Ep. 2 S5 Beautiful with Debra Cohen
Meet the fabulously authentic Debra Cohen and listen to her deep connection to Christina Aguilera's classic hit "Beautiful." It's a tune that's woven into her life story, helping her in times of healing and transformation.
When "Beautiful" hit the scene back in 2002, it was a game-changer for Debra. She felt like Christina was singing just for her. At the time, Debra was wrestling with past trauma and recovering from a tough car accident. Singing through tears at times, this song gave so much hope. "Yes, words can't bring me down, oh no." (lyrics) It pushed her to confront and heal from childhood struggles and other hard times that life had thrown her way.
Debra's journey was anything but ordinary. She talks about her rollercoaster ride in the rock scene of the ’80s, even opening for legends like Joan Jett. But with that rock lifestyle came its own set of challenges and drug use. "Beautiful" helped her move past feelings of insecurity and embrace her own worth.
"Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera's bagged some major awards back in the day, like the GLAAD Media Award and a Grammy. Its empowering vibes and Christina's fierce vocals turned it into an anthem for anyone needing a confidence boost. Written by Linda Perry, addresses inner beauty, self-esteem, and insecurity. "Now and then I get insecure" was a line from the song Debra pointed out as resonating with her.
Debra didn’t stop moving forward. After the rock scene, she switched gears and became a high school teacher, working with kids from tough backgrounds. This job brought stress, and those trusty lyrics from "Beautiful" kept her steady, helping her through panic attacks and moments of doubt. "Suddenly, it's hard to breathe" is a line that she associated with those panic attacks. but used the rest of the words to overcome that situation.
Fast forward to 62, Debra has met the love of her life with the help of a "must-have" list for a partner. It’s a touching and funny part of her journey, and she laughs about how both she and her husband brought lists to their first date. What a way to start something special!
Now, Debra is all about community and healing through music. She's set up what she calls a "singing circle," where people can find comfort and joy—no complicated therapy here, just good ol' singing. It’s a testament to how "Beautiful" inspires her, nudging others to see their own worth and beauty, just as Christina's lyrics suggest.
"Beautiful" is more than just a tune for Debra; it’s been a lifeline that speaks to resilience and finding joy in the journey.
Beautiful (the song)
Connect with Debra Cohen: DebraCohenMusic.com
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