Insights from the Couch - Real Talk for Women at Midlife
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.
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.
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.
This is where smart women get unstuck and come alive.
🎧 New episodes every week
🌟 Join the Midlife Masterclass: insightsfromthecouch.org/group-coaching-program
🩷 Grab your free guide: The Midlife Roadmap — 7 Skills to Get Unstuck and Come Alive
👉 Follow us on Instagram: @insightsfromthecouch
Episodes
56 episodes
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-seate...
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Season 5
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Episode 55
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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 surv...
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Season 5
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Episode 54
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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 ep...
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Season 5
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Episode 53
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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 exp...
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Season 4
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Episode 52
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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 e...
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Season 4
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Episode 51
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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 mo...
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Season 4
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Episode 50
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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 d...
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Season 4
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Episode 49
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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...
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Season 4
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Episode 48
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45:33
Ep.47: Losing a Loved One: How to Cope, Heal, and Move Forward with Helen Keeling Neal, LMHC
In this heartfelt episode, we’re joined by our dear friend and fellow therapist, Helen Keeling-Neal, as she bravely shares her journey through grief after the sudden loss of her husband. Helen opens up about the profound and unexpected challeng...
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Season 3
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Episode 47
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33:36
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 expecta...
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Season 4
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Episode 46
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37:57
Ep.45: Ditching Diet Culture: Healing Your Relationship with Food and Body Image with Nicole Swartz
In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Nicole Swartz, a licensed therapist specializing in helping people heal from the damaging effects of diet culture and generational body-image trauma. Nicole shares her personal story of overcoming a...
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Season 4
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Episode 45
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50:35
Ep.44: Dating After Divorce: Andrea Baker’s Hilarious & Honest Take on Love, Lessons, and Second Chances
Are you navigating the tricky world of dating after divorce? In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, we sit down with the incredible Andrea Baker, an actor, voiceover artist, and co-host of the pet-centric podcast Tales to Tell. Andre...
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Season 4
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Episode 44
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39:01
Ep.43: How to Parent Tweens and Teens Without Losing Your Mind
Buckle up. In this episode, we get real about what it's like to raise kids between the ages of 10 to 18 in a world that looks nothing like the one we grew up in. From the emotional rollercoaster of middle school years to navigating social media...
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Season 4
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Episode 43
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46:57
Ep.42: How High Functioning Women Can Manage Stress and Prevent Self Abandonment with Dr. Kelly Kessler
In this episode of Insights from the Couch, we’re joined by Dr. Kelly Kessler, a physical therapist and transformation coach, who’s on a mission to help high-achieving women break free from self-abandonment and stress. Kelly shares her own jour...
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Season 3
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Episode 42
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40:08
Ep.41: Sex, Power & Betrayal: The Twisted Psychology of White Lotus
We’re back for Season 4 of Insights From the Couch: Mental Health at Midlife, and we’re kicking things off with a juicy deep dive into the twisted psychological underpinnings of HBO’s The White Lotus. As therapists and mega-fa...
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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47:54
Ep.40: From Stuck to Inspired: The Secret to Unlocking Your Creative Superpower
Let’s get into one of our favorite topics—creativity and life force. Have you ever felt stuck or disconnected from your true self? In this episode, we explore how creativity can be a powerful tool to reconnect with your life force and live your...
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Season 3
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Episode 40
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38:18
Ep.39: Rewiring Your Brain: Neurofeedback, Meditation & Healing with Natalie Baker, LMHC
Ever wondered how mindfulness, neuroscience, and therapy intersect to create profound healing? In this episode, we’re thrilled to chat with Natalie Baker, a licensed psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and Neurofeedback expert. Natalie shares ...
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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40:45
Ep.38: Navigating the Squeeze: Surviving the Sandwich Generation's Challenges
In this episode, we tackle the challenging topic of the Sandwich Generation – those caught between raising children and caring for aging parents while managing their own careers and lives. Let’s get into the emotional, financial, and physical t...
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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31:35
Ep.37: Yucks, Yums, and Yes Please: Discover What Turns You On With Dr. Juliana Hauser
In this episode, we’re inviting you into a conversation that might just change the way you think about sexuality, agency, and self-discovery. We’re joined by the incredible Dr. Juliana Hauser, a psychologist, sex educator, and thought leader in...
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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58:34
Ep.36: What Makes a Good Mother
Hey everyone, Colette and Laura here! This week, we’re diving deep into one of the biggest, most emotionally loaded topics: What makes a good mother? If you’re a parent (or ever had one), you’ve likely asked yourself this question in some form—...
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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48:07
Ep.35: Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Women and Girls
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has long been misunderstood, especially in women and girls. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Brady Bradshaw and Dr. Allison Brazendale, two experts in adolescent and adult mental health, to break down why ASD ...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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51:36
Ep.34: Understanding and Coping With Anxiety
In this week’s episode, we take a deep dive into anxiety—something that affects nearly 20% of the population and twice as many women as men. We chat about the different ways anxiety can show up in your life, the underlying causes, and the tools...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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1:03:44
Ep.33: Living an Intentional Life with Cait Flanders
Today we sit down with the incredible Cait Flanders to explore what it really means to live an intentional life. Cait, author of The Year of Less and Adventures in Opting Out, shares her journey of opting out of societal norms...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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39:28
Ep.32: Dating and Finding Lasting Love at Midlife with Sandy Weiner
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with the incredible Sandy Weiner, internationally recognized dating coach, TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and host of Last First Date Radio. Sandy shares her journey of rediscovering love...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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40:25
Ep.31: The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids and Come Back Stronger than Ever
In today’s episode of Insights from the Couch, we discuss the evolving conversation around work, family, and redefining what it means to take a career pause. Joined by Neha Ruch, founder of the platform Mother Untitled, we explore the insights ...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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39:07