Have you ever found yourself reacting in a way that feels bigger than the situation in front of you… and then thought, “Why did I respond like that?”

You’re not alone — and it’s not random.

That disconnect — between what your mind wants to do and what your body actually does — is often where deeper emotional patterns, Trauma responses, and nervous system reactions live.

In this episode, I sit down with Annmarie Chereso, conscious relationship coach, to unpack what’s really happening beneath emotional triggers, relationship conflict patterns, and those moments when you feel like you “lose control” emotionally.

We explore how awareness — not force — becomes the first step toward emotional regulation and lasting change. And Annmarie shares a fresh perspective on somatic healing practices and emotional regulation

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why emotional triggers are often linked to deeper trauma responses and nervous system activation
• A new approach to relationship healing that doesn’t rely on forcing yourself to “be different”
• What somatic healing and emotional regulation actually look like in real life
• How to begin building self-regulation skills when emotions feel overwhelming or intense
• Why noticing your patterns is more powerful than trying to fix them

This conversation reframes healing entirely — not as something you “achieve,” but as something you become aware of over time. Through that awareness, your relationship with yourself and others begins to shift.

This isn’t about becoming someone new.
It’s about finally understanding what’s been happening beneath the surface all along.

You don’t need to have it all figured out — you just need to start noticing.

With Love and freedom,

Laurie

Click here to learn about my NEW “Nervous System Regulation Starter Kit” 

Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go

Free Resources

Click here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.

Click here for my FREE “Beginner’s Guide to Somatic Healing”

Click here for my FREE Core Values Exercise

Website

Connect with Annmarie Chereso
Website
Instagram
Facebook

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

The Perfectly Imperfect Family: A book co-authored by Annmarie Chereso that shares personal stories and insights on navigating family dynamics and shifting internal states. 

Martha Beck Wayfinder Coaching Program: The professional coaching training program where both the host and the guest completed their training. 

Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you’d like me to respond, please leave your email

***********************
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND Entertainment PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Most Recent Episodes

June 18, 2026

When a Good Life Feels Heavy: A Somatic Mid-Year Reset for Burnout You Can't Explain

What if the exhaustion you've been carrying isn't a sign that you need to do more — but your body's way of telling you something needs to shift?You can be a founder, a mother, a...

Listen · 36:38

June 4, 2026

COAF 220How Micro Breaks Can Help Women Manage Stress and Digital Overload with Dr. Mary Donohue

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to step away from your phone… even when your  mind and body is asking for a break?The texts, notifications, social media scrolling, and constant pressure to...

Listen · 45:29

May 21, 2026

How Surviving a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Taught Victoria Gustafson to Stop People-Pleasing and Start Listening to Her Body

Heart Disease in women is their number one killer — and most of us still don't know the signs.We've spent years worrying about the right things: the screenings, the genetics, the family...

Listen · 46:46

Load More Episodes

Laurie James Laurie James, Author, Podcaster, and Somatic Relationship Coach

Hi, I'm Laurie James...a mother, divorcée, recovering caregiver turned author, somatic relationship coach, and podcaster. My podcast, Confessions of a Freebird, was inspired by my youngest of four children leaving the nest and is the sequel to my book, Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go.

My memoir is about my journey from loneliness to finding belonging during a time when I was raising four teenage daughters, my mother had a heart attack and needed care, all while my marriage began to crumble underneath me.

Now I love helping people divorce, heal, and date differently in midlife. I love blending my somatic training and coaching to help clients develop a better relationship with their bodies and nervous system. Doing so allows them to find the inner freedom to experience more happiness, joy and create the life they desire through nervous system regulation.

When I'm not coaching clients or podcasting, I can be found nurturing my free spirit by walking my adopted husky Lu, skiing, sailing, hiking, spending time with my four adult daughters, close friends or planning my next adventure.