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When the house gets quiet, your nervous system often gets loud. For many, the departure of children triggers deep questions about marriage, identity, and personal desire—questions long shelved but now impossible to ignore. In this heartfelt episode, author and somatic relationship coach Laurie James shares her journey through caregiving, betrayal, and loneliness, and how she found her way back to breath, presence, and choice.

We explore how your body and nervous system work—covering the parasympathetic, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal states—and why understanding these is critical for making clear, courageous decisions. 

Whether facing betrayal, burnout, the empty nest or all three—this episode offers a compassionate, trauma-informed guide with simple, immediate practices to regulate your nervous system, build vulnerability, and choose your next chapter with intention.

Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• The collision of caregiving stress and marital betrayal often amplifies overwhelm.
• Choosing to leave isn’t giving up—it’s reclaiming your right to breathe again.
• Panic, overload, and emotional buildup are stored in the body; releasing them requires somatic safety practices.
• Building vulnerability and repairing relationships are skills you can relearn, deepening your courage.

Laurie James Bio
A mother, divorcée, recovering caregiver, author, and somatic relationship coach Laurie's journey has been marked by personal growth, healing, and self-discovery, as she transformed her life through therapy, yoga, and somatic practices. Her memoir, Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go, chronicles her path to embracing change and finding happiness beyond societal expectations. Now, she dedicates herself to guiding others in creating authentic, purpose-driven lives by integrating mind-body techniques and coaching. When not working with clients or writing, she loves skiing, sailing, hiking, and walking her husky, Lu, in Los Angeles.

Find Laurie Online: Instagram, Website, Nervous System Regulation Starter Kit

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