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 first step toward freedom. Alreen shares how inner child work, therapy, and using her voice not only helped her reclaim her own life but gave her the fuel to fight for others. This conversation is vulnerable, honest, and full of insight for anyone on a healing path—or supporting someone who is.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Welcoming Alreen and an intro to her mission and groundbreaking legal work.
[2:04] - Alreen’s early life: arranged marriage, family dynamics, and migration.
[5:08] - The many forms of survival: escaping abuse through education and independence.
[6:26] - Why bullying at school was more bearable than life at home.
[8:29] - The breaking point: rage, motherhood, and the moment of awakening.
[11:17] - Alreen’s first steps into therapy and realizing healing takes more than four sessions.
[12:45] - A pivotal psychodrama experience: naming the abuse for the first time.
[16:08] - The power of vulnerability and why speaking out matters.
[18:30] - Connecting trauma to physical health and emotional wellbeing.
[21:13] - Learning to feel again: inner child work and the journey back to the heart.
[25:18] - Bringing personal experience into the courtroom to empower survivors.
[26:33] - Breaking down sexual assault civil cases and how justice is pursued.
[28:39] - Advocacy in action: educating teens and holding institutions accountable.
[31:37] - Teaching kids to trust their gut and speak up.
[34:28] - The first step to healing: acknowledge it happened and write it down.
[35:58] - The complex family fallout of telling the truth.
[39:45] - Secrets and silence vs. truth and generational healing.
[42:58] - Why acknowledging abuse isn’t rare—it’s revolutionary.

Resources:

📚 Fired Up: Fueling Triumph From Trauma by Alreen Haeggquist — available on Amazon
🌐 Learn more about Alreen’s work and book at www.alreen.com

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

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, setting boundaries, and nurturing self-compassion can actually refill your tank. We’re sharing personal practices, therapeutic insights, and a whole lot of laughter as we redefine what it means to be replenished. It’s not spa days and wine nights (though, we won’t judge if you enjoy those too!). Get ready to reframe self-care in a way that truly supports the life you’re trying to build.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] - Welcome back + intro to real self-care vs. cultural hype.
[1:13] - Why “self-care” can feel like a loaded or empty word.
[2:06] - Breaking down faux self-care and the influence of marketing.
[4:28] - The truth about performing femininity and hustle culture.
[7:45] - Defining escapism vs. true replenishment.
[10:40] - Tuning into your inner needs and building self-awareness.
[12:44] - Real self-care is simple: boundaries, balance, connection.
[14:59] - The power of self-compassion and Kristen Neff’s work.
[18:41] - Our own self-care routines and mindsets.
[24:17] - The role of creativity and play in replenishment.
[29:22] - Why unstructured time is essential.
[30:27] - Struggles with attention and learning to do one thing at a time.
[31:06] - Rediscovering the joy and nourishment of reading.
[32:24] - Final reflections + practical takeaways.

Resources:

Midlife Master Class Waitlist: insightsfromthecouch.org

Kristen Neff’s Self-Compassion Work: self-compassion.org

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

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 control. From the surprising role of genetics to the transformational power of habits, transcendence, relationships, and creative work, we’re sharing key takeaways and offering practical, therapist-approved strategies to help you create a more meaningful, joyful, and resilient life.

Episode Highlights:

[0:47] - Our field trip to see Arthur C. Brooks live and why he's the happiness guy.
[1:37] - The surprising science: 50% of happiness is genetic—wait, what?!
[4:44] - Redefining happiness: Enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning.
[6:11] - The real meaning of pleasure (hint: not just wine and cheese nights).
[9:10] - What satisfaction really means and why feeling effective is everything.
[11:12] - Meaning-making as a mental health superpower.
[13:06] - Resilience and post-traumatic growth: Turning lemons into lemonade.
[16:46] - Grappling with life’s big questions: “Why are you here?” and “What would you die for?”
[19:20] - Transcendence: Spirituality beyond religion and finding awe in everyday moments.
[22:27] - Flow state magic: What gets us into it (spoiler: puzzles and cleaning included!).
[27:51] - The #1 predictor of happiness: Relationships and why they matter so much.
[30:17] - The power of community and intentional connection.
[31:25] - Finding purpose in your work—however you define it.
[33:41] - The art of the “active dabble” and why it’s okay to not know what lights you up (yet).
[35:49] - Wrapping with wisdom: Radical responsibility and the risks of autonomy.

Resources:

• Arthur C. Brooks
• Download the “Risks of Autonomy” worksheet and other episode resources at insightsfromthecouch.org

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

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 wounds impact our relationships, and why true security is something we earn over time. Plus, Tara shares her own evolution from skepticism about attachment theory to fully embracing what she calls “love science.”

Tara Boothby, Registered Psychologist, and Author of "Love and Love's Energy: How Attachment Science Proves That Love Nurtures Our Biological Nature, Impacts Our Positive View of Ourselves, of Others, and of God, and Teaches Us All How to Love."

Episode Highlights:

[00:03] - Welcome! Introducing Tara Boothby & the power of attachment science.
[02:23] - How Tara went from doubting attachment theory to embracing “love science”.
[04:26] - The truth about attachment styles: It’s not as simple as you think.
[06:36] - What it really means to be securely attached (hint: it’s a process, not a label).
[09:20] - The hidden fears behind our relationship struggles.
[14:02] - Co-regulation vs. self-regulation: Why we heal faster in relationships.
[19:25] - The importance of repair in relationships & why small moments matter most.
[32:02] - “Earning” security: Can we heal from past attachment wounds?
[40:26] - Knowing when to press pause (or end) on unhealthy relationships.
[50:11] - Loving yourself: The foundation of all secure relationships.

Resources:

• "Love and Love’s Energy" can be found on Amazon worldwide, Kindle, and Barnes and Noble.
• Instagram:
  • Tara Boothby: https://www.instagram.com/tara_boothby/profilecard/?igsh=anpwbGs1eXMwaHVl
  • Sojourn Psychology: https://www.instagram.com/sojournpsychology/profilecard/?igsh=MTZ5azlsYjJjZG9sbg%3D%3D
• Website: https://sojo.ca/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SojournPsychology
• 🔥Get Clear on What You Want in Your Sex Life: Free Download!

For more on this topic visit our website insightsfromthecouch.org If you have questions please email us at info@insightsfromthecouch.org we would love to hear from you!

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!

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 highs, the facepalms, and everything in between—from our tech-challenged beginnings to what we’ve learned about confidence, commitment, distress tolerance, and doing the damn thing scared. Whether you're dreaming of launching your own podcast, writing a book, or finally going after that idea you've been sitting on, we promise this episode will light a fire under you. And yes, we get vulnerable about our own fears and insecurities—because that’s just how we roll.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Celebrating our one-year podcast anniversary and our 50th episode.
[1:28] - The unexpected start and original podcast name that didn’t make the cut.
[3:06] - Why we felt called to fill a gap for midlife women’s voices.
[4:39] - Our “just go for it” launch story—no formal course, all in on action.
[6:07] - Why starting before you’re ready is the key to unlocking clarity.
[7:50] - A powerful discussion on perfectionism and how it holds women back.
[9:35] - The underrated magic of willingness and how it drives everything.
[13:55] - Colette’s wild Cornell summer and learning through discomfort.
[16:00] - What distress tolerance really looks like in everyday life.
[18:44] - Building confidence through action, not waiting to “feel ready”.
[24:43] - Laura’s real talk on growing your work capacity and attention.
[26:58] - Colette’s TEDx talk moment and learning to survive embarrassment.
[31:48] - Riding the cringe: how to show up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
[33:07] - Behind the scenes of our partnership and working styles.
[34:35] - Announcing our new Midlife Master Class group (coming soon!).
[36:45] - The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying and why we’re not waiting anymore.
[38:00] - A call for listener questions—let us know how we can support YOU.

Resources:

• Visit our website: https://www.insightsfromthecouch.org
• Submit your questions or topics for future episodes: info@insightsfromthecouch.org

We’re beyond grateful to each of you who has listened, shared, or supported Insights from the Couch over this past year. You’ve helped us build something truly special, and we can’t wait to grow even more together. If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate, follow, share, and review—it means the world to us.

See you next week!

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 the difference between aging gracefully and chasing the next trending procedure. We also get personal—sharing our own frustrations about neck bands, droopy brows, and that “face falling” feeling—and ask Dr. Mina everything from estrogen creams to slugging and Botox.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] - Welcoming Dr. Mary Alice Mina and diving into hormonal changes and midlife skin shifts.
[3:38] - Our own candid stories about "face falling" and dry, aging skin.
[5:00] - The psychological toll of aging and the importance of internal confidence.
[8:10] - What “skin minimalism” actually means—and why less really can be more.
[11:37] - Estrogen’s role in skin hydration and how perimenopause changes everything.
[13:53] - Sunscreen strategy: how often to reapply, the importance of hats, and Dr. Mina’s favorite brands.
[19:07] - Retinoids 101: how and when to use them for best results.
[20:26] - All about neck bands: what works (and what doesn’t).
[26:09] - Estrogen creams for the face: what Dr. Mina prescribes and how it works.
[28:58] - Why sleep is skin care and how sleep deprivation shows up on your face.
[30:58] - Sunscreen myths, TikTok fads, and Dr. Mina’s biggest dermatology pet peeves.
[33:59] - Genetics vs. skincare habits—what really makes the difference.
[40:16] - Starting or restarting retinoids without overwhelming your skin.
[40:39] - Why annual skin checks are essential and how to talk to your dermatologist.
[43:31] - How to connect with Dr. Mina and find your “skin style” through her quiz.

Resources:

• Dr. Mary Alice Mina’s Podcast: The Skin Real
• Find your skin style quiz: https://www.theskinreal.com/style
• Skincare Compounding: Skin Medicinals (estriol cream)
• Sunscreen favorites: EltaMD, La Roche-Posay, Neutrogena Stick
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drminaskin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin
• Titktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drminaskin
• Medium: https://medium.com/@drminaskin
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drminaskin/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/06k6qtsxj4uvtpulz6w5ghdc8l2gwo/

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

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 putting her own life on hold.

Debbie opens up about her journey of shifting from a victim mentality to taking ownership of her life, making small mindset shifts that led to massive transformation. We dive into breaking limiting beliefs, overcoming life’s toughest challenges, and chasing dreams—even when you’re not sure what they are yet. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your circumstances, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] – Meet Debbie R. Weiss: Author, speaker, and lifelong caregiver.
[2:28] – Becoming a caregiver at 17: navigating life after her father’s stroke.
[5:41] – Running a business while balancing caregiving and family responsibilities.
[9:39] – The devastating moment when her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
[12:12] – Breaking free from the victim mentality and taking responsibility.
[17:43] – The mindset shift that finally led to lasting weight loss.
[24:55] – How small, consistent actions can transform your life.
[31:16] – What Debbie’s life looks like now: embracing new possibilities.
[38:35] – The power of saying yes and how it led her to writing.
[41:22] – Debbie’s best advice for women who feel stuck in their circumstances.

Resources:

Debbie Weiss’s Website: https://www.debbierweiss.com

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

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 challenges that come with navigating life as a young widow and single mom, all while finding ways to heal, grow, and embrace a new path forward. Whether you’ve experienced a similar loss or simply want to support a loved one going through grief, Helen’s story is full of insights, compassion, and real-life wisdom.

We explore the complexities of grief, from the early shock and survival mode to the ongoing journey of healing and finding purpose. Helen discusses the tools and support systems that helped her, including therapy and community, and she offers invaluable advice on how to be there for someone experiencing loss.

Episode Highlights:
[0:00] - Introducing Helen Keeling-Neal and her story of sudden loss.
[2:00] - The immediate impact of losing a spouse and going into “survival mode.”
[3:26] - Dealing with the “business of death” and the logistics of loss.
[6:54] - Finding support: How friends, family, and community showed up.
[9:36] - Coping strategies: Therapy, EMDR, and the importance of avoiding quick fixes.
[12:58] - Raising young children through grief and balancing career shifts.
[17:51] - Understanding attachment and compound grief in the healing process.
[23:31] - Moving forward in new relationships and dealing with fears of loss.
[29:19] - Top tips for navigating grief and healing after losing a loved one.

Resources:

• For EMDR therapy: https://www.emdria.org/
• For ART: https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com/
• To find a therapist for grief near you: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
• 🔥Get Clear on What You Want in Your Sex Life: Free Download!

For more on this topic visit our website insightsfromthecouch.org If you have questions please email us at info@insightsfromthecouch.org we would love to hear from you!

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!