The J. Mike Fields Podcast

Jamie Contact Info:

Website: https://www.jamiecolemssw.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiecolemssw
Email: jamie@jamiecolemssw.com
Phone Number: (270) 746-9930


Quick recap

Jamie Cole, a life coach from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and J. Mike Fields, Life Coach, discussed her transition from private practice therapy to therapeutic life coaching, emphasizing her preference for a no-nonsense approach. They also discussed the importance of listening, empathy, and self-compassion in personal growth and healing, as well as the challenges of dealing with mother wounds and the idealization of mothers. The conversation concluded with discussions on the importance of emotional connection, finding the right fit for clients, and the role of medication in therapy.

Jamie Cole's Coaching Transition Discussed

Jamie Cole, a life coach from Bowling Green, Kentucky, discussed her transition from private practice therapy to therapeutic life coaching. She explained that this change was driven by a desire to focus more on her clients' needs and less on the complexities of insurance coverage and fraud. Jamie also shared her experience of working with various populations, including those with eating disorders, and her shift towards small business mentoring and individual coaching. She emphasized her preference for a no-nonsense approach, aiming to help people in the most direct and straightforward manner possible. Jamie also reminisced about her early interactions with Mike, noting how she was initially addressed as "Mrs." and how it made her feel.

Empathy and Understanding in Healing

Jamie and J discussed the importance of listening and empathy in their respective practices. Jamie emphasized that people often need to be heard and understood rather than given advice, and that this process can help individuals identify and overcome obstacles in their lives. J shared her own experiences of healing and growth, highlighting the importance of understanding one's past and the stories we tell ourselves. They also discussed common patterns and obstacles that people face, such as people-pleasing, lack of self-compassion, and past traumas. Jamie suggested that these issues can often be addressed by examining one's current behaviors and thought patterns, and by understanding the origins of these behaviors. The conversation concluded with J's suggestion of "parts work" as a way to understand and work with one's inner protectors or demons.

Shame, Self-Criticism, and Personal Growth

The discussion focuses on the impact of shame and self-criticism on personal growth and productivity. Jamie and J. emphasize the importance of self-compassion and empathy, noting that harsh self-judgment often hinders progress. They discuss a study comparing critical and supportive management styles in a factory setting, which found that encouragement and reasonable goals led to sustained productivity increases. The conversation concludes with reflections on the difference between guilt and shame, and how shame can be deeply ingrained and difficult to overcome.

Mother Wounds and Idealization Challenges

J. and Jamie discussed the challenges of dealing with mother wounds and the idealization of mothers. They agreed that many people struggle with unhealthy relationships with their mothers, which can have a significant impact on their mental and physical health. Jamie emphasized the importance of recognizing that both positive and negative aspects of a mother's behavior can be true simultaneously, and that it's essential to hold this tension without negating one aspect for the other. They also discussed the difficulty of breaking free from these relationships and the guilt that often accompanies it. The conversation ended with Jamie noting that resistance is common when people start to see the reality of their mother's behavior.

Emotional Connection, Embodiment, and Healing

Jamie and J discussed the importance of emotional connection and embodiment in personal growth and healing. They highlighted the dangers of comparison and the need to recognize one's own resilience. Jamie shared her personal experience of disconnection from her body and the realization that she had been living a half-life. They also discussed the concept of unburdening parts of oneself, allowing them to fulfill their original intentions. The conversation emphasized the importance of acknowledging and working through grief and pain to experience joy and fulfillment.

Overcoming Emotional Challenges and Growth

Jamie and J discussed the challenges of helping clients connect with themselves and find their best mode of processing emotions. Jamie suggested various techniques such as journaling, right-hand-left-hand work, and creative expression. They also discussed the importance of recognizing and acknowledging personal growth and changes in behavior. Jamie shared her experience with clients who struggle with determining right or wrong due to their upbringing, and how this can lead to self-doubt and a fear of making mistakes. J asked about the first step in helping clients overcome this issue, and Jamie suggested becoming aware of these feelings and talking through them. They also discussed the importance of finding the right fit for clients in terms of personality and temperament.

Balancing Therapy and Medication Approaches

Jamie and J discussed their approach to helping others, emphasizing the importance of finding the right fit and not taking on tasks that are not their forte. Jamie shared her strategy of having a list of trusted individuals to refer people to when she feels she cannot handle a situation. They also discussed the role of medication in therapy, with both agreeing that it can be helpful but should not be the sole solution. Jamie and J also touched on the importance of monitoring medication use and the need for a holistic approach to mental health, including therapy and medication. They agreed that medication can be life-saving for certain conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Initiating Therapy and Grief Discussion

Jamie and J. discussed the challenges of initiating therapy or coaching sessions, emphasizing the importance of taking the first step despite potential discomfort. Jamie shared his experience of working with clients in various stages of life, highlighting the value of their perspectives. They also discussed the importance of grief and healing, with Jamie suggesting that learning to grieve well is crucial for a good life. Jamie confirmed that he is currently taking new clients and provided his contact details for those interested in his services. They ended the conversation with plans to potentially collaborate again in the future.