Midlife Reclaimed with Kristen Brickl

Are you managing your life rather than living it? In this episode, Augustine sits down with Kristen Brickl, an intuitive licensed professional counselor, to explore the transformative journey of women in midlife. They dive deep into the "Good Girl" arc—how childhood conditioning leads to adult over-functioning, people-pleasing, and eventually, physical and emotional burnout.

Specifically tailored for midwives and high-pressure caregivers, this conversation explores why "self-care" isn't just a luxury but a professional necessity. Kristen shares how our nervous systems impact not just our own health, but the way we co-regulate with the families we serve. If you’ve ever felt like you’re "giving from an empty cup" or losing your passion for your calling, this episode is a permission slip to stop, breathe, and reclaim your joy.

Key Highlights

• The Evolution of the Martyr: How the "Good Girl" of childhood becomes the "People Pleaser" of young adulthood and the "Over-functioning Martyr" of midlife.
• The Power of the Whisper: Recognizing the subtle signs of burnout before they turn into a "cosmic two-by-four" (health crises or autoimmune issues).
• The "Pause" Practice: A simple, transformative tool to reset your nervous system in the middle of a chaotic day or between client calls.
• Reparenting Your Inner Mean Girl: Shifting your internal monologue from criticism to the "loving bosom" of the Wise Adult.
• The Liminal Space: Navigating the "cringey" discomfort of transition—that moment in the birth canal of your own life where you can’t go back, but can’t yet see the way forward.
• Channel vs. Source: A revolutionary mindset shift for caregivers: how to be a channel for service without becoming the depleted source of it.
• Perinatal Psychology & Attachment: How a caregiver’s distracted or overwhelmed state affects a newborn’s ability to form secure attachments.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk.
• Course: Boundaries for Birthworkers

Connect with Kristen Brickl

• Website: KristenBrickl.com
• Instagram: @kristen.brickl

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