In this episode, Laura sits down with performer, choreographer, teacher, and newly published author Julie O'Connell for a candid conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Julie has performed around the world, taught some of Hollywood's most recognizable stars, choreographed countless productions, and raised a Broadway performer of her own. But behind the applause and glamorous credits were seasons of uncertainty, difficult relationships, financial setbacks, and the challenge of rebuilding her life more than once.

Julie shares lessons learned from navigating major life pivots, recovering from a toxic relationship, rediscovering her independence, writing her memoir Winging It Every Step of the Way, and embracing a simpler, more intentional chapter of life.

This conversation is a reminder that no matter your age or stage, there is always another dance waiting for you.

• Reinvention is not a one-time event. It happens throughout life.
• Financial freedom and emotional freedom are deeply connected.
• Sometimes the bravest move is walking away from a life that looks successful from the outside.
• Simplicity can create more happiness than status or appearances.
• Trying new things is often the fastest path to clarity.
• The word "could" creates possibility while "should" creates pressure.
• Creativity and purpose do not have an expiration date.
• Writing can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.

00:00 - Welcome and Meet Julie O'Connell

• Laura introduces dancer, choreographer, teacher, and author Julie O'Connell.
• Julie's remarkable career journey and Broadway connections.

06:20 - Born to Dance

• Julie reflects on a lifetime in dance.
• Why dance has always been part of her identity.

10:45 - When Relationships Change Your Direction

• Julie discusses a difficult relationship that slowly altered the course of her life.
• Recognizing manipulation and emotional dependency.

16:00 - Breaking Free and Starting Over

• How distance, reflection, and writing helped Julie reclaim her life.
• Learning to trust herself again.

18:40 - Choosing Happiness Over Appearances

• Letting go of the country club lifestyle.
• Why freedom became more important than status.

21:30 - From Big Houses to Small Spaces

• Downsizing, simplifying, and redefining success.
• Discovering what really matters.

28:30 - Dancing for Gene Kelly

• Julie shares one of her favorite career memories.
• Performing directly in front of Gene Kelly and receiving encouragement from a legend.

31:00 - Raising a Broadway Star

• The story of how Julie's daughter Kelly landed an opportunity with Donald O'Connor at just five years old.
• Life as a performer and parent.

36:00 - What's Next?

• Navigating life transitions in midlife and beyond.
• Staying open to new opportunities while remaining true to yourself.

40:00 - Writing 'Winging It Every Step of the Way'

• How a simple library writing class sparked Julie's memoir.
• Lessons learned from the publishing process.

46:30 - From Should to Could

• Julie shares one of her most powerful mindset shifts.
• Replacing obligation with possibility.

49:00 - Why Trying New Things Matters

• Bartending, Weight Watchers coaching, golf, teaching, and discovering what truly fits.
• The importance of experimentation.

53:30 - Final Advice for Women in Reinvention

• Authenticity, resilience, health, purpose, and continuing to grow at every age.

Julie's Book

Julie on Facebook

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Join me in this enlightening episode where Leslie Sann, a seasoned teacher and pearl cultivator of human joy, shares insights from over four decades of guiding people through life's grit toward gleaming pearls of joy. Discover how to turn adversity into blessings, the importance of acceptance, and practical tools for cultivating happiness, regardless of circumstances.

She talks about midlife, her divorces and what she was thinking when she found herself alone on a snowy, winter night.

Key Topics:

The metaphor of pearl cultivation to transform adversity into joy

Defining grit as unexpected circumstances and how to dance with life's change

The role of acceptance and response in awakening and joy

The significance of mindset reframing versus drastic external changes

Practical strategies to embrace aloneness, loss, and life's unpredictable shifts

How to identify and expand your personal joy portfolio

The importance of self-honoring, forgiveness, and gratitude in the journey to joy

Living intentionally and authentic joy beyond societal expectations

Leslie’s personal stories of resilience, including her snowblower story and solo journey

Practical tools to move beyond pity parties and cultivate a joyful attitude

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Leslie Sann, joy teacher and pearl cultivator
00:28 - Grounding meditation to receive joy and blessings
03:32 - What does it mean to be a pearl cultivator? Turning grit into blessings
04:40 - The metaphor of irritation and growth in oysters as a life lesson
07:24 - How Leslie defines grit: life's unexpected changes and our dance with them
09:16 - How awakening sparks through responding, not reacting, to life's circumstances
12:14 - The role of reframing mindset around joy, success, and life purpose
14:52 - Joy as authenticity versus societal standards and external achievements
18:06 - Personal stories of divorce and resilience as catalysts for growth
23:04 - The snowblower story: reframing challenges with humor and acceptance
27:01 - Moving from victim stories to gratitude and empowerment in hardship
32:38 - Recognizing our true identity beyond thoughts and circumstances
37:03 - Tools for letting go of judgment, practicing kindness to oneself
42:14 - The process of evolving joy with age and authenticity
46:24 - Nourishing joy through living aligned with our passions and essence
50:05 - Identifying feelings associated with joy to deepen awareness
54:28 - The importance of joy as a choice, not a circumstance
55:34 - Leslie’s role as an educator in cultivating consciousness and skills for joy
59:10 - Embracing change as a friend and a catalyst for new possibilities
60:51 - Connecting with Leslie and exploring her upcoming programs

Resources& Links:

Connect with Leslie:

LeslieSann - Official Website

Workshop:Go Pearl Yourself

Meditation & Grounding Techniques

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In this honest and deeply personal episode, Laura explores what it really means to “show up anyway” when life doesn’t unfold as planned. Speaking from her own lived experience, Laura reflects on a nonlinear career filled with unexpected pivots, creative risks, and reinvention.

From launching a spray tan business to building a podcast that turned into a keynote platform, Laura shares how every chapter—no matter how messy or uncertain—served as a stepping stone rather than a setback. She introduces the idea of the “spaghetti phase,” a season of trying, experimenting, and discovering what truly sticks.

This episode is a powerful call to women navigating transitions, especially in midlife, to stop performing at “fine,” get radically honest about what they want, and trust that their path is still unfolding. With warmth, humor, and real talk, Laura offers five actionable ways to reclaim your energy, redefine your timeline, and build a life that feels aligned—no matter when you start.

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laura@unhookedwomen.com

www.unhookedwomen.com

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https://www.youtube.com/@Unhooked_Women_Podcast