Free Failing

Are You Avoiding the One Thing That Could Actually Heal You? with Alicia Michelle

Feeling stuck? It might not be your situation—it might be what you’ve buried. Jess sits down with neuro coach and Christian mindset expert Alicia Michelle to reveal how years of emotional suppression kept her stuck—and the turning point that changed everything. Allicia unpacks how unhealed childhood wounds shape our thoughts, relationships, and faith—and why avoiding your emotions may be the very thing holding you back. They dig into: * Why avoiding emotions keeps you stuck * How childhood wounds shape your thinking * A simple 3-step method to process what you feel * How to rebuild trust in God in the middle of healing Alicia also shares her powerful ADD method—Acknowledge, Discern, Decide—giving you practical tools to move forward with clarity, emotional confidence, and deeper trust in God. Because you can’t heal what you won’t feel. #emotionalconfidence, #neuroscience, #Christianmindset, #healing, #corewounds, #divorce Please like and subscribe if you're diggin' this podcast...it really helps! xo Alicia Michelle is an ICF-certified Christian life coach and NeuroCoach, author of Emotional Confidence, popular conference speaker, and host of the multi award-winning⁠The Christian Mindset Coach Podcast⁠. [https://vibrantchristianliving.com/podcast] Learn more at ⁠AliciaMichelle.com [http://aliciamichelle.com/] Grab her book here! Emotional Confidence: 3 Simple Steps to Manage Emotions with Science and Scripture [https://amzn.to/40FS9h2] Visit her on socials: Facebook: @theAliciaMichelleCoach [https://www.facebook.com/theAliciaMichelleCoach] IG: @AliciaMichelleCoach [https://www.instagram.com/aliciamichellecoach/] YouTube: @AliciaMichelleCoach [https://www.youtube.com/@aliciamichellecoach] Takeaways: * The importance of acknowledging and processing emotions * How childhood wounds shape adult thought patterns * The ADD method: Acknowledge, Discern, Decide * The role of scripture and neuroscience in healing * Practical steps for emotional healing and trust in God * From Suppression to Confidence: Alicia Michelle’s Journey * Healing Core Wounds with Science and Scripture * "Invite Jesus into your pain and disappointment" * "God uses our hard circumstances to grow us" * "God makes beauty from ashes, even in divorce"

From Burnout to Body Wisdom: Regulating Your Nervous System After Divorce with Dr. Julie Merriman

What if your exhaustion isn’t just hormones… but a completely dysregulated nervous system? Jess sits down with Dr. Julie Merriman—licensed counselor, trauma specialist, and host of Compassion Fatigue Cure—to unpack why so many high-achieving women hit a wall in midlife, especially after divorce. Dr. Julie shares her own story of divorce, burnout and “crashing hard” in her 40s, and how that experience led her to help women break free from what she calls the “virtuous trap of self-sacrifice.” Together, they dive into the real reason you feel numb, disconnected, and constantly in survival mode—and why bubble baths and surface-level self-care just aren’t cutting it. Let's explore: * What’s actually happening in your nervous system when you feel overwhelmed or shut down * The difference between burnout, “identity burnout,” and hormonal changes * Why resilience can become toxic—and how to recognize when it is * Simple, practical tools to regulate your nervous system (even in the middle of a panic spiral) * How to reconnect with your body and trust your intuition again—especially in dating and relationships * Why boundaries feel so hard to set (and how your body can help you set them naturally) We’re not broken—we’re dysregulated. And your our already knows the way back. #nervoussystem #burnoutrecovery #womenover40 #midlifetransition #boundaries #sexafter50 #divorcehealing #divorcedmomDr. Julie Merriman is an author, speaker, and licensed professional counselor with over 25 years of experience rescuing women from what she calls the "virtuous" trap of self-sacrifice. She’s a Ph.D. -certified Sex Counselor and Trauma Specialist and host of the Top 100 Motivational Podcast Compassion Fatigue Cure and the host of the Sexy After 50 podcast. Visit her at:Dr. Julie Merriman Wellness | Nervous System Regulation [https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/] Grab her book, "In Pursuit of Soul Joy" here! [https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Soul-Joy-Overcoming-Compassion/dp/B0DH3ZYVWJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ROF5E74X7IGV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ri3VGP69P9BiXc7UFVOds_mkYwX1QwTrTsmclrovYt79_2SR-z9zcz6guXManWfgCYsjUFRJFdOYcNaudNqxlp89ZNjgrYichpYeX4mnaWX3XYYmrAHVpslShVDwkxibhab8kSBr-YdUbtqmiUqnS_Yy892LTig2Du8j0Qxx2wCx5QU6r8YwvxYQ7ZQPm87M.oi30zFRVLN5Ygrzi6o34QBxOzzBzXAFiBY4jgsSIyz0&dib_tag=se&keywords=julie+merriman&qid=1775936481&sprefix=julie+merriman%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-1] Please like and subscribe if you're a regular listener...it really helps! xo

Will We Ever Feel Ourselves Again, After Divorce?

Divorce isn’t just paperwork and custody schedules—it’s identity-shaking, gut-punching, “am I going to be okay?” energy. Jess sits down with therapist, speaker, and Unhitched author Oona Metz, who’s spent 30+ years helping women survive (and rebuild after) divorce… because she’s lived it too. As always, we talk about stuff people don’t say out loud—why divorce can feel so isolating, what women actually need in the middle of it, and how finding the right support can be the difference between spiraling and slowly coming back to life. And of course, we get into the flavorful nuances of dating, after divorce. If you’ve ever wondered “am I going to be okay?”—this one’s for you. #divorcehealing #divorcedwomen #datingafterdivorce #selfdiscovery Learn more about Oona: Website: Oona Metz, LICSW, CGP | Empowering Women+ Through Divorce Support & Therapy [https://www.oonametz.com/] IG:https://www.instagram.com/oonametz [https://www.instagram.com/oonametz] Grab your copy of Unhitched!Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women [https://www.oonametz.com/book-unhitched] Please like and subscribe if you're a listening friend. It really helps! xo Takeaways: * The five stages of divorce: heartbreak, roller coaster, mending, letting go, and new beginnings * The emotional challenges women face during divorce and healing * Practical tips for self-care, healing, and rebuilding a thriving life after divorce * Learning how to date well, after divorce

How To Become Secure In Relationships After Divorce, With Jessica Baum

Why do so many of us keep dating the same person… just with a different name? Jess sits down with nationally-recognized therapist and author Jessica Baum to unpack why our earliest emotional experiences quietly run the show in our adult relationships—especially after divorce. If dating keeps triggering old wounds or you find yourself stuck in the same relationship dynamics, attachment theory might explain why. Jessica breaks down how childhood needs and implicit emotional memories shape the way we attach, trust, and react in love. The good news? These patterns aren’t permanent. We talk about how to recognize your attachment style, heal the core wounds driving your relationship habits, and start building connections that actually feel safe, stable, and secure. Because the goal isn’t just to date again after divorce—it’s to date differently. #attachmenttheory #emotionalhealing #securerelationships #datingafterdivorce #nervous system, divorcehealing If this convo resonates, you NEED Jessica's books! Check them out: Safe: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building More Secure Relationships [https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Attachment-Informed-Building-Secure-Relationships/dp/0593850815/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_title?pd_rd_w=3zV6Q&content-id=amzn1.sym.781fe6e1-9487-4a74-b81e-5a879e5ec273%3Aamzn1.symc.c3d5766d-b606-46b8-ab07-1d9d1da0638a&pf_rd_p=781fe6e1-9487-4a74-b81e-5a879e5ec273&pf_rd_r=RKFTH7S5SXX99XZR7GRK&pd_rd_wg=a3YkU&pd_rd_r=6caf84c3-946e-4c9d-b2e6-7c0c7514efe3&pd_rd_i=0593850815] Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure In Life and Love [https://www.amazon.com/Anxiously-Attached-Becoming-More-Secure/dp/0593331060/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D2AM8Y88RY4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LRQsEiyhxopjrY1KLlg-1YVckiwSICYo4vDy-2BBEuEDKb75F2KhpX9r0QQzUS8Bqn7_XPqVMyjfdfmRrdDZWt2_DA0gCe92xqAteDnzwoiL2-CxKUMyTp58S9wiiwsqoMI_reYqesn9hjLVvsxX5W1vwzx4nRLB7sEQnmBHlaniVIpFKAQM4y-KBNxBXDm9x1tXZVtV8lKBO8YNx2GimjizGjAwN4AXaJ9fswzmIsk.wqMeXceHZHmJ96GQUXLepgx9rTdN4IQSb7A5k2pLBM8&dib_tag=se&keywords=anxiously+attached&qid=1773522066&s=books&sprefix=ansxiously+attached%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1] Connect with Jessica on her socials: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/consciousrelationshipgroup] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessicabaumlmhc] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-baum-lmhc-cap-038a1538/] ⁠https://www.jessicabaumlmhc.com⁠⁠ [https://www.jessicabaumlmhc.com/interview] Key Topics Covered: * How to identify your attachment style and relationship patterns * Why unresolved childhood wounds show up in adult relationships * The role of implicit memory in emotional triggers * How to break unhealthy dating and relationship cycles * Why “supportive anchors” are key to healing attachment wounds * Practical ways to build more secure, trusting connections If you're a return listener, please "like" and "follow!" It goes a long way! xo Chapters:00:00Introduction to Attachment Theory and Healing 03:06Understanding Attachment Styles 06:02The Importance of Healing Core Wounds 08:40The Role of Supportive Anchors in Healing 11:52Navigating Relationships and Dating After Divorce 26:47Embracing the Healing Journey 29:28Rediscovering Self and Empowerment 31:50Navigating Relationships and Attachment Styles 35:45Understanding Intensity vs. Intimacy 38:34Processing Divorce and Moving Forward 42:53Prioritizing Health and Personal Growth

How Can We Date Better, After Divorce? With Dr. Christie Kederian

Jess sits down with celebrity matchmaker, psychologist and author Dr. Christie Kederian, a.k.a. the "date doctor" to explore what it really takes to date again after divorce and deep relational wounds. They get into: • Why some “red flags” are actually trauma responses • How to slow down and build real trust • Why dating multiple people isn’t necessarily wrong • The surprising role faith and surrender play in finding the right relationship If you’re tired of overthinking every text, questioning your instincts, or wondering whether love is even worth the risk again—this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and a fresh perspective. Because sometimes what feels like rejection… is actually God protecting your future.#datingafterdivorce #healingrelationships, #redflags #attachmentstyles #faith-based dating #self-awareness, #loveadvice #moderndating, #relationshippatterns Show notes: Website: Dr. Christie Kederian | Home [https://drchristiekederian.com/] IG: @thedatedoctorchristie [https://www.instagram.com/thedatedoctorchristie] Grab your copy of Dr .Christie's book, "10 Dates to Your Soulmate: A Celebrity Matchmaker's Guide from First Swipe to Forever" [https://www.amazon.com/Dates-Your-Soulmate-Celebrity-Matchmakers/dp/0310369169/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28TYX4N3D33BQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fryGTcohp4QCYwrShOjTbQ.0BZ-tG5un4an3OQBVB-YMjd7WOLxzznRqOtkjHIuyf8&dib_tag=se&keywords=10+dates+to+your+soulmate+christie+kederian&qid=1772577242&sprefix=10+dates+to+your+%2Caps%2C235&sr=8-1] Link for free guide: https://drchristie.myflodesk.com/vynot193te [https://drchristie.myflodesk.com/vynot193te]  Dr. Christie Kederian is an internationally renowned relationship therapist and former eHarmony matchmaker turned “date doctor.” She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California in Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Christie has helped thousands of people create lives they love and find love they deserve. Dr. Christie has been a featured expert in ABC, NBC, KTLA, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Cosmopolitan, NBC News, and more. Key Topics * Healing past relationship trauma * Distinguishing red flags from trauma responses * The importance of self-awareness and trust * Balancing faith and modern dating * Strategies for dating multiple people * 10 Dates to Your Soulmate: A Guide to Lasting Love * Healing Past Wounds for Better Relationships * "Slow down and build trust" * "Track habits and red flags" * "First dates are just the start"