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
Insights from the Couch - Real Talk for Women at Midlife
Ep.1: The Quest for Purpose: Midlife, Meaning, and Moving Forward
In our first-ever episode, we dive into a topic that's both significant and elusive—purpose. Everyone seems to be searching for it, and today, we're here to unpack why finding purpose feels so vital, yet so daunting, and how it's truly unique to each individual. We discuss the pressures of societal expectations, the joy of finding what genuinely makes you feel alive, and the small, personal victories that can mean the world. So, whether you're planting tomatoes or dreaming of starting your own business, this episode has something for you!
Episode Highlights:
[0:45] - Introducing ourselves and the podcast.
[1:13] - Discussing why purpose is elusive and critical for everyone.
[2:16] - Challenging societal expectations about having a grand purpose.
[3:25] - Embracing parenting as a valid and fulfilling life purpose.
[4:03] - The risk of losing oneself when a sole purpose, like parenting, changes.
[5:27] - How self-focus can lead to self-discovery and better life balance.
[6:05] - Exploring new passions after major life changes, such as kids leaving home.
[8:23] - Encouragement to pursue activities that truly make one feel alive.
[9:07] - Addressing the common fears that prevent starting new ventures.
[11:54] - The benefits of embracing a period of active exploration.
[16:27] - Discussing the cultural pressure that devalues certain life choices.
[18:37] - How experimenting and stepping out of comfort zones can lead to discovery.
[21:57] - The importance of dedication and discipline in pursuing personal projects.
[23:19] - Introducing a practical worksheet to help listeners identify their purpose.
[25:27] - We emphasize the need for continual personal investment, regardless of life's demands.
[28:25] - Discussing the need to drop perfectionism and embrace the messiness of new endeavors.
[30:01] - Feeling unfulfilled initially is part of the journey towards finding what truly matters.
Resources:
For tools and exercises to help guide your journey in finding purpose, visit our website at insightsfromthecouch.org to download a helpful worksheet designed to spark your exploration into what makes you tick.
Thank you for tuning in to our very first episode! If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!
Pre-order The Cost of Quiet now! Colette’s new book, The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations that Create Secure, Lasting Love, launches February 3rd. Secure your copy today and get VIP bonuses available only before launch day. https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book
🎙️ Love the podcast? Come talk about episodes with us inside The Midlife Chat. It’s a free, private community just for women at midlife who want to keep these conversations going. We’ve created this space for real talk, fresh resources, and honest connection—where you can share ideas and resources, ask questions, and get support from women navigating the same season. Come join us—we’d love to have you!
👉 Join The Midlife Chat here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/795863256460970/
Pre-order The Cost of Quiet now! Colette’s new book, The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations that Create Secure, Lasting Love, launches February 3rd. Secure your copy today and get VIP bonuses available only before launch day.