This episode started as an experiment.

I've been thinking about bringing guests onto Cat Unmuted because, if I'm being honest, talking to a camera by myself can feel awkward. I wanted to test-drive a set of interview questions I've been developing for future guests.

So instead of interviewing someone else, I interviewed myself.

What followed was a surprisingly honest reflection on who I am today, who I used to be, and the experiences that shaped the path between those two versions of me.

In this episode, I share:

• Why I see myself as both an author and a writer

• The passion behind self-growth, self-communication, and reflective self-talk

• The three major rock bottoms that changed the course of my life

• Growing up between Japan and the United States

• The lasting impact of a narcissistic stepmother and the beliefs I carried because of it

• How my military experience became a turning point in discovering my own worth

• Why my miscarriage became the hardest season of my life

• The emotional dissociation, postpartum depression, and identity shifts that followed

• The moment I realized I could no longer continue life the way I had been living it

• Closing a business I spent nine years building

• Discovering writing as something far bigger than a hobby

• How grief unexpectedly revealed a new purpose

• The role gratitude plays in keeping me grounded

• Why resilience is more than simply "being strong"

• The connection between physical health, mental health, and self-talk

• What I would tell the younger versions of myself today

• Why I believe courage is required before bliss can ever be found

Throughout this conversation, I kept returning to one idea:

The hardest moments of my life didn't simply break things apart. They redirected me.

The woman who desperately wanted to feel the sun, wind, rain, and freedom on her skin during the darkest days of her miscarriage is the same woman who is now writing books, building new projects, preparing for a move to Okinawa, and creating a life that feels more aligned than ever before.

My goal isn't a life without hardship.

My goal is bliss.

Not constant happiness.

Not perfection.

Bliss, peace, freedom, and the courage to keep choosing the life that feels true.

If this episode resonates with you, I hope it encourages you to ask yourself a few difficult questions of your own.

Sometimes the answers are already waiting.

Through Courage Comes Bliss.

Not physically. Emotionally.

Living in a house that no longer feels like mine.Trying to keep everything perfect for showings.Writing a book.Trying to stay positive.Trying to “manifest correctly.”Trying to hold it all together.

Then one day I stopped cleaning.Stopped forcing productivity.Stayed up until midnight playing Super Mario with Josh like two teenagers avoiding responsibility. 😂

And honestly?It felt liberating.

This episode is about the pressure of perfection, emotional burnout, and giving yourself permission to just… be human for a minute.

🎙️ Episode 18 of Cat Unmuted is up now.

What started as a new opportunity turned into a front-row seat to miscommunication, personality clashes, and unnecessary drama. But instead of getting pulled into it, I found myself observing something deeper:

We always have a choice in how we respond.

What I Talk About:

The dynamics of being the “new ones” in an established environment

How assumptions about people can shape your experience before you even meet them

What happens when one person’s constant complaints affect an entire group

The ripple effect of reactions—how negativity spreads and escalates

The difference between addressing a problem vs. feeding it

Why not everything needs your engagement (even when you're invited into it)

The power of staying neutral and not getting pulled into other people’s narratives

Key Takeaways:

You don’t have to participate just because you’re invited into the drama

Complaining without intention solves nothing—it amplifies everything

People reveal themselves through patterns, not isolated moments

You can protect your peace without needing to control others

Awareness creates space. Reaction creates chaos

The Bigger Reflection:

This experience wasn’t really about the event—it was about witnessing how people handle discomfort, control, and unmet expectations.

Some escalate.Some withdraw.Some observe.

And that choice?It shapes everything that follows.

Cat opens up about her experience with adenomyosis, a condition she had never even heard of until after years of unexplained symptoms, chronic pain, infertility struggles, miscarriage, exhaustion, and brain fog. What started as confusion around heavy bleeding and hormonal chaos eventually led to answers she didn’t know she needed.

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Cat talks about:

What adenomyosis actually is

How inflammation affects the uterus, nerves, energy levels, and daily life

The emotional impact of miscarriage without answers

Fertility struggles and the grief that comes with uncertainty

Brain fog, chronic fatigue, lower back pain, pelvic pressure, bloating, and weight changes

Feeling dismissed or under-informed in traditional medical systems

The role acupuncture has played in helping her symptoms

Why more women need to openly talk about reproductive health

Alternative treatments being explored in Asia, including MRI-guided focused ultrasound

The connection between stress, hormones, inflammation, and the nervous system

Learning to rest instead of forcing productivity through exhaustion

This episode is slower, heavier, and more vulnerable than usual, because it was recorded in real time while actively experiencing symptoms. But that’s exactly why Cat chose to share it.

Some conversations are uncomfortable. Some are deeply human. This one is both.

If you’ve ever struggled with chronic pain, hormonal issues, reproductive health, miscarriage, fatigue, or simply feeling unheard in your own body, this episode may help you feel a little less alone.

But not the calm, grounded kind.

The kind that spikes.The kind that hooks you into an outcome.

I walk through how that moment revealed something deeper:

The difference between hope vs. attachment

How “this could happen” quietly turns into “this needs to happen”

Why over-excitement can actually be your body bracing for disappointment

And how I brought myself back to a place of trust instead of control

This episode isn’t about selling a house.It’s about how we emotionally handle movement in our lives.

Because sometimes the real work isn’t in what’s happening……it’s in how quickly we try to control the outcome.

After a full month of deep cleaning, decluttering, and preparing our house for the market, I found myself navigating something deeper: letting go of identity, attachment, and control.

This isn’t just about selling a house.It’s about transition. Alignment. Trust.

What I Talk About

The month-long process of getting our house ready to sell

Why decluttering is more emotional than practical

How objects hold memories, identity, and versions of ourselves

Letting go of things that no longer represent who you are

Viewing your home through the eyes of a potential buyer

Why less clutter creates more possibility

How affirmations shape decision-making and mindset

The difference between trusting the process vs. trying to control it

What happens when your actions don’t align with your intentions

The concept of “chasing energy” vs. allowing movement

How attachment can create resistance instead of flow

Choosing between:

Speed vs. price

Control vs. trust

Why your true priority determines your outcome

Key Takeaways

Letting go of physical items often means letting go of past versions of yourself

Buyers need space to imagine, not space filled with your personality

Affirmations only work if your actions support them

Misalignment shows up as:

Doubt

Control

Desperation

Trusting the process creates calm, clear decision-making

You can’t control everything—but you can control:

Your environment

Your reactions

Your perspective

Desperation energy cancels out intention

Sometimes the hardest part is simply allowing something to move on

Affirmations Shared in This Episode

This house is already on its way to the right people

This house sells quickly, easily, and for the right price

We received multiple offers and the process was smooth, aligned, and better than expected

A Moment That Sticks

There’s a powerful comparison in this episode about letting go—how holding on too tightly can actually delay what’s meant to move forward.

Whether it’s a person… or a house…Sometimes the shift happens when you finally say:

“It’s okay to let go.”

Reflection Prompt

Where in your life are you saying you want something……but your actions or thoughts are quietly holding it in place?

Closing Thought

You don’t have to force movement.You just have to stop resisting it.

Choose intention.Let things flow.

Support the Show

If this resonated with you:

Share it with someone who needs it

Subscribe for future episodes

Follow along as I document this transition in real time

From the Episode

This episode captures a real-time transition—physically, emotionally, and energetically—while preparing to sell our home and move forward.

One remembering a stillborn.One remembering a lost friend.

And somehow… without even realizing it at first…they led me back to my own miscarriage.

I realized it was also my anniversary for my miscarriage, which was about a week away.

I didn’t fall apart.

I didn’t cry the way I thought I was “supposed” to.

I felt… peace.

And for a split second, I questioned myself.

Am I grieving enough?Am I doing this right?

This week on Cat Unmuted, I talk about something we don’t say out loud enough:

Grief doesn’t have a script.

You don’t have to perform pain to prove something mattered.You don’t have to stay broken to show love existed.

Peace and grief can live in the same space.

If you’ve ever questioned the way you process loss…

And if it resonates, share it with someone who might need permission to grieve in their own way.

A perspective shared in this episode highlights how women evolve through major life experiences.

But Cat expands on this idea:

Men evolve too

Emotional growth isn’t one-sided

Shared experiences shape both partners

Growth happens on both sides—and that matters.

🔹 Timing Is Everything

One of the biggest reflections in this episode:

What if you met your person… before you became who you are today?

Would you still be compatible?

Would you even be attracted to each other?

Would the relationship have worked?

Sometimes, love works because of everything that happened before it.

🔹 Past Relationships Shape Future Ones

Cat shares openly about her previous marriage:

Losing her sense of self

Feeling restricted and unable to fully express who she was

Trying to fit into a version of herself that wasn’t aligned

She also reflects on her husband Josh’s past:

Experiencing both emotional and physical abuse

Feeling trapped and controlled

Eventually breaking free and rediscovering himself

These experiences didn’t break them—they shaped them.

🔹 Why This Relationship Works

Cat and Josh often say they “make marriage easy.”

But that ease didn’t come from luck—it came from growth.

Learning what they don’t want

Understanding themselves more deeply

Setting boundaries from the beginning

Supporting each other without control

They met as evolved versions of themselves.

🔹 Growth Creates Stronger Love

Real love isn’t static.

People change

Life happens

Experiences reshape who we are

And love requires the ability to:

Adapt

Support

Grow alongside each other

Not just fall in love once—but continue choosing each other through every version that follows.

🔹 Challenging Each Other to Grow

One unique dynamic Cat shares:

They challenge each other directly

They don’t sugarcoat everything

Growth is intentional—not accidental

Because staying the same isn’t the goal.

Growth is.

🔹 The Bigger Conversation

This episode also touches on something deeper:

The divide between men and women

The rise of separation instead of understanding

The need to come back to mutual support and respect

Instead of choosing sides, Cat encourages:

👉 Understanding👉 Growth together👉 Supporting each other through change

🔍 Reflection Questions

How have your past experiences shaped who you are today?

Are you allowing yourself (and your partner) to grow?

Would your current relationship work if you met earlier in life?

Where might you be resisting change?

🌿 Personal Notes from Cat

Showing up even when things aren’t perfect (yes… even with a weird voice and allergies 😄)

Reflecting on how much growth has happened over the years

Continuing to evolve—individually and in partnership

💬 Closing Thought

You don’t just fall in love with a person once.

You fall in love with who they become…over and over again.

And just like that… I was triggered.

But here’s the thing—I didn’t let it take over my day.

In this episode, I talk about:✨ What triggers really are✨ Why grief isn’t always about the person✨ How big life transitions bring old emotions back up✨ And how I chose to feel it… without drowning in it

Because you can have a hard momentwithout letting it become a hard day.

If you’ve ever been hit with a memory out of nowhere… this one’s for you 🖤

While helping a friend troubleshoot a Facebook issue, frustration quickly took over when things didn’t go as expected. That moment sparked a deeper reflection on how we respond to situations we can’t control.

From pandemic experiences to everyday interactions, Cat explores how people often default to blame, stress, and reactivity—and how choosing a different response can completely shift the outcome.

What This Episode Covers

🔹 You Can’t Control Everything

Platforms glitch

Businesses shut down

Plans fall apart

Life throws curveballs

And sometimes… that’s just the end of the story.

🔹 But You CAN Control Your Reaction

Your attitude

Your next step

Your tone with others

Your ability to pause and pivot

The first emotional reaction is natural.What you do after that is where your power is.

🔹 COVID as a Mirror

Cat shares how the pandemic revealed different ways people handled uncertainty:

Panic vs. opportunity

Blame vs. adaptation

Consumption vs. creation

Instead of spiraling, she chose to:

Start writing her book

Face her past

Begin deeper inner work

What felt like disruption became a doorway.

🔹 A Small Moment That Said Everything

During a call with her internet provider, Cat asked the representative one simple question:

“How are you doing?”

His response?

“No one has asked me that today.”

A reminder that:

People carry stress we don’t see

Kindness stands out more than we think

We choose what energy we bring into interactions

🔹 Blame vs Responsibility

It’s easy to:

Blame companies

Blame systems

Blame other people

But most of the time, the person in front of you isn’t the problem.

And reacting with blame:

Doesn’t solve anything

Adds more stress

Keeps you stuck

🔹 The “Me First” Mentality

From panic buying to unnecessary spending, Cat reflects on how fear can drive selfish decisions.

But asks:

What would happen if we trusted each other more?

If we believed:

Someone would help if we needed it

There’s enough to go around

We don’t have to fight for everything

🔹 Choosing a Better Response

Instead of reacting with:

Anger

Frustration

Blame

Try asking:👉 “What can I do now?”

That shift alone can:

Reduce stress

Improve outcomes

Change how others respond to you

What started as a simple recovery turned into a reflection about embarrassment, ego, personal responsibility, and how our reactions to difficult situations shape the outcome.

Cat explores why many people struggle to admit mistakes or ask for help, especially when pride or embarrassment gets in the way. She shares how maturity, life experience, and self-awareness can change the way we respond to challenges.

This story becomes a powerful example of something Cat teaches often: learning the difference between reacting emotionally and responding intentionally.

Key Topics in This Episode

🚙 A Real-Life Jeep Recovery Story

Cat and Josh encounter two men stuck in the dunes near a construction site.

The father, a disabled veteran with two injured knees, was the one yelling for help.

The son, who had driven the truck into the sand, avoided interacting with anyone.

🧠 Embarrassment vs Responsibility

Many people avoid asking for help because they don’t want to admit they made a mistake.

Pride and embarrassment can prevent us from taking simple steps that would solve the problem faster.

⚖️ Reaction vs Proactive Response

Cat explains the difference between:

Reactive behavior

Emotional

Stress-driven

Avoidance

Blaming circumstances or hiding mistakes

Proactive behavior

Accepting the situation

Taking responsibility

Asking for help when needed

Focusing on solutions rather than shame

🔍 A Lesson About Control

One of the central themes Cat teaches:

You cannot control the situation.You can control your reaction to it.

In difficult moments, there is often an initial emotional reaction. But the real power comes in what you choose to do after that moment passes.

👣 Life Experience Changes Perspective

Cat reflects on how many people grow out of embarrassment as they experience more of life.

Things that once felt humiliating become small, insignificant moments once we realize:

Everyone makes mistakes

Everyone needs help sometimes

Responsibility is more powerful than pride

Reflection Questions

Cat invites listeners to consider:

When was the last time embarrassment stopped you from asking for help?

What situations trigger your reactive responses?

How would your life change if you paused before reacting?

What would it look like to respond with intention instead?

Related Themes Cat Often Teaches

Self-awareness

Personal responsibility

Emotional regulation

Choosing intentional reactions

Recognizing patterns in thoughts and behavior

These ideas are also connected to Cat’s upcoming Reflective Truth workshop, which focuses on noticing patterns in thoughts, reactions, and behavior.

And survival can look like strength.Silence.Composure.“I’m fine.”

In this episode of Kat Unmuted, I talk about emotional dissociation, trauma, and the quiet ways we disconnect from memories that once overwhelmed us.

The brain is brilliant at protection. It can separate emotions from experiences so we can keep functioning. But what happens when years later, a trigger hits… and you don’t understand why it feels so big?

This episode explores:

• Emotional numbness and dissociation• How the brain protects us from overwhelm• Being silenced and how that shapes identity• Trauma stacking over time• Miscarriage, grief, and complex emotions• Why triggers are stored memories, not attacks• Conditioning yourself to move toward feelings instead of away

Resilience isn’t the absence of emotion.It’s the ability to feel without collapsing.

If you’ve ever wondered why something from years ago still affects you… or why you feel nothing when you think you “should” feel something… this conversation might help.

Watch the full episode now. And if it resonates, share your experience in the comments.

In this episode, I explore the idea that the body remembers.

We often think of memory as something that lives in the brain, but our bodies hold patterns too. From muscle memory to immune memory, we are constantly conditioning our bodies to respond in certain ways. The question is: what have we taught our bodies to ignore?

As a former massage therapist, I saw firsthand how different people experience pain. Some clients had extremely high pain tolerance. Others were much more sensitive. Over time, I began to notice a pattern:

Many of us were trained, early on, to push through discomfort.

Stub your toe? Keep going.Feeling emotional? Work through it.Small ache? Ignore it.

Eventually, the body learns not to whisper anymore. It waits until it has to scream.

In this episode, I talk about:

What muscle memory and immune memory teach us about conditioning

How high pain tolerance can become disconnection

Why “no pain, no gain” isn’t always true

The subtle ways we stop listening to our bodies

How resilience and suppression are not the same thing

A story about a physical therapist who told a client to “talk to her toes”

The connection between physical awareness and emotional awareness

Tough love, childhood conditioning, and the skills it gave me

Growing up navigating train systems in Japan and what that taught me about independence

There is strength in resilience.But there is also strength in awareness.

We don’t have to stop functioning in society. We don’t have to fall apart every time something hurts. But we can begin asking ourselves:

What did I feel today?Where did I ignore myself?What is whispering that I haven’t acknowledged?

The body keeps score.The body adapts.The body learns what we teach it.

The real work might be unlearning the parts where we disconnected.

Instead, it became something else.

I watched one of my previous recordings and noticed the long pauses. The ums. The silences. The rambling. And instead of deleting it or re-recording it like I’ve done so many times in the past, I kept going.

In this episode, I share:

Why I started recording in the first place

The specific fear that has followed me into adulthood

How perfectionism used to stop me from publishing anything

What writing newsletters as a massage therapist taught me about authenticity

Why I stopped trying to “sound professional”

How nine years of massage therapy may have literally conditioned the way I speak

The connection between silence, thinking, and muscle memory

And why I’m choosing messy growth over polished paralysis

After shutting down my massage therapy business last year, I noticed something unexpected: my brain is conditioned to think slowly and speak deliberately. When you massage for nine years, you learn to be quiet, to feel, to think while your hands work. That rhythm stayed with me.

So maybe these pauses aren’t flaws.

Maybe they’re conditioning.

And if we can condition ourselves into silence…we can condition ourselves into something else too.

Reflection Question

What have you conditioned yourself to become?

And is it still serving you?

If This Resonated

I’m not here to be perfect.I’m here to grow in public.

If you’re someone who appreciates honest evolution, thank you for being here.

Subscribe to follow the journey.

— Cat

What you’ll hear in this episode

Why crossing borders (county, state, country) feels wildly different depending on your life experience

How “conditioning” works like muscle memory for the brain

The difference between fear of the unknown vs. the excitement of the unknown

Why practice with new things lowers panic and raises confidence

A Gen X Nintendo lesson: restarting from zero and learning patience (no saved games!)

Relationship “firsts” as emotional conditioning: first love, first breakup, and what we learn from it

A massage therapist’s perspective on pain tolerance and what the body learns to expect

A personal travel story: learning independence through navigating Tokyo trains as a kid

The hidden gift of getting lost: trusting you can find your way back

Key takeaways

1) Comfort is trained, not assigned

Your “comfort zone” isn’t your personality, it’s your practice history. The more you’ve done something (travel, change, uncertainty, starting over), the less your brain treats it like danger.

2) Fear is information, not a stop sign

Fear often shows up to protect you, especially if you’ve been hurt or blindsided before. The trick is listening for the lesson without letting fear shrink your world.

3) Repetition rewires your reactions

Just like going to the gym trains muscles, trying new experiences trains your nervous system. Consistency teaches your brain: “I can survive this.”

4) “Starting over” builds patience and resilience

From classic video games to real life, starting again and again builds a quiet strength. You learn you can reset without falling apart.

5) Independence grows from being trusted with responsibility

Cat shares how her dad trained her to observe landmarks, navigate train systems, and problem-solve when lost. That early conditioning created confidence that still shows up today.

Quotes (pull-outs for Substack formatting)

“What you condition yourself to experience is where your comfort lands.”

“Fear is there to protect you, but don’t let it hinder you.”

“The more you let yourself experience things, the more fear can turn into excitement.”

“I’m not scared of getting lost… I’m confident I can find my way back.”

Reflection prompts (for readers)

What’s one thing you call “scary” that might actually just be “unfamiliar”?

Where did you learn your current comfort level: family, past experiences, or lack of repetition?

What’s a small “borderline” you can cross this week (a new place, a new conversation, a new habit)?

When fear shows up for you, what is it trying to protect?

Where in your life have you already proven you can “find your way back”?

Try this tiny challenge

Pick one new experience that’s low-stakes but slightly uncomfortable. Do it once this week. Then do it again next week. Your brain loves receipts. 🧠✨

Tags / SEO keywords

conditioning, fear of the unknown, comfort zone, nervous system, resilience, confidence, new experiences, travel mindset, independence, personal growth, Cat Unmuted

Call to action (end of post)

If this episode resonated, hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. And if you know someone who’s standing at the edge of a big change, send this their way. 💛

I also dive into how trauma can create fear and control, and how that control can accidentally spill onto the people we love. I tell a personal story about trying to protect my brother from struggling, and the moment I realized my “help” was really control. When I finally let go, everything changed, not just for him, but for me too.

And I connect that back to my own rock bottoms, including miscarriage, and how that pain became the doorway to writing my books, starting this podcast, and finally using my voice.

In This Episode

Why hardships can “mute” your authenticity, but also teach you how to reclaim it

How experience builds skill (and why avoiding pain can delay growth)

The difference between compassion and comparison

Why trauma often creates fear, and how fear tries to control the future

The moment I realized I was trying to “save” my brother… and how it held him back

What changed when I stopped asking, stopped advising, and just let him be

How letting go of control gives people room to rise

Reframing painful events: “What can this experience bring me?”

How miscarriage led to writing three books and finding my voice

Key Takeaways

You can’t learn what you refuse to experience.

Compassion isn’t competition. Pain doesn’t need to be compared to be valid.

Control often comes from fear, not love, even when it’s dressed as “helping.”

Letting people struggle doesn’t mean you don’t care, it means you trust their growth.

Some experiences can’t be avoided, but you can choose what they turn into.

Quotes to Pull for a Graphic / Caption

“The best teacher is experience.”

“Fear creates control to keep you safe, but it can also keep you stuck.”

“I realized my control had nothing to do with him. It had everything to do with me.”

“What can this experience bring you?”

“Letting go made a whole world of difference.”

Reflection Questions

Where are you trying to control things because you’re afraid?

Are you helping someone… or trying to prevent them from learning?

What’s one painful experience that later brought something good into your life?

If you stopped fighting what happened, what could you build from it?

Call to Action

If this episode hit home for you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s trying to grow through something hard. I’ll see you next week.

Cat shares deeply personal stories about people-pleasing, losing friendships, reclaiming her voice, and how life transitions, even painful ones, can become catalysts for growth. She also reflects on safety, belonging, motherhood, miscarriage, and how finding her voice led to writing three books and starting this podcast.

This episode is about choosing yourself, even when it costs you familiarity, approval, or comfort.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

How frequent childhood moves shaped Cat’s ability to evolve her identity

A pivotal childhood moment when saying “no” cost her friendships

Why people often resist your growth when it disrupts their access to you

How changing environments can make personal change easier

The difference between losing friends and outgrowing them

Rock-bottom moments in adulthood that forced radical self-honesty

The role of safety, place, and belonging in identity formation

Why leaving a community can be necessary to become who you need to be

How miscarriage became a turning point that unlocked Cat’s voice

The connection between grief, creativity, and authenticity

Why focusing on what went “right” can transform how you experience hardship

Key Themes

Identity evolution

Boundaries and self-advocacy

People-pleasing and manipulation

Environment as a catalyst for change

Safety, home, and belonging

Grief as a doorway to purpose

Reclaiming your voice

Choosing growth over comfort

Powerful Takeaways

You don’t need permission to change

Losing people doesn’t always mean you did something wrong

Environments can either support or suffocate who you’re becoming

Rock bottom isn’t an ending, it’s often a reset

Your voice may be buried, not gone

Painful experiences can carry hidden advantages

Reflection Questions

Who were you taught to be in order to belong?

What parts of yourself did you silence to keep the peace?

If you could start fresh in a new environment, who would you choose to be?

What “unwanted” experience in your life actually led you somewhere better?

Mentioned in This Episode

Cat’s miscarriage memoir series

The decision to close a successful business

Moving toward a life aligned with safety, freedom, and authenticity

The journey toward Okinawa

Finding the courage to speak, write, and be seen

Connect with Cat

If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share.Your support helps this message reach others who may be standing at the edge of their own becoming.

New episodes weekly.See you next time 🤍

During my miscarriage and the numbness that followed, I was desperate to feel something. Joy. Laughter. Connection. Anything.That search led me to an absurd, joyful decision: buying a giant inflatable duck and driving it around town.

What I didn’t expect was how people would respond.

Honks. Waves. Shouts of “I love your duck!”Strangers smiling.My inner child waking up.

In this episode, I talk about:

* The Jeep + duck culture and how Lucky became part of it

* How postpartum depression showed up for me as emotional numbness

* Why joy, even silly joy, can be deeply healing

* How Lucky the BYRD got its name (Big Yellow Rubber Duck 🦆)

* How this duck became the symbol behind my book series

* Why my third book is called Turning the Page

* The people, resources, and community that helped me heal

* And how I personally sign, wrap, and package every book ordered through my website

This episode is about grief, resilience, and how unexpected joy can crack open a closed heart.

If you’re walking through loss, transition, or a season where everything feels like it’s changing… this one’s for you.

✨ Want to follow along or find my books?Visit joshandcat.com and click Follow Our Socials under Our Story.

📚 Books are available on Amazon🎁 Signed & gift-wrapped copies are available directly through my website (with little surprises inside)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share.I’ll see you next week. 💛

In this second episode, I reflect on what it felt like to release my very first episode and how big that step really was for me. In the beginning, sharing my voice, my thoughts, and my truth felt uncomfortable. Talking about my throat chakra wasn’t just symbolic. It was real. It was about learning how to speak, share, and be seen.

Since then, something beautiful has happened. I now have three books out in the world. Three pieces of my life, my story, and my truth that people can read, hold, and move through in their own time. That still amazes me.

Yes, there was grief along the way. But out of that grief, a new identity was born. One that I’m learning to love. One that feels honest, strong, and real. The grieving wasn’t for nothing. It shaped who I am becoming.

This episode is short, simple, and heartfelt. Just a moment of reflection, gratitude, and grounding into how far I’ve come.

If you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, don’t forget to like and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

I’ll see you in the next episode.

Cat, Unmuted is a reflective audio space where lived experience, truth-telling, and quiet clarity meet. In this welcome episode, Cat shares who she is, why this space exists, and what “unmuted” really means. No fixing. No performing. Just honest reflection, out loud.

This episode is an introduction to Cat, Unmuted and the intention behind it.

In it, I share:

- Who I am and where my voice comes from

- What “unmuted” means in real life

- Why this space is reflective, not performative

- What you can expect from future episodes

This podcast isn’t about teaching you how to live.It’s about naming what’s already happening inside you.

This space is:

- Reflective, not reactive

- Honest, not polished

- Slow, not optimized

- Lived, not theoretical

This space is not:

- A self-help formula

- A highlight reel

- A place you have to “keep up”

- A space that rushes healing

You don’t need to agree with me to be here.You just need to be willing to listen.

This is for you if:

- You’ve ever swallowed your truth to keep the peace

- You’re tired of over-explaining yourself

- You feel like your voice has been on mute, even to yourself

- You want reflection without pressure

- If you’re in a season of unlearning, untangling, or remembering yourself, you’re in the right place.

Future episodes may include:

- Personal reflections and lived experiences

- Uncomfortable truths said gently

- Conversations about boundaries, grief, identity, and change

- Quiet realizations that land later, not louder

Some episodes will be short.Some will wander.All of them will be honest.

A Gentle Invitation

You don’t need to listen perfectly.You don’t need to take notes.You don’t need to do anything with this.

Let it sit with you.Come back when you need it.

If this resonates, you’re welcome to:

Subscribe here on Substack

Share the episode with someone who needs permission to exhale

Listen wherever this podcast is shared

About Cat

I’m Catherine (Cat) Carnell.I’m a writer, unconventional healer/coach, and storyteller.

I speak from lived experience, not mastery.This space exists because silence can be heavy, and naming things can make them lighter.

This is Cat, Unmuted.

“Nothing here needs to be fixed.It just needs to be heard.”