Rediscover Joy

Cait Wotherspoon

Welcome to "Rediscover Joy, the podcast where we navigate the complex landscape of death, dying, and grief together. I’m your host, Cait Wotherspoon and each in episode I’ll be exploring how to cope, heal, and ultimately find joy while living alongside grief. During each episode, I’ll bring you conversations with professionals in the fields of psychology, counselling and hospice care, alongside the heartfelt stories of everyday people who have faced loss and emerged stronger. My goal is to create a compassionate, safe space where we can all share experiences, gain insights, and discover practical tools for living a fulfilling life, even as you carry the weight of grief. Join me as I uncover the resilience of the human spirit and learn how to honour your loved ones while embracing the beauty of life. Whether you’re grieving yourself or supporting someone who is, "Rediscover Joy while living alongside grief" is here to offer hope, understanding, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

  1. Rekindling Your Relationship with Your Body and Creativity with Cathy Williams

    09/09/2025

    Rekindling Your Relationship with Your Body and Creativity with Cathy Williams

    In this episode, Cait sits down with Cathy Williams from Intuitive Self to explore how reconnecting with your body and creativity can support emotional healing and intuitive living. Cathy shares her personal story of growing up with a creative mother who encouraged play, hobbies, and imagination, even though creativity wasn’t seen as a “real” career in her family or culture. She talks about how those early experiences shaped her relationship with art, dance, and expression and how she later returned to creativity as a vital outlet for self-discovery and healing. Together, Cait and Cathy talk about: Why so many adults say, “I can’t paint, dance, or draw,” and how Cathy gently challenges that belief.How using creativity through movement, colour, and play can open us to new experiences and emotional regulation.The role of the body as a resource, a way to process sensations, hold space for emotions, and build somatic trust without always needing words.Cathy’s journey of learning to listen to her tired, burnt-out body and honouring what it needed, rather than pushing through or staying in her head.This conversation is a beautiful reminder that creativity isn’t just about making art,  it’s about reconnecting with your body, play, and the parts of yourself that know how to feel, express, and imagine. Cait also shares a favourite book, The Dance Cure by Dr. Peter Lovatt, which explores the power of movement in shaping how we feel. You can check it out here: The Dance Cure This episode is a beautiful reminder that creativity isn’t just about making art — it’s about reconnecting with the body, with play, and with those parts of ourselves that know how to feel, express, and imagine. Want to learn more from Cathy? You can explore her work and follow along here: Website: intuitiveself.com.au Instagram: @intuitiveself__✅ Let’s Stay Connected: Instagram: @cait_wotherspoon Pinterest: Cait Wotherspoon Facebook: Cait Wotherspoon Counselling LinkedIn: Cait Wotherspoon ✅ Check Out My Website: CaitWotherspoon.com.au

    1h 4m
  2. Living Fully, Dying Well, A Conversation with Emily Chadbourne

    06/03/2025

    Living Fully, Dying Well, A Conversation with Emily Chadbourne

    In this episode, I sit down with Emily Chadbourne, a coach, speaker, author, and now, a death doula to explore what it really means to live a life that’s true, and to die with presence. Emily (Em) brings a vibrant energy to a space that’s often muted and clinical. Her journey is anything but linear: from empowerment coaching and style storytelling to sobriety, burnout, and ultimately, soul-aligned death work. We talk about: Why she nearly shut down her business overnight, and what she found insteadHer raw experience losing her mum and the lessons it taught her about how (and when) to say what mattersThe power of living funerals and celebrating life while it’s still being livedThe pink fluffy jumper moment that marked her entry into death doula workReframing the narrative: not normalising death, but socialising itWhy the next 10 years will bring a tipping point in how we care for our ageing population, and why we need more doulas, grief counsellors, estate planners and community support nowEm shares with candour, clarity and heart. She’s not afraid of the tough stuff and in doing so, she gives you permission to reflect, reframe, and reconnect. This isn’t just a conversation about death.  It’s about how we live  and how we make meaning all the way through. 🔗 Explore Em's work: https://www.lifebeforedeath.com.au Including Living Funerals, speaking, death doula services, and her story. 📱 Follow Em on Instagram: @emchadbourne — raw, real, funny, and full of heart. ✅ Let’s Stay Connected: Instagram: @cait_wotherspoon Pinterest: Cait Wotherspoon Facebook: Cait Wotherspoon Counselling LinkedIn: Cait Wotherspoon ✅ Check Out My Website: CaitWotherspoon.com.au

    52 min
  3. My Journey: From grief therapy to Creative healing

    03/14/2025

    My Journey: From grief therapy to Creative healing

    In this episode, I sit down with my Online Business Manager, Catherine Mason, who turns the tables and interviews me. We talk about my journey, how I started in grief therapy, the experiences that shaped my work, and the exciting shifts happening in my business now. For years, I’ve supported people through loss, helping them process grief with compassion and understanding. But what many people may not know is that I’m now bringing more and more creativity into my work, offering workshops and online programs to support the healing process in a new way. In this conversation, I share: What led me to work in grief therapyThe lessons I’ve learned from walking alongside others in their griefWhy creativity is becoming such an important part of my workHow I’m transitioning into online workshops and what’s coming nextMy thoughts on healing, connection, and using creativity to process emotionsThis is a personal episode where I reflect on where I started, how my work has evolved, and what’s ahead. Whether you’re going through grief yourself or are curious about how creativity can support healing, I hope this conversation resonates with you. If you find this episode helpful, I’d love for you to share it with someone who might need it. ✅ Let’s Stay Connected: Instagram: @cait_wotherspoon Pinterest: Cait Wotherspoon Facebook: Cait Wotherspoon Counselling LinkedIn: Cait Wotherspoon ✅ Check Out My Website: CaitWotherspoon.com.au

    39 min
  4. Rediscovering Joy: My Heart-to-Heart with Di on compassion and empowerment

    02/24/2025

    Rediscovering Joy: My Heart-to-Heart with Di on compassion and empowerment

    Recently, I have had the pleasure of sitting down with Di Geddes, a warm, caring registered nurse with nearly 40 years of experience who’s all about spreading compassion and joy. In January 2021, Di founded Exceptional Care For You, and she’s been transforming disability care ever since by putting both carers and clients at the heart of everything she does. A Bit About Di: Di has dedicated almost 40 years to nursing, working across hospitals, community care, corporate roles, and aged care.She started Exceptional Care For You purely on word-of-mouth referrals, and it’s been growing steadily since day one.Di is passionate about delivering disability care with kindness, ensuring that every client and carer feels truly valued.She’s also a big advocate for women, encouraging us to follow our dreams and build careers that really align with our values.What we talk about in this episode: Di’s Journey: I loved hearing how her diverse nursing background shaped her unique perspective on disability care.Creating a Supportive Culture: We discussed how important it is to build a workplace where everyone feels cared for and respected.Driving Positive Change: Di shared her thoughts on keeping the conversation around the NDIS positive and always client-focused.Empowering Women: Her heartfelt message about following your passion—no matter when you start—was incredibly inspiring.Key Takeaways: Compassion Works: Even small acts of kindness can make a huge difference, both at work and at home.Value-Driven Leadership: When you build your business around strong values like commitment, teamwork, and excellence, amazing things happen.It’s Never Too Late: Whether you’re considering a career change or starting something new, there’s never a wrong time to follow your dreams.Word of Mouth: Di’s journey shows that genuine care and dedication can drive success without any flashy marketing.Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed our down-to-earth conversation, and I hope Di’s story inspires you as much as it inspired me. It’s a great reminder that when we lead with kindness and care, we can truly transform not only our businesses but our lives too. Tune in, get inspired, and maybe pick up a few ideas to bring more joy into your own work and life! Connect with Di: If you’d like to learn more about Di’s work or get in touch, here are a few ways to connect with her and Exceptional Care For You: Website: exceptionalcareforyou.comInstagram: @exceptional.careforyouLinkedIn: Exceptional Care For You✅ Let’s Stay Connected: Instagram: @cait_wotherspoon Pinterest: Cait Wotherspoon Facebook: Cait Wotherspoon Counselling LinkedIn: Cait Wotherspoon ✅ Check Out My Website: CaitWotherspoon.com.au

    49 min
  5. Patrick Monette Shares His Emotional Story About Losing His Dad During Covid

    12/19/2024

    Patrick Monette Shares His Emotional Story About Losing His Dad During Covid

    n this emotional episode, Patrick Monette opens up about the profound loss of his father during the Covid-19 pandemic. He shares the challenges he faced organising a funeral under strict restrictions and the isolation of grieving during a lockdown. Patrick’s story offers a heartfelt glimpse into the pain of loss and the resilience required to navigate such a difficult time. About Patrick Monette Patrick is a licensed mental health and addiction counsellor, trauma specialist, and certified life coach based in Northern New York. With extensive experience in trauma-informed care, Patrick is: A Certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA Approved ConsultantA certified EFT couples therapistFluent in English and Spanish, providing bilingual treatmentHis private practice focuses on: Couples therapy and trauma recoveryGender issues, anger management, and perinatal traumaCo-occurring disordersPatrick is also an educator and mental health consultant, actively engaged with his local community’s drug court systems. His passion for helping others extends to teaching and supporting individuals through life’s most challenging moments. Find more about his work at www.patrickmonette.com. Key Themes Discussed Grief During Covid: Patrick reflects on the emotional impact of losing a loved one during a time of isolation, when traditional forms of support weren’t available.Funeral Planning Challenges: He shares the struggles of organising his father’s funeral under Covid restrictions and the heartbreak of not being able to gather as a family.Coping with Loss: Patrick discusses how he found strength and meaning in his grief, offering insights for others who may be experiencing similar challenges.Why Watch This Episode? Patrick’s vulnerability and openness provide comfort and inspiration for anyone navigating grief. This episode shines a light on the unique challenges of loss during a pandemic while sharing tools and insights to help others find their way through similar experiences. Connect with Patrick Learn more: www.patrickmonette.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/monettecounselingservices/ ✅ Let’s Stay Connected: Instagram: @cait_wotherspoon Pinterest: Cait Wotherspoon Facebook: Cait Wotherspoon Counselling LinkedIn: Cait Wotherspoon ✅ Check Out My Website: CaitWotherspoon.com.au

    42 min
  6. Jane from Tranquillo Place – Trauma-Informed Healing and Holistic Care

    12/12/2024

    Jane from Tranquillo Place – Trauma-Informed Healing and Holistic Care

    Today’s guest is Jane, founder of Tranquillo Place, a trauma-informed counselling practice in Mona Vale. With years of experience and professional training, Jane supports people through trauma recovery, anxiety, stress, grief, and loss. Now based in the Adelaide Hills, Jane continues to connect with her Sydney community through online sessions and periodic in-person counselling. Jane’s Approach Jane’s eclectic style integrates traditional counselling with body-focused, trauma-informed practices, influenced by Polyvagal Theory and yogic studies. Her offerings include: Counselling and supervision (in person and online).Trauma-aware support groups and training.Grief Conversations – safe spaces to explore and discuss loss.What Sets Jane Apart Jane blends therapy with holistic modalities like yoga and subtle energetics. After completing her 350-hour yoga teacher training in 2020, she now offers calming, trauma-sensitive yoga sessions. Her professional training includes: Rhythms of Regulation (Polyvagal Theory)Heart Math (Heart Rate Variability)Brain Spotting (trauma recovery)Internal Family Systems (IFS)Jane’s Mission A lifelong learner, Jane’s work builds awareness around trauma-informed practices, helping people recover and live wholehearted, connected lives. She regularly attends events like the International Childhood Trauma Conference to stay inspired. Get to Know Jane Jane’s warmth and creativity make her approachable and grounded. Whether navigating grief, stress, or trauma, Jane and her team at Tranquillo Place provide a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at Tranquillo Place or follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook (linked below). Links & Resources Tranquillo Place WebsiteInstagram: @tranquillojaneFacebook: Tranquillo PlaceWrap-Up Thank you to Jane for sharing her insights. If you’re seeking a holistic, compassionate approach to healing, Tranquillo Place is here to support you. ✅ Let’s Stay Connected: Instagram: @cait_wotherspoon Pinterest: Cait Wotherspoon Facebook: Cait Wotherspoon Counselling LinkedIn: Cait Wotherspoon ✅ Check Out My Website: CaitWotherspoon.com.au

    43 min

About

Welcome to "Rediscover Joy, the podcast where we navigate the complex landscape of death, dying, and grief together. I’m your host, Cait Wotherspoon and each in episode I’ll be exploring how to cope, heal, and ultimately find joy while living alongside grief. During each episode, I’ll bring you conversations with professionals in the fields of psychology, counselling and hospice care, alongside the heartfelt stories of everyday people who have faced loss and emerged stronger. My goal is to create a compassionate, safe space where we can all share experiences, gain insights, and discover practical tools for living a fulfilling life, even as you carry the weight of grief. Join me as I uncover the resilience of the human spirit and learn how to honour your loved ones while embracing the beauty of life. Whether you’re grieving yourself or supporting someone who is, "Rediscover Joy while living alongside grief" is here to offer hope, understanding, and a reminder that you’re not alone.