Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 188 W/Laurie Jacobson

Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 188 W/Laurie Jacobson

From Let's Be Real: Mama Journeys by Nikki Brooker

March 16, 2026 · 35 min · Season 4 · Episode 188

About this episode

Laurie Jacobson shares her journey as a step mom and her transformative experience at a Buddhist monastery after escaping an abusive marriage.

Laurie Jacobson is in a small town in Virginia and is a step mom who is semi-retired and a certified health coach. She has done a lot about nutrition, chef work, yoga and has written a book called Unexpected Awakening about her time at a Buddhist Monastery. Laurie did not have kids of her own but is a step mom to 2 kiddos. When she came into the picture they were a little older so she didn't experience being a step mom of little kiddos but building a relationship with older "children" is also a challenge. She worried about stepping on toes and overstepping her boundaries but now that she's a grandma, she feels good about her relationships with her step kiddos. Her book, about the 22 days she spent at a Buddhist Monastery, came from her personal experience. She was in a dark place in a very abusive marriage and when she talks to other women, she has found that 9/10 of the women she talks to have experienced an abusive relationship. She had an opportunity to go to a silent retreat in West Virginia and she thought she had nothing to lose. She had tried everything else! The emotional bubble up that happens when you are in silence for a long time can truly change your whole life. It…

People in this episode

Host: Nikki Brooker

Guest: Laurie Jacobson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Unexpected Awakening

Places: Virginia, West Virginia

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