Cat, Unmuted Podcast

Cat, Unmuted

I’m Catherine (Cat) Carnell, an author, unconventional healer/coach, and storyteller. I normalize taboo topics through lived experience and reflection, often avoided until life high-fives us in the face. No rushing. No pressure. No judgment. catlcarnell.substack.com

  1. May 14

    Not My Drama

    In this episode of Cat Unmuted, I share a real experience from a recent vending event I attended with a friend—and how quickly things can spiral when people choose reaction over awareness. 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. Get full access to Cat Unmuted at catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min
  2. May 6

    What Adenomyosis Has Been Like for Me

    This episode of Cat Unmuted is deeply personal. 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. Get full access to Cat Unmuted at catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe

    34 min
  3. Apr 21

    Selling a House Isn’t Just Physical… It’s Energetic

    In this episode, I walk through the real process of preparing a home for sale—not just the physical work, but the emotional and energetic shifts that come with it. 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. Get full access to Cat Unmuted at catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe

    35 min
  4. Apr 7

    You Don’t Just Fall in Love Once

    What this episode explores:🔹 People Change—Not Just Women 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. Get full access to Cat Unmuted at catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min

About

I’m Catherine (Cat) Carnell, an author, unconventional healer/coach, and storyteller. I normalize taboo topics through lived experience and reflection, often avoided until life high-fives us in the face. No rushing. No pressure. No judgment. catlcarnell.substack.com