Insights from the Couch - Real Talk for Women at Midlife

Are you exhausted no matter how much you sleep? Feeling detached from things you used to enjoy? In this episode of Insights from the Couch, we’re diving into a topic that so many midlife women experience but often misunderstand: burnout.
We unpack the clinical signs of burnout, how it differs from everyday stress, and why so many high-achieving, people-pleasing women are especially vulnerable. We also explore the surprising role that hopelessness plays in burnout and share practical ways to recharge when life feels heavy, overwhelming, and out of your control. If you've been running on empty, this conversation may help you recognize the warning signs—and start finding your way back to yourself.
Episode Highlights
[0:40] - What burnout really is—and why it’s different from being stressed or busy
[1:38] - The World Health Organization’s three key markers of burnout
[6:34] - Why hopelessness often becomes the hidden driver of burnout
[8:50] - Reduced effectiveness, brain fog, and losing the ability to focus
[10:54] - The difference between a difficult day and a true season of burnout
[12:35] - Fantasizing about escape and other warning signs to watch for
[13:21] - The personality traits that make some people more susceptible to burnout
[15:35] - How self-improvement culture can accidentally fuel burnout
[18:17] - A powerful story illustrating what happens when hopelessness takes over
[23:49] - Why midlife women are especially vulnerable to burnout
[25:06] - Finding purpose and meaning when life feels overwhelming
[26:34] - The first step to recovery: subtraction, not addition
[27:22] - The healing power of connection, laughter, and community
[30:15] - Returning to the basics: sleep, nature, movement, and self-care
[32:20] - The “knitting needles” metaphor and why letting go is so difficult
[34:45] - Questions to ask yourself if you think burnout may be creeping in
[36:03] - Why the mindset that created burnout won’t necessarily get you out of it
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!
 
Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: 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/
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, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book
Recognized by FeedSpot:
Top 60 Couples Therapy Podcasts | Top 100 U.S. Mental Health Podcasts | Top 100 Relaxation Podcasts

What if one simple nutrition strategy could support healthy aging, improve metabolic health, boost energy, and even help your skin look better? In this episode of Insights from the Couch, Laura sits down with Renee Fitton, VP of Growth at Prolon and a leading voice in nutrition and longevity science, to unpack the research behind fasting and the fasting mimicking diet.
We explore the growing confusion around nutrition in midlife, from protein overload to supplement fatigue, and discuss a more balanced approach to health, longevity, and wellness. Renee shares how fasting mimicking works, why autophagy matters, and what the science says about supporting your body through midlife and beyond. If you've been curious about fasting but overwhelmed by conflicting advice, this conversation is a great place to start.
Episode Highlights
[0:03] - Laura introduces Renee Fitton and the science-backed world of fasting and longevity
[2:13] - Why so many midlife women feel overwhelmed by health and nutrition advice
[2:52] - What Prolon is and how a fasting mimicking diet works
[6:30] - The current protein craze: what's helpful, what's excessive, and what longevity research suggests
[13:36] - Understanding autophagy and the body's natural repair and rejuvenation process
[15:44] - The surprising health benefits linked to fasting mimicking, from metabolic markers to skin health
[17:28] - How long the benefits last and why fasting may improve your relationship with food
[19:30] - Renee shares her personal experience completing multiple fasting mimicking cycles
[22:19] - What you actually eat during a Prolon fast and how manageable it feels day-to-day
[24:02] - The real-world changes Renee notices in energy, sleep, skin, and mental clarity
[27:01] - Who should avoid fasting mimicking and important safety considerations
[28:24] - Fasting, cancer recovery research, and resources for survivors
[30:18] - Why a gentle 12-hour circadian fast may be more effective than extreme intermittent fasting
[32:35] - The hidden impact of skipping breakfast and relying on coffee
[34:03] - Why fasting mimicking can be especially beneficial for women in midlife
[37:43] - Where to learn more about Prolon and how to get started
Links & Resources
Prolon Life: https://prolonlife.com
Renee Fitton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fittonnutrition
Renee Fitton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneefitton/
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!
Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: 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/
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, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book
Recognized by FeedSpot:
Top 60 Couples Therapy Podcasts | Top 100 U.S. Mental Health Podcasts | Top 100 Relaxation Podcasts

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether a friendship has run its course—or if a difficult conversation could actually save it? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the hardest relationship challenges women face in midlife: friendship breakups. We explore what happens when a friendship feels one-sided, when trust has been broken, or when life changes reveal who’s truly in your corner.
We also share our own experiences with friendship loss, hurt feelings, resentment, and the courage it takes to have honest conversations. If you’ve been struggling with a friendship that no longer feels good, this episode will help you think through what’s really happening beneath the surface and whether repair, distance, or closure is the next right step.
Episode Highlights
[0:40] - Why friendship breakups are so difficult—and why they matter in midlife
[1:14] - The powerful role female friendships play in creating a meaningful life
[3:28] - What healthy friendships look like: support, reciprocity, honesty, and emotional safety
[5:06] - How major life events reveal who your true friends are
[8:18] - Outgrowing friendships, one-sided relationships, and evaluating where your energy goes
[10:21] - A candid look at reciprocity and what keeps friendships strong over time
[14:53] - Signs that something may be wrong in a friendship
[16:02] - Laura shares the heartbreak of losing a friendship without closure
[18:33] - Colette opens up about having a difficult conversation after feeling deeply hurt by a friend
[20:57] - Can friendships recover after honest confrontation?
[24:31] - Why speaking up may be the only chance a wounded friendship has to heal
[26:02] - Practical steps to take before deciding to end a friendship
[27:19] - Don’t mistake a difficult season for the end of a relationship
[28:38] - The importance of reciprocity, honesty, and emotional investment
[31:09] - Why midlife may be a season of pruning relationships
[31:32] - How to confront a friendship issue with clarity, kindness, and vulnerability
[33:33] - The mistake many adults make when pulling away from friendships
[34:43] - Why difficult conversations are usually easier than we imagine
[36:09] - How repair can deepen and strengthen meaningful friendships
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!
Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: 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/
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, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book
Recognized by FeedSpot:
Top 60 Couples Therapy Podcasts | Top 100 U.S. Mental Health Podcasts | Top 100 Relaxation Podcasts

Have you ever experienced a betrayal that completely shook your sense of self? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with betrayal recovery expert Dr. Debi Silber to unpack why betrayal cuts so deeply, how it impacts our mental, emotional, and physical health, and what it really takes to heal. If you've ever felt stuck replaying the past, struggling to trust again, or wondering why certain wounds seem impossible to move beyond, this episode is for you.
Together, we explore Dr. Debi’s groundbreaking research on post-betrayal transformation, the surprising symptoms of post-betrayal syndrome, and the five predictable stages of healing. Most importantly, we talk about what’s possible on the other side of heartbreak, loss, and disappointment—and why your greatest growth may still be ahead of you. 
Episode Highlights
[0:03] - We introduce Dr. Debi Silber and the life-changing topic of post-betrayal transformation.
[2:44] - Dr. Debi shares her personal story of family and marital betrayal that led her to study betrayal recovery.
[4:07] - The first major discovery from her research: why betrayal is different from other forms of trauma.
[6:01] - How betrayal destroys trust in others—and in ourselves—and why trust must be rebuilt, not repaired.
[10:45] - Signs of unhealed betrayal, including repeated relationship patterns, poor boundaries, and emotional self-protection.
[16:38] - The surprising symptoms of post-betrayal syndrome and how betrayal impacts physical, mental, and emotional health.
[19:28] - Dr. Debi reveals the five stages of healing from betrayal and why so many people get stuck in survival mode.
[24:31] - We discuss numbing, emotional eating, overworking, and other coping strategies that keep people trapped in stage three.
[29:03] - Four powerful questions to help identify where you're stuck and begin moving toward healing.
[32:24] - Why awareness, honesty, and self-reflection are essential for creating lasting transformation.
[35:40] - “Hard now, easy later. Easy now, hard later.” Dr. Debi shares a simple mantra for healing and growth.
[37:27] - The three groups of people who did not heal in Dr. Debi’s research—and the lessons we can learn from them.
[39:40] - What life looks like in stage five: healing, confidence, self-trust, and post-betrayal transformation.
[40:57] - How to connect with Dr. Debi and learn more about her work.
Links & Resources
The Post Betrayal Transformation Institute: https://thepostbetrayalinstitute.com/
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!
Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: 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/
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, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book
Recognized by FeedSpot:
Top 60 Couples Therapy Podcasts | Top 100 U.S. Mental Health Podcasts | Top 100 Relaxation Podcasts

Beginning again in midlife can feel equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. Whether life forced a reset through divorce, loss, burnout, empty nesting, or you simply feel a quiet ache for something more, this conversation explores what it really means to start over — and why so many women find themselves standing at this crossroads. We unpack the fear of change, the comfort traps that keep us stuck, and the surprising beauty that can come from allowing yourself to become someone new. 
We also get honest about reinvention, post-traumatic growth, intuition, grief, and learning to trust yourself again. From sitting in uncertainty to reconnecting with the parts of yourself that got buried under responsibility, this is a conversation about choosing yourself without apology and creating a life that finally feels aligned. 
Episode Highlights
[0:03] Why beginning again is such a common midlife experience for women
[4:23] How comfort and familiarity quietly keep us stuck longer than we realize
[6:57] Colette shares the painful aftermath of divorce and the growth that came from it
[10:17] Why transformation sounds inspiring but often feels brutal while you’re living it
[12:34] The difference between wanting change and fully committing to it
[15:47] Letting life move through you instead of trying to force every outcome
[18:49] Powerful questions to ask yourself when you feel disconnected or stuck
[20:25] Learning to disappoint others in order to stop abandoning yourself
[23:57] Understanding “the void” and why uncertainty can actually be part of growth
[26:46] Small ways to reconnect with intuition, creativity, and inner wisdom
[31:13] Why reinvention is often about remembering who you were before the world shaped you
[35:22] Gentle ways to begin again without blowing up your entire life
[37:13] Measuring yourself by your growth instead of how far you still have to go
[38:29] The powerful life regret that changes how we think about purpose and fulfillment
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!
Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: 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/
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, launched February 3rd. Order your copy today: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book
Recognized by FeedSpot:
Top 60 Couples Therapy Podcasts | Top 100 U.S. Mental Health Podcasts | Top 100 Relaxation Podcasts