformational Therapist, Empowerment Coach, and Reiki Master. Christina brings a wealth of knowledge and a deeply personal story of transformation after decades in corporate leadership. Together, we explore how childhood beliefs, people-pleasing patterns, and midlife awakenings can shape—and reshape—our lives. Christina gets real about her journey from high-achieving exec...

08-13
43:06

Ep.59: Zero Fucks: 10 Things to Stop Caring About at Midlife

Ready to reclaim your energy, sanity, and self-worth? In this episode, we’re diving into the unapologetic, liberating mindset of giving zero fucks—specifically, the 10 things we’ve learned to stop caring about at midlife. From good girl conditioning to comparison culture, we unpack the beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve us and explore what it means to live more freely, authentically, and powerfully in this season of life. Episode Highlights: [0:03] – Reclaiming your time and en...

08-06
46:39

Ep.58: Rethinking Menopause Naturally with Maryon Stewart

This episode we’re joined by the incredible Maryon Stewart, a global pioneer in natural hormone rebalancing and women's health advocate. Maryon drops serious wisdom about how women can navigate perimenopause, menopause, and beyond—without relying on HRT. We talk all about phytoestrogens, nutritional deficiencies, and how small, science-backed changes in diet and lifestyle can lead to huge shifts in how we feel. Whether you're just starting to notice changes or deep in the menopause journey, M...

07-30
48:05

Ep.57: Stepping Out of Victim: How to Get Out of the Drama Triangle with Friends, Family, and Co-Workers

Hey friends! In today’s episode of Insights from the Couch, we’re exploring one of our favorite (and most handed-out!) psychological models—the Drama Triangle. If you've ever felt stuck in dysfunctional relationship dynamics, unsure why you're constantly the “rescuer,” “victim,” or “persecutor,” this one's for you. We break down how these roles silently fuel relational chaos and emotional suppression—and most importantly, how to get out. We also introduce the Empowerment Triangle, the powerfu...

07-23
45:58

Ep.56: Midlife Weight Loss Hacks: What Actually Works

Midlife weight gain feels like it sneaks up on us—and suddenly what used to work, doesn’t. In this episode, we sit down with our brilliant friend and fitness expert, Dena Pistor, for a no-BS conversation about what it actually takes to manage weight and feel better in perimenopause and beyond. Whether you're frustrated by belly fat that seems to appear overnight, curious about the truth behind diet shots, or just feeling stuck with your health goals, this is the conversation you need. We talk...

07-16
46:39

Ep.55: The Midlife Mirror: How Toxic Vanity can Derail Happiness and how to Find Peace and Acceptance With Aging

What happens when the reflection staring back at you no longer matches the youthful image in your mind? In this episode, we peel back the layers of the “midlife mirror” to explore how aging intersects with body image, vanity, and the deep-seated need for validation. We get raw and real about the emotional shifts that come when our appearance begins to change—and how those shifts impact everything from self-esteem to social dynamics. Join us as we unpack the roots of toxic vanity, explain what...

07-09
32:07

Ep.54: Fired Up: Confronting and Healing from Sexual Abuse with Alreen Haeggquist

This week on Insights From the Couch, we sit down with the powerhouse attorney, author, and survivor, Alreen Haeggquist. From her deeply personal story of growing up in an abusive household to becoming a leading legal advocate for survivors of sexual harassment and assault, Alreen’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit—and the power of owning your story. We explore the long path from trauma to triumph, what it really takes to heal, and how acknowledging the past is the f...

07-02
44:28

Ep.53: Self-Care is an Inside Job: How to Find Your Recipe for Replenishment

Hey everyone—We’re diving into a topic that gets tossed around a lot but rarely unpacked in a way that actually matters: self-care. If you’ve ever felt confused or overwhelmed by what self-care really is (and isn’t), this is for you. In this episode, we unpack the myths, call out the cultural noise, and get real about what it truly means to care for yourself, especially during midlife. We talk about the difference between real self-care and the performative kind, and how embodying your values...

06-25
33:32

Ep.52: Happiness Hacks: What Arthur C. Brooks Can Teach Us About What Really Works

In this episode, we're taking a closer look at the science (and soul) of happiness—not that shiny, fake, “good vibes only” stuff, but the real-deal, research-backed version. After attending a powerful talk by Harvard professor and happiness expert Arthur C. Brooks, we came back buzzing with insights, and we couldn’t wait to break it all down for you. We’re exploring what happiness actually means—spoiler: it’s not just about smiling all the time—and how much of it is actually within our contro...

06-18
38:35

Ep.51: The Power of Secure Attachment: Co-Regulation, Connection, and Creating Lasting Connections with Tara Boothby

How do we create deep, secure, and lasting relationships—not just in romance, but in parenting, friendships, and even with ourselves? In this episode, we sit down with Tara Boothby, psychologist, author of Love and Love’s Energy, and expert in attachment science. She takes us on a journey into the heart of connection, breaking down the complexities of attachment styles, emotional safety, and the power of co-regulation. We explore the difference between being loved and lovable, how attachment ...

06-11
57:09

Ep.50: One Year Anniversary! Just Start: How to Bring Big Ideas to Life (Without Having it All Figured Out)

Hey friends! We cannot believe we’re saying this—but it's officially been ONE YEAR since we launched Insights from the Couch! Not only are we celebrating our podcast anniversary, but this is also our 50th episode, and we're taking a moment to reflect on the wild, messy, beautiful journey that brought us here. Spoiler alert: we had no idea what we were doing when we started, but we’re proof that big things can happen when you leap before you feel "ready." In this episode, we open up about the ...

06-04
39:04

Ep.49: Glow Up at Midlife: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Worth It With Dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina

What actually works for healthy, vibrant skin—and what’s just hype? In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant and refreshingly honest Dr. Mary Alice Mina, Harvard-trained dermatologist and host of The Skin Real podcast. We dive deep into what midlife skin really needs, what treatments are worth the money, and how hormonal changes can shake up everything we thought we knew about our skincare routines. Together, we unpack skin minimalism, sunscreen truths (spoiler: it really matters), and...

05-28
44:55

Ep.48: Beyond Survival Mode: How to Stop Playing Small and Start Living Big with Debbie Weiss

What happens when you spend your whole life taking care of others, and suddenly realize you’ve lost yourself in the process? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Debbie R. Weiss, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and inspirational speaker, who shares how she spent decades as a family caregiver—first to her father, then to her son with autism, and later to her husband battling mental illness and cancer. At 50, she had an epiphany: if she didn’t start prioritizing herself, she’d keep putt...

05-21
45:33

Ep.46: The People-Pleasing Trap: Why It’s Holding You Back and How to Stop

Do you find yourself saying “yes” when you really want to say “no”? Do you feel responsible for keeping the peace, even at your own expense? If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. From childhood conditioning and gender expectations to how this behavior shows up in our adult relationships—romantic, professional, and personal—we’re talking about it all. In this episode, we get real about our own struggles and growth around people pleasing. We explore the line between kindness ...

05-07
37:57

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